Room 159 has a new blog!!  Please visit www.burnbulletin.blogspot.ca to see our new blog!

Hello to the parents of Room 159!


Thank you so much for a wonderful year! I had so much fun learning and growing with all of your children, Thursdays have become my most favourite day of the week :)

I would like to thank the AM class's parents for the amazing gift card to Indigo which I will use right away to buy lots of books to read and for my future classroom (hopefully).


Thank you to the PM class's parents for the thoughtful Bay gift card and wedding card which will be well used to put towards purchasing a vacuum for our new home :)


Have a fun, safe and exciting summer! :)

Good luck to all of the graduates who are off to new adventures in Grade One  (and to all day school!) and to the students who are becoming the leaders in Ms. Raymond's class next year as SKs.


Lots of love,

Stella Kyriacou aka Ms. K

Happy last week of school!  This will be a busy week as we finish the 2012-2013 school year.  Just a reminder to please have your child continue to bring his/her backpack to school as I am sending home completed work.  Also as the warm weather continues a water bottle is always a great idea as our closest water fountain is down the hall.
We had a wonderful time with our reading buddies this week.  Both classes have enjoyed reading and learning with their Grade Four Buddies.  Thank you to Mrs. Dias and Ms. Zappi for visiting us each week and sharing their classes with us.
Our Senior Kindergarten Graduation is Monday, June 24 in our classroom.  The Senior Kindergarten students are very excited as they are preparing for Grade One and the Junior Kindergarten students are looking forward to being Senior students next year.  I am looking forward to sharing our Graduation with the Senior Kindergarten families.  
A reminder of the Volunteer Tea on Tuesday, June 25 in the library, beginning at 8:15 am.  Thank you so much for everything you do to assist in the learning at LKS.  Your hard work and time is greatly appreciated.  Everyone is welcome.  Please let me know via email or personally if you are attending, so I may pass along the numbers to the organizing committee.  See you there!
Thank you to everyone who volunteered to wash our classroom toys.  They may be returned any day this week.  The children were very excited to take a box or bag of goodies home.
Lunch on the Lawn is Thursday, June 27.  The pizza will be delivered to our classroom close to 11:30 am.  I will dismiss the children at the regular time to their parents/caregivers.  Families may then pick up their pizza in our classroom and proceed to the Shale Pit.  Afternoon children can also pick up their pizza at approximately 11:30 am in the classroom and proceed to the Shale Pit.  I will meet the afternoon class after lunch, as usual on the outside wall for class in anticipation of the 12:30 pm bell.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Children must be supervised by their family or caregivers at all times during the lunch hour.
Wishing you all the best for the summer and thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your child's life.  It has been a wonderful school year.

Just a reminder that Snuggle Up books are now finished for the year.  Please return any Snuggle Up books you have at home as soon as possible.  Thanks so much.

Welcome to the last full week of school!  A reminder of our last Sharing Assembly on Monday, June 17.  The Kindergarten classes will be singing a song entitled, "Our Fabulous Year."  The children have been busy learning about the features and values of coins.  Everyone has been enjoying using the cash register at the store and using real money to purchase items.  It has been a great learning opportunity.  I will continue to introduce new coins this week.

Thank you to everyone who has returned library books.  We only have a few left outstanding.  You will be receiving notes if your child has not returned his/her library books.  Please see Ms. McGee if you have any questions.

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful Dad's in our class.  Your child loved making your gift and card.  I hope you are as excited as they are!  It is always to so wonderful to watch them make their decisions about what to write and what colours to use.  Everything they make is truly made with love and comes from the heart!  Enjoy your special day!!  If you have not yet received your gift, give your chid a gentle reminder, it is in his/her knapsack.

We will have our last meeting with our reading buddies this week.  The children have enjoyed this wonderful learning opportunity and have made new friends.  The children completed "Yearbooks" with their buddies this week and we hope to go outside with our buddies for our last visit.

The Senior Kindergarten students have started to go out for recess in anticipation of Grade One.  The Junior Kindergarten students and I go out into the fenced Kindergarten yard during recess and the Seniors are able to experience the big school yard.  The Seniors are doing a wonderful job and enjoying this new experience.

I sent home invitations to the Volunteer Breakfast on Friday.  The Breakfast is Tuesday, June 25.  It is our staff's way of thanking you for everything that you do.  Looking forward to seeing you there!

Thanks again for all your support and assistance this year.  A reminder to the Senior Kindergarten families that our Graduation is on Monday, June 24.  Thank you to everyone who has volunteered food, drinks and decorations to help make this day special.  This is a regular school day and the Junior Kindergarten students will be attending the graduation ceremony is our classroom.

Happy June!  The countdown has begun to the last day of school.  The children are looking forward to making gifts this week for a special member of their family.  Gifts and cards will be sent home on Friday in anticipation of Father's Day on Sunday. 
Pizza forms for Lunch on the Lawn were sent home Thursday in your child's mailbag.   They are bright yellow forms with the information needed to order pizza for Thursday, June 27.  All forms are due back to school by Tuesday, June 11.  Lunch on the Lawn takes place during the regular lunch hour on Thursday, June 27.  I will dismiss the morning class as usual on that day and the afternoon class will start school as usual.  Families are invited to eat lunch in the Shale Pit with the school community.  All children must be with an adult to attend Lunch on the Lawn.
I am continuing to introduce coins to the class.  The drama centre has also been turned into a store and the children are having fun using the cash register, shopping, exchanging money and writing receipts.  What a great learning opportunity!
Ms. McGee is continuing to collect all outstanding library books in order to complete her year end inventory.  If you have any questions regarding outstanding or lost library books, please see Ms. McGee directly.  Thanks so much for returning all overdue books.
Friday, June 14 will be our last day for Snuggle Up books.  Please return all Snuggle Up books and mailbags on Monday, June 17.  The June Sharing Assembly is also Monday, June 17.  Award winners have already been notified.  If your child has not yet received an award and I have not contacted you, please let me know immediately.  
This is always a busy time of year as the school year comes to a close.  Thanks so much for all your support and assistance.

Pizza forms for Lunch on the Lawn will be sent home Thursday, June 6 in your child's mailbag.  They will be put at the front of your child's sound review book.  They need to be returned by Tuesday, June 11.   Just a reminder that children must be accompanied by an adult to attend Lunch on the Lawn and the regular school hours apply.

Wow!  It is the first week of June.  The countdown to the end of the school year has begun.  Please watch the ice cream scoops outside our classroom door for the countdown.  This is always a very busy time of year at LKS and please continue to check the blog for up to date information.
The Junior Kindergarten students received notes on Friday with their placement for Senior Kindergarten.    Senior Kindergarten students will receive their placement on their report cards which will be sent home Wednesday, June 26.  Junior Kindergarten students will also receive report cards on June 26.
To conduct an inventory in the library Ms. McGee has stopped book exchange from the library.  The children will continue to visit the library at their scheduled times.  Please send back any outstanding library books as soon as possible.  Ms. McGee would like all books back and accounts cleared by June 14.  Thanks in advance.
I will be introducing the dime to the children this week.  I will also be setting up a store in the classroom where the children can role-play shopping and use the coins we are learning about.
If you have not sent in your baby picture of your Senior Kindergarten child, please email it or send me a photo this week.
Since Friday is a PA Day, mailbags will be sent home Monday and Thursday this week.
Just a reminder to please check the June leader calendar to ensure you send snack and your child's sharing on his/her leader day.  

Welcome to the last week of May.  The school year continues to fly by.  The children have been busy learning and assembling the lifecycle of the frog.  I will be starting to introduce coins this week.  This is always an interesting unit for the children since everyone uses money.
The end of the school year is always an extra busy time at LKS.  Please continue to check the blog regularly for any changes or updates.
For those new to LKS the last day of school, Thursday, June 27 is celebrated with a huge school picnic in the Shale Pit.  It is called Lunch on the Lawn.  You may bring your own lunch or order pizza (forms will be sent home soon).  All families are invited to attend, but children must be accompanied by an adult.  I will dismiss the morning class as usual and then everyone heads down to the Shale Pit.  Mark your calendars!  Report cards are sent home Wednesday, June 26 with all students.   
The warm weather is upon us again.  Please have your child wear a hat to school to help protect his/her skin from the sun when outside.  Sunglasses are also a great idea, since you can't put sunscreen on your eyes.
I will be sending home June calendars on Monday, May 27.  

Reminders:
Tuesday, May 28-Sharing Assembly
Monday, June 17-Sharing Assembly
Monday, June 24-Senior Kindergarten Graduation-please email or send in a baby picture of your SK child.

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to the library beginning Tuesday, May 21 to Friday, May 24.  The Book Fair opens at 8:30 am and closes at 3:30 pm.  It is also closed from 11:30-12:30 for lunch.  Room 159 will be visiting the Book Fair on Wednesday, May 22.  Please send your child's money in a labeled baggie or change purse to avoid lost money.  All children will be visiting the book fair with the class, but buying a book is not necessary.  Just as when adults go shopping, sometimes we just go and have a look.  There is a blue note in your child's mailbag with detailed Book Fair information.
We will continue our unit on frogs this week.  The children have made frogs and have written facts about frogs.  We will be starting the life cycle of the frog this week.  Keep watching the bulletin board in the hall.
On Monday, June 24 there will be a small Senior Kindergarten Graduation ceremony in Room 159.  All children will attend school as normal and the Graduation will be held during the morning and afternoon class.  More information will be sent home with the Senior Kindergarten students.
The next Sharing Assembly is Tuesday, May 28.  This is a date change due to a Kindergarten Workshop that all Kindergarten teachers are attending.  We will be presenting a poem about a "Wiggly Tooth".  Certificate recipients for May and June have been notified.  Please let me know if your child has not received an award and you have not been notified.  Thanks in advance. Our final Sharing Assembly is Monday, June 17.  All Sharing Assemblies start at 9:00 am and 12:40 in lunch room.
I hope that everyone is enjoying a wonderful long weekend with your family and friends.

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers in Room 159.  I hope you are enjoying your special day.  The children had a wonderful time creating your paintings during our visit from the artist.  They also put much effort and love into your cards.  It was wonderful to watch the creative process and see their pride in their accomplishments.  They couldn't wait to take home your presents.
Nathalie Vachon, a storyteller, musician and artist presented to both classes on Friday.  The children loved her interactive stories and songs.  
We will be starting a unit on frogs on Monday.  We will be learning the lifecycle of frogs and how they grow.  Watch our bulletin board in the hall as a pond will emerge as the week continues.
The Grade 5 class is having a book drive for less privileged children.  You may send in gently used children's books, text books, encyclopedias and adult books.  New pencils and crayons are also accepted. There is a donation box in our classroom.
Thank you to everyone who has ordered from Scholastic this year.  The May order has been placed and should be arriving soon.  The final order form will be sent home at the end of the week.
As there is no school next Monday, May 20, mailbags will go home Tuesday and Friday next week.  Enjoy the long weekend with your family and friends.
A reminder of the May Sharing Assembly on May 28.  It has been moved from May 22 due to Kindergarten workshop that the teachers will be attending.  Families will be notified next week.

I hope that everyone is enjoying this wonderful weather.  Both classes enjoyed time outside with their Reading Buddies this week.  A reminder to apply sunscreen on your child before he/she comes to school as we are often outside when the sun is at it's strongest.  Children should also being wearing hats and water bottles are always helpful to eliminate trips to the water fountain.  I have also sent home the children's extra pair of shoes from their cubby.
Thank you to everyone who bought a copy of our Morning Class Nursery Rhyme Book for Springfest.  Thank you to everyone who donated items to our Afternoon Fun/Picnic Basket.  Both articles helped to raise money at the Silent Auction.  It was wonderful to see everyone at Springfest enjoying all the fun activities.  The money raised at Springfest helps to provide many wonderful activities including Scientist in the School, Artist in the School and Smart boards in the classroom.  Also thank you so much for your donations to Tombola for Springfest.  I hope everyone had the chance to play this popular game.
Mayor Rob Ford has proclaimed Monday, Blue and White Day in Toronto to support the Leafs as they play their 3rd playoff games against Boston.  Wear your blue and white or Leafs apparel and show your Leaf spirit.  Go Leafs Go!!
We are continuing to study 3d shapes in math.  The children have been finding examples of 3d shapes in their environment.  The children will also have the opportunity to explore which shapes slide and which shapes roll this week.  We have also begun 2 letter blends in our Jolly Phonics lessons.  This week we will be working on some special projects for an important member of our family.
There were no Snuggle Up books this weekend in your child's mailbag.   I hope you have the opportunity to read favourite poems in the Poetry books and practise high frequency words.

Wednesday, May 1 is blue and white day  to celebrate the Toronto Maple Leafs making the playoffs.  Children are encouraged to wear blue and white clothing or Leafs apparel.  Show your Leaf spirit and wear your blue and white!  Go Leafs Go!

 It was wonderful to see the sun this week.  Keep your fingers crossed that Spring is finally here!  We had a busy week in Room 159.  I introduced the children to 3 dimensional shapes including the sphere, the cone, the cylinder, the pyramid the cube and the prism.  We have been matching shapes, exploring the "faces" of the shapes and looking for examples of 3 dimensional shapes in our environment.  Watch for our new poem about 3D shapes in your child's poetry book next week.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Sharing Assembly on Thursday.  The May Sharing Assembly will be Tuesday, May 28.

We cleaned up the school yard on Monday, April 22 to celebrate Earth Day.  The children had fun wearing their plastic gloves and exploring for garbage.  The class also completed a writing activity on Monday regarding what his/her hand can do to help the Earth.  The children are being very independent writers.

The children learned about Vincent van Gogh with the artist, Janeen Brownrigg on Thursday.  She explained how van Gogh painted with dashes and swirls and used lots of paint in his paintings to create motion and texture.  It was a wonderful day of art provided by Parent Council.  Thanks so much!  Please be patient as the paintings will be sent home at a later date.  For additional information regarding art classes visit www.lelloartschool&gallery.com

As we begin a new cycle on the leader chart, the children will be discussing their birthdates.  Thank you so much for all your assistance helping your child learn his/her phone number and address.  I sent home the May calendar on Friday.  Please let me know if you did not receive the May calendar.  I am looking forward to hearing about your child's favourite animal.

Springfest is quickly approaching on Saturday, May 4.  I will continue to collect donations for the afternoon Silent Auction box until Wednesday.  Thank you to everyone who has contributed.  Please see the right side of the blog for the contents of the box.

This is a busy time for fundraising and collections at school.  A reminder that all collections are voluntary and annonymous.  

Information regarding Tombola Leaf Campaign for Springfest:

The Tombola Leaf Campaign is one of LKS's most popular events.  Last year, this campaign raised $8,000 in donations to the school!  Students are encouraged to bring in cash or cheque donations that will be pooled each day for each classroom.  Each class will receive a Tombola "Leaf" for every $5.00 raised. The leaves are proudly displayed on classroom doors.  The classes with the most Tombola Leaves will WIN prizes.  (The Tombola Committee will assess each class's success on a pro rata basis so that classes with fewer students are not disadvantaged from being eligible to win.)  

This Campaign continues next week: Apr 29-May 3.  Buy 1, 5 or 10 leaves! Simply send your cash or cheque (payable to "LKS & Parent Council") in an envelope marked "Tombola Leaves" with your child to their classroom.  Thank you for your support!!!

We had a wonderful day with the Scientist on Monday.  Everyone participated in 4 different centres including fishing with magnets, investigating magnetic toys, predicting which objects were magnetic and exploring magnets with the Scientist.  Thank you to Parent Council for funding this great experience.  Also thanks to the parent volunteers who helped to lead the activities.  Your help is greatly appreciated.
Both classes had fire drills this week and did a wonderful job.
Thank you to everyone who donated coins to the Seeds of Hope Penny Drive.  Your generosity will help fund clean water for many less fortunate.  Both classes were silent for 15 minutes on Thursday.  I was so proud of their efforts.  Way to Go, Room 159!
We have been discussing Earth Day and ways to help the Earth.  The students will be tidying up the school yard on Monday, April 22.  We were delayed on Friday due to bad weather but will try again on Monday.
We are still collecting items for our Afternoon Class Springfest Basket.  Please check the list on the side of the blog to eliminate duplicates.  Our theme is Outdoor Fun.  We are continuing to pass along the book for the Morning Class.  Thanks so much to everyone for your donations to Springfest.
A reminder of our April Sharing Assembly on Thursday, April 25.  We will be presenting a poem about the Earth.
Also on Thursday, we will have a visit from Janeen Brownrigg a local artist.  She will be helping the children create a painting based on Van Gogh.

I have a Scholastic item without an owner.  If you are missing Sight Word Picnic Bingo, please let me know and I will send it home.  Thanks in advance.

The children are looking forward to the visit from the Scientist on Monday.  She has organized 4 centres to help the children discover the properties of magnets.  Thank you to our volunteers who will help with this wonderful presentation.  Thanks also to Parent Council who funds this great experience.
Both classes completed a "shape hunt" with their Reading Buddies this week.  They explored our classroom looking for examples of 2 dimensional shapes.  It was wonderful to see all the students working together and to watch the learning.  Thank you to Mrs. Dias and Ms. Zappi who bring their classes down each week to work with us.  On Thursday, the children created their own pictures using only squares, rectangles, triangles and circles.  Their creations will be on the bulletin board this week.  Please have a look the next time you are inside the school.
The Seeds of Hope club are holding a Penny Drive this week.  Children are encouraged to bring in pennies (and other change) to help provide clean drinking water for those in need.  On Thursday, April 18, students are encouraged to wear black to support the Seeds of Hope members who are being silent for 24 hours.  We will also have a short period of silence in Kindergarten to show our support.  Thanks for bringing in your change for this activity.
Earth Day is April 22, 2013.  We will begin discussing how to take care of the Earth this week.  On Friday, we will participate in a garbage pick up in the school yard.
The afternoon class had a fire drill this week and the morning class had a lock down drill on Friday.  Both classes did a wonderful job of following routines and completed successful drills.
Enjoy the spring weather this week.

Wednesday, April 10 has been designated as PINK DAY by the TDSB to support anti-bullying.  Pink Day was started in Nova Scotia in 2007 when two Grade 12 students organized their friends to wear pink in support of a younger student who was bulled for wearing a pink shirt on the first day of school. Show your support for against bullying and for tolerance on April 10.  LET'S GO PINK, LKS!
We have started our investigation of 2 dimensional shapes in math.  The children will be looking for examples of shapes in the classroom with their reading buddies this week.  They will also be creating pictures with 2 dimensional shapes.
Thank you so much for practising sight words with your child each week.  Learning high frequency words makes reading and writing so much easier.  Please take the words out of the pocket at the front of the book and keep them at home to practise.  Due to the four day week there was no sound review book this week.
We are looking forward to our two visitors during the month of April.  The scientist is visiting on Monday, April 15 to help the children explore magnets.  She will be running 4 centres with the help of parent volunteers.  On April 25, an artist will be spending the day with us and assisting the children with an art project.  A big thank you to Parent Council for funding these two great projects.  
SPRINGFEST IS SATURDAY, MAY 4!  
SILENT AUCTION: 
Morning Class-The Class Book will be sent home daily with a child with an order form.  Please return the book the next day so I may send it home with the next child.  Please contact Wendy Mitchell if you have any questions.
Afternoon Class-We are collecting donations for the "OUTDOOR FUN" Basket.  Please check the blog for donations already received.  The more fun items we receive the higher the value of the box at the auction!  Please contact the grade parents for additional information.
Springfest always needs volunteers.  Please contact your grade parents if you have an hour to help out!!

I hope that everyone is enjoying the wonderful long Spring weekend.  Hopefully the few raindrops have not spoiled anyone's activities.  The children had a wonderful time at Spring party on Tuesday.  Thank you to all our volunteers, I could not have done it without you.  The children completed 4 activities.  They dyed Easter eggs, created a chick, made a rabbit card and designed their own Easter egg using painters' tape and wet chalk.  The children placed all the tape to create their own personal design before exploring with the wet chalk. Thanks to everyone who supplied the snacks and drinks.
We are beginning the study of 2 and 3 dimensional shapes in math this month.  This is always a fun unit as we name and identity characteristics of shapes.  The children love the long mathematical names of the three dimensional shapes.  We will also be looking for examples of 3 dimensional shapes in our environment.
Friday is Pajama Day at LKS.  Show your school spirit and wear your favourite pyjamas.
There are many special activities at LKS this spring.  The Parent Council is organizing a  "Pay It Forward" clothing drive for children's clothing.  Please bag and bring in clean and gently used clothing to our classroom between April 1 and April 15.  All clothing will be donated to Second Street Public School.  Thanks in advance for your donations.  The Seeds of Hope club will be having a Penny Drive from April 15-18.  The donation of pennies will help to provide clean drinking water for those in need.  $25.00 provides clean drinking water for one person for life.  Students are also encouraged to wear BLACK on Thursday, April 18.  Start saving your pennies!
Springfest is quickly approaching on Saturday, May 4.  The afternoon class is collecting items for our Silent Auction Basket.  Our theme is "Summer Picnic Fun."  Please continue to watch this blog to see what is already in our basket to avoid duplication.  Please contact the grade parents if you have any questions.  Class baskets are always a big hit at the Silent Auction!

Welcome to Spring!  We have been discussing how the beginning of Spring is a mixture of weather and Mother Nature did not disappoint this week.  Hopefully we have seen the end of the snow flurries fro the year.
Both classes participated in Earth Hour on Friday in anticipation of the official Earth Hour on Saturday.  We turned off the lights for an hour to save electricity and help the planet.  A reminder that Earth Hour is Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30.  
LKS will be wearing PURPLE on Tuesday, March 26 for epilepsy awareness.  Show your support for people with epilepsy and increase public awareness of this disorder.
I will be sending home April calendars on Monday along with 2 booklets from the Ministry of Education.  They cover the subject areas of math, reading and writing.  Please take a minute to look through the books as they have many great ideas to use at home.  The last two pages of both booklets have a list of great websites for parents and children to visit. 
We will be having a Spring Party on Tuesday.  Thank you to all the classroom volunteers and the families who are donating food and drinks.  Our classroom parties are always special events and the children look forward to our activity centers.  Please check the March calendar from the Grade Parents for specific information.
As we are beginning a new cycle on the leader charts, the children will be discussing their phone numbers.  Please practise this information with your child in anticipation of his/her leader day.  I have enjoyed the "Mystery Objects" from the leaders in March.  I realize that not everyone had a chance to share mystery objects, so you may continue this activity into April if your child wishes, in addition to the "Good News" theme in April.  Please see me if you have any questions.
As this is a short week, please send sound review books and sight word books back to school by Wednesday to give me the opportunity to add the new information.
Enjoy the long weekend with your family and friends.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful March Break.  Thank you to everyone for helping to make our trip to the Young People's Theatre a success.  I realize that late dismissal for the morning class and early entry for the afternoon class was a disruption to your schedule and I appreciate your flexiblilty.  The children loved The Cat Came Back.  Please have a look at our bulletin board in the hallway to see the children's writing about their favourite part of the play.  For additional information regarding the Young People's Theatre and plays, call 416-862-2222 or visit www.youngpeoplestheatre.ca.
Thank you for helping your child to practise his/her high frequency words in the new sight word books.  Just a reminder that the words are also in the front pocket and these can stay at home for additional practise, they do not need to be returned.  The children can also practise these words in the Popcorn Song.  The Popcorn song was in your child's poetry book this week.  It is a nonsensical song made up of high frequency words.  On Thursday, we practised identifying the popcorn words by "buttering" (colouring the words yellow) them as they were announced.  This was a fun activity that everyone enjoyed.
A reminder of our Sharing Assembly on Friday, March 22.  We will be singing a song about March.  Sharing Assemblies begin after morning announcements, usually about 9:05 am and after entry in the afternoon, usually about 12:40 pm.  Sharing Assemblies are held in the lunch room.
I just completed my yearly eye examination and was told that 25% of school-aged children have vision problems.  Just a reminder to have your child's eyes checked, if you have not done so.  
I am looking forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday, March 18 and can't wait to hear about your March Break activities.

This will be a busy week with our trips to the theatre to see The Cat Came Back.  Just a reminder that the morning class should be returning at approximately 12:15 pm. on Monday.  On Tuesday the afternoon class will be leaving the school at 12:00 pm, to ensure we arrive at the theatre in time.  Thanks for all your flexibility with pickup and drop off times.  Food and drink are not allowed on the bus or in the theatre and children will not need their backpacks on trip day.  Thank you to all the volunteers who are accompanying us on our trip.  We couldn't do it without you!
Due to the bad weather on Wednesday, the storyteller was not able to do her presentation. Ms. McGee will reschedule and we are looking forward to her visit.
On Friday, I sent home a Sight Word book with each student.  The book contains high frequency words for the children to practise.  There is space to practise printing the words and also space for using the words in sentences.  I have also included copies of the sight words in a pocket at the front of the book.  These words are for you to keep and practise at home.  I will put new words in the book each week.  Please return the sight word book on or before Thursday, so it is ready to go home on Friday.  I will put new sheets in even if the previous sheets are not completed.
Thank you so much for your birthday wishes this week, you helped to make my birthday special.  I would like to wish everyone a wonderful March Break, March 11-15.  Enjoy this week with your friends and family.  See you back at school on Monday, March 18.

Thank you to everyone for attending the Open Houses last week.  It was wonderful to share your child's accomplishments with you.
We are continuing our unit on measurement and are practised measuring with blocks last week.  This week the children will practise ordering objects according to quantity.
Both classes are enjoying working with their Grade Four Reading Buddies.  This week the children and their buddies are sorting animals according to weight.
I am introducing Sight Word Books this Friday.  These books will be sent home each Friday and will introduce sight words for your child to practise.  Sight words make up more than 50% of everything that young children read.  Many of these words are not pronounced or spelled in regular ways, so it is very important for children to learn these words by sight.  I am also including copies of each sight word for your child to keep and use at home.
Upcoming events:
Wednesday, February 27-storyteller and author Natalie Vachon will be visiting in the library.  We will be attending her presentation during our library time.  Children will not be exchanging books this week due to the presentation.
Friday, March 1-Blue and Yellow Day!  Show your LKS spirit and wear blue and yellow!
Monday, March 4-Morning trip to Young People's Theatre.  We will return to school at approximately 12:15 pm.
Tuesday, March 5-Afternoon trip to Young People's Theatre.  We will leave school at 12:00 pm.

Happy Family Day weekend everyone!  We had a wonderful Valentine's Day party on Thursday.  Thank you to all the volunteers and everyone who sent in food and drink.  It was a great day filled with friendship and excitement.  The children completed 4 activities including: making a cat out of hearts, creating a creature who had his "eye" on them, designing a Valentine's Day card and constructing a heart collage.  After our "sweet" snacks the students opened their valentine cards.  Amid the "wows' and "awesome" quotes, the children read their valentines.  It was such a special moment!
The bulletin board in the hallway is now complete with the students' work of how they would each spend $100.00.  Have a look the next time you are in the school, it will bring a smile to your face.
A reminder of our Open Houses this week.  Room 159 will be open from 7:45 am -8:45 am on Wednesday, February 20 and from 3:45pm-4:45 pm on Thursday, February 21.  Please see me if you need an alternate time.  You may attend either open house as they are not divided by class.
Our February Sharing Assembly is Tuesday, February 19.  The morning assembly begins after morning announcements (approximately 9:00 am ) and the afternoon assembly begins at approximately 12:40 pm.  The March Sharing Assembly is Friday, March 22.
The office has just completed 2 days of Junior Kindergarten Registration.  Registration forms are still available in the office, if you know anyone who is eligible for Kindergarten in the fall.
Mailbags will be sent home Tuesday and Friday this week, due to the Family Day holiday.
I will be sending home the March leader calendar on Friday.
The children look forward to seeing their Grade Four Reading Buddies.  They will be completing a task dividing light things and heavy things as we continue with our measurement unit.
A reminder that children should be seeing an optometrist to check their vision on a regular basis.

The children had a wonderful time celebrating the 100th day of school on Friday.  Thank you to everyone who volunteered in the classroom and everyone who sent in food and drinks.  The children rotated through 4 centers.  They played BINGO, created a 100 day hat, stamped out the number 100 on a 100 grid and wrote about 100 things they would like to eat and 100 things they would not like to eat.  Also a big thank you for helping your child with his/her 100 collection.  On Thursday, each child presented his/her 100 collection to the class.  It was wonderful hearing about where the 100 items came from and how they were organized and counted.  Thanks again for assisting in our celebrations.
We are beginning a new activity on our leader charts.  The leader will be discussing his/her address (house number and street) and adding this to his/her chart.  Thank you for practising this information with your child.
Valentines may be sent in Monday to Wednesday this week.  This gives the children time to deliver them before our party on Thursday.  Thanks in advance to all our volunteers.
I am so pleased with the progress the children are making.  Watch the hallway bulletin board for the"If I had 100 dollars" writing activity.  The children enjoyed spending 100 dollars on anything they wished. Making lists, writing notes and cards are valuable opportunities for your child to practise using their sounds and sight words in meaningful writing activities.  While on vacation, have your child keep a journal about one fun activity each day. 
Junior Kindergarten students will receive their first report card on Monday.  All students will receive a final report card in June.  A reminder of the Kindergarten open houses on February 20 and 21.   
A reminder that Friday, February 16 is a PA Day and there is no school.  School is also closed on Monday, February 18 for Family Day.  Enjoy the long weekend with your friends and family.  Since there is no school on Friday, mailbags will go home Monday and Thursday this week.  Please return the sound review books by Wednesday.  I will put in a new sheet, even if the previous sheet is not completed.  The next week mailbags will go home Tuesday and Friday.

Welcome to the first full week of February!  This will be a very busy month with lots of special activities.  Thank you to all the volunteers who are assisting with our celebrations.  We are looking forward to the 100th day party, celebrating Chinese New and Valentine's Day.  The children completed a measuring investigation this week.  All students found items in our classroom that were shorter and longer than their feet and then recorded their findings. It was a wonderful  hands-on learning experience.      
A reminder that we will be sharing our 100 day projects on Thursday, February 7 as an introduction to our celebration on Friday.  Please see me if you have any questions.
I set home a note regarding Valentine's Day on Friday with the names of the students for valentine cards and important dates.  Please contact me if you did not receive this note.  It is on pink paper and inside your child's sound review book.
Thank you to everyone for your Scholastic Book Orders.  Just a reminder to please put your name on each form that you submit.  We have to separate all the forms and cheques for ordering and payment, and sometimes have extra books left over without any way of identifying their owner.  
We have 2 short weeks in February and a reminder that book bags will be going home on Monday and Thursday, the week of February 11, and Tuesday and Friday, the week of February 19.  Thanks so much to all the parents who have done book bags this year.  I could not do this program without you.
Thanks also for returning the theatre trip permission forms.  I have forwarded the names of the volunteers and the Grade Parents will be drawing 4 lucky names.

Welcome to the last week of January!  Thanks to everyone who helped his/her child wear red, white or the maple leaf to school on Thursday.  The Kindergarten classes showed wonderful school spirit and we were recognized on the announcements for our participation in Flag Day.  
Both classes participated in measuring activities with their Reading Buddies this week.  The Grade 4's traced the Kindergarten students' feet and then helped them measure with large paperclips, cube-a-links and pennies.  It was a wonderful experience for everyone and it was great to hear the math language being used.  The results are on our bulletin board in the hall.   Take a look the next time you are in the school.  The children are also beginning simple addition using dots on our daily message.
The February leader calendar will be sent home on Monday.  If your child will be away on his/her leader day due to vacation, please find a classmate to switch with.  February is always a busy month with 100th Day and Valentine's Day.  I will be sending home information regarding Valentine's Day and a class list of names on Friday.  Please check the note and the blog for dates for sending 100 day projects and valentines to school.
The children are doing a wonderful job of printing their last names on the leader chart.  We are also beginning to display last names on their name cards as part of the entry process.
As the children progress in Kindergarten, I am encouraging independence in all areas.  When writing, I encourage the children to write the sounds they hear in the words.  This gives them ownership of their writing.  There are high frequency words, I expect the students, especially the Seniors to be working towards spelling properly (such as the, me, like and said).   I also encourage the children to use the classroom resources such as namecards, poems, books and the word wall to find words they need to write.  Spelling the words for the children take away their independence and a learning opportunity.  
You will soon be receiving information from the Grade Parents concerning Parent Teacher interviews.  I will be contacting the parents who I wish to speak with this term.  I will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, February 20 (7:45 am-8:45 am) and on Thursday, February 21 (3:45 pm-4:45 pm). This will be an opportunity to visit the classroom, see your child's work and have an informal discussion with the teacher.
A reminder that notes for our theatre trip were sent home on Thursday. Please complete page 2 and return the form with $20.00 to school as soon as possible, as we have to inform the theatre of our exact numbers.   Thanks in advance.

I hope that everyone is enjoying this cold wintery weather.  A reminder of our Sharing Assembly on Monday, January 21.  I have asked the children to bring in a pair of mittens to wear while we share our Mitten Poem with the audience.  Thursday, January 24 is Flag Day at LKS.  The Kindergarten classes are to dress to represent Canada on Thursday.  The children are encouraged to wear red and/or white clothing or anything with a maple leaf on it.  Show your spirit and wear your Canadian colours!
We are beginning a unit of measuring in math.  We discussed shorter/longer and bigger/smaller this week.  The Juniors differentiated objects due to their size and the Seniors sequenced objects from smallest to biggest.  Both classes will be completing measuring activities with their Reading Buddies this week.  The children are also including their last names on their leader charts.  It is wonderful to watch their independence as they print and practise their last names.
I will be sending home notes this week regarding the 100th day of school, upcoming February activities  (including interviews and Kindergarten Open Houses) and our trip to the theatre in March.  Please check your child's mailbag carefully.  A reminder that mailbags will be Monday and Thursday this week due to the PA Day on Friday.
I am continuing to introduce high frequency words to the class and we will be discussing "am" this week.  
They are predicting bitterly cold temperatures this week. I will open the classroom door early, so enter the classroom directly upon your arrival.  This keeps everyone warm and also ensures that the children are undressed and ready for the announcements in the morning and ready for the start of school in the afternoon.
Thanks for your support.

Happy New Year!  I hope that everyone enjoyed their holidays.  We have been busy this week discussing the new calendar, including the new month and the new year.   The children completed their January calendar and will complete the art portion on Monday.  Their completed calendars will be sent home this week.
We are finishing our unit on graphing and the class completed a favourite season graph.  The children are continuing to learn sight words through our daily messages and the word wall.  
The children are becoming very independent dressing and undressing.  Thank you for your encouragement at home.  A reminder to please arrive at school for the bell.  This allows the children time to get undressed and be ready on the carpet for announcements and O Canada.  On rainy days and extremely cold days I will open the classroom door early.  A reminder that once the back door is closed, you should be entering through the main school doors.  For safety reasons, I will not be opening the back door other than at entry and dismissal.
Our next Sharing Assembly is Monday, January 21.  I will be notifying the families of the award winners this week.
Wishing everyone all the best in 2013.