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.