Dec. 10/20

Just a reminder you should be adding a cotton ball each day to your Santa Advent calendar.  Hopefully you have displayed this in your home and that by Christmas Eve Santa has a full beard!!

Spirit Week is next week - here's what is happening each day...     

Monday 14th - Crazy Hair Day 

Tuesday 15th - Sports Day - Wear your jerseys   

Wednesday 16th - Hat Day   

Thursday 17th - Christmas sweater/outfit  

Friday 18th - PJ Day                                                     

We will have our class Christmas celebration on Friday, Dec. 18th.  Niki (chips), Tyson (fruit snacks or Rice Krispies), Ryan (chocolate or candy treats) and Landon (juice boxes) are supplying the pre-packaged treats this time.  Please send these in on Wednesday, Dec. 16th. Thanks in advance.  

Toy Drive LAST DAY:   Every year Fairview supports the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Hamper Society!  We are collecting money or gift cards until Monday, Dec. 14th. Sorry we can not collect any toys this year. 

Forest Fun this week we created Christmas trees.  Wow Div. 11 did a great job!

December 4th

Hi everyone - it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!  We have some exciting Christmas crafts, Explorations and Reader's Workshop planned for the next couple of weeks. On Dec. 1st your child should have brought home their Santa advent calendar.  Each day they should add a cotton ball to Santa's beard! 

The final copy of your child's report card for this term went home yesterday, they are in the secret pouch in the planners.  These are for you to keep. 

For the Christmas Concert Div. 10 & 11 are singing/performing Dominic the Donkey.  As expected it is a virutal concert.  All students will be bringing home the words to this song today, please practice over the weekend.  For Tuesday your child should wear or bring black and white (or any dark colours) clothing as  Dr. Saul will be video-taping Div. 11.  If you'd like to send an extra set of clothes as well that would great as they will be going outside for recess and lunch.  We have 7 students that volunteered to be Dominic which means they will wear a special donkey hat!  Our Dominics are: Brody, Landon, Avin, Tyson, Natalie, Niki and Alexa.  All other students could wear a Santa, Elf or Reindeer hats if they'd like.

We will have our class Christmas celebration on Friday, Dec. 18th.  Niki (chips), Tyson (fruit snacks or Rice Krispies), Ryan (chocolate or candy treats) and Landon (juice boxes) are supplying the pre-packaged treats this time.  Please send these in on Wednesday, Dec. 16th. Thanks in advance.  

Every year Fairview supports the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Hamper Society!  We are collecting money or gift cards until Monday, Dec. 14th. Sorry we can not collect any toys this year. 

Word Families, Blends and Diagraphs, High Frequency words and Star Writing have now been added to the front of the blog under the heading of LITERACY.   

November 20/20

 Dear Families, 

Just a reminder to sign up (on the Parent Portal) for Conferences. These are on Thursday, Nov. 26th in the afternoon and then all day Friday, Nov. 27th. As previously mentioned these will be over zoom (the link will be sent out next week). It is important that your child be with you during the zoom conference as we'll be celebrating their learning and setting goals together.  Please let me know if you are unable to make any of the times that are listed and we can arrange another time.  My plan is to send home some of your child's work and a draft of their report on Wednesday so that you can go through these together prior to their conference.  This is a time to enjoy, celebrate and discuss their work.

Looking ahead to next week...

You should have all received a letter from Mrs. Gallop this afternoon explaining that school will be reopening for in-classroom instruction on Tuesday, November 24.  The staff have had two long days at the school preparing the classrooms and learning spaces but still have work to do to ensure we are prepared for students to return on Tuesday.  Speaking of Tuesday - show your school spirit and wear Fairview colours (blue and yellow)!  

Fairview's Leadership student's Warm Clothing Drive has been extended until Thursday, Nov. 26th.  Please send in new socks (adult sizes) and new or gently used coats and sweaters.  Money (cash) is also accepted. Our community has reached out in so many ways this past week and this is an opportuntiy for us to give back.  Thanks in advance for your support!!

Thursday, Nov. 26 - Dismissal at 11:30 (conferences in the afternoon)

Friday, Nov. 27  - Conferences all day (no school for students)

Looking forward to meeting all of you on Zoom.  

Take Care and stay safe! 

Sheralyn Rowledge-Toscani

Nov. 16/20

Dear Families, 

Our team of Grade 2/3 teachers have put together an Online learning plan for the remainder of this week.  We tried to keep it simple and also have some fun!  

We noticed that all the math activities involved a partner so if this isn't possible or you'd like to change it up - please just do the same activity but write down your cards and do it 10 times or like 10 questions.  

In case you are having difficulty getting onto Raz Kids - my teacher name is srowledgetoscani 

For more online activities please go to my Useful Links at the side of the blog, click and that will take you directly into the site.  

November 10/20

This post is early but felt with tomorrow being a holiday (Remembrance Day) and Thursday a non-instructional day it made sense you are reminded of this information sooner.  

*Div. 11 students all got their poppies today and were very respectful during our Rememberance Day Assembly.  Even though it was very different (we all stayed in our own classrooms) it was still a great tribute to our veterans.  Poppy money will still be accepted on Friday.  

*Your child should have brought home their special rock to remember!  If you have a chance to drop off the rock at the cenotaph please take a picture and email it to me at sheralyn_rowledge@sd42.ca I'd love to include it in their memory books plus post it on the blog.  Thanks so much.  ***I'll include a pic of the finished rocks later when I'm at school where I can access it). These ROCKS TO REMEMBER were shown in the Remembrance Day video that each classroom watched today. 

*Please sign up for one conference time/child on the parent portal.   As mentioned in my email,  every student needs to be part of the Zoom conference, a rough draft of their report card and some of their work will be sent home prior to the conference.  I am looking forward to celebrating your child's learning with you.  

*Fairview Leadership students are doing a Warm Clothing Drive!   If possible please bring a small donation to help our commuity.  New socks in adult sizes, new or gently used sweaters or jackets.   Money (cash) is also accepted. These can be sent in anytime on or before Nov. 24th.  Thanks in advance for your support!!

*Leadership has also planned a special event:  School Colours Day - Nov. 24 Wear yellow and Blue to show your school spirit!    

Forest Fun at it Finest!

Mrs. Kriel send me these pictures of Forest Fun this morning and I had to share!  

What a gorgeous fall day!

Our rocks are under production!

November 5/20

Hi Everyone,

I'm not sure where October went but here we are and it is November 5th already.  I hope you and your loved ones are all staying well. I hope to be back on Monday.

Updates/Reminders/Thank you's

*tomorrow is the due date for Art Cards.  Please send in your order if you would like to place one.  If you are not ordering, please return the art card (without completing the back) and we will add them to our memory books

*please send in an extra set of clothing for your children to have in case of an accident. We will be having west coast recess/lunches (going outside rain or shine) and forest fun 2-3x/week.

*thank you for continuing to keep your children home if they are feeling unwell.  As numbers in the community increase we need to be extra diligent with doing what we can to limit the spread.

*I continue to keep the classroom door/window open throughout the day and it does get cool.  Please send in an extra layer for your children as this practice will be happening all year.  While many of the protocols expected in the community are not expected/possible in a school setting, keeping fresh air circulating is one of the preventative measures I can take.

*more information will be coming home soon regarding reporting/signing up for a Zoom conferences.  This will look different this year but it still expected that your child be part of the conference, even if you are at work and they are at home with another adult.  I will send more details regarding this process next week

*we are currently painting/decorating rocks for Remembrance Day. Our hope is that at some point on/before November 11th, your family takes it to the cenotaph in Maple Ridge to honour our veterans and that you place the rock there, in lieu of a wreath. 

*Just a reminder that Wednesday, November 11th (Remembrance Day) and Thursday, November 12th (Professional Development Day)there will be no school for students

Have a great weekend, everyone!

October 30/20

Happy Halloween!  Thanks again to Avin, Seth, Alexa and Evan's families for sending in the snacks for our celebration!  The weather totally co-operated for our Thriller dance, the kids all did awesome.  I will forward the link as soon as I get it.  

Your child should have brought home their Christmas Art Card. I was very proud and excited with how well their Grinch pictures turned out!  Please return these to the school by next Friday, Nov. 6th if you want to purchase anything. Even if you don’t order please return the card as it will be included in your child’s memory book for this year.  

Reminders:

Monday, Nov. 2nd is Pajama Day!  

Thursday, Nov. 5th Retakes (please put a note in the planner if you've need a retake)

Friday, Nov. 6th Art Cards are due

All the students should now have a Reader's Workshop book (with a post-it on it) in their planner bag.  Please have your child practice it this daily over the weekend as we will be presenting them Monday and Tuesday.  Thanks for your support with this.  As you can see from the chart below - reading every day for 15-20 minutes is very important and can make a big difference long term! So whenever possible please try to cuddle up and read!!  I also sent home information about Raz Kids or A-Z reading which will allow you to get activity reports on your child's reading.  All you need to do is follow the directions as outlined on the sheet, giving them your email address. If you need help to do this please send me the note back or just email and I can do that for you.

The students and Mrs. Kriel made my day when they did a zoom meeting with me.  I got to see all their costumes!  It was strange and sad, as it was my first Halloween in my teaching career I haven't been at school.  

Hope you all have a safe and Happy Halloween!

October 22/20

Dear Families,

Hopfully you've been able to get out and enjoy some of this amazing fall weather!

As I'm sure you are all aware, there have been 3 nearby schools added to the Fraser Health list of school exposures (Allouette Elementary, Edith McDermott Elementary, and Maple Ridge Secondary).  It has been my experience that Scout troops, soccer teams etc. can often include children from a variety of schools.  I thank you for your continued support in keeping your children home if they are feeling unwell.  Your children have been very cooperative with the hand washing/sanitizing that we do numerous times a day and I keep the door open to improve air circulation but many of the health and safety protocals that are encouraged in the community are not expected/possible in schools.  

Div. 9 finally has two cool bulletin boards up that we want to share with all of you being you can't come in to see them!!  The students worked very hard on both of these art projects!

                          Our Self Portraits this year are perfect for 2020!!

    The students did an awesome job of making their hair out of leaves - don't they look great!

On Wednesday we had a exciting change to our schedule when we were invited to go to our forest which had been transformed into a pumpkin patch made by our grade 6/7 classes!  The students enjoyed running and counting all the pumpkins - 98 total!!  

Over the next week your child will be bringing an additional book home (with a Post-it) that we have worked on as a small group during Reader's Workshop.  Please have your child read this to you to practice nightly as in a couple of weeks their group will be presenting their book to the class.  

Thanks to Tatum and her mom for once again organizing our Scholastic plus volunteering to make some play dough for the class!  Neena and her mom are also making some play dough.  Your work and time is really appreciated!!  Speaking of Scholastic please note that Scholastic can be ordered online and it is delivered directly to your home.  The class still benefits from any orders as they will offer the class free books. 

Reminders and Information:

Friday, Oct. 23 - Pro D - no school for students

Wednesday, Oct. 28 - Pre-Packaged Individual SNACKS for our Halloween should be sent in please and thank you!  This is early so if needed I can purchase anything missing                                         Avin (chips), Seth (fruit snacks or Rice Krispie or Bear Paw, etc ideas)  Alexa (treats chocolate or candy), Evan (juice boxes). 

***PLEASE don't send additional treats for other students this year (due to the pandemic - we just feel this is safer!)

Friday, Oct. 30  - Halloween Celebration - students can wear costumes (easy to take on and off as they'll be going outside) 

Monday, Nov. 2 - Pajama Day (with Halloween plus the clock change we thought they'd need this!)

Thursday, Nov. 5 - Picture Retake Day (please write a note in the planner if you want your child to have retakes - then I can ensure that they will get them done).

A few more students have bought in headphones, please send some in asap if you haven't already done so.  

Due to the pandemic we are unable to send home book bags with the children.  You can access levelled reading materials on Raz Kids. Today I sent home a form with specific info about Raz Kids.  You only need to send in the bottom of the form only if you are having trouble accessing and inputing your information.   If you give them your email you'll receive progress reports directly from them.  Please let me know if you have any questions or difficulties.  

October 16th

Dear Families,

I hope you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend.  I was so thankful that we got some sunshine so we could spend some time outside in the beautiful fall weather!  

Halloween is soon approaching so we have been thinking about how we can have holdiay celebrations in the classroom this year while still following the health and safety guidelines. We decided the safest way would be to assign each of you one holiday and for you to bring pre-packaged individual items (enough for the whole class 17 in total).   To assign your item/party,  I just went down the class list and gave each family a number. 

Halloween  - PLEASE SEND IN BY WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28TH

Costumes can be worn to school on Friday, Oct. 30th but should be easy to take off and on as they still will be going outside at recess and lunch and I wouldn't want their costumes to get ruined.  

1) Avin - Chips 2) Seth - Fruit Snacks/Rice Krispy Squares (store purchased only)/Bear Paws etc

3) Alexa - Treats (Chocolate or candy) 4)  Evan - Juice Boxes

Christmas 

1) Niki- Chips 2) Tyson - Fruit Snacks/Rice Krispy Squares (store purchased only)/Bear Paws etc

3) Ryan - Treats (Chocolate or candy) 4) Landon - Juice Boxes

Valentines

1) Neena - Chips 2) Brody - Fruit Snacks/Rice Krispy Squares (store purchased only)/Bear Paws etc

3) Natalie - Treats (Chocolate or candy) 4) Sukhraj - Juice Boxes

Year End

1) Chase - Chips 2) Caleb - Rice Krispy Squares (store purchased only)/Bear Paws etc

3) Ryder - Treats (Chocolate or candy) 4) Tatum - Juice Boxes 5) L.J. - Fruit Snacks

I will be sending a reminder prior to each of the holidays plus a date for you to send them to the school so that I can purchase whatever hasn't come in to ensure everyone has the treats.   Thank you so much for your support with this!   I'll also put a poster of this Celebraton Snacks in the classroom window!

Other Information and Requests...

If anyone would be willing to make up a big batch of Play Dough for the class that would be really appreciated.  Please email me if you are able to help out - thanks in advance.  

We only have a few sets of headphones (or ear buds) in so far so if you please send them in asap.  We use these for both Reader's Workshop and at times math stations.   

For additional home reading practice I have put the link for Raz Kids on the blog, please follow this and your child's password is their name with a capital letter.  Then go to Book Room, Leveled Books and then will have a variety of book choices and options (the children should know how to do this as they do it during Reader's Workshop).

Reminder that next Friday, Oct. 23 is a Provincial Pro-D Day so there is no school for students.  

Have a great weekend!

Oct. 9 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Your child has brought home a special turkey centre piece for your Thanksgiivng Dinner table and a sheet about what they are thankful for which I have asked them to read with you.  Also this weekend if possible, try the Gratitude Scavenger Hunt which is in their Poetry Books.  Enjoy it's the perfect time of year to be grateful!

Just as a reminder most days I check my email at home between 7-7:30 and then often don't have a chance to check again until 3 - 4 pm,  so if you need to get ahold of me please email earlier or write a note in your child's planner to let me know about appointments, etc.   I don't want to miss important information or for you to expect something that I don't know about.  I will try my best though to return emails asap. 

Thanks to those that have sent in a ziplock bag of small leaves, if everyone could please send them in early next week that would be great as we plan to use them for our art on Friday. 

Reminders:  Many of you have completed all of these but if you haven't please try to do so asap! *planner $7.00 * school supplies - labeled headphones, sketch pads *walking permission and media forms

Below is Brody's invention for social distancing!!  Very Creative :) 

o,

Div. 11 will be going to the forest most Monday and Wednesday afternoons.  Please ensure that your child has appropriate clothing and footwear as we will be going out rain or shine!  

We did an Outdoor Scavenger hunt on Wednesday which the children really enjoyed.  

Hope you all have a wonderful 'Covid style' Thanksgiving!  Be thankful and safe!!

October 2/20

 Wow it is October!  Enjoy this beautiful weather this weekend! 

It's definitely fall and the leaves are turning and falling.  Could everyone please collect 15-20 leaves that your child could use for an art project.  These leaves will be used as hair so NOT the large ones. Please put the leaves in a ziplock bag and bring to school.

Please note that I sent Scholastic home last Friday. I've had a few questions from parents so just wanted to remind you that you use this class code number   RC250266    BOOKS WILL BE DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOUR HOME!

Reminders:

1) Green Verification forms should be checked, signed and returned to school 

2) Planners paid on portal or send in cash - $7.00

3) Consent Form - walking and media forms please complete on the portal 

Last Friday when the children had to stay in for lunch because of the bear in the neighbourhood they want to show what they were up to!! 

We've been busy making patterns!  Div. 11 is making some very creative, complex ones.  Ask your child to explain what the core of a pattern is.  Look for patterns in nature and around your home and name them!

September 25th

We have had a small class for most of the week.  But I'd like to thank all parents for taking this pandemic seriously and keeping their children home when they are sick.  It's so important that we are extra careful this year!   This week your children were busy making patterns, started our All About Me unit, started writing,  learned and wrote about Terry Fox and Wednesday afternoon we did our Terry Fox run in the rain!  

Reminders and New Information:

*No School on Monday, September 28th for students.  

*Green verification forms went home this week, please read it over, make applicable changes, sign and return

*As of today we are now eating snack (when possible) before recess and then in the first 20 minutes of their lunch.  They will then wash hands and go out to play the last 20 minutes. 

*Planners $7.00 - please pay on parent portal or send in the cash in a labelled ziplock 

*Consent forms (walking and media) need to be completed on the portal

*Scholastic was sent home today!  It is now online and will be delivered directly to your home! Be sure to include my Teacher Class Code - RC250266.  Thanks to Tatum and her mom for organizing these Scholastic forms for us!  

*Owl Kids magazine:  If anyone is interested in getting Owl or Chickadee magazines for their children please check this out.  

 

*Masks were sent home this week, could you please label your child's with their name or initials and have a labelled container or bag to store it in.  Thanks Caleb for thinking how important it is to put our names on with them all being the same!  Students are encouraged to wear their masks when they go to see Mrs. Holmes for Library, Dr. Saul for music and when they are reading or working closely with me or an EA.  

*Please have an extra hoodie or sweater, with the doors and windows open plus the breeze this week the room was a bit chilly at times but we need these open for air circulation.

*We are playing a game called Name Boogle with your child's first and last name.  When it is your child's special helper day they will bring home a large blue piece of paper with all the words that the class found.  If you as a family can try to find more, total the number and then return the paper and we'll keep it for their memory books.  The students are getting much better at finding and making words.  

Have a great long weekend!  

Sheralyn Rowledge-Toscani

September 18/20

Dear Families,

Welcome to Div. 11's first class blog post! This will be the main source of communication to keep you updated with everything that has and will be happening in our class.  I will be updating this weekly (usually on Friday but forsure by Sunday!).  Parents in the past have commented that they enjoy and appreciate the blog as it is a great way for them to connect with their child reviewing and discussing what they are doing at school.  I will add photos to the blog as well once all the media consent forms have been completed.  If you have any questions please contact me at sheralyn_rowledge@sd42.ca    

We made it through our first full week of school during a pandemic and your children are doing awesome! They are settling in very well, have made great progress in learning our class routines and have been very patient with all the hand washing and adjustments we need to make.  September is always a busy time but this year is that much more complex but we are all learning together!   We had a fire drill on Thursday morning and Div. 11 did exceptionally well.  Way to go Div. 11!

Important Information/Reminders and Dates:  (Sorry this is definitely longer than usual!)

*Please pay on the portal or send in $7.00 for planners as soon as possible.  Thanks to anyone who has already done this.  

*Please be sure to complete all the consent forms on the portal including the walking field trip and the media release. 

*Planners and books should be coming back to school daily. Often I hear "My mom or dad forgot to put my planner in my backpack!" I am encouraging the students though to take responsiblity for this themselves, so reply by saying that "It is their job not yours!" The backpack is where their planner/books live and they should put these items straight back into their backpacks once you have read together and the planner has been signed (I know how busy mornings can be!).

*Every Friday (so today or yesterday now LOL) your child will bring home their 'Poetry and More'    duo tang.  Inside is a letter explaining how this will work.  Please return it every Monday (or Tuesday when there is a holiday).  

*Most of the school supplies are now in, thank you!   If you have not already done so, please label and send them in asap.  Some key items we are missing for some students are: 1) individual headphones/airbuds,  2) extra large ziplock bags, 3) sketch pads (which we will be using a lot as part of our outdoor learning and 4) inside shoes.  Also an extra set of clothes is important especially when we will be spending more time outdoors this year.  

*Masks - I will be wearing a mask and/or a face shield most times in the classroom.   Masks are currently mandated to be optional but if you want your child to wear one please encourage them accordingly.  I suggest that the students wear theirs whenever they don't feel comfortable or that they get close to their classmate (like at story time or calendar type activities) but I am not enforcing this.      I will also ask them to put theirs on (if they have one) when I am helping or assessing them.   We have reviewed the do's and don'ts when wearing a mask but if you could review these again at home that would be appreicated.  As mentioned please provide a labelled container or paper/plastic bag for their mask so it is in a safe spot when they are not wearing it.  I did send home a disposable mask that was provided by the district (for those parents who requested them) but these were much too big so if they are wearing these - you will need to knot the sides to make them fit better.  Reuseable Masks have been ordered and as soon as they arrive I will hand them out to those that requested them. 

*Lunches are to be pack in and pack out (it's a good idea to also pack a plastic bag for compostible items (apple cores, banana peels etc) that way they don't 'touch' other food or make a mess of the lunch kit.  We have already had some complaints about this:( 

*Please send a full reusable water bottle labelled with your child's name each day.  

*The current procedure for picking up/dropping off students who have an appointment is happening via the office.  If you let me know that your child has an appointment/needs to leave for any reason, I will send them to the office to sign out and meet you at the front door (they can sit on the bench while they wait).  

*Please send in the blue Getting Aquainted forms as soon as possible as these really help me to get to know your child.  Thanks to everyone who has already sent these in.  

*Birthdays - please discuss your child's birthday over the weekend as our math lesson on Monday will be class birthday tally and graphs.  

*Fall officially starts on Tuesday and our weather is changing but we still plan to have lessons and activities outside so please ensure your child has appropriate clothing (rain coat/boots)  I will also continue to have the door and windows open so as I mentioned it's a good idea to send an extra hoodie or sweater in case your child get cold.  

*This year is the Terry Fox 40th Anniversary.  Unfortunately, Fairview will not be able to have their usual Terry Fox Run, but we still plan to do a class run rain or shine on Wednesday, Sept. 23rd on the field/forest area.  Donations for the Marathon of Hope can be made online.

*Picture Day is on Thursday, Septmeber 24th (individual photos)

*This year it's going to take me longer to get to know all of you, being we are not allowed to invite parents into the school or classrooms.  Please come over though to say hi at the end of the day as I really would like to meet!  As I mentioned above if you have any questions/concerns please don't hesitate to talk or email me.  

Have a great weekend.  

Sheralyn Rowledge-Toscani