September 30 to October 4

Hi everyone

It was so nice to see you all on curriculum night. Apologies for being under the weather and sounding rather off!

Some of our crew said parents did not check out the bulletin board - it's on the wall behind our classroom door (makes sense, right?). I've included the slide presentation for you to see everyone's story of their names and their self-created names. I love the Grade 4 humour in all of this. Click on the link below, and then the blue google link, and you should be redirected to the slide presentation.


https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1svLH_6NqP3dkEoS5Lmf0XnmjV0kZsHf_HaTdnGJOZv0/edit#slide=id.p

This Week

Monday is Orange Shirt Day. I am hoping each of you can wear an orange shirt or something that is orange in support and understanding that "All Children Matter." 

Orange shirt day is a movement that officially began in 2013 but in reality it began in 1973 when six year old Phyllis Webstad entered the St. Joseph Mission Residential School, outside of Williams Lake, BC. Young Phyllis was wearing a brand new orange shirt for her first day of school – new clothes being a rare and wonderful thing for a First Nation girl growing up in her grandmother’s care - but the Mission Oblates quickly stripped her of her new shirt and replaced it with the school’s institutional uniform.

While she only attended for one year the impact affected Ms. Webstad’s life for many years. “I finally get it, that feeling of worthlessness and insignificance, ingrained in me from my first day at the mission, affected the way I lived my life for many years. Even now, when I know nothing could be further than the truth, I still sometimes feel that I don’t matter.” [1]

Ms. Webstad’s story is the nucleus for what has become a national movement to recognize the experience of survivors of Indian residential schools, honour them, and show a collective commitment to ensure that every child matters. The initiative calls for every Canadian to wear an orange shirt on September 30 in the spirit of healing and reconciliation.

The date, September 30, was chosen because that was the time of the year the trucks and buses would enter the communities to “collect” the children and deliver them to their harsh new reality of cultural assimilation, mental, sexual and physical abuse, shame and deprivation. (source https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/what-is-orange-shirt-day)

Wednesday is Photo Day - please bring your happiest smiles!

Thursday is Grade 4 - 6 Track and Field Day

Upcoming Dates

PD Day - Friday, October 11

Thanksgiving - Monday, October 14

Looking forward to seeing you all on Monday. 

September 23 - 27, 2019

Hi all

Starting Monday, I will be your child's afternoon teacher.

Due to re-organization, students in my class will no longer be split into two separate afternoon classes with Mr. Phinnemore and Ms Vlaskos-Daskalakis. They will stay with me in Room 206 for the entire day.

The following programs will be delivered as such:

Math, Language, Social Studies, Science, Art - Vincent
Phys. Ed. - Church
Music - Purvis
Drama and Dance - Wright
French - TBD (An additional French teacher was just hired and my understanding is that he/she will be delivering the Core French program.)

As of this moment (things always change and they most likely will), here is how the schedule looks.

What's on for this week

Monday is Day 5 - starting the week off with Music (Purvis).

Wednesday, September 25 is Pizza Lunch (see below for letter from Parent Council)

Thursday September 26 is Curriculum Night - please see below for details. Looking forward to seeing you all at the BBQ and in Room 206 on Thursday evening.






Thursday, September 26 is our Terry Fox Run. Thank you to the generous donations that have been coming in to our class. I have heard that not everyone received Terry Fox donation envelopes in my class (they should have reached you via Phinnemore or Vlachos-Daskalakis). I will see if there are any more in the office and send them home this week.

Friday, September 27 is Proud Purple Theme Day. Wear your Clairlea t-shirts or anything purple!

Tuesday and Thursday Mornings are Run Club at 7:40 am. You need a permission form for this club and there are still a few weeks left for those interested. Forms are at the office. Please remember to check the Clairlea Athletics Blog for inclement weather updates.  http://clairleaathletics.blogspot.com/

For Your Calendars

Orange Shirt Day - Monday, September 30th

On Monday, September 30th, please wear an ORANGE shirt, if you are able. Orange shirt day is in remembrance of First Nations, Inuit and Metis students who attended Residential Schools. Orange shirt day demonstrates our respect for the culture of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Peoples and shows our belief that every child matters.

• Photo Day - Wednesday, Oct 2nd
• Grade 4-6 Track and Field Day – Thursday, Oct 3rd
• PD Day - Friday, Oct 11th
• Thanksgiving - Monday, Oct 14th

Pizza Lunch  see attached from Parent Council

Lunch Lady information
Website is www.lunchlady.ca

Last year, students gave great reviews to the Lunch Lady who provided them with a variety of hot lunches.  

This service will be provided again and begins on Friday September 20th.

If interested please go to www.lunchlady.ca  

All ordering, payment and the menu will be found at this website, once you set up your account.

Please contact me at carol.vincent@tdsb.on.ca should you have questions.

Looking forward to the start (again!) of the new school year!

C. Vincent

September 16 - 20

Hi all

Looking forward to seeing you all on Curriculum Night. See details below.

Here's what I'm proposing. I will not be doing a formal presentation like last year as I know many of you already. This will give you a chance to meet the afternoon teachers, Ms Vlachos-Daskalakis (Room 206) and Mr. Phinnemore (P2).

For the parents whose students are new to me this year,  please come by Room 203 as I would love to meet you all.

For all parents - I will have a general handout and be ready to answer any questions or concerns. I understand the challenges around this year's set up and am more than happy to hear any suggestions you might have regarding communication, homework or whatever might be at the top of your list.

Mr. Phinnemore, Ms Vlachos-Daskalakis and myself are a team and we are committed to making this year successful for every student.

Clairlea Reads
The highly successful Clairlea Reads is back again this year!

This year's book, The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau is this year's selection. Here's how it works.  Students (Grades 4 - 8) are asked to find an adult who will read with them: grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult cousins, the woman next door. Find anyone. The book will be divided into sections so that we are all reading the same section together. Next, students only will be meeting during pre-selected times where we will have activities and group talks to help us further enjoy and understand the book. And here's the best part - there will be a Clairlea Reads celebration at the end for students and their adult partners! Please see your child's backpack as I have sent them home with a sign-up form. I would love every single student in my class to be part of Clairlea Reads!

Run Club
Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:40 am. Remember to check the Athletics blog if the weather is iffy. http://clairleaathletics.blogspot.com/

Math and Language Homework from Me
Math and Language homework goes home on Monday and is due before Friday. Timelines are loose for a reason. You all have lives beyond school. However, Parents, I have a reading selection for you to read and discuss with your child. Optional, of course. It's just nice to read and share together.

Please let me know what you need to make this school year happy and successful for everyone.

My email is carol.vincent@tdsb.on.ca. I can be reached at 416 396 6165.

September 9, 2019

Hi All!

Reading, Reading and Lots of Reading

• Everyone should be reading every night. (And that includes me!)
• The short News pieces that I send home are more beneficial and enjoyable when they are read with an adult who knows more about the world. It's a chance for adults and kids to chat and I'm hoping that's what comes of these very short pieces.  
• In their notebooks, kids need to write 3 things they learned from the news article. 
• Check inside their backpack for the red duotang. 

Names Homework for Parents!

• Please return these questionnaires as soon as possible - I'm just missing a couple. 

Afternoon Schedules

• Please let me know how things are working out in the afternoons. I know the classes are large and the transitions between music, dance, phys-ed, French, etc. are still new. But let me know if you have any challenges - especially around communication and knowing what's going on. 

My email is carol.vincent@tdsb.on.ca. or call at 416 396 6165 and I will return your call as soon as I can. 

Pictures

Some pics from last Thursday's Math - working in small groups and then we Bansho our work to share and learn together. 

September 3, 2019

Hi everyone!

So great to see everyone back at school! Room 206 is pretty awesome!

We had a great morning!

We are working on establishing afternoon transition routines as this class is divided into two separate afternoon classes: Grade 3/4 (Mr Phinnemore) or Grade 4/5 (Ms Vlachos-Daskalakis).

Final afternoon daily schedules regarding music, dance and phys-ed are being tweaked and those schedules will be sent home to you by your afternoon teachers. 

Agendas are also forthcoming - the distributor has promised delivery to all schools by the end of September. As well, beginning school packages will be sent home later this week.

Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have.

Here are a few pics from this morning.

Thank you for your support as we transition into this new school year.

Ms Vincent.

Find a Friend Bingo!

Names Matter!
Students design and create name plates that celebrate who they are.

Welcome Back! September 2019

Hello Everyone!

Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow! 

All you need to bring are your beautiful smiling faces! 

See you all on Tuesday! 

Ms Vincent!