Jan 6 - 10, 2020

Hi everyone!

We had a busy first day back after the Winter break.

First, thank you to all for your thoughtfulness for the many gifts I received. In addition, I took a large, overflowing bag of warm woollen socks down to the Adelaide Resource Centre for Women at 67 Adelaide Street (at Jarvis) and the wonderful folks there were so thankful for them.  Thank you to each and everyone who contributed socks or cash for the purchase of socks. As I sit here updating this blog, I can hear the wind roaring outside. Many girls and women will be on our city streets tonight or heading to one of the very few shelters our city provides for women. Thank you for your generosity and know your kindness was so needed and well received.

In our Class
We are in the process of finishing off some of our first term units and starting units in Science (Pulleys and Gears) and Social Studies (Regions of Canada).  Our Math unit is in measurement and in writing, we are working on some shorter pieces to help with writing strong paragraphs and working on transitioning from one paragraph to another.

Throughout this term, we will be looking at our impact on the planet and focusing on individual action plans. We are becoming knowledgable about climate change and our impact on our planet. Now, what are we going to do about it - sitting talking about it is just not enough. We need to be acting.

Reminders 

• Pizza lunch is on Wednesday.
• Homework duotangs were sent home today. They are due Friday. For those who need extra time over the weekend, Monday is fine, too. 
• Reusable water bottles, please. Many students are not bringing them in and this results in wasted time running to the water fountain as our classroom water is not drinkable.
• Indoor shoes are essential, please. Our floor and carpet gets very dirty when students have to wear boots indoors. 

Looking forward to a busy and productive January.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any concerns or issues. I can be reached at carol.vincent@tdsb.on.ca or 416 396 6165.

Happy 2020!

Ms Vincent

December 16 - 20

Hi all

We have a very busy week planned, with concert prep, cookie decorating, a visit to Mr. Bonin's class, movie afternoon, as well as a final goodbye to Mr. McGilvray! 😢

Thursday, 19th is our Holiday Concert

• please plan to be in Room 206 between 5:30 - 5:45 pm
• Concert starts at 6:00 pm and we are the first act on!
• You can wear whatever "festive" means to you

Friday, 20th

• movie afternoon
• you are welcome to bring treats (keep it small and simple). I will be providing chips, as we watch our movie.

Used Cutlery and Dishes

• We are looking for used cutlery and dishes to set up class sets. The idea here is to start phasing out our use of plastic cutlery and paper plates. If you have any at home you'd like to donate, send them along. 

Looking forward to our last week together before we break for the holidays! 

December 9 -13

Pizza Lunch

This Wednesday, December 11.

Holiday Concert. 

See attached schedule of who, where and when. 

Details to follow as preps continue.

Grades 1-3 Concert 

Act 1 -- 6:00-6:30:  Galati, Oliver, Sanchez, Janke, Diop, Bonin

Act 2 -- 7:00-7:30: Hawkins, Demeter, Mestechkin, Rampersad, Phinnemore, Primary Singing Club

Thursday, December 19:

Kindergarten Concert (daytime)

Act 1 -- 6:00-6:30:  VIncent, Vlachos-Daskalakis, Mitkovski, Junior Choir

Act 2 -- 7:00-7:30:  Trott, Hassanle, Camara, Francis, Band

Clairlea's Holiday Eco-Market

Here's how it works.

·  Starting Monday, December 9 until Friday, December 13, all students, staff and families are encouraged to donate items from your home that you no longer use. For example, soaps, candles, jewellery, mugs, purses, wallets, dishes, toys, books - the list is endless!! Clean out your cupboards, closets and shelves! All donations must be in good condition, please. 

When

·  The Holiday Eco-Market runs on Monday, December 16th and Tuesday, December 17th, during recess and lunch times. Students can come to the Holiday Eco-Market to purchase gifts at a fraction of the cost of buying gifts in a store.  Plus, re-gifting keeps so much out of landfills and recycling plants. 

Looking forward to your donations! 

Thank you for supporting our Holiday Eco-Market! 


Used Cutlery and Dishes

We are looking for used cutlery and dishes to set up class sets. The idea here is to start phasing out our use of plastic cutlery and paper plates. If you have any at home you'd like to donate, send them along. 

Teacher Gifts

Room 206 students and parents are tremendously generous gift-givers and I am ever so grateful!  What I'm proposing this year is this: rather than buying gifts for me, I would prefer parents or students to purchase one pair of woollen socks that I will then donate to shelters. 

Woollen socks can be bought at Dollarama for a reasonable cost. I know there are many woman living on our streets so think about smaller sizes, too. While there are lots of fabulous socks everywhere, woollen ones are best as they still keep feet warm when they are wet, easier to wash and they last the longest compared to other socks. 

I will set out a loose change jar, so if parents or students would prefer to donate loose change, I am happy to purchase woollen socks on their behalf. 

I'll start this conversation on Monday as we continue to talk about the importance of eco-markets, and recycling. 

As always, thank you for your support.

Lots going on, this week! 

Dec 1 - 6

Hi everyone

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

Housekeeping

Please ensure you all have the following:

• indoor shoes / slippers. We have a carpet that is getting very dirty and our floors do NOT get washed regularly. Please ensure you have something to wear inside the school other than the shoes/boots you wear outside. 
• a change of socks and pants. The field / play area is always wet and muddy this time of year and as we move gradually toward OPAL initiatives (Outdoor Play and Learning), you need to be dry and comfortable inside after recesses. Do you know that some TDSB schools do NOT keep their students inside during inclement weather? I have been to PD sessions at other schools, and / or noticed some schools in my home area, where it can be pouring and all the kids are outside in raincoats, rain hats and boots playing and sloshing around in the rain and mud. The BEST learning happens outside in all kinds of weather. Clairlea isn't quite there yet, but we do get wet and muddy outside at the best of times, so please make sure you have a change of clothes with you - or waterproof splash pants for over your indoor clothes to keep you dry. 

Reminder

This Friday, December 6th is a PD day. No school for students. 

Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, December 18th - Clairlea Reads. We had a fabulous session last time, building and designing and making scenes and settings from loose parts. Cannot wait to see what our next lunchtime session looks like! 

Friday, December 20th - "Festive Outfit" Day.  For Room 206, this means any outfit that puts you in a fun, happy, celebratory theme. Let's talk about this at school. 

We have a full week of learning. Looking forward to seeing you all on Monday. 

Nov 25 - 29

Monday
Thank you to Ms Purvis for bringing Roseneath Theatre to our school for the performance of La Maleta (The Suitcase). So much to unpack in this play and we will be looking at themes of asylum seekers, refugees and weaving themes of homelessness and poverty as we move toward the holiday season.

 http://roseneath.ca/

Friday

• Wacky Hat Day - Build, Design, Wear your wackiest hat!! Looking forward to seeing your great designs!

Looking forward to a busy and fun week together!

Nov 18 - 22

Hello everyone

I always look forward to meeting parents during Parent/Teacher interviews and I value your input and suggestions. While time was set aside last week for meeting, I can be reached via phone (416 396 6165) or email (carol.vincent@tdsb.on.ca) at any time to talk about your child's progress.

Agendas 
A reminder from the office to pay for agendas. $10 cash online (or $10 to me and I will deposit).
Thank you to those who have paid.

Math Assessment Binders
To those who took the Math Assessment folders home, please sign and return at your convenience. I will be adding assessment pieces from our Patterning unit.

This Week

Tuesday - Clailea Reads - Library at Lunch
Friday - Lunch Lady

Science

A look at the Don Valley Brick Works.

Math

Patterning

Language

Themes of poverty, homelessness, Toronto's Out of the Cold program. 

Social Studies / Art

Ancient Civilizations and Masks.  What were the purposes of masks? 

Looking forward to our week together.

Nov 11 - 15

What's Happening This Week

Update - Monday afternoon

• Check backpacks for progress reports and interview times.
• Homework will go home Tuesday. We will discuss at P/T interviews. 
• I took our crew through the Scholastic Bookfair this morning and they were super-excited. Send lots of money! 

Below is my Interview Schedule for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. If you need to change your time, please let me know.  There are a few parents who haven't signed up. Please let me know what's a good time for us to meet -  - lots of space and I'm flexible. 

School Wide

• Scholastic Book Fair
• Winter Wear and Sports Equipment Swap - or take what you need
• Parent Teacher Interviews for me - Tuesday to Thursday before or after school. Please return interview request forms. I would love to see or hear from everyone's family. Thank you! 
• Parent Web Safety Seminar in the Gym - 6:30 - 7:30 on Thursday

In Class

Monday, 11th

• Remembrance Day Assemblies in the gym
• Progress Reports go home

Wednesday, 13th

• Play on the theme of Mental Health

Thursday, 14th

• Homework due

Friday, 15th

• PA Day - No school for students.

Notes

• Indoor shoes, please!
• Snack - many of you have paid for our Snack Programme. Just letting you know that it is not being eaten. I send most of it back to the staff room for the fridge. Yoghurt, apples, oranges, etc. being sent back and a lot of chips, chocolate, candies and cookies being eaten instead. 
• Math Assessment Folders will go home with each parent when I meet you for Parent/Teacher Interviews. They should be returned with a signature.

Looking forward to seeing you all this week.

Ms. Vincent