Saturday, September 28, 2013

September 30-October 4

Quote of the Week

"Don't ask your child what they learned at school today. 
Ask your child to tell you the best question they asked that day." 
~ Selina Miller

How are we, as educators, encouraging really deep, meaningful, question-asking each and every day with our students?

Thank you!
A huge Thank You goes out to Sarah Baldry for organizing the Terry Fox Run this year. It was a really great event and such a wonderful opportunity to reflect and think of all those whom we may know who have battled cancer. 


Best Wishes to Julian!
We will all be thinking positive thoughts this week as Sophia's son, Julian, goes for his surgery.  We know that all will go well and hope he has a quick recovery.  Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts, Sophia, through this challenging time. 

New Staffing
Please welcome our new clerk, Linda Bently (she is replacing Kim Watts). She will be with us until the end of October, when the posting will be filled permanently.

We are still in the midst of interviewing and hiring for our Intermediate Prep / 0.1 LIF Teacher. We should have someone hired before the end of the week.   

Learning Discussions
Thank you to those who have signed up for their Learning Discussions.  We look forward to these conversations.  What a great way to share what you are doing in your classrooms, your plans, and how we can support you this year. See the Key Questions below for a reminder of what these discussions will look like.

Our schedules have been so busy, we apologize to those whose meetings we have had to reschedule.

Key Questions:
1. What do we, as teachers and support staff, need to learn more about in order to promote the learning of our students?
2. Where am I going with my learning?
3. What is going on for our learners? How do we know? What do we do about it?


Weekly Formative Assessment Strategy
Have you tried Exit Slips Before?  Do you want to try them or get some ideas of how to use exit slips more in your classroom?


Surveys - A Final Opportunity
If you have not yet filled out the recent staff surveys, please do so before Sunday night.  We would really love to have input from all staff for the Communication Survey and from the Classroom teachers (or whoever uses the lab) for the Technology Use and Computer Feedback Surveys.  The more people who respond, the more accurate the results. The results will be shared at the staff meeting. 
(Click on the links below)


Computer Feedback (re. computer lab)



Dwali Assembly - Friday, November 1
(a message from Gurpreet)
I will be putting together a Diwali Assembly on November 1st at Bear Creek Elementary. I am excited about this opportunity and I would love it  if anyone would like to help. If you are interested, please contact me! I have attached a powerpoint (below) which outlines the history of Diwali. I have also included some links to activities, art projects, games and other tools which you may use to teach your students about Diwali prior to the assembly. I will also be providing you with a "Diya" (clay pot) printable in your mailboxes. If you could please have your students color, cut and return them to me by by October 25th I would really appreciate it. 




 Role Play:
Colour by Number:
Rangoli colour by_number_1 from Gurpreet Koonar


Here are some links you may want to check out to learn more:


Please contact me if you have any further questions. I will be putting out the word to students next week so I can get a Diwali committee organized.
-----

Thanks to Gurpreet for providing us with all these ideas and resources. 
It will be a fun day! 


This week - September 30 - October 4

Monday
Tuesday
  • 7:45 am - Boys Soccer Practise 
  • LST at Fountas and Pinnell Training - all day
  • Pears delivered to the classrooms from fruit and veggie program
  • 11:45 am - Student Leadership Meeting (Sponsor Teachers Only) Room 201 (hope this is is okay we borrow your room, Jess)
  • 2:30 - 4:30pm Cross Country Meet #2 - Bear Creek Park


Wednesday
  • Book Fair
  • 9:00 am - Grade 6 Immunizations - Music Room 
  • 11:45 am - ILD Meeting - Room 201 
  • DEN Ambassador Pilot - at Bear Creek 3:15-5:15pm

Thursday
  • 7:45 am  - Cross Country Practise
  • Book Fair
  • 9:00 am - Story Theatre Presentation -  "Hey Bully, Bully!" 
    • Go HERE for more information and Teacher Guide
  • 2:45 pm - Boys Soccer Practise 
  • 5:30 - 6:30 pm Meet the Teacher Night
    • Any staff interested in going out for dinner beforehand?
Friday
  • 7:45 am  - Cross Country Practise
  • 8:15 - Health & Safety Committee Meeting - Carrie's Office

    Professional Development Opportunities

    Twitter Chat on #sd36learn  (Sunday @ 8pm) and #bcedchat (Sunday @ 7pm)

    SD36 District Opportunities 
    Workshops to Check Out:
    (must log in first to Surreyschools.ca - then click on the link above)

    Differentiated Instruction - October 22, November 19, January 14, February 11, March 11 (Must commit to all 5 sessions)

    Friends For Life (Grade 6/7) - November 8 - 8:30-3:00 (15 spaces left)

    Friends For Life - (Grade 4/5) - February 21 - 8:30-3:00 (11 spaces left)

    Fun Friends (Gr. K/1) - November 7 - 8:30-3:00 (1 space left)
    ______________________________________

    Looking for some interesting projects to become involved with this year?
    You might want to check out these global projects:

    Global Read-Aloud - Starts this week! - We have 7 copies of the Intermediate read aloud, Out of My Mind. Please see Tia, if you'd like to borrow a copy (you should read it before reading it to your class - it's an amazing book).

    Other Pro. D.
    October is Connected Educator Month. There are TONS of learning opportunities this month.  Take a look here!

    Reform Symposium - FREE AMAZING Online Conference - October 11-13

    Den VirtCon - Tech or Treat with Discovery Education - Saturday, October 19 - in person at James Ardiel or online. 
    For more information, click here.
    _______________________________________

    Videos of the Week:

    To This Day - Powerful Poem by Shane Koyczan (about Bullying)


    How does this relate to being an educator?




    Blog Posts of the Week:
    How do I Change? Where do I Start? (from a BC educator)

      Our Wall of Kindness (Fits with the Gratitude Graffiti Project)

    Inquiry and Assessment for Learning (from an SD36 teacher)


    Resources of the Week:
    This is an important article to think about when assigning homework to our students and their families.

    Gratitude Graffiti Project  - Joanne Johnson will be mentioning this at the staff meeting on Monday.


    Mark Your Calendars:
    October 8 - Cross Country Meet - Bear Creek Park - 3:00-4:30
    October 8 - Grade 7 Parent Meeting - 6:30pm
    October 14 - Thanksgiving
    October 15 - Cross Country Meet - Bear Creek Park - 3:00-4:30 
    October 16 - Interims go home
    October 17 - Earthquake Drill - 9:45am
    October 18 - Family Movie Night - 6:30-8:30pm
    October 22 - Individual Photo Day
    October 22 - Dreams Take Flight - Day to Disney with 5 of our students & Tia
    October 23 - Popcorn Day
    October 24 - Assembly - 9am
    October 25 - Provincial Professional Development Day
    October 28 - Staff Meeting
    October 31 - Halloween
    November 1 - Diwali Assembly
    November 1 - Hot Lunch (Subway)
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