October 27, 2017

Dear Parents,

Today we participated as a school in the Earth Rangers program. The students learned about various animals and their habitat.  The grade fours were given the opportunity to participate in a program connected to our science study about “Waste in our World”. Feel free to ask your child about this over the weekend.

In Math the students are working on various math centers that are based on the different strands; for example, number sense, problem solving, place value and fractions. They are exploring various centers and are engaged and learning!

In Science, most students videotaped their biodegradable package with their group using the iPads. They tested a snack for it’s stress, durability, and stability. Other students are still working on finishing their product prior to testing it.  We look forward to working with Mrs. Hargreaves’ class next week on this design thinking project.

Important Information:

• The grade 4’s are thinking of going on a community walk on Thursday November 2. Our class is in need of 1 or 2 volunteers.  We would depart from our school at around 9:30 a.m. and return by 10:45.  If you are able to volunteer, please kindly let me know by email as soon as possible.  Tfdharamsisa@cbe.ab.ca

• Home Reading daily
• Return home reading books every Monday!
• Learning Commons is every Monday at 9:50 a.m. This is a great opportunity for your child to sign out a book from the learning commons.  This book can be used for home reading.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sayani

October 19, 2017

Dear Parents,

The students began an inquiry on the decomposition of a pumpkin.  We are conducting an experiment on which material will the pumpkin decompose in the quickest: soil, water, oil or nothing? The students are connecting their learning in waste in our world and plant growth and change to math activities, sketching and writing poetry. Our learning has transformed in many ways this week.  Please ask your child about this.

In math the students are working on various math centers that are on the different strands; for example, number sense, problem solving and fractions.

Important Information:

• There will be an assembly held tomorrow morning at 10:45.  Parents are welcome to attend.
• The grade 4’s are thinking of going on a community walk on Monday October 23 or Friday October 27th.  Our class is in need of 1 or 2 volunteers.  We would depart from our school at around 8:30 a.m. and return by 10:30.  If you are able to volunteer, please kindly let me know by email.

Tfdharamsisa@cbe.ab.ca

Students should be reading at home for 20 minutes daily. pLease remind your child to switch their books as needed.  Also return home journals and learning commons books every Monday.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sayani

October 12, 2017

Dear Parents,

The students have ideated about their design thinking project.  They are ready for the building and creating stage.  Please ask your child about what they are going to build with their group.  They must remember that they are creating a biodegradable packaging for snacks.  The goal is to reduce the use of "one use packages". Each group member is responsible for bringing in material from their recycling bin at home.

In math the students have been rounding numbers to the nearest 10, 100 or 1000. They have been using 2, 3, 4, or 5 dice to create a number then round it.  Ask your child if they are in the mild, medium, spicy or screamers group in math.

Important Information:

• Fun lunch is tomorrow at 11:30 a.m.  for those who have ordered.  If you have not ordered then your child may eat their own lunch.
• Tomorrow is wear your favorite sport jersey day at school.

Have a great evening.  Please return home reading books as your child is finished reading them. They may sign out  a new book when they need to.

Photographs About Our Learning:

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sayani

October 10, 2017

Dear Parents,

This week the students were excited being “Buddies” with our Kindergarten class. The grade 4 students taught them how to take photographs on Ipads.  They were looking at shapes around our school. Feel free to ask your child about what their buddy’s name is.

In math we are continuing to look at mental math strategies to help us solve mathematical problems efficiently. Ask your child about doubles, counting on , counting back and turnarounds. We are also looking at rounding numbers to the nearest 10’s and 100’s.

We began a design thinking project with Mrs. Hargreaves grade 4 class. After collecting wrappers during recess, the students discussed “one use plastic” and how it is detrimental to our world. They discussed the impact it has on our environment and humans and are now  ideating and designing packaging that is biodegradable.

Important Information:

Fun lunch is on Friday for those who have ordered.  If you have not ordered then your child may eat their lunch.

Jacket Racket is a volunteer organization with the goal of ensuring that every child from Kindergarten to Grade 12 has a warm winter coat to wear to school. 90% of donations come from schools. The jackets are then distributed to children in schools where there is a need. This year we are inviting our students and parents to participate in a coat drive for Jacket Racket.  They accept gently used warm winter coats, snow pants, hats and mittens for all ages. Often whole families are outfitted, so any size is welcome.

A box will be set up in the Embassy for collection from October 10, 2017 to October 24, 2017

We encourage you to generously support this worthy project.

It is a great opportunity to help students who may be less fortunate.

         www.jacketracketcalgary.com

Thank you for your support.

Student Leadership Group and Mrs. Fraser

October 3, 2017

Dear Parents,

We are having amazing conversations around a novel titled:”Fatty Legs” in humanities. By using Edward de Bono’s “6 Thinking Hats”, the students are learning about their thinking and decision making.

Your child had the opportunity to work collaboratively in a group and put themselves in the shoes of a character from the novel and critically think about their perspective based on these hats.

In science we are looking at how to reduce waste.  Feel free to ask your child about this tonight.

In Math, the students are reviewing mental math strategies to help them problem solve efficiently.  We have looked at counting on, counting back and doubles.

Important Information:

• Your child will bring their home reading book home.  Please read the letter and ensure that they read for 20 minutes daily.

Have a great evening,

Mrs. Sayani

Sept 28, 2017

Dear Parents,

In humanities, the class read a book titled “When I Was Eight”. It is about a young girl experiences  attending a residential school.  All Olemaun wants to do is learn how to read. Feel free to ask your child about this book as we embark on learning about Alberta’s past.

Tomorrow is orange shirt day at school.  Please wear something orange if you can.  The school will also partake in the Terry Fox Run. You may bring a toonie to school to donate to the the cause.

In Math, the students are representing a number in a variety of ways.  They are using words, equations, expanded form, place value, money, fact families and much more...

Important Information:

• Orange Shirt Day tomorrow! Please bring a safety pin to school if you have one at home.

Hello Parents and Guardians

• Ken Taylor offers noon supervision to all of our Grades 1-4 students.  In order for your child to be eligible for this service you must register using your My CBE account. https://webapps.cbe.ab.ca/MyAccount/Account/LogOn?ReturnUrl=%2fMyAccount%2f.   Please be sure to register for the 4 day week service for $255.00.  
• If you do not register for noon supervision your child will need to be picked up over the noon hour. If your child rides the bus you will also need to register for bus service and pay the bussing fee of $355 for the school year.  When you register your child for the bus service they will  automatically be registered for noon supervision and both fees will apply.
• Any family needing a waiver is encouraged to apply to the City of Calgary Fair Entry Program to prove income for a CBE waiver, as well as access other benefits of the program. This is optional for families and the CBE will will continue to accept other approved documents as proof of income.  Please visit our CBE website for more details http://www.cbe.ab.ca/registration/fees-and-waivers/Pages/Waivers.aspx

Have a great evening,

Mrs. Sayani

September 20, 2017

Dear Parents,

The students have been busy constructing a tree from our natural environment. Please take a moment to stop by our bulletin board during the parent/teacher conferences and ask your child to share the story of our tree.

I am looking forward to meeting you all tomorrow evening and Friday morning.  Please kindly book a conference with me if you haven’t already done so.

During Literacy, the students selected a book that is at their reading level from our “Ladders” series.  Ask your child about the nonfiction book that they are reading and writing a summary about in their response journals.

In Math, the students have  been working on an assessment.  This will tell me more about your child and his/her areas of strengths and areas of growth in particular strands of the grade 4 math curriculum.

Important Information:

• If you have flowers in your garden that you wouldn’t mind sending for an art project, it would be much appreciated if you could send them to school on Thursday Sept 20 or Tuesday Sept 26.  Your child will be using these flowers for an art project.
• The book fair is here!  Your child had the opportunity to visit the book fair with his/her class.  They may have a wish list… You are welcome to send money to school tomorrow or take them to the Learning Commons during the parent/teacher conferences.

Have a great evening,

Mrs. Sayani

September 14, 2017

Dear Parents,

We had a great first few days of school. The students adjusted well to the routines and expectations of our learning community.

During Literacy, the students selected a book of choice and learned about the different jobs that they would work on over the course of a week.  Feel free to ask your child what he or she is reading and what job they are working on.  We have reviewed the “Illustrator” and “Summarizer/Connections”, the “Question Maker” and “Rev ups”. These are high yield strategies that we will work on during literacy.

In Math, the students learned how to collect data and create a bar graph. The data is based on questions that helped the students get to know each other. Today we looked at strategies to read our graphs.

Important Information:

• If you have flowers in your garden that you wouldn’t mind sending for an art project, it would be much appreciated if you could send them to school with your child by Monday, September 18.
• Your child will bring home a home journal on Friday's. Please ensure that you take a few moments to read your child's home journal and return it back to school as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sayani