Parent-Teacher Interviews

Dear families,

This note is for those who requested an interview:

In an effort to schedule your parent-teacher interview at a time that is mutually convenient, we have set up an account using Simply Book Me. Please visit the link (grade3interview.simplybook.me) and choose from the available time slots.

Please note that these interviews will be with Ms. Howie. Mrs. Hignell's time will be split between the Grade 3 and Grade 6 classes. If you wish for Mrs. Hignell to be present during your interview as well, please book the same time through her separate link (http://mrshignellinterviews.simplybook.me).  

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

Your partners in learning,

Ms. Howie and Mrs. Hignell

Our Lenten Project & Accompanying Spirit Days

Dear St. Patrick School Community,

For our Lenten Project, we have decided to work in partnership with the Shepherds of Good Hope. St. Patrick School will be collecting the following items that are currently in short supply: soup, coffee, jam, peanut butter, dry pasta, shampoo, deodorant, socks, mittens and hats. In addition to this, we will also be collecting monetary donations to be used towards supporting the Shepherds of Good Hope.

We have organized four spirit days to generate donations from students. Please see the list below, which outlines the themes of each spirit day, as well as the items that we are requesting students to contribute.

The spirit days are as follows:

• Monday, February 22- Jersey Day:  Wear your favourite sports jersey to school

(A monetary donation is requested i.e. a loonie or a toonie)

• Friday, February 26 - Costume Day - Dress as your favourite book, movie or television character.

**Please note, students are not to bring masks or weapons as a part of their costume.

(A donation of dry goods such as soups, dry pasta, jam, peanut butter or coffee are requested (or monetary donation))

• Friday, March 4 - Pajama Day

(A donation of shampoo, deodorant, socks, mittens or hats for both males and females are requested (or monetary donation))

• Friday, March 11 - Beach Day  - Dress as though it is summer time! Students will be invited to watch a “beach” volleyball match between the Grade 6 students and staff.

**Please note, students should be mindful of our school dress code.

(A donation of shampoo, deodorant, socks, mittens or winter hats for both males and females are requested (or monetary donation))

We thank you in advance for supporting our Lenten Project. By helping to support those most in need within our community, we are bringing ourselves closer to God.

Your Partners in Catholic Education,

Lenten Project Organizers, St. Patrick School

Anxiety an Focus Resources for Parents

Another Resource for Parents and Students

In speaking with few parents and working with some children, the topic of anxiety has come up as well as attention issues. I told parents that I would track down books to loan them from our school library. What I have found is even better I think: the Library Portal to share ebooks!

How to do it:

 Students can go to the Student Portal on the St. Patrick School website. 

From that portal choose Destiny (library).

 

Your child will be asked to login with their student number which is listed as their netbook Log-in is the front of their agenda. The number begins with s followed by a 6 digit number  Example s989898. The password for Grade 3 is 1 and grades 4 and up use Patrick1

Then key in anxiety and several suggestions will come up.

Hope this is useful! Anxiety and stress are very difficult on people and they can cause problems for children to focus. I also have made and am using some little coping cards to help children shift from that little anxiety bully in their heads to the positive voice.  

Science Update

Structures and Stability

We have been enjoying this theme in Science because students get to build! During the first activity students just explored and built structures using foam blocks and wooden blocks. From this they discovered that some structures were stable and others were not. We then looked at why. Students came up with very good reasons. They discovered that structures that were too tall were less stable than shorter ones and that structures with a larger base were more stable. They also learned that structures that were more narrow at the top than the bottom were more stable. This begins the process of "inquiry" learning. In these pictures students used a cardboard box as a table. They tried different places to put the legs. They tried in each corner, all 4 legs in the centre nd legs to one side of the table. Then the fun began testing the stability by placing a load on top of the "table".

Why Inquiry Learning?

Students are more engaged and they remember concepts that they have discovered much better                                                                                          than if they were just told.

Words to know: stable, unstable, structure, load, foundation.

 We will work on this cool website this week!

Shapes Lab

Ms. Howie

We Are Mathematicians!

The students demonstrated their ability to collaborate with each other, practising a new method for subtraction with regrouping. Have a look at the Math page of the blog for more information on what we're working on in class.

Kindness Week Begins!

Friday was the official start of Kindness Week! Students shared valentine's with each other on Friday and it was so wonderful to hear their interactions, with so much generosity and gratitude. We are a class family!

This week, focus on random acts of kindness. What can you do to be kind to others?