Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Dear Kindergarten Families,

I hope that this communication finds your family well. This is a busy time for teachers as we embark on creating an online learning environment. We will work through this week to establish a connection with your family to facilitate ongoing learning according to Alberta Education guidelines. We are committed to making this process as effective as possible.

What to expect in the coming days:

• Contact from your child’s classroom teacher. Initial contact will be attempted via a phone call. If your child, where appropriate, is able to be part of the phone call, that would be a great opportunity for personal contact to be initiated. Your teacher will be asking for some information:
• Do you have access to a computer, laptop, iPad/tablet or smart phone and printer?
• Do you have access to the internet?
• Is your only option a paper-based learning package?
• An email from your child’s teacher as a follow-up that will introduce you to a platform through which ongoing communication and instruction will take place. This email will come to the email address(es) contained in PowerSchool.

• Ongoing communication establishing common understanding of the learning platforms for the roll out of lessons
• Development of a plan for students requiring paper-based learning packages
• Ongoing updates from the CBE and from Capitol Hill via email and web site

Thank you for your ongoing support and patience as we undertake this new approach to learning.

Sincerely,

Susan Dreyer

School Closure and Pick up of Personal Belongings

Good Morning Parents and Guardians,

As you are all aware, we are in uncertain times. Please refer to the school website and School Messenger to receive any updates regarding information related to how COVID-19 has affected our school. At this time, we have received limited information about school closures and are unsure as to how long it will last. 

We continue to wait for updated information regarding next steps from our health minister and the CBE on how to proceed in moving forward. I will strive to communicate information through the Kindergarten blog as we are updated. For now I would like to stress the importance of continuing to provide daily opportunities for your child to enjoy books, reading together, drawing, writing about their day and practicing number work through games such as dice, cards, board games etc. 

I hope you are all staying safe and healthy. Please remember to enjoy the outdoor weather by going for a walk. Take time to look for signs that Spring has arrived and the changes that are are all around us! Also be sure to talk about what you are observing and treasure the moments to spend time with those who are important to you.  I really miss the students but also understand and trust that we are doing what is best in order to take care of ourselves and our community.

Thank you for your patience during this time. 

Susan Dreyer

Math Work in Kindergarten 

 

 

The students were recently presented with a series of photographs of landmarks and beautiful structures from around the world. Many children quickly recognized the Calgary Tower. A few students were able to identify the Eiffel Tower. Our conversation focused on a discussion of what was the same and different about the structures. This led to comparisons of size and describing the shapes found within the different buildings. “I can see lots of squares” one student commented. Another student stated, “There are cylinders on the sides of that tower.” As an extension to our focus on 2 D-Shapes and 3 D-Objects, the students were then invited to work with a partner and recreate a structure.  Using an assortment of different sized wooden shapes and loose parts, the children were focused as they created their building. They were also astute in describing differences in designs. Some students counted the number of shapes they used to create their structures. Others compared the heights of their different creations. We continue to focus on noticing shapes in our surroundings. 

Our Grocery Store is Now Open!

   

Students have been busy sorting food items into the different groups. The shelves are now stocked. Many children continue to create signs listing specific food items that can be found in our store. The students are also developing their writing skills as they create their own grocery lists.

Special thanks to Rhys' mom who provided us with a cash register which sits on a table in the checkout area of the store. Rhys was also excited to report that it came with two credit cards (imitation of course). Recently the teacher overheard one child being told that they needed to pay $97.00 for their groceries. Yes, these wise students already know that the cost of groceries quickly adds up. The good news is that the children have a large assortment of plastic coins and they have also designed plenty of coloured paper money to use in paying for their food purchases.

We are also grateful to Sidney's mom who designed and donated 4 reversible, fabric shopping bags. Not only are they beautiful, but functional with long handles for comfort and ease in transporting the groceries.