May 19, 2017

Dear Parents,

It looks like it is going to be a great long weekend!  I know many of you are planning on camping and a number of other outdoor activities so I am sure the sunshine will be welcome.  Enjoy!


Updates/Reminders/Thank you's

HELP WANTED:  Is there anyone who would be available to come and help out on Monday afternoons from 1:20-2:10 ?(10 minutes to set up and 40 supervising a nutrition station).  We are going to be completing a series of 6 stations with our big buddies in order to review/reinforce the information/skills we developed earlier this term. Please contact me via the school email or your child's planner if you are able to help out.  Thank you!  amanda_roberts@sd42.ca

*please regularly check the calendar on this blog and add it to your personal calendar

*we are very short drivers for the SPCA at this time, please complete the online form via the parent portal (even if you cannot drive) so that I know if I need to look into other options or cancel the trip

*Hawaiian day is next Friday!

*Wyatt's mom has told me about an opportunity through Value Village.  If you take in a clothing donation your child will get a free book!  This is a great way to add to your home/the classroom library:   https://www.valuevillage.com/donate

*a big thank you to Wyatt, Chloe and Nevaeh's mom for donating books to our classroom library.  There is a lot of excitement over these new additions!

*please ensure that your child is practicing his/her 'Body Poems' as we will be presenting these at an assembly on May 30th

*you will be receiving a permission form via the parent portal about an upcoming field trip at the Maple Ridge bowling alley.  We will also be having a visit from the A.R.M.S society to talk to us about water.  Thanks to the generous contribution from the P.A.C. the cost for both of these experiences will only be $2.  You may send in a twoonie at any time.  Thank you!

*if you are able to 'Save the Date' to help us with driving that would be much appreciated.  We will be going the morning of June 22nd (details to follow via the parent portal)  Please remember that you must have a driver's abstract on file if you are driving children other than your own.

*you may have noticed that the halls are starting to look a little bare.  No, we are not planning to go on summer vacation yet :)  We are emptying our bulletin boards in preparation for our school wide 'Gallery Walk'.  The students have chosen their favourite piece from the year and they will be up to  by the end of May.  Parents are welcome to come and visit (please just check in at the office first) any time in early June.

*a reminder to please make sure your child is appropriately dressed for the weather as we do spend time outside each day.  If your child is wearing sandals as the weather heats up please include runners/socks in your child's backpack to ensure they are ready for action!  Sunscreen, hats and water bottles are also a great idea.

*here is a message from our librarian, Mrs. Neufeld:

'The Library will be closing down for the summer a bit early this year,  because we are going to do inventory.  Last day for book exchange will be May 31.  All books must be back into the Library by June 5.   Fines and late books must be paid by June 21.    I will send home a notice for overdue books!  However, if students owe money for a book but cannot find it or pay for it,  they may bring a' like-new' book from their house to replace it'.

*some parents have been asking why our field trip is to the Surrey attachment of the SPCA.  This is  because this is where their education site is.  Having said that, I know some parents were concerned about the drive.  It is actually only 26 minutes  away and is very straight forward (that is coming from me and I have no sense of direction :)...

BC SPCA Surrey Education and Adoption Centre

16748 50 Ave, Surrey, BC V3S 0L2

26 min (23.5 km)

via Golden Ears Way and Pacific Hwy/BC-15 S

Fastest route, the usual traffic

• 
  

  
  

  This route has tolls.

12209 206 Street, Maple Ridge, BC

Take 123 Ave and 203 St to Golden Ears Way

3 min (1.3 km)

Follow Golden Ears Way and Pacific Hwy/BC-15 Sto 168 St in Surrey

21 min (20.9 km)

Follow 168 St to 50 Ave

2 min (1.3 km)

BC SPCA Surrey Education and Adoption Centre

16748 50 Ave, Surrey, BC V3S 0L2

Have a great long weekend, everyone!

Amanda Roberts

May 12, 2017

Hi Everyone,

Happy Mother's Day to all of our moms!  I hope you are all taken care of this Sunday and that you enjoy the treat your children have prepared for you!

Updates/Reminders/Thank you's

*a reminder that all book bags and duotangs should come back to school each day as we are using them here as well as at home.  Thank you!
*please see the May calendar on this blog for important dates in May
*a big thank you to Nevaeh's family for the books that you donated to the class.  Everyone is really excited about the new additions to our classroom library
*the 'Scientist of the day' presentations have been great, thank you for helping your children prepare so that they are able to come in and present with confidence and understanding
*fidget spinners can come to school but will only be used during certain times of the day, if your child has trouble following the classroom guidelines they will be sent home.
*we have booked a guest speaker for June and are confirming the date for our final field trip.  You will be receiving more information/payment details via the parent portal next week.
*a pink sheet was taped into everyone's planner who had outstanding fees  owed.  Please check your child's planner (from 2 weeks ago) to see if you have any money owing.  I would like to have all monies collected by the end of next week.  Thank you!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Amanda Roberts

May 5, 2017

Happy May Everyone!

I can't believe how this school year is flying by.  We are busy working on our body unit and are learning a lot about the human body and how it functions!  Ask your child about which organs we have learned about so far.

Updates/Reminders/Thank you's

*Class photos will now be this upcoming Tuesday, May 9th due to the inclement weather earlier this week
*our scientists are off to a great start, please send a note in your child's planner if the original date I assigned doesn't work
*Important dates in May are available on this blog under 'Monthly Calendar'
*A big thank you to Neveah's family for sending in some 'fairy' books for the class.  They are a welcome addition to our class library!
*the school library will be doing a thorough inventory this year so all books will be due back by the end of May.  Notices regarding missing books will be sent home shortly after this. Thank you for trying to track these down.
*please ensure that your child has appropriate footwear for running/playing outside.  If your child is wearing sandals, please pack runners and socks in his/her backpack.  We are often outside and active (rain or shine) and inappropriate footwear can really inhibit your child's ability to get involved
*a bright, pink sheet was sent home last week as a friendly reminder regarding unpaid fees this year.  It was taped inside of your child's planner.  If you could send in any money that is owing that would be much appreciated as June is a very busy time for our office staff.  Thanks so much!

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

Amanda Roberts

April 28, 2017

Dear Parents,

I hope you are well and are getting outside despite the mixed up weather.  It is hard to believe that it is May next week.

Updates/Reminders/Thank you's

*Monday, May 1st is a Professional Development Day (no school for students)
*I have updated the calendar section on this blog to reflect the dates to note in May
*spelling quizzes will be coming home today.  If your child has a 1/2 mark taken off it is due to using a capital where it is not needed (or missing one in the case of 'May').  We have been working on this for several weeks and everyone was reminded prior/during the quiz
*everyone will be receiving new JRR books next week.  Please send book bags to school daily.
*every student has been assigned a 'Scientist of the Day' date.  This information was sent home earlier this week.  If you did not receive a 'Scientist' package please write a note in your child's planner and I will send a new one.  Also, a second sheet with room for a diagram and explanation came home separately.  I apologize for the error as it was supposed to be included with the package.  Again, please notify me if you are missing either of these papers.
*we have been exploring our class library and have come up with a wish list.  I have a small amount of money to purchase books but I am hoping that some of you may have gently books to donate to the class.  High interest books included: Rainbow Fairy books, Captain Underpants, Bad Kitty, books about animals, The Magic School Bus, Geronimo Stilton and Minecraft.  Many of our books go missing from the classroom so any donations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Amanda Roberts

April 7, 2017

Hi Everyone,

Well, it doesn't quite feel like spring yet but I hope you all enjoy your weekend despite the weather!

Updates/Reminders/Thank you's

*Please sign up for the ACT field trip via the parent portal if you have not already done so, we are still short drivers.  If you would prefer to send cash payment, please send it in a marked envelope and I will input it into our system.  Thank you! Please note: There are no tickets available for parents, please see my previous blog post for more information regarding this.
*New spelling words will come home on Wednesday this week (we are writing some cooperative stories we'd like to continue working on).  Students will have almost 2 weeks to complete their assignment /study due to the long weekend. The quiz will be on Friday, April 21st.  Also, I have spoken to the students today about the frequency that capital letters are being used when they are not needed.  From now on students will lose 1/2 mark if they misuse a capital or forget to write their name on their paper.  I am hoping this will help to build good habits.
*We have tentatively booked a walking field trip to Starbucks for this Wednesday, April 12th.  We will be going with Mrs. Rowledge-Toscani's class and 4 adults will be walking the students but if you would like to join us, please see me on Monday or Tuesday to confirm.  This is a prize that we received from 'Club Red' for having a large percentage of class participation.  Well done, Div. 8!  There is no need to sign a permission form as the walking field trip form you completed at the beginning of the year will cover this.
*Please note that I have updated the calendar on this blog.  There are lots of dress up days this month (our leadership group has been busy!)  Please note:  The first one will be 'Decade Day' on Thursday, April 13th.  Students can dress up in clothing from their favourite decade if they'd like to participate.
*Our first round of FALCON FUN was a huge success despite the rain.  Thank you for sending your child dressed appropriately for the weather so they could be comfortable during our time outside.  Our next FALCON FUN stations will be on Thursday, April 20th (a list of all the dates is on the calendar portion of the blog)
*Your child will have brought home his/her nutrition booklets today.  Please take a few moments to ask your child to explain their work. We have learned a lot about healthy eating and are now moving on to learning more about the human body.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Amanda Roberts

March 31, 2017

Dear Parents,

It sounds like everyone enjoyed their Spring Break, your children had lots of exciting stories to share!

Updates/Reminders/Thank you's

*our 'ACT Theater' field trip to see the Lion King is coming up on April 20th.  Please sign your child up via the parent portal if you have not already done so.  At this point we only have parent drivers for 6 children.  You will need to have a driver's abstract on file  if you are willing/able to drive children other than your own. Please note:  I only have 1 extra ticket for a parent and this spot has already been filled.  That parent, however, has offered to give her ticket up if anyone 'has their heart set on seeing the play'.   Please see me or send me an email at Amanda_Roberts@sd42.ca if that applies to you.


*Just a reminder to please send in your $2 for the SPCA presentation and $10 for memory books if you have not already done so.  Students who have not paid for the memory book will not be receiving the book/photos/photo collages etc.  I would appreciate it if everyone who would like to receive one pays by the end of April as I will begin the process of developing photos at that time.

*next Thursday all of the primary classes will be beginning our  F.A.L.C.O.N F.U.N  This will be an outdoor learning opportunity for all primary students.  You will soon receive a portal announcement with more information.

F is for forest

A is for awe and wonder

L is for learning 

C is for community 

O is for outdoors 

N is for nature 

F is for friendship

U is for understanding

N is for new appreciation for our earth

In support of this program we are asking that you please:

1 )Note these dates on your calendar (April 6^th, April 20^th, May 4^th, May 18^th and June 1^st)

2)Send your child appropriately dressed for the weather as we will be outside rain or shine

3)If you have not already done so, please send in an extra set of clothes in case of accidents

**Please note that we will be doing some projects that will require organic materials.  If anyone has any stones, shells, pinecones, dried flowers, leaves, burlap etc. that you would like to donate please see your child’s teacher.  Thanks so much!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Amanda Roberts

March 10, 2017

Happy Spring Break, Everyone!

I hope you all enjoy some quality family time over the upcoming break:)

Updates/Reminders/Thank you's

*thank you to all of you for sending in baked goods for our SPCA fundraiser.  The students counted the money today and we will be reviewing the totals after school.  It looks  like we may have raised close to $500!
*thank you to our parent/grandparent drivers for taking us to/from skating
*we are looking for parent volunteers to come in and count/roll the money after the break so if you are able our help would be much appreciated
*thank you to Chloe, Max and Colette's mom for coming to help sell the bake sale goodies, containers will be coming home today as we have given the leftovers to the grade 6/7 class for their school dance today.  If your container wasn't labeled and it isn't brought home please email me and I will have it ready for you.
*please send in your $2 for the SPCA and $10 for your child's memory book if you have not already done so.  I will be purchasing photos for the memory books in May/June so the cutoff date for this money will be April 30th.  Thank you!
*thank you to Neveah's family for your donations for Club Red, our celebration was a big success!
*the permission for our field trip to the ACT Theater will be coming out after Spring Break, we will need parent drivers for this trip on Thursday, April 20th (leaving the school at 12:00), returning around home time
*please see our courage slide show (below).  It is also posted on Fairview Facebook

Have a fantastic Spring Break, everyone!