Working together for the future

Sunday 13 May 2012

Happy Mother's Day !

It was a busy week last week as students planned and prepared their thank yous for their moms for Mother's Day.  As I wandered in and out of classrooms I saw, cards, crafts, paintings and planters completed by our students as an expression of their thanks and love for the mothers in their lives.  The sunny weather was an added bonus to this special weekend.  A special congratulations to mothers everywhere for all that they do to support our families.

Monday 7 May 2012

Calling all new kindergarten students for the fall of 2012

This Thursday, May 10, we are having an open house for all of our new families that will be joining us this coming fall.  Our kindergarten classrooms will be open from 11 am until noon for parents and their children to come and have a look, see the present K's in action and meet the staff.  There will be a time for parents to hear from the teachers and the principal about what to expect before and during the kindergarten year.  In the evening we will repeat the information session from 6 until 7 p.m.  While I am meeting with the parents we have two caregivers available in the kindergarten room for the children.  We look forward to meeting you on Thursday.

Thursday 3 May 2012

Remember our Eliminating Bullying!

Over the past few days I have had  number of opportunities to remind some of our younger students about what to do when a situation is unable to be managed on your own.  When I meet with those students involved it is good to hear that many of the students remember the steps to stop uncomfortable situations from escalating.  Not all situations on the playground end this way, however, students are getting more comfortable expressing their expectations with confidence.  Thanks to all parents and caregivers for supporting your children!

Tuesday 1 May 2012

Parents As Literacy Supporters!

Our kindergarten classes are busy again this week with family members joining their children for time with "literacy".  The children get an opportunity to listen, read, cut and glue, with words and language.  There is a busy productive hum happening in the room. If you are a kindergarten parent and you missed yesterday or today, please come and join your child tomorrow morning.  See you then!

Wednesday 25 April 2012

Coming events for grade 7's

There are a number of important visits coming up for our students that are in grade 7.  The counsellors from ESS will be coming down to meet with our grade sevens in the next few weeks.  As well, staff will be meeting to have "transition" conversations to ensure the smoothest transition possible for our students to the high school program.  There will be a student visit and parent night on June 14 at 7:00 p.m. at Elphinstone Secondary.  We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Tuesday 24 April 2012

We're getting a new school!

What an amazing day!  The school community of Gibsons has been waiting five years for this day.  Today it was officially announced, with a signing ceremony in Victoria, that the community of Gibsons is getting a new school to replace Gibsons Elementary.  Our grade 5 - 7 students were happy, but a little sad that they won't get to go to school in the new building. However they are really happy that it is going to happen for our students.  We look forward to watching the new school grow right before our eyes! Please take a minute to read the official press release on the home page of our website.

Monday 23 April 2012

New look coming

Over the past month I have been working on posting our school information on our new website. I am hoping this new site will launch some time this week.  The site looks similar to our school district website.  I hope that you find it easier to find what you need about our school and enjoy the many fun recollections of the great school year that we are having.

Wednesday 15 February 2012

100 Day!

At some point during this week, our primary classes celebrated 100 day.  This means that they have been in school for 100 days.

100 day provides all kinds of opportunities for reviewing counting skills using various multiples: 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, and 50.

As well, this is a great opportunity for story starters when writing.

Ask your child what they did for 100 day!

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Valentines Day!

There was lots of love and happiness in the air today!

Everyone had a super time sharing valentines and eating treats.

Mrs. Hourigan's grade 4 class sold cupcakes to raise money to support the Gibsons Wildlife Society.  This objective was considered after a recent visit to the classroom by an owl who was hurt in the wild and cannot be released.

Today was a great example of what a small group of committed people can do.

Congratulations!

Monday 13 February 2012

Penguins Marching Down the Halls!

If you missed the giant penguins in the halls, take a walk past the library.

Ms. Wright's class has been studying penguins for the last while and they have some bright displays up in the hallway outside her classroom. The penguins and their babies are some great examples of student created artwork, done by these amazing grade 1 and 2's.

Inside the classroom are books, stories, stuffed animals and other resources related to the theme of "penguins".

The students are very engaged in this theme and are happily sharing their penguin facts with me.

Thursday 9 February 2012

Filling Your Bucket ...

This beautiful display is up in our hallway just down from the library.

Each bucket in the picture has been done by a child in the class who has declared a positive action that "fills their bucket".

The idea is to fill your "bucket" with kindness and in turn everyone feels happy and enjoys the positive feelings that surround them.

This idea ties into our Eliminating Bullying program that I have been working on with our primary students.  This weeks lesson has been about being a "giver" or a "taker".  We always try to be a giver, and in the way described above fill our "buckets" with kindness.

Wednesday 8 February 2012

Science in Action!

Today we had two students from Elphinstone Secondary School come and visit our grade ones about their upcoming science fair.

The intent of today's visit was to gather further information for their science fair project. The students are investigating whether the colour of the pudding has an impact on whether or not students select it as the  "I like best" pudding.

The Science Fair for the Elphinstone students is February 16th at the high school.

It will be very interesting to see which colour was selected as "I like it best"!

Tuesday 7 February 2012

A Beautiful Day at School!

Today was a wonderful day both inside and out.  Busy, but wonderful.

We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful place. The photo to the right was taken this morning as the sun began to rise over the school.

Recess and lunch felt like true spring weather.  Lots of activities were happening outside and our students are keen to practice their basketball skills between formal practices.

We have three Capilano University practicum students with us right now as they complete their final practicum leading towards completing of the Special Education Teaching Assistant program.

They are a great asset to our school community and we are enjoying getting to know them.

Monday 6 February 2012

Home Reading ...

Almost daily, Mrs. Petty and I are met with a few students who have read books at home and are bringing us a certificate stating how many books have been read to date.

It is a great opportunity for us to talk with them about what they have read, their favourite story, and the next story they want to read.

It gives me a chance to congratulate them on their enthusiasm for reading and remind them that reading is an invaluable life long skill.

Friday 3 February 2012

Owl Pellets anyone !

Mrs. Hourigan's grade four's continued their study of owls.

Today and yesterday was time for dissecting owl pellets.

What is an owl pellet you ask?
pellet, in ornithology, is the mass of undigested parts of a bird's food that some bird species occasionally regurgitate. The contents of a bird's pellet depend on its diet, but can include the exoskeletons of insects, indigestible plant matter, bones, fur, feathers, bills, claws, and teeth. In falconry, the pellet is called a casting.


Wow! What a great science lesson ....


Stay tuned for more "owl facts".

Thursday 2 February 2012

PALS - Parents as Literacy Supporters

Both kindergarten classes have been working on a program called (PALS).  During a typical PALS program the parents of kindergarten students and their children, with the support of the kindergarten teacher, work on a variety of activities that promote literacy and numeracy concepts.  The first session we will be working on is the ABC's.  This bin includes alphabet books, scratch and sniff names, puzzles and abc printing.

The teachers have decided to make these activities part of their morning tubs routine.  Each morning, for one week, the activities will be set out on tables.  Parents should choose one day (or come as often as they like) to come and work with their child to complete these centers.  The teachers would like every student to have an opportunity to go through all 10 centers.  There will be support for your child if you are not able to make it.  They will have one set of activities on Monday and Tuesday and then change to a new activity Thursday and Friday.
Follow Mrs. Sullivan's blog to see the photos.

Wednesday 1 February 2012

Basketball season.....a week in ...

We are a week into the regular season of basketball at the elementary school level.

Three of our four teams have had a chance to play other schools in the district.

It has been a great opportunity for our students to put their practice skills into "real play" on the basketball court.  It has been great to see the hard work and determination out on the court.

The Grade 6/7 girls played last evening against Cedar Grove. The photo to the right of this write up is a great action shot from the court. Today the grade 4/5 boys had an opportunity to play against Ecole du Pacifique.  Unfortunately, due to illness they only had three players.  No problem.  We shared three different players every quarter and had a great balanced game.

The grade 6/7 boys hit the hardwood again tomorrow after school at home against Langdale....stay tuned.

Tuesday 31 January 2012

Grade 4's study owls....

Over the past while Mrs. Hourigan's grade four class has been studying owls.

They have researched owls, read about them, talked about them, and yesterday they got to see a real live owl right in their classroom.

The owl in the picture was brought to class by the Gibson's Wildlife centre.  Unfortunately, this owl has lost one of his eyes and cannot be released back into it's natural habitat.

The students in this class had a wonderful opportunity to get up close to this owl.  They were able to hear information about this owl specifically and learn, first hand, more information about owls.

Monday 30 January 2012

Foundation Skills Assessment ...

Over the past three weeks I have been working with the grade four and seven students to complete the Foundations Skills assessment.

The students are taking the assessment seriously and are working hard to do their best work.

I take a different group each day for the first part of the morning and we complete one aspect of the assessment.  By the end of this week all students should have completed the on line component of the numeracy and literacy assessment, the short numeracy question and the long writing "essay" section.

Next week we only have the two remaining short pieces of reading comprehension and writing left to complete.

Friday 27 January 2012

Literacy Week!

We have had a great week focusing on literacy.

On Monday we "dropped everything and read!"

On Tuesday many students wore a fact on their sleeve.

On Wednesday many of us carried a poem in our pocket!

On Thursday an exert from a book was read aloud and students had to guess which story it came from.
Prizes were handed out for the winners.

On Friday it was Character Day!  Many, like the students to the right, dressed up as their favourite book character.

Thursday 26 January 2012

Basketball Begins!

Today was the start of the elementary school basketball season in School District #46 - Sunshine Coast.

The grade 6/7 boys had their season opener after school, against Roberts Creek.

The game was fast and the running hard.  There were lots of opportunities for shooting and passing.  The boys worked hard and learned on their feet.

Tomorrow the gym is open at lunch for shooting practice. Monday after school we will be back at practice working hard, drilling and skilling.

The season begins!

Wednesday 25 January 2012

Castles and Dragons!

Mrs. Kopeck's kindergarten class has been working on a unit entitled Castles and Dragons.

If you wander through her classroom you will see many displays related to this theme: painted dragons, multi coloured castles and a real 3 D castle in the making!

The photo on the right is a picture of the students themselves as princesses and princes.  Their older "buddies" helped them trace themselves and then the children created their unique images and painted them.

They are beautiful!

Tuesday 24 January 2012

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!

This wonderful display is beside the library door.  Mrs. Priest's grade 2 class worked on this all day yesterday morning.  Mrs. Priest worked diligently to have it up by the end of the day and it is beautiful.

The children have added their own personal  touches to the dragon's body and to the spectators watching the parade.

Wander through and enjoy the display!

Monday 23 January 2012

Caged Soccer ??!!

A familiar game was back today at recess time, now that the snow is gone.  Soccer in the basketball court!

The best thing about this activity is that the fencing controls where the ball goes, which keeps everyone running.  A great way to get exercise.

The other great thing about this game is that the age of the players goes from grade three age to grade seven age.  Generally, everyone gets along well together and it is often a game of amazing skill and determination.

Thursday 19 January 2012

Primary PE

Part of my week is taken up teaching kindergarten and grade one PE.

These are some of my most enjoyable moments.

During this week's lesson we explored ball handling with indoor soccer balls.  The students are improving in their ability to "dribble" a soccer ball, and to kick the ball in a controlled way.

When we are finished practicing our skills we have an opportunity to divide into groups and have a "game".  Everyone has their own ball and can score as many goals as they want, because we don't have anyone in goal.

Today I asked my kindergarten group what they enjoyed most about the game.  They said that they really like it when the students on the bench encourage them when they are running around and trying to get the ball in the net.

Yes, it does feel good to be told you are doing a great job.  Such a simple idea that means so much.

Wednesday 18 January 2012

An Awesome Day!

The weather outside was frightful, but everyone was so delightful....let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

We had a truly awesome day. We are so lucky to have a great hill to slide down. At recess and lunch time today the hill was full of children, and I saw a few adults, sliding down the hill having a great time.

It was so good to see so many different crazy carpets, plastic dishes and sliders. There was a mixed group of primary and intermediate students and everyone shared and played and had a wonderful time.

So great to see - shall we hope for more snow!?

Tuesday 17 January 2012

The Weather Outside is Frightful!

Brrrr....it was really cold today and ICY!  Please ensure that you are wearing multiple clothing layers to keep warm outside and go slower as you move across the playground surfaces, especially the blacktop.

Everyone had another fun day outside playing on the hill that holds what little snow we have, because it is in the shadow of the trees.  Remember that the shade will make it very icy over time.

We have a supervisor at the bottom of the hill where the sliding is happening to ensure that everyone stays safe and gets lots of turns.

A little more snow would be great!

Monday 16 January 2012

Did it Snow or Didn't It?

Well, these three students are sure it snowed and are happy to slide down the hill on a crazy carpet!

Everyone is really hoping that we will get some winter snow so we can have lots of opportunities to slide down the hills, build snow forts and just have some fun in the snow.

The forecast keeps changing, but the students here are dressed and ready for a snowy winter.

If it snows, remember to listen to the local radio station, in the mornings starting at 6:30 a.m. on 91.7 CKAY FM to hear the latest about school openings

Friday 13 January 2012

Another Busy Week!

Whew....it is Friday.  We had a very busy week this week.

All our primary students participated in an activity related to ELIMINATING BULLYING.  I had an opportunity to meet with all students and share the first lesson in the ten lesson series.  This week we talked about the kind of behaviour that may be exhibited on the playground and how best to get what we all want: friends and fun!

At the end of each lesson I give the children a letter addressed to parents/guardians.  This letter summarizes what we have talked about and gives you a few questions to talk about with your child.

On February 6th we have the Justice Theatre coming from Vancouver to perform an anti bullying presentation for our intermediate students.  Parents are invited and encouraged to join us.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday 12 January 2012

Techno Day!

Today was Techno Day: a school spirit event organized by the student leadership group.  Some students brought hand held game devices, some I pods, some I pod touches, and even an IPad.

Techno Day gave students who wanted to share their technology or "game" on their own or with friends an opportunity to do something different with their time at recess and lunch.

I noticed about 75 students who had brought something to share with their friends, classmates and teachers.  I was really impressed by how well the students managed the day, ensuring that everyone was respectful of what others had brought and enjoyed what their peers had to share.

This young lady was sharing her piece of technology with two friends at recess!

Wednesday 11 January 2012

SNOWFLAKES

Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.

Vesta M. Kelly

Please enjoy the larger display of SNOWFLAKES outside Mrs. Servos Sept's room.

Tuesday 10 January 2012

Leadership Group at GES

Every Tuesday I take the grade 6's from Mrs. Fitchell's room.  We look at issues and challenges around the school and come up with creative ways of solving them and enhancing school spirit.

This group has been responsible for organizing the spirit days and helping with set up and take down of assemblies and school events.

Before Christmas this group surveyed students to find out what types of events our students would like to have.  PJ day was at the top of the list.  We had this spirit day before Christmas.  This Thursday TECHNO day will be the next spirit event.  Watch for a note coming home tomorrow with the details about TECHNO day.

Monday 9 January 2012

Basketball season is upon us....

The holidays are over and we are into basketball season.  This week, the teams that are running this season will be beginning their practices.

There will be a boys team for students in grade 6/7 and in grades 4/5.  Thanks to Dale and Karl, parents of students in our school, for stepping up and helping with coaching.  I will also be helping with these two teams and am looking forward to a busy, rewarding season.

The grade 6/7 girls team will be running this season with Ms. Krannenberg as the coach.  Thanks so much for helping out with these girls.

Playdays will be on Thursdays.  As soon as we get the schedule, we'll let you know when you can come out after school and cheer on our students at their home games.

Friday 6 January 2012

This month's theme - Eric Carle - author

Mrs. Sullivan's kindergarten class has chosen to focus this month's theme on the written work of Eric Carle.

The mural shown at the right is a scene from "The Very Lonely Firefly", by Eric Carle.  Eric has written many stories about animals and other natural creatures.

Take a minute to have a look at the colourful display outside Mrs. Sullivan's room and explore the school and public library for other books by Eric Carle.

Thursday 5 January 2012

We need to be Warm in Winter!

I love opening up the school in the morning as it gives me a quiet opportunity to look at the children's work displayed on the bulletin boards in the hallway.

Today, this bulletin board made me smile.  These works of art were created by Mrs. Moul's grade 1 class.  The medium in which they chose to create these pieces of artwork makes them look and feel like real winter hats.

Please take a minute when you come through the school to have a quiet moment to reflect on the student's work posted on our bulletin boards.

Wednesday 4 January 2012

Music is ALIVE and WELL at Gibsons Elementary!

This eager group of students are learning a variety of songs on the recorder.  We are very fortunate to work in the front office as we get the daily enjoyment of music wafting down the hallway from the music room.

Any time we have a concert in our gym the community is invited to the performance.  At both our Remembrance Day and Christmas concerts the choir and band played and sang a variety of songs. They are awesome! Thanks so much to our music teacher for ensuring that we have a good quality top performing group of students.

Tuesday 3 January 2012

BACK TO SCHOOL ! !

I can see from the entries on my blog that we were so busy with pre holiday events that I didn't have a minute to post the details.
Highlights:
A huge thank you to Mr. Detwiller, Mrs. Hourigan and Mrs. Fitchell for supporting our boys and girls volleyball teams.  A big thank you to retired teacher Jim Gray for organizing the final tournament.
Our parent volunteers have got to be the best in the school district!  The week before the break was full of great events for everyone.  Their continued time and dedication to our school is immeasurable!
Our staff and students had a great final week enjoying all the festive options and activities.

We are now into what we call "prime learning time" between now and spring break.  "Prime" because many of the ideas presented in class are new. It is a good time to get back into routines around sleeping and eating.

Everyone arrived back at school this morning in good spirits and happy to be reaquainted with friends and staff.