Thanks to everyone who was able to make to our Remembrance Day Assembly. The children worked very hard on the Poppy Day Project. As a whole school, we were able to raise 451.70. That exceeds our total for last year by over  100.00!

Our school wide service project for the next 6 weeks is called Winter Bundles. We would like to make and give out care packages to those in need. We are looking for donations of:

• travel size hygiene projects (toothpaste, soap,hand sanitizer, nail clippers, razors etc.
• chapstick , hairbrushes, hair ties
• hat, mittens, scarves, hot pockets, socks
• granola bars, candies, gum, Halls
• Wet wipes, bandaides, Kleenex
• candles, playing cards
• Christmas cards, large and small ziplocks
• Tim Horton's coffee cards or anything else you can imagine that would make December brighter for those who are homeless 

Coming up! We are beginning to prepare for the Christmas Concert. Your child will need a very brightly coloured shirt with a tropical theme and a toque or Christmas hat. Regular pants or skirts are fine. 

Concert Dates:
Dec. 19  1:15pm -  Intermediate Dress Rehearsal
Dec. 20  1:00pm -  Intermediate Performance
Dec. 21  9:00am -  Intermediate Performance
​Due to to our increased enrollment this year, we are not able to combine our primary and intermediate programs. We do not have the physical space to accommodate everyone and the program would run well over two hours.

I have met with almost every family in our class. If I have not met you yet, could you please send me a quick email so that we can set something up in the very near future?

Talk to you soon!
Cheeers. Sheila Stokes

​sstokes@sd73.bc.ca

​

Hello Families! The kids are SO EXCITED about Tuesday they can hardly get anything done :)

​Please visit the Parkcrest page for lots of information about upcoming events.  Here is the link  parkcrest.sd73.bc.ca/

We are happy to host 2 dances (Primary then Intermediate) on Tuesday with our principal Mrs. Catherine Gorman performing as the MC! Should be tonnes of fun.  My class will be the place for kids to come who choose not to attend the dance. They will need to make a firm choice to join me.  Going back and forth to the dance is not an option.

PLEASE SEND A NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEM IN LIEU OF ADMISSION 

COSTUME INFO:  

• come dressed in costume
• leave all extra bits at home to avoid loss and broken hearts
• absolutely no masks - we need to know who you are
• no gory makeup such as bullet holes or stab wounds
• other face paint is fine
• absolutely no weapons - should your child choose to bring one, it will be held until the end of the day
• some families like to provide snacks for the day. We are happy to accept them. However I have 3 serious food allergies in my class. 2 anaphylactic reactions to nuts in any form and one allergy to shellfish. The more nutritious the snacks the better.  I'll send candy snacks home with the kids.
• In general, please do not send candy in your child's lunch. Trust me - you will get a happier child home at the end of the day
• your child does not have to wear a costume. Orange and black clothing is a good option. Staff members will be dressed up :)

Wednesday is PJ day. We will be working and yet relaxing at the same time.

Thank you to those families who joined us for our open house.  The kids did a remarkable job facilitating the visits.

Upcoming events:

ANNUAL POPPY SALE. Mrs. Quast, the Student Leadership Art Club and I have been very busy making ceramic poppies this year.  These poppies will be available for a 5.00 donation to vetscanada.org/.  This is a big part of your child's emerging understanding of what it means to provide community service and support to others.  

Our assembly will be FRI. NOV. 10.  The children will proceed to the gym after gathering in their classrooms after recess.  

TTFN - Cheers.  sstokes@sd73.bc.ca

Hello families - below is a lengthy post re: the curriculum covered in the first term of school.  If you have any questions re: inquiry learning, please feel free to email me @ sstokes@sd73.bc.ca.  Due to the new FOIPPA laws, I cannot discuss any children with you, other than your own.

PLEASE READ AND SIGN YOUR CHILD'S AGENDA DAILY!

I am also available before school at 8:10 am, after school (Mon. - Thurs.) at 2:45 for about 15 mins per family. If you need me after school, give me a heads up via email or the agenda.

​The phone number at Parkcrest is 250-554-2368.

Our school has a website at http://parkcrest.sd73.bc.ca/       

The office publishes a paper newsletter at the end of every month.
I am very happy to be a Parkcrest teacher :)


Mrs. Stokes’ kids say:  “Learning is a process, not a product.”

Mrs. Sarrasin’s kids (our buddies) say: “I can’t -YET”  :) 

                                     Sept/Oct
                                          
Primary Inquiry:  WHAT ARE BIRDS OF PREY? WHAT EFFECT DO THEY HAVE ON OUR ENVIRONMENT?
(First field trip - Kamloops Wildlife Park)

How did First Peoples interact with birds? What significance does the eagle hold? The raven?  What is the difference between a raven and a crow?  What are the legends about birds? (raven, loon, eagle…)

• Choose one of the following: Merlin or Peregrine falcon, Burrowing or Great Horned owl.
• Begin creating your google slide show or science board presentation
• Research the following: Natural Habitat, Food, Nesting, Raising Young, Natural Enemies
• Other Interesting Facts.  Include images and a bibliography.  If you don’t know how to create a bibliography, see one of my former students.

Secondary Inquiries:
Science:

• What do you know about bones, muscles and tendons?  Can you show how  your robotic finger works?
• How do we know what blind people see?
• Aboriginal Education: • “The interactions between the lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere: “ The impact of human activities on the environment (e.g. deforestation, air pollution, coral reef destruction) can be understood through the analysis of interactions between the four Earth systems. Local Aboriginal teachings and stories about the Earth and the environment.” (BC Aboriginal Education Document pg. 3)

Social Studies:

• What is the difference between rude, mean and bullying behaviours?
• What is an INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT?  How is it different from an EXCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT?

Language Arts:

• Can you describe the minimum expectations for daily journal writing?
• How will you finish reading your Animoto novel by Oct. 10?  Get someone at home to read it with you?
• Did you know?  After you have read your novel and created your Animoto book trailer, we are going to read “Owls in the Family” by Farley Mowatt.

Math:

• What is a continuing pattern?  Can you label the pattern core?  How will you/your group record/draw/present this core?
  

Who was Fibonacci and what did he discover? Here is all you ever wanted to know and more about the 11th century mathematician http://tinyurl.com/ycm3kbd  Can you continue the Fibonacci sequence?  How far can you go?

• Resources:  http://tinyurl.com/z27ontk   Youtube vid “Nature in Numbers”  
• Can you complete the district on line math assessment?
• How will you learn basic facts this year?

Gym:

• What has been your favourite mini game so far?  Hoops, badminton, yoga, scarf juggling, barricade ball, or mini soccer?
• Why is it important to eat good food all day?  Why does your brain need fresh oxygen all the time?
• Why should kids play outdoors as much as possible?  Hint:  think sunshine and fresh air
• Why is it important to drink water as opposed to sugary drinks?
• Can you help your family learn about the negative effects of sugar in our diet?

The Arts:

• What is your favourite song in choir? What is the most challenging song for you so far?
• What do you know about Vincent van Gogh?  
• This is a short vid explaining who he was...http://tinyurl.com/q6sgyv2
• Here is the original live performance of “Starry, Starry Night” by singer/songwriter Don McLean http://tinyurl.com/j3dxs9j
• Here is a video that shows the lyrics to the song over the original works of van Gogh http://tinyurl.com/74y37em

• Can you describe the process you went through to create your sunflower watercolour?

                                      November:
(2nd field trip - TBA)
Language Arts/Social Responsibility/Social Studies:

• Can you read along with me? (Owls in the Family)
• Who was Farley Mowatt and what other books did he write?  What contact did he have with First Nations people?  When did he live? Die?  What can you tell your classmates about his life? His impact on environmentalism?
• What impact did WWI and WWII have on Canadian society?
• What did you learn about diversity from our guest speaker?
• Did First Nations men/women join in these battles? How were they treated when they returned from war?  What do you think about that?
• What do you know about conflict? Peaceful resolution?
• Can you demonstrate an understanding of the role of a Canadian soldier?
• What do you know about the current conflict in Syria?
• Why are Canadian soldiers generally respected around the world?
• What did you learn about diversity from our guest speaker?

Math:

• Can you demonstrate a grade level understanding of addition with regrouping?
• Subtraction with regrouping?
• How about basic multiplication and division? (short not long division - yet :)
• Can you solve a simple story problem?
• Can you participate effectively in a math story problem solving group?

Science:

• What do blind people see?

The Arts and Community Service:

• Can you create a watercolour poppy painting?
• Can you create a ceramic poppy?
• Can we sell enough poppies to raise money for Canadian veterans?  (Giving back)

PE:

• Can you present your ‘mini games’ learning to the class?
• Demonstrate basic volleyball skills?
• Do you demonstrate the qualities of good sportsmanship?
• How can you avoid the consumption of sugary drinks?
• Can you persuade your family to cut down?
• Why is it so important to drink plain water?
• Did you know that Kamloops has one of the safest sources of water in Canada? The world?
• What can happen without a safe source of drinking water?

​Thanks for reading!  Cheers.  S. Stokes
​

 WOW!  What an incredibly busy month we have had so far.  This time last month we were barely just organized in our proper classes! Congrats to the kids for diving in to learning with both feet :)

Thank you so much to all the adults who were able to come with us to the Wildlife Park.  The highlights are too numerous to mention.  For those of you who don't know yet, Mrs. Sarrasin was licensed to capture our Merlin.  She was successful in capturing him and sending him off to the BC Wildlife park.  Kudos to Mrs. S.  I'm certain I would not have been brave enough to capture a very angry and dangerous little bird.  We can all breathe a sigh of relief now that he is safe and being cared for by professionals.  I have never, in all my decades of teaching, had such an exciting start to a school year. My utmost thanks and respect to Mrs. Sarrasin :)

Our Celebration of Learning was highly successful and well attended. Thank you to all family members who were able to come.  We plan to have another celebration next term in Feb. Details to follow.

FYI - there have been significant changes to the FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT. (FOIPPA).  I can no longer communicate with you about your child in any email format.  If you have a general question regarding upcoming events, please read the Parkcrest newsletter that comes home with your child every month.  If your child lives in 2 houses, you may have to share the information, or come and get an extra.  They will be at the office or on a clip outside the classroom. For general inquiries or information regarding attendance or upcoming absences, you can email me at sstokes@sd73.bc.ca. And of course, there is also the old fashioned way to communicate - give me a call before 8 am or after 2:30 pm, or write me a note in your child's agenda :)  Tell your child there is an important note for me in the agenda.  Sometimes we don't fill them out until 2:10, depending on the schedule of the day.

AND FINALLY, there is a very nasty 'flu going around this year.  Yay! Please keep your child out of school if they are fevered or otherwise unwell.  Sometimes that extra day to sleep or relax makes all the difference in the world.  BTW - we have already 'blown' through all of our tissue supply :)  More donations will be gratefully accepted. Does anyone go to Costco or Walmart? I hear they have some smokin' deals on cases of tissue.  

​TTFN.  SS:)
​

WELCOME TO THE 2016/17 SCHOOL YEAR

This is just a very quick post to say hello and welcome  to our classroom - Div. 4.  We are a gr. 4/5 split, pretty evenly balanced between the 4's and 5's.   We have a larger proportion of boys... :)

LUNCHES/ALLERGIES/SCENTS::  

Thank you for providing your child with such great food.  Any food that is not eaten will come home so we can avoid waste. WE HAVE A SEVERE NUT ALLERGY IN OUR CLASS. Please read labels carefully.
We also have SEVERE SENSITIVITIES TO SCENT. Please avoid strongly scented lotions, hand sanitizers, colognes, etc. in our class. Our sinuses thank you :)

DONATIONS:

• do you have clean cushions you could donate? We are in need of some new cushions for comfy, quiet times. Cushions with washable covers would be GREAT :)  DUE TO ALLERGIES, CUSHIONS MUST BE CLEAN :)  We would also happily accept used yoga mats that we can cut up...
• can anybody source some gel pens for our class collection?  Also any kind of special pens for our class collection would be gratefully received. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THESE WILL GO INTO A COLLECTION TO BE SHARED BY ALL.
• we are going through a lot of Kleenex because it is definitely sniffle/cold/flu season.  If everyone could bring 1 box, that  might last us the whole year.
• we started learning macrame last spring. Any donations of cotton 'wool' would be great.  Also white cotton twine?  I bought some at the $ store up the hill by Save-On.  Sources tell me the one at Lansdowne Mall is THE BEST.  There are also at least 3 close by: one near Coopers in Brock Shop, one by Safeway and one in the Northills Mall.  We are now in need of orange/black/white to get us into Hallowe'en.  Also red/white/black would help with Remembrance Day friendship bracelets.

SCHEDULE:

• gym days are Mon/Wed.  Gym strip is required.  This can be a t-shirt and leggings or shorts.  It should come home every week or two to be laundered. A bag to store it separately from backpacks would help with the overall weight of your child's backpack.
• library book exchange happens every Tues.  Your child signs out 3 books per week for a two week loan. When a book becomes overdue your child will not be allowed to sign out another until the book is returned or paid for
• Currently we are studying Merlin falcons as we have a resident one! I'm sure you have heard about him!  We will be going to the BC Wildlife Park soon to learn more about birds of prey.  More info to come...

ELECTRONIC DEVICES:

• each child requires one pair of earbuds.  We are an electronic classroom.  My advice: don't spend a lot of money. $ store earbuds are just fine.  Expect to go through 2-3 pairs this year. Provide your child with a zip lock bag with h/her name on it.​​
• cell phones, tablets or other expensive devices are brought to school with your permission.  I cannot be responsible for any devices that become lost, stolen or broken.

I hope to see you on Tues morning at our Mug 'n Muffin from 8:00 am until 8:30 am.  If you can't make it, you can always email me at sstokes@sd73.bc.ca.  If you have a real concern about your child please phone me at the school after 2:30pm.  The number is 250-554-2368

 Summer is here!  The kids have had more than enough of school and are ready for their holiday to begin.  I would like to thank you all for your communication and cooperation this year.  Together we have built an inclusive and positive classroom environment.  Here is some of what we have accomplished in each subject area.

LANGUAGE ARTS:  We completed 2 novel studies: The Cricket in Times Square and Donna Meets Coyote.  Reading and writing activities were integrated in to these studies.  As well, we learned about elements of poetry, letter writing and parts of speech such as idioms.

MATH:  We laboured over learning long division.  Once again, lack of basic facts really hampered mastery of this skill for some.  We also focused on geometry and decimal fractions.  Using a games approach the kids learned about some of the laws of probability.

SCIENCE: This term we focused on body systems with the emphasis on the brain and the central nervous system. We learned about watershed stewardship during our Stream of Dreams activities.  We also examined food chains.

H.A.C.E:  Human reproduction was discussed.  We had a unit on puberty and continued our year long study of the Zones of Regulation with Dr. Anselmo.

FINE ARTS:  We had a lot of fun working in small groups to choreograph and perform a hoop dance for our classmates.  The kids continued to develop their singing skills in choir and completed visual art projects as well as a clay project.

TECHNOLOGY:  The kids were very excited to learn to use the Chromebooks this term.  We also went to the lab twice a week to practice spelling and math skills on programs like Spelling City, Prodigy and Ten Marks.

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Most of our term was taken up with researching the natural resources of every province and territory.  The kids designed and presented a Google slide show.  Also, we studied the history of the Secwepemc people.  This unit ended with a trip to the museum and a tour of the underground winter homes.

P.E.:  It was track and field season throughout the district.  The kids worked hard to learn the different events.  They also learned some new cooperative games such as Barricade Ball and Four Corner soccer.  We were outdoors whenever possible, playing soccer baseball and infinity tag.

I want to wish you all a very happy summer.  I hope you have time to have some family rest, relaxation and recreation.  Thank you for lending me your children for the past ten months. We had a great classroom community and I always got compliments about how great this group is.  It has been an honour to teach them.  Cheers.  Ms. S.

This term has zipped by!  However, we have managed to accomplish a lot in such a short time.  Here is an overview of the main topics/skills we have covered.

Reading;  Our major focus has been a novel study of the book called "Shiloh".  It's a classic story of a boy and his rescued dog.  Ask your child about it!   The children completed many reading comprehension/language activities related to the story.  Please continue to read at home with your child for at least 15 minutes, 4 to 5 times per week. Research proves that reading at home improves fluency (smoothness, speed and accuracy) and comprehension (understanding).

Writing:  Writing activities have been integrated in to our novel study.  We have also written for other purposes, such as journal entries, letters, etc.

Math:  The kids have explored the multiplication algorithm.  You probably remember it as multi-digit multiplication with 2 or 3 numbers on top and 1 or 2 numbers on the bottom (depending on grade level). Lots of the children can demonstrate an understanding of the concept but struggle with basic facts.  When this happens, kids lose the drift of the process and can end up in quite a mess.  PLEASE study times tables at home.  Memorize them using card games or flashcards. We have also continued to work on place value.  Recently we began a unit on fractions.

Science:   We learned about the constellations and the earth's rotation around the sun.  Our science was "hands on" as the kids built some paper models.  The highlight of the unit was a live podcast of Canadian astronaut, Chris Hadfield.  We have just begun studying body systems. Part of our study will be on the reproductive system, which includes a focus on puberty. The kids are excited and nervous at the same time to dive into this topic.

Social Studies:  Canada was a major focus for this term.  We completed a large mapping unit identifying provinces, territories and capital cities. Some other geographic features were noted on our maps. Another focus was our fundraiser for Nicaragua.  3 north shore schools raised over $1700.00 for food hampers.  These hampers were provided to families trying to make a living at a dump site in El Limonal.  Our funds may also extend to building a house for 1 family at the site.

French:  This course is taught by Ms. Brkovich.

HACE: In health and career education, we have talked about learning differences such as individual learning styles, autism and ADHD.  This unit is not complete as we have some more projects planned for Autism Week.

Fine Arts:  We have completed a couple of visual arts projects and continue to take part in the intermediate choir.

PE:  Ask your child about "Barricade Ball".  It's our latest and favourite game.  Each period, every child must change into gym strip for the simple reason that they are hitting puberty.  They run a minimum of 5 laps.  We also focused on basketball skills.  I continue to stress proper sportsmanship.

If you have any questions or comments about your child's report card, please feel free to email me at sstokes@sd73.bc.ca. You are also welcome to call the school and arrange a meeting.  Our next early closure day (for P/T meetings) is Apr.7th.

Spring break is Mar. 20 - Apr. 5.  Have a great one!

Cheers.  Sheila Stokes

​