February 8, 2011

February 8, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians,

After much thought and deliberation I have decided to maintain the paper newsletter. Thanks to everyone for their feedback. It's really important for me to be communicating with parents especially in the Core English program. I have the students with me for such a short period of time and many forget a lot of the information or activities. At least with the newsletter and the blog everyone gets two opportunities to peek into the classroom.

This week we are carrying on the work begun by Ms. Bernardin in 'Pennies for Peace', which was founded by Greg Mortenson. For those who may not know, General Lake is collecting pennies to provide educational opportunities for students in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We have/or will be (depending on the class) reading the following books and the students will be/ have been involved in various activities to develop awareness for the cause. I encourage everyone to bring in their pennies. More information about the program is located at http://www.penniesforpeace.org/

A penny in Canada has little worth, but in Pakistan and Afghanistan a penny buys a pencil and opens the door to literacy:

1 penny = one pencil

2 pennies = one eraser

15 pennies = one notebook

$2 or $3 = one teacher’s salary for one day

$20 = one student’s school supplies for one year

$600 = one teacher’s annual salary

$5,000 = support for existing school for one year

$50,000 = one school building and support for up to five years

(Source: Central Asia Institute)

Students in Core English have been busy practising their public speaking. Students in Grades 1 to 3 have been practising and presenting their storytelling. Students in Grade 4 - 6 have prepared a speech on their own individual topic. Official presentations will begin on Friday. Good luck to everyone. Most effective public speakers in the primary division will be asked to present in the gym on February 16 at 9:30. I will let individual parents know if their child is selected. On February 17 the speeches will be presented at 2:40 in the gym. Again I will let individual parents know if their child is selected. Thanks to everyone for their help.

The Peer Mediators have just begun their duties on the kindergarten and primary playground this week. They voted on their name and they are now officially the 'YARD PATROL'. The grade 5 and 6 students are very excited with their new role. Any feedback is welcome as we are always trying to improve. I will be training another group of students after the March break. I already have a huge list of interested applicants. Thanks to everyone for being so enthusiastic and working so hard to learn their mediation skills.

Finally another young group of General Lake leaders have demonstrated initiative by proposing a canned tab collection. The idea was originally proposed by former student (Morgan), then Brianna, Zoey and Mikayla have quickly taken on the cause. Watch for more details, but for now please start collecting your pop tabs. The tabs are converted to money to buy wheelchairs. The girls have investigated this idea and more information will follow. Until then, Save Save Save!

Homework:

Grade 1 (No reading books have been distributed) Printing practice; Storytelling (Something From Nothing)

Grade 2 (No reading books have been distributed) Printing/Spelling practise; Storytelling (Something From Nothing or their own story)

Grade 3 (No reading books have been distributed) Cursive; Storytelling (Individual books)

Grade 4 Cursive; Speeches

Grade 5 Speeches

Grade 6 Speeches

Have a great week!