Hi Folks, 

Just a reminder that this will be a short week. Teachers have their conferences Thursday and Friday of this week, thererfore there will be no classes. 

In Literacy we will start until 1 week 7. This week our letter focus is e and r. This I will continue with assessments this week and into next. 

In math we will continue to strengthen our abilities on counting on, counting backwards, representing numbers in various ways and showing/naming two parts of a number (the fundation needed for addition in grade one).

Homework: To support your child in their literacy journey, please continue take a few 5 minutes each day to review a few letters. Letter formation seems to be a bit of a challenge, additional support at home on these letter formations (following the steps that get sent home) will help develop automaticy when forming letters. 

Halloween Candy-  Please limit the amount of candy/chips being sent in with their lunches. A bag of chips or 1 to 2 little chocolates is more than enough! Take an extra moment to ensure that candy and chocolates do not contain peanuts or tree nuts.

Video from our Occupational Therapist

Week 6

Dear Kindergarten parents!

This week I have included 3 videos that all work on fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are the ability to move your fingers using the small muscles in your hands and wrists. We rely on these skills to do important tasks in school, at home and in everyday life. These small movements come so naturally to most people that we usually don't think about them. But fine motor skills are complex. These 3 videos work on different fine motor skills, but all are equally important. There are Fun activities in each video to do with your child!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKa6o_DDEaY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zva1Hvskanc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4QuTu7vz6E

As always, if you have any questions, please let me know.

Katherine McKee-Blanche, OT Reg.(PEI)

Occupational Therapist, School Therapy OT Program

kmckeeblanche@ihis.org

Please note the important upcoming dates

November 3- I will be out to attend a specialist appointment with my son.  

November 4- our grade two cool kids club will be doing a fundraiser for Make A Wish. Details to come. 

November 5/6- PD day

November 9-13- Scholastic Book Fair

November 10- School Wide Remeberance Day Ceremony at 11am

November 11- Remembrance Day- No school

November 13- Picture Retakes

November 16- Report Card Day (no classes)

November 26- Parent-Teacher Interviews (after school)

November 27- Parent-Teacher Interviews (No classes)

Sarah

Hi Folks, 

Okay.....a full moon and the excitment of Halloween is in our near future...we got this! Keeping this in mind, please know that Halloween can be full of highs and lows. Children are excited and sugar crashes happen. The full moon can heighten these emotions and the kiddos might need some extra comforts (and you too).  

Please see the links provided from our occupational therapist. I have week 4 and 5 video links posted. These touch on cutting skills and being left handed (trust me when I say I ran to this link.. abouty 1/3 of our class are left handed). I also realize I forgot to send along the videos 1-3. I will forward those links to you as well. 

This week we will continue our discussions about fall and incorporate Halloween safety. 

In Literacy we are on unit one week 6 of fundations. This week our letter focus is d and s. This week marks the half way point of unit one and I will be doing our mid-unit assessment. I will be assessing for the children's knowledge on their letters and sounds (taught so far) along with the letter formation. We will write about our fall/halloween theme and continue our discussions on illustrations. 

In math we will strengthen our abilities on counting on, counting backwards, representing numbers in various ways and showing/naming two parts of a number (the fundation needed for addition in grade one).

Homework: To support your child in their literacy journey, please continue take a few 5 minutes each day to review a few letters. As they recite the five little pumpkin song that was placed in their homework duotangs 2 weeks ago, have them practice pointing to each word as they sing it. I will also be adding Autumn Leaves to their duotang, they can do the same with this poem, colour the leaves and look for the words the and to in this poem. 

Halloween- Glen Stewart will be having our day of Halloween on October 30th. Students are welcome to dress up but please remember no masks or weapons. We will do a Parade and play some games. We will also have some treats

Video from our Occupational Therapist

Week 4

Dear Kindergarten parents!

This week’s video involves cutting with scissors! Using scissors is a great two-handed task that works on hand strengthening and coordinating two hands to work together which is very important for developing eye-hand coordination skills! Please watch the video and use the fun strategies at home with your child. Remember, if your child is left-handed, use left-handed scissors as the blades are different on left-handed scissors, making it easier to cut.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izmn1C4z8B8&t=14s

Week 5

Dear Kindergarten parents!

This week’s video is for children who are left-handed! It is a right-handed world out there, so we created this video to provide parents, students and teachers with suggestions to make things a little easier for left-handed children, both at school and at home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_m9ecI3S_k

Please note the important upcoming dates

October 28th- English K teachers will be out for training on a new program. Frances Boyd will be covering my class.

October 30- Halloween at GSP

November 3- I will be out to attend a specialist appointment with my son.  

November 4- our grade two cool kids club will be doing a fundraiser for Make A Wish. Details to come. 

November 5/6- PD day

November 9-13- Scholastic Book Fair

November 10- School Wide Remeberance Day Ceremony at 11am

November 11- Remembrance Day- No school

November 13- Picture Retakes

November 16- Report Card Day (no classes)

November 26- Parent-Teacher Interviews (after school)

November 27- Parent-Teacher Interviews (No classes)

Sarah

Hi Folks, 

This week is Bus Safety Week. These guidelines were sent out by Ms. Dunn but I want to ensure everyone sees them. Please practice bus safety with your children and be mindful when driving, busses make frequent stops!

*Be at your stop 5 minutes before your bus is scheduled to arrive.

*Wait for bus to come to a complete stop and have its RED lights flashing.

*If you have to cross the road, make eye contact with your bus driver and wait for them to wave you to cross to road.

*ALWAYS look both ways before entering any roadway.

*When safe to do so, walk at a brisk pace.

*Always cross the road in FRONT of the bus.

*If you hear the bus blast its horn, get off the road immediately.

*Absolutely no headphones, cell phones, or other distractions during the process.

*Stay focused until safely seated (or safely off the roadway when disembarking).

Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility…   Stay Focused, Stay Safe!

This week, we are really noticing the fall setting in. The trees are vivid with colour and leaves are starting to fall. This will be a theme we explore this week. We will go on a leaf hunt/collection and discuss how animals and people adapt to the cooler weather!

In Literacy we are on unit one week 5 of fundations. This week our letter focus is a and g. Students will be excited as we will be working on our first letter that goes down to the worm line! We will also read many stories about fall and do some writing about the season. In writing, we will focus on illustrations. 

In math, we will focus on the number 6. Continued support in students number sense will happen through exploring part-part-whole, counting on and counting back from ten. 

Homework: To support your child in their literacy journey, please take a few 5 minutes each day to review a few letters. On Thursday I place the "5 Little Pumpkins" song in their yellow duo-tang, students can use this and their five little pumpkin craft to sing the song. They are welcome to colour the picture at the bottom and are encouraged to circle letters they know (saying the letter, keyword and sound when found) or the word "the" in the story. 

Halloween- Glen Stewart will be having our day of Halloween on October 30th. Students are welcome to dress up but please remember no masks or weapons. We will do a Parade and play some games. We will also have some treats

Please note the important upcoming dates

October 19-23- Bus Safety Week

October 28th- English K teachers will be out for training on a new program. Frances Boyd will be covering my class.

October 30- Halloween at GSP

November 3- I will be out to attend a specialist appointment with my son.  

November 5/6- PD day

November 9-13- Scholastic Book Fair

November 11- Remembrance Day- No school

November 13- Picture Retakes

November 16- Report Card Day (no classes)

November 26- Parent-Teacher Interviews (after school)

November 27- Parent-Teacher Interviews (No classes)

Sarah

Hi Folks, 

In the blink of an eye, the cooler fall days are here. 

In Literacy we will be working on unit 1 week 4 of fundations. We will introduce the letters  c and o have now been introduced. We will continue to work on the letters t, b, f, m.n, i and u. Please continue to work on the letters and letter formation at home. This will help their progress. We have also been working rhyming. In writing we will work on a unit that focuses on illustration. We will also have book buddies on Wednesday. 

In math, we will focus on the number 5. We will learn the 5 Little Pumpkins song and do some activities that go along with that.  We will focus on representing numbers as two parts. Student will also begin a morning math jar. This for the next couple of months, the focus will be on counting the objects in the jar and recording their number. During lessons we will also work on counting backwards and counting on from a given number. 

School Goals:  Our school and schools across PEI have been putting a focus on social and emotional learning. We are currently working on "I messages" (I feel_______ when_______ next time can ________) and this month we are working on apologizing like a fox (a fox is our school mascot). Students are asked to recognize the issue, and support those in feeling better. An example might be that "I accidently ran into you. Do you need anything to feel help you feel better? Next time I will slow down I don't crash into you"

Homework/Communication bag: If your child has brought home dirty clothing this school year and you have not sent back a change of clothing, please do so ASAP. If you wish to know if your child has a change of clothing at school, please reach out. Clothing can be put in their communication bag to ensure that I see it and put it in their bin above their hook!

Please note the important upcoming dates

October 28th- English K teachers will be out for training on a new program. Frances Boyd will be covering my class. 

November 5/6- PD day

November 11- Remembrance Day

November 13- Picture Retakes

November 16- Report Card Day (no classes)

Halloween party TBA

Sarah

Hi Folks, 

In the blink of an eye, the cooler fall days are here. 

In Literacy we will be working on unit 1 week 3 of fundations. We will introduce the letters  i and u have now been introduced. We will continue to work on the letters t, b, f, m and n. Please continue to work on the letters and letter formation at home. This will help their progress. We have also been working on concepts of spoken word. This week we are reading lots of books on being thankful. In writing we are also starting to put the letters of the sounds we here in our sentences ("I went to the pumpkin patch" might be written as "i t t the mn." I have also introduced two high frequence words (the, see) 

In math, we will focus on the number 4. we will learn to recognize and represent it in various ways (ten frames, fingers, drawings, word form, dice and dominoes). We will also discuss that 2 can be shown in two parts (one and one, two and zero) and will continue to discuss fewer, more.

School Goals:  Our school and schools across PEI have been putting a focus on social and emotional learning. We are currently working on "I messages" (I feel_______ when_______ next time can ________) and this month we are working on apologizing like a fox (a fox is our school mascot). Students are asked to recognize the issue, and support those in feeling better. An example might be that "I accidently ran into you. Do you need anything to feel help you feel better? Next time I will slow down I don't crash into you"

Public Health Nurse: We are waiting for a PHN to be assigned to our school. Unfortuantely, it looks like it will be the end of October until this occurs. Some student will be seeing the PHN for a screening on hear and eyes. We have been asked that if your child's teacher has requested an eye screening, than please book an appointment with an optometrist (honestly its great to do this regardless). The PHN will continue those who have not seen an optometrist and those who are to have their hearing screened ASAP.  Please see below for the eye program link.

Eye program: If you have not already done so (within the last year), I strongly recommend having your child's eye sight checked by an optometrist. This program is free for students K-6. Please check the email for more details

Kindergarten:

https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/eye-seeeye-learn-program

Grades 1-6

 https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/program-for-elementary-eye-care 

Homework/Communication bag: If your child has brought home dirty clothing this school year and you have not sent back a change of clothing, please do so ASAP. If you wish to know if your child has a change of clothing at school, please reach out. Clothing can be put in their communication bag to ensure that I see it and put it in their bin above their hook!

Please note the important upcoming dates

October 8: Picture day

October 9- I will be out this day. Justine Dempster will be covering my class

October 12- Thanksgiving (No classes)

October 28th- English K teachers will be out for training on a new program. Frances Boyd will be covering my class. 

Halloween party TBA

Sarah

Hi KE families!!!

It is truly hard to believe we are already at the end of September.  

In Literacy we will be working on unit 1 week 2 of fundations. We will introduce the letters m and n and will continue to work on the letters t, b and f. Please note these are all lowercase. We will address uppercase later in the year. We have also started working on "concept of spoken word" (how many words are in a sentence). With a day for Truth and Reconcilliation, happening this week, we will read some stories (written for a young audience) on impacts of residential schools. 

In math, we will focus on the number 3. we will learn to recognize and represent it in various ways (ten frames, fingers, drawings, word form, dice and dominoes). We will also discuss that 2 can be shown in two parts (one and one, two and zero) and discuss more and fewer. 

Truth and Reconcilliation: September 30th, will be a day of observation. Schools and business across Canada will remain closed to honour those who have survived residential schools. It will be a day to pay respect to the child who never returned home, to the families who had to move on without their loved ones, for communities of people who lost their language and culture. On September 29th, Glen Stewart will participate in Orange shirt day. 

Teddy Bear Clinic- 2nd year nursing students have spent a few days at Glen Stewart working with students and staff. On October 1st, the nursing students will hold a teddy bear clinic. Kindergarten students are asked to bring in a a stuffed animal or doll for a check up! 

Eye program: If you have not already done so (within the last year), I strongly recommend having your child's eye sight checked by an optometrist. This program is free for students K-6. Please check the email for more details https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/program-for-elementary-eye-care 

Homework/Communication bag: Please ensure your child is coming to school every morning with their grey homework/communication bagc. Inside their homework bag should be the plastic yellow duo-tang. I have also placed a purple paper duotang. This purple duo-tang is to keep at home. It does not come back to school as this is their homework pack for Fundations. I will send the homework home on Monday, you can add it to the purple duo-tang! I will also keep the homework bags at school on Friday. This allows me to get them ready for Monday! 

Book Order:

Our first book order went home Monday September 14. I will be placing the order on Monday September 28th at 3:00pm. If you wish to order, please use the class code : RC145659. Using this code provides our class with rewards to purchase new book books and supplies. 

Please note the important upcoming dates

September 29 - Orange Shirt Day

  -Bus Evacuation (a practice similar to a fire drill)

September 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (no classes)

October 1- Teddy Bear Clinic

October 8: Picture day

October 9- I will be out this day. Justine Dempster will be covering my class

October 12- Thanksgiving (No classes)

Sarah

Hi KE families!!!

We are all ready for a very busy week in KE. 

In Literacy we have started our first unit of Fundations. Students have been introduced to three lowercase letters. t, b and f. We will do some writing about our famlies and we will have conversations, stories and writing on Terry Fox. We have also been working ot learn our literacy bins and will start independant work on these this week. 

In math, we will focus on the number 2. we will learn to recognize and represent it in various ways (ten frames, fingers, drawings, word form, dice and dominoes). We will also discuss that 2 can be shown in two parts (one and one, two and zero). We will also start indpendant math bins. Each station will have games that support counting to various numbers and recognizing numbers

Terry Fox: Our Terry Fox run will be held on Friday September 25. Glen Stewart Students will be raising money to support the Terry Fox Fundations. If possible, students are encouraged to bring a toonie to support this cause. Online donations can also be made at Glen Stewart Primary - Stratford, PE | Terry Fox School Run 

Eye program: If you have not already done so (within the last year), I strongly recommend having your child's eye sight checked by an optometrist. This program is free for students K-6. Please check the email for more details https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/program-for-elementary-eye-care 

Homework/Communication bag: Please ensure your child is coming to school every morning with their grey homework/communication bagc. Inside their homework bag should be the plastic yellow duo-tang. I have also placed a purple paper duotang. This purple duo-tang is to keep at home. It does not come back to school as this is their homework pack for Fundations. I will send the homework home on Monday, you can add it to the purple duo-tang! I will also keep the homework bags at school on Friday. This allows me to get them ready for Monday! 

Book Order:

Our first book order went home Monday September 14. I will be placing the order on Monday September 28th at 3:00pm. If you wish to order, please use the class code : RC145659. Using this code provides our class with rewards to purchase new book books and supplies. 

Please note the important upcoming dates

Sept 14- Breakfast program starts

Sept. 16- Meet the teacher Night (6:00 pm for Kindergarten)

Sept. 18- I will be out for the day to support a family member

Sept 25 - Terry Fox Run

September 29 - Orange Shirt Day

September 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (no classes)

October 8: Picture day

Sarah

Hi KE families!!!

We had a good first week in KE! Children were excited to see some familiar faces in close by classes and are becoming familiar with the class and school! The next couple of weeks our focus will be on building relationships and learning routines.

On Friday, we had our first fire drill. They all did AWESOME!!!! Well done KE. 

In literacy we will also be starting our orientation week in Fundations! The Children are very excited to wake up "Mama Echo" our class owl (puppet..but many question if she is real) that will help lead this program. During this first week we will focus on the letters t, b, and f

Last week in math, we discussed the number 0 and this week we will work on the number 1 and will start to learn some games that support the kindergarten math outcomes.

It is important to know that we currently have 3 staff working in the class. Myself (Ms. Sarah) and two EAs (Ms. Cass and Ms. Hannah). If there are any more changes regarding staff in our class, I will let you know!

If students could come with their water bottles full, this would be greatly appreciated. Students will also need a snack and a lunch each day. Please note that there are no forks or spoons provided with the school/provincial lunch programs. Students must bring their own.

I will try to notify and inform students and families of any of dates when I will be out of class. Usually these are PD days and I know in advance. However, there are times I am out unexpectedly. If there is any changes in your child’s afterschool routines, please ensure you call the school so the message gets properly delivered.

Please feel free to follow our class on Instagram. You can find me @msriehl. Please note I only allow current year parents to follow and no faces or names are shown on this account

Book Order:

Our first book order will go home Monday September 14. I will be placing the order on Monday September 28th at 3:00pm. If you wish to order, please use the class code : RC145659. Using this code provides our class with rewards to purchase new book books and supplies. 

Please note the important upcoming dates

Sept 14- Breakfast program starts

Sept. 16- Meet the teacher Night (6:00 pm for Kindergarten)

Sept. 18- I will be out for the day to support a family member

Sept 25 - Terry Fox Run

September 29 - Orange Shirt Day

September 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (no classes)

I look forward to meeting you all at Meet the Teacher!

Sarah