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Dear Prep Families,

It has been a busy week of learning at the Prep. Our athletes, musicians and thespians are actively preparing for and participating in important engagements displaying their talents this week and beyond. In addition to numerous athletic fixtures taking place here in Toronto, our U13 basketball team is currently in Ottawa for CAIS nationals and our Year 6 hockey and basketball teams travelled to Montreal at the end of last week for tournament play. The Prep choir is beginning rehearsals for April’s CIS Music Festival. Year 7 musical rehearsals are ongoing and our ensembles are preparing for next week’s whole school Jazz Cafe. In the classroom, students continue to inquire together and develop their knowledge and skills. A highlight this week was the play put on by Ms. Carter’s Year 1 class. The students have been studying fairytales and presented four stories to an enthusiastic and supportive audience of peers and teachers in Weston Hall: The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Elves and the Shoemaker and The Little Red Hen. These students worked very hard to design and create their costumes, props and sets in preparation for their debut, which was enjoyed by all. 

On Wednesday, students in Years 3–7 gathered in Weston Hall for an assembly focused on understanding and addressing Islamophobia, with older grades engaging in learning related to the observation of the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack. At the Prep, we have been exploring the importance of building a kind, caring and inclusive community and the role that each of us can play in that by learning about others, celebrating our similarities and differences, as well as by being an upstander and an ally to others to support belonging for all in our community. This was the overarching message of Wednesday’s assembly with a program that included a special presentation by students in Year 3. They shared what they learned during a recent inquiry and also did read aloud of the book The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family, a book written by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali. 

Finally, today we held an SK–Year 7 assembly to celebrate Lunar New Year. We learned about the importance of this celebration in Asian cultures and the significance of the Year of the Dragon, as well as enjoying student musical performances and a dragon and lion dance. Thanks to the generosity and kindness of some of our Prep parents, each student received a small red envelope with treats inside! We are grateful to all of our teachers, students and families who contributed to this very special celebration for the Prep. We wish all families who are celebrating a Happy Lunar New Year. Next Friday, students may choose to wear any bright colours to honour Lunar New Year.

Please enjoy this edition with highlights from our teachers of the learning that is currently engaging students. 

Your partners in learning,

Julia Kinnear, David Girard and Gareth Evans

The Prep Leadership Team

Year 2 update

Our recent focus on multi-digit addition and subtraction has wrapped up. However, some students could benefit from additional practice in adding and subtracting single digits up to twenty, enhancing both speed and accuracy. While we'll continue with in-class worksheets, supplementary at-home practice can further sharpen these skills. If you're interested, I'm happy to provide extra worksheets for the homework folder. Please just let me know if you would like additional resources. Currently, we're taking a break from multi-digit operations and delving into the world of Canadian money. You can support this learning at home by practicing coin addition and subtraction with your son.

If your son does not get a word correct, resist the urge to give the correct pronunciation, and encourage him to look at the different sound combinations. You will be surprised at how much he knows!

Your continuous support is greatly appreciated.

Warm regards,

Ms. Crippin
Year 2 Teacher

The chemical reaction they studied can be summarized as:

Sugar ——> Ethanol and Carbon Dioxide

C6H12O6 ——>  2C2H5OH + 2CO2

Once collected, students analyzed the data and generated a lab report to summarize the investigation. Below is an example of the data students collected. Can you identify the relationship between temperature and the reaction rate of fermentation?

Continuing with the theme of basic building blocks, we are currently studying cells, the building blocks of life. Students are learning basic microscopy, the differences and similarities of animal vs. plant cells, and cellular organelles. 

We will explore the pivotal roles of proteins, DNA, and RNA in keeping cells alive and healthy. We will conclude the unit by investigating and reflecting on the ethical implications of gene-editing technologies, such as C.R.I.S.P.R., on society.

Sincerely,

Kerry Dupuis and Sydney Frank

Prep School Science Teachers

Physical education update

Our students are well into their winter term activities, and enjoying a range of new opportunities in our indoor venues.

The SK–Year 2 students have all enjoyed productive skating units, thanks in a large part to the parent volunteers helping to get the skates tied and helmets fastened to maximize their time on the ice. Years 3 to 7 will also have had their turn on the rink by the time we get to the February long weekend.

Elsewhere in the program, students are rotating through a variety of indoor activities. For example, Years 6 and 7 have been devising, refining and performing short gymnastics routines; Year 5 classes have piloted a sport education unit in our in-house game, King Ball; Years 3 and 4 have been experiencing a variety of net, striking and fielding and invasion games.

As we begin to plan for our spring term activities, we will continue to seek to provide a diverse range of activities to keep our students active and engaged. 

Mark Baxter

Physical Education Learning Leader 

PPO Valentine’s Day bake sale

The Prep is celebrating Valentine's Day with a bake sale on the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 14 in Bitove Lounge. Please have students bring in baked or store-bought donations during morning drop-off. To ensure inclusivity, please ensure all baking is nut-free, and we'll also feature a dedicated gluten-free table of treats. If you know what you are bringing/purchasing please let us know here.

Would you like to volunteer at the bake sale and spend a few hours with us? Click here to sign up.

Parents, don't forget to send your child with some money for the bake sale. A budget of $2–$5 should secure them a delightful treat or two!

Should you have any questions or need further information, feel free to reach out via email to bakesale@uccprepparents.ca. Thank you!

REMINDER | Lost and Found parade

All of the items from the lost and found will be laid out on Wednesday, Feb. 7 and Thursday, Feb. 8 in the Prep basement across from the Hixon Family Design Lab. Each class will be brought by the lost and found tables. Parents are also welcome to stop by to collect items.