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Dear Prep Families,

This week is a poignant time of transition around the College as we prepare for graduation on Saturday of our 2024 Leaving Class, welcome families and students on campus who will join the community next year as part of our “New to Blue Week” activities and send our Year 7s to Norval with Year 10s to focus on mentorship as they prepare for their move next year to the Upper School. Around the Prep this week, students and adults are eagerly anticipating Prep Games Day on Friday. It promises to be an exciting afternoon filled with Colour House events, including a relay race, soccer, fuzzy eyeball game, and then an opportunity to watch students who have qualified compete in the Kraftcheck Bolt race! As a part of the festivities, we will also celebrate Holi, the Festival of Colours, marking Spring and new beginnings. We are looking forward to this special community gathering to celebrate one another and express our unity and school spirit! 

Your partners in learning,

Julia Kinnear, David Girard and Gareth Evans

The Prep Leadership Team

Year 2 | Update

I'm delighted to share the tremendous progress our students have made this year. Their consistent effort in writing complete sentences, independent reading of instructions, and improved behaviour during recess is commendable. We have worked really hard on limiting physical contact and there has been a notable difference. Boys have been more mindful about staying out of each other's space and using words instead of their hands to communicate. It's hard to believe how far they've come as we enter May!

Our recent animal adaptation unit captivated the students, sparking discussions on protecting habitats and preserving biodiversity. If you haven't already, I encourage you to view their insightful Seesaw post summarizing their learning.

Now, we're embarking on our final unit, "Innovators." Exploring human innovation, perseverance through adversity, and fostering a growth mindset are focal points. We will  delve into specific inventors' contributions and kick off our first mini-novel study with Ada Twist and the Perilous Pants. Please inquire with your son about this engaging read!

Our multiplication and division unit is complete, with ongoing review sheets sent home to reinforce multiplication tables. Currently, we are wrapping up our data management unit, honing skills in data collection and graph creation. Next, we'll tackle fractions, starting with basic concepts and gradually progressing to adding fractions with common denominators. Any extra practice with fractions at home, such as during baking or meal prep, is highly beneficial.

Thank you for your unwavering support throughout the year. While scheduled interviews have concluded, please don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like to discuss your son's progress further. I'm always available to arrange a meeting.

Best regards,

Carly Crippin
Year 2 Teacher

Library | Update

It’s hard to believe that the end of the year is quickly approaching! With the completion of the Exhibition project, library classes have shifted focus to celebrating Asian Heritage Month and Jewish Heritage Month. We have built many displays related to these topics, focused our read-alouds, and book-talked novels that centre Jewish and Asian characters. Students enjoyed a very informative community time session which explained a punch card activity where students can read books set in different regions in Asia and punch their cards to win House Colour points. We welcome students to grab books from the library during recess to help complete their cards! 

We were very pleased with our second annual celebration of Canadian Children’s Book Week that brought authors including Kenneth Oppel and Shane Peacock to Weston Hall. As well as a surprise visit from some furry friends!

It was also very exciting to announce the winners of the bookmark competition and the Book Bingo challenge. Alongside a number of Year 6 and Year 7 trivia team winners. 

Aside from these fun activities, library classes were focused on celebrating Canadian authors with diverse backgrounds. 

As always, students are welcome to spend time in the library during morning recess to quietly read or borrow books. Library staff will be available to help choose and check out books. After school, students in Year 5, 6, and 7 are welcome to use the library (work on projects, return and borrow books, read) without a parent present. All students in Year 4 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Laptops/iPads are permitted to be in use during this time but we do not allow gaming. 

Mallory McKinney

Teacher Librarian

REMINDER | Used Uniform Sale on May 22 and 23

Support shopping sustainably

The Used Uniform Sale presents the perfect opportunity to stock up on gently used uniform items for SK to Year 7 students. It will be held on Wednesday, May 22 from 2:30–4 p.m. and Thursday, May 23 from 8–9:15 a.m. at the William P. Wilder ’40 Arena & Sports Complex. We have a great selection of pants, polo shirts, dress shirts, ties, sweaters, physical education uniforms and blazers. While we will have bags at the sale, we ask that families bring their own reusable bags if possible.

Donations

Please drop off gently used uniform items in the used uniform blue box which you will find under the main staircase of the lower level of the Prep. Donations are always welcome, but please do not drop off stained, ripped or non-UCC clothing.

Volunteers

The Used Uniform Sale committee is looking for volunteers with a couple of hours to spare, to help sort and organize donations prior to the events or to take a shift at one of the sales throughout the year. Please click here if you can help out. Your time is greatly appreciated! 

Save the date | PPO spring bake sale

The PPO is having its last bake sale of the year on Tuesday, May 28 in the Bitove Lounge. Please have your son 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. 

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

Should you have any questions or need further information, feel free to contact us at bakesale@uccprepparents.ca. Thank you!

REGISTER | Generations Day