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Dear Prep Families,

Our core business at UCC is learning. As partners, we want to be sure that you feel knowledgeable about how we approach learning, as well as how your son is doing in their learning journey. Next week we have two important opportunities that we want to highlight:

PYP/MYP Parent Information Session

Do you have questions about the PYP and/or MYP? Are you new to MYP assessments and report cards? Do you wonder what the essential and shared elements are of the two programs? We hope you'll join us virtually next Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 7–8 p.m. You'll have an opportunity to hear from our VP of Learning and Academic Innovation as well as our PYP and MYP Coordinators. Please see the article below where the Zoom link will be shared.  

Student-led conferences/three-way conferences

Next week's student-led conferences/three-way conferences offer an important opportunity for families to engage with their children about their learning and to support their reflection and growth. We greatly value the home-school partnership and know that when families are involved and engaged, learning is positively affected. We prioritize student-led and three-way conferences because they empower the boys to take the lead, own their learning, and develop the skills to identify and communicate areas of strength and opportunities for growth.  

We look forward to seeing you all virtually and in person next week as we highlight our commitment to our value of learning, “At UCC, learning is an ongoing pursuit marked by curiosity, collaboration, persistence and openness to feedback.” Thank you for supporting your child in their learning journey!

Warmly,

Sarah Fleming, David Girard and Gareth Evans

The Prep Leadership Team

Prep Academic Programmes Parent Information Sessions

Are you interested in learning more about the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) curriculum? Each year we provide an information session for parents who may be interested in learning more about the IB curriculum framework and philosophy. We’ll look at the elements of the programmes and connect them to practical examples from the classroom.

This year’s PYP/MYP information sessions will be held virtually on:

Tuesday, Nov. 19 from 7–8 p.m. 

Please join virtually via this Zoom link. Sessions will be recorded.

We hope that you will be able to join us on Nov. 19. 

Dianne Jojic

PYP Coordinator

djojic@ucc.on.ca

Emilia Martin

MYP Coordinator

emartin@ucc.on.ca

Update | Year 2

We are currently focused on a math unit on measuring. We began by measuring length in centimetres and have now progressed to learning about money. The students are practising counting sums of money accurately, specifically working with both coins and dollar bills. This activity has been particularly engaging for the boys, and I recommend continuing to practise this skill at home.

To support their learning at home you can:

Play counting games: Provide a variety of coins and bills and challenge the students to count different sums accurately. This can be done by asking them to create specific amounts or by giving them a pile of mixed coins and asking them to calculate the total.

For language skills, we are continuing to explore different word patterns. Recently, we have focused on recognizing letter patterns within two-syllable words. Please encourage your child to read the assigned homework passages to you, as this will give you insight into what we are covering in class.

Every two weeks or so, we introduce a new word list, and it is very beneficial for your son to have his agenda at school each day. This helps him keep track of his current word bank and stay organized. In addition, most students have a different word list so it is not possible to ask fellow parents for their child’s word list. Thank you for supporting his progress in language skills at home!

We have transitioned from our "Healthy Me" unit of inquiry to a new focus on "Simple Machines." The students have been enthusiastically exploring various simple machines, including the wheel and axle, pulley, lever, inclined plane, and screw. We are deepening their understanding through readings, small experiments, and daily discussions.

To support their learning, I encourage you to help your child identify simple machines in everyday life. Ask them about it—they already have many ideas and are eager to share what they’ve learned!

Carly Crippin
Year 2 Form Adviser

Update | Wilder Library

As the leaves fall and we embrace the cozy season, our library is bustling with exciting activities, new books, and opportunities for learning. The library has been fortunate to welcome back our parent volunteers this year and we do have a few spots still open for weekly shifts. If this is something you would like to get involved in please let us know and we can connect.

We recently took part in a very special Remembrance Day assembly for SK to Year 3. This event included a vibrant singalong, a Remembrance Day read-aloud, a student recitation of the poem “In Flanders Fields”, a trumpeter, and a moment of silence. It was very beautiful to witness the impact of an event like this on the primary students.

We have also kept busy in the library this past month with many celebrations such as  Literacy Night, Diwali, Halloween, and Pride Week. Once again all middle years students filled out their Reader Profile and set one goal for themselves. We had the time to compile the information surveyed by students in their profile and we were surprised to find that when asked what the library needs more of, every class voted silent reading time as their number one choice by far. With such high demand, we’ve ensured they have sufficient independent reading time. It’s great to survey our community so that valuable data can be extracted and put into practice! 

After meeting with our literacy consultant recently we gained some really valuable validation on how we put together our text sets that we send to each primary class to support each unit. We also discussed the crucial role of fostering a love for reading.

If you’re looking for fun ways to promote literacy at home and encourage your child to read after school, here are some fun ways to make reading a family activity:

• Family Reading Night: Set aside one night a week where everyone reads their favourite book together.

• Book Swap: Organize a book swap with friends or neighbours to discover new stories.

• Visit Local Libraries: Explore community libraries for additional resources and events.

As a reminder, aside from the scheduled class time the library hours are as follows:

Monday | 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Tuesday | 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Wednesday | 9:15 a.m.–4 p.m.

Thursday | 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Friday | 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Students in Years 5, 6, and 7 are welcome to use the space (work on projects, return and borrow books, read) after school 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. We are also open for morning recess for both middle years and Years 4 and 5 to read quietly.

Mallory McKinney

Teacher Librarian

Primary three-way conferences

We are excited to host our Primary student-parent-teacher three-way conferences in person once again. Conferences will be held for all students in SK through Year 5 on Friday, Nov. 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

Please note that pickAtime opened at 9 a.m. on Nov. 12 for you to book your conference. Here is a link to the pickAtime instructions. There are no classes on Friday, Nov. 22 as students and teachers are fully involved in these meaningful conversations.

Three-way conferences are used as a method of self-assessment and reflection in our IB Primary Years Programme. In conjunction with a student’s portfolio and report card, three-way conferences allow each student to demonstrate and reflect on what has been learned and on their ownership of the learning process. Students are able to share products, processes, and skills. Strengths and areas for improvement as a learner come to life through the conferencing process. Your child builds self-confidence and takes ownership of their learning while engaging in the conference.

The conference is 30 minutes in length. The first 15 minutes will be spent in the student-parent-teacher three-way conferences meeting in the classroom. Following that meeting, each student and their parent(s) will engage in reflection and goal setting in Weston Hall. 

In preparation for the student-parent-teacher three-way conferences, form advisers will send directions for portfolio review on SeeSaw to be completed for homework before attending the meeting. 

Dianne Jojic

PYP Coordinator

Years 6 and 7 student-led conferences

Please note that pick-a-time for Year 6 and 7 student-led conferences opened on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 9 a.m. Please book your virtual student-led conferences using these instructions.

All conferences will be virtual in order to be as efficient and inclusive as possible. 

Of particular note, please know that Mr. McGarr (Music) and Ms. Preston (Visual Arts) teach all Year 6 and 7 students. Keeping in mind there are a limited number of time slots over Thursday and Friday, please only register with them if you consider the conference essential.

All details concerning the Year 6 and Year 7 student-led conferences can be found below and will also be included in future editions of Heads Up.

Feedback is one of the most essential tools to help students develop and grow. In addition, building strong connections among families, teachers, and students is integral to continued academic development. Student-led conferences provide an opportunity for both feedback and connection to take place, and initial details are as follows:

• Conferences will take place virtually on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 1 to 8 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in 5 or 10-minute intervals.

• To encourage ownership over their learning and the development of self-advocacy skills, students should be present for their conferences. Students will have an opportunity during FLEXtime and subject classes to prepare for the conference. Please remind your child to make introductions and start the dialogue.

• Please access the Google Meet link only at the time of your scheduled appointment.

• If possible, please use your email address and not your child’s UCC email address.

• You may initially be in a Google Meet ‘waiting room’ until the interview time begins, and the faculty member admits you to the virtual meeting. Please keep conversations to the scheduled 5 or 10 minutes.

• Google Meet links for faculty and conference schedules will be shared with families during the week of Nov. 18.

• On Thursday, Nov. 21 classes end at 12:15 p.m. Students are immediately dismissed from the building. Conferences will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22. There are no classes on Friday, Nov. 22, as students and teachers are fully involved in these meaningful conversations.

Gareth Evans
Assistant Head of the Prep, Middle Division

Help support Festive Marketplace

We’re so grateful to the UCC community for making this annual tradition an ongoing success. Here are a couple of ways you can still get involved:

• Donating money: Our Festive Auction and Snowball Grab are two featured events made possible thanks to the generosity of our community. The Festive team can purchase auction items and gift cards on your behalf with the monetary donations. To donate money, please send an e-transfer to treasurer@uccprepparents.ca, with “Festive” in the note.

• Volunteering your time: We’re so grateful to our dedicated volunteers who help in so many ways, before, during and after the event. Watch for our Volunteer Sign-Up Form, coming soon. Volunteering at Festive is such a fun way to get involved with the UCC community. 

All proceeds from Festive Marketplace and Festive Auction are used by our Parent Organizations for special initiatives that provide direct and positive enhancements for UCC students. 

Thank you so much for your time and your donations!

PPO festive gifts available for pre-order!

Get a head start on your holiday gift list with a pre-order catalogue from the PPO. Featuring items like a Pickleball set, large Yeti travel mug, Ice stuffed animal, and more! 

Order here by Monday, Nov. 18. Pick-up will be available on Dec. 12 and at Festive Marketplace Dec. 13.  All orders are custom and non-refundable.