Greetings R7A Families –

This will be my last blog to you for 2017. Time certainly has passed quickly since September. As a class, we have learned a lot, laughed a lot, cheered each other on and gotten through some rough days. It is an amazing opportunity to watch children grow and experience life intensely, in the moment, in grade 7.

This week, we will be having a Holiday Dance on Friday, December 22nd in the afternoon. Students are being asked to contribute $2.00. Before that we will assemble in the gym for a loud, boisterous game of volleyball: teachers v. students. My athletic contribution will be to yell and jump on the sidelines; a ball in the face a few years ago shortened my volleyball career! On Wednesday, the Leadership Group which Ms Eichel and I facilitate is hosting the Great Cakewalk for all Junior and Intermediate students. Classes raise money and every class that raises a minimum of $10.00 gets a wonderful, candy-laden cake to eat. I am asking R7A students to do their best to donate a tooney for the cause. There will be 22 cakes in our classroom, the Chateau Gateau, on Wednesday. All proceeds go to the WE Foundation, “Adopt a Village” program for clean water projects. On Thursday, R7A will be hosting its first Lit Cafe where students present their singing, dancing, comical, drawing, magical skills etc..

In Literacy, we will be continuing our reading from “Hana’s Suitcase” and concluding a writing activity. We will also be doing our two sessions on guided reading. Last week, our kindergarten reading buddies treated us to a preview of their dance routine for the Holiday Assembly. The grade 7s joined in and much fun was had by all. Natural Disaster project work will continue in Geography. In Visual Arts, most students have completed their own “Morning Star” creations. Here is a sample of four of the pieces.

And here is a photo the “Morning Star”dome I took this Saturday on a visit to the truly wonderful Museum of History, as well as a photo of Haida artist Bill Reid’s sculpture “The Spirit of Haidi Gwaii”.

I was shooting into the brilliant, winter sun; my photo does no justice to this beautiful piece.

HARMONY HOUSE – a message from the VM staff

Harmony House Needs our Help!
We are so appreciative for all we have and would like to share our good fortune with others in need.  Instead of a staff gift at Christmas, please consider purchasing a gift card for Harmony House instead. Harmony House is a second-stage women’s shelter. They provide safe, affordable transitional housing for women and children who are survivors of violence. They are located in Ottawa and are the only second-stage shelter in Ottawa.
They are in need of:
Gift cards for local grocery stores:  Independent/Loblaws/Metro/Food Basics
Gift cards for pharmacy/drug stores:  Pharma Plus/Rexall/Shoppers Drug Mart
Gift cards for Walmart, Canadian Tire
Please note – if you choose to give to Harmony House, please send it as a gift to your child’s teacher, clearly labeled for Harmony House.  We will thank your child as if it was a gift intended for us. We will then pass it on to Harmony House to help someone in need.

For most students, two assessments have been sent home for your signature for the Ideal School project and their vocabulary review. Please ensure they are read, discussed, signed and returned to school. Thank you.

I wish you all a happy holiday break. We will all meet again on Monday, January 9th. All the best to Zaiyon and his family as they travel to Mexico and return in March. Try not to miss the cold, Zaiyon!

Ms Swail