Hello R7A Families –

The photo above was taken this past week at the National Capital “Illumination” Night when all evening lights were lit across Canada on federal buildings and parks to celebrate winter and religious holidays including Christmas. It was a cold night, with huge snowflakes falling, and the sound of people cheering as the lights went on and fireworks filled the sky. This photo is of the Centre Block and the Peace Tower. Every evening there is a beautiful light show projected onto the buildings. If you have a chance, do visit with your children. The inside of the Centre Block, including the Peace Tower, will be closed for a TEN-YEAR renovation. 

COMMUNITY FEAST FOR R7A AND DHH – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14th, 2018

On Friday, from 10:45 to 11:55, our class will be having a potluck meal to celebrate our first term together and to feed each other with recipes that include all 4 food groups.  The students have been asked to bring in a dish (that they have already planned with their group) that will feed FOUR PEOPLE. I will supply plates, cutlery and napkins. If there are any family members who would like to join us, please let me know. You are more than welcome. It will be noisy, frenetic and fun. That is Grade 7.

OURSTORY ASSESSMENTS will be coming home for your review and signature on Monday. Most of the students did well in explaining their understanding of the story of Canada that incorporates indigenous people. I assess for comprehension of big ideas and for critical thinking as well as content, so the test will not look like what you may have had as students. Please send in the assessment with your signature as soon as possible. Our next chapter in Ourstory will be to learn about French-English conflict in the New World and in Europe and how this shaped Canada and its people.

THE GREAT VM CUPCAKE WALK will take place on Wednesday, December 19th (next week). The Leadership Group is organizing a cupcake-palooza of 21 trays of confections for the Junior and Intermediate classes. Each class has been asked to raise money to participate in the event. All proceeds go to global education initiatives in places such as Haiti and Ecuador. Some of your children will be making the cupcakes and should be talking to you about this. There can be no nuts, please, please, please, and all ingredients must be listed. The Leadership Group is VERY excited about this. Please ask your R7A student how much they will be donating to global education. All donations help.

We are focusing on kindness these days and next week I will have a photo of our December Kindness calendar. Be kind to each other, get your children to read every day, please, and take care.

Ms. Swail