February 24

The week of February 25th – March 1st, 2019

Hello R 7A Families –

If it were not so icy outside, I would be jumping up and down, yelling, “March is almost here.” But I already fell this weekend on the ice so I will write it: MARCH IS ALMOST HERE! Perhaps, the next month will bring gentler weather. We can always hope. One weekend (this one) visited us with sunshine, warmer temperatures, freezing rain, ice pellets and promises of high, high winds and blowing snow. In 48 hours!

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The highlight of this week is Wednesday’s ski trip when we will be travelling to the Edelweiss ski resort for a day of fun and activities. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE ensure your children are warmly dressed, in layers. They need: snow pants; warm and an extra pair of socks, hat, mitts (extra pair is good) and boots. Anyone coming to school without boots will have to stay in the chalet for the day. No scarves, please. They should have lots of food and water. There is a canteen in the chalet. The food is expensive, but french fries are french fries. Please ensure they get to school on time for 8:30 and that they are picked up at school on time, if that is your arrangement. I will take lots of photos.

 

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Wednesday is also Pink Shirt Day – a campaign to promote positive relationships and acceptance. https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/about

Have a very good week! Stay upright.

Ms. Swail

 some of my fashionable llama friends from Peru

February 18

The week of February 18th – 22nd, 2019

Happy Family Day R7A families –

I hope you were all able to enjoy a long, Family Day weekend. We had beautiful, sunny weather and so much going on in the city with the ending of Winterlude. This week, we will have 4 days, and let’s hope there are no more snowstorms. The photo below is of a chickadee landing on our hiking poles in Gatineau Park – looking for a ride, maybe?

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Thanks to those of you who stepped forward for the ski trip. The ski trip will be next week on Wednesday, February 27th. I will send out more information next weekend.

This week, we will still be focusing on teenage brain development and the film, “Inside Out”. In Ourstory, we will be finishing and presenting research projects. Students will be bringing home an assessment for you to sign next week. I am looking to hearing and seeing their presentations.

Students received and brought home their report cards last Thursday. I have asked everyone to reflect on term one and to bring back their report card envelope and the parent-student feedback form (on the back of the report card). If you have any questions, please contact me by e-mail. I would like to have all of the forms and envelopes back this week, please. IEPs will be coming home shortly for your review.

This is a short blog for a short week.

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Canadian Oscar nominee animated short film, “Bao”. A great little movie! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdbHXKlpPAM

Take care of yourselves. Please ensure your children are reading at least half an hour a day. So many great books and stories out there.

Ms Swail

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February 10

The week of February 11 – 15th, 2019

Hello R7A Families – 

Well, this continues to be quite the winter with lots of cold, snow and ice. Our new Canadian friends, I promise you, this does end! Here is the newest weather report for this week. And, if there is another “snow day”, I will be sending work home via Google Classroom for all students. AND, we will be making snow angels in all that great, new snow.

Issued at 15:11 Sunday 10 February 2019
 Snowfall amounts of 25 to 35 cm and blowing snow Tuesday into Wednesday. Snow will begin during the day Tuesday. Strong easterly winds gusting to 80 km/h will cause reduced visibilities in blowing snow. Total snowfall amounts of 25 to 35 cm are likely before the snow tapers off during the day Wednesday. This snow is associated with a Colorado low that will cross Southern Ontario Tuesday and Wednesday.
Image result for snowstorm ottawa  a good case for walking

This is a short week with a PA Day on Friday. Thursday is Valentine’s Day. There will be an Intermediate dance in the afternoon of the 14th. We will steer away from the romantic and focus on kindness and compassion!

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In Language Arts, we will be watching “Inside Out” (finally!) and we will be learning about human emotions, growing up and animation – all in one! I am embedding a link to a very good article about emotions and the film. You may want to discuss this with your children. Ms Harding, in Drama, is integrating the film into her drama lessons, which is great.

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_lessons_from_inside_out_to_discuss_with_kids

In Ourstory, we will be finishing up the students’ projects and presenting to, and teaching each other. Welcome to Mr. Garrick , who just joined VM and will be coming to our class, starting next week, every Thursday afternoon to work with us.

I will try to send out the finished class product so you, also, can learn about Canadian Ourstory. Our last unit will take us into March break and then, we will embark on a voyage into Geography and longitude and latitude.

Report cards come out on Thursday, all systems and printers willing. Please sit down with your child and look at the learning skills, and ask them their manageable goals for second term. Please fill out the parent form and send in with the envelope. You keep the report card.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ms Trivedi!  Image result for birthday cake

Take care of yourselves. Let’s remember those who do not have a permanent home in this weather, and to those who provide shelter, food and comfort. If you have any women’s winter coats or sweaters, a friend who works in a shelter is looking for these clothing items, and I will deliver them.

THIS WEEK’s HOMEWORK: Make a snow angel – it’s fun!

Here is a photo I took of a hairy woodpecker having a snack. The red crest is not too visible but it is there!

 

Ms Swail

 

February 3

The week of February 4th – 11th, 2019

Hello R7A families – 

The very strange Canada/U.S. custom of watching a groundhog come out of a cage on February 2nd has happened again. “Wiarton Willie” supposedly did not see his shadow which means we will have an early spring. Given the snow walls and perma-ice on the roads and sidewalks, I think Willie may have needed a cup of coffee to wake up. On the other hand (paw?), Shubenacadie Sam from Nova Scotia did see his shadow, foretelling a long winter. Whatever the prediction, we might as well enjoy what we have here in Ottawa, especially when it is not so cold.

Speaking of snow, SKI TRIP forms are due TOMORROW. I am looking for a volunteer who likes being outside, moving around a lot, and preferably a skier who can accompany some of our novices on the chairlift and on the hills. I will be at the tubing hill where a lot of our students will be having lots of fun. Please let me know if you can help out. Volunteers come with us on the bus and get a ski lift pass. If finances for the student trip are an issue, please send me an e-mail as soon as possible.

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The study of the teenage brain continues in Language Arts. We will be watching “Inside Out” this week. Snow days delayed our viewing. In guided reading, we will be reading articles about the brain and discussing what we have learned. The students are showing a lot of interest and curiosity about brain growth and development. We are particularly focusing on emotional reactions originating from the limbic system and how they are mediated by judgment and experience (cerebral cortex). In Ourstory, we will be wrapping up research on British North America and creating Google slide presentations. Our last unit will focus on the War of 1812 and the fascinating story of the Ontario and Quebec rebellions. And, in Health Education, students are in working groups to develop safety tips for teenagers on a range of issues.

Report cards will be going home on February 14th (created with a lot of heart and effort by your children’s teachers!). Many of the R7A students wrote a self-reflective report card; I am impressed by their honesty and earnestness. There will be no large interview process. You are always welcome to come by for a meeting and I will be in touch with certain parents. IEPs for Term two will be going out in the last week of February.

Winterlude begins this weekend. Many things to do in Ottawa!. https://www.ottawatourism.ca/events/winterlude/. I did a 3.5 hour hike in Gatineau Park today, and will be moving slowly tomorrow, if anyone is trying to catch me!

A warm welcome back to Mme Deschenes, whatever the weather has been outside! Ms Haslam, our VP, has been dropping by and getting to know R7A.

Ms. Swail