January 2023
January has flown by. This month we welcomed our January start children and look forward to making new and lasting friendships. We started 2023 with studies of winter, animals and hibernation. We completed our studies of South America in November, and our next continent is Africa. We started our journey into Africa this week. We have set up the small world tray table with miniature African animals and many different natural items for the children to create a jungle, desert or a savanna. Endless creativity.
Tax receipts will be going home at the end of this week in your child’s file folder. If you cannot find your receipt or accidentally tossed it out (it happens), or there is a mistake (that happens too), please let us know and another will be made for you.
Progress reports were sent home in early January. Most have been returned, but some are still lagging behind at home. Please bring the reports back so we may continue to keep records of your child’s work in the classroom. They will be returned to you in June.
Reminders of upcoming school closure dates:
- Friday, February 17th (district wide schools closure day)
- Monday, February 20th (BC Family Day holiday)
- Monday, March 13th to Friday, March 24th (Spring Break)
All district schools in Vancouver close for Spring Break. Independent and private schools may have slightly different dates, but all usually break around the same time in March. Venues that are popular will be very, very busy. Spring Break camps and art classes will fill fast, so start looking now. There are many ways to spend the days doing creative and fun activities that are inexpensive or cost nothing at all. Try Pinterest. In case you were not aware, these kids love to bake. Baking is a science, also math, also motor skill development, also yummy. Van Dusen Gardens and the Bloedel Conservatory are fabulous places to visit at any time, for any age. These venues offer Spring Camps for children, but only for ages 5 and up. However you can look at the camp outlines which are easy to recreate and model for your own 3 to 5 camp at home. Get a bag of organic earth, dig in and get your hands dirty. Plant some seeds (indoor starters) and make some magic.
Science Show and Tell occurs the first two weeks of March. Notices of specific themes and times will be sent home in mid-February, along with your child’s experiment demonstration date. School closes for spring break right after, so there will not be any time to make up missed days. Please make a note of your child’s date on the calendar. Do a little research on the topic (keep it simple) and allow your child to practice at home so they will feel confident demonstrating their experiment to the class. We will of course be there to help assist them. All Show and Tell items should be age appropriate and safe (no sharp edges or easily breakable). This is a wonderful early exercise for children to show leadership of a group, which builds self-confidence. We all see the positive results of a child becoming more confident. Amazing things start to happen.
The final segment of our ‘Celebration of Light’ series occurred this month with Lunar New Year festivities. This year is the Year of the Rabbit, which was recognised with each child making a bunny crown. Adorable! Every year the children practice their cutting abilities by making a lantern, with advanced cutters trying their scissor skills by making their very own lucky red envelopes. All the envelopes were folded and sent home with a chocolate coin inside. Plenty of proficiency building, with all of that cutting, gluing and folding. It’s always loads of fun.
Don’t forget to download the photo link that is attached to the email. You have seven days and then it’s gone for good. You will see amazing things such as children cooperating, putting toys away, and dressing themselves. We keep talking about these brilliant moments, but some still believe it’s an urban myth. We try to capture these twinkles in time whenever we can, and pass them on to you.
