Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dear families,

We had a very action-packed week. The students performed beautifully in the multitude of performances of "Once on a Housetop" and then as part of the Junior Band and/or the Intermediate Choir in the Intermediate Holiday Concert.

Even in between all of the distractions, whenever asked to do curriculum-based work, they did so to the best of their ability!

Yesterday, everyone had a blast participating in the Santa Steal event. I really appreciate all of the support provided in helping everyone choose great gifts for the event.

Thank you for all of the kind holiday words and generosity. I wish everyone a very safe and fun holidays. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

See you January 4th.

Best wishes,
Mr. Moskal

Reminders:
DreamBox is still available over the holidays.
Warplane Museum field trip on the first Wednesday back in January.

Dreambox

Dreambox, the online Math practice software is back. It is an excellent resource to support student practice and learning in all 5 Math strands and is aligned with the curriculum. Student progress can be tracked in order to support their learning as needed.

The class roster is set up. I have included a Dreambox page along the side of my website in the menu. There is a direct link for students to access the class icon and get started. I've also included an instruction sheet for getting started at home and on mobile devices.

Student login: firstnamelastinitial - e.g., davem

Passwords: each student was given a simple word last year, many remembered, and all were reminded

In order for Dreambox to be helpful for students, and for me to support learning, it needs to be used regularly and consistently. If no homework is specifically assigned, Dreambox is an excellent tool to fill the time set aside for homework each night. Between some access at school, but more required time at home, students are expected to be on Dreambox for 1.5 hrs or more each week.

If you have any questions about Dreambox, don't hesitate to email me or call the school.

Good luck and have fun!

Busy two weeks

The weeks leading up to the Christmas break are always chalked full of events. Please take note of the events below and plan accordingly. (Note: watch for additions and revisions)

Thursday, Dec. 10

• Gr. 6 song rehearsal for "Once on a Housetop" - Per. 2
• junior volleyball try-out for girls at first break
• junior volleyball clinic at lunch for boys and girls

Friday, Dec. 11

• class celebration notice needs to be signed and returned
• full rehearsal for "Once on a Housetop" - morning
• junior volleyball try-out for boys at first break
• Progress Reports go home

Monday, Dec. 14

• Warplane Museum field trip form and payment due
• "Once on a Housetop" - 2 pm performance
• wrapped gifts for class celebration brought in by today

Tuesday, Dec. 15

• "Once on a Housetop" - 3 performances: 2 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm

Thursday, Dec. 17

• class celebration - 'Steal-a-gift'

Friday, Dec. 18

• last day before the holidays - early dismissal at 1:50 pm

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Monday, Jan. 4, 2016

• Happy New Year!
• first day back

Wednesday, Jan. 6

• field trip to Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum - all day

Updates and Reminders

Tomorrow is the Dance-a-thon fundraiser. Bring back any remaining pledge envelopes. Also, if you're interested in purchasing glow in the dark items for the dance, don't forget to bring some money.

We had a great time with our paper airplane activity in Science, relating ideas about Air & Flight to some pretty cool flying objects! Hopefully some of these ideas will sink in and help on the Science test next week. Take home your Science duotangs to update any incomplete notes and study.

We had some excellent learning in Math, specifically Geometry, and did a great job practising some EQAO questions and dissecting how the marking system works.

If anyone is still interested in ordering Scholastic for December, bring your orders in by Monday.

Junior volleyball

The class has loved all of the volleyball lessons taught during Phys. Ed. Many have also expressed interest in the sport in general, asking questions about junior teams and intramurals.

Volleyball clinics and pick up games are being offered to junior students on Tuesdays and Thursdays respectively.

Teams will be chosen shortly based on clinics and potentially other try out times.

It is a great sport to learn and become involved with as it can be played by all ability levels at any age.