Reminders – OJCS KINDERGARTEN / GAN

Tomorrow is Dress Down Day!! (and other reminders)

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Andréa Black

Tomorrow, Friday, April 19th, is Dress Down Day!! This month, we are collecting tzedakah in support of Earth Rangers. Don’t forget to bring your loonies and toonies!!

As we prepare for our move to KBI after the Passover break, we will be sending all of your child’s personal belongings home by the end of this week. This includes their spare clothes bags, indoor shoes, kippahs and anything else that we normally keep at school. We kindly ask that over the break you go through the spare clothes and replenish the bags with season-appropriate clothes and return them with you child on our first back to school. We encourage the kids to bring back a pair of indoor shoes as well.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Friday, April 19 – Dress Down Day for

Monday, April 22 – Tuesday, April 30 – Pesach Holidays (NO SCHOOL)

Wednesday, May 1 – First Day at KBI

Monday, May 13 – Generations Day (stay tuned for more info!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to Eyal in SK-B who turns 6 on April 20th!!

Wishing you and your families a Chag Pesach Sameach and a lovely break! We look forward to seeing everyone at our new location on May 1!!

General Studies, Reminders, Special Events, STEAM

SK’s Been Getting Ready for the Solar Eclipse!

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Andréa Black

The students in SK are so excited about this afternoon’s solar eclipse!! We have spent the last few days learning about why it happens, experimenting and exploring to understand further, and even crafting their own eclipse pictures and models. We’ve read stories and watched videos to learn as much we could!!

Here are some of the stories and videos we have watched in case your child wants to see them again:

Someone is Eating the Sun by Ruth A. Sonneborn

Total Solar Eclipse: A Stellar Friendship Story by Jayme Sandberg

A Few Beautiful Minutes: Experiencing a Solar Eclipse by Kate Allen Fox

The Great North American Solar Eclipse for Kids

Solar Eclipse for Kids – Socratica Kids

Along with the kids’ creations, we have sent home a Solar Eclipse Memory page for you to fill out at home as a record of this special event. It is linked here in case you want to print at home.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Monday, April 8 – NOON DISMISSAL (Solar Eclipse)

Friday, April 19 – Dress Down Day

Monday, April 22 – Tuesday, April 30 – Pesach Holidays (NO SCHOOL)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to Layla in SK-A who turned 6 on March 30th

and to Jacob in SK-A who turns 6 on April 10th!!

General Studies, Reminders, Special Events, STEAM

Innovation Day & Important Reminders

Posted on March 22, 2024March 22, 2024 by Andréa Black

Thank you so much to everyone who was able to join us for Innovation Day in KA and KB on Wednesday!! The students worked so hard to create their flying machines and to learn about the 4 forces of flight. They were so proud to share what they had learned and created with you. You can watch and listen to the “What Makes Airplanes Fly?” song here and check out the pictures of the process of creating and testing their bamboo helicopters, hovercrafts, and hoop gliders below…

Yesterday, JK and SK gathered together, just like the older students at OJCS, to join the worldwide Kriyat Shema and to wish for peace for Israel and the whole world. It was so heartwarming to hear their sweet voices singing with pride!

Just a reminder that OJCS Ruach Week starts on Monday!

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Monday, March 25th – PURIM CARNIVAL – Wear whatever costume you want!!

Tuesday, March 26th – TACKY TUESDAY

Wednesday, March 27th – WILD WEST WEDNESDAY

Thursday, March 28th – PYJAMA (and Dress Down) DAY

Friday, March 29 – NO SCHOOL (Good Friday)

Monday, April 8 – NOON DISMISSAL (Solar Eclipse)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to Frankie in SK-A who turned 6 on March 20th

and to Mika in SK-B who turned 6 on March 21st!!

Today is a bittersweet day as it is Ivri’s last day at the OJCS. We will miss him and are sad to see him go, but we wish Ivri, Be’eri, Batel and Yehonatan the very best as they begin a new chapter in Boston and we hope that they will come visit whenever they come back to Ottawa!

Chag Purim Sameach!!

Chagim, Reminders, Special Events, STEAM

Innovation Day, Purim & Ruach Week….. Oh My!!!

Posted on March 14, 2024 by Andréa Black

There are so many special events coming up in the next two weeks at the OJCS…. Here’s what you need to know!!

Wednesday, March 20th is Innovation Day… The kids in SK have been busy creating, building, and engineering in preparation for your visit. Come and find out what they’ve been working on between 9:00 and 9:45. We will all meet together in KB’s class (room 128) and then we’ll split off into each classroom.

Purim is coming up so soon and we have a few special things happening to celebrate…. On Friday, March 22nd, we will end our day together listening to Rabbi Scher tell the story of Esther and Mordechai as he reads the Megillah. Then on Monday, March 25th, we’re kicking off Ruach Week with the OJCS Purim Carnival!! This is where we need your help… Are you looking to purge some unwanted and/or gently-used toys from your house? We are looking for prizes for the Carnival, so please send any donations to school by the end of next week.

March 25th-28th is Ruach (Spirit) Week at OJCS!! We wanted to ensure that you and your child have lots of time to prepare, so please see the breakdown below for each day’s theme…. We can’t wait to see all of the creative costumes!!

Monday, March 25th – PURIM CARNIVAL – Wear whatever costume you want!!

Tuesday, March 26th – TACKY TUESDAY

Wednesday, March 27th – WILD WEST WEDNESDAY

Thursday, March 28th – PYJAMA (and Dress Down) DAY

Friday, March 29th – NO SCHOOL

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!!

General Studies, Math, Reminders, Special Events

Practicing Patterns!

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Andréa Black

For the past couple of weeks, SK has been exploring patterns. In fact, they have been so busy practicing finding the core of a pattern as well as copying, creating and extending patterns using different materials and manipulatives, that I didn’t get any pictures ;( But you can check out your child’s Pattern Book that was sent home today and ask them to tell you what each pattern is. We also did a Pattern Scavenger Hunt, so you may want to encourage your child to find as many patterns as they can at your house or as you are out and about this weekend!

Here are some fun pattern videos that the kids enjoyed watching:

Patterns! Mini Math Movie

The Pattern Practice Song

They also practiced patterning on IXL which they can continue to do at home! Once your child is logged in, click on the Teacher Recommendations tab and find the various pattern activities I have assigned them. We also played Fuzzbug Patterns as a class, so I’ve linked it here if they would like to play it at home as well!!

There are a bunch of special events coming up through the rest of March, so check out the posters below, mark your calendars, and stay tuned for more information for each event…

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Wednesday, March 20 – Innovation Day – Class visits from 9:00-9:45

Monday, March 25 – Thursday, March 28 – Ruach Week – more details coming soon!

Friday, March 29 – NO SCHOOL (Good Friday)

General Studies, Math, Reminders, Special Events

Today is the 100th Day of School and Winter Fun Day is Coming!!

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Andréa Black

Today was the 100th day of school and SK spent the day celebrating in many different ways!! We started by reading a story called “William’s 100th Day of School” and then we did a special 100 Day workout – we warmed up by running on the spot for 100 seconds and then did 10 different exercises 10 times each…. Phew!! It was a great way to work out our bodies and our minds, never mind that it helped us practice counting by 10s! We spent the rest of our time together counting, measuring and comparing 100 different objects. Did you know that 100 marbles are heavier than 100 cotton balls? Or that 100 chain links are longer than 100 unifix cubes? SK does!! We made 100 Day crowns and ended off with a 100 Day parade, counting 100 steps around the hallways and showing off our counting skills. What a day!! Check out the pictures below from our celebrations….

This Thursday, February 15th is Winter Fun Day at OJCS… Woohoo!! We are looking forward to a fantastic fun-filled day, but we wanted to let you know about a few important things….

Please ensure that your child is dressed warmly!! Students do not need to wear uniforms – comfy, cozy clothes and layers are encouraged. We highly recommend sending an extra set of clothes, especially extra socks, to school as it will likely be wet outside and the kids will need to change. Extra mittens or gloves and snowpants if you have them would also be helpful!! Aside from our usual outdoor play periods, SK will be starting the day with drop-off outside, so please make sure they are dressed properly when they arrive at school and meet us on the red playground between 8:30 and 8:45 am.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to Ivri in SK-A who turned 6 on February 12th

to Hannah in SK-A who turns 6 on February 21st

and to Isabella in SK-A who turns 6 on February 22nd!!

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Thursday, Feb. 15 – Winter Fun Day

Friday, Feb. 16 – PD Day – NO SCHOOL

Monday, Feb. 19 – Friday, Feb. 23 – NO SCHOOL for Family Day and Reading Week

Friday, Mar. 1 and Friday, Mar. 8 – 3:00 pm Dismissal

Reminders

Pyjama Dress Down Day is Tomorrow!

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Andréa Black

Tomorrow, Friday, December 22nd, is a special Pyjama Dress Down Day. We will be collecting tzedakah in support of Biking for Bubbies and programs at Hillel Lodge. The kids are welcome to wear their jammies to school (though we ask they wear warm pyjamas or have an extra layer as we will still be going outside for recesses) and we ask that they bring a stuffy for a special Show & Share activity. Please ensure that whatever they bring, it fits in their backpack!!

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Fridays (from now until early March) – 2:00 pm Dismissal

Friday, Dec. 22 – Pyjama Dress Down Day

Monday, Dec. 25-Friday, Jan. 5 – WINTER BREAK!!

Monday, Jan. 8 – School Resumes

Wishing you all a restful and relaxing Winter Break!! See you in 2024!!

The SK Team

Reminders

Coming Up: Dress Down Day and Book Fair!!

Posted on November 28, 2023 by Andréa Black

This Thursday, November 30th is Dress Down Day!! This month, we are collecting tzedakah in support of the Royal Canadian Legion in honour of Remembrance Day. Don’t forget to bring your loonies and toonies!!

Next week, the OJCS Scholastic Book Fair begins!! SK-A will be visiting the Book Fair on Wednesday, December 6th and SK-B will be visiting on Thursday, December 7th and the kids will have a chance to purchase some books. We have already sent home a flyer in your child’s Note Tote; if you would like to go through it with your child and pick a few options, it will give you a sense of how much money to send to school. We ask that you send your child’s money in a ziploc baggie with their name on it and the total amount you are sending. You can also send a list of preferred books with your child, though we cannot guarantee that every title will be available. Parents are also welcome to visit the Book Fair during the designated times as outlined on the poster below. Any questions? Feel free to comment on this post!

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Fridays (from now until early March) – 2:00 pm Dismissal

Thursday, Nov. 30 – Dress Down Day

Tuesday, Dec. 5 – Thursday, Dec. 7 – OJCS Book Fair

Tuesday, Dec. 12 – OJCS Family Chanukah Celebration @ 6:30pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to Joey and Liv in SK-A who turn 5 on December 6th!!

General Studies, Reminders

In November, we remember…

Posted on November 13, 2023 by Andréa Black

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month…..

SK spent some time over last week learning about Remembrance Day and why it is such an important day. We read stories about being brave and courageous, we talked about the men and women who made sure and continue to ensure that Canada is safe and free, and we learned why we wear poppies as a symbol on this day. Of course, we crafted poppies of all kinds!!

At our Remembrance Day assembly, the kids recited a poem called “Little Poppy” and they did an incredible job both performing and showing respect for their fellow students. Check out the video below:

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Fridays (from now until early March) – 2:00 pm Dismissal

Thursday, Nov. 23 – Dress Down Day

Friday, Nov. 24 – PD DAY – NO SCHOOL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to Joshua in SK-B who turns 5 on November 14th!!

General Studies, Reminders

Chefs, Doctors and Firefighters….. OH MY!!!

Posted on October 24, 2023 by Andréa Black

After last month’s Terry Fox Run led to discussions about real-life heroes and how we can help in our own community, KA & KB have been learning all about different kinds of community helpers over the past few weeks. From police officers to artists, from mail carriers to nurses, we have been talking and learning about all of the ways different people in our community help us every single day. We read books and sang songs, we made books, we crafted, we coloured, we matched, we sorted, and we dreamed about what we want to be when we grow up!! The highlight was of course our visit from the firefighters from Station 23, especially Firefighter Brad (aka Wesley’s dad), driving the truck. Check out the pictures below!!

This Friday, Oct. 27th, is Dress Down Day!! This month, we are collecting tzedakah in support of Magen David Adom. Don’t forget to bring your loonies and toonies!!

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Friday, Oct. 27 – Dress Down Day/3:00 PM DISMISSAL begins

Tuesday, Oct. 31 – Photo Retake Day (please let me know if you would like your child to get a retake and have them wear a white collared shirt)

Thursday, Nov. 2 – NOON DISMISSAL and Goal Setting Conferences

Friday, Nov. 3 – NO SCHOOL for Goal Setting Conferences

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to Leon in SK-A who turns 5 on October 26th!!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!!