Posted in Reminders

Pyjama Dress Down Day is Tomorrow!

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

Posted in General Studies, Reading

Introducing Amplify Reading!

Did you know that we have a new reading program at the OJCS this year?  The kids in SK have begun to explore Amplify Reading (or Boost as they know it) over the last month and we thought we’d share some important information (thanks Mrs. Reichstein and Mrs. Thompson!) about how we are using it at school and how you can use it at home as well…

What is Amplify Reading?

Amplify is the new reading platform (the umbrella company) that the OJCS purchased licences for this year to use as a pilot project to enhance our current reading programs. We bought three programs for our school through Amplify, each explained below.

1. mClass – DIBELS 8 Assessment

2. Boost Reading

3. Boost Close Reading

Why did we choose Amplify? 

It is the platform that most closely aligns with the evidence-based body of research referred to as the ‘Science of Reading’. The Science of Reading research shows the need for students to have word recognition skills (such as phonemic awareness, decoding skills through phonics, and reading fluency) and language comprehension (including knowledge of vocabulary, morphology, and syntax) in order to read and comprehend text. 

1. mClass is the system that allows us to run the DIBELS 8 Assessment with all of our students in Grades K-3.

What is DIBELS?

DIBELS ® (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is a set of procedures and measures for assessing the acquisition of literacy skills. They are designed to be short (one minute) fluency measures that can be used to regularly detect risk and monitor the development of early literacy and early reading skills. In SK, the DIBELS 8 assesses different skills such as, Phonemic Awareness, Sound Isolation, Decoding, and Word Reading. These results help us identify who is below, at, or above grade level in each skill and then target instruction (i.e. with small groups, resource support, etc.) accordingly. This is an assessment that is completed in class with the teacher and it should also be noted that the DIBELS assessments are all timed tasks.

2. Boost Reading is the reading program licence we purchased for our students K-5. Boost Reading is a literacy acceleration and remediation program that uses adaptive technology to deliver personalized learning instruction for K–5 students. The engaging world of Boost Reading adapts to each unique reader. Boost Reading was authored with experts in literacy, cognitive science, learning, and instruction. It builds on well-established principles of effective instructional design and delivery, as well as new and cutting-edge research on how students learn to read.

Can my child use this program at home?

Yes, please!!! We will be sending a handout with your child’s log-in information (in your child’s Note Tote) home today!!  Get your child set up to use Boost Reading at home by making sure they have a set of headphones and a quiet place to play. Boost Reading is personalized to your child’s needs, so you don’t need to and you should NOT assist them with their learning. Once they log in, they’re ready to start using the program. Some students will begin with a placement activity that helps the program match them to the best content. To ensure the most accurate placement, it’s important that students complete each activity independently. It’s always helpful to encourage your student/child to have fun and do their best!

3. Boost Close Reading is the reading program licence we purchased for our students in Grades 6-8.  You will receive more information about this as your child approaches those grades.

What will I see as a parent on report cards?

For K-5 students, on the report card, teachers will share how a student is performing in various strands related to reading, including letter names and sounds, decoding and fluency. With data from the DIBELS assessment, the report cards will indicate whether the student is performing above grade, at grade or below grade level in each specific skill assessed. They will also share next steps to target skills that are still developing. 

Any questions?? Please feel free to reach out to Morah Andréa.  Perhaps you can take some time over the winter break to try this out at home!!

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

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

Friday, Dec. 22 – Dress Down PJ Day – all are encouraged to bring a favourite stuffy to Show & Share with their friends

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

Monday, Jan. 8 – School Resumes

Posted in Chagim, Chanukah, Jewish Studies

Hanukkah, Hanukkah Chag Yafe Kol Kach!

May the light always shine bright!

Through the last weeks, at both classes, we have been enjoying, singing, performing, watching and learning about Hanukkah, its symbols, the story, the activities and the characters of this bright Holiday. As well, we introduced Hebrew vocabulary, specially for the 8 symbols we learnt about:
Guelt-Dmei Hanukkah
Oil-Shemen
Menorah-Hanukkiah
Dreidel-Sebibon
The Maccabees-Hamaccabim
Latkes-Lebibot
Doughnuts-Sufganiyot
Little jug-Cad Kattan
For each symbol we did different activities, coloring, lightening candles, reading/listening to stories, spinning the sebibon, learning how to make lebibot and so much more.

One of the activities was that our students were able to feel like mighty Maccabim, they created their own Maguen David shields and through a video of an Israeli Musical about Hanukkah, the students marched and sang like Maccabim!! Mi anajnu? MACCABIM!!!

For closing our bright Hanukkah activities, a surprise happened. Everything started with an amazing question from our students: sometimes we listen to songs and we sing: “Nes Gadol Haya Sham” and sometimes we sing “Nes Gadol Haya Po” WHY? So, it was the perfect opportunity to explain the meaning of the words, learn some more Hebrew letters (“Nun”, “Pei” and “Shin”) and explain the differences between an Israeli sebibon and a Canadian or Diaspora sebibon.
Miracle-Nes (נ)
Big-Gadol (ג)
Was-Haya (ה) 
There-Sham (ש)
Here-Po (פ)

But of course, after learning about sebibonim we needed to play with them!! So, my 8th Grade Hebrew Core Students, prepared our SK students an activity with songs and playing with the sebibon. That’s how we ended our celebration!!

JAG SAMEAJ LEKULAM!!!

Posted in Chagim, STEAM

The Miracle of the Oil

Our Chanukah celebrations in SK started with a Science spin as both classes experimented and created with one of the symbols of this chag – oil!!

First, we got all the kids together and did an experiment with water, oil and food colouring.  Be sure to ask your child if the water and oil mixed together or stayed separate and what happened to the food colouring…. feel free to put their responses in a comment on this post!

Then they had the opportunity to craft a Kad Shemen (oil jug) using liquid watercolours, oil and eyedroppers.  Once again, they got to see the magic the oil created.  Check out the pictures below for the results!!

We are hoping you will all be able to join us this coming Tuesday Dec. 12th for the OJCS Family Chanukah Celebration at 6:30 pm.  There will be class performances, candle lighting, and some sweet treats to enjoy!!

For those attending, please bring your child to the SK classrooms no later than 6:30 pm and then you can go find yourselves seats in the gym.  We will bring the kids to the gym for the performance and help them find you afterwards.
We ask that each child pick their favourite colour of the rainbow (please not black, white, grey or brown) and wear entirely that colour for their performance.
If you are not planning to attend, please do let us know so that we are aware of who to expect on Tuesday evening.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

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

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

Friday, Dec. 22 – Dress Down PJ Day (more details coming soon!)

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

Monday, Jan. 8 – School Resumes

Wishing you and your families a Chanukah filled with laughter, love and light… Chag Sameach!!

The SK Team

Posted in General Studies, Math

Introducing IXL

IXL Online Math Forum

IXL is an online forum that provides diagnostics of learning skills, promotes review, mastery and extensions of skills through practice, as well as providing students, teachers, and parents valuable information on student’s progress through grade data points.  We have just introduced IXL in the classroom and there will be a handout in your child’s backpack today that explains how to log in with your child’s login and password; if you need a reminder or have not received the handout, please contact Morah Andrea.  The program can be accessed through either the link above or by downloading the app for Apple or Android products, though it tends to work better through the website.

We will continue to use this program in class, but practice time at home is also encouraged! However, please ensure that your child is working on this as independently as possible. If a teacher or parent helps out, especially during the Diagnostic process, the recommendations and next steps will be biased and not as authentic for the students to monitor their own growth, be confident in their abilities as well as provide authentic feedback to the teacher on his or her personalized math journey. For a more in-depth tutorial on how to set up the program for your child as well as highlights of the program, check out these past blog posts from our Math specialist, Mrs. Cleveland:

IXL: Online Math Forum for Personalized Learning

IXL: Four Highlights to Understand

Please comment on this post or feel free to reach out if you have any questions!!

Posted in Reminders

Coming Up: Dress Down Day and Book Fair!!

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

Party Popper Emoji (U+1F389)HAPPY BIRTHDAY Party Popper Emoji (U+1F389)

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

Posted in Uncategorized

MAKING MUSIC – empty shoe boxes, empty tissue boxes – please send!

Dear SK Parents,

The theme in SK French is Making Music as well as learning the name of musical instruments.

We are making music instruments. We’ve already made rattles using simple materials.

We would also like to make a string instrument and for this we need:

  • empty shoe boxes
  • empty tissue boxes

If you have any of these boxes at home, can you please send them in with your child.

Merci!

Madame Maryse

 

 

 

Posted in General Studies, Reminders

In November, we remember…

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

Party Popper Emoji (U+1F389)HAPPY BIRTHDAY Party Popper Emoji (U+1F389)

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

Posted in Uncategorized

French Class Work and Activities

Dear SK Parents, 

Just a quick note to let you know that I’m sending home the children’s work and activities related to our theme of l’Automne (the Fall).       

I hope you enjoy looking at the children’s work with them… and just a reminder to empty the Note Tote and return to school.  

Many thanks, 

Madame Maryse

Posted in General Studies, STEAM

Let’s Talk Science…. Fat, Fur, and Feathers

Yesterday was a very exciting day in Senior Kindergarten!!  We had a special guest join us in the Makerspace and lead us in a Let’s Talk Science lab. Farah, a Science student from the University of Ottawa, led us in a discussion about how different animals get ready for winter and the SK students impressed as they showed off what they already knew.  They told Farah that many animals adapt to get ready for the cold weather by eating a lot of food or by growing thicker fur or feathers to stay warm.  The kids asked great questions and knew a lot of answers to the questions they were asked.  Then they experimented with Fat (vegetable shortening in a baggie), Fur (faux, of course!) and Feathers to see which kept their hands the warmest when touching ice.  The students were so engaged and enthusiastic as they tried different combinations to see which would keep their hands warm…. the combo of fat and fur was the clear winner.  Thanks to Farah for leading this special, super-fun experience!  It has certainly sparked some interest in both classes to explore this theme further….

Speaking of getting ready for winter, now that the colder temperatures are upon us, we thought we should clarify our Outdoor Play plan for the winter months.  We will continue having our recess and end of day pick-up on the playground, so please ensure that your child comes to school dressed appropriately.  However, if it is colder than -15, with or without the windchill, we will not be venturing outdoors (we will be using the Weather Network to determine the temperature).  As with rainy days, if there are no kids or teachers on the playground when you arrive to pick-up, please come to the front door to find your child.  While we will strive to get outside as much as possible, we will take advantage of the gym or other indoor physical activities when the weather is not cooperating.

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