#sciencefun – OJCS KINDERGARTEN / GAN

Animals Getting Ready for Winter… and other important info!

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Andréa Black

Over the last few weeks, SK has been exploring and discussing how animals get ready for winter. Through books, videos, songs and crafts, they have learned that some animals adapt, some migrate, and some hibernate in order to survive the winter months. They even participated in an experiment testing 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 fat (or blubber) was the clear winner!! Check out the photos below from the experiment and other activities…

Earlier this month, SK had their first Reading Buddies meeting!! They are paired with students in Grade 4 and every few weeks, we will meet in the library to read together, get to know each other, and to participate in some fun, community-building activities. Be sure to ask your child to tell you about their new buddies!!

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

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

Monday, Dec. 8 – Gesher-Chai Israeli Student-Teacher Lesson

Tuesday, Dec. 9 – Friendship Call with Israeli students

Tuesday, Dec. 16 – OJCS Family Chanukah Celebration at 6:00 pm

Friday, Dec. 19 – Dress Down Day (more info coming soon)

Dec. 20 – Jan. 4 – NO SCHOOL FOR WINTER BREAK!!

Monday, Jan. 5 – School resumes

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!!

General Studies, STEAM

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

Posted on November 7, 2023 by Andréa Black

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