4C Update Monday April 27th

Hi Parents,

Welcome to week 7 of isolation. We hope that you are doing alright and are getting outside to enjoy the sunshine we have been having. We know that mental health is a real concern as we walk through these difficult days. If your family is struggling, please reach out to us for help. We can reduce workloads or connect you with resources in our community that can provide support.

If your family is struggling or looking for support please note upcoming free webinars for parents.

• Kids Have Stress Too
• Crisis Survival Skills: Supporting your Child and Teen during Stressful Times
• Taming Anxiety Gremlins: Avoiding anxiety traps while promoting resilience
• Mindfulness as an Anxiety Management Tool
• Emotional Regulation Using Mindfulness

To access any of the above webinars please click this link and create an account.
https://community.hmhc.ca/sessions/?p=online&fbclid=IwAR1YlVL6AJM4Fu_yCI2LEvMVwFTOClEfSd5G05maOovsKVg02V5IEsFP5cQ

Here are the subjects and associated work being assigned this week:

Math

Going forward, students will be receiving 2 Jump Math lessons and a quiz each week. Please ensure that they go through the lessons and complete the work before attempting the quiz. In addition, students need to go to their Xtramath account to work on their basic fact speed.

Social Studies and Language Arts 

For the next few weeks we are integrating Social Studies into Language Arts. Yours students will be doing research on Alberta regions. Students should continue to journal daily and be prepared to show their journal on Monday class meetings.

Science

Students will be continuing to complete their observations of their experiment for the next few weeks. If you are following Mrs. Brophy’s mold experiment, the pictures will continue to be posted on your child’s classroom Stream.  Last week's observation sheets were a bit wrong. Please only do up to day 6 and then turn it in. Week 2's observation sheet will start on day 7 and go to 13. Thank you for understanding!

4C Update Monday April 20th

Hi parents,

Below you will find the “I can” statements that relate directly to the assignments we have been assigning. These are the specific things we will be looking for in student assignments.

Literacy:

• I can use talk, notes and personal writing to reflect on my ideas and experiences.
• I can revise my writing so that it makes sense.
• I can record ideas and information that are on topic.
• I can use strong (juicy) words to expand my ideas in writing
• I can connect the thoughts and actions of characters in things I read, hear and see to my personal and classroom experiences.  

Math:

• I can write, draw or tell about decimals.
• I can show that fractions and decimals are related to each other.
• I can add and subtract decimals.

Thank you for your participation in our workload survey. From this survey, it looks like most families feel that the assignments that the Grade 4 teachers have been assigning are falling within the 5 hours a week time frame. We also know that not everyone felt this way. Please remember during this period of ongoing learning at home that you as parents are in charge of how much your child participates in the school work being assigned. If you feel that it is too much please know that you can pull it back for them and let us know what they can or cannot complete. We will be reaching out to families whose children are not turning in any work at all but will not be chasing down students to complete every assignment. Also, remember that if your child is keen to do more work they can go on the extra websites that we have provided.

For science this week, we are doing an experiment about the decomposition of food. For this experiment students will watch an instructional video about how to grow mold and how to set that up in their own house. This is completely optional for your family. Mrs. Brophy will be posting the photos of the mold experiment she has set up starting on Tuesday and students can use these pictures for their observation. The pictures will be posted each day by 9:30 on the classroom stream. We know that families have a variety of health concerns and potentially limited access to the resources for this experiment that could make participation challenging.

Thank you for your continued support during this challenging season.

4C Update Monday April 13th

Hi Grade 4 Parents,

We have noticed that there are many kids not completing or turning in work. It’s really important that parents be involved in reading what the assignment instructions are so that they can support and fully understand assignment expectations. All assignments for the week will be posted in Google Classrooms at 8pm on Sunday evenings.

• Daily Journals do not need to be handed in but students should have them available at our weekly meetings.
• Weekly meetings are mandatory.
• Language Arts activities need to be turned in through Google Classroom.
• Jump math should be checked by you at home with the provided answer keys and then students should click ‘turn in’ when completed.
• Other math activities like word problems should be turned in to be marked.
• Science activities should be turned in on Google Classroom.

There will be regular Google Meeting times throughout the week with your student’s teacher. These times are available to provide support and to answer questions. Please check your students Weekly Schedule for these meeting times. We are also available by email if parents have questions or concerns.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Update from Administration

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The GREAT PICK UP
Just a reminder to check the Simons Valley School website for designated times of when you can pick up your child’s belongings. 

Student last name (A-L) ONLY pick up on Thursday April 9th and Student last name (M-Z) Tuesday April 14th only.

Please only come during your time. Wednesday April 15th is an alternate date only to be used if you are unable to come in this Thursday or upcoming Tuesday.

LIBRARY BOOKS and HOME READING BOOKS
All SVS library books/home reading books can be returned the day of your pick up.

FOOD DRIVE
In addition, to the ‘Great Pick Up’, we will also have boxes available for food donations.
The Salvation Army Berkshire Citadel Community Church has been at the forefront of supporting many of our SVS families and this is one way we can help replenish their supplies.  They are in need of canned fruit and vegetables but are grateful for any non-perishable items.

Be Brave, Be Kind, Stay Positive.

4C Update Monday April 6th

Hi Parents,

All of the student assignments were posted to your child’s Google Classroom last night. Keep in mind that these are all of the assignments for the whole week. We have done this so that you are better able to plan out your week to help make this as successful as possible. We have included a student schedule that might be helpful in keeping track of their progress. If it does not work for your family, please feel free to disregard it and do what will work.

Please reach out if you are needing help. You can reach me through email and then I can call you or reply appropriately. I will be having office hours Monday to Friday between 9:00am - 12:00 and 1:00pm - 3:00pm.

We would like to thank you for your patience as we work all of these changes out together. There will be hiccups, but I know that with patience, flexibility and understanding we can work through anything that comes up.

Going Forward we will be posting on our blogs on Mondays. All other communication with students will be on our Google Classrooms.

Roger Dewald - rddewald@cbe.ab.ca

4C Update Saturday April 4th

Hi Everyone, An email has been sent to parents and student Gmail accounts with information on how to join our Google Meet. We ask that you review this information sometime this weekend in order to be ready to go on Monday as well as clarify any questions you may have.

Thank you

4C Update Friday April 3rd

Hello Parents,

We understand that learning from home presents many challenges for families and we want to assure you that we understand how those challenges are different for each of you. If you are finding the work that we are assigning too much for your child, or if it is not fitting with your families rhythm during this challenging season, please email me so that I can adjust the expectations to suit them better.

The Alberta government has directed teachers of Kindergarten through Grade 6 students to assign 1 hour of work per day. Each student’s ability differs and therefore the amount of time it takes each student to complete assignments also differs. If you are finding that your child requires more work, I can provide additional websites that can challenge them in a variety of ways. Please reach out to me if you are needing extra help with finding these extensions.

Today’s Assignment:

Your child will receive an email today with instructions about logging into Xtramath.com
This website is an excellent tool to support students daily practice of math facts and problem solving skills.

XtraMath Login

Follow the link to: https://xtramath.org/#/home/index

Click on the SIGN IN button at the top right hand corner of the screen.
Enter teacher email as: rddewald@cbe.ab.ca
First Name:   (student name)
PIN:  (enter pin)

Then begin exploring XtraMath!


I have been asked to forward the following message from our administration:

Dear Simons Valley Parents/Guardians,

Thank you for being the amazing parent group that you are! Your patience and support as we navigate through these uncertain times is so appreciated. Our school mantra has been ‘We are all in this together!’ and truly what matters the most right now, is how we stay connected in uncertain times.

Many of you have asked about when you are able to come by the school and gather your child’s belongings as well as, returning library books. We would like to offer you the opportunity to come to SVS on
Thursday April 9th AM (only) for student last names starting with A-L
Tuesday April 14th AM (only) for student last names starting beginning with M-Z
ALTERNATE ONLY: Wednesday April 15th

Please see the schedule below (at the bottom of this post):
IMPORTANT: In accordance with Alberta Health Services and social distancing:

· If anyone in your family is ill, please do not come to the school. Student belongings will not leave the school and we can make arrangements at another time for you to come in when your family is healthy. We prefer to be cautious and not endanger the staff and their families.
· Only one parent, (no students will be allowed) is invited to come to the school at their designated time. Please make sure you know your child’s/children’s teacher’s name. Do not collect for any other families but your own.
· Ask your child the description of their indoor shoes.


This is not a time to socialize and catch up. We need you to be as efficient and quick as possible to help maximize the safety of everyone. We do request that you promptly collect your belongings, not engage in conversation and respect social distancing for your safety and that of our staff. (We don’t mean for this to be so quick and impersonal but health and safety is our number one priority).

Kindly follow the schedule below with the first letter of your child’s last name and enter through the glass doors by the parking lot (Grade One doors) and exit by the front doors on Sandarac Drive. We ask you to try to make it on Thursday/Tuesday and only come on Wednesday as an alternate.

SVS staff is working hard planning and organizing learning materials. We ask that you check your emails and our website Simons Valley School, as it can be translated into a variety of languages. Please feel free to contact us at the school at 403-777-6660 or email your child’s teacher. Although we have no idea when we will come out of this, if we stand by one another, we can somehow rise above it. After all, when this is all over, all that will really matter is how we treated each other.

Be Brave, Be Kind, Stay Positive,

Chris Snow, Principal
Gina Davidoff, Assistant Principal


Schedule:

Thursday, April 9^th, 2020 

Students with the last name A                              8:00am – 8:20am

Students with the last name A                              8:30am – 8:45am

Students with the last name B                              8:55am – 9:10am

Students with the last name C                              9:20am – 9:35am

Students with the last name D                              9:45am – 10:00am

Students with the last name E/F                          10:10am – 10:25am

Students with the last name G                             10:35am – 10:50am

Students with the last name H-I                           11:00am – 11:15am

Students with the last name J/K                           11:25am – 11:40am

Students with the last name L                              11:50am – 12:05pm

Tuesday, April 14^th, 2020

Students with the last name M                              8:30am-8:45am   

Students with the last name N/O                           8:55am-9:10am

Students with the last name P/R                           9:20am-9:35am

Students with the last name S                               9:45am-10:00am

                                                                              10:10am-10:25am

Students with the last name T/U                           10:35am – 10:50am                               

Students with the last name V                               11:00am – 11:15am

Students with the last name W-Z                           11:25 am – 11:40 pm

Alternate Only: Wednesday April 15th

Students with the last name W-Z                          8:30am – 8:45am

Students with the last name V                               8:55am – 9:10am

Students with the last name T/U                           9:20am – 9:35am                                    

Students with the last name S                               9:45am – 10:00am

                                                                              10:10am – 10:25am             

Students with the last name P/R                           10:35am – 10:50am             

Students with the last name N/O                           11:00am – 11:15am                               

Students with the last name M                              11:25am – 11:40am                               

Students with the last name L                               11:50am – 12:05pm                               

Students with the last name J/K                            12:15pm – 12:30pm                               

Students with the last name H-I                             12:40pm – 12:55pm                               

Students with the last name G                                1:05pm – 1:20pm                  

Students with the last name E/F                             1:30pm – 1:45pm

Students with the last name D                                1:55pm – 2:10 pm                 

Students with the last name C                                2:20 pm – 2:35pm                                   

Students with the last name B                                2:45pm – 3:00pm

Students with the last name A                                3:10pm – 3:25pm

                       

4C Update Thursday April 2nd

Today’s assignment

Log onto Quill (all students should have an account) and complete one of the lessons assigned. This program focuses on practicing typing skills, grammar, and sentence structure practice. We would like students to get in the habit of completing 2-3 Quill lessons per week.

Link to access Quill: https://www.quill.org/
Go to log in. Students should be able to log in with their google account information.
If you need the classroom code it is: flag-rice

All assignments are in our Grade 4 Classroom on Google Classroom. Please have your child check their school Gmail for the links to connect to our class.

4C Update Wednesday April 1st

Hello Everyone!

I am not assigning any new work today as there is a large number of students who have not yet completed the things that I have already assigned. If your child has not completed their Flipgrid video, it would be grand if they could do that asap.

Also, going forward, we will be using Google Classroom as our online learning program. Please have your students check their Gmail for 3 invitations to join their Google classrooms (Homeroom, Physical Education and Music). By accepting the invitations they will be able to access all information and future assignments. Please try to do this as soon as possible making sure that this is done by Friday, April 3rd. If your child is unsure of their google account please email me at rddewald@cbe.ab.ca.

An email was also sent today with important information regarding Google classrooms. Please make sure to read the attached document.