The Homepage of Mrs. Goosen
As the rainy season begins, we want to remind parents that students will head outdoors for recess, even in the rain. It is crucial that students are dressed appropriately for all types of weather. We kindly request that you ensure your child comes to school prepared with the necessary attire to stay dry and comfortable during rainy days.
Thank you!
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend! Below are some announcements and photos from our hike…
Lindeman Lake Hike: We had a lovely day on Wednesday – it’s always fun to get out in nature and enjoy God’s amazing creation! Thank you to the parents who joined us! I have photos below.
Provinces, Territories & Oceans Quiz on Thursday: Your child brought home a study guide for the quiz this Thursday. The quiz will be a map of Canada and they will need to fill in the provinces, territories and oceans. There will also be a word bank at the bottom.
School Store: On Friday students will be paying rent for their desks, getting paid their salaries and then have an opportunity to take their earnings and do some shopping! Thank you for all of the goodies you sent in this week as we have lots of treats for our store. If you did not get a chance to send something in, please still do so!
Social Studies Unit & Help Needed: This week we are starting our next Social Studies unit on Discriminatory Policies in Canada. The big idea of this unit is Canada’s policies for and treatment of minority peoples have negative and positive legacies. We are looking at this unit through a lens called ‘Biblical throughlines’ – essentially it’s a Biblical theme that holds this unit together. We are using the throughline of Justice-Seeking, which looks at how students will act as agents of change by identifying and responding to injustices. Based on what we are learning about Canada’s past, how will this shape how we live NOW and in the future? Our theme verse for this unit is Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
The first people group we are look at are the Indigenous people of Canada and the impact of the Indian Act and residential schools. We will use a variety of picture books to help shape our learning. One of the books we will first use is called Shi-Shi-Etko, which is a story of a young girl who is preparing to leave for the residential school. She has a ‘memory pouch’, where she puts in items that are important to her and will help her remember her home.
We will be testing our hand sewing techniques and also be making memory pouches. I fear doing this on my own will be a disaster 🤣 and would love some help! If you are able to come and volunteer some time, I’d really appreciate it! The dates I would LOVE some help are: Wednesday, October 4th from 1:45 – 2:45 & Thursday, October 5th from 12:45 – 2:00. Please email me at pgoosen@highroadacademy.com if you are able to help, or chat with me after school. Thank you!
September & October Calendar
Friday, September 29th – Orange Shirt Day
Monday, October 2nd – Truth & Reconciliation Day (no school)
Monday, October 9th – Thanksgiving Monday (no school)
Wednesday, October 11th – Fall Colour Dress Up
Friday, October 20th – Pro D Day (no school)
Tuesday, October 31st – Crazy Hair Day
Enjoy the photos…
Just a friendly reminder…
Parking Lot Information:
Please ensure that you always follow the procedures for parking lot safety while using the Highroad Academy parking lot.
Thank you!
We had a great first FULL week of school! Mrs. Shortridge and I are feeling pretty thankful for the amazing group of students we have this year! It was also lovely to see so many families at the BBQ on Wednesday – if you joined us, I hope your family had a great time!
Here are some announcements and things coming up:
After-School Duty: We would like to remind everyone that our staff will be supervising the playground until 3:00. With the sunny weather, we have noticed an increase in the number of children and parents using the playground after school. At 3:00, our duty teachers will blow the whistle, signalling that ALL children need to leave the bark mulch and join their parents. For students without parents present, they will be directed to the lobby. Once the duty teachers blow their whistle three times, students who are with their parents can return to the playground. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring the safety and well-being of all our students.
Terry Fox Run: On Wednesday, the day of the Terry Fox Run, our class will be at Lindeman Lake. We will do our run on Thursday instead. We are asking all students to bring a “Toonie for Terry”.
Class Economy Treats: Our first class store is coming up in a couple of weeks and we are looking to fill our baskets with goodies for the students. I will add a few items but cannot fund the store alone. Please consider buying a bag of Halloween treats, chips, or going through your old toys, games, crafts and other items your kids don’t use anymore. Thank you!
Lindeman Lake Field Trip: We look forward to our hike on Wednesday. We plan to leave the school at 9:45 and be back by 2:30. If you would like to join us then please meet us at the trailhead by 10:30. Students should pack a bag lunch, bring a backpack, wear casual clothes and running shoes. NO SANDALS, please.
September Calendar
Wednesday, September 20th – Welcome Back BBQ
Thursday, September 21st – Terry Fox Run (for our class)
Friday, September 29th – Orange Shirt Day
Monday, October 2nd – Truth & Reconciliation Day (no school)
Have a great weekend!
Week one is in the books! It was sooooo lovely to meet this class of amazing students. Mrs. Shortridge and I are very excited to spend the year teaching them and learning together!
Each week we will send a blog update (usually on the weekend) and you’ll notice that they will follow a very similar format. I will often give you a snapshot of what we’ve been up to, let you know of any announcements or upcoming events, add a calendar of the month and I will try my best to add photos for you to enjoy.
Here’s a snapshot of what we did this week:
A Few Announcements & Things Coming Up:
Chromebook Acceptable Use: The IT department is asking each family to fill out an acceptable use policy for the chromebooks we use in our classroom. Please fill this out as soon as possible. http://link.highroadacademy.com/chromebook/
Welcome Back BBQ on Wednesday from 5:30 – 7:30
Individual Photos on Tuesday: On Tuesday students will be getting individual photos taken.
After School Supervision: Friendly reminder: Staff supervision is from 2:45-3:00 PM. Please pick up your students promptly after school as this allows staff to collaborate, continue planning and preparing, and engage in extracurricular activities. If your student has after-school athletics starting after 3:00 PM, please collect them at 3:00 PM and bring them back for their activity. Students with siblings participating in athletics must be picked up by 3:00 PM as coaches cannot supervise additional students. Thank you for your cooperation.
Reading Challenge: We have started a ‘reading challenge’ in our classroom. I have challenged the students to a game of ‘beat the teacher’. Students have until October 10th to read as many chapter books as possible. For this first challenge I have allowed students to read graphic novels and any chapter books of their choosing. On October 10th we will reveal how many books we have completed, and any student who has read more books than I have will win a slurpee! If your child completes a book at home, please put a quick note in their planner or on a piece of paper to verify it’s been read. I am asking students a question about the book to ensure they’ve read it – you are welcome to do the same!
Class Economy Treats: We are starting to collect treats for our classroom store. I have a couple of items purchased but the store is mainly stocked by families. As Halloween treats are out right now, a box of some treat would be very appreciated. Many students go through their toys and find things they don’t use anymore – those make great store items (books, stickers, small stuffies, craft items etc.). Any donations will be greatly appreciated.
Lindeman Lake Field Trip: On Wednesday, September 20th the Grade 5 & 6 classes will be heading to Lindeman Lake. We plan to leave the school at 9:45 and be back by 2:30. If you would like to join us then please meet us at the trailhead by 10:30. Students should pack a bag lunch and bring a backpack.
School Supplies: We have some missing school supplies, including Bibles. Please have all supplies at school by next Friday.
PE:. We have PE last block on Fridays and students are wearing their knight’s gear. We have decided they will NOT change for PE on Fridays and will stay in their knight’s wear.
September Calendar
Tuesday, Sept 12th – School photos
Wednesday, September 13th – Welcome Back BBQ
Friday, September 29th – Orange Shirt Day
Monday, October 2nd – Truth & Reconciliation Day (no school)
First Week Video…enjoy!
The first day of school we talked about first day of school worries or anxieties. Our verse for the day of Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” We then wrote down things we may be worried about on a piece of paper, prayed over our worries, ripped them up and put them into a jar. We then each took some ‘worry confetti’ and tossed it into the year, claiming a ‘happy school year’.
A few photos from this week:
Welcome to the Grade 5 class blog. We are so excited to be starting a new year with you and look forward to getting to know you and your family.
On the first day of school, a letter has been sent home to parents. It will be one of the last paper newsletters that you will see. All class information, notifications, assignments, important dates, etc will be posted here during the year.
I will subscribe you to the class blog. You will receive an email to confirm the subscription and then every time I make a new post it will come straight to your inbox. I am looking forward to a great year together!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Goosen & Mrs. Shortridge