Thank you also for all the thoughtful gifts and words for Christmas.  My cards from you are displayed in my dining room.  Enjoy the next few days...

MRS. PIRODDI finished the puzzle...with some pieces missing.  It was challenging and I persevered.
I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and looking forward to the NEW YEAR 2017 with all of you.

Few Reminders:

Christmas Concert

Thursday Dec. 15th 1:00pm (doors open at 12:30pm) and 6:00pm (Doors open at 5:30pm). Students need to be at the school by 5:30pm in their classrooms. 
Pick up after the concert will also be in their classrooms.  
Please wear all BLACK with a accent of blue.  

Report Cards

Coming home Wednesday, Dec. 14th.
Please sign and return the envelope

Friday

Hot Lunch forms are due

PJ day

Secret Santa Gift Due

Spelling TEST

Homework over the holidays

- Book Review- Due Monday, Jan. 3rd
- Money Booklet- Review and fun over the holidays- not due
- Think about Goals you want to achieve in the new year.

Updates for next week...

Christmas Hamper

- our box is very full so thank you so much for your donations

- items are due Dec. 13th

- we still need potatoes, pudding, oranges, apples, Christmas Cake, candy and chocolate, mixed nuts.

Overlander Residential Care Visit

- I was so proud of all our students today.  We sang in front of all the seniors, played bingo and then gave our cards and letters to a special someone we connected with.  Some of the conversations and interactions I saw were incredible.  Our students received as much as they gave.  Truly a joy to witness!

- We will hopefully here back from them and may go for another visit in the spring.

Christmas Concert

- December 15th 1:00pm and 6:00pm

- Students are to be at classrooms around 5:30pm for the evening show.  Pick up students at classroom when show is over.

- wear ALL BLACK with a bit of Blue accent (hair band, tie, socks, scarf)

Secret Santa

-Students chose names the other day for a "Secret Santa" gift exchange.  This gift can consist of a maximum $5 purchase, something made, or a "white elephant gift" (an item that you own that you no longer need or use and is in good condition) 

- students may bring gifts in and put gifts under our Charlie Brown tree up to Dec. 16th.  Please keep this a secret so only put who the gift is to and not who its from.

- we will be exchanging gifts on Dec. 16th

Report Cards- out next week

PJ Day and party?- Dec. 16th

- students are welcome to bring a snack in to share (as healthy as possible)

Updates this week:

Wednesday, Dec. 7th

- Festive day- wear something festive (santa hat, Christmas sweater, Christmas socks, etc)
- Pictures with Santa- $1.50 and email address (put on by Ms. Alpaugh's class for Christmas amalgamated) pictures will be sent to you by email.

- Please hand in field trip forms and $2 for bus.

Thursday, Dec. 8th

- Pre-order   $1 for Bannock
- Field Trip to Overlander Residential Care from 10am-12pm

Friday, Dec. 9th

- Bannock for Pod 2

Spelling words for Dec. 2nd - 16th

herd, heard, clothes, close, hour, our, two, too, their, there, ceiling, sealing, shoot, chute, strait, straight, medal, meddle

Classroom News

It's that time of year again...


12 days of Random Acts of Kindness
Every day up until break the students are expected to participate in the daily random act of kindness.  Today was contributing to our Christmas Hamper (form sent home).  In return I will be kind to them either with a gift (eg. books) or an activity (computer time).  Please ask what they did today and days to follow, as their act of kindness to hold them accountable for their positive actions.

Adopt a Grandparent 
We have been asked by a parent to be part of the "Adopt a Grandparent" Program at Overlander Residential Care.  The students are writing letters and cards to them which will be delivered late this week and we will then visit them next week to play games and sing some songs.  We are hoping to go on Thursday around 10am.  Would any parents be willing to drive?  Otherwise I have to book a bus which costs money.  I would need about 8-10 drivers.  please email me if you are interested. spiroddi@sd73.bc.ca

Secret Santa
Students have been asking to exchange gifts with each other.  Last year my class participated in an secret Santa exchange and it went well.  The students choose a student's name out of a hat and keep it secret of who they have.  Over the next couple weeks they have to figure out what the perfect gift would be for them.  The limit is $5 or a "White Elephant" gift (which is something a student already owns, that is in good condition but does not use it or play with it anymore). Please let me know if you have concerns with this idea.


BRR...its Winter
Please make sure students are wearing appropriate clothing for the cold (Winter jacket, mittens and toques).  The snow will be here before we know it.

Dates to Remember

December 5th

- Pro-D Day (NO SCHOOL)

December 7th

 - Festive Day (wear anything festive...santa hats, Christmas sweater, elf socks...)
- Photos with Santa $1.50 by Ms. Alpaugh's Gr. 6 class for Christmas Amalgamated.  Form went home today.  Please return with your email address and photo will be sent to your email.

December 15th

- KSA Christmas Concert 1pm and 6pm in the gym.  Students are to wear all black and a splash of blue (eg. tie, hair accessory, scarf, etc.)
- Handmade cards and Candy for sale by Ms. Alpaugh's Gr. 6 class for Christmas Amalgamated. Cards $3 and candy $1.

December 16th

- Hot lunch forms due
- PJ Day and last day before winter break

KSA Door Decorating Contest

 The class voted on some ideas to decorate our door today.  They would like to outline our door as an igloo and have one as a penguin and the other snowmen.  If you could donate any kind of Styrofoam or small shoeboxes (that can be covered in white paper) that would be great!!!

AGENDAS

Please remind students to bring agendas every day as we use them as a communication tool.

SPELLING

Spelling words are a constant part of our daily schedule.  With a new list we copy the words out two times, go over the theme or concept we are learning about (eg. tion, sion, ian), complete a couple of worksheets, play a game as a class, incorporate the words in our journals or other LA activities, and study with a partner.  

I also allow them 2 weeks to study at home.  This should be a nightly routine.  Go over the words with your child either a few a night, ask orally, write them down, play a game (like pictionary, or hang man), and go over the theme or concept by looking for patterns. 

I want your child to feel successful at this.  This weeks results were lower than usual.  I need your support at home. 

If you are needing a copy of the words I post them on the blog site and a list will be sent home in the agenda.  

FIELD TRIP to Big Little Science Centre

We are heading to the BLSC on Thursday, November 24th on the bus for the morning.  Please hand in your permission slips and $3 by Monday.  Any parents are welcome to come along. Let me know if you would like to join us.

SPELLING- November 21st - Dec. 2nd

cleaner, cleanest, bigger, biggest, earlier, earliest, quicker, quickest, busier, busiest, rougher, roughest, heavier, heaviest, happier, happiest, lazier, laziest

Attendance on Friday

I just wanted to apologize for Friday's attendance if you had calls saying your son or daughter was away when in fact they were present at the school.  I know it can be a big worry.  Hopefully they have worked out the glitch in the system and this will not happen again.

Wacky Hat Day

Thursday November 17th.  

A pizza party can be won with the class who participates the most.  

Hat must include something more than a toque or baseball cap.

FOOD =  ENERGY = BRAIN POWER = LEARNING

* Hot Lunch Program - now comes to me with cash or cheque (payable to KSA) and I will keep a master list of who gets hot lunch on chosen days.  If for some reason the hot lunch does not get delivered on the chosen day please let the lunch monitor/office know and there will be extras available. 

* SNACKS/LUNCHES- please pack enough food to give your child enough energy to last til the end of the school day. If for some reason they do feel hungry or do not have enough food I keep a stash of snacks in my room to support this.  Students may ask if they feel they need more. 

Please go over this with your child as I need my Grade 4's ready to learn, be active, have energy and be positive and happy. 

Remembrance Day

- No school on Friday, Nov. 11

- Thursday, Nov. 10th, 10:30am Remembrance Day Assembly
POD 2 is performing.  Please wear all black

Spelling words for Nov. 7th-18th

action, fiction, mission, divide, division, attend, attention, pollute, pollution, express, expression, educate, education, music, musician, magic, magician, physician

Monday, October 31st

- students may wear a costume that allows for movement and a safe space for others. No weapons, no masks, and no clowns.  Please also be aware that costumes could come home with some wear and tear.

- We will celebrate throughout the day with fun activities.  If you wish to bring a snack to share please make it as healthy as possible as we know students will be receiving sweet treats throughout the day.  We have been focusing on monsters with our writing, music and other activities.  A monster snack would be fun to bring. Let me know if you wish to contribute.

- Our Leadership Program is asking to bring in an item for the food bank in exchange for a treat. Your child may wish to participate in this.

Photo Retakes

If you were not happy with the first picture or were away for our picture day retakes are:

November 1st

SPELLING LIST OCT. 28-NOV.4

ght sounds

frighten, flight, brighten, flashlight, mighty, delight, tighten, nightly, brought, ought, thought, fought, sight, caught, daughter, taught, naughty, fault

Spelling

Remember to keep studying those spelling words!!!

Recipes

Anyone not handed in a family recipe for our cookbook...please do it ASAP as we are putting together the books this week.:)

Pom Pom Celebration

Over the past 6 weeks students have been earning pompoms for working as a team, following expectations and working hard.  We earned a total of 27 (same number as the class)!!! Thursday we will celebrate this by a PJ day (students may bring one stuffie) and I will be bringing in a snack (treat).

 Way to Go Grade 4's!

Spelling List for October 17th-28th

- Theme is Past and Present tense and ROOT words

lived, living, rattled, rattling, studied, studying, traveled, traveling, changed, changing, appeared, appearing, raced, racing, hoped, hoping, wrapped, wrapping

Test will be on October 28th.

October Updates

Spelling

- Spelling lists were sent home on Friday (orange).  If students find the words too difficult they have two weeks to study or they can shorten the list down to 10 words. The spelling test will be in two weeks (October 28th)

Social Studies- My Culture

We are finishing up our typed paragraphs about ourselves and will be starting to put our poster together.  Please send pictures of themselves for the poster.  They will be returned when the posters go home. Also for those who did not hand in their family/culture recipe please do so asap so we can put together our recipe book.

Mini-monster theme

The next few weeks we will be writing stories, making "reading strategies" bookmarks, learning the song and dance of "monster mash", and celebrate with a monster Halloween Party all to a MONSTER THEME.

Halloween Party

We will celebrate on Monday, October 31st with a "Monster" Party.  There will be games, dances, and some food.  If you wish to contribute a snack please try and make it as healthy as possible.  If your child chooses to dress up there are a few guidelines...no masks, weapons or costumes that distract them from learning or moving (eg. big fairy wings). Remember keep costumes simple and be aware there could be wear and tear.

 Math Time Quiz

Tomorrow is a math time Quiz.  All Time worksheets are coming home tonight.  Please review these concepts and students can finish the sheets if they wish.

Weekly Schedule

Tuesday- Dance & Drama Rotations

Wednesday- Library and PE

Thursday- Music & Art Rotations
                   - Popcorn Day (bring a $1)
Friday- Choir

Reminders...

*Spelling test on Friday (conjunctions) See List below

* Math unit on Time will be coming to an end on Friday with a quiz.

        Quiz on:

•  telling time
• 24 hour clock 
• roman numerals on the clock
• how much time has elapsed (gone by)

Please review these concepts at home.

* Culture Poster

We are currently creating posters on ourselves.  Looking at culture, lifestyle, traditions and family.  We are using the computer to type our information and then we will be creating posters using pictures and photos.  These will be displayed above our lockers for a few weeks.

At home please:

• discuss your culture 
• choose photos or pictures that could be used to display on the poster (will be returned when poster is taken home)
• If you have a computer practise word document skills so students become more familiar with using it

Those not handed in their Family Recipe please do so asap so we can complete our Class Recipe Book.

Popcorn Day

Every Thursday!!!
$1.00 a bag

Safe Arrival Program- Student absence reporting

To report your child's absence please call this toll free number before 8:30am

1-844-350-2647

or 

ktsd.schoolconnects.com

In order for your child's safety and you not getting a worried call please do not just let me (Mrs. Piroddi) know of the absence but contact this number or website.

Spelling List Week of October 03-14

didn't, that's, they're, you're, couldn't, haven't, o'clock, we're, isn't, I'm, it's, who's, they'd, could've, you'll, don't, aren't- All Contractions

2 weeks to study!!!

Wacky/Crazy Hair Day

This Friday, October 7th is wacky hair day.  Wear your hair as crazy as you can or a wig.  

Open House & Parent Teacher Interviews

Tuesday, October 4th OPEN HOUSE

Early Dismissal 12:30pm

Mrs. Piroddi's Open House - 1:00pm- 3:00pm
Opportunity to grab a map and explore the school, meet the teacher and have your child show you around the classroom and tell you what he/she has been learning.

Wednesday, October 5th P/T Interviews

Early Dismissal 12:30pm

If you have concerns or questions or anything you need to discuss with me please contact me via email (spiroddi@sd73.bc.ca) and we can set up a time.  I will be contacting some of you to request an interview.

20 minute slots from 1:00pm- 4:20pm

Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day is Friday, September 30th.  Please wear an Orange Shirt. 

Why Orange Shirts?

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, in the spring of 2013.  It grew out of Phyllis' story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.

The date was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year.  It also gives teachers time to plan events that will include children, as we want to ensure that we are passing the story and learning on to the next generations.

Orange Shirt Day is also an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

Terry Fox Run

The Terry Fox Run will take place Thursday, September 29th, just before lunch.  Please have students come in appropriate clothes to participate fully.

Spelling!

It was a great first spelling test today.  Most put in their best effort and tried their best.  If your child is struggling with the words do not hesitate to contact me and we can cut the list down to 10 words or provide an alternate list.  I want them to feel successful and overall improve in their spelling when writing.

Here is the new list...

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, January, February, July, August, September, November, month, year, holiday, autumn, season, calendar, second, minute.

Only 18 words this week.  Please go over the list nightly.  Either spelling orally or in written form.

Picture Day...

Tuesday, September 27th

Forms went home today.  Please let me know if you did not receive one. 
This year please bring form filled out with payment.  All students will get their picture taken but only those who bring form and payment will receive a package of photos.

SPELLING TEST TOMORROW, THURSDAY.  See List Below...

Notices coming home...

- New Lunch program forms for October

- Scholastic flyers - do not feel pressured to purchase however, it helps me to purchase supplies and resources for the classroom. They are due September 30th.

-  Social Studies handouts to fill out:
   1. Household culture- please fill in the boxes with your child and return
   2. My Family Recipe- think of a special or traditional recipe that your family       makes and write it out.  Please contribute one as it will be going towards a class recipe book.

Reminders

Library- Wednesdays

Gym - Wednesdays and Fridays

This week Gym will be Wednesday and Thursday

No School this Friday, September 23rd- PRO-D DAY

Thursday is Colour Day- Wear Blue and Green!

Strings Program information and form went home today

Spelling

Here is the list for the week of September 16-22:

about, awesome, because, beautiful, cousins, friends, great, important, minutes, pictures, school, stayed, their, there,they, visited, where, when, were, went (20 total)

Check out what is happening at the library for the fall for TWEENS.

Social Studies on Culture

We are starting a unit on Culture.  Please have some conversations with your child on cultural in Canada and your own family culture and traditions.  Culture is a wide topic.  It can be defined as beliefs/values, food, music, arts/crafts, objects, clothing, way of life and traditions. Students will be brainstorming their own culture and presenting this in poster form.  It would be great to include pictures (photos and/or magazines) from home.  Please support and help your child discuss this topic and gather information.

Spelling 

Weekly spelling lists will be sent home on Fridays.  Each list will either be words we need to work from our journal writes or themed by suffixes, prefixes, contractions, etc.  We will work throughout the week with these words with games, writing, reading, etc. On the following Friday we will have a test on the words.  If you can work with your child on these words at home that would be helpful.  I will post the list on the blog tomorrow. 

Lunch Program

I signed my girls up for this program yesterday.  It is going to save me some time in the evenings :) It is optional but covenient as the meals are delivered to the classroom.  You will still need to provide snack.  As of now there is no vegetarian program.
If you are interested please fill up the top portion and return it to the canteen (not to me) with cash or pay debit for the month.  This will have to be done every month.  It says "Dates on program"...please fill out the specific dates your child will be having lunch on the program.  You keep the bottom portion for reference.

I hope this helps clarify.

Dates to Remember

Friday, September 23rd- Pro-D Day - NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, September 27th- Picture Day :)

Forms

Agendas were handed out to those students who paid their school fees.  They are due by September 30th.

Please hand in the blue information form asap.

Fruits and Veggie program permission forms will be coming home tomorrow.  Please sign and return as we would like all students to be able to partake in free fruits and veggies throughout the year.

KSA is offering a lunch program.  That form will be coming home tomorrow as well.  Please read over and decide if you would like your child to sign up for this program.

Exercise balls

Exercise balls are allowed as an alternative seat, provided by the student.  If at any time the exercise balls become a distraction or unsafe they will be removed.

Kleenex boxes needed

We are approaching that time of year of flus and colds. Please contribute a kleenex box for the class.

Welcome to KSA Grade 4 with Mrs. Piroddi. 

This blog spot's purpose is to keep you posted with reminders and information about KSA and our classroom.  I will also be putting up useful sites on topics we are studying and weekly spelling lists.  Once signed up through email you will be sent an email that I have updated the blog and you can always come back to reference the site

 at any time.

I am excited for new beginnings and the new school year.  Please don't hesitate to contact me through email, by phone or in person.