Even though the day has now passed, I haven’t forgot one of my favorite days of the year and I am so looking forward to our Star Wars day tomorrow! In celebration, here are some things I have found scattered around the universe!
It’s finally here!!!!
What If Dr. Seuss Wrote Star Wars!
Here is a fun Star Wars video I found made entirely out of paper!
Finally, here is a great lego stop motion of one of my favorite scenes from The Empire Strikes Back along with a bunch of great Star Wars videos!
April went by in a flash and May looks to be going the same way! More importantly, I hope you enjoyed Star Wars day yesterday. You can see below that my family was out enjoying the day with our friends, the Nelson’s, who also love getting into the spirit of the day!
I have some important updates and reminders for you as we head into the latter part of the school year. Please take note of the following:
Spring Sing Attire – May 16th: Spring Sing is just around the corner on May 16th at 1:30 pm. For this special event, we kindly ask that students wear jeans, shorts, or dresses (please ensure dresses are mindful of length, especially if singing from a microphone). T-shirts should be brightly colored in spring tones, think of the colors of flowers. Solid colors are preferred, with no large logos. Boys are welcome to wear suits if they wish. Please avoid tracksuits or sweatshirts.
Star Wars Day – Tomorrow: Tomorrow is Star Wars Day! Students are encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero (real or made-up) or Star Wars character. Those who prefer not to dress up can wear their uniforms. Please remember, no fake weapons are allowed.
Bible Memory Verse – Psalm 95:5: This week’s Bible Memory Verse is Psalm 95:5. This verse reminds us of God’s greatness and the wonders of His creation. It teaches us to approach God with reverence and awe, recognizing His power and majesty.
Track Meet Recap: Our recent track meet was a tremendous success! We want to thank all the students who represented Highroad Academy so well. It was a fantastic day, and we are grateful for the beautiful weather (though some of us are nursing a bit of sunburn!).
Upcoming Events:
May 17th – PD Day: Please note that May 17th is a Professional Development (PD) Day, and there will be no classes for students.
May 27th – Art Gala: Our annual Art Gala will take place on May 27th. More details will be provided closer to the date.
June 19th – Grades 4-6 Cultus Lake Waterslides: We’re excited to announce a fun day at Cultus Lake Waterslides for Grades 4-6 on June 19th. Permission forms will be sent home soon.
June 20th – Last Day of School & Half Day: The last day of school is June 20th, and it will be a half day for students. More details about end-of-year activities will be shared as we get closer to the date.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community.
Exciting times are ahead with several fun and important events coming up for our students. Here’s what you need to know:
Bake Sale – Tuesday: We are thrilled to announce that the Kindness Crew will be hosting a bake sale supporting the library on Tuesday. All items will be priced at $1, and students will have the opportunity to purchase goodies throughout the day. If you’re planning to contribute treats, please drop them off in the lobby before school. For those bringing trays, please ensure your name is clearly labeled so we can return them to you. Thank you for your support!
Shorts Reminder: A friendly reminder for our girls that shorts worn on non-uniform days must be longer than the tips of their fingers when their arms are at their sides.
Bible Memory Verse – Psalm 95:4: “In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.” This verse reminds us of God’s sovereignty over all creation. It teaches us that we can trust in God’s power and wisdom, knowing that He holds everything in His hands.
Track Meet – Thursday: Our Track Meet is fast approaching! For those going on the bus, the bus/shuttle will be departing at approximately 7:00 am and returning around 3:45 pm, depending on traffic. Please ensure your child is prepared for the weather, as a little rain is expected. Students should bring hats, appropriate clothing, snacks and lunches, water bottles, and sunscreen. We are also still looking for helpers if you have some time to join us.
Star Wars Day – May 6: May the Force be with you! One of my favourite days of the year and one of the few times my wife allows me to wear my Star Wars outfit!! Star Wars Day is coming up on May 6, and we encourage students to come dressed as their favorite Star Wars or superhero character. Students should not bring plastic play weapons to school.
Poetry Unit – We are in the midst of our poetry unit learning to analyze poems and write a variety of free verse poems. Our latest poem was a type of free verse poetry called Pieces and Parts. Students wrote a noun, a verb and an adjective on one stickie each and posted them on the wall of the classroom. Once all the contributions were in, students were put into groups of 3 and challenged to use those words (plus additional prepositions, articles, adverbs and “to be” verbs) to create a poem that made sense. It was a a lot of fun seeing creativity at work! To help with the creativity, I brought in some cut up donuts (Pieces and Parts!) to enjoy. The completed “nonsense” poems were lots of fun to read! I have put some samples below:
One of the poems we read recently was a bit of a surprise to students. It was a heartwarming poem written by Kobe Bryant about his career in basketball. After reading the poem, the students all were a little choked up with the emotional depth of the poem especially after learning that he had written it before his death in a tragic accident. Using the poem, we worked re-reading the poem several times to look for words, phrases and anything we noticed about the style of the poem. Then we worked on analyzing who the narrator was and what we knew about the speaker, the setting of the poem and the mood the author was trying to convey. Finally we wrote a summary of the poem and an explanation of what the poet was trying to teach us and a picture showing what the poem looked like to us.
Here is a neat video I found of the poem:
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community.
There are lots of items to make note of this week:
Library Fundraisers: The Kindness Crew is thrilled to announce a bake sale on Tuesday, April 30th to support our library. All funds raised will go towards this wonderful cause, and our crew members will be busy creating posters and selling treats throughout the day. To ensure a variety of options, each crew member is asked to bring one dozen nut-free treats on the morning of April 30th. Your support is invaluable, and we are grateful for every contribution.
Jersey Day: On April 17th, we invite all students to wear their favorite team apparel with their casual outfits to school. It’s a fun way to show team spirit, celebrate sportsmanship and have fun! Only Oilers apparel will be allowed in my class. 🙂 (Just kidding!)
Intermediate Track and Field Event: May 2nd marks our annual Intermediate Track and Field event. All Intermediate students will participate in a day focused on individual improvement rather than competition against others. It’s a great opportunity for our students to challenge themselves and celebrate personal achievements.Permission forms have been sent home. Please have your child return them as soon as possible so we can ensure that we have everyone accounted for.
PD Day: Please note that April 26th is a Professional Development day for our staff, and there will be no school for students on this day.
Memory Verses: Our memory verse will be Psalm 95:2 – “Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” This verse reminds us to approach God with thanksgiving and to praise Him through music and song. How can our students incorporate this verse into their daily lives?
Grade 5 and 6 students can incorporate Psalm 95:2 into their daily lives in the following ways by reminding them to use some of the following in their every day lives:
Morning Gratitude: Start each day with a prayer of thanksgiving, acknowledging God’s blessings in their lives.
Prayer and Worship: Spend time in prayer and worship, using music and song to express their love and adoration for God.
Reflection: Remind them to think of things they are thankful for each day.
Acts of Kindness: Show gratitude to others through acts of kindness and generosity, reflecting God’s love.
Positive Attitude: Maintain a positive attitude, even in challenging situations, knowing that God is worthy of praise.
Sharing Their Faith: Share their faith with others through music and song, using their talents to extol God’s greatness.
Creating a Joyful Atmosphere: Create a joyful atmosphere in their homes and classrooms, spreading happiness and positivity.
Parent Info Night Information: Here is some information about the upcoming parent information evening.
I hope you had a fantastic Spring Break filled with rest and quality time spent with friends and family. As we return to school, I have some exciting updates and events to share with you.
Partial Eclipse Viewing: Today, we are looking forward to witnessing a very rare and exciting partial eclipse. However, to ensure the safety of our students, we have adjusted our schedules to reduce the chance of anyone attempting to view the eclipse without proper eyewear. Instead, we will be trying to live stream the event so students can safely enjoy this natural wonder. This has been a wonderful fit to our Space Science unit which we are nearing the end of. Here is some information about solar eclipses:
Here is a link to the live feed if you are looking to watch it yourself:
Worship Practice: Please not that there will be no worship practice this week. Instead, our Missions Team will be sharing about their recent missions trip. They will be recounting their experiences of spreading God’s word and aiding communities in need. It promises to be an inspiring presentation.
Library Fundraisers: We have two exciting fundraisers coming up for our school library. On April 10th, students can participate in “Pay to Wear Casual” day by donating $5 payable at the office. And on April 30th, we will be hosting a Bake Sale with each item priced at $1. Your support for these events is greatly appreciated.
Jersey Day: On April 17th, we invite all students to wear their favorite team apparel with their casual outfits to school. It’s a fun way to show team spirit, celebrate sportsmanship and have fun! Only Oilers apparel will be allowed in my class. 🙂 (Just kidding!)
Intermediate Track and Field Event: May 2nd marks our annual Intermediate Track and Field event. All Intermediate students will participate in a day focused on individual improvement rather than competition against others. It’s a great opportunity for our students to challenge themselves and celebrate personal achievements. Permission forms and more information will be sent home soon.
PD Day: Please note that April 26th is a Professional Development day for our staff, and there will be no school for students on this day.
Memory Verses: Tomorrow, students will recite the memory verse for the week, Psalm 95:1 – “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” This verse encourages us to find joy in our worship and praise to God. How can Grade 5 and 6 students apply this verse to their lives?
Grade 5 and 6 students can apply Psalm 95:1 to their lives in several meaningful ways:
Expressing Gratitude: Encouraging students to find joy in their hearts and express gratitude to God for the blessings in their lives.
Sharing Joy: Encouraging students to share their joy with others, spreading positivity and kindness.
Strengthening Faith: Using music and singing as a way to strengthen their faith and connection with God.
Celebrating Achievements: Celebrating their achievements and successes with joy, recognizing that God is the source of their strength.
Facing Challenges: Finding joy and strength in God during challenging times, knowing that He is their rock and salvation.
Unity and Fellowship: Coming together as a class or school community to sing and shout praises to God, fostering unity and fellowship.
Inspiring Others: Serving as an inspiration to others through their joyful and positive attitude, reflecting God’s love in their actions and words.
Next Memory Verse: Our next memory verse will be Psalm 95:2 – “Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” This verse reminds us to approach God with thanksgiving and to praise Him through music and song. How can our students incorporate this verse into their daily lives?
Grade 5 and 6 students can incorporate Psalm 95:2 into their daily lives in the following ways by reminding them to use some of the following in their every day lives:
Morning Gratitude: Start each day with a prayer of thanksgiving, acknowledging God’s blessings in their lives.
Prayer and Worship: Spend time in prayer and worship, using music and song to express their love and adoration for God.
Reflection: Remind them to think of things they are thankful for each day.
Acts of Kindness: Show gratitude to others through acts of kindness and generosity, reflecting God’s love.
Positive Attitude: Maintain a positive attitude, even in challenging situations, knowing that God is worthy of praise.
Sharing Their Faith: Share their faith with others through music and song, using their talents to extol God’s greatness.
Creating a Joyful Atmosphere: Create a joyful atmosphere in their homes and classrooms, spreading happiness and positivity.
I look forward to a wonderful term ahead filled with learning, growth, and meaningful experiences for our students. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community.
Our Pancake Breakfast on Thursday, March 14th will kick off at 7:45 AM, and we are looking forward to sharing a wonderful morning with our students before classes begin.
To make this event a success, we are kindly requesting your help. We are in need of parent volunteers to assist with cooking pancakes and providing griddles. If you are available to lend a hand, we would greatly appreciate your assistance starting at approximately 7:00 AM.
Please let us know if you are able to help by sending a quick email to me. Your support is invaluable to us, and we are grateful for your willingness to contribute to our school community.
We can’t wait to see you at the Pancake Breakfast!
As we continue to hurtle into the final stretch before spring break, I wanted to again remind you on some upcoming events and provide some notes on the completion of our novel study.
Class Party on Wednesday: We’ll be having a class party this Wednesday to celebrate the coming of Spring Break, bid farewell to one of our students, and mark the end of our novel study. It’s fairly soon after our last party, but it’s a special occasion that we didn’t want to miss! We would appreciate snacks being sent with the students to share. Just a reminder that any snacks should not contain nuts of any type.
Novel Study Movie – “Holes”: During our class party on Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be watching the movie version of the book we’ve been studying in our novel study, “Holes.” It’s been a fantastic book that fits perfectly into our curriculum, with its rich themes and intricate storytelling. The students have thoroughly enjoyed it, seeing the different threads of the story weaving together. If you’d like to learn more about the movie, you can read a review and find more information here. If you have any concerns about your child watching the movie, please feel free to pick them up that afternoon.
Pancake Breakfast on March 14: We’re also excited to announce that we’ll be having a pancake breakfast on March 14 from 7:45 to 8:30 in the gym. If any parents are available to help, we would greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide.
Storybook Character Dress-up Day: Don’t forget that our Storybook Character Dress-up Day is coming up on March 13. We can’t wait to see the creative costumes our students come up with!
Bible Memory Verse – Matthew 22:37-38: Starting Tuesday, our Bible memory verse for the week is Matthew 22:37-38: Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” This verse is incredibly important to the daily lives of our grade 5 and 6 students, reminding them to center their thoughts, emotions, and actions around their faith.
Last Day Before Spring Break – March 15: Lastly, please note that the last day before spring break is March 15, with early dismissal at 11:35.
We hope you and your children are looking forward to these upcoming events as much as we are. Thank you for your continued support, and we wish you all a restful and enjoyable spring break!
Exciting Events and Important Information for March!
As we approach the middle of March and look forward to the upcoming spring break, there are several exciting events and important information to share with you:
Class Photos: Please mark your calendars for class photos on March 6th. Make sure your child is dressed their best and ready to smile! The photo team are requesting that all students be wearing a school uniform hoodie, cardigan, or pullover. We will be outside – it may be cold. Our preference is to have navy on everyone in the photos if at all possible.
Pancake Breakfast: Intermediate students are welcome to join us for our annual delicious Pancake Breakfast on March 14th from 7:45 to 8:30 in the gym. It’s a great opportunity for the intermediates to enjoy a tasty meal and connect with teachers and other students. This is open to only intermediate students.
Math Mayhem: Calling all math enthusiasts! Our annual Math Mayhem, put on and developed by the High School math students will take place on March 5th from 6:30 to 8:00. It promises to be a fun and challenging event for our Grade 5 and 6 students. It will be taking place in our gym
Storybook Character Dress-up Day: Get ready to bring your favorite storybook characters to life on March 13th. Encourage your child to dress up as their favorite character and let their imagination soar! Students not wishing to dress up are welcome to wear their normal uniforms.
Bible Memory Verses: Tomorrow’s Bible Memory Verse is Matthew 22:36. This verse reminds us of the importance of loving others as ourselves, a valuable lesson for our students to apply in their daily lives.
Some topics to discuss and have students share to get their “extending” are:
Respect and Kindness: Encourages students to treat others with respect and kindness, recognizing the value and dignity of each person.
Empathy: Promotes empathy by encouraging students to consider the feelings and perspectives of others in their interactions.
Conflict Resolution: Provides a framework for resolving conflicts peacefully, emphasizing the importance of understanding and forgiveness.
Friendship: Guides students in building positive and supportive relationships with their peers, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Responsibility: Encourages students to take responsibility for their actions and words, understanding the impact they have on others.
Self-Reflection: Prompts students to reflect on their own attitudes and behaviors, striving to align them with the values of love and compassion.
After Tuesday, the Bible Memory Verse will be Matthew 22:37-38, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment,” is a verse that emphasizes the importance of loving God wholeheartedly. Here are some ways it is relevant to the daily lives of Grade 5 and 6 students:
Devotional Life: Encourages students to cultivate a personal relationship with God through prayer, Bible reading, and worship.
Values and Priorities: Helps students prioritize their relationship with God above all else, guiding their choices and decisions.
Attitude Towards Learning: Promotes a mindset of learning and growing in faith, understanding that education is a way to honor God with their minds.
Relationships: Encourages students to love others as an expression of their love for God, fostering positive and respectful relationships.
Gratitude and Contentment: Promotes gratitude for God’s blessings and contentment with what they have, reducing comparison and envy.
Integrity: Encourages honesty and integrity in all areas of life, recognizing that they are accountable to God for their actions.
Last Day before Spring Break: Please note that the last day before spring break is March 15th, with an early dismissal at 11:35. We hope this early start to the break allows for quality time with family and friends.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community.
As we dive into the heart of the school year, we want to take a moment to remind everyone about our school uniform policy. At Highroad Academy, we believe that a consistent dress code helps create a positive and focused learning environment for our students. We appreciate your support in ensuring that our students adhere to these guidelines.
Bottoms:
Navy kilt for girls (no shorter than two inches above the kneecap)
Solid black or navy-blue walking or bike shorts or leggings may be worn under the kilt
Navy walking shorts
Navy pants
Shirts:
White oxford shirt
White, navy or grey long or short sleeved golf shirt with Highroad Academy logo
Sweaters:
Navy cardigan with Highroad Academy logo
Navy crew neck sweatshirt with Highroad Academy logo
Navy zip up hooded sweatshirt with Highroad Academy logo
Belt:
Black belt with a standard buckle
Socks:
Black, white, grey, navy or a combination, no additional colors, patterns or pictures outside the color guidelines, tights permitted for girls.
Shoes:
Black, white, grey, brown or a combination, no additional colors, no patterns, no lights or animated pictures, non-marking soles, closed-in runners/shoes, 2” heel or less
Boots:
Black, white, brown, or grey ankle boots permitted: 2” heel or less
PE Uniform:
Black shorts with Highroad Academy grey logo
Grey t-shirt with Highroad Academy black logo
Black dry-fit shirt with Highroad Academy grey logo
Gym runners: non-marking soles, closed-in
Black sweatpants (optional PE item)
We understand that keeping up with uniform requirements can sometimes be challenging, but your efforts in ensuring your child is in the correct attire are greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or need clarification on any aspect of the uniform policy, please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself or Pam Goosen.
