Beyond The Desk

It’s been a busy few weeks here in Grade 6. With me being away for a few days and report cards coming, it’s been hard to keep up with everything – one of those being the blog update. So here we go…..

As we step into December, our grade 6 class is buzzing with excitement! Here are some important updates and reminders for the week ahead:

1. First Skating Day – This Thursday!

This Thursday, we’ll lace up our skates for our first skating outing of the season! Please ensure your child comes to school with:

• Skates
• A helmet (mandatory for safety)
• Warm clothing (e.g., gloves, scarf, hat)
• Those students who needed skates, and indicated that on the form, will line up at the arena when we arrive.

If you signed up to help, please meet us at the arena. Of course, you are welcome to join us skating too if you like!

2. Festive Classroom Decorating Tomorrow

We’re transforming our classroom into a winter wonderland tomorrow! If you have any unused Christmas decorations at home that you’re not using this year, we’d love for you to send them in with your child. From ornaments to garlands, anything festive will help us create a magical space.

3. Hot Chocolate Celebration – BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug!)

To kick off the holiday spirit, students are invited to bring their own mug tomorrow to enjoy some cozy hot chocolate. This will be a lovely way to warm up while we decorate and celebrate together!

4. Sock Drive for the Homeless – A New Tradition

After reading an eye-opening article in our class last year about the challenges faced by the homeless in Nova Scotia, especially the need for dry socks, we started a sock drive—and the results were amazing! Our class collected nearly 200 pairs of socks, and we’re proud to continue this meaningful tradition this year in our classroom.

This year, students have designed stickers to hand out in exchange for donated socks. Starting Wednesday, December 4th, and running until December 17th, we’ll be accepting donations of new or lightly used, clean socks of all types (adult, child, warm, everyday).

We encourage students to ask family and friends to contribute. The stickers they’ve created are a fun way to thank our generous donors and spread the word about this important cause.

We’ll be printing the stickers tomorrow, and your child will bring some home to start sharing with family and friends.

Thank you for your support in making December a joyful, memorable, and giving time for our students. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Does it feel to soon to be talking about Christmas? And yet we have so many things coming up that we want to share!

HRA Giving Campaign

Every year, we run a month-long Christmas giving focus at HRA, and this begins today, Monday, November 18 for 2024!

There are THREE ways for our community to get involved in our MIT campaign. The first two are ways to give and the third is a service focus.

1. Starting today, there will be a Salvation Army kettle at the office for donations, as well as bins for collecting new or gently used items. The items include anything that could be helpful for someone who is unhoused: winter wear items like tuques, gloves, scarves, as well as personal items like toothbrushes, soap, and the like.
2. People can also give non-perishable food or cash donations, as we know that the buying power of the Food Bank is much better than our own which is why they ask us to prioritize cash – – still, all donations are gratefully received. We’re excited to see what God will do through this year’s giving efforts.
3. New this year is a more intentional focus on giving of our time in service to others. Each teacher will have a collection of paper mittens/mits, and every time a student gives at least 30 minutes serving someone else through a personal, family, church, or other activity, they get to fill out a mitt, to put on the bulletin board near the vending machine.

Chapel this week:

Wonder Novel Study

Dear Grade 6 Parents,

I hope this message finds you well! I have several important and exciting updates to share with you regarding the activities and events in the upcoming days and weeks.

1. Chapel This Week:
Once again, we have a wonderful groups of students sharing their musical abilities in worship this Wednesday:

• Percussion: Elliot
• Drums: Scott
• Bass: Kyara
• Guitar: Nathan
• Electric Guitar: David
• Vocals: Kaiya, Rebecca, Shiloh, and Mrs. van Santen
• Stage Manager: Elora
• Keys: Danna, Alexis
• Tech Team: Evan, Maddox
• FOH (Front of House): Jordan, McKenna, Liliana
• Door Greeters: Thomas, Emilie

I am so proud of the hard work and dedication our students have put into making our chapels special.

2. Space Day (November 13th):
Get ready for an out-of-this-world event! This Wednesday, November 13th, we are excited to celebrate Space Day with a special Space Dress-Up Day. Students are encouraged to come to school dressed as astronauts, planets, rocket ships, or any other space-themed characters. This fun day is all about sparking creativity and a love for exploring the universe. Whether they choose to rock a space suit, transform into their favorite planet, or design a colorful rocket ship costume, we can’t wait to see their imaginative outfits!

3. Student-Led Devotions:
I’m delighted that our Student-Led Devotions have been such meaningful experience for everyone. So far, two students have led devotions, providing opportunities for personal growth and inspiring their peers. These moments have been powerful for both those leading and those listening. I am looking forward to seeing more students take the lead in the coming weeks!

4. Novel Study Launch:
This week, we are beginning our first major novel study! Last Friday’s Empathy Walk provided a thought-provoking start, helping students put themselves in others’ shoes and laying the groundwork for our upcoming literature exploration. Today, students will be bringing home detailed information about the novel study, expectations for reading at home, and ways you can support your child’s reading journey. Please take a moment to review this with them to help make this a successful and enriching experience.

5. Memory Verse Reminder:
Tomorrow, students will share Romans 12:12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” This verse has been a source of inspiration in our class discussions. Here are five ways this verse impacts students in their lives:

• Promotes Positivity: Encourages maintaining a hopeful outlook, even when faced with challenges.
• Fosters Patience: Reminds them to remain calm and persistent during difficult times.
• Supports Resilience: Helps them understand the value of enduring hardship.
• Builds Faith: Encourages a deeper commitment to prayer and reflection.
• Strengthens Community: Inspires them to support and uplift one another through shared experiences.

Please remind your child to review and reflect on this verse as they prepare to share it.

6. Skating Forms Reminder:
If you haven’t already, please return the skating permission forms and any associated payment as soon as possible. This helps us plan effectively for this fun activity. Thank you for your prompt attention!

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child’s educational journey. We look forward to a wonderful week full of learning, growth, and memorable experiences!

First, I’d like to apologize for the lateness of this information. We’re excited to announce that Mr. Morris is hoping to have any enthusiastic Grade 6 boys join our Grade 7 basketball team! This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to develop their basketball skills, foster teamwork, and enjoy some friendly competition.

The next tryout practice is scheduled for tomorrow from 4:00 – 5:00. We encourage all interested Grade 6 boys to attend, bring their energy, and show their passion for the game!

Last week was a thrilling time in our classroom and on the playground as we launched our very own water bottle rocket! With a few final checks and some countdown cheers, the rocket shot several feet high, impressing everyone with just how powerful science can be. Not only was it a joy to see it soar, but it was also a fantastic, hands-on lesson in Newton’s Third Law of Motion.

Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This principle is the driving force behind our water bottle rocket launch.

When we launched our water bottle rocket, we filled it with water and then pressurized it by pumping in air. This built up a lot of internal pressure inside the bottle. When we released the bottle from the launcher, all that pressurized water was forced out of the opening at high speed – this is the action.

According to Newton’s Third Law, the reaction to this forceful expulsion of water was an equal and opposite force pushing the rocket upwards. So, as the water shot downward out of the bottle, the rocket was pushed upwards with enough force to launch it several feet into the air. This reaction force, in opposition to the downward force of the water, is what allowed our rocket to launch successfully and is a perfect, real-world example of Newton’s Third Law in action!

The students could see how the amount of water, the level of air pressure, and even the shape of the rocket influenced how high it flew, making this not just a fun demonstration but a rich learning experience in physics and engineering principles.

The water bottle rocket launcher itself was a special part of this project; it was 3D printed right here in our classroom! The students have been learning about 3D design and printing, and having the chance to see it come to life made the experience all the more meaningful. After the successful launch, they’re now applying their skills to design and print their own balloon-powered cars, which they’ll get to race soon. We can’t wait to see their creativity and problem-solving in action as they learn about Newton’s third law and 3D printing

I’m sharing a video of the launch below for all to enjoy – it’s one for the memory books!

Rocket Launch

Greetings Grade 6 families! We have an exciting week ahead filled with activities and events. Here’s what’s coming up:

Parent/Teacher Interviews:
Interviews are happening this week! This is a great chance for us to discuss your child’s progress and goals for the year. Parents, please sign up at the following link to secure a time: Parent/Teacher Interview Signup.

Student-Led Devotions:
Our Student-Led Devotions are starting soon! Each student will have an opportunity to lead devotions in class. Please ask your child when their scheduled date is and discuss ideas with them—your encouragement and support at home are so valuable! Please feel free to help them in the writing of their devotions. Please see the handout that was sent home for more information.

Chapel Team This Week:
We’re grateful for our Chapel Team leading worship! This week’s lineup includes:

• Tech: Jayna and Isaac
• Keys: Danna and Mrs. Van S
• Bass: Kyara
• Electric Guitar: Grace
• Acoustic Guitar: Nathan
• Vocals: Shiloh, Alivia, Averi, and Jordan
• Percussion: Maximus
• Stage Manager: Manraaj
• Front of House: Isaac B. and Nick
• Door Greeters: Emilie and Thomas
• Additional Support: Kianna and Kayleigh

Crazy Hair Day:
Thursday is Crazy Hair Day! Students are welcome to have a bit of fun with creative hairstyles and wear casual clothes. Let’s see how wild and wacky we can get!

Photo Retakes:
On Tuesday, students will have a second chance for school photos. Please have your child come prepared if they will be retaking their photo.

Looking Ahead – Space Day (November 13th):
We’re gearing up for Space Day! Students are invited to dress up as astronauts, planets, rocket ships, or any space-themed character. This is a wonderful opportunity to let imaginations soar and have fun on a space theme!

Bible Memory Verse – Romans 12:10:
Our verse this week is Romans 12:10: “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” This verse emphasizes the importance of kindness, respect, and compassion—qualities we encourage in Grade 6. By learning to honor each other, students build a supportive, caring community, which helps them grow both academically and personally.

Thank you for all the support you provide from home, and we look forward to a fantastic week!

We have a fun-filled and meaningful week planned for our Grade 6 class, and I wanted to keep you informed about what’s happening!

Chapel Team This Week:

We are blessed to have many of our talented students leading chapel this week. Here’s the lineup:

• Tech: Maddox, Evan
• Drums: Jase
• Bass: Kianna
• Electric Guitar: David
• Acoustic Guitar: Neariah
• Vocals: Avery, Sina, Olivia, Mrs. Van Santen
• Keys: Danna, Alexis
• Stage Manager: McKenna
• Door Greeters: Maximus, Thomas

We are excited to worship together as a class and community. Thank you to all the students stepping up to lead!

Pumpkin Math – Wednesday

One of our annual traditions, Pumpkin Math, is coming up on Wednesday! This is a fun and hands-on math activity where we’ll use pumpkins to explore math concepts. Students will need to bring an old shirt to wear, as things can get a little messy during this activity.

If you would like to volunteer and help out, please send me an email or feel free to talk to me after school or you can just pop in on Wednesday at 10:30ish. It’s always a great experience for the kids, and we’d love to have you join us!

Student Devotion Information

Last week, I sent home the schedule and information about Student-Led Devotions. Below is a quick reminder of why we are doing this and some ideas for your child’s devotion.

Why Student-Led Devotions?
Sharing our faith can feel private, but God encourages us to share with others because it helps build His church. Hearing each other’s stories of faith can inspire and uplift us. In a world filled with negative news, we could all use some good news to remind us of God’s presence in our lives.

What Can My Child Share?
Each student will have a chance to lead a devotion once this year. Here are some ideas they can choose from:

• How they became a Christian
• A lesson they’ve recently learned
• A miracle they’ve experienced or heard about
• A Bible verse that’s meaningful to them and how/why
• A prayer God answered and how it impacted them
• Someone in their life who inspires them to live for God
• A time they felt God’s peace during a tough moment
• A time they felt God’s strength when they needed it
• More on the handout to choose from or the students can do something that they feel strongly about.

Your child’s devotion should be 3-5 minutes long and include:

• A Bible verse connected to their story
• A personal story or reflection
• A closing prayer

It doesn’t need to be overly personal or embarrassing—just something meaningful to them. Parents, feel free to help your child, but the devotion should be in their own words. The handout has spaces for students to write their thoughts on.

The full schedule is attached to the information that was sent home, so please check your child’s planner.

No School on Friday

Just a quick reminder that there will be no school on Friday due to a Provincial Professional Development Day. Enjoy the long weekend!

Thank you for your continued support! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Hi Parents,

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with plenty of good food and time spent with loved ones! I had a fantastic weekend with family—though I have to admit, I didn’t get the apple pie with cheese I was hoping for. Instead, I ended up with apple crumble pie, which, I have to admit, was still pretty great! Of course, no family gathering would be complete without a little bit of chaos, especially with my twin brother, Bob, around.

This year, Bob decided to give the turkey a break and turn his attention to… pumpkin pie. His grand plan? He thought it would be a brilliant idea to make the “biggest pumpkin pie in the world” by using the neighbours kiddie pool as the pie dish.

Bob somehow convinced himself that if he lined the pool with foil and filled it with pumpkin pie filling, we could bake it by placing heating lamps all around the yard. He called it his “pumpkin pie extravaganza.” Don’t ask where he got all the pumpkins to make the filling….or the foil. Well, as you can imagine, things quickly got out of hand. The filling was everywhere—on the patio, the grass, and the neighbours’ dog, who decided to come for a closer look. The pool started to look more like a pumpkin soup pond, and despite Bob’s best efforts, there was no way to heat it evenly. We ended up with a sloshy mess and lots of visits by all the neighbouring animals as we spent the weekend hosing down the yard (and the various animals). Thankfully, my aunt brought a normal-sized pumpkin pie along with the apple crumble, so we still got to enjoy dessert. Bob’s pumpkin pie dreams, however, are on hold until further notice.

Now that we’ve survived another Bob holiday adventure, here’s what’s coming up this week in class:

1. Chapel Worship Band

   Here’s this week’s Chapel worship band:

   • Drums: Scott
   • Tech: Isaac, Evan
   • Vocals: Ari, Nick, Isaac B, Mrs. van S
   • Keys: Alexis, Danna
   • Electric Guitar: Olivia
   • Acoustic Guitar: Alivia
   • Bass: Kyara
   • Stage Manager: Elliott
   • Front of House: Kianna, Averi, Jordan, Grace
   • Door Greeters: Emilie, Elora
   • Percussion: Danny

2. Fall Colours Day – Wednesday

   Just a reminder that this Wednesday is Fall Colours Day! Students can wear casual clothes in fall-themed colours like reds, oranges, yellows, and browns.

3. Science Project – Cardboard Needed

   We’re collecting both thick and thin cardboard for an upcoming science project. If you have any to spare, please send it with your child!

4. Still Looking for Stools

   We’re still hoping to gather a few more stools for the classroom. If you have any stools you’re no longer using and would like to donate, we’d really appreciate it.

5. Math Update

   We’re wrapping up our unit on Place Value to 1 Billion, which also included adding and subtracting decimals. It’s been a fun unit with our story-based approach to math! I think the students have enjoyed the new approach to learning math in a real world context. Next up: Percent.

6. Kindi Buddies

   Our “Kindi Buddies” program with Mrs. Larsson’s Kindergarten class is off to a great start. It’s been wonderful seeing our Grade 6 students take on the responsibility of mentoring and spending time with their little buddies. They’ve really stepped up and are setting such a great example!

7. Bible Verse – Psalm 103:12

   Tomorrow, the students will recite Psalm 103:12: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”  Below are some ways this verse can connect to their lives. Reminder that to get a 4, students need to share a reflection of how these verse have impacted them personally through a personal anecdote.

   • Remembering that mistakes don’t define them—they can learn from them and move forward.
   • Letting go of guilt and focusing on growth, both academically and socially.
   • Understanding that forgiveness, whether of themselves or others, helps them build stronger friendships.

8. Next Bible Verse – Romans 12:9

   Our next verse is Romans 12:9: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Here are some ways this verse connects to our Grade 6 students:

   • Encouraging them to be kind and sincere in their friendships and interactions with others.
   • Helping them recognize and avoid negative behaviors and situations, focusing on what’s positive and good.
   • Supporting them in making choices that reflect their values and who they want to be as they grow.

9. Comfort Kits

   If you haven’t yet sent back your child’s updated Comfort Kit, please send it in as soon as you can. These kits will help keep students comfortable and prepared during the unlikely event of an emergency.

Thanks so much for your support! As always, feel free to reach out with any questions.

Hello Grade 6 Families,

I have some exciting updates and important reminders for the upcoming week!

Chapel Helpers – Please Arrive Early

For this week’s chapel, several students will be helping with different roles and will need to arrive early to assist with setup. The following students should early tomorrow:

• Front of House: Jordan, Sina, Avery, Mckenna, Olivia, Liliana
• Vocals: Kayleigh, Alexis, Shiloh, Averi
• Percussion: Kaiya
• Bass: Kianna
• Acoustic Guitar: Neariah
• Tech: Jayne, Maddox
• Stage Manager: Rebecca
• Keys: Mrs. van S
• Door Greeter: Emily

Thank you to all the students who are stepping up to serve!

Reminder: No School on Friday and Thanksgiving

Just a quick reminder that this Friday is a PD Day for staff, so there will be no school for students. In addition, there will be no school on Monday in observance of Thanksgiving.

During our morning devotions, I’ve been sharing with the class how thankful I am for such an amazing and fun group of students. It’s been a true blessing to watch them grow together as a community, and I hope you enjoy this extra family time during the long weekend. We have so much to be thankful for. God is good!

Student-Led Devotions: Starting Soon!

I’m excited to announce that we will be starting Student-Led Devotions soon, and I’ll be creating a schedule for everyone. I know that sharing our connection with God can sometimes feel hard, as it feels deeply personal. However, God calls us to share our faith with one another because it builds up His church. We can all be inspired by hearing about each other’s journeys and how God has worked in our lives. With so much bad news around us, we could all use some good news now and then. You never know—your story might touch someone’s heart.

A beautiful reminder of this comes from Luke 1:46-55, where Mary says:
“I’m bursting with God-news; I’m dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened—I’m the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.”

Another reminder is found in 3 John 1:2-4:
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Students will have the opportunity to share twice this year. Their devotions should be about 3-5 minutes long and include:

• A Bible verse that connects to their message
• A short devotion (nothing too private or embarrassing!)
• Something they’ve learned or a reflection from their faith journey
• Help from family is encouraged, but it should be in their own words
• A prayer to close the devotion

To guide their sharing, students can choose from the following options:

• Share how you became a Christian
• A lesson you’ve recently learned
• A miracle you’ve witnessed or experienced
• Something from the Bible that made you think
• A recent devotion that taught you something important about God
• A meaningful Bible verse and why it’s important to you
• An answered prayer and what you learned from it
• Someone in your life who inspires you to grow closer to God
• A moment where you trusted God and how it grew your faith
• A time when you felt God’s love or peace in a difficult situation
• A moment when you felt weak, but God gave you the strength to keep going

I encourage all students to take this opportunity to reflect on their own faith journey. It’s a beautiful way to inspire and encourage one another.

If you have any questions about the devotions or need assistance, feel free to reach out. I’m looking forward to hearing the students’ stories and seeing how God is working in their lives!

Wishing you a restful week and a Thanksgiving full of gratitude and reflection.

We had some fun today as we began to get our first french conversations together. Our first conversation is going to be about autumn.

However, we had some good laughs trying to pronounce the word for leaves. I have to admit, it was not an easy word to get and even our student, who is fluent in French, had a hard time getting us to pronounce it correctly even though she kept trying!

Anyway, I think I have it now after looking up the word. Here is the video that helped me pronounce it correctly. I am not sure what is going on with the announcer’s voice but it made me chuckle.