Beyond The Desk

A quick reminder that our 100th Day of School is coming up this Thursday (as mentioned in our previous update).

Students are invited to come to school dressed up as their vision of themselves at 100 years old.  We encourage creativity and imagination! Whether it’s gray hair, glasses, a cane, or a cardigan, there are so many fun ways to bring this idea to life. Need some inspiration? Check out Pinterest for adorable costume ideas or visit a local thrift store to find great items at an affordable price.

To make the day even more festive, we will be gathering as an elementary department to show our costumes to everyone and to participate in some group exercises. This will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone to admire the creative efforts of their classmates!

If your child prefers not to dress up, no problem! They can come to school in their uniform as usual.

Also, after the long weekend, we will be doing Valentine’s cards on Tuesday. If your child would like to bring Valentine’s cards to share, they are welcome to bring them on Tuesday. Please ensure that every student receives one if your child is handing out cards.

To help with this, students will be bringing home a class list of names tomorrow so they can address their cards more easily.

Thanks so much for your support!

Welcome to our first week of February!

Thank you again for your patience with my absences. Last week I was in Victoria working on the creation of the math section of the Grade 4 FSA’s. It is great professional development for me and the school. It was also nice to have a little more down time after having been back for two full days. This should be the last major time away until the end of April where I will be back in Victoria.

Time is passing so quickly. It’s hard to believe that we have almost hit 100 days of school already. Speaking of which……

Celebrating 100 Days of School! February 12th

Mark your calendars for a very special day! On February 12th, we will celebrate our 100th day of school!  Students are invited to come to school dressed up as their vision of themselves at 100 years old.  We encourage creativity and imagination! Whether it’s gray hair, glasses, a cane, or a cardigan, there are so many fun ways to bring this idea to life. Need some inspiration? Check out Pinterest for adorable costume ideas or visit a local thrift store to find great items at an affordable price.

To make the day even more festive, we will be gathering as an elementary department to show our costumes to everyone and to participate in some group exercises. This will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone to admire the creative efforts of their classmates!

If your child prefers not to dress up, no problem! They can come to school in their uniform as usual.

We can’t wait to see everyone’s amazing costumes and celebrate this milestone together. Let’s make it a day to remember!

Moon Quiz

You might have seen a note in your child’s planner about an up coming Moon Quiz. More info including a study guide will come home tomorrow. Students have been learning about the different moon phases, why we have moon phases and why the moon appears to change shape in the night sky. The quiz will involve being able to name the different phases and place them in the correct order along with their explanation of why the moon appears to change shape. An example explanation may be:

“The Moon looks like it changes shape, but it’s really the same round Moon the whole time.

Here’s what’s happening. The Sun shines on the Moon, like a flashlight. Half of the Moon is always lit up by the Sun. As the Moon moves around Earth, we see different amounts of the lit half from where we are standing on Earth. So the “shapes” we see are really just the bright part of the Moon showing more or less. Imagine you have a ball and a lamp. If you hold the ball slightly above your head and turn yourself around, the lamp shines on smaller and smaller parts of the moon that you see. The Moon doesn’t change shape—the part we can see lit up changes because the Moon is moving around Earth.”

To see an illustration of this, you can check out this link:
https://contrib.pbslearningmedia.org/WGBH/buac19/buac19-int-moonphaseint/index.html

Here is the study guide for you to reference. A paper copy will also be coming home.

Hello Grade 4 Families,

A quick (and slightly last-minute!) update for you: tomorrow is Jersey Day for all staff and students. I’ll be honest—this one snuck up on me too, and I only realized it was happening tomorrow for all staff and students.… so I wanted to make sure families heard about it in time!

👕 What Students Can Wear

Students are invited to wear:

• a sports jersey (hockey, soccer, basketball, football—anything works!)

• a team shirt or athletic top if they don’t have a jersey

• school-appropriate clothing that still allows them to learn and move comfortably

✅ If You Don’t Have a Jersey

No worries at all—this is completely optional. Students who don’t have a jersey (or prefer not to participate) can come in regular uniform as usual.

We’re looking forward to a fun spirit day and seeing all the different teams represented tomorrow!

Thanks for your flexibility with the short notice, and I appreciate your support as we roll with a busy season of school events.

We have a fun (and busy!) stretch ahead at Highroad with several exciting events and opportunities coming up soon. Before I jump into the updates, I just want to say thank you. I am so grateful for the kindness, encouragement, and support from everyone. Thank you for your prayers and understanding during my recent absence—it truly meant a lot to me. I am looking forward to coming back though I will still be trying to trying to take care of myself as I transition back into the class. I am so thankful to be part of such a caring school community.

Here’s a quick roundup so you have everything in one place!

High School Missions Trip — Philippines 2026

Our High School missions team is preparing for their upcoming trip to the Philippines, and our school is partnering with Clean Water International to help bring clean water to students at Mt. Apo School.

Here are a few ways families can support:

💧 Cups of Water Fundraiser

• Every $10 helps turn a “dirty cup” of water into clean water and moves the team closer to their goal.

• Donations of $20 or more are eligible for a tax-deductible receipt.

• There is a display set up beside the school office, so feel free to stop by and check it out.

  help needed Philippines 26

🧸 Smalls & Stuffies Donation

The team will also be collecting new or gently used toys and stuffed animals to bless children in low-income communities.

• Please bring items to the bins in the foyer.

  help needed Philippines 26

🙏 Prayer Support

Please keep the missions team in your prayers—for safety, unity, joy, and that they would represent Jesus well and make an eternal impact.

🍰 Missions Dessert Night — Tomorrow Night!

Missions Dessert Night is happening tomorrow: January 26th at 6:30pm.
This is a great way to support our missions team while enjoying a fun evening together!

Tickets: Please purchase online or at the school office.

🎭 Aladdin Jr. Performance — Tickets Selling Fast!

Our theatre production of Aladdin Jr. is coming up soon, and it’s always a highlight of the year!

Performance Dates:

• Thursday, February 26th

• Friday, February 27th

• Saturday, February 28th

🎟️ Tickets are selling quickly, so don’t miss out!

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⛸️ Skating This Friday — Important Reminders!

Our next skating date is coming up this Friday.

Please remember:

• Students may wear play clothes (no uniform needed)

• Helmets are required ✅

• If your child already paid for skate rentals earlier, they do NOT need to pay again

Thank you for helping your child come prepared so they can enjoy the day safely!

💯 100th Day of School Celebration — February 12th!

Celebrating 100 Days of School!

Mark your calendars for a very special day! On February 12th, we will celebrate our 100th day of school!  Students are invited to come to school dressed up as their vision of themselves at 100 years old.  We encourage creativity and imagination! Whether it’s gray hair, glasses, a cane, or a cardigan, there are so many fun ways to bring this idea to life. Need some inspiration? Check out Pinterest for adorable costume ideas or visit a local thrift store to find great items at an affordable price.

To make the day even more festive, we will be gathering as an elementary department to show our costumes to everyone and to participate in some group exercises. This will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone to admire the creative efforts of their classmates!

If your child prefers not to dress up, no problem! They can come to school in their uniform as usual.

We can’t wait to see everyone’s amazing costumes and celebrate this milestone together. Let’s make it a day to remember!

Thanks again for your ongoing support, Grade 4 families. It’s going to be a great few weeks ahead!

Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas break and that it was restful, refreshing, and full of good time together as a family. It has been so nice to see the students again and get back into our classroom routines.

New Learning Underway

We have jumped into several new learning items this week. One exciting highlight is that we are beginning our new novel study on Frindle. Students will be building comprehension skills, responding to reading, and discussing characters, themes, and big ideas as we move through the story together.

In Math, we are continuing to finish up our unit on adding and subtracting 3- and 4-digit numbers. We’ll keep practicing accuracy, using strategies, and explaining our thinking clearly. We are nearing the end of our intensive study of the multiplication facts and will soon be diving headfirst into some programs to reinforce and solidify the multiplication facts. Please continue to work on the multiplication facts at home with your child. We are finishing up with the 4, 7, and 8 times tables.

Important Email Sent Home

I sent home an email today with an important update. If you did not receive it, please check your spam/junk folder, as it may have been filtered there. If you still can’t locate it, feel free to reach out and I’ll make sure you receive the information.

Memory Verses – New Day

A quick schedule change: Memory Verses are now on Tuesdays. Thank you for helping students adjust to the new routine.

Skating This Friday – Important Reminders

We are skating this Friday, and we’re looking forward to it! A few key reminders:

• Helmets are required. There are no helmets available at the rink, and if a student does not bring a helmet, they will not be allowed to skate. Please make sure your child has a helmet on Friday.

• Students are welcome to wear casual clothes on Friday.

• We will be leaving the school at 8:50 AM and returning at 10:50 AM.

• If you are able to help with tying skates, we would love the support—please meet us at the rec center.

Missions Dessert Evening Fundraiser

A heads-up for families: our Missions Team is hosting a Missions Dessert Evening fundraiser on January 26. We wanted to make sure it’s on your radar.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support at home. We’re off to a great start, and I’m excited for the learning ahead!

I hope you have all remained safe from the flood waters. We were fine at our house as the waters were close but didn’t quite reach our house. With the highway closed, I was worried about being able to make it in. We will see if the highway remains open!

As we enter our final days before Christmas break, there are several exciting activities and important reminders to share. Thank you for taking a moment to read through the updates below so your child is prepared for a joyful and successful week.

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❤️ M.I.T.S. Campaign – Highroad Helps @ Christmas

Our school-wide M.I.T.S. campaign continues this week as we focus on sharing kindness and care with our community. Students are invited to give in one of the following ways:

M – Money
Donations for the local food bank can be given at the school office or placed into our collection kettle.

I – Items
Students may bring personal care items, gently used winter wear, or non-perishable food items. Donation bins are located in the school foyer.

T – Time
Students can show service by giving their time—helping at school, church, or in the community. If your child participates, feel free to send a photo to Mrs. Kennedy or Mrs. Lade to add to our celebration wall of kindness.

Your generosity is truly making a difference in the lives of families this season. Thank you!

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🎄 Christmas Sweater Week

All week long, students may wear Christmas sweaters or other festive, school-appropriate holiday apparel instead of their uniforms. They may also choose to wear their regular uniform if they wish.

Holiday colours such as red, green, white, gold, and silver are all welcome. Let’s enjoy a cheerful, comfortable week together!

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🎶 Christmas Concert Dress – Grades 4–6

Our Christmas Concert is coming up quickly! Students in Grades 4–6 may dress in the following for the performance:

Students may wear:

• Christmas caroler style (sweater, pants, toque, scarf)

• Their best Christmas outfit

• Christmas sweaters

• Christmas colours: red, green, white, gold, silver

Please avoid:

• Shorts

• Sweatpants

• Tops with large logos

Special Note:
Grade 4 students participating in Mrs. Pavel’s play will wear play attire.

We are excited to celebrate the season together and to showcase all of the students’ hard work!

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⛸️ Skating Dates – January

Skating days are scheduled very soon after we return from Christmas break. Permission forms have come home already —thank you for returning them promptly!

Skating Dates for Grades 2/3, 3, and 4:

• Friday, January 16 – 9:30 AM

• Friday, January 30 – 9:30 AM

Please mark your calendars!

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🎉 Christmas Party – Wednesday

This Wednesday we will enjoy our classroom Christmas Party in the afternoon.
Please send nut-free snacks to share with the class.
A reminder that our classroom is nut-free, including products like Nutella. Thank you for helping keep all students safe.

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📚 Curriculum Still in Full Swing

Even with the exciting Christmas activities, we continue to move forward with important learning—especially in Science and Math. Please ensure your child is at school each day unless they are ill.

A special reminder that Thursday is critical: we will have several practices and our full concert dress rehearsal that day.

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🎤 Friday Concert & Early Dismissal

On Friday, students will be dismissed immediately after the Christmas Concert.
Thank you for arranging timely pickup so we can begin our break smoothly.

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As always, thank you for your support during this joyful and busy time of year. Please reach out if you have any questions. Wishing you all a wonderful final week before Christmas! 🎄

As we approach the final days before Christmas break, I want to share a few important reminders and upcoming events. This is a joyful and exciting time of year for students, and we are certainly enjoying the anticipation of Christmas in our classroom—but we are also continuing with meaningful learning, projects, and curriculum activities each day – along with lots of Christmas fun!

Even with Christmas just around the corner, our current units are still moving forward. When students are away for reasons other than illness, it can be difficult for them to stay caught up, follow instructions, and participate fully in group activities. Thank you for helping ensure your child is at school whenever possible during these last days so they can finish the term successfully and with confidence.

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🎄 Christmas Concert Dress – Grades 4–6

Our Christmas Concert is approaching, and students in Grades 4–6 are invited to dress in the following items.
Here are the clothing guidelines:

Students may wear:

• Christmas caroler style (sweater, pants, toque, scarf)

• Best Christmas outfit

• Christmas sweaters

• Any Christmas colours: red, green, white, gold, silver

Please avoid:

• Shorts

• Sweatpants

• Large logos on tops

Special Note:
Grade 4 students participating in Mrs. Pavel’s play will wear play attire.

We look forward to celebrating the season together and showcasing all the hard work the students have put into preparing for the concert!

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⛸️ Skating Dates – January

Although it may feel early to share, our skating days are scheduled very soon after we return from break. We want families to have these dates now, and I will be sending permission forms home tomorrow so I can collect them before Christmas break.

Skating Dates for Grades 2/3, 3, and 4:

• Friday, January 16 – 9:30 AM

• Friday, January 30 – 9:30 AM

Please keep an eye in planners for the permission form. Thank you for returning it promptly.

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❤️ M.I.T.S. Campaign – Highroad Helps @ Christmas

Our school-wide MITS campaign continues as we find ways to Make It To Someone this Christmas.
Students are encouraged to participate by giving through:

M – Money: Supporting the local food bank through donations at the front office or our collection kettle.

I – Items: Bringing in personal care items, gently used winter wear, and non-perishable food items for families in need. Donation bins are available in the school foyer.

T – Time: Spending time helping others through school, church, or family activities. Students can take a photo of themselves giving back and send it to Mrs. Kennedy or Mrs. Lade to contribute to our celebration of kindness

Your generosity and support at this time of year make a big difference in our community, and we appreciate every contribution.

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Thank you for your continued partnership and encouragement. These weeks are filled with excitement, learning, and meaningful opportunities to celebrate the season together.

Wishing you a wonderful week as we prepare for Christmas!

Hello Grade 4 families,

We’ve had a wonderful start to the week with learning, creativity, and a little early Christmas cheer! Here’s what we’ve been up to in class and what’s coming up next:

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Math: Wrapping Up Place Value

We’ve just finished our unit on place value, and the students showed great growth and confidence in understanding numbers to 10 000. Before we move into our next unit—adding and subtracting to 10 000 with a focus on estimation—we’ll be doing a short, hands-on graphing activity to bridge the learning. It’s a fun way to keep their math minds active as we transition into new skills.

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Science: Our Space Journey Continues!

We are well into our Space unit, focusing on the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Students completed their first project—and earned a very out-of-this-world reward!

Last week, your child may have brought home a “ticket” saying their name will be part of the next mission to the Moon. While it may have sounded unbelievable… it is true!

Through a joint outreach program from the Canadian Space Agency and NASA, student names from across the country are being placed inside the Artemis II mission pod. Our entire class will have their names included as part of this historic mission to the Moon and back. What an incredible way to inspire future astronauts, engineers, and dreamers!

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Christmas Decorating Afternoon – This Thursday

On Thursday afternoon, we’ll be transforming our classroom into a cozy Christmas space. Students are welcome to bring any spare decorations from home to help make our room festive. We’ll also enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate together. It’s always a highlight of the season!

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Christmas Sweater Week – Dec. 15–19

Get those festive sweaters ready! From December 15–19, students are invited to wear their favourite Christmas sweaters throughout the week.

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MITS Campaign – Supporting Families in Need

We are currently participating in our annual MITS campaign, helping raise needed items and funds for families in our community. Thank you for supporting this important initiative. The attached poster provides all the details if you need a refresher.

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Christmas Concert & Early Dismissal – Dec. 19

Our Christmas Concert will be held on Thursday, December 19. Please note that on this day there is early dismissal, and we typically send students home right after the concert concludes. More details will follow as we get closer to the date.

We have another exciting and full week ahead in Grade 4! Here are the key reminders and updates to help keep everyone organized and in the loop for this week.

🤠 Western Dress-Up Day – This Wednesday!

Giddy up, partners! On Wednesday, November 19th, our K–6 Western Dress-Up Day invites students to come to school in their best cowboy or cowgirl gear. Cowboy hats, bandanas, plaid shirts, boots—anything Western-themed will help us celebrate a fun day of learning and teamwork. Yee-haw!

📚 Socials Quiz on Thursday

This Thursday, students will be having their Social Studies map of Canada quiz. Students should have brought home their study guide on Friday in their planner. The study guide consists of:

• Front side: A near-identical layout of the upcoming quiz to help students know exactly what to expect.

• Back side: All the answers so students can practice confidently at home.

The actual quiz will follow a very similar format, with a few provinces left blank that students will be expected to fill in from memory. Please encourage your child to study a little each night.

⭐ Class Party Planning

Our class worked very hard on Friday and finally earned their next full set of stars! 🎉
Tomorrow we will discuss when the party will happen and what we would like to do. Stay tuned for details coming home soon!

📖 Bible Memory Verse

This week’s memory verse is the second half of Acts 2:17:

“Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.” — Acts 2:17

Please take a few minutes each evening to help students practice.

✖️ Multiplication Focus: 9× Tables

We are now working on the 9 times tables in math. Continued practice at home will make a big difference—flashcards, quick quizzes, or even fun times-table songs can help strengthen mastery.

Thank you for your continued support at home. We’re looking forward to a great week together!

This Friday, from 1:30–2:30 PM, our school will be holding our annual Remembrance Day Service. This is a very meaningful time for our students and staff to come together as a community to honour and remember those who have served and continue to serve to protect our freedom and peace.

At Highroad, we believe it is important for students to take part in this solemn occasion—not only to learn about history, but to reflect on the values of courage, sacrifice, and gratitude that shape our nation and our daily lives.

As this is a formal and respectful event, students are asked to wear their best student uniform items on Friday. Please note that this is not a Highroad Knights Day. Instead, students will be welcome to wear their Highroad Knights gear on Thursday this week.

Thank you for helping us prepare students to participate thoughtfully and respectfully in this important school-wide service.