Dear Families,

I would like to wish you all a Happy Easter with your family and friends.  As many are aware, it is Good Friday this week (no school) and Easter Monday (no school), so students will be back to school on Tuesday.  Many students have shared with me their favourite Easter traditions that they partake in with you.  Enjoy these precious activities with your child and I look forward to hearing all about them next week!    

Groove Dancing:

On Thursday, we welcomed Ms. Libby a Groove Dance Instructor to our school to put on a dance workshop for students in K-8.  It was wonderful to see everyone engaged, expressive, and excited to partake in dancing to the beat and rhythm of their mind, body, and spirit.  Libby's message through grooving was very powerful - 
"Step outside your comfort zone, take risks, BE WHO YOU ARE, and remember to BELIEVE IN YOURSELF."  
Thank you to Ms. Bumstead for organizing this purposeful workshop, we appreciate the time and energy it took to do this.  You're a true rock-star CHARGER!!  Enjoy some of the groovin' pics ;)

Welcome Ms. Libby

Groovin' Alexander!  Strike a POSE!

JUST DANCE!  BE WHO YOU ARE!

Conrad likes to bust a move!

Daniel, Cassius, Kyran are attentive during the groove workshop.

Kaden

Groovin' Grade Ones!  Strike a pose!

Easter Gifts:
In Art, Mrs. Czerny did a lesson on making a patterned Easter egg using crayons and water colours.  The students thoroughly enjoyed this process and were so excited to create these for you!  Along with this, your child also made an Easter card and wrote you a letter :)  It is amazing to see their bright smiles as they anticipate the joy that they'll bring to your heart.  Happy EASTER from US!

Thank you to the Reynold family for the Easter gift :)  Your kindness is cherished!

Thank you Alexander and Mom for the wonderful Easter gifts for our class family!! WE HONOUR YOU!

Gift from Alexander's family :) The tea mug will come in handy, thank you!!

Miika:
On Wednesday, Miika arrived to school with a list of Finnish words to share with his peers.  I am proud of him because he thought about our language lesson from last week and made a connection to the read aloud I shared called "The Name Jar."  The boys and girls were eager to hear all about another language.  Here is a list of how to say certain English words / statements in Finnish.  Thank you Miika for stepping outside your comfort zone and opening your culture to us.

Good Morning  -->  Houmenta

Yes  -->  Joo or Kylla

Summer  -->  Kesa

Bird  -->  Lintu

Chocolate  -->  Suklaa

I like chocolate  -->  Ma Tykkaan Suklaasta

Mom  -->  Aiti

Dad  -->  Isi

Chicken  -->  Kana

Happy Easter  -->  Hyvaa Paasiaista

Character Recognition Assembly:

On Monday April 13th, we will be having an assembly to celebrate all our recipients for the Character Trait of INTEGRITY – “We can always be trusted even when NO ONE IS WATCHING!”  I have shared with my students how I feel this trait encompasses all our character traits that we have focused on thus far.  I believe if a person demonstrates integrity they also possess respect, caring, cooperation, inclusiveness, empathy, and responsibility.  I am comforted in knowing that WE at New Lowell are truly surrounded with many students who consistently model integrity in their actions.  

This month’s (April) character trait focuses on OPTIMISIM– “We believe we can DO IT.  We never give up” From very early on in our school year, I have encouraged my students to always put in their level four personal best in all their academic, social, and behavioural experiences.  I am never looking for “perfect” only your child’s best efforts.  I am delighted to share that most students do their BEST and listen to constructive feedback to improve their achievements!

International PINK Day:

April 8th is International Pink Day!  As I shared in a previous post, I have been wearing my Anti-Bullying shirt every Wed. since Feb. 25th.  Seeing students and staff supporting this cause is greatly appreciated!

Mix-Match Day:

Next Friday, we will be having a spirit day.  Students are encouraged to wear mix-matched clothing and be creative :)  I'll be sure to take a picture for you to see their creations.  Gentle reminder about house points are being collected every time we have a Spirit Day!  Thank you for participating in and encouraging Charger spirit!

Quote:

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.  It’s the LIFE IN YOUR YEARS!” 

-- Abraham Lincoln

Namaste,

Miss Gill