Dear Families,
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding during this very unprecedented time that we're all facing together.  As my students know, I'm an optimist at heart, I have every confidence that we WILL all become healthier and stronger versions of ourselves in mind, body, and spirit!

With our time out of the school and classroom, I'm encouraging each of you to explore new ways and opportunities to learn and grow with items found in your home.  Let's open our hearts and minds :)

I found this on the road on one of my hikes! #loveiseverywhere

Try New Things!

1.  Do a puzzle!  Then, estimate the length, width, area, and perimeter.  Measure to compare your estimates to the actual amounts!

2.  Get out your lego!  Build a bridge, a rocket, a robot, a house, vehicle, design a school flag, favourite animal in its habitat, create something marvellous with ONLY 100 bricks, or tallest tower that will stand on its own.  The possibilities are endless!  Be creative and ENJOY the process!   

3.  Do some baking!  Write out the recipe (procedural writing).  Discover all the math related concepts in this (e.g., fractions, measurement).

4.  Get outside!  Go into your backyard, find items from nature (e.g., leaf, rock, grass, twigs, pine cones) and create a scene.  Give it a theme ... "This week's theme is family!"

5.  Go on a rock hunt!  Build a family INUKSHUK displaying each family member :)  Check out the read aloud below to help inspire you on your rock hunt adventure!

6.  Get your kids moving with D.P.A.!  Sign up for this program by visiting www.gonoodle.com and have your child use it as we do in our class!  They are familiar with this.  Participate using the 3 parts - FRESH START!  CHOOSE YOUR OWN ACTIVITY!  MINDFULNESS! -

With all these activities mentioned above, you can measure the elapsed time to complete each of these by noting the start and end times!  Be safe.  Be well.  BE HAPPY :-)

My March Break:
Like many, I had travel plans for this March Break.  I had a flight booked to go to New York City, however, after careful consideration, I decided to cancel my trip to stay close to home to be with my family to remain safe and healthy.  With everything that has occurred to this point, I believe it was the best decision I made.

Throughout this time, I have stayed close to home and enjoyed a variety of activities such as: 

Puzzling:  I've completed two already and am onto my third!

Nature Hikes:  Soul soothing hikes in the woods!  We're so fortunate to live in this beautiful area!

Exercising:  I've cleared and cleaned my garage to create a space where I can get fresh air while I do my workouts!

March 22nd Celebrating My Birthday:  A very special thank you to my neighbour and dear friend Michelle for surprising me by making and posting this message to my tree!  #socialdistancing #airhugs

Face-Timing with a Variety of Friends:  On my birthday, some of my friends decided to organize a Zoom meeting so we could all virtually connect to have a cheers with me!

Please remember, throughout this experience, I am always encouraging everyone's SAFETY and HEALTH to be THE priority.  Let us continue to be mindful of our actions and spread love and kindness - humanity needs this now more than ever.  We are in this together as A HUMAN FAMILY; we CAN and WILL persevere!

   
An Important Message:

To support students for the time being, we are asked to direct students and families to the Ministry of Education’s via Learn at Home resources (www.ontario.ca/page/learn-at-home ) to support their continued learning until we get further direction from the Ministry and School Board.  

The School Board is working on a plan for beyond April 5, more information will come out later regarding this.  Access to internet and resources - the SCDSB continues to investigate options for students, families and educators in order to support the transition to distance-based learning beyond April 5^th. 

As shared in my previous post, I have provided some programming for 2 weeks and as I get more direction from my principal and Board in the coming weeks, I will work hard on my end to ensure your child receives learning from home resources/materials that are beneficial. 

I appreciate your continued support, understanding, and patience as I navigate this approach to teaching and learning during school closures.       

From the SCDSB Health & Wellness Team:

COVID-19 Tips The global COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting the lives of people in many different ways. We know that the mental health and well-being of people across the globe is being strained due to high anxiety, uncertainty and isolation. There has been no disruption to our operations and our services continue to be available through telephonic, video and digital modalities. We are here to help. We will also provide you with regular tips and resources to help support you during these challenging times. You can also find them in our COVID-19 Toolkit. Physical distancing. Self-isolation. Self-quarantine. What are they? How to protect yourself and others. As the number of COVID-19 cases around the world grows, we are hearing more people using phrases like physical distancing, social distancing and self-isolation. What does it all mean? What do you need to do? Talking to your children about COVID-19 Many people are feeling stressed or overwhelmed with what they are hearing about COVID-19. Your child may also be feeling anxious about what is happening around them – and that is normal. There are things you can do to help alleviate this stress. Working from home when you are not used to it Many of us are working from home in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For some, the experience of working from home is new, especially for a prolonged period of time, and especially when you have kids at home too. Emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic (Webinar) Learn why outbreaks affect our emotional health and get practical skills to cope with anxiety.

Health & Wellness - Simcoe County District School Board

Bowls for Beds:
Yesterday, I was informed with the following message.  Please take a moment to carefully read especially if you've purchased your child's bowl.

"Hello,

It is with great regret that I must inform you that the Bowls for Beds Soup Event will be cancelled this year, which was originally scheduled for April 19, 2020. 

We would like to deliver all of the bowls that were purchased by the children and the seniors at Balmoral with a gift certificate to attend next year's event.  We have tentatively scheduled that for April 18, 2021.

Once teachers and children are back at school, we will arrange to deliver the bowls for the children who purchased them.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me should you have any questions."

Warmest regards, 
Deb Piggott 

Cell     - 705-888-3636

Home - 705-444-3636

debajpiggott@gmail.com

debpiggott@homehorizon.ca

Science - Online Learning Tool:
Please check out the link below for "open-and-go lessons that help inspire kids to LOVE SCIENCE!"  Sign up for a FREE membership for the remainder of the school year!
https://mysteryscience.com/

Throughout this year, I've shared various Mystery Doug videos with your child, so they are familiar with these and they are oh so engaging!  Check out one below to get you started about "How Does Hand Sanitizer Kill Germs?"

https://mysterydoug.com/mysteries/germs-sanitizer?code=5c0c05db11316fe7b49dc12f48bbcdb3

The Importance of Hand Washing:
Try this at home!  It's simple and oh so effective to teach our young ones and adults the importance of proper hand washing!

Brayden & Hannah:
I can't even begin to express just how much I have been thinking about and missing ALL my precious students.  I wish for nothing more than to be reunited with them!!  My greatest passion in life is teaching so it has been very challenging for me being away from the classroom, but as ever, I remain hopeful that we will reunite again!! 

I had the pleasure of receiving 2 heart soaring emails earlier this week from Brayden's Mom and Hannah's Mom sharing how they've been spending their extended time away from school.  I smiled cheek to cheek upon reading and receiving these messages!!  It was oh so timely as I was needing a dose of my students!

Check out Hannah below enjoying some QT with her siblings in the forest as well as creating artistic pieces to let her creative light shine!!  I love it :-)  A special mention for continuing to incorporate meditation in your daily life like we've done in class all year!  AMAZING!

Thank you Brayden, his younger brother Nathan, and their parents for washing and bagging apples from their orchard to deliver to the local food banks!!  As Brayden was bagging the apples, he said, "Ms. Gill would like this because she always says what goes around, comes around!"    

This act of kindness is oh so appreciated and exemplifies just how compassionate YOU and your family are!!

Mindfulness:
I am very drawn to this video (see below) because of all its powerful messages!!  Especially in this time of uncertainty and the unknown, it is a great reminder for us all about the importance of remaining POSITIVE and being OPTIMISTIC.

Throughout the school year, I've shared various quotes with my students (some which I'm sure you've heard many times by now), I hope it's been helpful in your household :)

In order to continue developing an optimistic mindset ... remember, it takes the 4 P's: 

• PLANNING ("A goal without a plan is only a wish")
• PRACTICE (makes progress)
• PATIENCE (lots of it)
• PERSEVERANCE (never give up)

In no time, you'll soon realize that by being optimistic, you'll live a HAPPIER and HEALTHIER life ...

physically, emotionally, and mentally :)

Growth Mindset:
On one of my nature walks earlier this week, I came across this stone (see below) that was strategically placed by someone to help bring a smile and encourage us all to do our part to help one another get through this trying time.  Look for the signs of LOVE and HOPE ... they are EVERY WHERE!

Namaste,

Ms. Gill