Ms. Gill's Nifty Nighthawks 2019/2020

Dear Families, WOW!  Here I am writing my final blog update for our 2019/2020 school year.  It is with mixed emotions that I share this post.  I am happy to have completed this year seeing all my students diligently  grow  academically, socially, and behaviourally.  But, I am truly sad that our time together has come to an end.   I will miss each student as they have in their own way brightened my heart with their smiles, enthusiasm, and respect.  Each day, I was greeted with warmth and positive energy at school and online (virtually through Google Meet).  I truly am the blessed one!   I would like to thank each of you (parents) for all that you have done this school year to continually support your child IN and OUT of the classroom.  The past few months certainly have been challenging as we all had to quickly adapt and adjust to a new platform for learning.  Not only did we successfully accomplish this, but exceptionally well too because of YOU!!   Every week, I was in aw

Dear Families, Week #11 - check!   I can’t believe this is my second last BLOG POST of the school year!!  I have thoroughly enjoyed communicating our news and learning with you all (my students’ families).   I thank you for being a regular follower and supporting your child’s academics IN and OUT of the classroom.  It's been quite an adjustment, but we've persevered and I couldn't be more proud of my students for their dedication, efforts, and responsibility to continue their academics.  None of this would have been possible if it was not for your (parents) SUPPORT.   Perhaps you may recall at the student-led conferences in November, your child had shared the meaning of T.E.A.M.  This stands SO TRUE ... and we have achieved more as a dream team :-)  It has been a true pleasure writing these weekly posts as I get to reflect upon all the meaningful things we're doing and have done as a class family, this brings me immense JOY!  Father's Day: Happy Fath

Dear Families, Week #10 - check!  We've continued to be on a roll with distance learning!  This week's completed tasks really meant a lot to me as I thoroughly enjoyed reading students' responses to Black Lives Matter and the connections they made to our novel study.  Social justice is a topic that is very near and dear to me.  Finding ways to help inform and educate my students about history (Residential Schools, Black History Month, Bullying, Empathy etc ...) and thinking of ways we can BE BETTER and DO MORE to help our world is something I will always strive for. Thank you boys and girls for taking the time and HEART to share your thoughts and opinions in your writing activities this week!  You are making a difference by just being YOU!! As kids, you can help plant the seed of equality and justice for ALL! Connor: I'm still smiling cheek to cheek from Connor's informative, well executed, and heart warming virtual tour of his farm on Monday!  Tha

Dear Families, Week #9 - check!  What a productive and fabulous week we've had in distance learning!  I have received numerous emails and feedback about how much students are enjoying their novel study and the STEAM experiments!  I'm very happy to hear this!  More to come next week :)  Also, next week, I have an ART PROJECT that I've assigned that I think you'll really enjoy!  Stay tuned :)  Thank YOU to ALL who were able to join our Monday Meet!  LOOK AT THOSE SMILES! Google Meet: This week's special guest featured Sophie (see below) a grade 4 student from Maple, ONT. who joined our SHARE A JOKE Meet on Monday.  I've known Sophie since she was born (she's now 9 years old, 10 in Nov.).  It was wonderful to have YOU, Soph!  Sophie contributed happily by answering and sharing a few jokes!  Her Mom Leslie (see below) texted me afterwards and said, "Pareen, please thank your students for being so kind by welcoming my daughter and making he