Chilly Willy Update!

I think that really dates me, doesn't it? Anyway, we are all being reminded that it is far colder than normal but I wanted you to be aware of the following updates:

We are delighted to have the following Grade 4 Moms, who expressed a desire to come to the symphony on Thursday, to be part of our day:  Michelle Biffart, Lori Bryerton, Barbara Hogendoorn, Connie DeJong and Lyndell Richert. Please be at the school by 10:20 Thursday, realizing that we will be returning by 2:30. If your plans have changed in any way, please let me know by Wednesday so that we can make the ticket available to someone else. Please remember to give me a cheque for $6.50, payable to WRCA.

This promises to be an amazing experience, one that I am so glad that you are able to share with your child.


Secondly, our boys are having challenges in the change room and are missing numerous clothing items. Please, please, check the labels on your son's clothing to make sure that they are his. We have parents checking the Lost and Found twice a week in the hopes of finding the missing items and I know that their frustration is mounting.

Thanks so much,
Kathe

PS  I hear the weather is supposed to break. I won't tell you how many prayer requests we've had for blizzards.

Symphonic Hall of Fame

The Grade 4's will be attending the Symphonic Hall of Fame performance on November 25th. We will be leaving the school at 10:45 and returning by 1:45.

At this time, there are no parent tickets, but if you are interested in attending at the cost of $6.50, please send a note by Tuesday, Nov. 9th at 8:30 in the morning and we will see if we can secure tickets. We will keep you posted.

Kathe

Winter Uniform Update

Hello Parents and Elementary Students,

With winter approaching and the weather turning colder and colder, as elementary teachers, we have been discussing student attire. We would like to encourage all parents to purchase a WRCA sweater, if you haven't already. When you do, please write your child's first and last name on the inside tag. These sweaters not only look great, but are very warm and, well, mandatory uniform at WRCA!

A new policy that we are implementing with student footwear is as follows: students are encouraged to keep a pair of shoes in their classroom to wear during class. This inside footwear must meet the uniform guidelines for the boys and the girls.  Boots can be worn to school and during outside break times only. Before going outside for recess or lunch, students will be given the opportunity to change into their boots. This new policy will help keep students' feet warm and will keep our classrooms cleaner.

We also want to ask the parent community for their support in helping keep our children safe at lunch recess. We are in need of more parent supervisors from 12:00 to 12:45. Thank you to many of you who have faithfully shown up and supervised our children.

Sincerely,

The Elementary Staff of WRCA

A Great Time Was Had By All!

What a wonderful learning experience for the Grade 4's and their parents, myself
included, as we were privileged to be able to experience so much of what the Lynn
Canyon Ecology Centre had to offer. To learn under an experienced guide of the
temperate rain forest and then to be taken to explore the suspension bridge, the
many hiking paths and The Falls Bridge, to conclude with the examination of our
collection of forest samples using a projection magnifier, made us all feel like
discovers. We examined so many varieties of beautiful fungi, saw nurse stumps,
and "Oh" so much more, as we recognized a few of the well-known species of
Western Hemlock, Old Growth Cedar and Pine, as we actually experienced walking
under the canopy, among the understory, shrub and herb layers that provided a
beautiful backdrop to our trail. The importance of the forest floor and soil layer
became very clear to us as we realized everything else depended upon it.
Temperature, light, PH and water samples were also gathered, so we felt very scientific.

A very special thanks to seven, brave moms in gum boots who so willingly gave of their
 time to make the day even more of a memory for us. Thanks as well to Mr. Loewen
who was our great driver to and from the event.

God made this a special day with glorious sunshine and we were able to enjoy the
beauty and majesty of his amazing creation while applying what the students had been
learning through their study of "Habitats."

Blessings to all,
Kathe

Happy November 1st!.................A Second Attempt!

It was great to hear about the enjoyable weekend that the Grade 4's had. It sounds
like they will have quite a selection of candy for the next number of days, but
hopefully it will stretch into weeks. As we are still building towards ability to focus
 through lessons and discussions, I would appreciate that all treats be left at home.
Any gummies given out in class are rare, and are used to recognize appropriate
student choices.


Please be reminded that our fieldtrip to Lynn Canyon is tomorrow. Your child needs
 to wear their uniform but needs to be ready to participate outside so a jacket and
boots is a must! Please send snacks and lunch in a brown bag that is labelled
 with your child's name.

Any moms attending the field trip to "Lynn Canyon" tomorrow must be at school at
regular starting time. TO CLARIFY: We are taking the medium bus, so there is room
for all wanting to attend. Please be ready for the outdoor weather and when the guides
are speaking to the children, please refrain from prompting or answering for them.
What a great time for you to be together, but just be aware how visiting voices may be
distracting for already excited children!

Looking forward to an awesome learning experience at Lynn Canyon. So happy to
have all of you along.

Kathe Good