School Days :)

September 2012

Dear Parents and Guardians,

                Welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful summer!  Welcome to our class blog!  I am really looking forward to teaching the grade 8’s – we are going to have an amazing year!

                Over the next few months, our goal is to meet the expectations of the Ontario Curriculum, and of course to make sure the students settle into Erin Public School routines and activities comfortably.  I will be teaching the following subjects to your child/children : Language, Math, Geography, History, Phys-ed and Drama.

·         The language arts program will consist of  grammar, creative writing and reading, persuasive writing novel studies, media studies, book reports (one per term), and many other language-based activities.  The students will be working in small groups, guided reading groups, and whole-class lessons and discussions.

·         The math program will cover many areas of study – starting off with a geometry unit that focuses on line segments, rays, congruent and similar figures, obtuse, acute and reflex angles.

·         We will be covering history term one and will then move into the geography program in term two. Our first history unit will begin with a look at the Confederation of our country

·         In phys-ed we will begin with team-building games and soccer skills

·         In drama, we will be starting with small comedic skits.

                During our first day of school, the students and I discussed classroom rules and expectations that will be followed over the entire school year.  Please ask your child to go over these with you.  They are posted in the room at all times.  My overall focus for the class is for the students to enjoy a happy, cooperative, and respectful learning environment.

                Each student has been given an agenda, which will be used on a daily basis to record homework.  Please look over the agenda with your child to review the day’s events, and sign in the place provided.  Agendas will be checked on a frequent basis to ensure that they are being taken home and used properly.  I will also be using these books as a means of communication with you. Please feel free to write any notes or concerns in the agenda. Another form of communication is our class blog.  At  www.misswaddell7.blogspot.com  , you can check for up-coming classroom activities and assignments.  The blog will also be updated on a regular basis.

                I look forward to meeting you at our Open House in September!  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the school or write a note in your child’s agenda.

                                                                                                                                Take Care,

 Miss Waddell

First Day!!!

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had a fabulous summer! I enjoyed spending time up north at the cottage, and running around PEI, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia......

I am very excited to start the 2012/2-13 school year! See you on Tuesday!

Miss Waddell

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations to all the grads!!!! 8C was amazing!!!! Here's to a fabulous year!!!!

I will miss you all!!!

Have a wonderful summer!

Miss Waddell

3 More Days!

I can't believe only three days are left in this school year! WOW!  I will miss the kids in 8C!!!

Tomorrow we have our big 8C, 8D and 8E catapult challenge!  May the best launcher win!!!

Tomorrow night the grad committee is staying after school to decorate both gyms - they have been AWESOME!!!!!

Wednesday morning we have grad practice from 9:00 - 10:25 am.  Grad night is from 6:30pm (kids here by 6) until 10:30 pm. Our class is in charge of fruits and veggies trays!!!!

Thursday morning we have our year-end assembly from 9 - 11:00am - parents are more than welcome to attend:)

Please let me know if you have any questions !!!

Miss Waddell

HOT HOT HOT!!!

Thank goodness Erin PS has air conditioning!!! It is so incredibly hot today!  The kids will be well looked after - making sure they have lots to drink, and can stay in a break if they need to.

Things are winding down here!  This week, many last assignments and activities are coming to a close.

In language the kids are finishing their novel study summaries, their research papers, and their final Titanic activities.

In math, we are finishing our fractions unit - with a quick test on Thursday.  We will then work on a grade 9 survival guide for the kids to take with them to high school.

In dance - we are working on a flash-dance!! A local Zumba coach has been coming into the school to help the grade 8's learn a dance that they can boogie to at their grad :)

Speaking of Grad : the ceremony is creeping closer!  The dress rehearsal is Wednesday at 9:00 - 10:25 am.  The ceremony is at 6:30 pm, but the kids need to be at the school at 6:00 pm to take their positions :)
Our class is responsible for bringing in fruit and veggie trays - please drop them off anytime during the day.
The dance that follows grad will take place until 10:30 pm.

If you have any questions, please contact me at the school:)

Stay cool!

Miss Waddell

Finish Line!

Still busy in Room 18 - even though things are winding down! This week, some of the kids in the band or in the Willy Wonka cast are heading to Canada's Wonderland to play....enjoy!!

This week we are finishing things up!

Due in by Friday are all novel study assignments, all research essays and all creative writing assignments.

In math we will be finishing off our fractions, decimals and percents unit, and there will be a test on Thursday.

In gym - we will continue with our mini dance lessons, lacrosse and ultimate frisbee.

In drama, we will be performing small humourous skits.

Don't forget - grad money is due soon......

Have a great Monday!

Miss Waddell

Talent Show!

Tomorrow is the Talent Show! Thanks to all my kids for helping out with this year's show:)
Dress Rehearsal : Period 3and 4
Evening Performance : 7 - 8:30

Up next : Graduation!!!!

Have a great day!

Miss Waddell

PA Day!

Don't forget that Friday is a PA Day!!! 

Next Tuesday is the Talent Show!  Many of our kids are involved!  Dress rehearsal is from 11:10am - 12:50pm and the evening performance is from 7:00pm - 8:30 pm!

Three weeks to grad!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Miss Waddell

Too fast!

Time is zipping away too quickly in Room 18!

Jump Rope/Hoops for Heart was a huge success last Friday!  The kids participated in all events and did a super job!!!
Our students that went to city track in Guelph, represented Erin Public School well at the meet - Well done!

Some updates :
In language we are working on a major writing assignment : a proper essay.  The kids have picked their topics and have started researching. The next step is to record their information in a planner and then move onto a rough copy. Good copies are due the second week of June.
In math, we finished the Pythagorean Theory and the kids wrote their test on Tuesday. Now, we move on to fractions decimals and percents.
In science, the kids are almost done their catapults, and the competition begins in a couple of weeks!
In gym, we will focus on outdoor soccer and ultimate frisbee.

Remember that next week Friday is a PA day!

Take care,
Miss Waddell

Track and Field!

Track and Field is tomorrow!  Bring your water bottles, sun screen and a good pair of shoes!

On Friday, we go to the high school in the morning (9:05-10:25) so the kids can meet with the grade 9 teachers AND sit in on a full grade 9 class.

Also on Friday, we have Jump Rope for Heart the last two periods of the day !

Graduation info went home in a news letter last week. If you have any further questions, please contact me at the school.

Another busy week!

Take care,
Miss Waddell

Updates!

Reminders :

Tomorrow is pot-luck day in Room 18!!! All students have offered to bring in a particular treat!

Monday is a holiday.

Wednesday is Track and Field!!!

Have a wonderful long weekend!!

Miss Waddell

Busy!!!

Time is flying!
This week :
Tomorrow the kids will have a gr. 9 math teacher come into our room to teach/explain how a high school math lesson would be.  For two periods, the kids will learn a few new concepts and will see a three-part problem solving lesson.  Sounds kinda cool!
In language, we will be working on formatted, non-fiction essays, and poetry.
In phys-ed, we continue with track and field skills and then move on to ultimate frisbee.
In science we are finishing our catapults..

Tuesday afternoon, the kids will watch a dress-rehearsal of Willy Wonka during periods three and four. Parents are welcome to attend.

Thursday is our volunteer tea - and all parents who have helped our class have been invited.

This Friday we having a class potluck - and each student has signed up for their "treat".

Another busy week!!!

Take care,
Miss W

Friday!

Tree planting tomorrow morning....along with Willy Wonka practice for all cast mates and crew...

Next week : Willy Wonka dress rehearsal on Tuesday, and class pot-luck on Friday - yum!  All the kids have signed up to bring something:)

Well done to all of the Willy Wonka cast mates and grade 7/8 band who performed at the Dufferin Youth Festival for the Arts today! Fantastic!

Have a great weekend!!!!

Miss W

Monday!

Another busy week coming up!

We are gearing up for track and field (in two weeks)... and we have a tennis clinic that the kids will be participating this week.
The kids have a math test today on integers - they have know about this for over a week.  Tomorrow, we move on to the Pythagorean Theory!!
In language, we are moving on!  Titanic activities are due at the end of the week, and we are soon going to be writing poetry!!! Good copies of the Hunger Games movie reviews are due soon as well.

Don't forget that Friday morning we go tree planting!!! Parent volunteers are welcome!!!

Miss Waddell

Reminders

The kids have had a great week so far!

A quick update :
In language we are finishing up our Titanic activities, and working on the rough copy of our Hunger Games movie review.  Good copies will be due late next week.  In math we are finishing our integer unit, and we will have a test early next week. In science, the catapults are well underway!!!  In phys-ed we are winding up our badminton tournament, taking up tennis, and practicing our track and field skills.

Upcoming events :
May 10th - Dufferin Festival of the Arts (band and musical members)
May 11th - all-day practice for Willy Wonka cast members
May 11th - 8C is tree-planting in the morning - permission forms went home today

Have a great week everyone!!!!

Miss Waddell

Wednesday!

Here are some of the things going on in room 18 over the next little while!

In math we have been adding and subtracting integers.....and the kids are doing a pretty good job! We have a quick quiz tomorrow and then we move on to multiplying and dividing integers.
In language we are finishing our Titanic activities and we are also working on how to write a proper movie review. This is the culminating activity linked to all of our Hunger Games activities.
In science we are building catapults!!! We are only in the planning stages, but will be building them in the next week or so.
In phys-ed, we are focusing on badminton, indoor tennis and track and field.

Another quick week, but a busy one! The months of May and June are going to be just as busy!

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the school :)

Miss Waddell

Don't Forget!!

Don't forget that tomorrow is a PA day!  See you all on Tuesday!

Miss W.

Great Movie!

The Hunger Games was great - and so were the kids!  What an awesome time!  As a follow-up to watching the movie, the kids are expected to write a Hunger Games movie review.  The assignment will be introduced by the end of the week.
Thursday morning we head to the high school for our in-class sessions.

In math we have begun our integers unit.... in science we begin building catapults, in language we are finishing up our Titanic unit, and in gym we are going to be starting our track and field activities soon!

Have a great week!

Miss W

Next Week!

Next Tuesday we head to Orangeville to see Hunger Games!

We also have half-day visits to the high school, where the kids will sit in on various classes that are in-session.  It gives them a glimpse of what a typical high-school classroom setting will be like.

Have a great weekend!!!

Miss Waddell

Another Short Week!

I hope everyone had a fabulous Easter weekend! I think everyone needed the rest!

This week, we will be finishing our circle unit in measurement math, and we will be moving on to integers!  Tests were written and should be marked by early next week.

In language , we will be continuing with our Titanic activities....it was 100 years today that the Titanic set sail!

In science - we are building and building..... and will do more building over the next 2 months! Challenge # 2 is about to unfold!!!!

In gym, we are going to be gearing up for Track and Field and ultimate frisbee try-outs.

In french , the kids have a test tomorrow.

Some reminders :

Tomorrow our girls have their HPV shots - first period in the morning.
Thursday we head to the River Run Centre to hear a world-class "funky" cello player.

Also - next Tuesday we are heading to Orangeville to the Galaxy theaters to see the Hunger Games.  Please fill in permission forms and return to the school, before Friday!

Have a great week!

Miss Waddell

Award Winners!

Award Winners : Owen Cole, Shannon Arthey, Breanne Dickson, and Bradley Cripps

Pictures!!!!!

Science Spaghetti Structures!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!

Another fantastic week that began with out Respect and Responsibility Character Education assembly on Monday. Congratulations to our award winners :Shannon Arthey, Owen Cole, Breanne Dickson, and Brad Cripps for their hard work! Photos will be posted soon!

This up-coming week is a busy one!  On Tuesday we have the intermediate floor hockey tournament and on Thursday we have some student from 8C heading to the Skills Canada science and tech competition.  Good luck to the students going - and there will be updates on their achievements!

April 14th is the 100th year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  In order to commemorate this event,  we will be starting a three-week literacy unit on the grand ship.  Many activities are planned! The kids have already begun reading novels that revolve around the grand ship, writing assignments are geared towards the topic and there is even a challenge/science link that is related to the sinking of the ship.  Exciting stuff!

In math we have finished learning about the circumference of circles and we have been learning about the area of circles.  Once this unit is done, we will be moving on to integers.

In science we are starting to build!  The kids have been working on their orthographic and isometric drawing and will soon be building!!!

In gym, we continue you on with our floor hockey and badminton units.
 A reminder that each student needs to have proper gym clothes at school, to participate appropriately in the phys-ed program.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Miss Waddell

Amazing week!

Things are back to "busy" in room 18!
We have many upcoming events and activities in the next few weeks!

Here is a snap-shot :
Tomorrow, Loretta Penny will be visiting our school to talk about her journeys through travel. The topic she will be discussing is Oceans.  With her, she not only brings her amazing experiences and stories to the kids....she also brings items and wares from around the world that the kids can purchase.  The kids are aware that she is coming and will love her presentation!
Next Monday we have our Character Education assembly and the characteristics being celebrated at this assembly are Respect and Responsibility.  Parents of the students receiving the awards will be notified this week.
The grade 8's will be going to see the Hunger Games movie in Orangeville!!!!!  This will occur in early April - details to come!!

In language , the kids have been working on summarizing news articles, and they will be presenting these summaries next week.  Also, the menus that the kids created in January, will require some publicity...SO... the kids will be working on their radio "jingles" soon!
In math we are learning about circles - their circumference, diameter, and radius, Pi...... and will soon be learning about the area of circles and how to calculate it.
In science we are working on isometric and orthographic drawings which will lead us into "building" our first project.
In gym, the focus has been on floor hockey and badminton.

Busy busy!

I hope everyone enjoys the beautiful weather this week!

Miss Waddell

Back to School We Go!!!

I hope everyone had a FANTASTIC March Break!  We will be back at it in room 18 - many exciting things coming up over the next three months! It seems like summer has already arrived, but there are so many things to do from now until June.
Enjoy the amazing weather, and there will be more updates coming this week!

Miss Waddell

Quick update!

We are starting our new math unit this week : the focus is on circles. Learning how to calculate their circumference, the area, radius and the diameter.

The Dance-a-th-on is this Tuesday during the last two periods.  We are heading to Centre 2000 to skate on Wednesday during the last two periods.

March Break is from March 10 - March 18.

Have a great week!

Miss Waddell

Due dates!

Some due dates :

Novel Study final assignments are due Monday, as are photo essays.

French test tomorrow.

The grade 7/8 band is heading to Guelph to perform tomorrow.... good luck!

Have a great weekend!

Miss Waddell

Happy Snow Day!

I hope everyone enjoyed yet another snow day!

Hopefully everyone stayed warm and safe.... see you all tomorrow :)

Miss Waddell

Busy Week!

I hope everyone enjoyed their extended weekend!  Although the snow day just didn't measure up to what it was supposed to!
This week in Room 18, we are finishing up many things.
Photo essays, novel study assignments and media posters are due this week.  The kids can have the weekend - as long as they ask for an extension.

In math, we are having a unit test on Patterning and Algebra - on Tuesday - and we will be moving on to our Measurement unit.

Up-coming events:

Tuesday, March  6 - Dance-a-thon
Wednesday, March 7 - Skating in the pm
Friday, March 9 - last day of school before break
March 10- 18 - March Break

I hope everyone has a fantastic week!

Miss Waddell

Short Week!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Family Day weekend!

Things are busy as usual in Room 18!

Some of the activities the kids are working on are as follows :

Language : we are working on photo essays that require the kids to bring in their photos to school and put them into a picture-essay format, that has a "theme" of their choice.
Also in language, we are working on the reading and summarizing of current events news articles. And, the culminating projects for our novel studies are due before March Break.  We are finishing our media/concert posters and our menu math.  The kids will soon be creating radio jingles that advertize the restaurants that their menus were created for.

Math : we are finishing off our patterning unit and moving onto a measurement unit.

Science : we are beginning our Systems in Actions unit and will be building a structure that includes spaghetti and marshmallows!

Phys-ed : we have finished basketball and will move onto floor hockey, badminton, and healthy eating.

Upcoming dates : 
February 23 - IPRC reviews (parents who are involved with this have been notified)
March 6th - our Dance-a-thon!!!

Please remember to return all report card slips and envelopes to the school before March Break!

Have a great week!

Miss Waddell

Report Cards!

Term One report cards went home yesterday.  Please review these reports with your child and return the tear-offs on page three and page four to school.  If you have any questions, or would like to book an interview, please contact me at the school and we can arrange an interview.

Remember that Monday is Family Day - no school.....

Have a great week!

Miss Waddell

OTTAWA!!!

We are back from Ottawa and the trip was awesome!! The kids were great, many sights were seen.....and the experience of visiting our nation's capital was amazing! Here are some sneak-peak pictures :

OTTAWA!!!

We are off to Ottawa in the morning!!!! I am soooo excited and so are the kids!
Looking forward to a GREAT time!!

Miss Waddell

Pictures - MATH, CHRISTMAS BAKING, MR. ZUK'S FAIRWELL!

MONDAY!!

I hope everyone enjoyed that extra-long "SNOWY" weekend!

There is a week left before we board the buses and head out to Ottawa!!!  The students received their itinerary today - which outlines the events and venues that the kids will be visiting during their four-day stay.  Please go over this with your son/daughter, and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the school.

Today, the kids visited Erin District High School for an orientation tour. The student have received their course selection sheets for grade nine, and are reminded to have them returned to school by the end of this week.

In language : all menus, persuasive essays, and book reports MUST be handed in.  They were due last week.
In math : we are working our way through our Patterning and Algebra unit.
In science : we are looking at cells, using microscopes
In gym : we are continuing on with our basketball unit

Due to the snow day last Friday, our Scientist in Schools program was cancelled , and will be rescheduled for later this week.

As you all know, Mr. Zuk is leaving our school, after 7 years.  We will miss him very much! 
To celebrate how much we appreciate all he has done for our school, and to send him off to his new school, we will be having a celebration assembly tomorrow during period two in the small gym. ALL are welcome to attend. (9:35am- 10:25am).

Remember : start packing your bags for Ottawa - we leave in a week!!!!

Have a great week everyone!!!

Miss Waddell

Back to School We Go!!!

I  hope everyone had a nice, extended weekend!

Here are some of the "goings-on" in Room 18 this week :

All book reports, menus, and persuasive essays were due last Friday. We will continue with our media unit - creating a band or concert flyer, and we will be moving towards a poetry unit and a public speaking/speech writing activity.   In math, we are finishing Data Management until the spring, and we will be working on a Patterning/Algebra unit from the end of January thru to the beginning or February. In science, we will be finishing with our cell unit and in late February we will begin our Systems in Action unit.  However, this Thursday and Friday, we will be having Scientists in Schools coming in to "kick-start" the Systems unit.
Also on Friday, the intermediate basketball team will travel to Guelph to compete in the area tournament. Good luck!!!!

Yellow course selection sheets went home with the students so they can go over their choices with parents.  Please make sure that you do go over these choices, and return the sheets to school once decisions have been made. That being said - we are heading over to Erin High School on Monday for an orientation afternoon.  So perhaps students should wait until after this visit before they hand the yellow sheets back in.

Have a great week everyone!!!

Miss Waddell

Remember!

Tomorrow the kids are getting their grad photos taken!!! Please wear a white collared shirt/blouse for the picture!!!

Monday is a PA Day.....

The parent-info night at Erin District High School was cancelled for this evening due to the poor weather, however I will let you know the new date as soon as possible.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!

Miss Waddell

Happy Monday!

I hope everyone had a good weekend!!!

Here are some reminders for the up-coming week :

Book reports, menus, and persuasive essays are due Monday.  If extensions are needed , the kids can have a few more days - but the assignments MUST be done this week.

On Wednesday , we are walking over to the high school for a drama presentation being put on for the grade 8 students.  We will leave school at noon and return by 3.

Thursday evening, Erin District High School is offering an information night for all grade 8 students and their parents that will introduce the courses being offered and  the transition plan from elementary school to the high school level.  Last week ALL grade 8 students received notification about this meeting - please look in your child's agenda for the information regarding this info session.

Friday morning, the grade 8's will be having their grad photos taken. Information packages also went home that outline the photo packages and what is needed for each photo session.

I hope everyone has an amazing week.

Take care,

Miss Waddell

Updates!

Graduation pictures are NEXT Friday!!! Information letters went home today - please read!!!

Book reports, persuasive essays and menus are due in the next few days.  Many of the kids have asked for extensions until Monday - and that is just fine.

Have a great Thursday!

Miss Waddell

Happy New Year!!

Back to school we go!!!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and I hope the New Year brings the best to everyone in 2012!
Thank you to everyone for all of the gifts and well wishes - I am so lucky to have great kids (who have great parents) in my class!

Here is what's going on in room 18!

1. Book Reports are due this Friday , although if the students need extra time, they can ask for an extension to the following Monday.

2. Menus - are due on Friday - today the kids had a work period to finish up the good copy.

3. Persuasive essays are also due on Friday.

4. Animal and Plant cell assignments were due today - most students handed them in before the break.

The classroom is open most breaks, should the kids need some extra time to complete these assignments.  Also - if the students speak to me about needing an extension - one will be arranged.

Second installments for the Grade 8 Ottawa trip are due this week. Each student has been told the amount they have owing, and all cheques should be made out to Erin Public School.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me.

I hope everyone has a great Monday!

Take care,

Miss Waddell

Merry Christmas!!!

To all the students and parents in 8C - have a wonderful holiday and a safe and Happy New Year!!!!

Miss Waddell

Cookies!

A slight change!!!
Cookies will be baked the last two periods TOMORROW!!! We can have all the ovens available during those last two periods :)

Any parents are welcome to come in and help!!!

Miss Waddell

Last Week!

Well...we are down to the last week before Christmas!!!

Secret Santa has begun!  And just a reminder that the kids should have a small treat or clue for the person they have picked - every day this week.  Something small - a treat, a clue, a homemade ornament..... a little surprise for the student they are a Secret Santa to.

On Friday - the Santas are revealed!!  A larger - yet inexpensive - gift is to be brought in for our celebration on Friday.

This week, we are also having two caroling assemblies - one on Wednesday during the last period, and Friday during the first two periods of the day. Any parents are welcome to attend!

This Thursday , we will be baking cookies!  During the last two periods, we will be busy making as many batches as we can.  Please send in baking sheets, bowls, cookie cutters....and perhaps a loonie to help buy ingredients.  An if you would like to help - parents are more than welcome to come in!!!

School reminders : book reports, and menus will be due when the kids get back from the break - and the second installment of the trip is due the Tuesday after the break.

MacMillan's food orders are arriving on Thursday - please make sure that everything is picked up by 6:00pm on Thursday evening.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Miss Waddell

T'was the Second Last Week of School!

Hello Everyone!

Well, December is ZOOMING by and yet, there are so many things to be done in the next two weeks!

First, I would like to say congratulations to the volleyball team for representing our school at their tournament in Elora last Thursday - well done!!!! I look forward to a staff/student volleyball game soon!

The grade 8 trip registrations and fundraising is all going well.  Most kids registered online by the December 9th deadline...we will have the updated list from the tour company , tomorrow, and this will confirm who has or has not registered. If you had any trouble , either call EF Tours at their 1-800 number...or let me know at the school and I will check into it.  The final round of fundraising is due at the school on Wednesday , and a reminder that all the ordered items will be delivered to the school next week!!  Trip information packages went home last Friday - with blue permission forms, roommate choice sheets, helmet waivers, dietary concern/medicine forms.....please return all forms to school as soon as possible. By next week , each student will have an updated "fundraising account" form coming home, to let you know what is owed for the second installment due on January 9th. If you have any questions or concerns - please don't hesitate to let me know.

Other dates to remember :

Tomorrow : math test for Number Sense and Numeration begins - will finish on Wednesday
Tomorrow night : Open House / Grade 8 Fashion Show!!!  6- 730 pm.
Wednesday : History test completion in Mr. Primeau's room at first break
Science classes : bring in materials to create their plant or animal cell models/posters - due at the end of next week

Next Week's Activities :

Cookies!!!!! Sometime next week, I would like to carry on the tradition of baking and decorating cookies with the kids!  I would LOVE to have parent volunteers to come in and help us - the more , the merrier- and would ask that if possible you send any bowls, mixing spoons... cookie cutters.......into the school so we have what we need to create these fabulous treats!  Also , a toonie or loonie would be helpful - as I will take care of purchasing all of the cookie ingredients :)

Secret Santa !!!!! Any students wanting to take part in our Secret Santa festivities, will be drawing a name from the hat to pick their "Santa" .  Over the course of the last five days of school before break, the kids SECRETLY leave treats, little prizes, stickers, cards, clues and trinkets for their friend.  On the last day of school, a final gift (no more than $10!!!) is brought in to give to their Santa at the revealing of all Secret Santas.  We will have a class celebration the last day of school before the holidays - all parents are welcome!

I hope everyone have a wonderful week, and I will see some of you tomorrow night!

Miss Waddell

Updates!

Here are a few updates for the week :)

The History test has been postponed until Friday.

MacMillan's orders are due tomorrow - first round.

The kids need to register online for their grade 8 trip - this FRIDAY.

We are almost finished our Number Sense and Numeration unit , and will be having a math test next week.

The class will be getting into the Christmas spirit over the next few weeks - details to follow soon!

Take Care,
Miss Waddell

The Award Winners!

Caring and Compassion Award Winners

Wednesday!

Another busy week at Erin Public School!!!

Thank you to all of the parents and students who came out to the information night for the grade 8 trip to Ottawa!  The info session was quite informative and hopefully all questions were answered.  The information packages and online application forms that were handed out last night are also available in school. If you were unable to attend the meeting - please have your son or daughter come and speak to me about receiving the package.
Also, MacMillan fundraising packages have also gone home and fundraising has begun!  There is also a "profit list" that goes home - to let you know how much money will go to your child's trip - depending what food item is being sold.
On December 7th - the first MacMillan's order is due at the school, as it gives the company an idea of how much they will need to ship to our school before Christmas.  On December 9th - the first installment of $299 is due to the EF tour company which holds a spot on the trip for your son or daughter. (The info package details how to apply and make that first payment). December 14th - last MacMillan orders are due into the school - and all items will be ordered at this time.  Pick up for all fundraising items is on December 22nd after noon.  Finally, second installment payments are due on January 9th.  Although, if your child has done fundraising - the $176 dollars of the second installment may be covered,and therefore no payment is required.  Students will receive a letter stating how much fundraising money they have accumulated - and if they even need to make a payment.
If you have any questions or concerns - please let me know :)

Yesterday we held our fist Character Education assembly here at Erin - celebrating the students in the school who demonstrate caring and compassion to others - in all aspects of their lives.  I would like to say a big congratulations to our Caring and Compassion award winners from 8C : Mees Duijsens, Amber Lacombe, Shelby Cole and Mathew Hope!  Well done - we are so proud of you!!!!!  Pictures will be posted soon!!!

Today we are also taking part in the National/Global Vow of Silence - which is a show of solidarity and support behind children around the world who are affected by the hardships of war, child labour, exploitation, and abuse.  The Vow of Silence is to show that we support the children who cannot speak for themselves.  The kids remain silent from 9:25-10:25 - in order to help raise awareness to the plight of children across the globe who don't have a "voice" of their own. Lessons and activities are done with no talking....and very little communicating.  And so far - the kids have been wonderful.  I'm very proud of them! 

A quick reminder that the kids have a history test on FRIDAY - and they should be studying and working on their study notes!!!!

I hope everyone is having a great week!!!

Miss Waddell

Reminders!

Well, interviews are almost over!!!  It was so nice to see/meet everyone last Thursday and Friday!  I have either met or spoken to most parents, although if you have not booked a time for an interview- please do so by phoning the school and leaving me a message.

Here are some of the things going on in our classroom :

Language : the kids are working on a few assignments. They include : an essay which looks at the pros and cons of an argument.  In this essay, the goal is to have the reader/audience look at both sides of a statement and to defend both sides confidently.  Last year, we worked on persuasive writing from one perspective, and this year - the kids have to persuade and write an essay from both sides.  Also in language, the kids are working on a media unit that includes designing a menu for a themed restaurant, figuring out how much the items on the menu will cost, how much a family can eat for, and creating a radio jingle for the restaurant. The kids are also working on novel studies that will involve all grade 8 students.  The students pick what novel they are interested in reading : Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The Hunger Games, and End of Days, and will go to the teacher's room that is in charge of that particular novel.  The novel study activities will take place four periods a week and could involve language homework that pertains to the novels.  Each book is amazing - and I am so excited that the kids will participate in a book study in this fashion.  A book report has been handed out in class and will be due the first Friday of January.  Please ask your child to review the Sandwich Book Report so you are aware of all expectations for this report.

Math : the kids are working on square roots, exponents, and order of operations BEDMAS.  I strongly recommend that each student has a calculator at school, as this will help with the math lessons over the next few weeks.  Also - the kids should continue to practice their multiplication and division drills!

Phys-ed : we are still working on football...and how to play a game against Mrs. Reilly's class soon.  We will then move on to basketball.

Next week we have our first Character Education assembly.  The assembly is celebrating Caring and Compassion.  Students that demonstrate these characteristics have been chosen from our class and parents have been invited to the assembly.  The assembly is next Tuesday at 11:00 in the assembly gym - see you there!

Next Tuesday evening from 6:30-7:30 we have our Grade 8 trip parent information meeting , taking place in the cafeteria. Fundraising packages and information letters have gone home with the students already.  This info night will also go over everything pertaining to the trip - so I hope you can attend this meeting.  If not , please contact me at the school if you have any questions.

I hope everyone has a fabulous week!

Miss Waddell

We-Day!

Congratulations to Brad, Mikaela, and Brianna for attending the We-Day celebrations in Waterloo today!!  More updates to come - right from them - as we get an update from them tomorrow!
Remember that interviews are tomorrow night and Friday!  Friday is a PA Day for the kids.

Many parents have been asking about the Grade 8 Trip.  Yes - the kids have the opportunity to go on a trip - and the destination will be announced by the beginning of next week.  Fundraising will also begin next week too!!

As soon as the plans are announced - I will post all the details here :)

Everyone have a fabulous weekend, and I will see most of you soon!

Miss Waddell

Progress Reports!

Progress Reports went home yesterday! Please review these with your child and return the bottom half of the second page to school, along with the report card envelope. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at the school, and we can go over the report.  Also - parent/teacher interviews are this Thursday night from 3:30 - 8:00, and all day Friday.   Please book an interview during one of those days - or call to arrange another time. I am available most days before and after school.

Take care and have a good weekend!!!

Miss Waddell

Reminders!

Just a reminder that progress reports go home on Friday.  Please review these reports with your child and return the correct portions of the report to school.
Also - interviews are next week , on Thursday evening and all day Friday. Please call the school to book an appointment. 519-833-9685
Our Remembrance Day assembly is Friday at 10:30 am, and all parents are welcome to attend.

See you soon,

Miss Waddell

Happy Monday!

This week, we have kids preparing for our Remembrance Day assembly, which will take place on Friday at 10:30am.  Some of the students from our class will be reciting two poems, in honour of our fallen and currently serving members of the armed forces.  Any parents wishing to attend the service - please feel free to join us in the assembly gym on Friday.
In math - we are about half-way through our number sense unit and the kids will be having a quiz on Wednesday.  The focus is on factors and multiples : greatest-common-factors and lowest common multiples.  The nutrition breaks will be available for any students who need extra help - or who just want to study.
Progress report cards go home on Friday.  Please review these reports with your child - and we will be doing this in class as well. 
PARENT/TEACHER interviews are next Thursday night and all day on Friday (November 17th and 18th ).  Please call the school to book an interview, as it is imperative that I meet with parents to go over your child's progress this term.  Contact the school at 519-833-9685 and ask to book an interview with me - or any other teacher that you would like to speak to.  If Thursday or Friday do not work for your schedule , I will gladly make time before or after school and time during the week.

Have a wonderful week!  See you all soon,

Miss Waddell

Tuesday!

Everyone had a safe and happy Halloween yesterday - thank you for bringing in all of the treats!

Updates :

Please make sure that your kids are studying their multiplication and division drills.

History maps are due for Mr. Primeau on Thursday.

Gym clothes need to be at school on Day 4 and Day 5.

Paper newsletters will no longer be coming home after this month, as Erin P.S. has gone online!  Each student has a note in their agendas regarding the new system and the web site you can visit to view the monthly newsletter.

Progress reports for home in the next two weeks and parent/teacher interviews will be on the evening of November 17th, and during the day on November 18th.  Please call the office to book these conferences.

Have a good week!!

Miss Waddell