In September none of us could envision exactly what the year would look like. Not Team Awesome, not parents and not the teachers. Everything was so uncertain and scary and unknown. The world, and our learning spaces, were changed and still changing. But one thing remained the same- the children continued to be children and needed structure, emotional support, consistency, stability, security, love and education. So we strove to provide those things as best we were able within our learning spaces and Team Awesome grew and blossomed despite the uncertainty of the world around them. They pushed against and expanded the parameters of their thinking as they explored the learning and activities presented to them and sometimes surprised us as well as themselves with their insights. They learned the rules and expectations we held for them and met them as best they were able and then exceeded them, forcing us to raise the bar. They became empathetic and supportive of each other and treated each other with kindness and respect. They became a cohesive unit, a team, a family. From this day onward their journeys will diverge as they become two classes and their educational journeys begin to separate, Our hope is that the generosity and love they displayed toward each other in our spaces this year continues throughout their all too brief time together. Our hope is that we have provided them with the foundation to continue to think outside the box and raise the bar for themselves, not just academically, but in all ways. 
We know that releasing the care of your child to a stranger is a difficult thing, made even more challenging this year by world events and so we would like to thank you for giving us the privilege and honour of teaching your children this school year. It is because of your love and support that these children are the caring, compassionate, dedicated, enthusiastic people they are. Thank you. 
​Enjoy the summer with Team Awesome and we look forward to seeing you and catching up next fall! Go forth and Be Awesome- always!

Goodness! It has been a week. We were at a loss to explain how we have needed to do so much reminding and chastising this last week of Kindergarten until I remembered an incident from our class trip to Isobel Lake quite a few years ago. One of my children was complaining about how heavy her pack was almost from the time we got off the bus. She complained and sniffled and begged me to carry it for her (relentless as only six year olds are) but I had my own things to carry. The others left as I cajoled her along. Finally we were so far behind that in desperation I took her pack. And was shocked at how heavy it was! What on earth could be in it that weighed so much?! I opened her pack and under the usual items found a very very large rock that weighed about 3 pounds. When asked, her reply was, "Oh! I found it when we got off the bus and wanted to take it home." She reluctantly agreed to leave it behind but was extremely happy and surprised with how light her bag was without it. Like the rock in the backpack, sometimes we shoulder burdens or emotions without even realizing how heavy they are until we let them go. And Team Awesome is packing a barrage of emotions this week as we contemplate the end of Kindergarten, uncertainty of grade one, excitement over summer and the ups and downs of doing so many new things that disrupt our schedule. We know they are apprehensive to give up the routine of our days in Kindergarten and are lugging around the anxiety that might cause and looking to us for reassurance in whatever form they can get. We hope to help them unload their emotional packs next week so they can leave us lighter and happier and looking forward to their next adventure.

• A last reminder ​all library books are due back to the library ASAP.
• We will get the last few photos and videos to you as soon as possible next week. Please don't forget to download any you would like to save to your computer.
• Student materials will come home Monday, June 28. It will be a 'regular' day so please send snacks/ lunches/ backpacks as per usual.
• Tuesday, June 29 is our final day with an 11:30 dismissal. Please send a snack and a backpack to carry our last things (and report cards) home. Happy holidays!
• ​If your child will not be here Tuesday, June 29, make arrangements to pick up their report cards from the office by July 8.
  
• Scholastic digi-flyers for June can be found here. 
• The BEST newsletter can be found here.
• Check out what Mrs. Phillips is doing with Team Awesome here.
• June sight words are: day, has, made, off, saw, they, them, went, name. If a word comes up repeatedly in our studies we will sometimes add it to our words for the month. Please feel free to practice them at home.​

Go forth and Be Light!

Research has shown that young students may experience a decline in their reading skills if they do not read over the summer. Access to high quality books helps ensure students continue reading. As a collaborative project with Literacy in Kamloops and Boys & Girls Club of Kamloops, the Bright Red Book Bus visits schools and local parks throughout the summer, providing children with free new books and encouraging reading for pleasure. Unfortunately, Bert Edwards School of Technology will not be hosting the BRBB this summer but it can be found at a number of other schools and parks in the district throughout the week during July and August.
Feel free to visit the Bright Red Book Bus' Facebook page by going to the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/brightredbookbus/

​​Our trip to Isobel Lake is on Thursday, June 24! So here's the plan- although it is wobbly as out there in the forest we are not restricted to time constraints so things are fairly relaxed other than our departure time at the end of the day.
We will be leaving the school as soon as possible in the morning (8:45ish). Be sure to pack lots of lunch/snacks (they turn into voracious eaters on field trips), a water bottle, a sweater and a hat. The children will be expected to carry their own packs all day so make sure they are manageable. The weather is supposed to be warm but of course is unpredictable, so please dress your child appropriately. Apply sunscreen and bug repellent before leaving the house as the children have a tendency to share and over-apply, getting it into eyes/hair etc. The bus will drop us off at the top of the hill and we will either use the bathrooms (outhouses) at the top or the bottom of the hill... or both. Children will be divided up among the adults after we get off the bus and the groups will be encouraged to explore but to stay together. We will eat our snacks after a short walk and take our garbage with us. We will make our way around the lake, stopping and exploring and staying out of the water. It is not inconceivable that someone will 'accidently' fall/ slip into the water (it has happened before) so we will pack a change of clothes just in case. Partway around the lake we will stop to see what we can see in the lake from the shore and the pond kits will be brought out to use and later we will carefully go out onto the docks. Slightly further on we will stop in a large grassy area with covered picnic tables to eat our lunches and then slowly make our way back to the bus so we can leave by 2:00. Sometime during the day we will get a picture of all the Ks together. Sounds like a great day! Hope you can join us.
PS As per our previous fieldtrips this year, parents will be required to drive their own vehicles and remain masked. Thank you.