Today was a big day. All of the Team Awesome members came together as a large group for the first time. We were mostly a bit nervous but also hopeful we would all be good friends. Learning to be a good friend and fostering positive relationships is an ongoing and large part of our curriculum in kindergarten. We will learn to take turns, be a good listener, have empathy, ask for help in a calm way, express feelings, and gain a sense of responsibility as well as other relationship skills. The ability to be a good friend is not just important in Kindergarten but a life skill they will return to throughout the rest of their lives. Kindergarten is a time full of learning and adventure and having good friends makes it so much more fun! 

• Your child received their zipper pockets this week to help facilitate sending items between home and school. Please return it to school every day.
• Please ensure that your child's name is on everything they bring to school- shoes, backpacks, coats, lunch bags, mittens etc.
• A reminder that toys and unnecessary items from home must stay home.
• Inside shoes have been left on the cubby shelf above your child's coat hook. A full change of clothes to leave there in case of need is a good idea.
• When picking up your child outside of regular hours, make an appointment with the office then please use the main door by the office as all other doors are locked during school hours for the children's safety. You must also sign out your child with the office.
• We will begin our library time the third or fourth week of September with Ms. Kipp.
• We will participate in the Terry Fox Run at BEST on Friday, Sept. 25. If you would like, send a Toonie for Terry in the Take Home pocket next week.
• Friday Sept. 25 is our first fire drill practice as a school. We will practice multiple times as a class before that day.
• ​Monday, Sept. 28, is an NI day which means there is no school for students.
• The PAC has sent home its first fundraiser- $10 coupon books. The booklets are so great you can often recoup the $10 cost with the use of your first coupon! Fill in the order form and front of the envelope and return to school by Sept. 30. Thank you for supporting our PAC.
• School supply fees are due into the office if you haven't already sent them. Check with Ms. Ladouceur for cost for each grade.
• Please sign and return all of the forms in the brown envelope.
• Please send a water bottle with your child's name on it in their packs. They will be returned home each day for washing. Our fountains are off limits for drinking.
• Although we are not in cold/flu season yet, it is coming. If your child is exhibiting symptoms of any kind, they must be kept home.
• We have not yet, but eventually we will ask you to send a pair of headphones for your child to use with the iPads. Please put them in a labelled ziplock bag to help keep them organized. Earbuds are often not the best choice.

Go forth and Be Awesome!​

The first few days of school can be difficult for both students and parents, especially our littlest learners entering Kindergarten. Anxiety Canada has produced an informative and engaging video. Click here for the video and here for a separation anxiety tip sheet.

All the interviews have gone well and the students and parents have gone away a little more reassured (we hope) about this next big step. That being said, we are always a bit nervous, anxious and excited for the first 'real' day of school and we are sure there are a few little bodies out there feeling exactly the same way. If the first day comes and your child has not slept the night before, will not eat breakfast, is complaining of stomach or headaches (and you know it is not illness) and/or they are emotional, trust that these are all normal signs for many kids transitioning into Kindergarten. Reassure them they can do it and that it is normal to feel worried. For the majority of kids, by the end of the first week they will feel completely confident going to school. It is crucial to ensure they attend school in those first few days even if they are expressing these complaints. Remind your child you are there to support them as are the teachers at school. We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow!

​You know that feeling you got as a child right before Christmas? Or as a new parent with a sweet tiny baby cradled in your arms? It is often felt intensely in the center of your body and is difficult to contain- a mix of high excitement, slight anxiety, big anticipation and a slow-growing disappointment that it will all be over too soon. That's how teachers feel in September; high excitement for a new beginning, slight anxiety that all will be well, big anticipation for all the fun learning that will happen and disappointment that our time with our peeps will be over too soon. It does our teacher hearts good to see so many of the children and parents we met this week feeling the same way. We know that we still have a full day of interviews on Monday so everyone will not be aware of this blog yet but we wanted to remind those of you we have seen of a few things. Now quickly- before we blink and its gone- get out there and enjoy the beautiful sunny weather! 

• Please ensure that your child's name is on everything they bring to school- shoes, backpacks, coats, lunch bags, mittens etc.
• Inside shoes will be left on the cubby shelf above your child's coat hook at the end of the day. A full change of clothes to leave there in case of need is a good idea.
• When picking up your child outside of regular hours, please use the main door by the office as all other doors are locked during school hours for the children's safety. You must also sign out your child with the office.
• Your child will come for a partial day (2.5 hours) either Tuesday morning or afternoon and a full day (8:30-2:30) either next Wednesday or Thursday. If you aren't sure which day they should come, check with one of us or the office. Don't forget to send a snack and a lunch.
• On Thursday, Sept. 17, SD 73 is sponsoring a parent engagement session designed to provide parents with some tools and strategies for managing their well-being and the effects of this pandemic on their children's social, emotional, and intellectual development. Find more info here.
• ALL the children will start full days, every day, on Friday, Sept. 18.
• Sharing will begin Friday, Sept. 18. Your child will share on their VIP day. Our first theme is All About Me. Return the sheet given to you at your interview when it is done.
• We will begin our library time the third or fourth week of September with Ms. Kipp.
• We will participate in the Terry Fox Run at BEST on Friday, Sept. 25. If you would like, send a Toonie for Terry in the Take Home pocket closer to the date.
• Friday Sept. 25 is our first fire drill practice as a school. We will practice multiple times as a class before that day.
• ​Monday, Sept. 28, is an NI day which means there is no school for students.
• School supply fees are due into the office if you haven't already sent them. Check with Ms. Ladouceur for cost for each grade.
• Please send a water bottle with your child's name on it in their packs. They will be returned home each day for washing. Our fountains are off limits for drinking.
• Although we are not in cold/flu season yet, it is coming. If your child is exhibiting symptoms of any kind, they must be kept home.
• We have not yet, but eventually we will ask you to send a pair of headphones for your child to use with the iPads. Please put them in a labelled ziplock bag to help keep them organized. Earbuds are often not the best choice.

Go forth and Be Awesome!​

​Find more info on how to use the Safe Arrival program and report an absence or late arrival to school here.

​A reminder that BEST is a nut aware school as we have students with severe allergic reactions to peanuts and tree nuts in the school. In order to minimize the chances of those students coming into contact with nuts we respectfully ask that you refrain from sending products with nuts in your child's lunch to school. If your child has eaten peanut butter or other nut products before leaving for school please have them wash their hands thoroughly. Although we encourage young children to share, the students in our class will be discouraged from sharing their food, drinks and eating utensils with others in order to provide all children with safe conditions. We realize that helping us to maintain a nut-free classroom takes a certain amount of effort and diligence on your part, and we thank you in advance for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe, healthy environment for all of our students. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either one of us (Amber or Cathy) or the office at the school.
There are a number of spreads that are similar to peanut butter that are acceptable substitutions. SunButter (made of sunflower seeds), NoNuts Golden Peabutter (made of peas) or WOWBUTTER (made of soy) are all safe alternatives although they do not taste exactly like peanut butter.