Hello Families!! 
Can you believe that this is our thirteenth week (and last) of home learning for Kindergarten!? I'm sure for some of you it feels like forever. Here is the link.

If you are interested, the summer reading club that is usually run through regional public libraries has moved online, including registration and weekly activities. https://bcsrc.ca/

If your child is attending class this week they will be sent home with any of their belongings as well as their report cards so there is no need to sign up for a time on Thurs/ Fri. If your child is not attending and you would like to come and pick up report cards sign up here. If you are unable to come on these days/ times, the office will be open the first week of July. Please call (250-376-2205) for an appointment.

This is the most anti climatic end to a school year I have ever experienced. I have missed all the 'end of the year' activities we plan for the children that really seem to wrap up the year and make the time we have spent together just a bit more memorable.  I am feeling a bit at loose ends for how to bring closure to this year for Team Awesome and myself and best help them transition to grade one.  I know that they will be fine, but still- my 'mama's heart' worries. 

Parents- thank you for all your hard work with your child this spring. I'm sure it wasn't easy but I know your child has probably enjoyed the time you have spent learning together and the new ways you have come to know each other. You are still their first teacher and learning happens in those everyday moments together. 

At this point there is no news on how school opening in September is going to look as things seem to change daily but I am sure you will be notified and/or it will be all over the news closer to the date. 

It has been a true pleasure getting to know you and your child this year. I look forward to seeing everyone in the fall!
Be safe. Be well. 
Amber ❤️

Good morning families! I hope none of you were washed away this weekend. Let's cross all of our fingers for sunnier skies soon so we can go camping without slickers.
This is our last full week of learning activities for Team Awesome and you can access them here.  There are new photos added to the BEST Kindergarten album here.
I have also made a document for you to choose a time to stop in if you would like at the end of next week to pick up the remainder of your child's belongings and report card and say good bye before beginning the holiday. Please just knock on my classroom window and meet me at the back door as entry to the school is restricted. If you cannot make it those days/times, the office is open the first week of July and you can call and arrange a time to stop in. Please sign up here.
If you have any other questions or concerns or something I can help you with please let me know. 
Remember to be safe. Be healthy.
Amber

I hope your weekend was excellent despite the fluctuating weather and the uncertain state of the world. Mrs. Farber and I have created a new photo album of activities the children are doing in class. You can access it here:
 https://photos.app.goo.gl/EXwACUpajsd8bFff6

Mrs. Farber and I know many families would rather avoid talking to their 5/6 year olds about racism and current events. It is a difficult topic, but we believe it is important for our society and our students to try. We had already planned this week's activities for the Weekly Learning Plan (found here: https://sites.google.com/gedu.sd73.bc.ca/bestkindergarten/weekly-learning-plans/june-8-12?authuser=1), but we have decided to add these activities as well as we believe that they are important and timely. 
We read this post on another teacher's blog and thought we would pass it along to you because it expresses our feelings on this subject quite accurately. 
"Every day I choose what to say, what to read, what topics to discuss as a teacher. I try to be responsive to important events happening around us -  in our community, in our country and in our world. What I know to be true about children and their growth is that they are always smarter and more resilient than we tend to give them credit for; as we build their social and emotional intelligence, we are building their sense of responsibility and citizenship. This is difficult work, especially with younger children, who need complex topics presented in meaningful but age-appropriate ways, but we cannot shy away from this task - it is too vital and children are too important."

1. Discussing race and racism with children isn't easy but it is necessary. This week begins with a bit of homework for the adults in the family- an article to help support you as we all raise a generation of anti-racist children together. 
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/family/in-the-news/talking-about-race/

2. Check out this lovely book called Skin Like Mine: https://youtu.be/yeGtWNFT2rc   Observe (look closely) at your own skin. What does its colour remind you of? If you have a magnifying glass at home, use it to look even closer. Observe the skin of a family member – is their skin the same as yours? Is it different? What do you notice?

3. Make a self-portrait, a picture of yourself, and make sure to add lots of colours! We are used to having to hunt for just the right colours, sometimes combining more than one crayon or pencil crayon to get the right shade. Maybe you have paints at home and can try to mix some together to match perfectly. Next to your self-portrait, draw a picture of what your skin colour reminds you of – maybe it’s a peach, or mom’s latte, or a delicious brownie!

4. We know that not only are all people different, but so are families! Read along with this great book called One Family: https://youtu.be/kvvRRxQqNpc

5. The next time you go out with your family, explore and notice the differences and similarities of all the people you see. Talk with your adult about what is different about people in your community – maybe they wear different clothes, or speak different languages, maybe they have different hair or are different sizes. Talk with your adult about what you have in common with others in your community – maybe you know people who also like to ride their bikes or go to the same school, maybe you see others enjoying walks like you or hear them speak the same language as you.

6. Here is the story Viola Desmond Takes Her Seat: https://youtu.be/cHAZeVw7Oow 
Here is another story, Super Manny Stands Up: https://youtu.be/SglkFWnoB8Y
We already know how important it is to stand up for what is right, just like Super Manny. And we know that it wasn’t right for Viola Desmond to get in trouble, just for the colour of her skin. Imagine that Super Manny was at the movie theatre that night – what do you think he would have done when he saw Viola being treated unfairly? Show your idea in a picture and do your best to add some words – combine the characters from the two stories and show what you imagine might have happened.
​
We hope you take some time to try some of these activities with your child. 
With love and support,
Amber

PS If you haven't yet, please send me your child's answers to these questions for their final report self-assessment- thanks!
1. Where do you get your ideas? Where do your ideas come from?
2. What do you do when your ideas don't work?
3. What do you like or find exciting about learning something new?
4. What do you dislike or find difficult about learning something new?

I hope you are all staying healthy and finding some time to spend outside as the weather gets better. Some of the children will be joining Mrs. Farber and I at BEST tomorrow and we have been busy getting ready. The procedures and routines will be new for both the children and staff so it will be a learning experience for everyone but we are looking forward to seeing them. 
The Weekly Learning Plan can be accessed here.
I will have to complete an end-of-year report card for each child which includes a Student Self-assessment of a Core Competency. This self-assessment usually involves me asking the children the assessment questions in a one-on-one situation and then writing their answers exactly as they voice them in the appropriate spaces. I am asking your help in completing this assessment with your child as it is the most efficient solution. If you could ask your child the following questions (without helping them answer or leading them) and then send me their answers exactly as they say them I would really appreciate it! You can type them right into this email and send it to me. Thank you so much for all your help!
1. Where do you get your ideas? Where do your ideas come from?

2. What do you do when your ideas don't work?

3. What do you like or find exciting about learning something new?

4. What do you dislike or find difficult about learning something new?

Please Be Safe. Be well.