Welcome! Your child is in our classroom, right at the end of hall near the intermediate playground. Today, children learned where “notre place” is, where our spot to line up in the mornings and depart from at dismissal is. We have 20 lovely grade two students in our room, and had a fun first day. Please discuss a pick up meeting spot at the end of the day so that your child knows where to go to find you at 2:46. The yellow gate on 9th avenue is a good spot.
The Year Ahead
Once the year gets rolling, we will introduce Show & Tell and a Home Reading Program for students. Students will be using agendas. This year, our agendas are delayed. Next week, we will use a back and forth folder, a “pochette” to bring home information. Later, we will use this folder for home reading. Our focus for the start of the year will be on re-establishing our French during the first few weeks of school. We will also be reviewing math concepts from grade one. We learned about the zones of regulation today, practised rainbow breathing, and learned about our two class rules:
- Sois gentil. (Be kind).
- Aide les autres. (Help others).
What to Bring to School
- Water bottle: Students may keep water bottles on their desks as long as the bottles don’t leak. A sport or straw top is a popular choice. Water bottles should be washed at home regularly. Come with a full bottle if possible each day.
- Healthy snacks and lunch: Children should be able to independently open items. PEANUT-FREE, NUT-FREE.
- Active footwear: Students should wear running shoes daily. We often exercise on days that we do not have gym. Indoor running shoes will also be needed once weather gets wet. Flip flops, open-toed sandals and dress shoes are not good choices for school.
- Pencil Case: Each student can bring a small fun pencil case that fits inside his/her/their desk. Other school supplies will be provided.
- A positive attitude toward learning and French.
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, Sept. 8: Welcome Back Assembly, Fire Drill
- Friday, Sept. 22 PM: Terry Fox Run *note date and time change
- Monday, Sept. 25: ProD Day (no school for students).
*Please be sure to return the WALKING PERMISSION FORM before our Terry Fox Run! They will be coming home soon. If your child spends time in two households, please email me to let me know so that I can send home 2 copies of notices when appropriate.
If you’ve read this far, here is a little info about me if you’re curious!
All About Me
My name is Mme Harmatuk. I have been teaching grade 2 (and grade 2/3) at our school for a number of years. Prior to that, I taught French as a Second Language, and both gr. 1 and gr. 6/7 French Immersion in Kamloops. Before that, I taught gr.5 French Immersion for a decade in West Vancouver. I have also taught gr. 4 and 5 French Immersion in Terrace, BC, and in Guelph, Ontario. For two years, I volunteered teaching English in Outer Mongolia. Prior to that, I taught bilingual preschool in Montreal, PQ. With the students, I love playing math games, authoring our own books, reading in groups, learning outdoors and creating a calm teaching environment to support learning.