Happy Easter Break

We've had an incredibly busy time since coming back from Spring Break.  We started with Bard on the Beach sessions where students acted out scenes of  The Tempest.  Unfortunately, with only five classes of preparation, the students didn't feel confident about performing the scenes in front of a large audience, but they did present a spirited monologue from the play. 

The Carousel Theatre's presentation of Pharoah Serket and the Lost Stone of Fire was an excellent field trip to start off our Grade 7 unit on Ancient Egypt.  Thank you to our parent drivers:  Mrs. Garbutt, Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Joyce, Mrs. Manojlovic,  and Mrs. Miller.

This week we welcomed Mrs. Garbutt into the classroom to instruct us on making Ukrainian eggs. The students were very excited about creating their egg masterpieces and did a fantastic job.  Many eggs went home today but others are at school because students forgot to bring containers.  Thank you to Mrs. Garbutt for gathering all the supplies and also to her team of parent helpers:  Mrs. Manojlovic, Mrs. Jackson, and
Ms. Klausen.

Next week we will be doing art in the style of Roy Henry Vickers with our aboriginal worker, Ms. Smith.

Today was busy with our last footy (Australian Football) lesson.  The students played an laugh-filled game and showed excellent learning of the footy skills.  Thank you to the PAC for sponsoring our footy instructor, Coach Mike McFarlane of the North Delta Junior Australian Football League.

Also, today,  six class members went off  to the Math Celebrations at Port Guichon.  Congratulations to Mark, Jonathan,  Nathan, Robbie, Emily, and Brendan for representing our school. 

Last week an email was sent out about Learning to Learn, a summer program for students entering Gr 8 at SDSS.  The class runs from Aug 8-12 from 9-11 am or 11:15-1:15.  Cost is $82.  There are 20 spots available for each class, but they do fill up quickly. Registration is now open.  Contact the Delta School Board to register by telephone.

Happy Spring Break

The push through to Spring Break has been very successful.  The Grade 7 students worked very hard on their Olmec/Minoa/Mesopotamia persuasive essay while the Grade 6 students researched a country of their choice.  We also wrapped up the unit on Gr 7 Chemistry and Gr 6 Electricity.  Lots of reading, writing and learning!

When we come back on April 4th, we will start off with Bard on the Beach.  Our time is 9:00-9:45 am every morning Apr 4-7 and Apr 11-14 with a presentation on Apr 14. As well we will be going to see a play on Apr 8 which ties into our drama and Gr 7 Social Studies unit on Ancient Egypt.   Athletically we will be learning the basics of Australian Rules Football (Footy) for 4 sessions in April.  It will be very busy but we are committed to making the most of our academic time so that we can enjoy these extraordinary events.

Report cards will be going home April 14th. 

Here are some initiatives open to our students that they might consider doing over Spring Break. I have spoken about these in class but you might remind your child if they're looking for something to do. 

Delta "What's Cool to You?" Photo Contest.  Photo submitted by Friday, April 1, 2011 (no joke) by email to cae@corp.delta.bc.ca.  Visit www.corp.delta.bc.ca/earth_week for more details

Experience Math as a Sport April 30 contest sponsored by Pacific Insititute for Mathematical Sciences  Register by April 8, 2011 http://www.elmacon.org/  Questions to elmacon@pims.math.ca or 604-822-3922

Delta's Earth Day Poster Contest for youth aged 4-12.  Draw with crayons, felts, paint or coloured pencils on 8.5"x11" paper submitted by April 11, 2011 More info at cae@corp.delta.bc.ca

I hope the weather cooperates with your Spring Break plans and that we all come back rested and ready to go for the next term.

Where has the month gone?

I just realized my last post was a month ago.  Where did the time go?  Well, we've certainly been busy.  Congratulations to all the students for an excellent job on their Science Fair projects.  I can see lots of thought, time and energy went into the presentations.

For the week of Feb 21-25 we will have a Hip Hop instructor in to teach us how to "bust a move".  One class each day (Mon-Thurs) with a performance Fri at 1:30 pm.  Drop in if you can make it.

Mon Feb 21 Ms. Val Hayes Gr 8 counsellor at SDSS will be in to speak with the Grade Sevens.

Tues Feb 22  Math League contest for Grade Seven (and any Grade Six) mathletes.

Wed. Feb 23 Last day for FSA tests except for those who were absent during the other test times.

Please help Pebble Hill win 2 x $1000 grants for the Arts by committing to eco-friendly changes at
www.dreamridertheatre.com/survey and www.dreamridertheatre.com/zero-survey.  We're aiming for over 100%!! Everyone in your family and neighbourhood can help.

Spelling Bee Winner and Basketball Schedule

Congratulations to our Pebble Hill CanSpell Spelling Bee winner Robbie Johnson.  Congratulations, too, to all of the Division One participants.  It's nerve-wracking to get up in front of everyone and the spellers did a great job!

Basketball season has come to Pebble Hill.  We will have combined Grade 6/7 teams for both boys and girls. The four games will be on Tuesdays but we have a bye week to start.  Here's the schedule:
                                            Boys                                             Girls
Jan 25                                  Bye                                               Bye
Feb 1                                   PH  vs CD @ PH                          PH vs CD @CD
Feb 8                                   PH vs EB @ PH                            PH vs EB @ EB
Feb 15                                 BG vs PH @ BG                           Possibly a bye as no BG Girls Gr 7 team
Feb 22                                 SP vs PH  @ SP                            PH vs SP @ PH

Boys practices are scheduled for Tues at lunch and Thurs after school. Girls practices have not yet been scheduled.

Curling on Tuesday Jan 25th

For our last curling time, we will be playing a game with students from Mr. Preddy's class.  We will be leaving the school at 12:30 and have a full 2 hour time slot to play.  Please make sure your child is dressed with warm clothes as this is a longer session.  Long pants for the girls are a good idea, rather than uniform skirts. 

More information about the blog

Not accustomed to "blogging" I will try to post regularly.  I see the blog as a way for me to keep parents apprised of our classroom activities.  If you have suggestions, you will need to speak to me in person or send me an email (pogloff@deltasd.bc.ca) as the "Comment" link is not enabled.  If you would like to have the blog automatically go to your email, click on the "Followers" link along the right hand side of the post.  I believe this is working.  Please let me know if it isn't.

One last request -- does anyone have old magazines they'd like to donate to the classroom art supplies?  Our selection is rather picked over at this point, so new old magazines would be appreciated

January 2011

After a restful break, the students of Division One are working hard at their academics and having fun with basketball and curling.  As well, there are many extra-curricular events you might be interested to know about:

Friday, January 21  First Round of the CanSpell Spelling Bee will be held at 12:15 in the Library
Early February        Grade 7s only - Foundation Skills Assessment tests will be administered.  There are six assessments in total.  Students have had a little practice with the online format using the Ministry website www.bced.gov.bc.ca/assessment/fsa/sample_tests.htm
February 16/17       Science Fair presentations in the gym to coincide with Student-Led Conferences
February 17            Student Led Conferences - times to be organized soon
February 18            Delta District Pro-D Day
February 21            Grade 7s only - a visit from the counsellor at South Delta Secondary in anticipation of course selection
February 22            Math League contest.  An extra-curricular test that some students have signed up for
February 22            7:00 pm Parents Night at SDSS - to review course selection through ParentConnect
March 4                  Grade 7 course selection process complete. Parent and Student Connect closed