Welcome to Grade 6, 2015-2016

Dear Grade 6 SJA Students and Families,

                I am happy to inform you that I will be teaching the Grade 6 class for the 2015/2016 academic year at St. Jude's. I know most of you and most of you already know me well too. For those families that are new to our school, I wish you a warm welcome.

                Grade 6 is the culminating year of the IB (International Baccalaureate) PYP (Primary Years Programme). This year provides students the opportunity to showcase their learning, skills, and actions from JK to this year through a big group project called "The Exhibition". The Exhibition takes place on Friday, May 6, 2016. Be sure to mark your calendars for this exciting event. Many of the tasks students do in our inquiry units will be geared towards equipping them with the skills needed to do well in The Exhibition.

                There are many changes to look forward to this year. The first and biggest is the new building. I encourage families to attend the Orientation Night, on Tuesday, September 8, at 7 pm. Here you will:

-hear about changes to policies and procedures such as the dropping off and picking up of students

-tour the new school facilities

-meet teachers and ask any questions you may have

           We have some new teachers to SJA that will be teaching the Grade 6 class. Jose Villeneuve will teaching the Grade 6 class French and Rachelle Kerr will be teaching Art. Students are already familiar with Ms. Lovan, who is returning as Gym teacher. I will be responsible for teaching your child their core subjects of English Language, Math, and inquiry units (UOI). The inquiry units are usually structured around social studies and science topics. In this year's inquiry units we will be learning about the Canada’s trade links with the world, ancient civilizations, art and shapes, electricity, and personal safety (physical, social, health).
Our daily schedule, for now, is as follows:

Time	Subject
8:45 - 9:00	Assembly in Gym
9:00 – 10:00	Art/French on alternating days
10:00 – 10:40	Gym
10:40- 11:00	Language
11:00- 12:00	Recess A & Lunch A
12:00- 1:30	UOI
1:30 – 2:30	Recess B & Lunch B
2:30 – 3:30	Math
3:30 – 3:40	Pack Up & Dismissal

 

This is the first year that students will not be purchasing their own school supplies. There are a few things that SJA will not provide but will greatly help your child this year.

1.       A device such as a laptop, tablet, or smart phone for research purposes. We do have computers at SJA, however the Grade 6 class will be using computers more intensively. Therefore the devices mentioned are not compulsory but will definitely make things easier for your child. Students and parents will be notified through agendas and the blog about when we will need devices in the classroom.

2.       A gmail account. Parents, please help your child set up an account, and watch your child practice signing in and out of the account to ensure they can do this successfully. We will be using Google docs in class to work on assignments (spreadsheets, word processors, slideshows, etc.) and to share and collaborate on tasks.

3.       A USB

4.       A Prezi account (https://prezi.com/)

As an IB school, we value character development, an attitude of being a life-long learner, and showing action as a result of learning. The IB Learner Profile Attributes represent some of the traits we value at SJA. We strive to provoke our students to ask Big Questions - the kind you cannot Google the answer to. We encourage students and families to share stories of action with us. Action may be tiny or huge.

        The class blog is a great communication tool between home and school. My class blog can be found at http://haagsja.blogspot.ca/. I ask that each family sign up as a follower of my blog. This can be done on the blog site. Once this is done, you will receive the blog as an email each day. The blog is updated daily, and it is where you will find information on:  

• Homework 
• Videos to support learning 
• News and Events 
• Important Dates 
• IB Learner Profiles 
• Units of Inquiry 
• Pictures

The first week of school is Neophyte Week. We will take some time to get organised in our new rooms, become familiar with the layout of the new building, boundaries during recess, the new schedule, play some house games, and end the week with Spirit Day where students come to school dressed in house colours.

We will also get working right away, because the year will fly by as it always does. Students should expect to have math homework every day. They will be assigned a Math Make Sense Textbook and workbook. These must be returned to school each day. It is my goal that all other work be completed in class. Students who do not complete work during class time will be asked to use their recess time to get caught up. If the work is still incomplete, students will need to complete it as homework.

SJA will not be offering our traditional HOT LUNCH program during the first week of school (September 9-11). Pizza slices may be purchased at $2.00 a slice daily in the first week only. September Hot Lunch forms will be sent home the first day of school with many new items being offered. Please look for the new menus in your child’s agenda. All forms are due Friday, September 11^th (no exceptions).

Mark September 17^th, from 4-7pm, on your calendars. SJA will be holding a Welcome BBQ for all families to attend. Pre-order forms for food will be provided on Friday, September 11^th.

Grade 6s will come to school in uniform each day. They will change into their black dress shoes in the building. They will change into gym clothes for gym class, and then back into their uniform for the remainder of the academic day. Students may wear their polo shirts up until Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, students are required to wear their Oxford shirts, ties, jersey and blazer.

I look forward to seeing you at the Orientation Night (Tuesday) and at the first day of school, Wednesday, September 9. Enjoy the last few days of summer until then.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Haag