Welcome to Grade Two/Three!

 Dear Jackman Student and Families,

Welcome to Grade Two/Three!  My name is Sean Gale and I will be your teacher of this school year! Our "cohort" will be located on the second floor in Room 205.  I am excited to be back at Jackman, and see all of those little faces that have been away for so long.  For those of you who are not familiar with me, here is a little video I've prepared:

The First Day of School and Entry and Exit Routines

Our first day will begin on Thursday, September 9th.  School begins at 8:50 am. Students from Room 205 will meet at the Tree Bench (just outside of door #3). The students will have their health screening prior to entering the school (Door #3). A reminder to assess your child's health prior to arriving at school.  A map is provided below:

Our meeting area:

Lunch

Lunchtime for students will begin at 11:30 am and end at 12:50 pm. Students will eat for approximately half the lunch period and go outside of the other half.  They will be restricted to a certain area during outdoor time.

Boomerang Lunch and Snacks

In order to eliminate students walking around the room during lunch and snack times, Jackman PS is requesting students come to school with a "Boomerang Lunch":

Students will not be allowed to get up to throw items into the garbage.  For the time being, our "Green Bin" program is put on hold.  All peels, cores and other biodegradable food scraps will have to return home.

Keeping Hands Germ-Free Throughout the Day

Throughout the day, students will be ensuring that their hands remain "germ-free" by engaging in hand washing and hand-sanitizing.  There will be hand-sanitizer available to students in the classroom.  It is important that students, after using the washroom, eating, etc., engage in proper hand washing/sanitizing.  Here are some videos that might help you teach your children how to do both properly and effectively (we will discuss this further in class):

How to hand wash:

How to hand rub:

Welcome Stories for Both Students and Families

One of the ways that I introduce thoughts, feelings and concepts to my students is through books.  There are a lot of emotions and concerns around how this year is going to be.  I have found two wonderful books that I feel will help to alleviate some stress and uncertainty around the start up of this year's school year. . .

(The next two videos are from September 2020 - some "names" might be different, but the sentiments are the same :) )

This story is for our students:

. . .and, this story is for our adult family members:

. . .and, A Final Important Message to All of You:

Let's make this an amazing year, together!

- Mr. Gale     

Meet Your Child's Other Teachers!

Throughout the Five Day cycle, your child will be participating in other classes throughout the day;

Our Physical Education program takes place on Day Three and Day Five. It is taught by Mr. Katsuras.

Our Dance program takes place on Day One  It is taught by Mr. Katsuras. 

Our Music program takes place on Day One and Day Four.  It is taught by Mr. Cappel. 

Our Health program takes place on Day Two  It is taught by Ms. Archibald. 

Snacks and Lunch

On most days, the students of Room 205 will be having snack indoors, either prior to- or right after their assigned recess times: 10:00 - 10:10 am is when Room 205 morning recess takes place; 2:00 - 2:10 pm is when Room 205 afternoon recess takes place. Having snack separate from their recess time allows students for more opportunity to take advantage of physical activity and safe socializing during their 10 minute break. For families sending their child with a snack for those times, I am encouraging sending your child will something small (e.g., an apple, pear, nut-free facility made granola bar, etc.) that can be eaten within a short time, allowing for more learning time within the classroom. As the students have approximately 30 minutes to eat their lunch, they will have more time, at that time, to have a larger meal.

Our lunch time takes place from 11:30 am until 12:50 pm. The first half of the lunch time, students of Room 205 will eat their lunch in the classroom. The second after of the lunch time, students will be escorted outside for outdoor play. A reminder that, during lunch and snack times, masks will come off so that students can eat and drink freely.

Students are given the option to remove their masks during outdoor play and activities. Students are encouraged to refrain from chatting with one another during these times and remain seated. Extra food, peelings/cores, and empty packaging will be returned home as per our "Boomerang Lunch" policy. This will reduce children moving around the classroom to dispose of waste in trash cans. Our "Green Bin" program has been put on hold for now. A reminder that nut products are not permitted inside our school - please ensure that premanufactured snack items are made in a "nut-free facility"

Getting Ready For Our First Day of School

 I am SO excited!  Thursday is our very first day of school!  I cannot wait to meet all of you!

Thursday is going to be a GREAT DAY! There will be a lot of new and different things that we will be doing at Jackman.  A word that I will be using a lot is "PATIENCE" - when learning new things there are often mistakes that are made and, that's OK. 👦 Mistakes help us learn and do better.

Our Meeting Area

Students area directed to go and meet the rest of the class in our designated outdoor meeting area (Tree Bench):

At recess & lunchtime, students will continue to cohort when they go out to play, in designated areas.

Here is a wonderful video, that Mme. Murphy put together last year, about things to do and think about when outside.  (It doesn't show our cool new climbers). See how many teachers and childcare staff you recognize):

We Are A "Nut-Free" Environment

A reminder that we are a "nut free zone".  As there are severe and life-threatening allergies within our school community, snacks and lunches MUST NOT contain any nut products

Masks

It is important that students arrive to school wearing a well-fitted mask.  Students will be wearing their masks all day and will have the option to remove their masks during outdoor time (e.g., at recesses or outdoor play).  

And finally, a bedtime story:

I would like to end this blog by sharing a "night before school" bedtime story, just before we settle off into bed!

Have a wonderful evening! See you all tomorrow!