Principal's Message
May and June are busy months with students completing evaluations for the final report card in June. Please pay close attention to your child’s homework and assignments, as the final term of the year is very important. May and June are also month’s with various activities for the students, so please pay close attention to upcoming dates on the calendar.
We would like all students to bring a spoon to school each day. We have many items in our Breakfast Basket that require a spoon. If your child requires other cutlery for the meal they brought, or for Mazzola meals, please send this in your child’s lunch as well. We would also like for every student to continue to bring a refillable water bottle each day.
The teachers attended an anti-racism workshop called “A is for Allyship”. They will use the strategies learned in the school and their classrooms.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
If you have not registered for kindergarten next year, or if you know anyone who has a child turning five before September 30th please make arrangements to register by emailing our secretary Amanda at awells@wqsb.qc.ca or calling (819)663-4842 extension 1.
KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE
The Kindergarten Open House will take place in the morning on Friday, May 3 from 8:45-11:00 for the new kindergarten students for the 2024-2025 school year.
Events at School
GRADE SIX HADLEY VISIT
On May 1st the grade six students will have a visit to Hadley to prepare for next year. They will spend the morning there learning about the routines at JR High.
READING WEEK
Reading Week is May 6-10
May 6- Read with a stuffed animal
May 7- Read to a friend
May 8- Book recommendation cover
May 9- Bring your favorite book to share
May 10- Dress up as your favorite book character
Classes will participate in D.E.A.R. Drop Everything and Read for 20 minutes during a different period each day.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Our school is excited to welcome author Kevin Sylvester who will visit our school during “I Love to Read Week” this May. Kevin will be doing an in-person presentation to all students in 10 small group workshops throughout the week. His workshop will aim to inspire students… giving them the confidence to tap into their own creativity. The students will get the an hour of high-energy stories, PLUS writing and cartooning tips.
PROJECT ACTIVE
Project Active is an initiative hosted by Eardley Elementary that allows students who may not be able to fully participate in some school activities due to their specific needs to have a full day of active fun. It is an inclusive day specifically designed with exceptionalities in mind.
We have 12 students who have been invited to attend this exciting event on May 13th!
TRACK & FIELD AT GREATER GATINEAU
Children will participate in Track & Field events throughout the day.
- Kindergarten to Grade 3 – May 23
- Grade 3-6 – May 24
DENTAL HYGIENIST
The dental hygienist will be at school from May 27th to 31st to see some students for dental sealants and preventive follow-ups
PERFORMING ARTS SHOW: THE GREATEST SHOW!
We are happy to announce that our school will be hosting its annual Greater Gatineau Performing Arts Show on Tuesday, May 28th. There will be two performances during the school day. Parents of those participating will be welcome to join. We can’t wait to see all of the wonderful hidden talents at our school!
SAUNDERS FARM TRIP
The grade 3 students will be visiting Saunders Farm on May 31st for their end of school year trip. The day will be spent enjoying the outdoor facility and activities. It will be a very fun and exciting time for the students.
ADRENALINE PLUS TRIP
Our kindergarten students will be heading to Adrenaline+ on May 31st. They will be exploring the tubes and slides, as well as many fun activities, including the Ball-O-City and BattleField. We wish them a wonderful time!
MINISTRY EXAMS
During the month of May and June the students in Grade 6 will take part in Ministry Exams for language arts and math.
EYE EXAMS FOR KINDERGARTEN
Our kindergarten students will be offered free eye tests, done by optometrists, to screen for vision problems.
In young children, 80 percent of learning happens visually; it is therefore important to uncover any vision problems, which can often go unnoticed.
MONTHLY ASSEMBLY
Our next assembly will be on Wednesday, May 29th, where we will celebrate the students who have shown the chosen virtue throughout the month.
Please remember to wear your GG shirt for all of our monthly assemblies. This creates a sense of community at school.
- Kindergarten, Grade 1+2 at 8:55
- Grade 3+4 at 10:05
- Grade 5+6 at 10:55
May is SPORTSMANSHIP/ FAIRNESS month. We hope to see students showing us fairness while playing with others and good sportsmanship whether they win or lose.
PEACE LEARNING CIRCLES AT HOME
SHAPING UP WITH “BLOCKS”
You will need two sets of the same items, can be done with blocks, Lego, or even just a group of household items. The first person (the director) sets up their objects in some sort of shape or design on the table or floor out of sight of the second person. Then the object is to explain to the second person (the listener) how to place the items so they match the first design. Switch roles and try the activity again.
Questions to ask after the activity has been completed:
- What did you learn giving directions to others?
- Why is this a difficult or easy activity?
- Why is listening and following instructions important?
- How did the director and listener work together?
- How can they improve working together?
- How did you feel having to follow directions without being able to see the pattern?
Home & School
Greater Gatineau Greatest Auction
Runs from April 28th until May 12th. All funds raised will help support the Carnival costs. Happy Bidding!
For detail, please visit our Facebook page or the Auction Flyer sent home with your child
We will be hosting our AGM on Monday, May 13 at 6:00pm. This year’s election we will vote for the below positions:
Vice President
Secretary
Communications Chair
If you would like to join next year’s team or hear what we did this year, join us for the AGM.
End of Year Carnival – Thursday, June 13, 3:30 pm – 6:30pm in the school yard.
The H&S meeting will be held virtually directly following the AGM on Monday, May 13th at 6:30pm. Please send us an email if you would like to attend.
Daycare
We have our final PD day this month. Friday, May 17th we will stay at school to celebrate Daycare Week with some activities planned by the educators. The deadline to register for the day is on Friday, May 10th.
Please sign up for @ggdaycare2 on the Remind app to get the notifications regarding PD days.
Should you have any questions about our program or to register for the PD days please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer by phone at (819) 663-4842 x3 or e-mail jplaxton@wqsb.qc.ca.
All current students have been re-registered with the same reservation unless you advise a change.
To reserve a daycare spot for next year please complete the Daycare Registration Form and return it to school.
Special Notes
DAYCARE WEEK
May 13th to 17th is Quebec School Daycare Week. This week is to recognize the importance of the complementary role of school daycares in the school team.
Wednesday May 15th is the “Journee de reconnaissance du personnel en garde scolaire” or “Recognition Day for School Daycare Staff”.
Feel free to send a message of encouragement to your child’s educator.
JUMP ROPE FOR HEART
Greater Gatineau will once again participate in Jump Rope for Heart. During the month of May students will have access to skipping ropes during recess and lunch time. This promotes physical activity and a healthy heart.
Join the fundraising efforts here at Jump Rope for Heart, register your child or click “Register” and choose Greater Gatineau. There are also some great challenges to take part in that promote healthy eating, physical activity, and other healthy habits.
More information available here in the Jump Rope for Heart Letter.
ARE YOU MOVING?
As we prepare for next year, it is very important that you notify the school if you are moving. Please call the school at 819-663-4842 and speak to Amanda at extension 1, with your change of address so we can update our files for transportation.
WORKSHOP WITH DEBORAH MACNAMARA
‘Who’s in charge? Why adults need to lead.’
When: Thursday, June 6, 2024
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Where: South Hull Elementary School
Hosted by: PETES, South Hull, Greater Gatineau, Chelsea, Lord Aylmer, Eardley, and Wakefield
A growing number of children are presenting as demanding, prescriptive, bossy, and controlling. A disturbing number of these alpha children are turning into bullies as well. Alpha children tend to have difficulties letting themselves be parented or taught. This is making the child-adult dance much more difficult than it used to be or needs to be, despite the plethora of advice-given and strategies available today. The surprising roots of the alpha complex will be examined, opening the doors for lasting change in the family, classroom, and society.
Anti-Racism Committee (ARC)
Land acknowledgement
The land on which we gather is traditional unceded Omamiwininiwag (Algonquin) and Anishinabewaki territory, a place which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst nations. Today, this place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to gather on this land.
May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, a time to reflect on and recognize the many contributions that people of Asian origin have made and continue to make to Canada.
Star Wars Day – May 4th
May the fourth be with you.
National MMIWG2S Awareness Day (Red Dress Day) – May 5th
A day to raise awareness about Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit individuals who have gone missing or been murdered in Canada, aiming to stop the violence they face, and support affected families and communities. It’s a day to remember those lost and work toward justice and healing.
Cinco de Mayo – May 5th
A holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War in 1862. The day is also known as Battle of Puebla Day.
OI Day – May 6th
Every year on 6th May, people come together and celebrate Wishbone Day – an international awareness-raising day for Osteogenesis Imperfecta, also known as Brittle Bone Disease.
Bear Witness Day – May 10th
This is a day observed in Canada to raise awareness about the injustices faced by Indigenous children in the child welfare system. It serves as a call to action to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in foster care and to promote reconciliation and support for Indigenous communities.
Mother’s Day – May 12th
The Canadian incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by a teacher, Anna Jarvis in 1908.
International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia – May 17th
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex people, and all of those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.
African Liberation Day – May 25th
African Liberation Day celebrates the 32 African nations that signed the Charter of the Organization of African Unity, which evolved into the African Union.
International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers – May 29th
This is the date when in 1948 the first UN peacekeeping mission named the “United Nations Truce Supervision Organization”, or UNTSO.