THANK YOU!

A big thank you to all the parents who attended our Curriculum Night last Thursday. It was my pleasure to meet you all and talk to you about the program and routines for this year.

To those of you who could not make it, last Friday I sent the Curriculum Night package that I presented during the meeting. Please have a look at it and feel free to ask questions or provide your feedback.

As I mentioned during the Night, let me know if you would like to have an appointment with me to discuss the concerns or questions that you have about your child's school life. I am at school every day at 8am. After school appointments might be scheduled starting from 3:20 p.m. till 4:30 p.m. A short notice in advance in your child's agenda or a message at Clairlea's number 416 396 6165 will be very much appreciated. Thank you.

FIRST HOMEWORK WENT HOME.

Today, I sent home homework binders with the first homework in them. On the first page, you will find a letter that explains what kind of homework will be going home and when it should be returned to school. I would appreciate if you read the letter with your child and gently remind to put the HW binder into their napsack when it is the time to bring it back to school. The homework needs to be done daily. When the HW is back in class, the students will have a test to ensure their progress.

Also, I would appreciate if you reinforce the rules of behaviour at school, on the playground in particular. I encourage them to stay away from the spots where big kids play and look around when they are walking or running so that not to bump into others and get hurt. Their Playground time is during Lunch as, at school, we need to accommodate all the ages that want to play on the playground. So, we learn to take turns. In case, they have an accident or need to go to washrooms, they may speak to Teachers on the yard duty. If they get hurt or have a problem outside the classroom, they need to inform me. I need to know that to attend to the matter in the best way.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Agendas and Forms

Thank you to all who purchased an agenda to facilitate communication. For those of you who have yet to purchase one: a gentle reminder that the agenda is an indispensable tool for dialogue between parents and teachers.

As well, just another gentle reminder to those of you who haven't yet returned the package of school forms, that went out to you on the first day of school: the due date is September the 16th. Please, if you haven't yet done so, return the forms back to school next Monday, September the 19th. Thank you.

Curriculum Night

The Curriculum Night is scheduled for the coming Thursday, September the 15th at 6:45 p.m.

At 6:30 the French Book Fair will be open for you to  pick up Mon dictionnaire (if you sent the money before September 9th) and choose books in French for your little ones.
Also, Tuteurs de Toronto will be located  in front of the office to provide information about how they can help your child with homework in French, tutoring opportunities, etc.

We are looking forward to seeing you at Clairlea!

The First Week of School

The first week of school went très bien! We are an amazing group of kids!

We like to sing,danse and play. The very first day of school, we played a new game  called La toile des noms (Name Web). That was was fun and it helped us learn the names of all the students in class.

We also had a craft activity when we solved a puzzle and  created our name-tags - cartes de noms. Now, our chairs look lovely with the cartes de noms on them!

We also learned our Grade 1 routine activities: Le Calendrier et le Tableau de Maths. That's not easy to do right away, but we are here to learn and will work hard to know how to do that (in French!!)

In the afternoon, Mme Volokhova was amazed with our counting skills. We counted up to 100 en français. She said: "Oh-la-la! You are great!" Then we did riddles about numbers and illustrated our favourite chiffres. Again, we did a wonderful work!

Later, a petite souris told us about her first day of school and we compared it to ours.

We also refreshed our fire drill and lock down procedures. And we had our real recesses and lunches in the schoolyard. We are big kids now!

During the first week, we continued to discuss what it takes to be a good member of our class and school community. Completing the puzzle 'Bonhomme des raisins' helped us understand that each of us is unique as we have our own names and our very own likes and dislikes. However, it's hard to complete a tough work (e.g., putting a puzzle together) when  you are on your own, but to do it together with your friends is much easier and lots of fun. Showing respect for others, listening to and appreciating their opinions and ideas made the task even more of a piece of cake! Please feel free to talk to your child about this great experience and reinforce our discussion on being a good student in class. 

We were happy to embark our bateau all together and head off to a wonderful journey for knowledge. Wish us un bon voyage.

Chantons ensemble!

'Mon dictionnaire' Might Help

Dear Parents/Guardians,                                                                                            Septembre 6, 2011

Welcome to the French Immersion Program in Room 111

For most of the students at Clairlea, French is their second or third language and sometimes it can be a little challenging, especially when you’re just starting to learn it. That’s why I always recommend that the students acquire a French Dictionary to help them and their parents with their vocabulary and general understanding of French. The one I think is particularly good is ‘Mon Dcitionnaire’.

On Thursday, September 15^th, students will get the opportunity to purchase a great French Dictionary for $16.30 at the French Book Fair which Clairlea will be hosting during Curriculum Night. The fair will take place from 6-7.30 PM.  If you wish your child to purchase the Dictionary, please pre-order it making the cheque payable to Clairlea Public School or sending the exact amount (we are unable to provide change). To ensure your copy, simply fill out the order slip below, submit with payment, and pick up your copy at the French Book Fair. Please ensure that your order is in by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9^TH.

For further details about the Book Fair and other activities in our classroom, please check out our blog.