We conducted a science experiment today and made a "Rainbow In a Jar" to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The kids were ecstatic and wanted to be able to make their own so I said I would put the instructions up on the website. The experiment requires quite a few supplies but you probably already have most of them in your kitchen or bathroom. :) I found this link on Pinterest just in case the document doesn't open.

Click:  Rainbow in a Jar

Have a wonderful, healthy Spring Break!

See you Monday, April 3rd.
-Ms. Gartrell

I hope everyone remembered to “SPRING” FORWARD and hour over the weekend. Please remember to dress appropriately for this unpredictable weather we are having. Here’s hoping spring actually arrives this month!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST WEEK:

• Meeting Trusty the puppet and beginning the Be Safe program
• Going to Pavilion Theatre to see the fantastic play,  “The House at Pooh Corner”!
• The Sugary Drinks demo - read more below
• Completing quite a lot with our Penguin research
• Reaching a new quiet Read to Self record of 13 minutes! :D

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
This week’s Jolly Phonics sound/letter is “z”. Please ask your child to review and teach you the Sound Group #4 sheet that was sent home on Friday. In Printing, we will work on capital letters: C, O and Q. In Science, the kids have been busy working on their penguin inquiry projects. We are in need of 2 more child’s size shoeboxes for building our penguin habitats! We will also celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Friday with a few activities.

This week we will continue or Healthy Living theme by discussing personal hygiene and talking more about the Be Safe program. Please review the yellow handout that was sent home on Friday that explains the topics we covered in Be Safe last week. If you have not already done so, please send a family photo (it does not have to be recent, or it can be 2 separate photos if need) so we can continue adding to our “Family Wall” and talking about who helps keep us safe and healthy.

The kids loved the Sugary Drinks demonstration we did last week where we matched drinks to a cup with the equivalent amount of white sugar. We talking about looking for nutrition labels and how reading them can help us make healthy choices. The kids were amazed by how much added sugar is in fruit juice not from concentrate, pop and slushies (we talked about how pop and slushies are “once-in-a-while-treats”:) )! Consuming too much of these sugary drinks mean the kids' energy spikes quickly (“hyper” behaviour) and then crashes (“meltdowns, irritable behaviour”), shortly after. Canada's Food Guide recommends that children aged 4-8 years consume less than 10 teaspoons (40 grams/50 ml) of added sugar per day. This means one 200 ml juice-box (that is not 100% fruit juice) contains HALF of a child's daily sugar intake and one can of 335ml pop contains 100% of a their sugar intake!  Sugary drinks “bump out” other nutritious beverages, contribute to higher caffeine intake, and a higher risk of dental cavities. When children fill up on sugary drinks, they consume fewer nutritious foods and beverages (especially milk) and risk deficiencies of essential nutrients. I have encouraged the kids (and their parents too :) ) to “BUMP OUT” and/or limit SUGARY DRINKS at school by only bringing water, white milk or one 100% fruit juice box in their lunches. Thanks for your cooperation! I also really appreciate how respectful parents have been about promoting healthy snacks and treats by refraining from sending candy and sweets to school!

REMINDERS/HOW PARENTS CAN HELP:

• A Parent Volunteer to take home scrapbooks and glue in student work over the Spring Break
• We are in need of 2 empty child-sized shoeboxes A.S.A.P :)
• Please send a family photo for your child to display on our FAMILY WALL. Your photo will be returned to you at the end of the school year. :)  
• Sign and return report card envelopes once you have read the term 2 report card

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE:
Monday – Purdy’s Orders due
Tuesday – P.E. (Ms. Hall is awaiting the arrival of her baby now!)
Wednesday - Library with Mrs. Gorman
                    - Scholastic Book Orders due (cheque or online order only please)
Thursday – Subway lunch
                  - Term 2 Report Cards sent home
Friday  - St. Patrick’s Day (wear green if you wish :) )
            - P.E. with Mrs. Brkovich
            - “Buck a Bannock” -Ms. Boyer will be making bannock for the school. $1 each piece 
            - Roots of Empathy visit with Wayne

UPCOMING EVENTS:
-March 2 - March 31 = SPRING BREAK
-April 3rd - Welcome back to School
-April 13th - Early Closure @ 12:30pm for Parent-Teacher Interviews
-April 14th - Good Friday (No school)
-April 17th - Easter Monday (No school)
-April 20th - Celebration of Learning 5:00-6:00pm
-April 24th - Pro-D Day (No School)

Let’s have a wonderful last week before Spring Break holidays!
- Ms.Gartrell

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