Reading buddy festive fun

Our reading buddies came today and we created some snowmen ornaments with the blue group (despite the lack of fluffy white stuff). Lots of fun was had by all as they worked together to make their flakey friends.

Christmas parties

Just a reminder that our Christmas parties are this week. The Blue group will have theirs on Thursday. The Green group will host their party on Friday. Both parties are at 2:30 and will include a presentation of songs, snacks and some crafts. All are welcome, hope to see you then.

Hot Dog change

Sorry for the inconvenience...for those of you who ordered popcorn for your child for the upcoming hot dog days, the smart food was no longer available at the supplier. Your child will be given Doritos instead.

Dandelions in December

Yesterday, we attended a band concert. After sitting for so long, we went outdoors to explore some elements in nature. It was a beautiful day, certainly not like a normal December 10th. We found cattails, cones from both spruce and pine trees, cones half eaten by squirrels, a blue jay feather, blooming dandelions, and soft sumac tree branches. Everyone came away with a treasure or two!

Santa's Workshop

We have changed up our Dramatic Arts Centre once again. This time, it is supposed to be Santa's workshop. We have a variety of costumes, and will be bringing in wrapping paper, etc, so that little hands can practice wrapping. If you have extra paper, bows, bags, ribbon, etc at home that you wish to donate, we will put it to good use!

Ho Ho Ho!

On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen.....

A real live elf!

Shopping Extravaganza

Today was Stonecrest's 6th annual Santa's Seconds Sale. For many young shoppers, trying to buy for others is a challenging experience, but they are very excited about it! We have older"elves" to help us, but please don't get annoyed when mom gets a new toy truck for Christmas!😀

We know that you will love all your new treasures!!!!

Survey says....

In both the English and French classes, students have been learning how to gather and record quantity using tallies. They must remember that they record 4 vertical lines, and then the fifth one is horizontal or diagonal. We refer to this fifth line as the gate or the seatbelt. In order to practice these skills, students were asked to make a T chart, then record yes on one side and no on the other, then think of an appropriate question to ask their classmates. Both classes came up with some great ideas: Do you like spaghetti?, Do you like zucchini?, Do you like the Sens?, Do you have your tree up?, etc it was fun to see them so engaged in a meaningful excercise.

Upcoming events

Two important to dates to keep in mind...

1) tomorrow, Wednesday December 9 is the annual Santa's Second Sale. If you wish for your child to purchase something special for his or her family, please send in some money. All objects are $1. Please let us know if you REALLY do not wish for your child to bring something home!

2) Friday, December 11, is our first hot dog day. The students are super excited about this event. It will also be a pyjama day for the senior kindergarten French immersion students (the Green and Blue groups).

Help...we are in need of plastic bags

With an upcoming busy season, we are in need of extra plastic bags. With a mucky outdoor yard, students need to change clothes, we have extra holiday crafts coming home, and the Santa's Seconds Sale is right around the corner. If you have extra plastic bags at home, please consider sending the in and letting us reuse them.

Firefighter Visit

On Friday, our local firefighters came for a visit. They gave us a short presentation about what to expect if a fully equipped firefighter came to rescue us. Then we got to see the fire truck and sit in the front seat. It seemed like the most fun was a visit and high five from Sparky!

"Hey, that sounds like Darth Vader"

Santa's Seconds Sale

Santa’s Seconds Sale

December 9, 2015

Our seventh annual “Santa’s Seconds” event will be held on

Wednesday, December 9th,  2015.

This school initiative is designed to provide students in our school the opportunity to “shop” for the holiday season for family, friends, and loved ones.

Last year, we raised over $3000.00 for Candlelighters Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy, and Friederich’s Ataxia – what a great contribution to our local and global community!  Our goal this year is to again raise $3000.00!

This year, we invited Grade 6 students to propose charities that are close to their hearts.  After careful consideration, we would like to direct the funds raised to 4 valued charities:

• Friedreich Ataxia Research Association (FARA)

• Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre (OICC)
• Arnprior Humane Society
• Kanata Food Cupboard

How can you help?

Please help us reach our goal, by sending in the following new or gently used items:

items for Dad toys puzzles CDs

jewellery games DVDs items for Mom

books crafts housewares knick-knacks

We also need donations of gift wrap, bows, gift bags, gift tags, and ribbon.

Please send your donations on the following dates:

• Thursday, December 3rd
• Friday, December 4th
• Monday, December 7th
• Tuesday, December 8th

All gifts will cost $1.00. If your child would like his/her “top secret” present wrapped, we are asking for $0.50 for that service.  To ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to shop, please send in no more than $10.

We’ve also sent home a “shopping list”, to help your child shop successfully.

Sincerely,

Stonecrest Staff

Snowsuit Fund

Stonecrest Snowsuit Fund

November 30-December 4, 2015

Stonecrest will once again fundraise to support the purchase of new snowsuits for local children.  This fundraiser will be held from

            Monday, November 30 to Friday, December 4, 2015.

During this time period, “elves” from Mrs. Storms’ Grade ⅔, and Mrs. Wilker’s and Mrs. Armstrong’s grade 3 ETFI classes will visit all classrooms every day to accept any donations of money, or new winter clothing.  If you choose to write a cheque, please address it to “Stonecrest E.S.”.

Please note:  Due to storage limitations, we are no longer able to accept gently used winter wear.  Should you have used winter items that you wish to donate, may we direct you to your local donation box, or Value Village on Hazeldean Road.

In keeping with the spirit of the season, the staff at Stonecrest would prefer that families, who wish to purchase teacher gifts during this festive season, redirect their generosity towards this fundraiser.  Therefore, if you choose to make purchases, may we suggest hats and mitts, or other winter wear, which we will donate to less fortunate families on behalf of our “Stonecrest Family.”  Should you choose to make a donation on behalf of a teacher/staff member, please feel free to use the tear-off tag to indicate this on your donation.

Sincerely,

Stonecrest Staff

Investigating nature

Both groups had the opportunity to go on nature walks this week. We talked about animal shelter and habitats, and once outside, our task was to find evidence of animal homes. We saw chipmunks, groundhog, spider, insect, and caterpillar homes and with some imaginations, there were A LOT of snake homes!!! There were some very excited nature enthusiasts!

"The beetles left tunnels in the wood where they used to live!"

Who lived here?

One of MANY potential "snake" homes!

"I am stuck in a groundhog hole!"

Preparing for winter

We have been discussing some ways in which animals and people prepare for winter. We understand that some animals hibernate the cold months away, while some migrate to a warmer climate, still others adapt to our climate by camouflaging themselves and others prepare by getting a store of food stashed away. Be sure to ask your child about some animals and have a discussion about what your family does to get ready for the winter ahead. 

Sorting "hibernaters", "non-hibernaters" and "migraters". This was a very interesting discussion as each student argued their point!

Making our migrating geese.

Making our interactive "lift the flap" mural. Finished products (one for each class), yet to come.