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École James R. Henderson
Weekly Update
Friday, October 30th, 2020
Dear Families,
Last Friday was national "Take Me Outside Day" and our staff and students took full advantage of the beautiful weather to do lots of outdoor learning! Classes participated in nature walks, science experiments, outdoor reading, dancing and collecting items to make beautiful fall creations. Students are typically spending instructional time each day learning outdoors, so please continue to ensure that your child is dressed for the weather: dressing in layers at this time of year is strongly recommended!
Our staff continue to find ways to ensure that students have opportunities to engage with the amazing educational opportunities within our community: Gould Lake Outdoor Education Center Staff came here to visit some of our Grade 3 and 4 classes this week. The learning took place (of course!) outdoors, and included hands-on activities to explore various types of soil. And although we cannot have our "Grow Garden" educators visit the school this year, M Jacques' class went to our local community garden to tend the garlic beds...so kind and community-minded, and we can't wait to taste the results this spring :)
Grade 6 students in Mme Creighton and Mme Goddard's classes learned how to use a variety of carpentry tools safely and appropriately this week, and made small benches to use for future outdoor learning. This engaging project tied in measurement and geometry in Math, technological problem solving skills in Science, and exposed students to the varied educational opportunities available to them.
Experiential Education was also happening in many classrooms where teachers provided each student (or student cohort in Kinder) with their own pumpkin or gourd. Students used their mathematics, literacy and visual arts skills to measure, compare, draw and describe these interesting fall fruits! They also planned and designed artistic Jack-o-lanterns, enjoyed scooping out the seeds and pulp, learned how to use special tools and then carved some masterpieces! We were treated to some delicious home-made applesauce from our Kindergarten students, who had been learning all about apples. Miam miam!! These hands-on activities provide the opportunity for rich discussion, writing, mathematics and visual arts activities and we are so fortunate to have a team of educators who go above and beyond to plan for experiential learning. Bien fait, tout le monde!
Our Student Support Counsellor, Crystal Fairfax, will be doing Part 2 of her presentations about anxiety for classes in Grades 3-8 over the next few weeks. Crystal will review the strategies that students practiced in Part 1, and learn more about the brain "flipping its lid" when experiencing big emotions, and discuss some additional strategies that students can use independently to self-regulate. We are so appreciative of her teaching our students to recognize the signs of stress and anxiety and to become more resilient.
Next week we will have the first ever (but hopefully annual!) Henderson Hustle!! Students will participate with their class cohort, and in JK to Grade 2 will walk or run as many laps as possible in 15 minutes: this will be a "fun run", and we will keep track of the total number of laps for each class. Students in Grades 3-8 will be able to do a fun or a competitive run or walk between 2-4 laps (depending upon grade level): we will time students who wish to be competitive and announce the top 3 times in each grade/age category. We are looking forward to lots of fitness, fun and camaraderie! Thank you to Mr. Morrison & Mme Fox for helping to organize this event.
Due to current COVID protocols, we will be having virtual Remembrance Day Assemblies in classrooms this year. The school will be distributing poppies, and will be making a donation on behalf of all of the students. If families wish to make an online donation, you may do so using the following link: https://www.legion.ca/remembrance/the-poppy-campaign/donate-to-the-poppy-fund Our local branch is the Matthew J. Dawe Memorial Legion, Branch 631.
If your family will be trick-or-treating this weekend, we hope that you have a fun and safe evening. Remember that the clocks "fall back" on Saturday at midnight...so enjoy that extra hour on Sunday!
Mme Peart & Mrs. Davey
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, November 4th: Silly Hair and Hat Day!
Wednesday, November 11th: Remembrance Day
Thursday, November 12th: Henderson Hustle! Grades JK-2
Thursday, November 12th: Parent Council Meeting (6:45pm-8:45pm)
Friday, November 13th: Henderson Hustle! Grades 3-8
Wednesday, November 18th: Camo Day!
Friday, November 20th: Progress Report Distribution
Wednesday, November 25th: Mismatched Clothing & Patterns Day (plaid, polka dots & stripes)!
Fridays have been declared Henderson Hawk Pride Day!
We have decided that EVERY Friday will be a Henderson Hawks Spirit Day! On Fridays, slip on some green and yellow clothing, footwear or accessories, and show how proud you are to be a Hawk!
Families who wish to purchase Henderson Hawks Spirit Wear: Check out all of the amazing clothing and accessories available at our École James R. Henderson School E-Store:
COVID-19 Daily Active Screening
COVID-19 Screening Tool
Parents and caregivers must review the following checklist with their child/student before sending them to school each day and before putting them on a school bus.
Please use the online COVID-19 School Screening Tool available in English and French (released October 1, 2020). You can print or download this version in English or French (by clicking on the top right). We are working on translations in additional languages. This new screening tool replaces what was provided previously (Sept. 21, 2020 version).
School Council Information
Be Smart! Be Strong! Be Bold! Registration is open for Girls Inc FREE Virtual Fall Programs!
Free Learning Opportunity: Black Youth in STEM
Here is information on a wonderful opportunity to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through fun hands-on activities in a Black-positive space!
This virtual club is open to Black youth from K-8, residing in the Kingston area. Black Youth in STEM is free of charge, and all materials are supplied. Please share widely, as this program is open to students of all achievement levels, with the overall purpose of availing opportunities and increase Black representation in STEM fields/engineering.
Spaces are limited. Spaces are limited. Here is the link to register:
Stay up to date!
Please continue to check the LDSB microsite for updated information on the Director's messages, Frequently asked Questions, Family Reference Guide, Wellness Resources & Supports, Remote Learning info, Public Health info and Ministry of Education information. This area is updated regularly as information becomes available or changes.
School ReOpening Reference Guide
Limestone DSB Frequently Asked Questions
LDSB Website https://www.limestone.on.ca/
LDSB Twitter https://twitter.com/LimestoneDSB
LDSB Facebook https://tinyurl.com/wbhjtku
LDSB Instagram https://instagram.com/limestonedsb?igshid=1epyma6c0g5qd
James R Henderson Parking Guide
École James R. Henderson Public School
Email: jrhen@limestone.on.ca
Website: https://jrhenderson.limestone.on.ca/
Location: 361 Roosevelt Drive, Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: 613-389-2330
Twitter: @JRHenPS_LDSB