Woodlawn Early Years School

What a great I Love to Read Month we had. A special thanks to our literacy support teachers, April Harder and Katherine Peters who worked hard to make sure our students had fun and helped to foster a love of reading in our students.

March is always a fun and exciting month at school. Teachers are busy preparing report cards that will be available on the parent portal on March 15 at 4:00. Report cards are a valuable communication tool for parents to know how their children are progressing at school. Please take the time to read the report card. If you have any trouble accessing the report card on the parent portal, please contact Melissa Thiessen in the office and she will help get you logged in.

Report cards will be followed by student led conferences on March 21. Students, with their teachers' guidance spend time reflecting on their learning over the past term and prepare samples of their learning to share with parents at student led conferences. Reflecting on what has been learned and how it was learned is a very important skill that can enhance learning outcomes for students. We strongly encourage you to attend student led conferences with your child.

Our community pancake breakfast will take place on Friday, March 22 at 8:00. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy some delicious pancakes, juice and coffee. This event is free, however donations are graciously accepted. We hope to see you all there!

Karen Fraser and Tara Reimer

Talking to Kids About Report Cards

Report cards can be a time for celebration but can also be a source of stress when there is too much focus and attention on what is not going the way we expected . To help reduce stress it is important to reflect and focus our attention on areas of progress and where effort has been demonstrated. Because neuroscience has shown that too much stress leads to the shut down of the prefrontal cortex (the thinking part of the brain), we know that what we say and how we say it actually really matter. Comments that may contribute to feelings of guilt, shame or pressure may actually make it harder for children to do well. There are different reasons why you might be disappointed, surprised or concerned with your child's report card. Try to be aware of those reasons, and remember that you have an opportunity to encourage them and contribute to their joy of learning, which is one of the most helpful things you can do. Here are some suggestions:

• Ask open ended questions about your child’s progress instead of yes or no questions. (Eg: what is easiest / hardest for you? What do you like the most / least?) Remain present and listen to their responses.

• Offer specific praise and encouragement instead of general statements. (Eg: It looks like you worked very hard in math this term.)

• Focus on a goal and come up with a plan together. (Eg: How can I help you? - practice math facts, get to bed earlier, read together, get up earlier, have breakfast)

Report cards are only one way that demonstrates your child’s capabilities / learning; they do not define how smart or capable your child is. There are many, many other ways your child demonstrates skills, capabilities and talents. Remind your child to remember those too.

Our words matter, and when we use positive growth mindset language it encourages learning. If you want to practice using growth mindset language at home with your child check out the links below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1CHPnZfFmU

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yv7EnnhaVLvC1fYWwYkL9yj2SiZ6on-1cNBoG2phWSQ/edit

The Power of Conversation

“What made you smile today? Tell me more about that.”

“If you could become any animal, what would it be and why?”

“What place on Earth would you like to explore? Why?”

These are just a few of many open-ended questions that you can ask your child to get conversation flowing. Building oral language skills and vocabulary helps children with their overall abilities in literacy. A student will have much more success with sounding out and understanding a word they’ve encountered before outside of an independently read book.

When you’re at the dinner table or in a vehicle with your child, ask an open-ended question. It could be serious or silly. This article has many possible questions on a variety of topics. Offer your own answer to the same question. The natural flow of conversation will build both your child’s vocabulary and the connection you have with one another. It’s a win-win!

Our Kindergarten classes have been busy little counters! All three of our teachers have chosen to explore the numeracy routine of counting collections. This may sound pretty simple, but it is a routine that we have used from K-4. There is flexibility in how teachers use the routine, but most often the teacher chooses an intentional mini lesson to begin. An example is shown in the picture with the 100s chart on the screen. This was taken from the day previous and the teacher had noticed that the children in that group had chosen a tool (the 100s chart) that had spaces not quite big enough for their collection. Asking probing questions like "what did your group notice when using the 100s chart" or "what did you do next" offered a rich discussion of using appropriate tools as well as something to keep in mind in their next counting adventure. The routine continues with each pair of student choosing a counting collection (they include everything from buttons to bolts). The teacher intentionally has a variety of quantities of collections as well as some collections that have multiple attributes to count besides the object itself. For example, the buttons had 4 holes each so not only can the students count the buttons one by one, but they can count the total number of holes in the collection of buttons. Next, the pair decides on the tool they are going to use to help with their counting. The tools include 100s charts, ten frames, 5 frames, muffin tins, paper cups, etc. The idea behind the tool is to organize their count. In kindergarten our students are getting comfortable with counting by 1s, 5s, and 10s. Shifting from counting only by 1s to counting in groups is an indication they are moving into developing their additive reasoning which is more sophisticated than counting by 1s. Next, the pair of students begin their counting. The teacher moves from pair to pair, offering only probing questions and not direct instruction. They listen in on the students' conversations. Even at this young age, students are making confident statements of agreement and disagreement. For example, one student said "we need to get a different tool because once we fill up this side of the 5 frame, our popsicle sticks won't fit on the other side". Or for a class that was working on estimation as their learning intention, student A said "How many do you think is in the bag?" Student B said "zero" Student A said, it cannot be zero because we see some". Student B gave a different estimation and student A said "okay, then write it down". As the teacher is walking around, they are also looking for deepening understanding as well as misconceptions. Both can be used in the reflection part of the routine or the next day's mini lesson. An example of this was the teacher noticing that two groups were able to count by 10s using their tool, but the quantity was not an even 10. In both groups, they had "extras". Both groups had difficulties moving from counting by 10s to counting the extras by 1s. This was a perfect reflective whole class discussion at the end.

When we look at what learning routines and lessons have the most impact in math, we can turn to NCTM's 8 Effective Teaching Practices:

1. Establish mathematics goals to focus on learning.
2. Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem-solving.
3. Use and connect mathematical representations.
4. Facilitate meaningful mathematical discourse.
5. Pose purposeful questions.
6. Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding.
7. Support productive struggle in learning mathematics.
8. Elicit and use evidence of student thinking.

Counting collections touches on all of these practices and it is evident when you watch and listen to the students as they make sense of number concepts!

Please note that OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION is not to be sent to school in your child's backpack or lunch kits. All over-the-counter medication needs to be administered by a parent/guardian.

In order for PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION to be administered by staff, parents need to bring the ORIGINAL container/box with the label on. There are forms at the office for parent/guardians to fill out.

As the digital age becomes more a part of our everyday life, Woodlawn is shifting away from paper forms and paper information being sent home. Paper permission forms are one of those things that you will see significantly less of since most permissions can now be given on the parent portal. Please make sure you monitor your emails and seesaw accounts from your student's teachers and the school. Please add woodlawn@hsd.ca to your contact list to help prevent emails from going into your junk mail.

Our teachers are going to be looking for volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please make sure your volunteer status is up to date with the HSD School Division.

Click HERE to read what will be needed to volunteer.

Woodlawn PAC March News

This February brought the Book Fair and “Homemade with Love”

Thank you to all who volunteered at this years book fair. Mrs. Loewen greatly appreciated all your help. We saw lots of families and students come through the library. It was exciting to see all the kiddos come through buying new books and treasures.

We are also very thankful that with the support of our Woodlawn families, we were able to spread kindness to our staff again with “Homemade with Love!” The staff was so very grateful for all the treats.

THANK YOU to our Woodlawn Community! Without your support, volunteer hours and donations, we would not have the success that we do.

Please note, before volunteering, all required checks must be completed prior to volunteering. (criminal and child abuse)

Our school administrators are more than happy to assist with how to start this process.

Fundraiser

Coming this March will be a Rocco’s Pizza Fundraiser. Watch for an email and note home from PAC with details.

With the money raised we are excited to be working towards expanding our outdoor play area to include an inclusive playground.

Next Meeting

Tuesday, March 12th – 11:05am – Library

Woodlawn PAC

All students in grade 3 and 4 will have the opportunity to go skating on March 11 or 12. Class notices and informed consent forms will be sent home and parents are asked to have helmets fitted and skates sharpened in preparation for the fun. If you absolutely cannot beg, borrow or buy the equipment, we do have some basic skates and helmets as a back up at the school. We welcome any parents who have any extra equipment they may want to share to call me so that all students can join in the fun! Please be aware that hockey sticks are not allowed to be transported on the school division buses. If your child would like to bring a stick please make arrangements to drop it off and pick it up at the school.

We also welcome and need parents to come out and help with supervision, tying skates and possibly sharing your own expertise in the sport. If your volunteer information is up to date and you would like to help, please contact Mr. Adams at jadams@hsd.ca

** Please note that all helmets must be CSA approved hockey helmets.

If your child is eligible for Kindergarten Registration (must be five years of age on or before Dec. 31, 2024), our online registration is now available. Our new online registration process takes only a few minutes to complete. To begin, visit the HSD Kindergarten Registration page at https://hsd.ca/schools/student-registration/

If you do not have access to the Internet, please visit our school and we will assist you in completing the registration form on a school computer.

Registering early will assist our school in preparation and planning for the upcoming school year. Early registration also provides parents/guardians with the opportunity to participate in upcoming orientation activities.

Every year during the last week before Spring Break, we take some time to build community by having some extra fun. Regular classes still take place, but each day is designated to have something a little extra special. We will post our dress up days on the website soon!

When packing your student's lunches, please make sure they have the cutlery that they need to eat it.

We are also asking for parents help to have each student bring a refillable water bottle each day to school with them.

Woodlawn School is happy to be hosting it's annual in person community pancake breakfast on Friday March 22nd. Gym doors will open at 8:00am and all families are welcome to join us. Students whose families are unable to attend will be invited into the gym as they arrive at school, so that they can enjoy some yummy pancakes!

Families of the kindergarten students who are not attending on Friday (KM1 and KG1) are welcome to attend the breakfast as well.

There is no cost for the breakfast, however donations are greatly appreciated to help us cover the cost of the event. If you would like to make a donation and would like a tax receipt, please write a cheque payable to Hanover School Division. To qualify for a tax receipt donations must be $25.00 or more.

We are purchasing the pancakes from Smitty's, if you or your child has food sensitives or allergies, you are free to bring or pack a breakfast for them to join in the gym.

To help us plan for this event, we will be sending out a survey soon! Please take the time to fill it out so we know how many pancakes to order!

Please check the lost and found for items that your child may be missing. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold these items indefinitely. Any unclaimed items in the lost and found after March 22nd will be donated to the Steinbach MCC Thrift Store during Spring Break.

Our Scholastic Virtual Book Fair was a success! Thank you to all families, teachers, volunteers, and students who participated, supporting our school while enhancing home libraries.

Your investment in your reader helped our school to earn $4300 Scholastic Dollars that can be redeemed for new books for our school and classroom libraries, as well as supplies and Education Resources to benefit our students. We can’t wait to hear all about the new stories you have added to your home libraries!

Thank you for participating in our Book Fair!

Happy reading!!

Mrs. S. Loewen

Library Support Specialist

Staff or parent vehicles caught driving by a bus loading/unloading with lights flashing may be reported by the bus driver or receive a ticket directly from the RCMP who are monitoring drive-bys, including school bus loops. This is a very costly mistake.

Please take note of the 30 km/h area school zone signs on streets around our school. The 30 km/h speed limit is in effect Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 5:00 pm during the school year.

Please do not use the driveway or parking lot at Woodlawn Terrace Condominiums as a holding spot while dropping off or picking up your children.

An important reminder...the office should be your first stop when you enter the school building during the school day. This minimizes disruptions to teachers during their teaching and keeps us accountable as to who is in our building. The secretary will be happy to assist you at the office. Please use the main doors on Henry Street to enter the school. Stopping in at the office allows us to ensure that we know of everyone who is in the building should we need to contact you or should we have to evacuate the school for any reason.

If you are volunteering please remember to sign in at the office and take a volunteer badge.

If you are picking up your child during the school day (between 9:08 and 3:45) please sign your child out at the office. The secretary will call your child to the office to meet you.

If you have something to drop off for your child, please label the item with your child’s name and homeroom, and drop it off at the office. The secretary will call your child to the office to pick up the item.

We provide all the training for free with applicants only required to provide a few items for a small fee. If anyone is interested they can gladly email Robert at rwarkentin@hsd.ca or call our office 204-320-2347 for more information. Another option is looking at the HSD website for job openings and the job application process.

Email: woodlawn@hsd.ca
Website: www.woodlawn.hsd.ca
Location: 411 Henry St, Steinbach, MB, Canada R5G 0R1
Phone: 204-326-6110
Twitter: @WoodlawnHSD