Dear Grade 1 Parents,

I apologize in advance for the length of this email, but please read very carefully as it will outline important information. As you have been made aware due to the COVID-19 situation we have decided that our school building will be closed from Monday, March 23rd until April 5th, however education will continue online. Term 2 report cards will now go home on Friday, April 10th. 

My goal is to create as little disruption to my students learning as possible. A blog post will be posted by 9:00am every day. These posts will outline the daily activities from the classroom teacher and specialists. Alongside these posts an email will be sent every morning by 9:00am with the resources and activity sheets that will be needed. You have an option of receiving the daily activities via email or they will be available for pick up in the office. Please note if you do not have a printer I do not mind students answering the questions or completing the activity on a blank piece of paper. If you prefer to come to the school to pick up the activities, please email me by Sunday March 22^nd at 12:00pm if you require this option. Please note you also will need to call in advance if you are coming to the school. 

I will be creating video links of myself teaching every lesson available for your child to watch before they get started. I will also be trying to use the app Seesaw to deliver lessons. This app will allow students to respond and engage with my lessons by recording their voices, themselves or writing examples down on a screen and I can actively respond and provide feedback. 

Instructions 

1. Download the app Seesaw on computer or tablet 

2. Login by clicking student 

3. Enter text code at the bottom 

4. This will then bring you to your child’s journal 

*Please note whatever is posted on Seesaw will also be sent as attachments via email and on my blog. This app will encourage teacher and student engagement

We are asking as a grade level that parents send in pictures or use Seesaw to show completed work in math, language and unit of inquiry by 5:30pm every night for assessment and/or feedback. 

I want to emphasize that even though I am not standing in front of your child I am there with them whole heartedly during these 2 weeks! Whenever students and/or parents have questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me via email or remind. I also do not mind making personal phone or video calls for any clarification! I have never ventured to online learning before so please understand that this is a first for me and I am learning to do this alongside you. 

Thank you in advance for you understanding and cooperation during this time, 

Yours truly, 

Samantha Gandy

A note from our specialist teachers…

Gym 

Hello SJA families! 

For the next two weeks, it is important that our students engage in physical education while learning from home. Physical education will provide your child with a break from their other homework, reengage their attention, and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Throughout the two weeks, please go to your homeroom teachers’ blog to find our daily PE activity. Most days, the students will have a YouTube link to follow and engage in. If you do not have Internet access or a computer to use, please allow your child to get creative with their physical activity and use whatever materials or resources you have at home to allow them to be active. If you need assistance in coming up with an activity, please do not hesitate to contact me with the information provided below.

Students will be given an ‘Activity Log’ where they will be asked to write down the activity they have done each day, and how long they spent doing that activity. The activities I have chosen are approximately 30 minutes long, which leaves your child with another 30 minutes to do whatever they would like. Examples include: bike ride, going to the park, soccer in the backyard or basement, running up and down the stairs, water bottle bowling, etc. The goal is 60 minutes of physical activity each day but please do not stop there! The student in each class with the most amount of physical activity by the end of week 1 will earn a prize, as will the highest activity levels at the end of week 2.

Parents – Please e-mail or text me photos or videos of your child engaging in these PE activities and the ones they have created on their own throughout the next two weeks. I also ask that you send me photos of the Activity Log each Wednesday and Friday to ensure it is being filled out correctly and so that I can provide you and your child with any necessary feedback.

Please contact me at: evasconcelos@stjudesacademy.com  OR 1-365-803-1465 [This number was created using “Text Now” so that I do not give out my personal phone number].

Best Regards, Emily Vasconcelos 

French

Bonjour! Hello SJA families!
Below you can find information about what to expect in the upcoming weeks in order to support you and your child through this online process of French learning. We are going to focus on the theme of Spring. Students will be learning about words and activities related to Spring. All the vocabulary words/phrases, songs, worksheets, review exercises, and videos will be posted on the classroom teacher's blog. Thus, it is important to check their blogs on a daily basis in order stay up to date with the work expectations. Students are to send in their work for assessment/feedback via my email at jhou@stjudesacademy.com If you have any questions or require further assistance, feel free to contact me via email. Merci et Bonne chance!  Mlle. Jessica 

Music

I hope everyone had a wonderful March break with family. In the coming weeks as students continue learning at home, I am letting you know of some wonderful online music educational resources. https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Song-Maker/ is a wonderful resource that the students love as they can compose songs online. In addition,www.classicsforkids.com has wonderful musical games to practice note naming skills and suggestions for musical listening. Musical activities will be posted on your classroom teacher’s daily blog. If you have any questions or your child would like to share a picture of their music work or performance you can email me at amcmillan@stjudesacademy.com. I look forward to being in touch with you regarding musical educational activities to participate in at home in the next two weeks!