MacSkimming!!!

This is it, the big week of our MacSkimming trip. Thanks to Janice for organizing the food for our trip.
With the food taken care of, and the checklists, maps, and details of the trip all sent home in the info package, all we need is a lot of sunny thoughts to make the trip a huge success. Tiiu's class had a fantastic time there two weeks ago, and the weather didn't slow them down one bit. Activities for the two day trip are all rain or shine, so make sure that the students come packed with clothing that is weather appropriate (plan for rain, bugs, and sun).

I have had many parents volunteer for one day or the other, but, and a few who had to back out for a variety of reasons, but it seems that we have all the bases covered, so we are well set up now for parents. Thanks to everyone who tried to make it out. We will take a ton of pictures and share them at our open house later this year.

Both days will be full ones, with programming that keeps us away from the main cabin site for large portions of the day. If you are meeting us up there we will be leaving the site by ten the first day, and before nine the second day. We will return to the site by three both days to end the daytime programming for any who are coming up later in the day.

A second copy of the packing checklist and map went home this week. Try to encourage your student to limit what they pack. Each student should have one bag of clothes/ etc, and one bag with a sleeping role/pillow. Multiple bags and loose boots are logistically challenging for 30 students to pack the bus. Keep it simple is our motto.

A regular packed lunch for the first day is also needed.

On another note, letters went home this past week regarding the upcoming Grade 6 EQAO assessment. The dates for our class will be next week on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday (Tuesday is track and field). The make up day is the Friday for any who miss a day during the administration of the assessments. It will follow the same format as in years past. Each day there are two one hour sessions, with Language and Math parts one on Day One, Language and Math parts two on Day Two, and Language parts three and four on Day Three. Every effort will be made to make the administration of EQAO as stress free as possible. What we have found recently is that most students find it a fun process to go through because they realise that it effects their own report card and academic progress in no way at all. If you have any questions regarding eqao please let me know.

Things are getting really busy with June right around the corner. For those who have forgotten, the last Monday of the year (june 27) is the date for our Honouring ceremony for the sixes. Our class will be running the annual chalk festival on the monday prior to that (june 20). The Track and Field meet is on June 7th. Our big book launch for the Grandparent Biographies will be on June 10th in the gymnasium. Stay tuned for more information regarding our Recycled Fashion Show, and our class open house/student leds.

Take care, and think SUNSHINE!
Regards, Ray