Arts Express Dance Program

For the last few years, students at Twentieth have had the opportunity to learn dance through a fantastic sponsored program that brings dance instructors into our school once a week for one month to teach them different dance forms. It has been a highlight of the week for many students in 214.

Here is a video of students from 214 (and some other students) getting down to some good old fashioned soul music. 

Don't you love them now that they can dance?

SNAP Program a great success!

Grade 2 students in Room 214 have had the privilege of taking part in a school sponsored self regulation development program over the last two months called SNAP. Here is some specific information about this fantastic program that is run by Toronto's very own Child Development Institute. 

Room 214 would like to give a HUGE thanks to Faisa Mohamud of the Child Development Institute for leading such a fantastic program and dedicating her time (and patience) to our students here at Twentieth Street. THANK YOU!

SNAP®, which stands for Stop Now And Plan, is an evidence-based cognitive behavioural model that provides a framework for teaching children struggling with behaviour issues, and their parents, effective emotional regulation, self-control and problem-solving skills. The primary goal of SNAP® is to keep children and youth in school and out of trouble. SNAP® has demonstrated positive treatment outcomes among children under the age of 12 with conduct and related behavioural problems and their families.

Faisa talking to 20th St. students about the 'wheel of self control'

Studies have shown the following benefits in children and families who have taken part:

• Increased emotion-regulation and self-control skills in children and their parents
• Reduced aggression, bullying and antisocial behaviour
• Increased social competency
• Improved academic success by decreasing behavioural issues at school

Safe Schools Forum Letter

January Reminders - Save the Dates

Twentieth Street's Winter Concert Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the big day! Most of the students from Twentieth St. School and participants of the Parenting and Literacy Centre will be performing holiday songs that will be sure to bring a smile to everyone's faces during this festive, and often stressful, time.

Please be advised that students from Room 214 are asked to arrive no later than 6:15pm and will then immediately report to Room 214. Parents/Guardians can then make their way down to the gym as supervision will be provided to students upon arrival at their classroom. If students would like to wear something red, green, or both, that would be great too!

Unfortunately, I will not be in attendance tomorrow evening due to extenuating circumstances but I'm sure the students will shine and I am very proud of them all!

~ Mr. Smith

Thank You for the Food Donations!

This post is just to thank all those who have helped to contribute to the mountain of food room 214 has collected so far for the Holiday Food Drive here at 20th St. Our classroom has already filled one recycling bin and it's only the beginning of December! Ms. Mitchell has told us recently that we have collected more than any other classroom in the school!

This month the character education focus is on caring and kindness. This generosity helps students to see that this time of year is all about helping those in need, not the presents they want. We have discussed this many times in our classroom but please have a discussion at home about the difference between wants and needs. I think it is a good starting point to talking about presents at this time of year.

Thanks again and please keep the food donations coming!

We need to empty this bin!

The Halloween Parade!

Twentieth Street's Halloween celebrations will take place in the morning on Friday, October 31st. To assist in making our Halloween celebrations successful, please have your child come to school in their Halloween costume. After announcements and attendance, children will participate in a Halloween parade at 9:30AM. This will be a community walk north on 20th St. and south on 21^st St.. Upon their return to school, students will go back to their classrooms.

Please ensure that your child is wearing a Halloween costume that is appropriate for school. They should not wear high heels, masks that cover their mouth or eyes, and no weapons of any sort should be brought to school. 

If you are sending in treats for the classroom, please ensure they are of the healthy variety. 

All parents are welcome to attend the parade and be a part of the Halloween Celebration.

Thanks!

Events This Week

Well the fall season is now in full swing and students in room 214 are getting really focussed on building reading stamina (which is now at a whopping 12 minutes!). We have also begun practicing our printing skills each and every school day so that we can becoming better writers and readers this year.

Last week, we had our monthly character education assembly and the character education focus for this month is RESPONSIBILITY. We always try to talk about what responsibility means in our classroom and across the school, but it always helps if it also becomes a word used at home. Please talk to your child about what responsibility looks like and how we need to be responsible for ourselves, and each other. It is when students see the connection between what we talk about at school and what becomes dinner conversation at home that the best learning connections are made for developing brains.

This week, Officer Rich will be back to visit with all Grade 1 students to talk about how to have fun and be safe in your community. We always look forward to Officer Rich dropping by because he always has some great stories to tell, and some great advice to give.

We also have Photo Day! happening on Thursday, October 9th. That's this Thursday! Please try to make sure your child can attend school that day and is dressed appropriately for photos.

Terry Fox Run a Great Success!

Twentieth Street School held their annual Terry Fox Run this past Wednesday and the event was a huge success. We are still tabulating the results of our 'Toonie for Terry' drive, but Room 214 raised $43 alone towards our school target of $300. Thanks to you and your contributions, the Terry Fox Foundation can continue to fund research for treatments to cancers that affect children and adults around the world.

As a part of our social studies curriculum, our class also spent time talking about what it really means to be a hero like Terry Fox was. We decided together that a hero:

• Helps others, even if they don't know the person they are helping
• Works hard every day to achieve their goals
• Always tries their best
• Works as a team with others

Students from Room 214 warming up their bodies for the big run!

We have also decided that our classroom is full of heroes that can do these things every day! We are so excited about this that we decided to make a book filled with the reasons we were running on the day of the big run. Stay tuned for Room 214's first published Book of Heroes!

Terry Fox Run 2014!

Terry Fox is a true Canadian hero. He put his life on the line to help raise awareness and funds to support cancer research. Terry Fox reminds us each year that living for and giving to others is as important as living for ourselves. Please help us pay homage to this inspiring Canadian icon by encouraging your child to do something nice for someone else, and challenging yourself to do the same!

We will be running in the afternoon on Wednesday, September 24th and are hoping to raise $300. Please help us accomplish this goal by having your child donate a 'Toonie for Terry' this school week. Every little bit helps.

We will be learning a bit more about the hero named Terry Fox this week in Room 214, and hopefully getting in touch with the hero inside each one of us. Please ask your child who Terry Fox is so they have a chance to share what they've learned.

For more information, please visit the Terry Fox Foundation

Curriculum Night!

This Wednesday (September 17th), Twentieth St is excited to host this year's Curriculum Night and BBQ.

Forms have been sent home already in regards to hot dog or hamburger orders. If you still need a form, please write a note in your child's agenda and I'll make sure they get one to bring home. It may not be possible to buy on the day of so please order in advance.

Curriculum Night is a chance for you and your child to visit the school together and get a sense of what your child does all day (not to mention his or her teacher!). Some of the work students have been completing will be showcased; parents and guardians who would like to meet Snake may do so (don't be scared!), and I will be there to answer questions and discuss your child's progress so far. I can also show you some of the great resources offered through the class blog if you haven't had a chance to explore yet.

If you have any questions, please email me or call the school and I will return your call as soon as possible.