Update #2

Hello again Kindergarten families,

Given that we were originally meant to connect with you today and tomorrow during student-led conferences, we wanted to reach out one more time before Spring Break is set to begin, to let you know that we are thinking of you and wishing you well during this time of uncertainty.

Our time together as a team this week has given us the opportunity to reflect on all that we have done in Kindergarten until now. We are so very proud of each and every student, for how far they have come since we met in September. Every child has grown in their own way, and not just academically. They have grown into their own, developing their sense of self and identity. They’ve put into practice essential life skills such as problem-solving, team-work, giving to and sharing with others, compromise, and patience (among others). We’ve had meaningful discussions about the importance of kindness, compassion, and looking out for each other. These are all skills and conversations that will come in handy as we navigate new and unknown territory.  

We’ve watched as students have developed both their skills and their confidence in the classroom, and we know there is still so much learning left to do, building off of their ever-growing abilities. We hope to have clarity in terms of what’s to come by the end of March. We will connect with you again in April as information becomes available.

In the meantime, please remember that we run a classroom blog, where we have provided some resources that may be useful to you. You can also review our posts with your child, and look back on all the learning we have done together. It can be found at https://bridlewoodkindergarten.blogspot.com/. The CBE has also provided a valuable list of activities that can be done at home during this time. It can be accessed at https://cbe.ab.ca/programs/curriculum/learning-at-home/Pages/k-6.aspx.

We want to stress the importance of spending time together and connecting as a family during this unprecedented time. In the days ahead, read stories together, and ask your child to make predictions, re-tell the beginning/middle/end, or describe their favourite part. Go on a letter or number hunt, searching for letters and numbers around your home. Play games that involve cards or dice so that students can build on their existing math skills while enjoying their time with you. Look for patterns in your home. Collect a group of objects and then have your child sort them based on a variety of attributes (size, colour, shape, texture, etc). Look out the window, and have your child draw what they see. Look for things around your home or outside that begin with each letter of the alphabet and draw them. Go outside. Run, play, and enjoy the fresh air!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions.

Take care of yourselves!