GRADE 3 EQAO

Tomorrow marks EQAO testing week for grade 3 and 6 in elementary schools across Ontario.  All grade 3 and 6 students will be writing standardized tests in reading, writing and math every day this week.  Kieran is feeling quite anxious about this so with the hopes of adding a bit of fun and excitement and diluting his stress I offered to make testing treats for everyone in his classroom.  Having taught grade 3 for many years within an independent school we were able to opt out of this testing.  However, we did do CAT (Canadian Achievement Testing) with our boys and every year I made special testing treats for the kids in my class.  I have just extended that to Kieran's classroom for this week.  He enjoyed helping cut out the notes and stick the treats on each one, so tomorrow morning Kieran will wander to school with 100+ little treat notes in his bag.  He is excited to share with his peers.  One small thing to help ease the tension he is feeling.  Thanks for your help Mr. K putting these together.  As we have talked about, all you can do is your best.  You will be great!

* EQAO stands for Education Quality and Accountability Office, but just this past weekend Kieran was sharing his stress with a grade 9 boy who was looking after K and Q for us.
Jeremy told Kieran that he was going to be totally fine, it was not a big deal at all, just something that all grade 3's got to do.  He also made Kieran laugh out loud when he told him that EQAO stood for:  Evil Questions Attacking Ontario.  Thanks J for making him feel a bit more at ease about it all.

Four messages, each with a treat.  We agreed we will let Ms. Saunders decide when to distribute these.

This was sent to me by Nana as well as posted in Today's Parent.  Thought it was worth sharing here.  I love what the Principal wrote to her students.  Worth reminding them...

One sensible principal in the US decided to write a letter to students to remind them that standardized testing does not determine who they are and how much they are appreciated. The letter quickly went viral, prompting like-minded teachers everywhere to tweak and adapt that letter to suit the needs of their students. I was delighted to see a version of that principal’s kind and clever letter come home from a teacher at my children’s school.

Parents, if you have a child in the middle of EQAO hell, please take a moment to share this with them. Spread the message—our kids are too special not to know it:

Dear Grade Sixes,
Over the next few days you will be writing your EQAO tests. You have put forth a lot of time and effort into preparing yourself for these tests. I know that each of you will work hard and put forth your very best effort.
However, I want you to remember that these tests only assess one small part of who you are. The people who create these tests and score them do not know each of you like I do and certainly not the way your families do. They do not know that you can speak two languages, that you are a hockey player, a dancer, a soccer player or an animal lover. They do not know that you love to scooter, that you can jam on your guitar, or play a mean set of drums. They do not know that you can fix any computer-related problem, draw, sing, or write stories and poetry.
The people who write these tests do not know that you are a loyal friend and you laughter can brighten anyone’s day. They do not know that you are kind to those around you and that you volunteer your time both inside and outside of school to help others. They do not know that you take care of your brother or sister and that you love spending time with your family.
The scores you achieve on this test will tell you something, but they will not tell you everything. There are many ways of being smart. You possess many strengths and talents… some of which you have yet to discover! So remember to work hard over the next several days—and most importantly remember that you are indeed a wonderful gift from God.
Mrs. Durand

FIREWORKS FESTIVITIES YEAR #4

Each year a little bit bigger, a little bit better.  We have all begun to realize that if you go to Walmart or Canadian Tire you spend $30 on a bunch of little crap fireworks.  We are getting smarter in our old age and many families now go to a legitimate fireworks store and buy one good firework cube filled with explosives for the same amount of money.  As the boys get a bit older they are getting more and more excited about sharing this event with their school yard buddies.  It is my understanding that they both invited a lot of kids during recess the week leading up to Victoria Day.  I had a few parents reach out to me on the street, in the yard or drop me an email inquiring to what it was all about.  I anticipate that we will soon outgrow our little front yard.  In the mean time, I will keep buying chips, popcorn and juice boxes and we will continue to gather as a community here on our front lawn, until we have to move to a bigger space...  Grateful to live in such a remarkable place in this big city.

The men who like to play with fire.

The Goodies...

Baby Gloria (10 months) enjoying her first fireworks show!

Ms. G not even a little bit scared.

Here we go...

People gathered on our front lawn and up the dead-end.

School yard buddies enjoying the show

The line up to get a sparkler

Sparklers in action...

The finale, just as it was getting dark

Another great year.  Lets do it again in 2015.

FIELD TRIP

Quinn's class traveled to the ROM today.  I think the whole experience was a HUGE hit because this is what he did with his time tonight - 100% him, I had nothing to do with this.  Kieran was out training at the gym and Dave was out at a work event.  Love how this little person works...

A shout out of thanks to Ms. Masellas, Ms. Chang and all the parent volunteers who helped on this trip.  These experiences are incredibly valuable.

RESPONSIBILITY

Last week Kieran was awarded the RESPONSIBILITY award at school.  Similarly in January when both he and Quinn were given the KINDNESS & CARING award.  Each month the school reflects and works on a particular character trait.  April's focus was Responsibility.  Appropriately, Kieran was awarded it within his class.  It is true that Kieran is incredibly responsible.  If he finds so much as a nickle in the school yard, a pokemon card, a beanie boo or what have you, he immediately goes straight to the office to hand it in with the hopes that the rightful owner will come to the office and claim it.  I am proud of how kind, caring and responsible Kieran is proving to be.  Well done Mr. K.  Daddy and I are proud of you.

MOTHER'S DAY

Kieran was so excited for Mother's Day he could not contain his excitement.  He was up before 6:30am and came tap, tap, tapping on my arm to wish me a Happy Day!  He was anxious for me to get up so he could give me his gift and as adorable as his little angelic face was, all I wanted to do was keep sleeping!  He wandered down to the kitchen and all by himself he toasted 2 piece of bread, spread them with some cinnamon butter, poured a glass of orange juice, put it all on a tray and added a clementine to finish it all off.  He slowly and carefully mounted the stairs and so proudly served me breakfast in bed.  Quinn was still sound asleep, as was Dave.  As Dave heard and then saw Kieran walk in with breakfast for me he pounced out of bed to make coffee to complete the whole meal.  It was really very sweet.  As I came down the stairs there was a display of Mother's Day treats on the table.  Homemade cards, flowers, red wine and some pictures.  All three boys made chocolate chip banana bread to be served to all of us when Grams and Claw arrived.  It was a very low key day, hanging with my boys enjoying the warmth of the sun and the gratitude of those I love most in this world.  Thank you for showering me with your love yesterday and everyday.  1.4.3.  xxoo mum.

* At dinner we raised a glass and said a toast of gratitude to both Grannie Fitz and Grams because without them there would be no Dave or Kelley and therefore no Kieran and Quinn.  We are grateful for the gifts you have given us.  xox

K & Q, take note!!!  :)

The table of goodies waiting for me as I came downstairs

Kieran's card on top, Dave's card on the bottom

Love my cards

K's special window charm he made for me at school

Q's special card made at school.  It's me with a rainbow, butterflies, birds, flowers and a deer, truly how I spend most of my days... 

The back of the card...  My fave line is:  I love you more than Lego, now that is serious!

I'm sharing here which means, I do agree!

I saw this the other day and couldn't help think about the fact that Mother's Day must be especially difficult for all those who are left to be "unmothered"  With the passing of Granny Fitz, Daddy became an "unmothered" son.  I think it is so important to recognize and remember that a Mum would never leave her kids by choice.  No doubt for those whose Mum's have passed on to a better place, Mother's Day is a difficult day.  When I read this quote, I liked it and thought it was worth sharing.  I hope you remember it long after I have moved on. 

 

I'LL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU...

This message brought to you by Winne the Pooh, he is one smart bear.  Never forget I'll always be with you!

VAUGHAN GYMNASTICS COMPETITION

Congratulations to Kieran for working hard, staying focused and having fun at his most recent gymnastics competition at Vaughan Gymnastics Club.  He was thrilled with the fact that the ribbons he won are in fact magnetic!  Cheers to working hard and having a colourful fridge!

This magnetic ribbons were awarded for Floor, High Bar, Pommel, Parallel Bars, Rings, Vault and Overall achievements in his flight of athletes.  Well done, K!

BOYS AND RAINY DAYS...

After an early morning, fitness training, swimming lessons, ball hockey times two games and a grey, chilly, rainy afternoon I thought it might be a perfect time for a nap.  As I wandered into my room, this is what I found...

The boys rainy afternoon apparently had a parking lot of hot wheels and beanie boos in my bed!  No nap for me, I didn't want to clean up their mess.  Onwards and upwards, perhaps early to bed for me tonight...