​As a teaching and learning community we continue our focused work in assisting students to further develop their ability around the mechanics of reading. Students continue to implement strategies associated with letter sound association and word study skills. Teachers are continuing to learn new strategies through our professional development to enhance student learning in the area of literacy. Our latest professional development on January 29th was in the area of Collaborating with Colleagues and assessment related to the mechanics of reading. In divisional groups teachers compared and analysed the English Language Arts curriculum, our report card stems and CBE assessment checklists in order to determine accurate levels of proficiency in reading and reading comprehension for their grade levels. This is work that we are doing in schools as well as across the CBE. We are happy to report that our teachers are pulling high impact strategies from our book study, Equipped for Reading Success, by David Kilpatrick. The book supports our School Development Plan in providing strategies are in alignment with our specific targeted strategies focused on letter sound association and word study skills.
We have a lot to be thankful for at Abbeydale School this year! To celebrate, we are going to be enjoying our 100th day of school together on February 18th with school wide activities! There are a few ways your family can help to celebrate; Students can dress up as a 100-year-old person (you can do a quick google search for ideas) or students can dress up as though they're going to a fancy birthday party! Teachers will be leading activities in their classrooms and we will be inviting all of our mini-100-year old to show off their costumes to the school during our virtual assembly. We hope you’ve had a happy and healthy 100 days and continue this trend for the last 84 days of school!We are excited to welcome back four students who have been participating in Hub Learning as they transition to in-person learning here at Abbeydale School. Just a reminder that students are required to come to school with two masks, one to wear and one extra in case it needs to be changed during the day. We will happily assist in reminding our new students of other protocols we have implemented in ensuring we follow our CBE COVID protocols.When temperatures reach -20 Celsius or colder, including the wind-chill factor, students will be kept inside for recess or lunch breaks. The current temperature is taken from our Abbeydale School website. If the temperature is above -20 Celsius we will be having outdoor recess and lunch. Please ensure your child has a warm coat, boots, mitts/gloves and a hat every day. We will also be participating in Winter Walk Day on Thursday, February 4th. Classes will individually take part in in our winter walk activity by travelling around the school and school community.Due to COVID-19, Valentine’s Day celebrations will look different this year. In order to minimize risk of transmission, students are NOT to bring in Valentine’s Day cards or treats to share with their classmates. Students and classes will be participating in a door decorating fun activity and will have the opportunity to share their warm wishes for others using a variety of activities.Our Grade 5 leadership students are quite excited about the many activities and events they are planning for the upcoming days of school. For the month of February, they have identified some key dates where they are requesting all students participatie in. For February 8th they are requesting all students wear black and white clothing. For February 9th, they are requesting all students wear Red in support of Valentine’s day. Additionally, they are requesting all students wear rainbow colours on the 10th of February in support of our LGBTQ community. As February is a very busy month and there is much to celebrate we have two school wide events taking place. Our Grade 3’s will be supporting all students in our Anti-bullying week activities from February 22-26th. One important date to note is our Pink Shirt Day on February 24th. Please remind your child to wear something pink on this day.Please join us in wishing Mr. Greg Bennett great success as he transitions to his Assistant Principal position at New Brighton School. Mr. Bennett has worked collaboratively with students, staff and parents to ensure that Abbeydale School is a safe and caring environment for all! He has helped build a fantastic community where all students are appreciated, respected, and encouraged to reach their greatest potential. He will be missed by all!! Mr. Bennett’s last day at Abbeydale School will be Friday, February 19th.February is a busy month with many important dates to note that all parents, students and teachers should be aware of.Thursday, February 4th- Winter Walk day- Dress warmMonday, February 8th- Wear Black and White- Student leadership activityTuesday, February 9th- Wear Red- Student leadership activityWednesday, February 10th- Wear Rainbow colours in support of LGBTQThursday, February 11th- Teachers/Support Staff Conventions- No SchoolFriday, February 12th- Teachers/Support Staff Conventions- No SchoolMonday, February 15th- Family Day- No SchoolThursday, February 18th- 100th day of School celebrationFebruary 22-26th- Anti-bullying weekFebruary 24th- Pink Shirt day