March 2016 is here! Now that the students and staff have returned

from a much deserved break, we are geared up for a new month. You will notice in the next coming weeks that you will not be able to access your child’s ThinkWave account. This is to allow teachers to work on their report cards. Many unit assessments and diagnostic assessments will be occurring over the next 3 weeks. Keep a close eye on your child’s agenda and various updates to stay in the loop!

Spotlight on Grade 2! Science Project Based Learning “To complete our boats and buoyancy unit, students built their own boats using recycled materials. They used their knowledge of what materials float and are waterproof to build a boat that floats and carries a load.” – Mrs. McMullin

Wed. March 2nd: Assembly

Tues. March 7th: Tacky Tourist

Spirit Dress-Up Day

Wed. March 16th: Jump Rope for

Heart Kick-Off Assembly (1:30pm)

Food Order Delivery

Thurs. March 17th: Wear green!

St.Patrick’s Day

Fri. March 18th: Report Card Day

Mon. March 21st: Parent Teacher

Interviews

Tues. March 22nd: Parent Teacher

Interviews

Wed. March 24th-28th: No School

Tues. March 29th: Classes Resume

March 2016

Heritage * Progress * Innovation

Henna Club!

Our students have been learning all about the art of Henna

on Wednesday’s after school through the expertise of Mrs.

Samreen Junaid and assistance of Art teacher

Ms. Reid! This club has been a huge success thus far!

2ND ANNUAL SPELLING BEE!

Congratulations to all the contestants at FFLA’s 2nd

Annual Spelling Bee. They all impressed us with their

skills! Thank-you to Shannon DeRosa for obtaining the certificates and medals!

Champions!

Kyle

Elle

Michael

Sarah

JJ

David

Wyatt

Ellie

What’s Happening at FFLA!

Clothing Drive a HUGE Success! Thank-you to ALL that donated to our clothing drive! This is the

result of your efforts. We cannot wait to see how much of a difference we made!

SPECIAL THANKS TO FOR KIM MULHOLLAND FOR PLANNING IT, SORTING IT AND STORING IT IN HER GARAGE!

Grade 5-9 Parents/Guardians, In an effort to increase student accountability for completing homework and submitting it on time, we will be holding a Homework Study Hall during lunch recess Monday - Friday. Students who have not completed their homework by the due date will be required to attend Homework Study Hall during their recess for that day. Parents will then be notified via email with information about what their child was required to work on during study hall that day.

*Please note: This is not like homework club where anyone can attend. It is our job as educators to give our students the tools to be successful in all aspects of life. Part of this is instilling the importance of completing work by a deadline, being responsible and having accountability. Our teachers each have homework boards posted in their classrooms with upcoming due dates and give students reminders. Assignments are posted on ThinkWave and monthly messages are updated on the message board. Class Syllabus' can also be found on ThinkWave as well. Our teachers work to ensure students have ample classroom time to complete their work and at some point, assignments need to become homework if they are not completed. Our Junior High staff will be meeting the first Friday of each month to ensure they align their projects and assignments accordingly. We realize sometimes assignments can be scheduled on the same day as others and there can be more than one project happening in various classes. The teachers will work to try to spread this out; however, with ample class time and advance notice of due dates, students need to learn to manage their time in class and at home to complete their work in a timely manner. Time management is an essential skill moving into high school, college, university and into adulthood. As mentioned in the November newsletter, teachers enter grades for assignments that you can access at any time. An email update is sent to you whenever grades have been put in. If you see the qualifier of: M = Missing assignment INC/INCOMPLETE = Incomplete assignment This is an indication your child has not completed required classwork. At this point, our Junior High teachers take 10% off each day an assignment is late. This communication through ThinkWave is intended to encourage conversations with your child about their work at home and to follow-up with teachers at school. 10 Benefits of Homework:

1. Homework teaches students about time management 2. Homework teaches students how to set priorities. 3. Homework helps teachers determine how well the lessons and material are being understood

by their students.

4. Homework teaches students how to problem solve.

5. Homework gives students another opportunity to review the class material.

6. Homework gives parents a chance to see what their child is learning in school.

7. Homework teaches students that they have to do things, even when they don’t want to.

8. Homework teaches students how to take responsibility for their part in the educational process.

9. Homework teaches students how to work independently.

10. Homework teaches students the importance of planning, staying organized and taking action

“We have to show our children and students that homework is not boring and is not a waste of time. We have to show them that there are numerous benefits of not only doing homework, but handing it in on time!" (John Bishop, Goal Setting for Students). We hope that the Homework Study Hall will result in an

increase student accountability.

Homework Study Hall

FFLA’s World Art Program is intended to reinforce Social Studies and Art concepts that are taught according to the Alberta Program of Studies. Each culture and country has been selected carefully so that students are able to gain in-depth knowledge of the content they have learned or are currently learning. Ms.Reid and I collaborate about the projects she will be teaching to the students. She researches the information and develops lessons that will be informative for the students to learn the background of the art. This is not a religion course in any way. Its purpose is to give students vast knowledge about the world and cultures we live in. Each country studied not only covers Alberta Curriculum for Art and Social Studies: ART OUTCOME: A CULTURAL EXPERIENCE Art speaks a universal language of culture, spanning history and peoples. Art is part of humankind’s heritage. Art education is concerned with valuing, reflecting and appreciating this legacy. Opportunity should be provided for: • awareness of and appreciation for the ethnic and cultural aspects of the visual arts in our society • an understanding of art as a common or universal means of expression among all peoples • an appreciation of artistic accomplishments, past and present. SOCIAL OUTCOMES: PROGRAM VISION "The Alberta Social Studies Kindergarten to Grade 12 Program of Studies meets the needs and reflects the nature of 21st century learners. It has at its heart the concepts of citizenship and identity in the Canadian context. The program reflects multiple perspectives, including Aboriginal and Francophone, that contribute to Canada’s evolving realities. It fosters the building of a society that is pluralistic, bilingual, multicultural, inclusive and democratic. The program emphasizes the importance of diversity and respect for differences as well as the need for social cohesion and the effective functioning of society. It promotes a sense of belonging and acceptance in students as they engage in active and responsible citizenship at the local, community, provincial, national and global level”. Central to the vision of the Alberta social studies program is the recognition of the diversity of experiences and perspectives and the pluralistic nature of Canadian society. Pluralism builds upon Canada’s historical and constitutional foundations, which reflect the country’s Aboriginal heritage, bilingual nature and multicultural realities. A pluralistic view recognizes that citizenship and identity are shaped by multiple factors such as culture, language, environment, gender, ideology, religion, spirituality and philosophy." (pg.1, "Alberta Program of Study - Kindergarten to Grade 12) *Note: Please feel free to access the full document on the Alberta Program of Study website: https://education.alberta.ca/topic-search/?language=English

But it also aligns with our school mission and philosophy of "Heritage, Innovation and Progress": FFLA MISSION: At Footprints, we believe that children are more than people to be molded; they are young minds waiting to be unfolded! As we create an optimal environment for meeting the developmental needs of our students, we look to those values which cultivate success: Heritage – Following in the footsteps of those before us, we are mindful of the groundwork our predecessors have laid for our prosperity. Their blueprints for success should be taught to and revered by our students. Innovation – Combining the best resources and teaching methods available, we will give our students every opportunity to advance in their individual learning. Progress – As our students step out into the real world we are confident that they will embrace the challenges of the future and pioneer in new discoveries!

We are dedicated to providing comprehensive education to our students at FFLA. This program gives students an opportunity to learn these outcomes with real world application through art. Learning about all different countries, cultures and beliefs helps build understanding of the multicultural world we live in.

World Art Program

Ms. Aldous’ Availability

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

9:00am – 4:00pm 10:00am – 6:00pm 10:00am -12:30pm 1:30pm – 4:00pm

9:00am – 10:30am 12:00pm – 4:00pm

9:00am – 10:30am 12:00pm – 1:25pm

Contact Me!

Katie Aldous k.aldous@footprintsforlearning.com

587-775-9303

World Art Program Creations!

Aboriginal Art

Japanese Art

Peruvian Art We are still

collecting

Campbell’s labels!