Visit with the babies on the 27th!!!

Mrs. Kimberley and I will be coming for a visit on the 27th after lunch recess. We hope that if you are able to pop by, that you do. My little girl will be 7 weeks tomorrow and Rachel's boy and girl are nearing 3 weeks!

We can't wait to see you and our class!
Always,
Mrs. Porto
(Sylvia)

Summertime Tutoring Available

1 spot left for tutoring ages 4-10.
Time available: 2-2:55pm
Day: Tuesday's starting in July
Location: Walkers and Lakeshore (Burlington)
Cost: $25
Comprehension, reading, language, writing/printing, counting, math, letters, sounds.
Please contact me at sylverbullets@hotmail.com or (905) 979-7674

Sylvia Porto
FDK Teacher
Special Education Specialist

Tutoring over the summer!

Dear Purple Room Families,

I will be tutoring new to grade 1 students, and up to grade 4 students this summer at my home (Tuesday's). Each session is 45-55 minutes.

Do you think that your child will benefit from extra support/studies over the summer before their new grade?

If you are interested, please email me at sylverbullets@hotmail.com or message me here.

I have 3 spots taken and 2 spots left.

Tuesday: 1pm-1:55pm
Tuesday: 2pm-2:55pm

Reading, writing, comprehension, math. 

Cheers,
Mrs. Sylvia Porto ;)

Introducing the newest member of the Porto-Mullin Family!

Hi Everyone!

I'd like to introduce you to our little girl! 

Baby Joey is almost 2 weeks old. She was born at 2:45pm on Tuesday, March 29th. Weighing in at 7.6lbs. We are so happy and so grateful that she is healthy. She is a darling little girl, very sweet and so far, pretty easy.

Mom and Dad are doing well. Grandma and Papo are over the moon!

We hope to come visit in May!

;)

Sylvia Porto and Joey Porto Mullin

I hope that you had a lovely break, and some important information about next week.

Dear Purple Room Families,

I hope that you have all had a safe and wonderful March Break!

The warmer weather is on it's way (we hope). Please continue to supply extra socks, pants, gloves as we all know that the rain and puddles come along with spring on its way.

Report Cards: These should have gone home on the Friday before March Break. Please let the office know if you didn't get yours. (SK's only this term). Envelopes are due back this week please.

Friday-No School: Good Friday
Monday March 28th-No School: Easter Monday
Have a lovely Easter Break!

It is with a heavy heart that I am saying goodbye as I was hoping to say it on Thursday in person (my official last day). I will be on a 4 day sick leave and I will not be returning to the Purple room before Easter.

Thank you for your emails and chats. I hope that we can stay in touch. Mrs. Kimberley and I will still be using this blog to update you all on the birth of all of our babies.

In the meantime, Mrs. Spencer will be replacing me for the next 3 months. She will also be making her own blog and that information should be going home in your child's communication book in the near future.

I had an amazing first year at Dr. Charles Best and Mrs. K and I will be back next March!

All the best to you and your little ones. They will surely be missed by me. We will come visit soon and we will post here to let you all know when.



With love, Sylvia ;)

Sylvia Porto
FDK Teacher
Dr. C. Best PS

PS- I have a Health, Fitness and Wellness blog that I will continue working on and posting if anyone is interested. Fitness classes, nutritionals and more!
Please visit me at sportofitnessandnutritionals.blogspot.com

It is TECH TIME!!!!

 As we do every Thursday...Tech time with Mrs. C!

Just a few pictures to share with our Purple Room parents and families. As you can see, we work in teams or individually.

:) Mrs. Porto

Reptiles will continue past March Break!

This week we are continuing our Reptile Inquiry and we will learn a little more about turtles. If you and your child have any information, books, games, puzzles, google information etc. about turtles (any type), please bring it in by Friday.

Also, on Friday we will be having a games afternoon with our reading buddies. Please have your child choose one or two board games to share with the class. We will set up tables and have a good hour to play. This promotes turn taking and the learning of new rules and games. Please bring those in by Thursday.

Games such as Janga, Snakes and Ladders, Hungry Hippos, Trouble, Candy Land etc.

Thank you,
Mrs. Porto :)

Please Remember...

Hello Families,
Please remember to have your child bring in a board game for Friday's game afternoon with their Reading Buddies.

Also, if you have any cotton balls or small marshmallows to spare, we are in need of those for two activities that we will be doing soon.

Thank you again for always supporting and supplying for our class. 

I will see you on Friday, Ms. Tikk and Ms. Spencer will be in tomorrow.

Always,
Mrs. Porto
FDK Teacher
Purple Room

Thank you and my last day/information.

Dear Mom's, Dad's, Grandparent's and Caregivers of the Purple Room Class,

I want to thank you for making my first year at Dr. Charles Best PS a wonderful experience. Although I will have only been here for 7 months, I feel like the school community has welcomed me with open arms and kindness.  I feel like I've been here for years.

I am truly going to miss my class and everyone who has been a part of it.

I would like you to know that my last day with the class (before I leave to have my baby) is on March 24th (just before Easter).

At the moment, we do not know who my OCT replacement will be, but, once that information is shared, I will be sure to share it with all of you.

As you may have noticed, I have to take a day or two off a week for appointments. The baby is fine, it is me who is having some health challenges with the pregnancy and the doctors are keeping a close eye on me. Thank you for your patience and your continual care, support and thoughtfulness.

Rachel and I have worked hard with the class, we have a lot of assessment throughout the months and this will continue with Ms. Tikk (ECE) and the new OCT.

I am completing SK reports and they will be going home later in March. Please stay tuned.

 .

Our blog may be changing to a new address. We will let you know the details for this also.
Please keep checking agendas for more information.

You should also look for JK home reading books in April as our teachers will be getting those set up once your child is ready.

Again, I still have a few weeks, but I want to give you a heads up and say thank you for everything. My first class at Best has a special place in my heart.
I will be back in March of 2017!

Please stay in touch, my e-mail is portos@hdsb.ca
I hope to come in with Mrs. Kimberley and our babies for a visit as well.

See you this week.
Take care,
Sylvia :)

Mrs. Sylvia Porto
FDK Teacher
Dr. Charles Best PS

play-dough reptiles!

Check out what some of our kids made during "Reptile" table activities today.
Have a great end of the week everyone!
Mrs. Porto and Ms. Tikk

Purple Room Wins Trophy: Best Recycling Class!

Since September Mrs. Kimberley and I have been really trying to get our class to pay attention to how to recycle. It has really paid off and we won the best recycling class of the month!!!!!

Ms. Tikk has been a great addition as recycling is dear to her also.

Let's celebrate and keep up the great work!

Crocodile Races

Step 1: Discuss Crocodile Racing
Step 2: Draw your Croc
Step 3: Colour your Croc
Step 4: Cut out your Croc
Step 5: Tape your Croc onto one of our toy cars
Step 6: Predict
Step 7: Race them!

What a fun activity!

A few of out Hot Wheels didn't make it out alive. If you have any "dinky" cars that you would like to donate to my car bin, please send them in as we will gladly take them! Please let me know if they are keepers for the class or just something to borrow.

Have a great night and be careful if the weather isn't great tomorrow.

I will be away for an appointment but Mrs. T and Ms. Tikk will be in.

Mrs. P

Gym Time on (most) Monday Mornings!

Today we reviewed gym safety rules and whistle blasts. We then played two tag games, a number run and pylon knock out! Please ask your child what they liked best about their gym time fun today!

Mrs. Porto and Ms. Tikk

Toonie Fundraiser Tomorrow

Dear Parents,

Toonie Fundraiser!

Can you spare a Toonie or two? This Monday is our annual “Give a Little, Help a Lot” Toonie event in support of the Halton Learning Foundation’s (HLF) Eliminating Barriers Fund. 
HLF -- the charitable organization that supports Halton District School Board students and programs – raises funds to help individual students and families facing financial challenges. 

There are many children in our schools who come to school hungry or cold every morning, and adolescents who are tired and unfocused because they work part-time to help support their families. HLF’s vision is to ensure all kids have equal opportunities for success in school.

All funds raised from the Toonie event go straight back to HDSB students who need basic necessities such as clothing and shoes, food or hygiene items, or who require financial assistance to participate in pizza day, a school sports team or a field trip. 

This year, your support will go even further. All school donations to “Give a Little, Help a Lot” will be matched up to $10,000 by York-Trafalgar Homes!

Please consider supporting “Give a Little, Help a Lot” tomorrow!

Thank you!
Dr. C Best

See you tomorrow everyone!
S. Porto :)

The letter Qq on Wednesday

Dear Families,
On Wednesday of next week, we will be learning the letter Qq! It is our new letter of the week. Please search the house for something that your child can bring in that starts with that letter. It may be tricky, if so, check the web or print out a picture.

The more children who participate, the better our lesson will be.

Thank you,
Mrs. Porto :)

PS-Have a lovely weekend!

Goo making

Making goo happened a few days back! This is a great sensory activity and a great science lesson. It's also good for turn taking and making predictions.

Take a peek...

Mrs. Porto

Shaving cream fun on a Friday!

We make use of anything and everything in our FDK classroom.

Today we put out shaving cream, food colouring, paper, popsicle sticks and plastic bins. Look at what a small group of children did. Our paper is drying and we will figure out what to do with the finished products soon.

If you have any items that you think we could use for something creative, please send them in!

Mrs. Porto and Ms. Tikk

Snake Skin

Thank you to Elisha's Family for letting us borrow and explore a real snake skin. The children described it as "soft, smooth, sandy, delicate, slippery, scaly and dry". The children enjoyed touching it, smelling it and thinking about where the snake could have been living when it was alive.

Again if you have anything relating to crocodiles and reptiles please feel free to bring it in! We are really enjoying this new inquiry!

As well our building skills are getting better every day. If you have any boxes, paper towel rolls, kleenex boxes etc. laying around your house- send them in! Our creative imaginations are always going and we are sure we could find a use for them!!!

Ms. T and Mrs. P

Yesterday's Explorations

Please take a look at the collages and ask your child what we are up to in the pictures! We did a lot of different things and wanted to share them all!!!

Our inquiry and twin day information...

Hi Families,
Our crocodiles and reptiles inquiry is going strong. Today we created, wrote about, drew and measured crocodiles. We also used greater than and less than croacodile signs for our Math problem of the week!

Please take a look at the pictures and ask your child what they were doing or what others were doing in them.

Home reading is going well and we love that your children are bringing them back twice a week.

Please remember that it is Twin Day on Thursday. We have decided that as a class we would like to wear blue jeans and a black top. We will then make our own twin sashes and hats. If your child would rather dress up with a twin buddy, please do so.

Thank you,
Mrs. P and Ms. T

Crocodile and reptile inquiry

Hi Families!
Our class has taken an interest in Crocodiles over the past few days. We will infuse alligators and turtles into this area of interest over the next few weeks or as long as it goes. Maybe it will become a Reptile inquiry!

If you have anything that you think would be beneficial to our investigations (book, video, picture). Please bring them in over the week. Remember to put your name on each item.

Thank you and have a great weekend!

Mrs. Porto (and Ms Tikk)

JK observation: Rescheduling if you are in need.

Dear JK Families,

If you are still interested in a 20 minute observation with your child, please book it with us before February 26th. We have had a few cancellations or no shows and I totally understand. However, we need your communication about rescheduling as soon as possible. If we do not hear from you, we will not reschedule or schedule an observation.
These observations must be completed before March 1st.

Thank you,
S. Porto and A. Tikk

Check out our 100th day activities so far! We will continue tomorrow also.

Thanks everyone for bringing in your baggies with 100 items!

You were very creative and we are using the items for our display and for more fun tomorrow!

I will be away at an appointment tomorrow but Ms. Tikk will be here along with our supply.

Have a great evening and I will see you all on Friday!

Mrs. Porto

100th's day items Wednesday PLEASE!

Just a reminder that if you haven't brought in your baggie with 100 items in it, we need it for our 100th's day activities tomorrow.

Thank you to those who brought theirs in today!

Mrs. P and Mrs. T

Drama during free play!

Drama during free play. Please ask your child what they were doing in these pictures. 

Have a wonderful family day everyone!

We can't wait to hear what you all did this weekend as a family!
Enjoy the holiday.
Mrs. Porto and Ms. Tikk

We would like to do this next week! HOMEWORK for Tuesday

Dear Families,
Today is the 100th day of school, but we are saving the celebrations for next week (seeing as today is our Valentine's celebration).

What we need from you on Tuesday...

Please bring in one ziploc bag filled with 100 "things" that are the same item. Please count them out with your child. We hope to get several different items, but it may not be easy. Please use your imagination.
Also, these items will be used for our fine motor bins, math and table activities during the week, so something that you don't mind parting with.

Examples: 100 beads, 100 Cheerios, 100 hair ties, 100 marshmallows, 100 shells, 100 raisins etc.

Thank you so much and have a wonderful Family Day/Valentine's Day Weekend!

Always,
Mrs. Porto :)

Are you Missing a Book??

We have a space book that needs to find its home. One of our friends brought it in for our space unit but no one can remember who!

This book needs to find its home!

Please look closely:

Measurement introduction: Non-standard

Today we used cubes to measure our hands. Please ask your child how many cubes their hand measured.
Have a great evening!
Mrs. Porto

Yesterday we did a little cookie making.

Yesterday was Elle's birthday! Happy birthday Elle!!!!

Volunteers needed to cut items out from home!

Dear Families,
I am looking for a few volunteers who wouldn't mind taking some construction paper home and doing a little cutting for us. I have bins with my own cut outs, however, they are getting depleted quite quickly and I am in need of some help. If you are able to lend a hand, please message here or in the communication bag. I will then pack up a bag with paper and the tracer(s) and scissors if needed. 
Thank you so much!

Sylvia Porto :)

Some of our Monday activities...

Friday's Valentines Day Celebration

Hello Families!!!
Just a reminder with our Valentines Day Celebration happening this Friday, we are asking that any valentines brought in are unlabelled or addressed "To my friend". 
The class includes 25 children and 5 Teachers.
All children will get an opportunity to decorate there own "mail bag" to collect valentines throughout the week, as well as time to create their own to hand out.

Unfortunately we are not allowed to accept any outside goodies but rest easy, the class will be preparing some goodies of their own!

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask! 
Thank you in advance and Happy Valentine's Day!
 Ms Tikk and Mrs. Porto

Sweater Day!

National Sweater Day in the Purple Room

SK Home Reading and JK/SK Printing Books

SK Home Reading Books went home to those children who have returned their packages and I read with each of these children today. Please check for and return the home readers as we didn't have many come back over the past two weeks.

JK/SK Printing Books have started up again. Please check your child's zippy for their homework. Remember, it's not due until next Thursday.

Have a great rest of the week!
Mrs. Porto and Ms. Tikk

Jello making was a hit!

Today we had three groups working at at time to make Jello.

Mrs. Tikk lead the group that used warm water to make their different colours of Jello.
Mrs. Attard lead the group that used the cold water to make their different Jello. 
I lead the group that used boiling hot water to make our coloured Jello. 

We will have pictures up within the next couple of days and we will taste test the Jello on Thursday.

Our key words were: 

Crystals
Disappear
Dissolve
Mix
Pour
Liquid
Solid (Jiggles).

We will freeze some of the Jello and we will refrigerate others. With 16 degree temperatures today, we were not able to leave the Jello outside ;)

Please have a chat with your child about what they did in Science class today.

Take care,
Mrs. Porto :)

Ground hog Day

Happy Ground hog Day!

We did many activities today based around Ground hog Day. Feel free to ask your child what activities they participated in.

Many activities allowed the children to practice their fine motor skills such as printing and cutting as well as their literary skills.

We are looking forward to our Jell-o day tomorrow!!!


Ms Tikk & Mrs Porto

Home work for Tuesday!

We have made a list of things that we would like to earn by filling our next bucket:

1) Waffle Day

2) Star Wars party/movie

3) Hot Chocolate/movie

4) Popcorn Party

5) Hot wheels/Transformers party/movie

6) Dress up day

7) Skylander/Mine craft Day

8) Extra outdoor/gym time

Please help your child pick two from our list, write them down in the communication book for tomorrow's vote!

Thank you,
Mrs. Porto and Ms. Tikk

It's almost February! A few days to keep in mind...

February 4 “National Sweater Day” Wear your favourite sweater as we will be lowering the temperature in the school by 2 degrees as part of our Eco School initiative. 

February 8-9 “Adopt a Stuffy” drop off 

February 9 Pizza Day February 11-12 “Adopt a Stuffy” Permission forms to be returned in order to participate

 February 12 Pizza Order Forms for March 22- June 28 session due at school 

February 15 Family Day: No School!

Jello making on Wednesday!

Dear Families,
I will be back on Monday and I am excited to continue our science explorations (changes in state/structures).

On Wednesday, we will be making Jello. If you are able to send your child in with a box of jello, we would greatly appreciate it. We would like to make several colours and flavours and we will make them in different ways.

ie., With boiling water, with warm water, with cold water.

We will observe and taste test (on Thursday).

Our new ECE Ms. T will be in. Please welcome her when you see her around.

Have a great weekend,
Mrs. Porto :)

The Letter Ll

Our class did a great job with the letter "Ll" today. Try this with each picture, ask your child what each student (in the photo) is holding. Ask them to say the word. Then ask them to spell it out or write it down! A great homework activity. 

For tomorrow's lesson plans I have asked Mrs. A to lead a ladybug activity with the class...what letter does ladybug start with Purple Room? Have you ever heard of "The Grouchy Ladybug"? We will be reading that on Wednesday!

Have a great night. Mrs. Porto :)

A few exploration pictures from our purple room and reminders...

Torsten

Tripp

Take a look and see what our class has been doing over the past week. 

Remember: 
Please remember to bring in your Ll item for tomorrow's homework and a Styrofoam cup or two by Thursday for our hot chocolate science class. 

Thank you and have a great night/morning (depending on when you are reading this).

Mrs. Porto :)

Next week...Notes and needs please!

Hi Everyone,
Just a note to let you know about next week.

As you know, Mrs. Kimberley will be on her first day of her leave and we will have a new ECE in. I will be away for the week as my doctor has asked that I take time off to get healthy. I should be back on the following Monday.

Mrs. Alec has been in for me twice this year and she is a lovely, strong FDK teacher. 
She is aware of what the children are learning and I have left her very detailed lesson plans.

We are in need of a few things for next week:

1) Styrofoam cups (we are making hot chocolate in Science class, I have everything needed but the cups)-Changes in state-These are needed by Wednesday please. Even if you have only a few to send in, we will take them.

2) Something that starts with the letter Ll. This is due in on Tuesday morning :)

Thank you so much for your understanding.
Mrs. Alec and I will be in touch all week and I will still be updating the blog.

Take care,
Sylvia

Sylvia Porto
FDK Teacher
Dr. Charles Best PS

Goodbye Mrs. Kimberley ;(

Dear Families,
It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this today. As you know, Mrs. Kimberley has sent home a note to let you know that she will only be teaching our class until this Friday.

It is time for Mrs. Kimberley to take a break from the classroom and to get ready mentally and physically for her babies.

We will have a new ECE at some point, however, I anticipate that this will take some time.

Mrs. Kimberley and I met in September and we have worked so well together. I really am going to miss her, as I am sure that our students will also.

Please help me send Mrs. Kimberley off with much appreciation by writing her here on our blog.


Thank you Mrs. K, I will miss you and loved having you as my teaching partner.
xox Mrs. Porto :)

What a special day!

This morning we had Mrs. Mighty Music Maker come in to sing with our classes. All three FDK classes attended, participated, and had a great time.
Please ask your children what they learned!

Important days ahead...

Important dates to remember and our new PJ and Pancake date!

January 19th Pizza Day (school)
Wednesday January 20th: Purple Room PJ and Pancake day (our class only)
January 26th Pizza Day
 January 29th Spirit Day: Wear your Pajamas to school!
 February 5th PA Day
 February 15th Family Day – school closed
 February 26th Spirit Day: Twin Day!

Winter Inquiry at it's best!

As I (Mrs. Porto) was outside on yard duty with our friends yesterday, I wondered if the children wanted to do a little snow inquiry. I ran in to get some spray bottles filled with water and food colouring. The group of 7 children who were interested, started to spray the snow and print words/make shapes.

At the end of the day we took another group out, we painted the snow, played in the snow and put out water filled ice cube trays. The question was...what do you think will happen to the water?

Today we extended the inquiry and put out buckets and bins. Filled them with water and food colouring and placed them outside. Tomorrow we will see what we have made.

Please chat with your children about this to see what they are learning.
We hope to extend this with structures and buildings (blocks of ice will be perfect to create structures with outside).

Have a great evening!
Mrs. Porto :)

The Hat Literacy Exploration!

PJ and Pancake Day will be next week :(

Dear Families,

We are going to postpone PJ and Pancake day Friday for a few reasons:

1) Our bucket is far from being filled up (we need to make sure that they are earning the day because of the bucket filling).

2) We have not received many items to help us with pancake day.

3) Mrs. Kimberley is away until Monday afternoon and I am not able to make 60 pancakes on my own at home tonight.

Please stay tuned on the blog for more information. We hope to have pancake day at the latest, next Wednesday.

We are also hoping to get a few more items. Thanks so much for those who donated!

Mrs. Porto :)

Pancake supplies needed by Thursday morning please

We need your help:

On Friday we will be making pancakes. What we need from you as our partners...

1) More toppings for our pancakes-i.e., fruit like berries, jams, maple syrup, chocolate chips. 

Thank you to Natalie's family for bringing in the strawberry syrup.

2) A loonie or a toonie to help pay for pancake mix (Mrs. K and Mrs. P will be making them at home, if you bring in a topping or utensils...please, no need for $)

3) Paper plates

4) Plastic forks

If we could get all of this by Thursday morning it would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you so much!

This is what we do in FDK! Please read below...

It is a new year and our children are well on their way! We have introduced word problems of the week (always Math related). We are getting more in-depth with our stories. We have also started Guided Reading Groups, Cuddle Up and Read (Home Reading), Smart-board activities (for assessment) and we will have more new activities coming in the next few days/weeks. Please stay tuned for what is to come.

Mrs. Porto and Mrs. Kimberley

The Letter Jj Homework!

Today we learned the letter Jj, we will be reviewing it daily. Thank you to the above children for brining in their J j items to make Mrs. Kimberley's and my lesson a lot more fun!

Table activities today...