Monday, 30 March 2020

IMPORTANT - Response Required!

As a first step in my planning to support learning from home this week, I need to get an idea of what kind of technology students have access to at home, so that I can ensure all students who want to learn are able to.
Please take a moment to fill out the survey today. I'll be calling parents who have not yet responded starting on Wednesday.
Note: These Surveys are being conducted by each classroom teacher. If you have another student at St. Peter School, you'll be receiving another survey from their teacher shortly. Please only use this link to respond about your student in Mr. Saganski's Grade 5 Class.

Please click the link below to respond to the survey for our class:

Access to Technology Survey for 5S

Saturday, 28 March 2020

March 28th - Update

It's been a while since my last update here. I hope everyone is doing well and adjusting well to our "new normal", but I sure have missed you all in the classroom this week!
While MUCH has been going on behind the scenes in order to prepare us for our Online Learning opportunities, very little has been shared with teachers at this time, so I haven't had much to post here.
For the past week, all teachers have been at home "social distancing" like everyone else, while the division and ministry has worked out what our online programs will look like. This information will be shared with teachers on Monday, so I should have much more information on this for you all early this week.
I've also been told that Term 2 report cards will be sent out electronically early next week as well.
I want to take a moment to remind all my students that, while it's hard to be cooped up at home and away from school like this, remember that you're doing this to protect the more vulnerable people in our society. I'm very proud of all of you!
Take care, and God bless,
Mr. Saganski

Thursday, 19 March 2020

Epic now free at home!

Epic is the reading application we use in the classroom during Daily 5. It has thousands of book selections (I'd describe it as the "Netflix for books").

Typically, there is a cost for students to access Epic at home, but as of today they have removed the fee, effective until the end of June! I have sent invites out to the parent/guardian email that I have on file for each student. If you use the link in this email, it shouldn't require any sort of credit card or payment during the sign-up process.

I encourage ALL students to keep practicing their reading daily during our time away from school. Enjoy!

Wednesday, 18 March 2020

Updates and online activities

Update:
Today, we got a few updates and guidance from our school division about what the next couple weeks will look like for staff here at school. As of Friday, all school staff will be away from school for a week, to give time for the schools to be thoroughly cleaned and for the divisions and ministry to co-ordinate on exactly what they want us to develop in our on-line courses. Starting on March 30th, staff will be given a detailed plan, and start the process of implementing on-line learning. For families, this means 2 things:
  -It will likely be at least a couple weeks until the formal on-line learning is launched for student. In the meantime, I will continue to update this blog every day or two with learning tasks for my students to work on at home.
  -Report cards will not be able to be sent out on March 27th. They will now be sent out sometime during the week of March 30th, after staff reconvenes at the schools.

Reminders:
-You don't necessarily need to pick up all of your school supplies. You do need to make sure that you have everything at home that you would need in order to continue your learning at home. Families have until 3:30 tomorrow to pick up belongings from the classroom.
-If you have not yet picked up your refund for Activity Day which was cancelled, you can pick it up at the front office by 3:30 tomorrow.

On-line Learning Activities:
Today, the students here at school learned a bit about coding by exploring Scratch, a learn-to-code website. Try it out at home!

Students also still have full access to these websites while at home: 

Tuesday, 17 March 2020

Wind-Down Week

Hello Grade 5 parents!
I spoke with many of you over the phone this morning, but I wanted to post another update just to clarify a few things. I know that much of this may conflict with things posted in the past, but as the situation evolves, I will continue to post up-to-date information on this blog.

 - All in-school academic work is on hold. Schooling was essentially halted yesterday.
 - The purpose of keeping our doors open to students this week is to allow a few days for families to arrange for new child care circumstances.
 - IF you are able to keep your children at home, you are encouraged to do so, effective immediately.
 - It will take some time for us to develop and implement the on-line learning opportunities for students. In the mean-time, I will try to post some learning tasks on this blog occasionally. The first of these can be found below!
 - You are not expected to come pick up ALL of your child's school supplies and belongings. Students only need to take home what they will need to complete our on-line continued learning opportunities, once they become available. If you already have what you need at home, there's no need to come in.


Learning Task - Feel free to work through this at home.    Assignment: CLICK HERE
Tuck Everlasting Movie - We were going to watch this as a class last week, as a culminating activity following our novel study. The movie is rated PG, and was released by Disney in 2002. If you want to watch it at home, click above to access the assignment, and write down differences between the book and movie while you view it.

The movie is available on DisneyPlus. If you don't have DisneyPlus, I believe they are still offering a free trial. Again, I'll post learning tasks on this blog from time to time until the on-line learning begins. They are completely optional, and don't need to be submitted to me.

Monday, 16 March 2020

Update

Wow things change quickly! We just met as a staff, and Mr. McIntosh has shared the following information with us:
   -3 Way Conferences (which had initially been switched to phone conversations) are now cancelled.
   -We have no idea how long classes will be closed for. We want to be prepared for the possibility that schools will not re-open until September. However, Mr. McIntosh feels that it is more likely that we will be back before the end of June. Therefore, he recommends that students do not take all of their school supplies home (as was implied in the letter sent out today), only what they need in order to continue their learning at home.
  -I had initially been informed that only sick students should stay home this week. However, now they are recommending that, if you are able to keep your children home starting tomorrow, you should do so. If that is the case, someone will need to come into the school before the end of the day on Thursday in order to pick up the things your child will need to continue their learning.

Additional Note: I stated in my update earlier today that we would be continuing primarily academic work in the classroom this week, and that our Tuck Everlasting written task is still due Thursday. Due to the change in expectation this week, and with parents being encouraged NOT to send your child to school if possible, students DON'T need to worry about finishing this assignment. I'll mark it if they have it, but if not, I won't count it as an incomplete assignment.

Monday, March 16th, 2020

With the news that all Saskatchewan classrooms will be closing at the end of the day Thursday, we spent a lot of time today talking about what this means for the students in our classroom. I do not have all the details about how Saskatoon Catholic School Division is going to actualize the government announcement. We are meeting as a staff at the end of the day today to discuss it in further detail, in the context of St. Peter School.
Here's what I do know, and shared with our students today:
     -classes will be suspended indefinitely, at the end of the day on Thursday, March 19th.
     -the next few days are "wind down" days, where we are wrapping up current assignments and preparing for the hiatus, packing up school supplies, ect. However, if you are not feeling well, you should not come to school.
     -our teachers will work in the coming weeks to develop some form of continued education that can be accessed by our students, so that they can continue their studies at home. I don't know any details on what this will look like, or when it will become available.
     - I know there is a TON of media coverage, and because the situation is evolving so quickly, much of it conflicts with each-other. I will continue to update this blog regularly with any updates that I have until the end of June.

During this wind-down week, we are still finishing up some important tasks, which I will mark and factor into our upcoming Term 2 report cards. It is important that we get these tasks finished before our hiatus.

ELA - Our Tuck Everlasting group project will not be able to be completed before our hiatus, so don't worry about these. However, the Individual Written Task is still due on Thursday, and will now make up a significant portion of our Term 2 ELA marks. We will get time tomorrow and Wednesday to work on it. Be sure to have it completed for Thursday.

Math - We will continue to work through our Math curriculum this week, and will pick up wherever we leave off, as soon as the online learning becomes available. Complete our textbook assignment for tomorrow: Pg 140-141, Qs 1, 2, 6, 8 (9,10)

Spelling - We wrote our Week 15 quiz today.

Friday, 13 March 2020

Friday, March 13th, 2020

Term 2 Portfolios are coming home today! We had a chance to reflect on our work for the term as we filled in our portfolios, in preparation for 3-Way Conferences next week. Be sure to look through the portfolio with your parent/guardian before your conference, and have them fill in their own reflection page.

Math - Today we practiced finding the volume of rectangular prisms by multiplying the length, width, and height. Complete the homework page and hand it in by Monday.

ELA - We had time to work on our Group TE projects. Reminder that our Individual written tasks are due on Thursday, March 19th.

Thursday, 12 March 2020

Thursday, March 12th, 2020

Today was our first day under STF sanctions. Thanks to students and parents for making appropriate adjustments to our new schedule. It is supposed to be quite cold tomorrow, so ensure that you are not left outside the school before 8:45.

Math - Today we learned about how to calculate the area of a rectangular prism. Complete the assignment for tomrrow: Pg 143-144, Qs 1-3 (7)

Spelling - We will have a quiz on Monday.

Health - We had more time to work on our health research assignment on vitamins and minerals. We will get one more period to finish this task before a due date is set.

Wednesday, 11 March 2020

Wednesday, March 11th, 2020

STF Sanctions begin tomorrow. Reminder that students are not to be at school before 8:45, and must be out of the building by 3:45. 3-Way Conferences are still running as planned, however, these sanctions have removed my ability to meet with parents outside of the available times on March 19th/20th, so please do what you can to make these times work!

Due to these sanctions, our school division has also cancelled all field trips that take students off school grounds, including trips that take place during the school day. Unfortunately, this means that we won't be able to go swimming on Monday, March 16th. Once sanctions have been lifted, Mrs Doll and I will look into the possibility of re-booking this 3rd swimming trip.

Health - Today we had time to work on our Vitamins and Minerals research assignment today. We will have time in the computer lab to work on this again tomorrow, and it will be due early next week.
We also took some time to learn more information about the Caronavirus, and how to wash our hands regularly to prevent the spread of ALL illnesses.

ELA - We had time to work on our Tuck Everlasting Individual tasks today! These are due on March 19th.
We also handed in our Creative Writing to be assessed before Portfolios are sent home on Friday.

Religion - We had time for Quiet Reflection in the prayer chapel today, for Prayer Wednesday.

Tuesday, 10 March 2020

Tuesday, March 10th, 2020

Starting Thursday, the STF is beginning Job Action as part of their contract negotiations with the Provincial Government. More information on this topic can be found on the previous post, from Greg Chatlain and Mr. McIntosh. Please read this information carefully.
For our class, it means the following major changes, starting Thursday:
  -students are not to be dropped off at school before 8:45, and must be picked up by 3:45 (unless they are at the before/after school program.
  -our ski trip on Thursday has had to be cancelled. Refunds will be distributed later in the week.

Math - Complete and hand in the extra practice page on Rectangles with a given Area by tomorrow.

ELA - We had time to work on both our Individual and Group tasks.

Portfolios home on Friday
3-Way Conferences on March 19th/20th
Progress Reports home on March 27th

Information on the STF job action

Below are 2 letters that are being sent home today with each student in our school. The first is from Mr. Chatlain, our GSCS Director of Education, regarding the "withdrawl of voluntary services" that the STF is enacting starting on Thursday. The second is from Mr. McIntosh, with more information on how this will affect St. Peter specifically. Please take the time to read these, and let me know if you have any questions.


Dear GSCS parents and caregivers; 

On Monday, March 9, 2020, The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) announced job action starting on Thursday, March 12, 2020. In a letter to the school division, the STF outlined the following teacher sanctions:

• Teachers are to report to school and provide professional service no more than 15 minutes prior to the start of the school day and not later than 15 minutes after the conclusion of the school day. • Teachers will continue to provide student supervision such as recess, lunch or bus supervision within the time frame specified above. • Teachers will not provide any voluntary or extracurricular services.

We respect the bargaining process and STF’s right to take job action. Our primary focus will remain offering high-quality Catholic education in a safe and secure school environment for students.

All extra-curricular activities (sports, clubs, etc.) are cancelled starting March 12, 2020. Field trips or any school activities scheduled to take place outside of the school will also be cancelled to ensure the safety of students. Details specific to your school or classroom will be coming from your school.

Bus service and before-and-after school programs will continue to operate. If you are not registered for before-and-after-school care or take the school bus, please ensure your children do not arrive at school more than 15 minutes before school, and ensure you have made provisions for them to be out of the school no later than 15 minutes after school.

Sanctions will remain in place until further notice. We will provide updates via direct communication, updates on our website (www.gscs.ca), and on our Facebook and Twitter accounts. 

If you have specific questions about school operations, please contact your school principal.

Sincerely,
Greg Chatlain,  Director of Education





Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please refer to the attachment from our Director of Education, Greg Chatlain, about the planned job action from Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF).
Due to the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation sanctions that will be in effect beginning this Thursday, March 12th, our Gr.5-8 Activity Day will be cancelled.  Parents will receive a full refund by either dropping by the school this Friday, Monday or Tuesday between 8:00 am. – 11:00 am.  Any refunds not picked up by this time will be sent home with your child at the end of the day on Tuesday, March 17th.
Secondly, beginning this Thursday, the school doors will not be open in the morning until 8:45 a.m. as there will be no teachers to provide supervision until this time.  If this is a challenge for your family, an option would be to contact the Boys and Girls Club.  Registration forms can be picked up at the office or you can contact them at (306) 665-1450 or (306) 244-7820.  Students who receive bussing will remain on the bus until 8:45 a.m. if the bus arrives before the school doors are open.
Thirdly, at the end of the school day there will be no teachers to supervise students.  Any students who are at the school beyond 3:45 p.m. will not be supervised.  Please make arrangements prior to 3:45 p.m. to pick up your children if they do not take the bus or walk home on their own.   
Lastly, our Division has cancelled all field trips or any school activities that occur away from the school during the school day until further notice.
Our hope is there will be a timely agreement satisfying both groups that will put an end to the sanctions.

Sincerely,
Ken McIntosh
Principal
École St. Peter School

Friday, 6 March 2020

Friday, March 6th, 2020

Today was our Term 2 Assignment Deadline. Any overdue assignments that come in next week will not be marked until after I complete our Term 2 report cards, so outstanding assignments will be weighted as a 1 on that report card. This does not mean you shouldn't do them! If you still have outstanding assignments, hand them in ASAP and I will update your marks for Term 3.

Math - Today we worked on finding rectangles with different perimeters, but the same area. Complete the assignment for Tuesday: Pg 133-134, Qs 1, 2, 4 (3)

ELA - We had more time to work on our Tuck Everlasting Individual Written Task today. Reminder that this is due on March 19th.

Health - Today we learned about vitamins and minerals. We got a research assignment on this topic, which we will get time to work on next week.

Arts - We had time to work on our 1-point perspective settings.

Religion - During Lent we will be taking time in our prayer chapel to pray together as a class once per week. Today we prayed the rosary together, and focused on the Sorrowful Mysteries.

Reminder: No School Monday - Teacher PLD

Thursday, 5 March 2020

Thursday, March 5th, 2020

Term 2 Assignment deadline tomorrow! Ensure that you are taking home everything you need this evening to complete any overdue assignments you still have for tomorrow.

Term 2 Reporting Period:
-Portfolios - March 13th
-3-Way Conferences - March 19th, 20th
- Report Cards - March 27th

Spelling - Today we got our Week 15 words.

Math - Yesterday we went over our tests from Unit 5, Part 2. These tests will come home as part of our portfolios next week.

Reminder: No School for Students on Monday, Teacher PLD

Wednesday, 4 March 2020

Wednesday, March 4th, 2020

Winter Carnival tomorrow! Come dressed for the weather, prepared to be outside for the afternoon!

Today we had Metis Cultural presentations with Daniel Gervais, and presented a "Tiny Car" dance to the rest of the school!

Math - Complete and hand in today's practice page on rectangles with a set perimeter for Friday.

Reminder: No School on Monday.

Friday is our Term 2 Assignment Deadline

Tuesday, 3 March 2020

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020

Term 2 Assignment Deadline on Friday!

Math - Today we learned about perimeter and area. We practiced finding different rectangles with the same perimeters. Our assignment is due by the end of class tomorrow: Pg 129-130, Qs 1-3, 6, 7 (4, 5, 8)

ELA - Today we got placed into our groups for our Tuck Everlasting group creative tasks! We had time to brainstorm ideas with our groups, and start writing our scripts!

Winter Carnival on Thursday! Come prepared to be outside for the afternoon.

Reminder: Teacher PLD on Monday. No school for students.

Monday, 2 March 2020

Monday, March 2nd, 2020

Term 2 Assignment Deadline - Friday!

Sign up for 3-Way Conferences opens tomorrow!

Arts - Today we started our next task, to design an outdoor or indoor setting, using 1 point perspective.

Math - Today we had more time to finish Friday's math assignment. We will have a homework check tomorrow. Pg 124-125, Qs 1, 2, 4, 5, 11, 12, 14, 16 (6-10, 13, 15).

Spelling - Today we had a chance to quiz eachother on our Week 14 words. We will have a quiz tomorrow.

Social Studies - We had time to finish our Carbon Footprint task. This is due tomorrow.

Winter Carnival on Thursday afternoon. We will spend almost the entire afternoon outdoors. Be sure to dress for the weather!