Hello 3M Families,

We are off to a great start to the school year! 3M has done a fantastic job of following
expectations and classroom routines. I am so proud of them. I have many important
updates to share with you. Please read over the highlights below:

Friday Sept 17th – (Professional Learning Day /PL Day) No School for Students
Masks:
Effective September 16, as per provincial direction, students in grades 4 - 12 and all staff are
required to wear face masks while at school.

Masking guidelines will be similar to those in place last year. Our Division ‘Back to School
Plan 2021-2022’ will be updated in the coming days and will be available at
www.gppsd.ab.ca

GPPSD Calendar Change:

In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Board voted to amend
the 2021-2022 school year calendar and has identified September 30 as a non-operational
day for all staff and students.
Orange Shirt Day is now being recognized at school on Wednesday, Sept 29th.
Website: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/

Monday Sept 27th – Munch-a-lunch - Pizza Hut

Orders are due by Friday Sept 17th
See Link below to order:
https://munchalunch.com/schools/riverstone

Term 1 Munch-a-lunch Schedule:

Monday, September 27th - Pizza Hut Monday, November 22nd – McDonalds
Monday, October 25th - Pita Pit Monday, December 13th - Boston Pizza
 Tuesday Sept 21st – Munch-a-lunch - Smile Cookies

Use the same link as the Munch-a-lunch, to order smile cookies:

https://munchalunch.com/schools/riverstone

Scholastic Book Orders – 3M Scholastic Class Code - RC196061

A reminder if you are interested in placing a book order to go to https://www.scholastic.ca/

Wednesday Sept 22nd - Annual General Meeting for Parent Council & Playground
Society @ 7:00 PM via Google Meet
(Contact Email - riverstoneplayground@gmail.com)

Tuesday Sept 14th - Tuesday Oct 5th - Chocolate Almond Fundraiser

I had some very excited children in 3M, as they headed home eager to sell their "brief
cases" of chocolates. Please ensure when you are returning the money for the chocolates,
that it is in a sealed envelope or a ziploc bag with your child's name on it please. Please
Note - We have currently run out of chocolate cases to send home as of Thursday,
September 16. In the meantime, if you are unable to sell your remaining chocolates, please
return any unsold chocolate and partial money raised, so we can send the chocolates home
with other students who are looking to sell more. Thank you for supporting these fundraising
efforts.
LEARNING UPDATES:
In language arts, students have been building their reading stamina. Our reading focus
area is comprehension - to check for understanding, "Who did you read about?" and "What
happened in your story?" Students are able to answer comprehension questions about their
read aloud chapter book, “Back to School Mallory.” Students have been screened for
spelling and are practicing doing Word Work activities. They will get their individual sort
words to practice at home during the first week of October.

In math, we are working on review of basic facts and fluency, as well as data collection
represented by graphs. They are able to interpret data on line plot graphs and bar
graphs. They are learning to create horizontal and vertical bar graphs, as well as answer
questions about the data.

In social studies we are learning the continents, oceans and the cardinal directions on a
compass rose. Some key vocabulary terms they are learning: symbols, legends,
hemispheres, longitude, latitude, equator, and Prime Meridian. Students practiced reading
different kinds of maps. Students will be working on an in class social studies project
designing their own island map, complete with symbols and a compass rose. Next month we
will switch from social studies and spend the month focusing on rocks & minerals in science.
Then the following month we will switch back to social studies.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at tracey.mahoney@gppsd.ab.ca

Take Care...
Mrs. Tracey Mahoney