Christian Meditation

Each day, the students in Room 103 participate in Christian Meditation. We thought we would take this opportunity to share information about this practice.

What Christian Meditation is:

• Christian Meditation is a way of becoming present to God and entering prayer of the heart.
• It is one form of prayer; it is an ancient form of prayer used by monks from the 4th Century with St. Anthony in the desert.
• Christian Meditation focuses on God.
• You are meant to be present and alert.
• It is an acknowledgement that the spirit dwells within us and we need to be quiet and still to listen to the spirit.
• It is a practice that is used worldwide by Christians to strengthen their relationship with God.

What Christian Meditation is not:

• It is not a relaxation or visualization activity (although feeling relaxed and ready to learn can be a benefit).
• It is not a fad that is going away.
• It is different than mindfulness, which is a form of meditation practice which originates in Buddhism.
• It is not used to enhance self-reflection and self-regulation, but to focus on God's presence.
• Christian meditation does not replace other forms of prayer, reading scriptures or the sacraments.
• It is not an altered state of consciousness or a time to lay down and sleep.

Scholastic Book Fair

The Scholastic Book Fair will be coming to St. Andrew School Library from Monday, November 21 through to Thursday, November 24. The book fair will be open each day from 9:00 am until 3:20 pm. Parents are invited to sign in at the office and to browse throughout the day.  It will also be open Thursday evening during Interview Night, for the last time. The Book Fair will be closed Friday, November 25.

Wish Lists will be sent home with students, as we invite your whole family to participate in purchasing the latest and greatest in children's books. Did you know that for every $10 you spend at the fair $6 comes directly back to our school? This is a great way to support our school library and to help put new books and resources back into our library. Parent volunteers are welcome to join in the fun and are asked to please contact our new Library Technician, Mr. Riches, if you are available to help with our young browsers and shoppers. Thank you for your support with this important initiative to support our school library book collection and the love of reading!

PAT Time November Schedule

Week of November 7 - I

Week of November 14 - P

Week of November 21 - N

Week of November 28 - C

Reading Tip of the Month

When you read with your child, sit next to or hold them on your lap so they can see the pages with you. They will be learning left-to-right progression of the print and the pages, and that print and pictures have meaning. You will also be modeling important reading behaviours including looking at and talking about the pictures and using your finger to point to the words.

Skills to Review at Home:

Please continue to review at home the following things:

• Putting on coat and zipping it up
• Putting on shoes and/or boots
• Practice putting on and taking off snow pants
• Printing first name – First letter uppercase, the rest lowercase (if your child can print their first name independently start working on last name)
• Alphabet letters and sounds
• Sight words
• Shared Reading activities
• Packing backpack (if your child is packing their own backpack then they know what is inside when they arrive at school and will be able to pack it independently at the end of the day ☻)

We all encourage the children to do their best. Kindergarten is a time to help children build on the small successes that they have every day. Parents and teachers have a very special partnership in a Kindergarten classroom. By reinforcing the learning skills with your children at home, you are helping them to gain self confidence in their own abilities and establishing the pattern for life long learning.

Important Dates

November 10 - Photo Retake Day, Scholastic Book Orders Due
November 14 to 18 - Kindergarten Room 103 Observations
November 18 - Spirit Day - Paint the Town Read in Support of United Way - Dress in Red
November 21 to 24 - Scholastic Book Fair
November 25 - PA Day - No School for Students
November 30 - Field Trip - Brown Bear Performance at Living Arts Centre, Mississauga