Week of November 15, 2025

 

Looking Back:

This week was only a day and a half, but we were still able to explore several areas of learning.

We began with literacy by reviewing vocabulary that we have been working on throughout the year. In grammar, we learned about verbs and discovered that there are both physical and mental verbs. Students completed a scoot activity where they identified verbs in different sentences posted around the classroom. This page went home, so you will be able to see what they learned.

In math, we learned how to compare numbers up to the millions place. Students practiced creating two sets of five-digit numbers on their whiteboards and then compared them. Ask your child to show you how we compared the numbers.

In science, we explored what soil is made of. Ask your child if they can tell you the four components of soil: air, water, minerals, and organic matter. We also completed a layers of the soil experiment using food items to represent each layer. Students created humus with green coconut and gummy worms, topsoil with crushed Oreo cookies, subsoil with chocolate pudding, parent material with chocolate chips, and bedrock with whole Oreo cookies. Ask your child what they remember about each layer.

On Friday, we shared our oral stories with the class, and students who presented were able to take their bracelets home. We also spent time getting to know our grade one buddies. In addition, we completed a midpoint place value assessment that will be shared with you during conferences.

Please note that students did not create Friday letters this week due to the short schedule. We will include updates in next week’s letters.

Looking Ahead:

Our field trip to Heritage Park will take place on Thursday November 20. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather they will experience during the day. Students will need to bring a snack and a lunch.

MTS Reminders - Thursday November 13

Parent/Teacher Conferences Parent/Teacher Conferences will take place in person at the school on Thursday, November 27 from 3:30pm - 7:30pm and Friday, November 28 from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Parents will book conference times through their CBE account. Conference bookings will open on Saturday, November 22 at 8:00am and closes on Thursday, November 27 at 2:00pm.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mrs. Thomson’s grade 2 parent teacher conferences will be held as follows:  November 19th – Online from 3:30-7:15 November 20th – In person at the school 3:00-6:00 Conference bookings will open on Saturday, November 15 at 8:00am and closes on Wednesday, November 20 at 2:00pm.  Instructions: In order to book a conference please use your MyCBE account https://sis.cbe.ab.ca/public/home.html. Here are instructions for how to register for a conference https://support.cbe.ab.ca/mycbe-powerschool-school-conferences.  Please contact the office if you require support.   These conferences are an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and to provide teachers with information about your child that is important. Teachers will inform you on how your child is adapting to and settling into the new school year as well as with an academic update based on the information they have gathered since September. In addition, you will be able to review and sign IPP's and Behaviour Support Plans if applicable. Please note that due to labour action, the assessment data gathered is not as robust as usual at this time of year.  However, please be assured that your child’s teacher knows them well and has significant insights into their academic, personal and social needs.  All teachers are looking forward to meeting with you at the conferences. Book Fair McKenzie Towne School is excited to announce that we will be hosting an Owl’s Nest Book Fair during the week of November 24th! Students will have the opportunity to browse and purchase books during school hours throughout the week. Families are also invited to join us for our Family Shopping Events: Thursday, November 27th — 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM Friday, November 28th — 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. McLean at tlmclean@cbe.ab.ca. We can’t wait to share the joy of reading with our McKenzie Towne community! Fun Lunch The next Fun Lunch will be held on Wednesday November 26. Fun Lunch is only for grades 1-4 and our EES students.  Go to healthyhunger.ca Log into you existing account or create a new one. Add your child’s information in the “add child” box – name, province, city, school, grade and class. All Fun Lunches will then populate – select the order now button! Please make sure to send a morning snack with your child on Fun Lunch Days. Orders must be placed by the Friday before the day.  Upcoming Dates November 20                          Heritage Park Field Trip - Coleman & Olson's Classes November 26                          Fun Lunch - Subway November 27 & 28                  Parent/Teacher Conferences November 28                          NO SCHOOL December 8                             Picture Retakes December 17                           Fun Lunch - Coco Brooks December 22 - January 2        Winter Break - NO SCHOOL