RANKIN CANCER RUN

This morning, our school community gathered in the gymnasium for the Rankin Cancer Run Rally. Parnall School is building a team of students and parents to walk / run on Saturday, May 24th, 2014. 

The Rankin Cancer Run is clearly focused on funding immediate cancer care, all cancers, all for the Niagara Region. The community joins together to raise funds while we honour, remember, and continue to be inspired by those whose lives are touched by cancer.  We encourage you to walk or run, 1km or 5km. Together, we are making a difference!

Your child is bringing home a brochure this evening in his/her Zippy bag which will have all of the details regarding registration information. You have a number of registration options.  You may register online. Pre-register from 1-9 pm on Thursday, May 22 at the Grantham Lions Club on the corner of Niagara St. and Parnell Rd. Register by sending your completed form into the school with your child, or you may register the morning of the run. The registration table will open at 8 am at the Grantham Lions Club, 732 Niagara Street, St. Catharines. Come early as traffic will be heavy in the area.  

We hope that you and your family will come and join the Parnall School Team as we work to fund immediate cancer care in our own community!

Scholastic Book Fair Begins Tomorrow

Calling all readers, calling all readers! Tomorrow (April 29th) marks the opening of our Scholastic Book Fair this year. A vast selection of beautiful books at a wide range of reading levels will be available for students to purchase throughout each day until May 2nd. If you wish to buy any books, you may do so before and after school. Students will be given an opportunity to preview the books sometime early in the week during the regular school day. Book prices are significantly reduced from what you'd expect to pay were you buying them through one of our local bookstores here in Niagara. Drop in and browse. Hope to see you there!

Pita Pit Forms Due on Friday

Be on the lookout for a Pita Pit order form in your child's Zippy Bag. Orders are due back at the school this Friday morning (May 2nd). If you intend upon ordering a pita for your child, please discuss the condiments your child would like. Recently, many children have complained that their pitas have items on them that they do not wish to eat. The pitas will be customized to your child's taste. 

St. John's Spring Lambs

On Thursday,  April 24th, we travelled by bus to St. John's Conservation Centre to see the spring lambs. Upon arriving, we were divided into three groups and assigned a tour guide. The groups were led to one of three learning areas. Our group began in an old cabin where we learned about how pioneer families lived several hundred years ago. We saw wool being spun into yarn on a spinning wheel that was well over 100 years old. Ms. Julie had a volunteer pretend to be a sheep and she demonstrated how they were shorn.

Then, we moved to the sheep stalls. There was much to see, learn…and smell.

Afterward, we made our way to the Grist Mill where we enjoyed a wonderful story by Tomie DiPaola titled Charlie Needs a Cloak. Through the telling of the story, we were able to consolidate our earlier learning, enjoy a wonderful story and practice our retelling skills.

Mrs. Greenlaw shared the story with the children.

There was a table of props which we used to reenact the story.

Students were asked to assume one of the roles in the story and hold a prop to assist in its retelling.

The sky was a brilliant shade of blue and the sun shone brightly as we boarded the bus to come back to school. The Wheels on the Bus could be heard being sung as we made our way back to town. A lovely day was enjoyed by all.

Many thanks to Mrs. Seinen, Mrs. Fedj, Mrs. Enns and Mrs. Crosby for making our trip a wonderful memory which we will enjoy for a long time to come.

Electronic Engineers in Training

What happens when you provide children with a selection of simple hand tools, some safety glasses and a few old appliances? Take a look.

The boys and girls found hours of fun making their way into the appliances and taking them apart, bit by bit.

Light Table Creations

As new learning materials make their way into the classroom each week, there are more and more opportunities for students to grow through their play. These wonderful, new magnetic shapes are quite popular with all of the children. Here is a small sampling of some of their creations.

These new materials have provided many opportunities for discussions pertaining to 2-D shapes and 3-D figures.

Easter Treat with a Creative Twist

On the Tuesday prior to Easter, all of the ELP students were treated to a delicious, healthy treat…with a bit of a critical challenge. They walked into the gymnasium, only to find this waiting for them.

The children were asked to sit down. This is what they found waiting for them upon their plates.

Next to their plates, they found this picture.

The students were then asked to empty the contents of their bags onto their plates and construct the rabbit face using the fruit and vegetables. After completing the design, they were invited to eat their creations. There were a lot of smiles, giggles and very contented tummies.

Easter is Hatching All Around Us

The boys and girls in K-1 have been engaging in a wide variety of Easter activities. Here is a small sampling of what they've been up to…

Our Own Bird's Nest

As we have been learning about birds these past few weeks, the students took an opportunity to create their own bird's nest. They used play dough and sticks which they gathered from outside in our playground area.  Don't you think they did a wonderful job?

ELP Easter Celebration

On Tuesday morning, April 15th, all of the ELP classes will be invited to the gymnasium for an Easter Surprise during the morning teaching block. Parents, there is no need to pack a snack for that morning. All snack items will be provided, and be assured that the choices will be healthy and tasty.

Senior Kindergarten 

Graduation Photos

Thursday, April 17th

On Thursday, April 17th, senior kindergarten students will be having their graduation photos taken. Bring your best smile.

Easter is Around the Corner

Awaiting your child tomorrow morning are provocations and activities which will certainly get him or her into the Easter spirit. Be sure and check back this week to get a glimpse of what we've been up to. 

Architects at Work

Our amazing little architects have been creating some beautiful structures out of blocks. Take a look…

We are amazed by the artistry, design and functionality of these creations. Brilliant work, kids!

Pine Cone Bird Feeder

Here is an example of one of the pine cone bird feeders that the children were invited to make and hang around our playground yard. It really did look like Christmas in early spring.