September 2009 Newsletter
September Newsletter (PDF version)
New Arrival in JK:
We are happy to announce that Mrs. Catherine Pham, a Grade 6 teacher having 14 years
of experience, including nine at the Academy, has agreed to teach Junior Kindergarten
on Mondays. Mrs. Pham is a member of the Ontario Teachers College and the mother of
a six year old girl. Mrs. Michele Gignac-Lamoureux will be teaching Junior Kindergarten
from Tuesday to Friday. Together, they form a dynamic teaching team.
Junior Kindergarten – Mme Michèle Gignac-Lamoureux
The Kindergarten class has eight charming students. Right from the start, they quickly
became familiar with the routine. They work very well and get along superbly.
I am starting my eleventh year as a Kindergarten teacher. I have always enjoyed
observing my students at play. At the age of three or four, role playing is very important.
This year, I have noticed that there are several little girls who play “working at the office”.
They drop off their babies (dolls) at the class daycare. It’s so funny!
There are also the card decks which formerly, at play time, became cookies or a piece of
cake. Well, during September, I discovered with glee that these same decks had become
iPhones or Blackberries -- or even credit cards. It’s a sign of the times!
Life is so wonderful in Kindergarten that I wouldn’t want to go elsewhere…
Senior Kindergarten – Mrs. Nicole Duguay
The girls of Senior Kindergarten were very happy to see each other again after the long
summer holidays. They are in top form and ready to take on the new school year.
We have three new students in Senior Kindergarten: Alia Karam, Amina Kuki and Hayden
Mahoney. Welcome to Joan of Arc Academy!
September is a very important and demanding month for the SK students. They must get
accustomed to new routines and new rules.
We will be putting the emphasis on speaking French to recover what the girls lost during
the holidays. September went by very quickly. We have already started working on
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themes and our days are quite full. In October, we will prepare to celebrate Halloween.
Welcome back to all the parents of the Academy!
Grade 1 – Mrs. Véronic Beauchamp
Welcome to Grade One. I am very happy to welcome your girls in my class. This year, we
have five girls coming from other schools. Alessia, Isabel, Nika, Lia and Brittany.
Welcome to Joan of Arc Academy. I would also like to welcome back Fiona Campbell,
who rejoined us in mid-September. We had a wonderful beginning of the year. Our Grade
One class is very dynamic and participative. In only a few weeks, the girls have added to
their French vocabulary by working very hard in class. The students of Grade One work
very well and I am already very proud of each one.
Grade 1 – Ms. Donna Jones
We have had a wonderful start to the new school year in Grade One. We welcomed four
new students at the beginning of the year; Isabel Fogl, Brittany Nguyen, Lia Morton, and
Nika Khossravi. On September 14, Fiona Campbell and Alessia Achihaei joined our
class. Mme Beauchamp and I are very fortunate to be spending our days with these 15
girls.
The students have been working very hard on their reading skills. It seems that they are
able to read new words on a daily basis. It is a very amazing and exciting time in our
room. I think the students have even amazed themselves with all that they have
accomplished since the start of the school year.
October is going to be another busy month in Grade One. We are learning to use the
calendar to mark important events and dates. The students have already noticed that they
have a four day weekend to look forward to in October. They are all very aware that
Halloween is on the last day of October. We will be learning poems and songs to help us
celebrate Thanksgiving and Halloween.
Grade 2 – Mrs. Véronic Beauchamp
What a joy to see your girls again! They really grew taller over the summer holidays.
During the first days of school, the girls thought they had forgotten their French. Within a
few days, they realized that they had not forgotten anything from what they had learned in
Grade One in French. The school year has begun very well. The girls seem ready to
tackle Grade Two with gusto. Several wonderful projects are coming up in the next few
months. I am already very proud of the girls’ progress during the first month of school.
Grade 2 – Ms. Donna Jones
I have enjoyed getting to know the Grade Two students. They are a dynamic group of
girls. They easily settled into the new school year and new routines. We have been
working hard since the first day of school and have accomplished a great deal in a short
time.
The Grade Two girls read some interesting books throughout the summer. The students
completed their book reports and I had the opportunity to read many of the books to the
class.
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In Science, we have been studying different groups of animals. The students will be
starting an animal research project towards the end of October.
Grade 3 – Mrs. Annie Duchesne
It is with pleasure that I greet my 17 Grade Three students each morning! They have the
gift of gab. Believe me, no one is bored! This is the ideal group for putting on a play! We
will have to revise our course plan, dear parents! On this topic, we have become
acquainted with Crayola, a basset hound that will spend the year with us and remind us to
speak French in the morning! Come to see her, she loves company! Within the framework
of the social sciences curriculum, we allotted a responsibility to each student and they all
perform their task with joy! In arts, we are studying Piet Mondrian. Thank you my little
friends for making our class so lively!
Grade 3 – Mrs. Sabine Neubert
Grade 3 girls had a successful start of the new school year. They have a lot of energy and
take an interest in everything the program has to offer. In English, they are enthusiastic
about writing their acrostic poems, gave an interesting talk on their favourite summer
reading, and are already working on their first book report. Soon you will be able to see
their posters on display outside the Grade 3 classroom. In Science, we started
investigating the growth and change of plants, and in Math, we are excited about
discovering surprising number patterns.
Grade 4 – Mrs. Elaine Bartlett
After a gentle start in Grade 4, we are now working at full speed. The girls have settled
down really well and have adapted to all the new routines and expectations. They are
keen to start serious work, including homework! In Math, we have completed our first unit
on patterns and are starting our number unit. In Language Arts, they all did an excellent
job drawing and presenting their cartoons from their summer reading. Please take a
moment to come and look at their commendable work, which is on display in the upper
hallway. The girls are now eagerly researching their animal projects which are linked to
their Science unit on habitats.
Grade 4 – Mrs. Anne Meurillon
The return to school went very well for all the Grade Four girls. We had the pleasure of
welcoming two new students: Alexa-Rose and Anne. They are already very well
integrated into this extraordinary group! All the girls very quickly got back into the school
routine and, already, it’s fall! We started gently to dissipate the “fog” of the holidays. The
girls produced wonderful posters to present their summer readings. Reading in French is
so important for enriching one’s vocabulary!
The girls are now working on their autobiography. This text will enable me to get to know
them better! I really look forward to reading their productions. In social studies, we are
starting to study the province of Ontario. In visual arts, the girls are building a diorama. It
is of the habitat of the animal they have chosen to study in Mrs. Bartlett’s science class.
This is a wonderful means of linking two subjects that the students love!
I wish you all a wonderful fall!
Grade 5 – Mrs. Erin Elliott
The new school year is well underway! The Grade Five girls have been very busy getting
reacquainted and settled back into school routines. Our first Language Arts activity was a
creative response to a summer reading novel. The girls enjoyed choosing their response
from such options as designing a book cover or writing an interview with a character and
presenting it to the rest of the class. We have also been reading short stories and poems
about memories and friendship in our Collections Reader, “Together Is Better”. In
Mathematics, we have completed our first unit on Patterning and have learned how to
identify, extend and create patterns as well as represent patterns by numbers, words,
pictures and models. We have started our second unit where we will develop strategies
for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing whole numbers.
Grade 5 – Mrs. Anne Meurillon
It is with pleasure that I saw once again the girls whom I had met while doing supply
teaching at the end of last year. Approximately two weeks after the return to school, we
had the pleasure of welcoming Cassidy, a new student in our wonderful class. She joined
the fourteen other girls who know each other so well already!
The second week of school, I asked the girls to write the diary of one of the main
characters of the novel they read this summer. I was quite impressed by the effort they
put in! We are now starting to work on recipes and they will become “chefs” by developing
their own recipes and presenting them on “television”. In social studies, we are starting to
study Canada by learning the names of the provinces and territories that form our
wonderful country, as well as the names of their respective capitals.
I wish you all a wonderful fall!
Grade 6 – Mrs. Sabine Neubert
The Grade 6 girls bring a lot of interest and creative ideas to their English classes. They
like to read. Some of them found it quite difficult to decide on their favourite book from the
summer reading list – there were just so many of them. We started our first novel study of
the year. The Giver provides us with lots of interesting topics to reflect upon and discuss
about.
Grade 6 – Mrs. Catherine Pham
The return to school is already old news! My 16 Grade 6 students got down to business
quickly and they demonstrate their desire to work well by asking lots of questions -- so
much so that I sometimes want to say: “Slow down girls, each thing in its own time!”
On September 25th, we accompanied the Grade 7 and 8 students to the Central Ottawa
Library, where we discovered the richness of its French resources. We also learned how
to conduct an effective research on their database. This will be invaluable for finding
information for our great project on Aboriginal peoples.
Also, we are continuing to discover pre-Columbian civilizations through legends, including
some that we invent. It is wonderful that some students have travelled to South America
and that they can enrich our classes by sharing anecdotes or photographs of their trips.
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Grade
6 Math – Mrs. Kathleen Forestell
The Grade 6 girls have been very hard at work this past month. They have successfully
completed Unit 1 on Number Patterns and are now working their way through Unit 2:
Whole Numbers. They have been able to strengthen their skills while playing a game of
Equation Baseball and I am eager to incorporate more games throughout the year. The
girls have been working very hard and it shows. Keep it up!
Grade 7 Math and Science – Mrs. Kathleen Forestell
The first two units of Math in Grade 7 are review for the girls. Unit 1: Patterns in Whole
Numbers, and Unit 2: Ratios and Rates are now completed. The next unit is Unit 3:
Geometry and Measurement. From this point forward lessons and new concepts will be
taught in more detail, thus allowing the girls ample time for practice and consolidation.
Congratulations girls on completing the first two units!
In Science, the girls have been studying Chapter 1: Ecosystems are communities where
biotic and abiotic elements interact. There has been lots of discussion in class when
discussing new topics, and the girls have been able to relate what we are learning to their
everyday life, which is great! Chapters 2 and 3 continue to look at interactions in our
ecosystem.
Grade 8 Math and Science – Mrs. Kathleen Forestell
Like in Grade 7, the first two units have been a review for the girls. We have now
successfully completed Unit 1: Numbers, Variables and Equations and Unit 2:
Applications of Rates, Ratios and Percents. The girls completed their first Unit Problem.
This problem had them calculating which option would be better, to buy a car or live in
residence. They applied their knowledge of rates, ratios and percents and it was
discovered that 6 girls chose residence while 9 chose to buy a car! We are well on our
way into Unit 3: Geometry and Measurement. This unit has a lot of hands-on applications,
such as building objects and sketching them.
In Science, the girls have been working through Unit 1: Cells. Lots of great discussion has
come up in class, which is wonderful to see. The girls have constructed either an animal
or plant cell model, which are on display in the class. We have learned how to properly
use a microscope and looked at different slides such as those of fleas, dust and blood.
This unit on cells will continue for another two chapters, where we will continue to work on
labs and create great discussions. Good job everyone!
Grades 7 and 8 – Mrs. Nadia Pasqua-Cooper
Here we are back at school for another year filled with activities and fun. September
brought old friends together and gave us the opportunity to make new ones. We would
like to welcome new students Pascale Basque-Giroux (in Grade 7) and Sarvie
Golestaneh (in Grade 8). They are already well integrated into their groups, having been
greeted with open arms by the other students. Thanks girls!
In Grade 8, the students have already started the study of Cyrano de Bergerac, in order
to be able to present the play in January. The girls are very enthusiastic about this project
and are looking forward to the October auditions.
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In order to get to know each other better, the girls of Grade 7 are writing a series of
friendship letters. This project is almost over, but the girls can continue to correspond if
they wish.
Grade 7 Language Arts – Mrs. Kristin Greenacre
What a wonderful beginning to the new school year. I am very happy to be reunited with
such a lovely and bright group of students. This month, we began by setting our personal
and scholastic goals for the year and presenting creative book reports on a novel we read
during the summer. We are currently continuing our studies in grammar with Language
Works 7 and doing a novel study of The Keeper of the Isis Light by Monica Hughes. We
began our novel study by researching the author and writing biographies of Ms. Hughes;
what an interesting and prolific writer! Other engaging activities we have completed
include writing personal journals on Mondays and the challenging task of summarizing a
short story into precisely 100 words. I look forward to a great year together.
Grade 8 Language Arts – Ms. Kristin Greenacre
I am very happy to have the chance to work with such a motivated and strong group of
students. This month, we began by setting our personal and scholastic goals for the year
and presenting creative book reports on a novel we read during the summer. We are
currently continuing our studies in grammar with Language Works 8 and doing a novel
study of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. We began our novel study by researching
the historical background of the novel and presenting our findings to the class, discussing
topics such as the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Movement and life in Alabama in
the 1930`s. Other engaging activities we have enjoyed include writing personal journals
on Mondays and the challenging task of summarizing a short story into precisely 100
words. I look forward to a great year together as the girls prepare for the exciting
transition to high school.
Physical Education – Mrs. Isabelle Murray
Welcome back to all. The after school sports resumed during the first week of school.
Your daughter is invited to participate in one or more sport activities offered at Joan of Arc
Academy.
There is soccer on Tuesday nights (16:00 to 17:00) for the girls of Grades 6 to 8 who will
participate in the intermediate level league until the end of October. Good luck girls. Go
Cyclones go! Also, there is soccer on Thursday nights (16:00 to 17:00) for the girls of
Grades 4 to 6 who will participate in a tournament at the end of November. Thank you to
Mr Thériault and Mr Brunas who coach our soccer teams. The schedule for basketball
and volleyball will be announced in the next few weeks
Dance, Grades 1 to 6 – Mrs Nadia Pasqua-Cooper
I am thrilled to take over the elementary dance program from Mrs. Hannah. Please note a
change to the course plan under the section “Appropriate Dress”. Only two uniform
options are allowed. They are: black clothing or the usual gym uniform (navy shorts and
white sports shirt). Thank you for your cooperation!
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Library News – Mrs. Sabine Neubert
After significant renovations over the summer, the library opened its doors to the students
on September 28th. Visits on a weekly or bi-weekly basis have already become a routine
in several classes. The opportunity to subscribe to a choice of Bayard published
magazines in French or English has been taken by a number of families. In November,
the library will hold another of our popular Used Book Exchanges. More information will
be provided in our next newsletter.
OTHER NEWS
The Glitterbug and other anti-flu measures at school
We learned how to wash our hands well and then, an amusing character came to school.
Indeed, the Gliltterbug, which was lent to us by Ottawa Public health, visited all classes.
With the help of an ultraviolet light, it showed the girls whether or not they had washed
their hands properly.
This constituted another component of our anti-flu campaign at school. It also includes the
installation of hand sanitizer dispensers in each classroom and of hand washing posters,
followed soon by hands-free electronic soap and paper towel dispensers in washrooms.
Moreover, we have installed four stainless steel water fountains which refrigerate and
filter water and are designed to make it possible for the students to drink without touching
the device with their mouths.
Workshops for Grades 6 to 8
The girls participated in a yoga session with Mrs. Georgia Morrisette, which also includes
a discussion about co-operation, tolerance and respect.
October 2nd, they had the opportunity to learn how to play ultimate Frisbee through a
workshop given by Mrs. Wadasinghe, the mother of twins Erika and Kira in Grade 2.
Do you have a particular talent? Do you wish to complete some volunteer work hours?
Would you be interested in running a workshop? Send me an e-mail at nadiapc@hotmail.com
Elections for class presidents at school
Here is the list of class presidents from Grades 4 to 8 for the 2009-2010 school year:
Grade 4: Alida Caldwell
Grade 5: Milan Roberts
Grade 6: Ambika Aggarwal
Grade 7: Deeksha Srivastava
Grade 8: Isabel Shore
Opera Lyra at the Academy – Sabine Neubert
On October 14th, 2009, at 10:00, we will have the opportunity to welcome Opera Lyra
Ottawa at our school for their performance of The Bremen Town Musicians – an Opera
for Kids. I am sure our girls will be very excited to see and hear this well-known fairy tale
performed as an opera. During a question and answer period after the show, our students
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will be able to find out about all the aspects that need to be considered in order to put a
performance like this together. They will be surprised about the complexity of this
process. All classes from JK to Grade 8 are invited to attend.
Important Announcement Regarding Allergies to Scents
A number of students and staff members have severe allergies to perfumes. To prevent
life-threatening allergic reactions, it is therefore very important that students, personnel
and visitors refrain from wearing any perfume or scented product at school. Thank you in
advance for your cooperation.
Feel Free to Contact Us
This is your school and your opinion counts. For any comments, questions or general
inquiries, do not hesitate to call 613.728.6364 or to e-mail us at: administration@joanofarcacademy.com
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