Be Cool - In Action

The students are enjoying their time with Mrs. Papak, learning more through the Be Cool program.  Students are learning how to handle difficult situations, how they can stay "cool" instead of getting angry or crying.

To practice some different scenarios, Mrs. Papak invited the class outside.  There were signs to represent each of the reaction choices (Hot, Cold, Cool) and the students had to try and figure out which choice was made.  They also had a lot of fun!

Kindness in Action

This morning, our entire school walked to the Downtown Mission to help deliver all the cans that had been collected.  We were challenged to collect 50 cans for the mission.  Our final can total was 77 cans!!! Thank you to all our families for your support and generosity.  Overall, Dougall collected more than 1,400 cans - WOW!


We set off in the snow, carried our cans, and sang as we walked.  It was a fantastic learning experience for the students.  They definitely were an example of kindess in action today!  Thank you again for your support, and for your willingness to help others.  

Thank you to Miss Chow for the great pictures and to Mr. Krusl for his help on the walk!

Compassion and Kindness

WOW!!  The response to the Downtown Mission can drive has been amazing!  In 4 days, our class has already collected 51 cans!! We have already exceeded our goal total!  This has been a great challenge for the students.  However, the most important aspect is the compassion and kindness all of your families have shown!  Each can will make a difference in the lives of a hungry family this holiday season.


Thank you for your support, and for "paying it forward".  THANK YOU!!

Can Update - 30!!!

Wow -- in the first two days of our can drive, we have already collected 30 food items for the Downtown Mission!  It's amazing to see how serious the students are about helping others.  They are very excited to see the pile of food items grow so quickly in just 2 days!  We only need 20 more items to reach our class goal of 50 cans!


Thank you for your generous support.  If you have any food items you could donate, please send them in. They are going to help others in our community.


Our tally sheet jumped quite a few numbers today! THANK YOU!!

We CAN do it!!

Once again, Dougall is partnering with the Downtown Mission to help collect canned and boxed food, to help those without enough to eat.  The entire school is being challenged to collect 1,000 cans.  Our class goal is 50 cans!  We will be collecting food from Dec. 1 to Dec. 9.  Regular can count updates will be made over the next two weeks!  The students are excited for the challenge, and are very excited to be helping others.  Thank you for your support!!  Together, we CAN do it!

Meaningful Silence...

Friday was a very special and meaningful day in our classroom - one I will truly never forget.  As a school, Dougall decided to become a part of Free the Children's Day of Silence.  Free the Children is an organization that encourages and empowers children in North America to participate in activities that will help to improve the lives of fellow children around the world.  Many of our students raised pledges and we all agreed to take a Vow of Silence for 120 minutes on Friday.  

As a class, we were excited for this opportunity -- and for what it meant.  We always start the day with our Morning Message.  Before our Vow of Silence began, we shared and collaborated about why we were going to be silent.  The ideas the students shared were meaningful and POWERFUL!

The students used their Kid Writing skills to record their ideas...

Here is the final list - their ideas are incredible!

*  to change the world

*  for kids who need water and food

*  so kids can go to school

*  so kids don't have to work

*  so kids can be kids

Although we were silent, a lot of great learning still took place.  Here are a few of the things we did while we were silent:

Literacy Centres (Computers, Pocket Chart Reading, Write the Room)

We also did some silent reading...

Thank you to all the families and friends who sponsored our students to help raise funds for Free the Children!  If you would like more information about Free the Children or the Day of Silence, please visit www.iamsilent.com.