Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Cities; Math Test on May 23; Drug Abuse; New Novel: Messenger; New 'Eco-Hero' Homework

Dear Parents and Adults at Home,

Social Studies: Cities

The following is our final assignment for this brief unit on cities. You may wish to discuss it with your child.

"The reasons for urban migration that you learned about are similar in all parts of the world. The challenges for cities are also similar. Canadian cities such as Surrey are also working to find solutions to poverty, homelessness, traffic jams, air pollution, and water quality or water shortages."

How can studying one city give us ideas about how to improve all cities? What is your vision of the "city of the future"?

Math: Patterns and Equations

We are concluding our brief mathematics unit on patterns and equations. Next week we will be reviewing the concepts. Pages 376 and 377 include all the concepts that will be on the final test. The test will be on Friday, May 23.

Please see below for the math homework details. I am always available for extra help if needed. You can contact me at 604-588-8394 or at mikewilliamlink@gmail.com.

Drug Abuse: Helping Your Child Make Healthy Decisions

This past week we have discussed the following subtopics:
"Peer Influences" - Students demonstrated their ability to deal constuctivley with peer influences through role play.
"Fan Letter" - Students demonstrated an awareness of the impact of one's actions on others, and vice versa, by writing a letter to someone they admire.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this or any other topic, please feel free to contact me.

New Read Aloud Novel: Messenger by Lois Lowry

Messenger is a 2004 novel by Children's author Lois Lowry. It forms the third installment of the loose trilogy begun by her 1993 novel The Giver, which won the 1994 Newbery Medal. For more information visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messenger_(novel)

New Homework Package

The "Eco-Hero" homework will form the last cluster of homework before the summer. They include a number of simple, at-home activites around environmental themes.

This Past Week's Homework Assignments
Read at least 20 minutes each evening
Health and Reading Log update
Reading Comprehension:
Black Group - Ask About: pp. 71-75
Blue Group - Eco-Hero: pp. 9-18
This week's ID test (May 16) will be on Birds #11 and Africa #49-54 in the Study Guide (Students receive a bonus mark on each of their tests if they have their tests signed by a parent and returned). THIS WILL BE OUR LAST WEEKLY TEST OF THE YEAR.
Math - Patterns and Equations: pp. 364-365, 369-370, 372-373

Website of the Week: DrugFacts
www.drugfacts.ca

"My name is Teri and I am a YOUTH volunteer with Alcohol-Drug Education Service. You can learn valuable information about the dangers and risks of drugs and alcohol abuse on this site. As youth, we face peer pressure and life's pressures on a regular basis. Even though we have our own morals about how we choose to live, such as choosing to use drugs or not, we tend to feel pressure to go against our morals so we don't "let down" our peers, or so we can "fit in". I hope that from this website you can take away information that will help you develop and form good decisions-making skills concerning the topics of drugs and alcohol."

Don't forget to check out my website at linktoschool.blogspot.com . It has many links to other great educational sites and safe, kid-appropriate search engines.

The following is a list of Environmental Extravaganza activities happening in the coming weeks in Surrey:

Junkology

Saturday, May 17th | 10 – 11:30am
What do a whale, a helicopter and a hat have in common? They can all be made from stuff we throw out! Join Dr. Recycle for this fun-filled 'workshop' where kids and adults of all ages can create usable treasure from everyday trash.

Pre-registration is required, please call 604.501.5121 to reserve a spot at this entertaining 'workshop'; children under five must be accompanied by an adult.

Bear Creek Pavilion at Bear Creek Park (88 Ave & King George Hwy)

Hosted by: Surrey Parks, Recreation & Culture

Birdwatch 2008

Monday, May 19th | 8– 11:30am

Who lives in your neighbourhood? Join in a bird count on the Little Campbell River to learn what magnificent birds call this area home, or are stopping over to take a rest from a long flight. No experience necessary; bring binoculars if you have them.

A Rocha Canada Field Study Centre (512-172nd St.)

Hosted by: A Rocha Canada

Fine Feathered Friends

Monday, May 19th | 1-4pm

Flutter in for fun, hands-on family activities with music and refreshments. Check out our gifts and native plant sale!

A Rocha Canada Field Study Centre (512-172nd St)

Hosted by: A Rocha Canada

Shorekeepers Training Workshop

Friday, May 23rd (6:30 – 10pm)

Saturday, May 24th (10am – 3pm)

Sunday, May 25th (10:30am – 3:30pm)

Have you ever wondered how barnacles survive during low-tide or what animals make the holes in the sand? Train to be a Shorekeeper and learn the answers to these riddles, and to take an active role in the monitoring of your local marine habitats! Please bring a lunch and wear appropriate clothing. Pre-registration is required, so please call 604.536.3552 to reserve your spot at this unique training opportunity. No experience necessary!

Friday meet at the A Rocha Canada Field Study Centre (512-172nd St)

Saturday and Sunday meet at the West Beach Boat Ramp (14500 Marine

Drive, White Rock)

Hosted by: The Friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society

Mini-beast Madness

Saturday, May 24th | 10am – 2pm

Creatures lurk beneath! Join the Little Campbell Watershed Society to take a peak into the hidden life of aquatic bugs that live in our local streams. Take a closer look with our microscope to see how wild these little beasts are.

Semiahmoo Fish and Game Club Hatchery (1284 - 184 St)

Hosted by: The Little Campbell Watershed Society

Discover Burns Bog

Saturday, May 24th | 10am – 12pm

What do mummies, stopping global warming and a tractor from 1972 have to do with Burns Bog? Take a tour and find out! Discover what the "Lungs of the Lower Mainland" have to offer. Wear appropriate clothing, including closed-toe shoes. No umbrellas please, and bring a bottle of water. Pre-registration is required,

please email info@burnsbog.org or call 604.572.0373 to reserve your spot for this great tour!

The Delta Nature Reserve located at Planet Ice (10388 Nordel Court, Delta)

Hosted by: Burns Bog Conservation Society

Tynehead Plant Walk

Saturday, May 24th | 10am – 12pm

Enjoy a walk along the Serpentine Loop at Tynehead Regional Park. Discover the native plants that bloom in the spring. Find out which plants are edible, which are used for crafts and which were used medicinally. Dress for the weather and meet in the parking area at the 96th Ave entrance. Pre-registration is required, please call Metro Vancouver at 604.432.6359 to reserve your spot at this enlightening guided walk.

Tynehead Regional Park (96 Ave & 168 St)

Hosted by: Metro Vancouver Regional Parks

Sustainable Gardening

Saturday, May 24th | 11am – 1pm

Join us at Stewart Farm's heritage gardens and learn to garden in harmony with nature. Discover labour-saving techniques that help reduce watering and weeding.

Explore ways to minimize the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Learn about composting and the benefits of creating healthy, living soil. Pre-registration is required for this event, please call 604.592.6956 to reserve your spot at this unique gardening workshop.

Historic Stewart Farm in Elgin Heritage Park (Crescent Road west of 135 Ave)

Hosted by: Historic Stewart Farm

Surrey Lake Birding Walk

Saturday, May 24th | 9 - 11am

Discover some of the diverse bird life and improve your ID skills on this guided birding walk with naturalist Lynn Pollard. Bring binoculars if you have them and please dress for the weather.

Surrey Lake Park (152 St, north of 72 Ave – must be accessed heading North on 152 St)

Hosted by: Surrey Parks & Lynn Pollard

Amazing Amphibians!

Tuesday, May 27th | 6:30 - 8pm

From slimy salamanders to tiny tree frogs, there is so much amphibian life in Green Timbers Urban Forest! Join SNA P as they take you on an interactive journey through a dynamic west coast amphibian habitat! Pre-registration is required,

please call 604.501.5121 to reserve your spot at this fun-filled opportunity.

Green Timbers Urban Forest (parking lot on 100 Ave between 148 St. and 144 St)

Hosted by: Surrey's Natural Areas Partnership (SNAP)

Walk the Semiahmoo Trail

Tuesday, May 27th & Wednesday, May 28th | 6:30 – 7:30pm

Come and explore a portion of the historic Semiahmoo Trail; experts will be on hand to lead a walk and explain the trail's history and natural heritage.

Meet at the trail entrance (23A Ave between 151 St and 152 St)

Hosted by: Friends of Semiahmoo Heritage Trail

Beach Hero Marine Interpretive Walks

Explore the inter-tidal zone for amazing animals and plants with our Marine Interpreter; all ages welcome! Free stickers, tattoos and activity books for all Beach Heroes!

Hosted by: The Friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society

Saturday, May 10 (2:30pm) White Rock, foot of pier

Saturday, May 17th (11am) White Rock, foot of pier

Saturday, May 24th (1:30pm) Beecher Place, Crescent Beach

Saturday, May 31st (9:30am) Beecher Place, Crescent Beach

Saturday, June 7th (2pm) White Rock, foot of pier.

No registration is required, just show up! For more info contact Cat at

604.536.3552 or cat@birdsonthebay.ca

Learn to Fish

Join us at Green Timbers Urban Forest for a fun, educational fishing lesson!This program is for youth under 16, but parent participation is encouraged. Includes hands-on instruction as well as fishing on Green Timbers Lake! All the equipment and tackle is provided. Pre-registration is required, please call the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery Visitor Ctr at 604.504.4716 to reserve your spot!

Green Timbers Urban Forest – meet at the lake

Hosted by: Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC

Thursday, May 1st (6-8pm)

Saturday, May 10 (10am - 12pm)

Thursday, May 15th (6 - 8pm)

Thursday, May 22nd (6 - 8pm)

Saturday, May 31st (10am - 12pm)

Sunnyside Acres Guided Walk

Learn about your local forest environment, its history and management at Sunnyside Acres Urban Forest. Bring binoculars and try to spot some of the 71 bird species that occur here and identify some of the native plants that make this Urban Forest their home. Wear appropriate footwear and clothing, this walk will go rain or shine.

Meet at the parking lot off of 24 Avenue in the Urban Forest

Hosted by: Sunnyside Acres Heritage Society

Saturday, April 26th (8 – 9am)

Sunday, May 4th (6:30 – 7:30pm)

Saturday, May 17th (8 – 9am)

Sunday, May 25th (6:30-7:30pm)

Waste Not Want Not

April 12 - June 15 (Saturdays and Sundays only) | 12 - 4pm

Come and learn about the concept of 'thrift' and the origins of the 3 R's - Reduce, reuse and Recycle! Check out ways to convert garbage into treasures, traditional methods of garden composting and how technologies have changed in objects through the use of everyday materials. Historical examples will show how farmers recycled from the 1900's to present days.

Stewart Hall at Elgin Heritage Farm ( Crescent Road west of 135 Ave.)

Hosted by: Historic Stewart Farm

Wilderness Watch Walkabout

Find out what the Wilderness Watch program is all about. Visit the display booth and then enjoy a guided walk in Blackie Spit Park!

Blackie Spit Park

Hosted by: BC Wildlife Federation

Saturday, May 3rd (10am - 2pm)

Saturday, May 17th (10am – 2pm)

Saturday, May 31st (10am – 2pm)


Important Dates in 2008

May 16 Class Photos
May 29 and 30 Forsyth Idol Talent Show - @ 1:00 pm
May 19 Victoria Day - No School
May 28 Celebration Assembly @ 9:00 am
June 20 Celebration Assembly @ 1:00 pm
June 23 Year End Assembly @ 10:30 am
June 24 Sports Day
June 25 Grade 7 Graduation @ 10:30, Final Report Cards sent home. Last day of school for students, early dismissal @ 1:30 pm
June 26 Pro-D #6 - No school

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to phone, email or drop by the school.

Sincerely,

Michael Link
Forsyth Road Elementary
10730 139 Street
Surrey BC V3T 5L4
Phone: 604-588-8394
mikewilliamlink@gmail.com

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