Week 8 Term 1

Talk about Covid 19 is EVERYWHERE.  Our kids are trying to make sense of everything they are seeing and hearing and they are watching us for clues about how to behave, feel and react. We have to remember that they are only 5-6 years old, their “Bulldust detectors” aren’t well developed, so we need to make sure they hear calm, child friendly and accurate information. The Covid-19 web page and the Ministry of Education site have some really good advice for teachers and parents and are your best source for credible and up-to-date information. 

We are doing our part to keep our kids safe at school, too. Over the last few weeks we have worked on nose blowing, hand washing, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, more hand washing… Our classroom surfaces and door handles are cleaned regularly through the day and, while trying to keep things as normal as possible, we are avoiding sitting in large groups. We have heard a lot of chatter about Covid-19 from our kids and they have many, many, many questions. This week we will be sharing these videos. The first is from Nanogirl - it’s a really great way to explain viruses and how to keep ourselves healthy.

The second is a handwashing song from Andrew Chinn. We’d like to apologise now as this is likely to get stuck in your head and you’ll find yourself humming ‘These hands’ all day.

So, on to the business of Week 8

We are swimming this week!!! (Mr Macmillan has done the research - coronavirus is not transmitted by water and the pool chlorine will likely inactivate the virus) 

Mon: 

Tues: Library - Kakano 2 (Miss Ryan’s class)

Wed: Library - Kakano 1 (Mrs Dobson’s class)

Thurs:Library - Kakano 3 (Mrs Tabuteau’s class)

Fri: Golden Time

Literacy Goals:  We are working on vocabulary. In reading, we have noticed that many kids are becoming very good at sounding words out so they sound right BUT they have no idea what they mean. In writing, they are sticking to safe, simple sentences and many kids are ready to start using more interesting words to make their writing exciting.

Numeracy Goals: We are going to be playing around with statistical investigations. Kids will be collecting, sorting and displaying simple data. They will be using words like because, bigger, more, less to explain their findings.

Have a great week!

week 1 term 1 2020

Kia ora whanau! We are in week 7! The time is certainly flying by quickly in Kakano.

On Friday we have a mass at St Mary's Church to celebrate St. Joseph's Feast day. You are more than welcome to join us at 9 a.m. Things will be a little quieter this week with some of the Senior classes away on camp.

From the Prime Ministers speech at the weekend we will continue to remind our children of good hygiene practice:

• Wash your hands
• Dry your hands properly
• If you sneeze, do it into your elbow

We will also be cleaning down our surfaces at least once a day such as tables etc.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Library - Kakano 3 (Mrs Tabuteau’s class)

Friday

St Joseph's Day Mass 9am

Golden Time

Reading - we continue to focus reading fluently - like we talk. The first day with a new book is focussed on decoding - figuring out words, making links to phonics, exploring the vocabulary etc. The next day(s) is focused on fluency and comprehension. Fluency is being able to read smoothly to each full-stop and knowing how to read the punctuation (expression/tone). Fluency goes hand in hand with comprehension /understanding what we read. 

Writing - We continue to focus on writing fluently. Think of my idea and write it down quickly then move to my next idea. We will be making links to the skills we use in reading and phonics to help us with unfamiliar words.

Maths - Our focus for this week is addition problems. We will be looking at different ways to solve the problem/s using addition strategies. Children will be using one of the following strategies in their addition…making sets, counting all the materials or counting on from the biggest number.

Rice Day

Today was Rice Day. Mrs Hall reminded us that there are lots of kids, just like us, who only ever get one bowl of rice to eat a day.  Our RE Leaders started us off with a karakia mo te kai and then we lined up to get our bowl of rice. It was very different to our usual lunches. Thanks whanau for taking such good care of us.

FYI

Hi all,

We have had a lovely few weeks getting to know your gorgeous kids. Manuka 1, 2 and 3 are an energetic, curious and fun bunch of people - we are so lucky to spend our days with them.  In the last couple of weeks a few questions have been asked by parents. I am sure there are others of you who have similar queries but are unable to pop in. So, I thought I would give you all a quick run down of our day and, hopefully, answer some unasked questions for you.

We run exactly the same timetable as Kakano 4/5/6 and, for parts of the day, work across all 6 classes.

8:45-9:10 - Learning Through Play

During our play block the doors are open and kids can choose to move anywhere in Kakano. Our play provocations are based on curriculum objectives and identified social/emotional needs. The ‘old Manuka’ team worked with the Walker Play Approach, and we have brought the best of this to the ‘Kakano’ approach.

9:10-9:20 - Whanaungatanga Time

This is a time for us all to meet, talk about our day and share notices. We also do a bit of calendar maths and te reo Maori. 

9:20-9:35 - Phonics/Fitness

We work across Kakano 1-6 for phonics. Kids are placed in needs based groups and have 4 sessions of phonics each week. About half of the group will be out for a bit of fitness during this time.

9:35-9:45 - Brain Break

Our first learning block is quite long so we have introduced a brain break. We have fruit and milk to fuel up for the next session. 

9:45-10:40 - Numeracy/Library

Our maths is based on a problem solving approach. We give a problem to solve and watch carefully to identify the strategies the kids employ. We ask them to explain their thinking (this is how we encourage the kids to reflect on their learning) and help them to ‘discover’ more useful strategies. We always have extra problems so kids can extend their thinking, practice or try again while it’s fresh.

Morning Tea

Feed and read, after morning tea, is in home groups. Children eat their morning tea while we share a story - this is often used to introduce or reinforce concepts that we are learning about in the coming literacy block. We have been moving around the space, so that the kids feel at home in all areas, but will most likely settle into a regular home group spot in the coming weeks.

11:15-11:30 - 2nd Phonics/Fitness Block

All kids who have had fitness earlier will break into their phonics groups and vice versa.

11:30-12:45 - Literacy

Children will have 2 guided books and a poem every week. We see each book as a 2 day challenge. The first day, with a new book, is focussed on decoding - figuring out words, making links to phonics, exploring the vocabulary etc. The next day is focussed on fluency and comprehension. Fluency is being able to read smoothly to each full-stop and knowing how to read the punctuation (expression/tone). Fluency goes hand in hand with comprehension/understanding what we read. Alternate days are writing focussed and we aim to build confidence and independence. We work with small groups and base our writing on simple experiences that hook the group in and build their language. We try to make as many links to phonics and reading as possible.

Lunchtime

Feed and read is again in home groups. Children eat together and we read a fun story and watch what they are eating (or attempting to throw away).

1:30-2:20 - Literacy (continued) and/or swimming

We love going swimming. We cover water confidence, body position, kicking and breathing. We’ll add arms and other tricky skills as kids are ready for them. 

2:25-2:45 - Religious Education

This term our focus is Caritas, Lent and Easter.  We love hearing the beautiful, kind and generous ideas from our beautiful, kind and generous kids. 

2:45-3:00 - Whanau Roopu

We have been meeting as a big K1-3 whanau for this time, so that we can celebrate the days successes together. However, a couple of parents have come and said they enjoyed joining end of day prayers, in home groups, last year and asked if we could give that a go. Of course we can!  We would love to have you join us - parents are a hugely important part of our team and you are always welcome. 

That is an awful lot of reading but I hope that helps.  Please, come and see us if you have any questions - we really are quite nice people.

We have really appreciated the wonderful support we have had from our families - a big thanks especially for the caring and kind thoughts shared with Miss Ryan and her family after their tragic loss. It was very much appreciated.

Karen Tabuteau (Team Leader)

Week 6 - Term 1

Halfway through Term 1 already. It was lovely to see so many of our Kakano families enjoying the GALA last week. Thank you for supporting our major fundraiser with your donations and your presence.

We are all swimming this week. 

Remember your togs, towel and a bag to put your wet gear in. Swimming is our main teaching for the Health and PE strand this term. As such, if your child is unable to swim, please come and see me or provide a note/email. Thanks.

Here’s what’s on…

Monday

Kakano 1-6 "swimming sports" (at school) - 11:30 - 12:30 - Bring your togs and towel and a bag to put your wet gear in. Mums, Dads and families are welcome to come along and join in the fun. There will be different activities set up around our school field for us to try. You will need togs and PE gear or t-shirt in your house colour.

Tuesday

Library - Kakano 2 (Miss Ryan’s class)

Wednesday

Missionaries visiting Kakano 1-6 from 11:15-11:45

Library - Kakano 1 (Mrs Dobson’s class)

Caritas Rice Lunch - See note below (no Pita Pit lunches available today)

Thursday

Library - Kakano 3 (Mrs Tabuteau’s class)

Pita Pit Fundraiser - See note below

Friday

Golden Time

Assembly - lead by Rooms 14 & 15

Reading - Our focus for the next two weeks is reading fluently - like we talk. The first day with a new book is focussed on decoding - figuring out words, making links to phonics, exploring the vocabulary etc. The next day(s) is focused on fluency and comprehension. Fluency is being able to read smoothly to each full-stop and knowing how to read the punctuation (expression/tone). Fluency goes hand in hand with comprehension /understanding what we read. 

Writing - Our focus for the next two weeks is to write fluently. Think of my idea and write it down quickly then move to my next idea. We will be making links to the skills we use in reading and phonics to help us with unfamiliar words.

Maths - Our focus for the next two week is addition problems. We will be looking at different ways to solve the problem/s using addition strategies. Children will be using one of the following strategies in their addition…making sets, counting all the materials or counting on from the biggest number.

Caritas Fundraiser Wednesday 11th March. Students will eat rice for lunch on this day. NO school lunch orders on this day. 

Please send in a gold coin donation to your child’s teacher on the day. Ensure your child has a bowl and a spoon to eat the rice.

Our new RE Leaders will be serving up lunch! 

Lunch is at 1:30pm

Ills, chills and other woes

Strep throat is doing the rounds at the moment. Please, help us to prevent the spread by reminding children to...
1. cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing (covering with a tissue is best)
2. wash and dry hands frequently
3. stop sharing food and drink

Symptoms can include, headache, earache, chills, fever, sore throat or body aches. Strep throat is contagious virus! If your child has any of these symptoms please head to the doctor. The stand down period for strep throat is at least 24 hours from the first dose of antibiotics. 

Thanks heaps for your support,
The Kakano Team

Term 1 Week 5

Week 5

Wow we are already in Week 5. Keep reading with your child and talk about the story they are reading. We have The Gala on Thursday and it looks to be a spectacular event once again. Bring along friends and family and support our biggest fundraiser of the year.

Mon:

Tues:

Wed:

Thurs: GALA DAY

Fri:

Hats

The weather is still warm so please remind  your child pack their school hat. Hats are to be worn all through Term 1. We wear our hats when we go out for PE and during morning tea and lunch breaks. 

Brain Break

The children have a brain break part way through the first session. Please can you provide an extra piece of fruit to revamp their energy levels.

DAILY COUNTDOWN TO GALA DAY

Monday 2nd March	Grocery Day - Packet / Boxes day – Bring a packet or box of something e.g. biscuits, cereal, flour, crackers, chips, sultanas, cornflakes, breadcrumbs, Handee towels, jelly, pretzels etc.  Plastic bags appreciated
Tuesday 3th March	White Elephant  Day -Books, toys and Baby Elephant - Board games, children’s sporting equipment, CD's, DVD's, playstation games, jigsaws, homewares
Wednesday 4th March	Mystery Jar Day  A bit like a lucky dip, Fill an empty jar with anything new that children will  like. This could include party favours, bubbles, slime, lollies, chocolates, toy cars etc  Bring these in unwrapped so we can sort into boys and girls. Grocery, fresh fruit and vegetables day - Please bring to school any grocery items, tinned goods or fruit/vegetables from your garden e.g. tomatoes, feijoas, lettuce, zucchini etc
Thursday 5th March	GALA DAY! HOMEMADE Cakes, biscuits, muffins, sweets, fudge, coconut ice, sweets, toffee apples and any fresh produce

All gala contributions to be taken to Hall foyer and placed in class boxes; 

PRIZES FOR 

Most goods donated

Most mystery jars 

Most cakes donated

CORONAVIRUS All schools in New Zealand have been sent further information from the Secretary for Education, Iona Holsted, regarding a first confirmed case of Coronavirus in New Zealand. This confirmed case was announced by the Prime Minister on Friday. Here are the key messages for our school: - Be alert but not alarmed - there is no cause for panic or worry. - Chances of any community outbreak remain very low. - This doesn’t affect what we already are doing and the plans we and health authorities already have in place. - Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence for any illness. Travellers: - Travellers coming from Mainland China and Iran are required to self-isolate for 14 days and report to Healthline's dedicated Coronavirus line on 08003585453. - Travellers coming from Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Thailand, who develop a fever, cough or shortness of breath should contact their GP's office or Healthline on 08003585453. As always, contact your GP or Healthline 0800611116 (general advice line) if ever you are concerned about your own or others health.