Nose Creek Elementary School

1690 Baywater Park SW

Airdrie, AB T4B 0C3
John Murphy, Principal
Marnee Shipclark, Assistant Principal

September 1, 2016
Dear Families of 4D Students,
Hello! My name is Ms. Donahue and it is a pleasure to have your child in 4D this year! Wendy Dixon
will be your childs classroom teacher, but unfortunately had to be away for the first three weeks of
school. In her absence, I am excited to be teaching 4D!
I am no stranger to Mrs. Dixons class. As part of my final teaching internship with the University of
Lethbridge, Mrs. Dixon and myself worked together closely last year team-teaching in Grade Four
from the start of the school year until winter break in December. In November and December, I started
Knitting Club with the Grade Three and Four students in which students taught one another how to
finger knit at recess. I also brought my love of history and poetry into 4D by reading plenty of my
favourite childrens books and writing poetry with the students. After my internship ended, I stayed a
member of Nose Creek Elementarys close-knit community through volunteering and eventutally
substitute teaching through to the end of June.
Both Mrs. Dixon and myself have very hands-on teaching styles which involve creating and working
hard. You can expect to see some interesting projects come from your child this school year!
There are a few items that need to be addressed at the start of the year:
w Our class enters from the east doors across from the portables. It is important that students
always enter and exit from these doors to keep the hallways less crowded during dismissal.
w All students require both indoor and outdoor footwear so our school floors stay clean. Keep in
mind we do have gym or physical activities everyday, so students wearing sandals may not be
comfortable while participating.
w If each student could bring in one box of tissues, a pair of earphones, and a memory stick of at
least 8GB in order to store information, it would be greatly appreciated. Mrs. Dixon and myself
take a lot of pictures in the classroom and the memory stick will ensure you child gets to take
these photos with her/him at the end of the year.
w Each child will receive an agenda on the first day of school. This will need to be brought back
and forth to school everyday. The students write messages in their agendas daily. Any mail
from the office will be placed in the pouch on the inside cover. Please read the message and
sign that you have read it. You may also write any questions in the agenda and either Mrs.
Dixon or myself will respond.

Ph: (403)945-1001

Fax: (403)945-1889

email: nosecreek@rockyview.ab.ca

website: http://plone.rockyview.ab.ca/nosecreek

Nose Creek Elementary School

1690 Baywater Park SW
Airdrie, AB T4B 0C3
John Murphy, Principal
Marnee Shipclark, Assistant Principal

w Assigned home reading books will be written in agendas and these books will need to be
brought back and forth to school daily as we do plenty of activities with our home reading
books in the classroom. Home reading will be started within the first few weeks of school, after
we assess and assign books based on your childs level and interests. In the meantime, your
child should read books at home for at least 30 minutes a night. Before anything is assigned,
students will have opportunities to bring home classroom books. To establish good habits and
comprehension, students may bring the same book home multiple days.
w Last of all, you will receive is a Student and Parent Interest Questionnaire. This will compile
important information for Mrs. Dixon and myself such as what are areas of strengths and
challenge for your child, what goals you and your child want to work on this year, what are
talents and interests they have and what your immediate priorities are for your child in Grade
Four. Please work on this at home and have your child bring the questionnaire to school as soon
as possible.
As well as writing in the agenda, you can call the school anytime to reach Mrs. Dixon or myself or feel
free to email Mrs. Dixon at wdixon@rockyview.ab.ca, or myself at ddonahuereid@rockyview.ab.ca
should you have questions, comments or concerns. We will be glad get back to you as soon as possible.
We would appreciate your email address if you are comfortable communicating through email.
Sincerely,

Ms. Donahue
Grade Four
Nose Creek Elementary

Ph: (403)945-1001

Fax: (403)945-1889

email: nosecreek@rockyview.ab.ca

website: http://plone.rockyview.ab.ca/nosecreek