The following was written by Cooper Price in grade 6:
On January 15, 2016, Hillcrest Grade 5 and 6 students had the pleasure of learning about the Syrian Refugee crisis. Our guest speaker, Mahmoud Allouch, the Syrian Refugee Coordinator for the Arabic Community Centre in Etobicoke, provided the group with informational slides, building our interest and knowledge. Mahmoud is working with the refugees in terms of providing housing, translators, and resources such as ESL and healthcare. After recapping the significant events of the problem, Mahmoud explained how we could help. It was a highly educational and character-building session. On behalf of all grades 5 and 6 students, we say thank you to Jane Gotlib, for assisting one of these families. She is one of a group of people in our neighbourhood who are sponsoring a family. She is one of many who are making a tremendous difference in the aid of the Syrians.
Mr. Tilly, Ms. Booker and Ms. Steadman would like to add:
One thing our school is going to do to help this particular family being sponsored by families in our neighbourhood is to put together ‘Welcome Boxes” for each member in the Syrian family. We’re asking the kindergartens and grade 1s to bring in new (or in brand-new condition) items for a 6 year old boy. The grades 2 and 3 students are being asked to bring in items for a 7 year old girl. Grades 4 and 5 are asked to bring in items for the parents. And the grade 6s are asked to bring in items for a 13 year old girl. A timeline and lists of suggestions will be provided shortly. Thank you for any support you might be able to give.
On January 15, 2016, Hillcrest Grade 5 and 6 students had the pleasure of learning about the Syrian Refugee crisis. Our guest speaker, Mahmoud Allouch, the Syrian Refugee Coordinator for the Arabic Community Centre in Etobicoke, provided the group with informational slides, building our interest and knowledge. Mahmoud is working with the refugees in terms of providing housing, translators, and resources such as ESL and healthcare. After recapping the significant events of the problem, Mahmoud explained how we could help. It was a highly educational and character-building session. On behalf of all grades 5 and 6 students, we say thank you to Jane Gotlib, for assisting one of these families. She is one of a group of people in our neighbourhood who are sponsoring a family. She is one of many who are making a tremendous difference in the aid of the Syrians.
Mr. Tilly, Ms. Booker and Ms. Steadman would like to add:
One thing our school is going to do to help this particular family being sponsored by families in our neighbourhood is to put together ‘Welcome Boxes” for each member in the Syrian family. We’re asking the kindergartens and grade 1s to bring in new (or in brand-new condition) items for a 6 year old boy. The grades 2 and 3 students are being asked to bring in items for a 7 year old girl. Grades 4 and 5 are asked to bring in items for the parents. And the grade 6s are asked to bring in items for a 13 year old girl. A timeline and lists of suggestions will be provided shortly. Thank you for any support you might be able to give.
2015 Grade 6 Peter Pan production
After much anticipation we are finally able to share with the school community the video recording of the Grade 6 Production of Peter Pan. The video was made possible by Paul McNulty and Rob Carli, a huge thanks to them for taking the time to make this video available to our students, parents, guardians and staff.
For access please visit: https://vimeo.com/131022262 using the password wendy.
For access please visit: https://vimeo.com/131022262 using the password wendy.
Hillcrest Author's Week 2014/15 a Huge Success
Miss Booker, the teachers and students at Hillcrest would like to say a huge thanks to the Parent Council for their generous support of Authors' Week. It wouldn't have been such a success without their contribution.
Author's Week finished off with a showcase of student work during an assembly last Friday. Hillcrest families were invited to come along and view the work students created as part of the week.
The assembly was brought to a close with a parade involving all students and teachers who dressed as characters from their favourite stories.
Author's Week finished off with a showcase of student work during an assembly last Friday. Hillcrest families were invited to come along and view the work students created as part of the week.
The assembly was brought to a close with a parade involving all students and teachers who dressed as characters from their favourite stories.
Local Author and Artist Cybele Young at Hillcrest Author's Week
Cybele Young, author of many books including A Few Blocks and Ten Birds, gave a presentation to all the Grade 4 and 5 students on miniature illustrations. Following the presentation students created their own pieces of work around the theme of metamorphosis.
Hillcrest Author's Week Continues
The excitement of Author's Week continues with Hillcrest students participating in a number of activities highlighting reading and writing.
Local writer Cary Fagan joined Grades 2 and 3 for a presentation on his writing process. He is the author of several children's books including Ella and the Wishing Stone, Thing-Thing, I Wish I Could Draw and Oh Feh So?
Joyce Grant was with Hillcrest for a second day leading a Writer's Workshop for Grades 4 and 5. Inspiring students to write their own stories, Joyce also provided the students with valuable feedback.
Students in JK/SK have been very busy creating their own Barbara Reid inspired pictures based on Reid's book "Picture in a Tree". After reading the story and watching a brief video about Reid's technique in which she uses clay to create images, students created their own illustrations inside DVD cases using play dough.
Students have also participated in Harris Burdick Workshops, the Poetry Cafe and continue to share thier own stories with students in other classrooms.
Local writer Cary Fagan joined Grades 2 and 3 for a presentation on his writing process. He is the author of several children's books including Ella and the Wishing Stone, Thing-Thing, I Wish I Could Draw and Oh Feh So?
Joyce Grant was with Hillcrest for a second day leading a Writer's Workshop for Grades 4 and 5. Inspiring students to write their own stories, Joyce also provided the students with valuable feedback.
Students in JK/SK have been very busy creating their own Barbara Reid inspired pictures based on Reid's book "Picture in a Tree". After reading the story and watching a brief video about Reid's technique in which she uses clay to create images, students created their own illustrations inside DVD cases using play dough.
Students have also participated in Harris Burdick Workshops, the Poetry Cafe and continue to share thier own stories with students in other classrooms.
Hillcrest Author's Week Kicks Off
Author's Week is underway! Today kicked off with readings by author Aubrey Davis, a workshop by local spoken word poet Dave Silverberg, postcard workshop with local writer Joyce Grant, a visual journal workshop with Anne Borkwood and Harris Burdick creative writing sessions.
2015 Aboriginal Storyteller
On April 1st and 2nd Hillcrest hosted an acclaimed Ojibwa storyteller from Manitoulin Island. Her name is Esther Osche and she's a storyteller, local history teacher and holds a wide knowledge of the history and culture of the Ojibwa people. She's also the Land Manager for the White Fish River First Nation. Esther told stories to all the grades in the school. This was an excellent opportunity for our students to learn about Aboriginal stories. Thank you to Parent Council for organizing and funding this opportunity.