The Biggest Snow Storm Since 2008

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Mama Cormier

…. and the school board kept schools open today….sigh!!!!!!!!!!

The accumulation of snow overnight was far less than predicted so the TDSB decided at 6:30 this morning to cancel school buses but keep schools open. The forecast for the rest of the day, however, was for even more snow than originally predicted because of the delay. The drive into work was hazardous but coming home was even worse.

Over 120 students didn’t come to school this morning and over the course of the day another 40 were picked up before the end of the day. Even though we were willing to combine classes and let teachers who had a long drive ahead of them leave a little bit early the powers that be at the board office refused to let principals make those arrangements.

The city claimed that there were hundreds of snow ploughs out clearing the streets, but we didn’t see one all day long. The ploughs that are suppose to clear school parking lots never made it to our school. Our first worry, after getting to school unscathed, was how we were going to dig out of the parking lot when we were finally allowed to go home.

My friend L took her music classes outside in the afternoon with shovels and brooms in hand to clear off teachers’ cars and dig out the snow around them. They loved it and we appreciated the help.

Even with all their help, one of the most difficult parts of getting home tonight was getting out of the parking lot. We made sure that no one was left behind and with lots of guidance, patience and muscle each car was directed and pushed to the road.

The drive home was slow and scary. At times I wasn’t sure if I’d make it over the unploughed streets or up and over the bridge. When I finally got to my street I knew immediately that it hadn’t seen a plough all day. Twenty feet from the house I couldn’t move the car any further. When I tried to open the car door to get help it hit a wall of snow. Luckily a neighbour was out with his snow blower and came over and cleared the snow around the car and in front of my house. My husband came out as well and cleared away more of the snow so that I could finally pull into the driveway.

All I wanted to do was curl up on the couch and enjoy a glass of wine to calm my nerves. After more than 24 hours of snow it’s finally come to an end.

Believe it or not I’m actually looking forward to getting out tomorrow for a long walk through the white fluffy stuff.

Doodle Painting – Children’s Art

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Mama Cormier

….. this started out as a filler for students who had finished their last project

The last major project that I assigned most of my classes was a one point perspective landscape. It was very detailed and has taken some students three classes to complete. As is often the case there are always students who finish well ahead of their classmates and look to me for the next project. I found a great project that I felt reinforced and extended some of the elements of design that we’ve been learning about and allowed them to dabble in both watercolour and acrylic paints. It’s been so popular that most of my students wanted to make a ‘doodle painting’. Here are a few of the finished pieces done by my grade three students.

Woodland Creatures – Children’s Art

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Mama Cormier

….. remember the large sheets of texture rubbings and paintings we did in my grade 2/3 class?

Well last week we took those sheets and designed and cut out Canadian woodland animals and birds and then placed them all together on a large background to create a wilderness mural. We included trees, grasses, flowers, a pond, rocks and logs. The children had a wonderful time putting it all together and were very excited to display it in the hallway outside their classroom. We need to add a few more finishing touches but I was also very excited about sharing it with you and couldn’t wait.

Highlight of My Week

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Mama Cormier

……I’ve always wanted to take students to the Daily Bread Food Bank

On Thursday I told you I had misplaced my camera and the two school cameras. Luckily they had been put away for safe keeping in the office as I had suspected and hoped.

Fifteen years ago when I taught middle school I tried to plan a trip to the local food bank so that students could volunteer and experience first hand how the Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto worked. At the time, most of my students were underage and not allowed to visit the warehouse. Imagine my surprise this year when one of our primary teachers was able to organize a field trip to the new facility for our grade 3 to 5 students. My principal knew how much I had always wanted to do this so she asked me if I wanted to accompany the students to the warehouse. I jumped at the chance.

On Thursday, Mme M and I, along with four parent volunteers, escorted 29 enthusiastic students to the Daily Bread Food Bank. After registering at the front desk, the kids dropped off 150 pounds of food and then awaited instructions for their next task. A load of fresh carrots and onions had been delivered that morning so our job was to bag the vegetables into net sacks that held five pounds.

The kids couldn’t get over how big these carrots were. The parents thought that a trip to a farm was in order.

I helped bag these onions. We prepared 200 five pound bags. That’s 1000 pounds of onions.

Talk about throwing yourself into your work.

It was dirty work but the kids loved it. Some of them even said it was the best field trip, ever.

After finishing our task we were treated to a snack and given a tour of the facility. In the end, our hard work provided fresh vegetables for 200 families in the Toronto area.

January 2013 Photo a Day – Yourself

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Mama Cormier

….. take a photo of yourself. Or something that represents you.

This is it, the last challenge for January 2013 Photo a Day. Today I took 29 grade 3 to grade 5 students to the Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto. I took some great shots of the kids and of myself and would you believe it, I’ve misplaced my camera. At least I’m hoping that’s what happened because the last place I had the camera in my hands was in the staffroom back at school. I quickly ate my lunch and then rushed off to teach my last two classes of the day. I don’t remember taking the camera with me and when I went back to the staffroom before I went home tonight it wasn’t there. I’m hoping that someone on staff put it in the office for safe keeping.

The following pictures are all taken in the last 7 months and represent some of the things I like to do.

Just before my first 5K with my friend L back in June. I didn’t look this happy at the end of the race. I need to find another race and start training for it. I’m at least 15 pounds lighter now and in better shape.

In August with my cousin’s girlfriend M having a special dinner before they returned to Germany.

My new bike that my sweetie bought me for my birthday.

Celebrating my birthday with good friends.

Inside my library at school after running with the kids for the Terry Fox run in September.

In December with some members of my precious family.

Thanks to Jeanne at http://www.nolagirlatheart.wordpress.com for posting the January 2013 challenge.

January 2013 Photo a Day – Down

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Mama Cormier

…..is it looking down or something that makes you feel down? Interpret it however you like.

I’ve finally caught up with this challenge. Looking down?

Looking down from the visitor’s gallery at Queens Park.

View from the top of the stairs at Mono Cliffs.

Looking down from the top of the cliffs.

Looking down from the nose bleed section at the Roger’s Centre. The Blue Jays won!

Looking down at the Maid of the Mist, with dozens of blue clad passengers waiting to board. Niagara Falls, Canada

For more photos of ‘down’ check out http://www.nolagirlatheart.wordpress.com

January 2013 Photo a Day – Grow

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Mama Cormier

…..people do it, plants do it too… get creative and take a photo of something that grows.

I don’t know what I’m doing wrong but the rest of my pictures wouldn’t upload. Maybe Jeanne will have more photos at http://www.nolagirlatheart.wordpress.com

January 2013 Photo a Day – Through

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Mama Cormier

….take a photo of looking through something – through the window, through the gate, through the trees… whatever you please

Looking through a rusty iron gate at Niagara Falls.

Looking through my bedroom window.

Looking through the railing on the bridge over the creek.

For more ‘through’ pictures check out http://www.nolagirlatheart.wordpress.com

January 2013 Photo a Day – Sun

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Mama Cormier

….. whether the sun is out in full force, or hiding behind the clouds today – take a photo of it. Or you could get creative and take a photo of sunlight or some other interpretation

The sun hasn’t been out in days. Had to go to my photo files for this challenge.

The late afternoon sun shining on the vineyard

A ray of morning sun on the lake.The sunset at my daughter’s wedding.

Sunset at Christian Island.

Sunset at the marina.

For more sun photos check out http://www.nolagirlatheart.wordpress.com

January 2013 Photo a Day – Together

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Mama Cormier

…… there are many definitions for together. One is: In or into a single group, mass, or place. Take a photo of together, whichever definition you’d like to use

Best friends for over 20 years, together to celebrate B’s birthday.