THE PACE OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Spring has sprung and we are definitely looking forward to sunny days ahead! March and April brought more adaptations and changes to our learning environment but yet again P.A.C.E. Students have adapted and thrived!

Before we jump into our highlights from March and April we want to acknowledge our amazing Grade 5 students!!! This year, in partnership with the North York General Foundation and in collaboration with Mr. Godfrey and Mr. Hosein, Ms. De Caro spearheaded another successful, online fundraiser with our Grade 5 students! Inspired by the severe impact of Covid-19, the purpose of this initiative was to raise funds for The Phillips House – the home of North York General Hospital’s child and adolescent outpatient mental health programs. Our Grade 5 students raised funds by creating and selling unique items to family and friends through their own, individual websites. The students raised a total of $8,326 for the hospital to purchase art supplies for North York General Hospital’s Eating Disorders Program! Congratulations to Ms. De Caro and our Grade 5s for this extraordinary initiative!

MARCH + APRIL HIGHLIGHTS

We started off March with an amazing underwater initiative from one of our Grade 11 students, Mark! As some of you might know Mark has had his diving certification since he was 10 years old and with diving the warmer waters of international tropical destinations off the table this year he has been spending his time at Humber Bay! While enjoying his weekly dives Mark has taken the initiative to clean-up trash while he’s down there! He was recently featured in Blog TO  for this amazing project! Way to take the plunge for planet earth!

In late February we participated in Pink Shirt Day which aimed to Lift Everyone Up, especially those who live with bullying! Our Grade 6s and 8s created designs on pink shirts for this important day! They put words of encouragement onto the shirts to uplift anyone who is struggling and then we hung them up in the hallway so people walking by can appreciate the messages and learn about the anti-bullying initiatives of this day. Way to show your leadership skills!

Our Grade 9 students have started their Optics unit in Physics. Through experimentation, students are learning how light reflects through plane, concave and convex mirrors and refracts through a lens. The goal in this activity was to shine a ray of light that reflects or refracts through different mirrors and lenses. This experiment was illuminating!

Our Grade 7 science students started their “Structures and Stability” unit with a challenge – to build a one-story structure that will support a load. This friendly competition allowed the students to use problem solving skills, logic and creativity and work together toward a common goal. It was a heavy workload but the students stood tall under pressure.

The Grade 7 science class participated in a STEM virtual science competition!! The students competed against other Grade 7 kids across Canada. In the first competition, the students built an insulating device that can keep life-saving medication cold for 2 hours. The students used a variety of materials to build and test their insulators.

The Grade 11 Biology students learned about the structure and function of DNA in their Molecular Genetics unit. Our first step, building models of DNA. Did you know Google is set to come out with a new browser that manages search results based solely on your DNA – It’s going to be called Google Chromosome. (Just kidding!)

On March 20, 2021 the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, met via Zoom with the participants in the 2019 and 2020 Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competitions. Our very own, Ms. Stewart, spoke about why the Commonwealth Essay Competition is important to P.A.C.E. and its curriculum. Our very own Grade 10 students, Ian and Rohan, were selected to ask the Lieutenant Governor specific questions regarding the commonwealth. Finally, our Grade 5 student, Leonel, and Grade 12 student, David, lended music performances on the piano and violin, respectively to the ceremony. Given P.A.C.E.’s tremendous past success in the competition, we were humbled and excited to play such a major role in this ceremony.

To learn about how the Ancient Egyptian Civilization bartered for their needs, Grade 3 students created their own Class Market, where only bartering and negotiation were used. Students used different coloured sticky notes to represent various categories, such as food, clothing, tools, toys, and household items. On each sticky note, they wrote down items that they wanted to barter with. Students, both virtual and in-person, then had the opportunity to walk through the market and barter items with one another, simply through discussion and the switching of sticky notes.

SETTING THE PACE

We have had a very successful start to this transitional season of Spring! We have achievements to be proud of but still have work to do! As we look ahead to May and June we are excited for:

• May 6 – Sir Isaac Newton Physics Exam
• May 12 – Gauss Contests (grades 7-8)
• May 13 – Chem 13 Contest (grade 12)
• May 20 – Avogadro Contest (grade 11)
• May 24 – Victoria Day (school closed)
• Jun 15 – Last day of school! (school closes at 12:00 p.m.)

Keep pace with what’s going on with our students with our bi-monthly blog updates. For an insider’s view into your child’s enriched learning experience, join the P.A.C.E. community on Instagram.

THE PACE OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

January and February hold so many celebrations for families – New Years, Family Day, Valentines, Lunar New Year and so many more. As we write this blog we hope that you all had a chance to celebrate each other! If 2020 has taught us anything it is that the people we hold most dear must be celebrated and cherished.

Most of January and February was spent with virtual learning so once again we want to thank you P.A.C.E. family for being so adaptable to changing times – we appreciate YOU! We know it’s not easy to adapt but you are all doing great! Let’s jump into some highlights:

JANUARY + FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS 

January started with some ‘jaw’some work from our Grade 3s as they started their Theme on Oceanography. Virtual learning didn’t stop our students from experimenting to learn about salinity and buoyancy! The class did two experiments looking at the effect of salt on an object’s ability to float. In the first experiment the class put an egg in water and continuously added salt to see how many teaspoons it would take to make the egg finally sink— the result was 15 teaspoons!! In the second experiment, the class made a boat out of a juice box and then added pennies into the boat to see how many would sink the boat once the salt was added—the result: 0 tsp salt = 40 pennies and 15 tsp salt = 52 pennies! Students made hypotheses for each and recorded their observations through charts and drawings.

Our Grade 1s were engaged and excited about learning the concept of buoyancy as well however through a different lens! As a part of their Theme unit on Properties of Matter, the Grade 1s created aluminum boats and tested their boats on water. Then, they found small items to load onto their boats to test its weight capacity. Some boats could even hold the weight of a few avocados! Impressive work! The Grade 1s went above and beyond to add their own creative designs – schooner or later however, we had a sinking feeling the boats would go under!

Our Grade 6s were busy expanding their french language and presentations skills in January. As part of their project “Des Canadiens et Canadiennes Célèbres” the Grade 6 students researched a famous Canadian person and presented their work in French. These are some of their amazing presentations and we learned alot about French Canadian celebrities! Félicitations 6e année, vous avez très bien travaillé!

February kicked off in a positive (and negative) way as our Grade 6 students learned to make binary ionic compounds using positive and negative ions! A binary ionic compound is composed of two different elements – one which is metal and one which is nonmetal. Each student was assigned a cation or anion to create new compounds by combining them with opposite ions. Then, students had the opportunity to write chemical formulas and names for their new combinations! Nothing quite like creating a new compound!

Our Grade 1s were up to some very hands-on and creative projects! As a part of their Buildings, Structures, and Transportation Theme, the Grade 1s became experts on the mode of transportation they are most interested in. With a written report, 3D model, and presentation, this project was no easy ‘race’! Way to go Grade 1s, your work was ‘Zoom’tastic!

February also brought A JOYFUL WELCOME BACK to in-person learning!! We love the sounds of children in the halls and laughter in the classrooms! It’s so nice to have you back at the school!

SETTING THE PACE

We have had a very successful start to 2021. We have proven our adaptability, perseverance and tenacity to learn (we’ve also had some fun along the way)! As we look ahead to March and April we are excited for: 

• March 5 – Term 2 report cards distributed
• March 24 – Grade 12 graduation photos taken
• March 25/26 – Parent-Teacher Interviews
• April 2- Good Friday (school closed – no classes)
• April 5 – Easter Monday (school closed – no classes)
• April 9 – School closes at 12:00 p.m.
• April 12 to 25 – Spring Break (school resumes on Monday, April 26 @ 9:00 a.m.)

Keep pace with what’s going on with our students with our bi-monthly blog updates. For an insider’s view into your child’s enriched learning experience, join the P.A.C.E. community on Instagram.

THE PACE OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Firstly, we would like to thank the P.A.C.E. community for your continued support and patience as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate what each and every one of you are doing to keep our students, staff and families safe and healthy! 

In November, we hosted our annual awards ceremony and celebrated a very successful 2019-2020 school year. We were so excited to deliver a live, virtual assembly for all of our students to enjoy, many of whom received recognition for their individual and group achievements and successes – we are so proud of all of them! To learn more please head on over to our 2019-2020 Achievements Blog.

While we haven’t been able to take advantage of the plethora of learning opportunities outside of the classroom and within the community, that hasn’t stopped us from bringing outside learning experiences to our students! Our Grade 2s were visited by Pawsitively Pets! The class examined the similarities and differences in characteristics of various animals and observed how they grow and change over time. They interacted with representatives from the numerous animal classes that they have previously learned about in science class. They also had a lot of fun with the animals, especially the parrot named Caesar and the chinchilla named Mulligan.

The Phylogenetic Tree – a diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological species or other entities—their phylogeny —based upon similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics was of great interest to our grade 3s! They even had the chance to invent their own animal! The students were encouraged to create animals in the reptile, amphibian or bird categories, and some students got super inventive creating an animal that was a combination of all three! We loved the creativity shown and the class was able to grow their confidence by presenting their animal to the class.

Last month, our grade 11 physics lab was bustling with fun learning experiences! Our students took what they learned about projectile motion, and applied it to the trajectory of a basketball. Students went outside to gather video data of the trajectory of the basketball. They then analyzed the data using motion analysis software and made velocity-time and distance-time graphs.

The fairly mild months of November and December were conducive to many outdoor learning experiences for our students!

SETTING THE PACE

While we are ready to close the book on 2020, which was filled with fantastic opportunities for our students to learn and grow, we are equally ready for the start of 2021! We are excited for:

• January 11 – Students in grades 1-8 are invited back for in-person instruction
• January 25 – Students in grades 9-12 are invited back for in-person instruction
• February 15 – Family Day (school closed)
• February 26 – Term 3 begins

Keep pace with what’s going on with our students with our bi-monthly blog updates. For an insider’s view into your child’s enriched learning experience, join the P.A.C.E. community on Instagram.

FEATURE UPDATE: KINDNESS INITIATIVE DURING CHALLENGING COVID TIMES

When COVID-19 hit, we were forced to navigate uncharted territory. However, in true P.A.C.E. fashion our students quickly adapted to our virtual teaching and learning model. We were so proud of one particular initiative that came from this time of transition.

Our (then) Grade 5 students participated in the most wonderful kindness initiative inspired by our very own Ms. De Caro!! Ms. De Caro’s cousin had been a visitor at a long-term care home back in May and noticed a lot of sorrow when walking around the home. The staff were very depleted and she learned most staff had to work on Mother’s Day. Hearing this story gave Ms. De Caro a wonderful idea – her Grade 5 students could write notes, compose poems and create pictures for the staff to thank them for everything they were doing during this time when families couldn’t visit their loved ones as they normally would!

The result was a large, fold-out book the Grade 5’s created and sent to these workers! The workers were so touched by the efforts of our students, the district manager of the long-term home reached out to arrange a virtual chat to thank the P.A.C.E. students!

SEPTEMBER + OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS

Meditation and mindfulness are at work this school year. There is so much going on in the outside world, it’s a great way to keep our inner world at peace. Our grade 2 students have learned to use meditation to help them work through worries they are experiencing during this unprecedented time. The students created a morning routine, ‘Music and Mindfulness.’

Growth mindset is something we strive towards here at P.A.C.E. Our grade 3 students were busy in September and October working on understanding themselves and developing their growth mindset! First, they set their personal Growth Mindset Goals for 2020 and, together as a class, the students are now working towards achieving their goals! We can’t wait to see where our grade 3’s end up at the end of the year!

When you have to wear masks, you should make it fun and teach a valuable lesson! Our grade 2 students really enjoyed bringing their drama skills to life while engaged in their superhero project. They stood tall and strong!! Most importantly they learned that just by wearing their mask they are all superheroes, protecting their classmates, teachers and themselves. Can you believe all these incredible costumes?!

We are finding innovative ways to conduct all P.A.C.E. activities, including our 2020/2021 student council elections! P.A.C.E. live streamed the candidates’ speeches from the gym to the grade 6-12 classrooms and to our grade 6-12 at-home learners. Contactless voting took place through Microsoft Forms.

As part of their unit on friendship “Mes Amis, Ma Vie”, the Grade 5 students introduced themselves and engaged in a discussion about friendship and what it means to them, all en Français! They also prepared a creative visual piece about themselves!

Our Grade 9 Science students had some fun with cells!  They have been actively engaged in a cell lab! The students are drawing diagrams of diseased tissue and then comparing this diseased tissue to healthy tissue in order to understand how a diagnosis would be made!

The grade 5 students “dug” cookies as an introduction to the systematic approach to archaeology! A yummy and educational exploration!

SETTING THE PACE

Following a very successful return to our in-person (and online) programs, we are ready to dive into more fantastic opportunities for our students to learn and grow! As we look forward to November and December, we are excited for:

• November 8 – Commencement (class of 2020)
• November 13 – Virtual Awards Assembly
• December 3 & 4 – Parent-Teacher Interviews
• December 12 to January 3 – Winter Break (school closes at 12 p.m. on December 11)

Keep pace with what’s going on with our students with our bi-monthly blog updates. For an insider’s view into your child’s enriched learning experience, join the P.A.C.E. community on Instagram.