Volume 7 Issue 1 Fall 2006

Priceless
What can you buy for $10?
3 tall lattes OR4 iced caps OR4 liters of milk and two loaves of high fiber bread OR10 songs from itunes OR10 things from the dollar store
OR
10 months of collegial connections2 newsletters5 (or more) workshops1 invitation to an awesome banquet to celebrate retirees and year end.

Did you know that the CPTA has made $0.00 profit from the banquet each year---we only charge the cost of the meal So, where does your $10 membership go? Believe it or not all of the membership money for the last 6 years, that I have been a part of the CPTA Executive committee, has gone directly towards retirement gifts and building interest and attendance at workshops and events (door prizes, beverages and snacks)! Many years ago the CPTA hosted a big Professional Day workshop with Charlotte Diamond and the BCPTA. This generated a few thousand dollars that has been the association’s "nest egg". Each year our membership fees are used to pay for the events we host for Primary teachers. These workshops are a venue for teachers to share their knowledge and success stories. They are also place where teachers can informally share their frustrations. Hopefully teachers leave our events feeling like they have taken a bit of a load off--like they have gotten a breath of fresh air and fresh ideas to take back to their class rooms the next day. When you are teaching and one of those frustrating moments occurs now you can take a deep breath and think of the many other colleagues who are "in the same shoes" all around Chilliwack! Unfortunately each year costs of things go up and we have been slowly eating away at our savings and that nest egg is now the size of a quail’s egg instead of an ostrich egg! I know money is always a tight and one can always find a better use for $10 than contributing to the growth of your professional association, but I hope that you consider that Primary Teachers are seen and heard as a group with knowledge and power in a large part to our BCPTA. The President of the BCPTA has made sure that our needs as Primary teachers are heard by the BCTF and the government! Our Primary Teacher Journal is read and respected across North America and beyond. Our BCPTA cannot function without local associations like ours. Thank you to all of you who faithfully contribute your time (and your $10) to our association and its events every year. Did you know that you can bring along a student teacher to most of events for free! Did you know that TOC’s can become members of the BCPTA and our CPTA. Did you know that your BCPTA membership fee can be paid for by using our PRO-D funds (this includes newsletters and journals filled with great teacher ideas and more!)

Upcoming Events

Make & Take
(TOC’s & New Teachers Welcome!!)
October 24th
3:45 pm @ Evans
$10.00 fee includes 1 year membership to CPTA

Clean Sweep Workshop
Organizational Tips
(featuring the unforgettable Angie Woods)
&
Teacher Swap Meet
(Bring your old stuff collecting dust in storage or/and take other’s teacher
treasures to fill the new space!!)
November 21st
3:45 pm @ FG Leary
members ~ free
non-members ~ $10.00

Fine Arts:
Drama Workshop
January 23rd
3:45 @ Evans
members ~ free
non-members ~ $10.00


Surfing The Web
New Teachers
http://www.inspiringteachers.com/bttindex.html
‘Tis The Season
http://www.santaclaus.com/
Make your own crossword puzzle
http://www.puzzlemaker.com/
Tammy’s Tid Bitshttp://www.ehhs.cmich.edu/~tbushey/educ.html
For more great links see the BC Primary Teacher’s Association at:
www.bctf.bc.ca/bcpta

November is a time for Peace
Have the children cut out and decorate a dove outline. In the beak of the dove have it carrying a message ribbon. Have the children write in the message ribbon: "Peace is..." Paste final project on a piece of coloured construction paper
Helping Hands For Peace
Write large letters on mural paper that say "PEACE". Have children make red and black handprints. Cut out prints and then paste of letter outlines to form the message using the hands of children. Questions? email maternity leave Angie
thelounge@uniserve.com

WINTER 2006

Here is our January Newsletter. It looks a bit wonky because it was copied from our microsoft word publishing program!
Enjoy!

British Columbia Primary Teachers' Association Primary Teachers Working for YOU! The BCPTA is an association of primary teachers from around the province and even the world. We are committed to improving primary teaching practice, benefiting all students in British Columbia.
Chilliwack Primary Teacher’s Association Executive
PresidentAlison Greenhough Past PresidentAngela Woods Vice PresidentCarman Hartmen Treasurer Diane Mainer SecretaryAmy Hugh
Members-at-Large:Marg Audet Karen Fugger Kathy Griffen Trish Hands Lynda Patrick Julie Sharman Irene Tisdale Tara Toop
After a rather unique first term we are already deep into our second termand I can’t believe that I am having to start thinking about my term tworeporting! I was feeling kind of numb regarding Primary issues for thisnewsletter. I think I was still in the Opost walkout fog as well as asugar haze from the holidays! However, I am happy to say that after lessthan an hour looking at the BCPTA web site(http://www.bctf.ca/psas/BCPTA/Articles.htm-- with links to some greatarticles regarding play, learning and assessment) my interest in my J-O-Bwas once again sparked. And I am feeling like I am a working professionalwith some choices in the way my day (week, month, year) with my studentswill go. It doesn’t take a lot to get beaten down by the drudgery of theeveryday tasks of the primary teacher (book orders, photocopying, cleaningthe paint centre etc.) but it does take a concerted effort on one’s part tostay motivated and feel that we as primary teachers have a very importantrole to play in the helping create the civilization of the future! I knowit sounds grandiose but a bit of naivete and big ideas go along way tohelping one feel and see the everyday importance of ourselves and ourstudents. So stay connected with your primary colleagues, check out somenew web sites, go out to a workshop and enjoy the time thinking aboutsomething new. Both you and your students will be happy that you did!
For great links and super teacher generated resources check out:
The Starfall learn-to-read website is offered free as a public service.
http://www.starfall.com/
Junie B. Jones Website
http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/junieb/
Eric Carle Website
http://www.eric-carle.com/
Winter Pages
http://www.fvsd.ab.ca/stm/winter_sites.htm
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/
My heart is singing for joy this morning. A miracle has happened! The light of understanding has shone upon my little pupil's mind, and behold, all things are changed. -- Anne Sullivan
Event
Date
Remember to watch for February 17th Pro-D Workshops in the district as Spread Your Wings will not be offered this year.
Pat Moret &
Angela Woods
Creating inclusion in the classroom ~ Ideas for helping your special needs student to
participate in authentic social interactions. Bring your TA for free!
Wednesday,
January 25th
Evans Elementary
@3:45
pre-register by Friday, Jan 20th
Fraser Valley Chapter of the International Reading Association is hosting a workshop on Reading Comprehension at Promontory Elementary.
Wednesday,
February 1st
Promontory Elementary
3:45 - 5:00
Dinner Workshop
Featuring
Janice Novakowski
$20 members / $30 nonmembers
March 29th
Evans
Elementary
@ 3:45

YES! We are back for another exciting year of coffee with colleagues. This is a monthly event that takes place at Java Hut and allows teachers to unwind, inspire, and chat about anything that’s happening in the primary setting. Need more info about future coffee talks? Call Carmen at Little Mountain 604 792 0681. PS ~ Java Hut is a big place, and all primary teachers are always welcomed.
Hey Where’s Mine?Have you received your new BCPTA journal? To check to see if your membership and/or address is current check out their web site -- http://www.bctf.bc.ca/BCPTA/ index.html or e-mail the BCPTA journal editor, Glen Gough at gstgough@northwestel.net
Heart Shaped Bookworm
Discuss your student’s favorite books. Cut out 8-12 small heart shapes. Fold the heart in half. Overlap the heart and glue them together so that the fold of the hearts become the spine of the worm. Have the student’s type or print the name of their favorite book to read and place it underneath the worm on display.

Heart in Hand Valentine Trace the child’s hand (finger’s together) on construction paper. Create a sleeve cuff and a red heart to place on palm of hand. Add buttons and pieces of lace to decorate the cuff. Write a message on the back of the hand to give to their parent.
Many Provincial Specialist Associations are holding their annual Workshopson February 17, 2006.For more details: http://pdonline.bctf.ca/conferences/ PD-Calendar.html

The roller coaster ride of June is almost over!!!

Watch for info regarding the CPTA!