Boundary Elementary’s Principal for a Day Seymour Heights celebrates International Dot Day

BY LISA DALLA VECCHIA COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

International Dot Day is a day to celebrate creativity and self-expression and boost selfconfidence.

Katie Nicholls, Grade 1 teacher at Seymour Heights Elementary explained, “Dot Day is inspired by the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. I read the story to the class and then discuss how even the littlest dot can be artwork and to not be afraid to explore and show your creativity.” loop-de-loop, dashes, etc.), making the outline in black marker and then using watercolour paints to complete the artwork.

Katie has been sharing this message and celebrating International Dot Day with students for five years. Examples of the activities students enjoy throughout the day follow.

Another fun learning activity included having students start with a “magic” dot and turning it into something else by drawing a picture around it. For example, students transformed the dot into a flower, moon, avocado, dog, ladybug…even a unicorn!

Through all of these lessons, students learn to take risks, be creative and use their imagination. In addition, students develop math, writing and other skills.

BY TIM MACLEOD PRINCIPAL AND LISA DALLA VECCHIA COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

It’s not every day a student gets promoted to top job, acting school principal!

Eager to make a strong impression, Grade 1 student Aston arrived ready to start his day at 8:30 a.m., and with mini doughnuts to share with staff.

Following a school tour, he welcomed staff and students into the building and spoke with families who were curious to meet the new administrator.

A principal always needs to keep an eye on what is happening on and around school grounds. As an example, Aston watched for traffic violations and dealt with a dog on the school playground.

Once he ensured students were in their classrooms, engaged in learning with teachers, he headed to the Education Services Centre, where he met with his boss, Superintendent Dr. Pius Ryan. Aston came prepared with questions, including, What exactly do you do? and What is your goal as superintendent?

He then returned to Boundary, where he had to make a big decision, which he shared over the PA system: extending morning recess for five minutes!

Ongoing professional development is an important part of a principal’s learning. A math lesson took up the rest of Aston’s morning.

Over lunch, Aston supervised classrooms and then went outside for more supervisory duties, plus some much needed student engagement (i.e., playtime).

After lunch, Aston completed a playground and grounds inspection, submitted work orders, acknowledged student birthdays, and visited classrooms.

Following a second professional development unit, Aston was gifted the book, Principal for a Day by Marisa Kossoy, and thanked for his service to the Boundary community.

School Principal Tim MacLeod was most pleased with Aston’s first day and happy to know that if ever the need, Aston could help out with school duties in the future.

A special thanks to Boundary’s Parent Advisory Council, for making this opportunity possible! ■

In one activity, students used a paper plate and had several circles starting from the centre, working their way to the edge of the plate. Students decorated each circle section with different types of lines (e.g., wavy, checkered, zigzag, cloud,

One of the best parts of the lesson for Katie is how the excitement for Dot Day fills the entire classroom with enthusiasm and joy. “With a mix of learning aspects and engaging in cross-curricular activities, students are excited to participate in dot activities,” shared Katie. “I love seeing their creativity and all the ideas they come up with." ■