Just like the song says, It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and this is very true at cole College Heights Elementary. Some of our primary students went for a walk to the mailbox to send off their very carefully written letters to Santa. Other classes had the opportunity to attend the Christmas Carol production put on at Vanier Hall by the District Cultural Committee. Our 12 Days of Giving Campaign continues to be a huge success, with nearly 1,000 food items being collected in nine days for the Salvation Army.
The giving does not stop here. Two of our classes have also adopted families and are collecting for food hampers within their classrooms. Mrs. Brisco, our Aboriginal Education Worker continues to bring cultural awareness to our students. Projects of late have included button blanket winter tree decorations and glass framed Inukshuks. Students learn the important role button blankets and Inukshuks play in Aboriginal culture and also experience a traditional circle where they can share their thoughts of what they have learned.
Lastly, we had a scientist in the school this past week. Matt Thompson, science teacher at PGSS, gave an hour long presentation to some of our younger scientists demonstrating the properties of matter.
Also visiting the school was RCMP Corp. Madonna Saunderson to talk road safety with one of our grade 6/7 classes.
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On Thursday, December 6th, Ecole Heather Park Elementary held a pink themed day to honour a very special young girl, Kallie, who passed away last year. The hallways and gym were ablaze with pink. The Hinton family graciously donated bright pink pencils with "In memory of Kallie Hinton" printed on them. Despite her many limitations, Kallie smiled, laughed, and loved being at school with her many friends. After a short talk about Kallie's courageousness and love of life, there was a lunchtime dance for grades 4-7 students which we are sure Kallie would have enjoyed.
The last week of school before the Christmas break was unbelievably busy as there were a myriad of activities taking place -- both in individual classrooms and school-wide. Throughout the entire week, Mrs. Weisgarber, our teacher-librarian hosted the ever popular Reindeer Games for intermediate classes only and Mr. Laupitz's grade 5 class sponsored a candygram campaign. On Thursday, December 20th, during school hours many primary classes will participate in Christmas stations. In the evening, our PAC sponsored a Christmas Soiree. On Friday, December 21st, in the afternoon, there will be a Christmas sing-a-long.
We would like to extend our gratitude for our all those 'helping hands' that help to make such a difference in our lives and the lives of our students.
I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round,
as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know
of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by
one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely. -- Charles Dickens
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The students of Highglen Montessori will have a musical rendition of the visual arts for their winter celebration. Each classroom has chosen a visual artist and will perform a song about the artist and their work. Parents and families are welcome to the dress rehearsal today at 10 a.m. and the main performance at 1 p.m. on Thursday.
Students have chosen many causes to support in the spirit of giving during the season. Students from Division 2 are collecting coins and small gifts for Senior Citizens to make Christmas a little brighter. Students are collecting non-perishable food items, personal care items and small unwrapped gifts to be made into baskets of cheer! They also welcome families to create some artwork with messages of love and good cheer to send with the baskets.
There are decorated collection boxes outside of the office to accept non-perishable food items for families in need in our community.
The mitten clothesline has also been strung. Any size mittens or touques are gratefully accepted and hung on the line. These will be donated to a local charity.
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PGSS and College Heights Secondary are hosting the 10th annual Spirit of Hockey and Community Cup Game at the CN Centre on December 21, 2012. The game starts at 1 p.m. and typically ends at about 2:30. Both schools bus their kids to the CN Centre, and we invite our foundation elementary schools who always provide great energy and enthusiasm. It really is a lot of fun!
We will be collecting tuques, gloves and non-perishable food items for St. Vincent de Paul, any contributions would be greatly appreciated.
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Thanks very much to all of the coaches at Southridge Elementary for their work this season with the Gr. 6/7 boys and girls volleyball teams. Sign-up for the basketball season will be during the first week back in January, so please listen for the announcements.
Thank you to our staff, and our Christmas Concert organizers - Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Rand, Ms. Huber, Mrs. Stratton, Mrs. Laupitz, and Mrs. Doyle - and all of our student actors and stage crews, etc. It takes a lot of people to run our annual productions, but as you will see tomorrow,
it is worth it!
If you are out and about next Thursday morning, December 20th at 11a.m., you might like to drop by the school for a special Christmas treat! We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our families and community a restful break, and the very best of luck in 2013! Safe travel if you are away for the holidays, and we will see you back at school on Monday, January 7th.
The Ready, Set, Learn Program is a Ministry of Education initiative which recognizes that families need positive connections with the school system and community agencies that provide relevant resources and information.
It starts at the school on Thurs., Jan. 24th, from 11:00am to 12:00pm in the library, and will run every Thursday for six weeks, (Jan. 24, 31, Feb. 7, 14, 21, and 28). It is for parents and their preschool-aged children, and space is limited to ten children.
Please contact Mrs. Brand at the SRDG office at 250.964.3544 if you would like to register.
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