There was lots to get involved in this week at cole College Heights Elementary. The first girls group of the year had their start up meeting this past week. Mrs. McElroy, our school counsellor will be co-facilitating the Grade 6 girls program, with Mrs. Briscoe our aboriginal education worker. Sessions will focus on several pertinent social issues facing our preteen and teen girls today. Topics will include such things as cyber bullying, growing up/adolescence and all that comes with it, relationship issues, social exclusion, peer relationships, appropriate Interaction with peers, and friendships. This group will be participant driven and will meet weekly.
The call for Quiz Me participants went out this week with many Grade 7 students interested in vying for a much sought after spot on our school team that will represent us at the district competition.
Both boys and girls basketball players had their first team meetings to get organized for this season of play.
Red Cedar readers are busy getting their books read in preparation for the in-school competitions to determine who will represent our school at the annual Battle of the Books.
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Last week students and staff at Ecole Heather Park Elementary enjoyed the amazing antics of Alex Zerbe, better known as 'Zaniac.' Zerbe is described as Seattle's funniest prop comic and he definitely lived up to his billing. The entire school was captivated by his high energy and amazing tricks.
Grade 2's have recently started CanSkate, a learn-to-skate program sponsored by Spruce City Figure Skating Club and funded by both the school and PAC. This eight-session program began on Jan. 8 and runs through March 15.
On Jan. 22, we were the first of three schools to host a French Immersion parent information night. All those parents interested in registering their children in the French Immersion program for Kindergarten or Grade 1 were encouraged to attend. It is a great way to find out more about what this unique and highly successful program offers. Ecole College Heights Elementary (tonight) and Ecole Lac des Bois Elementary (Jan.30 ) are the other two schools who will also hold information nights.
As our school week draws to a close, Friday will be a busy day. Mr. Edge's grade 6/7 class is sponsoring a "Colour Me Crazy" day. The idea is to wear bright colourful clothing, sequins, flashing lights, colourful headbands, coloured hair, colourful hats, bright makeup, etc. to chase away any winter blues. Our PAC is also sponsoring a school-wide pizza day that day.
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Students of Highglen Montessori are excited for the concession that will open this Friday and run every second Friday. Soup, juice boxes and baked goods will be offered. It's a great way to beat the "boring lunch syndrome" in the second half of the year.
Our boys and girls basketball team will be travelling to Lac de Bois for games after school on Tuesday. The boys team will then travel to Edgewood on Thursday. Big shout out to Mrs. Rockwell and to the parent volunteers for driving and making this activity happen.
All classes are studying Canada this term - the primary kids are doing activities at their level and the intermediate kids will be doing research projects on the province of their choice. Watch the walls as you will see the information and the creativity decorate them soon.
The students are welcome to bring in books in good condition and appropriate for other students for the Book Exchange to be held on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Students will be given one book credit for their donations and will be able to choose from the all the books the other students have brought in. Any books not chosen will be donated to classrooms or to the Salvation army. Thank you to our parent volunteer for organizing this.
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School District 57 will be hosting the next Parent Math Night on Feb. 5 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Van Bien Training and Development Center located at 311 Wilson Cres. The entrance is located on Upland St. The session will be hands-on and participatory in nature and will focus on how and why math is being taught the way it is in elementary schools. Please RSVP to [email protected] and include the grade(s) you are interested in discussing.
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On-line Kindergarten pre-gegistration is required in all School District No. 57 elementary schools. Online registration will take place beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday Feb. 6, at www.sd57.bc.ca Children whose fifth birthday falls on or before December 31, 2013 are eligible to enter Kindergarten in September 2013. Upon submission of the online registration, you will receive an e-mail confirmation along with a link to two additional forms requiring completion. Bring completed forms, along with a copy of the birth certificate and proof of address, to the school by February 15, 2013. Staff at the school will be available to assist you as required. More information is available at www.sd57.bc.ca
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The Southridge Elementary Gr. 6/7 boys and girls basketball teams have started their practices, and a number of our older students have been out hitting the ski trails at Otway. You may have heard that Survivor has started again, thanks to Mr. Clough, and the gym has been full of madly cheering students on Fridays at lunch. Gr. 6 and 7 students are working on some anti-bullying strategies-building empathy, understanding different perspectives, and dealing with putdowns-and will be presenting some of this information at the Feb. 13 Celebration of Student Learning. From the Southridge PAC: "Greetings and Happy New Year! As you may be aware, the PAC has begun fundraising work to replace the aging front playground. School district staff have had to remove deteriorating components and have made us aware that the structure is nearing the end of its life. One easy way you can help is to donate your recycling refund at BBK. When you take your empties in, simply inform the staff member that you would like your refund to go on the "Southridge Elementary Playground" account. Thank you for your donations! "
We still have a few spots available for our Ready, Set, Learn Program. It starts at the school on Thurs., Jan. 24, from 11a.m. to noon 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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