January 31, 2020

Action Plan For Learning

We have started our same grade writing blocks and it is going very well. Students go to the classroom they are assigned to and are taught the essential skills for that grade level. Students seem to have adapted well to the program. After conferring with Ms. Cline, our instructional support from the school board office, we decided what structures and strategies to use to ensure consistency across the board. When I check on the classes the students appear to be highly engaged.

This is not to say that writing isn’t also being worked on during regular classroom time. In fact, Ms. Osborn’s class has started a writers workshop and she clearly has them hooked. I was honoured to be present last Friday when students took turns reading a piece they had written during the week, the one they are most proud of. I was blown away by the time and energy students had put into their writing. The time they get to conference with Ms. Osborn and the formative assessment she gives them is working to improve their skills immensely. I’m excited to see how much they will learn and grow this year!

Friday Friends

For the last couple of Fridays Ms. Peach and Ms. Deanna have been doing important work during their Friday Friends time, they have been teaching students the importance of water and how to drum the water blessing song. Drumming is an important aspect of Indigenous culture. Drumming occurs during social occasions that are meant to bring the community together and strengthen family, clan and community bonds. Drumming can also be a way to calm oneself, used as a way to focus to prepare for difficult times and situations, to find solace in times of loss, and for prayer. Finally, drumming can be used for ceremonial purposes, either religious or civic ceremonies.

The students clearly understood the value of what they were learning. All of them sat, completely engaged and ready to participate. The singing and drumming was beautiful and had a way of warming the heart. I am so grateful to be part of our diverse community where we can be together and learn about each other with open hearts and minds.

Home Reading IS IMPORTANT

At home, you can help support our work at school by listening to your each evening for 15-20 minutes. Reading at home with your children support your child’s literacy growth in ways that can’t be supported at home and it’s best to start reading with them right away! By reading to your child (even infants) you can stimulate their imagination and expand their understanding of the world. It helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to understand the written word. It’s important to read everyday as doing so will reinforce how worthwhile reading is. When reading you can talk about the book before, during and after. Ask your child why questions. When your child is stuck on a word, you can reinforce what is being taught at school:look at the pictures to make meaning, reread and think about what would make sense, sound right and start that way, chunk the word so that your child can see a smaller word inside, skip the word and read on to make meaning, and stretch out the word slowly. Each of the classes have implemented a home reading program. Be sure to ask your child(ren) about it and make sure they fill in their reading logs to earn the chance of winning a prize!

There are a myriad of benefits to reading to your child(ren) everyday so don’t hesitate to pick up a book and find a cosy place to sit and enjoy the moment.

Poppy Open House

D.W. Poppy is hosting an open house for in-coming grade seven students. The night will include an open house, grade eight course selection, presentations from various departments and a question and answer period. The event will be held in the Dramnasium with the open house running from 6 – 7 PM and presentations from various departments from 7 – 8 PM. The transition from elementary to high school can cause anxiety in a student. By attending the information night with your child you will give them an opportunity to become familiar with the space which will help to reduce some of that anxiety. It will also allow them to ask about the possibility of participating in clubs and activities of interest. Participating in such groups is an easy way for your child to connect with people of similar interests and build their network in their new community. Grade 7 Parent Open House Flyer

Grade Seven Fund Raiser

Thank you to all the parents and students who helped out with the grade seven bake sale. The grade sevens were able to raise $387.20!! Way to go!

Health Concerns

Coronavirus

Dear parents/guardians/students and staff,
Please see the latest update from the Ministry of Education below:

 January 30, 2020 – School district and independent school updated messages:

• The World Health Organization has declared the novel coronavirus a global health emergency; however, the B.C. Provincial Health Officer is advising that the risk is low within British Columbia and all necessary precautions are being taken to prevent the spread of infection.
• The Ministry of Health has advised and confirmed that individuals returning from affected regions do not need to be isolated at home or kept home from school.
• We can assure you that we are in regular communication with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and our local health authority to make public health decisions, and to ensure students and employees are kept informed and safe. 
• We will continue to be in close contact with public health officials and, with that in mind, would ask that you do not make assumptions about the risk of students or staff based on their ethnicity or travel history. 

Please check out the HealthLinkBC website – there are some great questions and answers that you can direct your enquiries to – https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus

Advice for Students and Families Considering Travel:

Students and families considering travel to and from China are encouraged to consult the Novel Coronavirus in China Travel Health Notice on the Government of Canada Travel and Tourism page regularly, as recommendations may change over the course of your travel as new information becomes available.  No matter where students and families plan to travel, the Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that they consult Government of Canada Travel and Tourism page, as this is the Government of Canada’s official source of destination-specific travel information. This web page provides important advice to help travelers make informed decisions and travel safely while abroad.  Students and their families should always tell their health care providers about their travel history if they become ill after returning to Canada.

Advice on masks from Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry:

“The thing about masks is we know that they are very important in certain situations. If I’m sick, my wearing a mask keeps my droplets in. It does help prevent transmission to other people. That’s why we ask somebody who’s sick, who’s going to an emergency department, for example, if you have a cough or respiratory symptoms, we ask you to put on a mask and clean your hands. Where it’s not known is how effective wearing a mask in the community is when you are not sick yourself. The masks may give you a false sense of security. The most important thing that you can do in the community is to wash your hands regularly.”

Reducing the risk

The BC Centre for Disease Control recommends that to reduce the risk of exposure to novel coronavirus, employ the same measures that are taken in relation to colds and flu:

·        Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds using soap and hot water (it is the single most effective way of reducing infection spread).

·        Practice other good hygiene habits: do not touch your face/eyes/mouth with your hands, and cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough (ideally with a disposable tissue or the crease of your elbow).

·        Clean and disinfect frequently touched workspace surfaces.

·        Maintain good general health (eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, exercise in moderation).

·        Stay home if you are sick.

·        A new toll-free phone number (1-833-784-4397) has been established to answer questions from Canadians about the 2019 novel coronavirus. Service is available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. until January 29 and from 7 a.m. to midnight starting January 30 (Eastern Standard Time).

Further information about novel coronavirus is available on the BC Centre for Disease Control website.

Lice

Head Lice Protocols for Wix-Brown:

IN SCHOOL

Students are NOT to share combs, brushes, hats, toques, barrettes, headbands, or anything else that is in contact with their heads or hair.

If a student removes their jacket or sweatshirt, it needs to be put directly in their backpack. No jackets or sweaters are to be left hanging on the backs of chairs or on hooks in cubby area.

Students with long hair MUST tie it up off their shoulders and back.

AT HOME

Check all family members for lice on a regular basis using wet combing as per the Fraser Health Authority:

How can I tell if my child has head lice?

The most accurate way to check for head lice is the wet combing method:

• Wash and rinse the hair. Apply enough conditioner to cover the whole scalp (usually 2 handfuls). The conditioner stops the lice from moving, making them easy to find
• Use a wide tooth comb to get the tangles out. At any time if the comb tugs, add more conditioner
• Begin combing the entire head with a lice comb. Pull the comb through the hair in one stroke from the front to the back of the head. Keep the teeth in contact with the scalp for the entire stroke
• After each stroke, wipe the comb on a paper towel and check for lice

Link for more information: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/head-lice

Dates To Remember

February 6th – PAC Meeting @ 6 PM

February 10th – Hot Lunch

February 14th – Professional Development Day (School Not In Session)

February 17th – Family Day (School Not In Session)

February 24th – Diversity and Respect Week

February 24th – Report Card Prep/Design And Assessment (School Not In Session)

February 26th – Pink Shirt Day

February 27th – Ready, Set, Learn @ 1:30 – 2:30

February 28th – Month End Awards

March 5th – PAC Meeting @ 9:10 AM

March 6th – Report Cards Published

March 9th – Hot Lunch (Orders due March 1st)

March 11th – Parent/Teacher Interviews (1:54 Dismissal)

March 12th – Parent/Teacher Interviews (1:54 Dismissal)

March 13th – Last Day Before Spring Break

March 30th – First Day Back From Spring Break