November 10, 2023
Dear Wix-Brown families,
It’s hard to think that our first term of the school year is coming to a close. Staff and students have been working hard since September to learn new skills and develop their abilities in a variety of areas. We are looking forward to sharing this learning with families at the end of the month. On top of everything, it’s also been a busy time with many school-wide initiatives, special events, and exciting classroom activities. Take a look at what we’ve been up to!
Around the School…
Action Plan for Learning
One of the ways we are working to support all of our students (as mentioned in our Action Plan for Learning) is through the RTI (Response to Intervention) model. Each grade group participates in RTI for 6-8 weeks each term, working on a specific learning target or skill that has been identified by the school team as being an important component of each student’s education. Teachers meet weekly during their collaboration time to fine-tune plans, change groups, and assess where students are at in their progression of learning each new skill. Our RTI groups for each collaboration cohort have been up and running for several weeks now, and the students are enjoying the opportunity to work in different groupings during the school day. For more information on RTI, you can read a brief article here that explains some of the “nuts and bolts” of how it is implemented. In December, teachers will examine the results of their first term RTI plans and make collective decisions about where to target instruction for January.
Halloween Costume Parade
Our annual Halloween costume parade was (yet again) a huge success! The sun came out for Halloween and our students enjoyed a day of community and connection. In the afternoon, our whole school assembled in the gym to dance, share a story, and show off the creative and interesting costumes that students wore for the day. We even had a glow stick party! A huge thank you to Ms. Blake and Ms. Wedgewood for organizing.
Problem Solving in Primary
Last week, Ms. Skwarok’s class had a real mystery to solve! As a final project in their unit on place value, students were taken to the Learning Lab, where a dastardly number had created quite a mess! Which number was responsible for all of the destruction? Students had to work through a series of challenges, all based on their learning around place value, in order to nab the culprit. They worked collaboratively in groups to solve a series of questions and equations that tested their understanding of all sorts of different numbers. Number 78 tried its best to hide, but it was no match for the incredible mathematicians in division 7!
Student-Inclusive Conferences
Ms. Dickson has sent out information to all families regarding how to sign up for appointments for this month’s student-inclusive conferences. Please note that attendance at your child’s conference is MANDATORY, as this conference replaces the formal report cards for both first and second terms. It is part of an important conversation between your child, their teacher(s), and yourself that will help to support their learning and create goals moving forward. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if there are any barriers to you attending during the specified time slots. We look forward to seeing you at the school to share your child’s successes during first term!
Remembrance Day
Yesterday, our school participated in a formal Remembrance Day assembly. We had contributions from a variety of classes that helped to mark the ceremony with deep learning and respect. Ms. Stone’s students spoke about some of the history of worldwide conflicts, the production of the poppies that we receive each year, indigenous contributions and sacrifices during war, and also delivered a message of hope and peace to our school community. Divisions 3 and 6 recited “In Flanders Fields” with a beautiful display of handcrafted poppies, and divisions 8, 9, and 10 sang a song of peace. We were honoured to have Mr. Murray Bradshaw, a local indigenous veteran, attend our ceremony for the third year in a row. A huge thank you to Ms. Stone and her students, who organized and led our assembly with respect and reminded us of the importance of honouring those who have fought for our freedom.
PAC Winter Market
Just a reminder that this Sunday (November 12) is the PAC’s first Winter Market! It is shaping up to be an incredible community event, with a sold-out lineup of vendors. There will also be treats for sale, live music, kids entertainment and free balloon animals! It takes place in our school gym from 10-4. We hope to see you there!
From the District…
A Season of Theatre 2024
Across the District, our drama/theatre programs are gearing up for another fabulous year of musical and theatrical productions featuring Langley’s students. Please get out and support the Arts in our schools by attending one or all of the shows that will be happening in the new year. Individual show times and ticket sales will happen through each school’s own website.
Upcoming Dates…
November 12 – Wix-Brown PAC Winter Market, 10-4 in gym
November 13 – No School (Remembrance Day observed)
November 20 – Student Photo Retakes in AM
November 20 – Student Inclusive Conferences begin for next two weeks (by appointment with teacher)
November 29 – No School (Student Inclusive Conference Day; students attend for conferences only)
November 30 – Early Dismissal at 12:08
November 30 – Parent Social Night PAC Fundraiser
December 1 – Last day of Student Inclusive Conferences
December 5 – Grade 7 Fundraiser: Treat Day
December 14 – Winter Concert (12:30 PM matinee, 6:30 PM evening performance)
December 20 – PAC Pancake Breakfast
December 21 – Last day before Winter Break
January 8 – First day back