Good day out there, South Nelson.

Thank you to Ms. Wilson & Mr. Marsh for this month's South Nelson contribution towards SD8's monthly Superintendent's Report.  Their grade 3/4 class recently finished a science unit on exploring space.  When it came time to study Mars, the class utilized the online learning platform, LIVE IT (https://www.liveit.earth/), which is produced by a small Nelson tech company and subscribed to by School District 8.  The LIVE IT Mars Program sparked conversations and deeper learning in the classroom.  It offered principles of Universal Design for Learning and supported their guided inquiry.  Students were highly engaged while exploring the curricular competencies of “applying and innovating”.  They researched what humans would need to survive on the planet Mars, then co-designed and built 3-D prototypes of their colonies out of recycled materials.  In presenting their colonies to the class, students identified solutions to the potential problems on Mars such as: air supply, water supply, food production, waste management, energy sources, living quarters and protection from radiation and asteroids.  Students then reflected on how they overcame challenges they faced throughout the project.

Also, Mrs. Bonikowsky’s Grade 4/5 class has been working on a “Cardboard Arcade” project. They were inspired after watching a video called “Caine’s Arcade” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faIFNkdq96U) about a young boy in Los Angeles whose creativity started a “Global Cardboard Challenge”. On Wednesday, March 9th, the students in Mrs. B's class will be setting up their cardboard arcade game creations in the gym for South Nelson students to play. This will also be a fundraiser to raise money for Water For South Sudan (https://www.waterforsouthsudan.org/), a non-profit organization focussed on bringing clean drinking water to rural communities in Africa. If you are able, please send a small donation (a loonie or twoonie) with your child to school on Wednesday to support these grade 4s and 5s who are working towards their goal of raising $1000 for Water for South Sudan this year. With this donation, the kids will be able to play some fun games and win some prizes too!  Thank you for your support! - Jodi Bonikowsky

And...thank you to Mrs. Dimopoulos for sending many great songs my way to bring to our now revived K/1 weekly singing on Tuesday afternoons.  This one, 'I Wish You More', is a beauty that needs to be shared around!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DNfoPw875c

To the details...

• SD8 & South Nelson digital calendar - https://southnelson.sd8.bc.ca/events/calendar
  • South Nelson PAC meeting - Tuesday, March 8 at 6:30 via zoom - https://southnelson.sd8.bc.ca/events/south-nelson-pac-meeting-1
  • Spring Break - March 12-27
• Events not in digital calendar
  • Floor hockey lunch - various days next week for grades 2/3, 3/4, and 4/5
  • Mrs. B's Cardboard Arcade in gym - Wednesday, March 9
  • Fire Drill - Thursday, March 10 at end of day - students to remain outside after drill

• PAC Spring Lunch ordering details - https://southnelson.sd8.bc.ca/announcement/south-nelson-spring-lunch-flyer

• PAC Purdy's Easter Fundraiser details - https://southnelson.sd8.bc.ca/announcement/purdys

• Please stop by the lost & found table at the sunflower doors to pick up any lost items.  Unclaimed clothing will be donated later in the spring after the break.
• Please be sure to not block our bus drop-off and pick-up area on the Hendryx Street side of the school.  Parking is tricky around South Nelson but we need to be sure our bus drivers can do their work safely and effectively.

Take care, everyone!

Dan Rude - Principal