Hello families!

Well, here we are in the last week of school before the winter break. The excitement at school is mounting, as I am sure it also at home! We have a great week planned to end off the year in a good way. Please ensure you keep up with communication from your child(ren)’s teacher. It looks like another rainy, wet week, so please continue to send extra changes of clothes tucked in the backpack and weather ready outerwear. 

Here are some highlights from the last couple weeks:

• Winter concert – Our winter concert, “The Holly Jolly Jalopy” was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who came out. Our gym was packed with parents, grandparents, friends and relatives. All the students did an amazing job and it was an entertaining show. Big thanks again to Ms. Ward and all the teachers for their advance preparation.
• Annie musical – Our intermediate classes attended the performance of “Annie” at Trafalgar school. It was a great opportunity to view this classic production, as well as get a taste of the arts program at the middle school.
• Outdoor learning- Despite inclement weather, classes went out for outdoor learning. They observed the changing environment, documented in their nature journals, and learned about our local environment
• Cards for seniors – Several classes created special cards that will be distributed as holiday cheer to seniors in our community
• Holiday traditions – Classes have been learning about various different types of holiday traditions at this time of year. It has been great to hear from students how they each celebrate differently.

A few reminders for you: 

1. Volunteering – There are opportunities coming up after the holiday break for volunteering in winter activities. Please ensure you have completed a volunteer application form and Criminal Record Check well in advance. These do take several weeks to process so best to try to get them in before the holidays if you plan on helping out. Here is a link to the volunteer form you can send to Laura at clerical.sne@sd8.bc.ca

2. No hot lunch first week (or two) in January – Watch for next term’s hot lunch sign up in early January when we are back. 

3. Lost and found – Please come by the lost and found to gather your child(ren)’s belongings! Anything left over the break will be donated. Thanks for your help!

Some upcoming dates (you can also find these posted on our calendar: https://southnelson.sd8.bc.ca/events/calendar)

1. Dec. 15-19 Festive Fun week!
2. Dec. 17 - Santa’s Workshop – Thanks to PAC for organizing! We will need lots of donations and volunteers. Please reach out if you can help
3. Dec. 17 – PAC meeting
4. Jan. 5 – First day back
5. Jan. 19 – ProD Day

Finally, some family learning! 

As we head into the holidays, routines will start to get disrupted, there will be more late nights and sugary treats. This makes for a lot of fun! However, despite the fun activities, children can get dys-regulated and have a difficult time understanding and controlling their emotions due to the extra events and disruption to routine. 

You may be interested to check out EASEY at home (Everyday Anxiety Stretgies for Early Years) – This is a great website filled with many resources on childhood fears, anxiety and stress. These resources may provide some valuable activities and information to help you navigate the holidays as a family.  

That’s all for now!

Have a wonderful week!