Hello Families,

Welcome back from the weekend! I hope you are all keeping warm during this very cold snap! It looks like things may be easing up and we will return to more seasonal temperatures this upcoming week. It has been a good time for staying indoors, playing games, and having some warm drinks!

As usual, as your children return to school this week, please ensure they are dressed appropriately for the weather.

Last week’s highlights include:

• Gr. K/1 classes had a visit from the vet. They enjoyed hearing all about what a vet does as part of her job.
• Primary literacy blitzes – Our primary classes started their “blitzing” – A time when students rotate through games-based stations focused on targeted literacy skills
• Novel studies continue for our intermediate students. Some of our classes are preparing for the Reading Link Challenge, and this has made them very excited about reading!
• Big numbers! Primary students are starting to learn about how to add and subtract big numbers using concepts they know about groups of ten. Our intermediates are working on multiplication with various sizes of large numbers
• Volleyball has started for our intermediate classes. They are preparing for a district wide tournament on Jan. 26. There has been a lot of fun as they learn the skills of the game and how to work together on a team.
• PAC meeting – Thanks to the PAC for all who came out and all you do! They raised just over $600 through the Santa’s Workshop which was donated to the Nelson Community Food Centre. See here for a thanks from our team for your participation: https://southnelson.sd8.bc.ca/announcements/thank-you-message-pac 
• Other fundraising – Mrs. Bonikowsky’s class also raised about $500 through the guessing jar contest. $250 each was donated to the SPCA and the Salvation Army Food Bank. The class had a great and informative visit at the Salvation Army when they delivered the money. They will be making a trip to the SPCA this week.

A few pieces of information/reminders for you:

1. Hot lunch starts this week. If you haven’t done so already, you can register through Munchalunch for this term’s lunches. This includes wraps (Monday), sushi (Tuesday), pizza (Wednesday), and they are adding mac’n’cheese on Thursdays.
2. Library books – Thank you for returning any books you have found at home! Please continue to send back overdue books, if you haven’t done so already.
3. Enrolment for next year – Yes! We are already starting to plan for next year. If you know you will be moving away and your child will not be at South Nelson next, year, please let me know. This will help us anticipate our numbers and begin to build classes.
4. Kindergarten enrolment – Do you have a kindergarten aged child or know someone who does? Kindergarten enrolment is now open, so please get your registrations in a soon as possible. Spread the word! Again, the earlier we have these registrations in the better, as this helps us plan for next year. You can find registration information at this link: https://southnelson.sd8.bc.ca/registration-transfers
5. International Holocaust Awareness Day Acknowledgment: On January 27th, we will be commemorating International Holocaust Awareness Day. It is an important day for reflection, remembrance, and education about the atrocities of the Holocaust.  All schools in SD8 will be acknowledging this important day in different ways and with different age-appropriate learning activities. This is in alignment with our district policy on Anti-Racism and Cultural Safety, which can be found here, and the corresponding Administrative Procedure here.

Please see the letter sent home to families with more information. As noted, to address this topic, our focus at the K-3 level will be on conversations around kindness, inclusion and celebrating diversity. Our Gr. 4-5 students have some age-appropriate novel studies through which they are learning about the Holocaust and themes of racism related to it.

To demonstrate our commitment at South Nelson to creating an inclusive learning environment, we will participate with all schools across the district in making “peace pledges”. Students will identify one thing they can do in our school, everyday, that will contribute to bringing peace. They will write their pledges on a small dove.

Recognizing this is a very sensitive topic, please reach out to me with any specific needs or considerations your family or child may need at this time. We want to hear parent voices and create a space that is comfortable for all.

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

1. Jan. 24 – Winter activities begin (check with your child’s teacher for more information)
2. Jan. 26 – Gr. 4/5 District Volleyball tournament
3. Feb. 16 – ProD Day – NO SCHOOL

Family learning resources:

As we focus at school this week on creating peace pledges to acknowledge International Holocaust Awareness Day, you may want to have some anti-racism conversations at home. It is, of course, a topic to address in an age-appropriate manner and sensitive to the context and people in your life. Here are some resources that may help as you work with your children in this ongoing conversation.

1. The Nelson Library has an anti-racism kit you can check out that includes 11 storybooks, activities, and tips for teaching at home. https://nelson.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S49C127192529
2. Here are some storybooks on Peace that may be used in your child’s classroom, and which you can use at home, either with the video links or through the Nelson Public Library:

The Peace Book by Todd Parr –Here it is read by the author:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QklQ8fWXV8Y

What does Peace feel like? By V. Radunsky  - You tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KsziLWNSRg

I am Peace: a book of mindfulness by Susan Verde – You tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnR5HDfR3JI

Can you say Peace? By Karen Katz – You tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUdec-4jEpE

What is Peace? By Wallace Edwards -  You tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2DkchywE1Y

4. Here is also a list of anti-racism books for children created by the Paolo Alto Library:  https://paloalto.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1057098407/1651074779

You should be able to find many of these titles at the Nelson Public Library.

Have a great week,

Mrs. Snell