Hello families!

I trust you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I always appreciate the Thanksgiving weekend as it is a time to pause, reset and reflect after the busyness of getting the fall and routine underway. It is a time for intentional gratitude regardless of what we do, or who we spent it with. I was very grateful for the extended time off to share time and space with family and be in the outdoors. I hope you all did too!

Some highlights from last week include:

• Math Fluency – A school wide goal this year is to improve math fact fluency across the grades. Classes have been practicing strategies, reviewing fact families and timing their fluency. Students are enjoying setting and meeting their own personal goals. 

• Writing – Another school wide goal this year is on writing and all students are working on improving their writing by engaging in the draft writing process, focusing on sentence structure, and rich ideas. 

• Gr. 3/4 students are studying biomes and habitat environments. Mrs. Bonikowsky’s class explored the environment at Slocan Pools with a Wildsight educator last week. 

A few reminders for you: 

1. Dress for the weather! There has been a significant shift in the weather and we are now entering cooler days of fall. Please ensure your child is coming each day dressed warmly and with extra gloves/toques tucked into their backpacks. Our classes often go outside for extended periods of learning so it is good to be prepared for the weather each day
2. Early Dismissal days – Coming up on Oct. 15/16. Teachers will be hosting open houses and/or parent interviews. This is an important part of our cycle for learning updates. Be sure to follow your teacher emails with upcoming information about these days.
3. Emergency Preparedness – October is a time when we begin our cycle of emergency drills. We will begin to practice fire, earthquake, hold and secure and lock down drills.  

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

1. Oct. 15/16 – Early dismissal days
2. Oct 17- Cross Country Running Meet at Lakeside
3. Oct. 17 – Family movie night – DOGMAN
4. Oct. 24 – ProD day
5. Oct. 28 – Picture retake day

Finally, some family learning! 

This week we will be having an earthquake drill as part of the Great Shake Out BC. 

Visit their General Preparedness Information page for earthquake information to share with your family. 

In addition, here is a link to the Great Shakeout Earthquake Safety Video Series to help your family as you consider earthquake safety in your home. 

That’s all for now!

Have a wonderful week! 

Mrs Snell