Hello families,

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great long weekend and hopefully you had a chance to observe as a family the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Last week as we learned together about the history of residential schools and how we can walk together in reconciliation, I think we were all impacted by how we can make a difference.

Last week was another great week of learning in this, and many other areas.

Some highlights include:

• Terry Fox Run – On Tuesday we participated in the Terry Fox run. Great effort and attitude was evident in all!
• Truth and reconciliation activities included
  
  • Readings of “You Hold me Up” by Monique Gray Smith (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uiuev2fXvRU&t=28s). Students then wrote on feathers and discussed ways we support each other and hold each other up. These were made into bulletin board displays in the shape of wings
  • A whole school assembly in which we learned about the story of orange shirt day, the meaning of “every child matters”, and ways we can all take steps towards reconciliation in our own lives. The assembly finished with a drumming by Mr. Marsh’s Gr. 3/4 class called the “Travelling Song”.
  • Most of our classes joined Trafalgar in the heartbeat parade in which students and staff from both schools walked throughout town to demonstrate a solidarity and commitment to truth and reconciliation.  
• Art card art – Classes were very busy creating beautiful pieces of art work to create gift  cards. Watch for these wonderful cards to be available to you soon!
• Gr. 4/5 classes are continuing their studies on biomes and are making dioramas.
• Gr. 3-5 are learning about the life cycle of the salmon and are making booklets to demonstrate their learning.
• Buddy classes have started doing activities together. It is wonderful to see the older students build relationships with the younger ones.
• Outdoor learning has been a large part of our programming. Several classes take their learning outdoors each week!
• Cross country running is a hit! It has been great to see so many students out first thing in the morning to practice their running. There is a meet coming up at Lakeside on Oct. 13.

A few pieces of information/reminders for you:

1. Hot lunch begins this week – Thanks to our PAC for organizing this! Mondays: whole wheat wraps, Tuesdays: sushi from Sushi Wood, and Wednesdays:  pizza from Thor’s. If you are interested, register at http://www.munchalunch.com/schools/southnelson/
2. Bikes on school property – There are many bikes coming to school, which is wonderful! In the interest of safety on the courtyard for our pedestrians, please walk your bikes when you get onto the school grounds.
3. Dress for the weather! We have a nice shift of weather coming up this week, but as you know, at this time of year, it can be unpredictable. Please ensure you are sending your child dresses (or prepared) for whatever the weather may bring. Also, remind your children to ensure they put on their outdoor clothing when heading outside – we are seeing some wet and cold students after recess when it has started to rain!
4. Lost and Found – Our lost and found continues to grow. Please check on the items to see what may belong to you when you are next at the school.
5. From Wildsafe BC: From WildSafeBC Nelson

Very pleased to announce that the Grizzly family of 3 have been successfully trapped and safely relocated out of town.

Thank you to all who reported sightings, obeyed trail closures, secured your garbage and extended kind words and support. Particular thanks to the Mountain Station community for sitting tight safe inside during this morning’s operation.

All 3 were in fantastic condition and ready for winter denning, with plenty of natural food sources and shelter at release site. 

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

1. Oct. 3 (TODAY) – Mrs. Bonikowsky’s classroom open house (6-7pm)
2. Oct. 9 – Thanksgiving holiday – NO SCHOOL
3. Oct. 13 – Picture Day/Cross country running (Lakeside)
4. Oct. 20 – ProD day NO SCHOOL
5. Oct. 26 – 6-7pm (zoom) Online parent engagement night “Mental Health in Schools” (https://www.sd8.bc.ca/events/online-parent-engagement-session-2)

Family learning resources:

Here are some resources to help you support the learning at home this week:

1. October is library month! Head on down to the Nelson public library to explore with your family. Pick up one of their bingo cards and see how many your family can do this month.
2. ERASE bullying/Embrace Kindness – I am forwarding on this link from ERASE BC (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/erase). ERASE is about building caring and safe communities and incorporates support for schools and families on topics such as mental health, racism, school safety, etc.. This particular link is a very helpful site about bullying – what it is, what it isn’t and how to help. Particularly at this time of year when classroom social circles are being formed, concerns sometimes come forward about unkind behaviours that are happening on the playground or in the classroom. This is a helpful resource for parents and educators to understand how to help our children navigate relationships. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/erase/bullying
3. Thankfulness – With Thanksgiving coming up this weekend, it is a great time to take the opportunity to talk about gratefulness with our children. Here is a link of some activities you may want to do with your family this upcoming weekend: https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/family-gratitude-activities

On the theme of gratitude, I want to express how grateful I have been for the warm welcome to South Nelson this fall! Parents, students and staff have been so inviting and I am so thankful to be here and get to know you all.  Have a wonderful week and don’t forget – no school next Monday, Oct. 9! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with your family.

Mrs. Snell

Dawn Snell | Principal

South Nelson Elementary School

School District 8 Kootenay Lake

Phone: 250-354-4139

Email:  dawn.snell@sd8.bc.ca

Web: https://southnelson.sd8.bc.ca/