Hello families!

I hope you had a great weekend of rest and replenishment now that the school year is well underway. We are looking forward to a great week ahead.  

Some highlights from last week include:

• Crockpot fruit stew – Mrs. DeSousa’s class made a pot luck fruit stew from fruits students brought in. It was a great collaborative and eco-friendly activity to start the year. I hear fruit cobbler is on its way next!
• Cross country running began – Big thanks to Mrs. Bonikowsky and Ms. Douglas for leading our cross country running team. They meet on Wed/Fri at 8am for practice.
• Monday rundays! – Our whole school running days started last week. It’s great to see the students start off their day and week with a good run to get their bodies moving and brains raring to go!
• Library classes began – all classes have library each week. Mrs. Stewart welcomed each class last week and students were able to begin signing out books. Watch for these at home and be sure to send them back each week!
• Outdoor learning – Mrs. Bonikowsky’s class started weekly outdoor learning with a trip to Gyro park.  Other classes will follow with walking trips to the local forest in the upcoming weeks. Classes are starting to head to Kokanee Creek and will continue throughout the month of September.
• Art cards – Can you believe we are already starting to think about Christmas? Classes have started  planning and preparing their annual art card which will be available for purchase for the holidays.
• A note about equipment check out: This year we are managing outside play equipment at the classroom level rather than at a central location. Teachers will have available balls and toys students can use for outdoor play. If you have any items you wish to donate for outside use, please let us know! 

A few reminders for you: 

1. Absences – If your child is going to be absent, please make sure our office is aware. Here are some ways you can do so:
   
   1. School Messenger app
   2. Our online webform
   3. Call our office at 250-354-4139
2. School fees – $45 covers all expenses for your child’s school supplies. This can be paid cash, cheque, or debit in our office. Alternately (and more conveniently!) you can pay online here
3. Traffic – Traffic around the school in the morning is quite dense. Thank you for being watchful as you drop and pick up your children from school. Please review our Traffic Guidelines
   
   1. On Hendryx street – Please do NOT park in our bus zone.  Park ahead of the yellow cones.
   2. On Latimer Street – please watch for pedestrians, bikes and busses
4. Volunteering  You may find that you wish to volunteer in your child’s classroom, around the school or accompany field trips throughout the year. We have several trips coming up already this September. 

        If you would like to be involved in this way, you will need to submit a volunteer package and have a criminal record check completed.  Once this is on file         in the office, you will be able to volunteer throughout the year. 

        You can pick up a volunteer package at the office or at this link

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

1. Sept. 19 Planning day – NO SCHOOL for students
2. Sept. 25 – Family Engagement Session: Mental Health in School
3. Sept. 25 – Terry Fox Run – 1:30pm Let us know if you can volunteer!
4. Sept. 29 – Truth and Reconciliation assembly (9:30am) – Parents are welcome to join us!
5. Sept. 30 – Truth and Reconciliation stat holiday – NO SCHOOL

Finally, some family learning! 

You will notice that some information went home today from our SD8 food resources. You may want to talk about nutrition at home. Getting your child ivolved nwith packing their own lunch or cooking together helps them identify their own personal nutritional needs as well as raise their awareness for heathy eating. 

Here’s some information from Canada’s Food guide on involving kids in planning and preparing meals. 

Maybe try one of the suggested family food adventures!

That is all for now. Have a wonderful week! 

Mrs. Snell