Copy of April 12, 2024

We can be Heros! 

We come from good people. At ST’a7mes school we use our strengths to support one another; we are all connected. We show kindness, treat others with dignity and respect. We care for people in need.  We are connected to and we represent our family, ancestors, and community. We work with exertion and diligence.  

Ha7lh Skwayel Families -  

Food Brings People Together! 

This has been the week of the food cart! We have introduced a new option for breakfasts, snacks and lunches.  The St’a7mes food cart is positioned outside of our office as one comes in the front door.  Students, Staff and School Community members have all been accessing the cart. The addition of the cart has had a noticeable impact on the culture of the school already. One student said “What has happened to our school since Spring Break? We have food at the front, we’re getting outside, . . . it feels so much better!”.  Students are using Critical thinking and problem solving. They are making choices and sharing interests: “I like maple the best”. “ I chose yogurt”, “I got cereal”.  Students are collaborating. They are helping each other – “ I can pour this for you”.  Student are practicing skills that help develop literacy: fine motor skills when pouring and unwrapping packaging.  They are practicing social skills with greeting each other and office staff cheerfully, and using manners: -“ please pass, thank you”, waiting turns. The addition of the food cart is a manifestation of the competencies in our School Learning Plan. 

A big shout out to the ST’a7mes LST teacher Sarah Fleming for the time of putting the ideas into action and developing the programing, routines and processes.  Sarah is new to our district this year and comes with a host of experience in her life former to teaching. Sarah comes with expertise around community food programming as she used to run and outreach food program at a women’s center in Ontario. The St’a7mes staff is grateful for the addition of Sarah to our team.  

Freshii Lunches:  

A reminder that our first Freshii lunch order will be starting this Monday.  Students made their orders last week. We are looking forward to a delicious lunch! Freshii does have “Kids eat Free” days on the weekends and they are now serving coffee and breakfast, so if you’re looking for going out for eating this weekend, consider supporting their business as an appreciation for the support for our school.   

Story Workshop:  

The story workshop has been busy this week. Many stories have been told including the tale about invention of ‘Honey Nuts’ and the unlikely friendship between a squirrel and a honey bee.  It’s fun to see the connections being made between the story workshop station and the cereal on our food cart.   

Learning Expeditions:  

LEX classes have started a unit on Ethnobotany.  This week they were on the hunt around our grounds exploring a variety of plant species.  More learning to come will connect with Indigenous knowledge and connections with the community.  

On the Playground:  

Students are exploring letters, literacy, numbers and shape, and space and building concepts in their play.   

Partners in the Learning; Family Homework and reminders from the Principal:   

When we talk about regulation for kids, we are talking about a state where children are able to manage thinking and decision making while also being able to cope with their big feelings.  Often children become dysregulated when their sensory system is overwhelmed and they are unable to manage the volume of information or stimulus that they are absorbing.  We know the obvious parts of the sensory system: sight, smell, sound, taste, touch. What we as St’a7mes educators have been learning about, and focusing on this year, is the proprioceptive system and the introreceptive system.  The proprioceptive system is where the body is able to measure where it is in space. The introreceptive system is the mind’s ability to connect with how the body is feeling – for example recognizing when one has to go to the bathroom, or the physical feeling of being stressed.   Often when these systems are underdeveloped, kids have a difficult time regulating because something feels off or irritating to them that they can not explain, and managing that alongside everyday challenges is. . . well very challenging.  

A strategy for developing these systems is to employ a sensory diet.  A sensory diet is not something you eat. It is a “work out” or a series of activities designed to develop the neuropathways in the brain and muscles.   “The main goal of a sensory diet is to prevent sensory and emotional overload by meeting the nervous system’s sensory needs; however, it can also be used as a recovery technique.”  

Do you have a sensory diet as a family? Maybe this weekend you and your kids can come up with some ideas that will work for your home.  

I like to follow Courtney English on Instagram for ideas for a sensory diet for my child. If you have Instagram you might also follow her to get some ideas to put in place for your home. She has a great bedtime routine for settling and regulating for sleep readiness.  

https://www.instagram.com/courtneyenglish.ot/  

We are looking forward to another wonder – full week of learning next week. Have a warm and lovely weekend.  

 Most Sincerely,  

Alysa Patching, Principal.