March 15, 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 -  

We can be Heros! 

What a full week of learning we’ve had this last week before Spring Break! Students were preparing for our Herring Ceremony that happened on Thursday. Spakwus classes collected ceder stems to hand out at the ceremony, Sxwi7shen collected ceder and hemlock branches, Yew yews made the rock anchors and Mixalh made the ceder rope for tying the anchors to the ceder and hemlock bows the anchors. Everyone had a part in creating a part of the work to be done.  

Ceremony is Experiential Learning! Thank you all to came to be a part in the work of our ceremony. Chiaxstn joined us and represented our school family as our speaker, and our own Gavin Lewis was the other speaker for the floor. Matthew explained how the elders told stories of the Herring and how they used to inhabit our waters, but due to damage done to the health of our sound from industry, years ago stopped coming. 5 years ago our school wanted to try to bring the Herring Back. We wondered what the impact would be on the ecosystem. We hypothesized that if we were able to recreate a spawning ground that would mimic the ecosystem that they had spawned in before, that they would recognize it as home and that they may return. Each year we learn something new, and we have responded by adjusting a variable each time like adding anchors to the boughs, to adjust the system to which we add the anchors to the bows. This year we are trying to see what would happen if we anchors the bows to the log booms. This is a great experiential work to show the scientific method.  

We raise our hands to the Capilano Little Ones school who joined us in this work. They created a song and dance to add to our ceremony.  The song tells the story of the herring and the predators. What a great way to show understanding and celebrate this circle of life that supports our waters and land. The both the song and dance was full of joy and brought a sense of fun to the work! We can’t wait to add this song and dance to our repertoire. It was a significant gift to our community.  

After the work, we returned to totem hall for a FEAST!!!!! A full surf and turf dinner was served: Roast beef with mashed potatoes and the best gravy I’ve ever had, soda bread and Bannock, rice and salmon. It was outstanding!!!! The chef shared a story of their connection to their ancestors who taught them the techniques and recipes, they shared gratitude and connection for the support and relationship with the nation, and this told us of all the good energy and love they put into creating this meal.  

It was a beautiful day!  

Thinking and Planning ahead -   

We return from Spring Break to school on Tuesday April 2nd.On Wednesday April 3rd we have parent teacher interviews. An email to book appointments has been sent out by Gayle. Kiddo steam will be coming the first week back to present Science and Technology activities to our grades 3-6 classrooms. They offer afterschool programs and Spring Break and Summer Break camps. Please follow the link below for details:  

https://kiddosteam.ca/ 

When we return from Spring Break we will be on the home-stretch of learning until summer. This will be a time to reflect on the learning accomplished this year, to press the reset button to get back into routines that support our growth and wellness, and to spend time enjoying and appreciating the relationships we’ve built in our school community this year.  

Up and coming dates:  

March 16th- April 1st – Spring Break 

April 2nd – Students Return to school.  

April 3rd – Early Dismissal, Parent Teacher Interviews.   

April 4th - KiddoSTEAM Academy School Visit.  

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

Dave Dallman, the VP at Howe sound sent home the following message and I thought it was very appropriate for our community to consider as we are monitoring the use of technology for our kids over Spring Break.  

“As we approach spring break, we would like to revisit safe technology use, especially concerning our teenagers' engagement with social media. Following a recent Safer Schools Together presentation to grade 10 students titled "Establishing Safe, Caring, and Respectful Digital Communities," I want to emphasize fostering responsible technology habits among our youth. 

Raising children in the digital age brings unique challenges and opportunities for growth. While technology evolves rapidly, principles of moderation and communication remain constant. We encourage a balanced approach to responsible digital citizenship. Maintaining open dialogue with our children is central to promoting digital responsibility. By being approachable adults, we create an environment where they feel comfortable seeking guidance. Remember, their digital footprint today affects their future. 

Here are some tips for digital parenting: 

- Keep devices out of bedrooms to promote healthy sleep habits. 

• - Know their passwords and periodically check their devices. 
• - Stay educated about the apps and games they use. 
• - Cultivate openness and trust for discussing online experiences. 
• - Maintain vigilance by monitoring online presence. 
• - Highlight the permanence of online content. 

I also want to draw attention to the dangers of sexting and sextortion. Sexting poses significant risks, including the potential for sextortion, where victims are coerced into non-consensual sexual acts, or are coerced into sending money under the threat of the content being made public. In addition, recent developments in AI have made it easier for predators to create fake images, video and voice. It's crucial to emphasize online caution and discretion with our youth. 

Please explore the following resources for more information on fostering a safer digital environment: https://saferschoolstogether.com/resources/parent-resources/ https://www.commonsense.org/education/toolkit/family-engagement-resources.” 

I hope you have an amazing Spring Break connecting with your children. Below are some ideas for activities and a link to more if you need some inspiration for things to do. These ideas come from the Parenting Magazine’s Website.  

7 Family-Friendly Staycation Ideas for Spring Break 

Outdoor Spring Break Activities 

Does your child love spending time outside? Take advantage of the warmer weather with these at-home spring break ideas. But we warned: Some of them may require your kid to get a little muddy! 

• Plant an edible garden 
• Learn to fly a kite 
• Sleep underneath the stars by camping in the backyard 
• Plan an outdoor scavenger hunt 
• Have a picnic in the park 
• Break out the bonfire pit and make s'mores 
• Decorate the driveway with chalk 
• Indoor Spring Break Activities 
• If the weather is cold or rainy, simply bring the fun and games inside. These spring break activities will be loads of fun for everyone involved. 
• Build a fort with blankets and pillows 
• Test out a new recipe 
• Host a fashion show to mix-and-match fun outfits 
• Practice a new skill, whether it's making paper airplanes, juggling, or doing magic tricks 
• Ponder these trivia questions about science, Disney, history, and more 
• Plan an at-home spa day 
• Have a photo shoot throughout the house 

https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/indoor/spring-break-activities-and-ideas-for-kids-at-home/ 

Have a wonderful couple of weeks. Safe Journeys if you are traveling.  See you again when we return!  

 Most Sincerely,  

Alysa Patching, Principal. 

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS / STUDENT LED CONFERENCES 

We will be hosting our Parent Teacher Interviews (LEx Families) and Student Led Conferences (CJ Families) on April 3^rd from 3:00 – 6:00pm. Students will be dismissed early at 2:00pm to facilitate these meetings. Please find below a booking link to schedule your meeting:

Booking Instructions: