May 23, 2025

Weekly Update

We want to start by recognizing the incredible work Ms. Kye put into organizing our district Track and Field Day. Thanks to her dedication and coordination, we had our largest ever turnout as a school—14 students representing us with pride! A huge thank-you as well to the volunteers who helped out on the day—it was a great success and a true community effort.

Next week, we look forward to our days at Xwawchayay (Porteau Cove). These are special learning opportunities where the land and water become our classroom. Each day begins with a group circle, then students will split into two groups:

• One group will learn from scuba divers and engage in hands-on marine biology activities.
  
  
• The other group will take part in a beach walk guided by a culture and language teacher.
  
  

After lunch, the groups will switch, and the day will wrap up around 2:00 PM.

Class Schedule for Xwawchayay:

• Ms. Kathleen’s class – May 27
  
  
• Ms. Kye’s class – May 28
  
  
• Learning Expeditions – May 29
  
  

Students should come prepared to spend the full day outdoors. On these days, Xwawchayay will be our classroom, and the classroom at school will be closed for those classes, as all teaching staff will be on site. Individual accommodations will be made as needed, in line with students’ educational programs, and coordinated in advance.

These land-based days are central to our school’s vision, and we’re grateful for the time and energy our staff and volunteers invest to make them possible.

You may also hear students talking about attendance raffles happening at school. As a fun way to promote conversations about the importance of showing up, we’ll be holding random raffles from now until the end of the school year. Each time a raffle takes place, every student present gets a ticket. In addition, we’re running weekly raffles with tickets earned for each day a student attends that week.

We know that there are good reasons students might not be at school—especially due to illness. This initiative is simply a fun and non-judgmental way to honour and encourage consistent attendance, which we know is a key factor in student success.

Finally, we want to lift up and honour three students who truly lived our school’s values this week:

Wanáxws - Chance

Chén̓chenstway - April

Tímit - Khloe

Take care, 

Cory Hartling

Principal 

St’a7mes School