Dear Home Team,                                                             Sept. 24th, 2023

Last week was a busy week with a lockdown drill, the Terry Fox run, a visit from Constable Alex, and a pro-D day where teachers learnt about Trauma Informed teaching practices. In 2A, we started talking about our new topic in science: water sources, conservation, and the water cycle. This is going to fit well with our Social Studies topic of Diverse Cultures and Communities in Canada, including a First Nations community and knowledge about cultural significance of water.

Our class website is up and running! Here you can see specialists’ schedules, spelling lists, upcoming events, etc.  Click on Grade 2A on the school website page.

With the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation approaching, this week we will have a focus on the meaning of the day (at an age appropriate level for grade 2), by reading books including: “Phyllis’ Orange Shirt” by Phyllis Webstad, and “Stolen Words” by Melanie Florence, which help young children start to learn about aspects and the impact of residential schools. We will also have a short assembly on Friday Sept 29th in honour of Orange Shirt Day.

Important notes for this week:

***All earthquake comfort kits are due on Tuesday Sept 26th so they can be included in the outdoor Earthquake kits. Please return if you haven’t already.**

Mon Sept 25 - School Photo Day, Individual & Class (Wear Full Uniform)

This Monday, we will have our special visitor, Michael Barber, an Educational Assistant in training, who has been observing and working in our class on Monday mornings in September. Micheal is the son of a long serving teacher at St. Patrick’s, Michelle Barber.

Tues Sept 26  - P.E. (wear gym strip)

Wed Sept 27 - wear Full Special Day Uniform for the Welcome Back school mass at 10:45 am at St. Patrick's Church. We will walk with our Gr. 5 big buddies.

Thus Sept 28 - Hot Lunch starts!

Fri Sept 29 - Orange Shirt Day (please wear an orange shirt with uniform)

(Also Library starts today! 😊 )

Sat. Sept. 30th 2023 - National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

-        If you are looking for a family activity to honour the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, consider attending part or all of the South Island Powwow at Royal Athletic Park:  https://songheesnation.ca/south-island-powwow  

 Mon. Oct. 2, 2023 - Day in Lieu of National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Day (school closed)

I am collecting wine bottle corks for a Christmas craft project that I have planned! Please save them and send them in!

I am planning a Cultural Heritage Project, based on the book “We are all Related”. If possible, please can you locate and send in several photos of your child, his/her ancestors (grandparents, parents, and/or other extended family members) to create a cultural heritage collage. These photos will not be returned as they will be glued onto the collage, so please make sure they are spare/copies! The photos can be hard copies, or emailed to me: ksikkel@cisdv.bc.ca   Thank you in advance!

As always, please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Kind regards,

Kelly Sikkel

Grade 2 Teacher

St Patrick’s Elementary School