Learning Culture
@ Myrtle Philip Community School
June 5th 2019
We have been very busy the past month with so many wonderful learning opportunities. This will give you a little taste of what we have been up to the past month here at MPE...
Myrtle ED Talks
Our Team lead an amazing public speaking event here at the school, and then organized the event at the Maury Young Theatre in Whistler on May 23rd. Speakers from WSS, SCE, and SHE joined a selection of our students for a fantastic display of public speaking and thoughtful topics.
This event that started at MPE 6 years ago has blossomed into an annual event that many of our students look forward to. Several speakers have been dreaming about the opportunity to speak at this event for several years now.
Waste Free Week
Waste free week was a student driven initiative that 3 boys from grade 6 & 7 started as a dialog to reduce our consumption. The presented to the school and then monitored the waste each day for a week. They saw some improvement but noticed that on some hot lunch days there was more waste than on other days. With this information they spoke to PAC and the hot lunch provider made adjustments so the packaging was biodegradable.
WCCS has also made adjustments to our food fridge and is now providing biodegradable packaging and more fruit options as snacks..
Together we are making change, and a difference to the environment!
Weaving Project
Tanina Williams, Our Aboriginal Cultural Worker, has been working with our whole school to weave a blanket, that will later be on display at the SLCC. Classes have been learning how to weave small pouches, and are all taking part in weaving the bigger blanket project.
A blanket holds significant symbolism for many First Nations Cultures. In the words of Monique Gray Smith "Blankets have been used to protect and to keep us warm, to trade, to wrap around couples when they marry, represent families and clans and to tell stories and legends for generations to come". It is in this spirit we value the learning of Aboriginal ways of being and knowing, and learning about this art we see part of our collective journey into truth and reconciliation.
World Cup Soccer
One of our Grade 7 students has lead the charge in organizing a World Cup league where students and teachers have been placed on 8 different teams. Games have been taking place at lunch all week.
The past two weeks, working with Whistler Soccer association we have had "Soccer Mark" come work with our students during their PE blocks. Mark is great with our students and the buzz around soccer this past few weeks has been amazing.
Skype Visit with Jeff Probst
A few weeks ago Mrs. Hamserley's class had an Skype call with Author Jeff Probst. They have been reading the book "Stranded", and was connected to Jeff through a parent in the class.
It was an amazing experience for the students to have a full hour live chat where they were able to ask him questions about the characters in the book, how he planned the story, and about the writing process itself.
I was impressed with his energy and enthusiasm. It was a real treat for our students.
So much learning
It is always a pleasure to walk into classrooms and seeing the students engaged in the learning process. In this case, these students were learning how to follow scientific method, and learn how to work collaboratively in the process.
Making Math Visual...
This was a neat project in Mr. Dontas grade 3/4 class, as they broke down 1 whole sheet of paper to learn about fractions. then were able to visually represent them...
baseball at lunch
A big thanks to Duane Kurcher for coming out and setting up some opportunities for students on Fridays at lunch. The students have enjoyed the extra opportunities.
Nature in the Classroom
Mrs. Hamersly's class went on a field trip today down to Pemberton to go and return the Chicks they hatched to former Teacher Mrs. Los. The students in her class and Mrs. Williams class were able to watch the whole process of the hatching chicks.
K/1 Students recently went on a field trip down to Squamish to release the salmon they studied and raised in their classrooms.
Volunteer Tea
Today our Staff organized a thank you to all the amazing volunteers that make our school such an amazing place.
MPE's got Talent
On Friday at 1:15pm we will hold a show with a selection of students performing some of their acts.
This past week we have had over 3 hours of lunch time performances from students in our school. It has been amazing to watch them come together and showcase their artistic talent.
