VOYAGEURS ARE
Safe, Respectful &
Do their Personal Best |
Safe, Respectful &
Do their Personal Best |
A HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPALIt has been a most exceptional year and schooling around a pandemic. We have come such a long way from the initial start of the school lock down this past April. As I reminded myself of the many achievements accomplished by our school community this past year, I am truly grateful for the diligent work of our school staff, the steadfast support of our parent community and the resiliency of our students. Together we have kept up with the demands of our circumstances. As a community we have learned to be flexible and adaptable, to work collaboratively on keeping school a safe place, and to support each other in ensuring the children have a positive and successful school experience. As a community we will continue to brave this storm. We can go the distance because together, we are Voyageurs Strong! With but a handful of days to go to a well deserved break, and as 2020 comes to an end, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our ÉSMS families a safe and happy holiday. Merry Christmas & Joyeux Noël! SPREADING CHRISTMAS CHEEROur grade 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 students are hoping to warm hearts and keep the community connected through messages of love and joy during a pandemic Christmas. They’ve been busy creating beautiful Christmas cards for our local senior residents of the Chalet Malouin and friends at Smile Epic. Each individually crafted card contains a special Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays message hand written by the students. When asked how the elders will feel when they receive their cards, students shared many sentiments of love and gratitude. While Aaron is wanting to warm hearts, Larry is looking to make the seniors smile and Kadynce is hoping for their hearts will be filled with joy. The students feel as good about making and delivering their cards as the seniors do who will receive them. As so well said by Rayah, “I feel happy because I am giving joy to other people”. Alexander and friends Cheyenne & Ciara shared that making the cards for the seniors made them feel happy because the people at the chalet are in lockdown and they can’t get out to see family and their not allowed visitors. “Our cards will make them happy” the girls added. Our students have once again shown us that happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. NEW PAPERLESS REPORT CARDS TO BE SENT HOME THIS WEEK Student report cards will be emailed to all families by this Friday December 18th. The report cards will be sent to the email address we have on file. We understand some parents would also like to receive a paper copy; if this is the case for you, please let your classroom teacher know and we will be sure to send one home with your student once the emailed versions have gone out. Please note that any inserts, forms or lists that would normally be included with the report card will either be sent home with your student or posted on the school website. Just a reminder Maternelle and Kindergarten do not receive a formal written report card at this time. The first formal written report will be in March of 2020 for the Kindergarten/Maternelle students. TELL THEM FROM MEStudents in grades 4 to 8 participated last week in the province based Tell Them from Me survey. The survey asks students questions about their school and home life, as well as their feelings about how things are at school. It seeks feedback about how students spend their time both in and out of school hours, for their thoughts on academics and current social school issues (such as bullying), and for their perspective on physical, social, and emotional wellness. The results of the survey are shared with the school division and with the school, with the intention of having student voices impact change to help make the school an even better place for everyone. BEING ME, LIL' Steps to Big ChangesMeet Cindy, Cristabelle and Wilbert. They’re all part of the “Being Me” program happening in our grades ½ and ¾ classes. The program uses the story of “Cindy and Cristabelle's Big Scare” to teach children about anxiety, worry, fear and how to manage these emotions in a healthy way. The fainting goats Cindy and Cristabelle share their story of anxiety on the farm after a coyote comes to pay a visit. Their anxiety that follows prevents them from having fun on the farm and enjoying life as they did before. Wilbert the pig helps by teaching them strategies such as his deep piggy belly breathing, being mindful and sitting like a pig in mud and more! In the Being Me Program, the students each get their own toolkits that come with sensory tools. Brooke commented that “All the tools we have in the kit helps me feel calmer when I’m stressed. I’ll take out the muddy paddy or the squishy Wilbert and I feel better.” Hailey adds that she put her worries in the worry box and then they go away. The animals really make the learning fun and help students make connections to their own experiences. Oliver shared that the program allows him to be able to share his feelings and my though. It’s helped him manage his anxiety. In a time where we have seen anxiety increase for many children due to the pandemic circumstances, the program is making a significant difference in our students' wellbeing. We are very fortunate to be part of the program’s first year piloting year and are grateful to Mme Lucy and her furry companions for this incredible opportunity. We hope one day to be able to visit Cindy, Cristabelle, and Wilbert in person! For more information about online parent resources and online courses such as “Cindy and Cristabelle's Big Scare; An Interactive Approach to Addressing Childhood Anxiety” ( through the Institute of child psychology), please see the Lil' Steps Wellness Farm website at www.lilstepswellnessfarm.net A GRAND SEASON FINALE FOR BUCKET BALL SCRIMMAGEThe grade 5 & 6 students are celebrating the success of their bucket ball season by recognizing great sportsmanship. Caenan Holdnick, River Preteau, Morgan Penner and Nate Hamilton were selected and honoured by their peers for their extraordinary display of sportsmanship. This comes after 5 weeks of bucket ball scrimmage games between 6 competing teams, where following each game, students rallied to select a sportsmanship recognition for a student on the opposing team. What about the four earned them the award from their peers? Nate shares that you can be kind while being competitive. “It’s important to be positive and to encourage others”. Ceanan adds that the importance of sportsmanship is about even when you’re losing it means you’re still nice to the opposing team. And to River being a good sport is saying “good job, nice try, good blocking”. “Whenever my team or the opposite team made a goal I always congratulated them.” Morgan shows her sportsmanship by playing by the rules, including others, and always being kind. For all four students it was an honour to be chosen. Students have not only greatly developed their teamwork abilities and sportsmanship qualities, they’ve been able to practice some physical education skills despite the many COVID restrictions in place. Mr Dan adds that students have learned important life skills such as responsibility as a teammate, being on time, playing by the rules, including everyone regardless of ability level, sharing the workload, being resilient, shaking off missteps and staying in the game, and always, always doing their best. Congratulations to all grade 5 & 6 students for their exceptional team spirit. DONATION REQUEST - GENTLY USED WINTER CLOTHESWith Phys. Ed. classes being outside, in addition to early arrivals at school and three recess times, we are noticing some students are not prepared to be outside for this duration of time. Some of that preparation is based on our students realizing winter has arrived, and that they need to be outside for a good hour or two per day. However, in some cases, our students lack the essential items required to stay warm for an extended period of time outdoors. We are reaching out to our school community! If you have any gently used outdoor clothing that you can donate to the school, we would appreciate it. We are looking for all sizes of winter clothing articles that will assist K-8 students. You can send your items with your child OR you can drop them off at the front office of the school. Just buzz at the entrance and someone will meet you at the door. We thank you in advance for your support in keeping our students safe during our long winter months. DECEMBER REPORT CARDS TO BE EMAILEDÉSMS is proud to announce we are moving to paperless report cards for grades 1 to 8. All parents will receive their child(s) report card to the email address we have on file. We understand that some parents would also like to receive a paper copy. If this is the case for you, please let your classroom teacher know and we will be sure to send one home with your student once the emailed versions have gone out. Please note that any inserts, forms or lists that would normally be included with the report card will either be sent home with your student or posted on the school website. Just a reminder Maternelle and Kindergarten do not receive a formal written report card at this time. The first formal written report will be in March of 2020 for the Kindergarten/Maternelle students. School amidst a pandemic has definitely brought on many changes and challenges, and continues to do so. Our ÉSMS community has been navigating the work required to provide all our students with a quality educational experience while following the guidelines that ensure we keep everyone as safe as possible. As a part of the latter portion of our work, you have been receiving surveys, hearing rumours about the timing of one level moving to the other, and receiving letters from Southern Health about COVID-19 investigations involving our school. It can all be nerve wracking! We understand. Our goal is to prepare and inform our school community so, if needed, we can smoothly transition into any version of Red Level we are placed in as well as return back to school, whether back to Orange or Yellow Levels, as smoothly as possible. As this article is being written, there has been no indication that a Red Level is required for ÉSMS. (Red Level = all students are learning remotely with only the children of critical & essential workers remote learning from school.) TEMPORARY REMOTE LEARNING ANNOUNCED FOR JANUARY 4TH TO 15TH This past week, the province announced a two week remote learning period for all Grades 7-12 students in Manitoba from January 4th to January 15th (inclusively). Part of that announcement detailed a remote learning option for students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 as well. This announcement comes at a time where ÉSMS is already offering K to 8 students the option of remote learning. The difference for our students during the 2 week period is that all of our grade 7 and 8 students will be remote learning from home while our grade K to 6 students will continue to have the option of in person learning at school or remote learning from home. This plan is temporary and only specifically for the 2 weeks after the Christmas holiday break. Families of Grade 7 & 8 students will receive additional information about the planned remote learning from your child’s teacher(s). We ask families of Kindergarten to Grade 6 students in need of this option to communicate their intentions for their child by December 14th by emailing me at [email protected]. Further information as to how to proceed will be provided at that time. Our teachers, as always, will do their best to ensure a positive experience. HAVE YOU ANSWERED A TECH SURVEY? Last week we sent a tech survey out to all families via email. This survey is meant to gather information about your family's requirements for technology at home IF/WHEN we go to a remote learning scenario, such as the the Temporary Remote Learning period January 4th to 15th for our grade 7 & 8 students, optional for our grades K to 6 students. We appreciate and thank families that have answered the survey. A number of families have not responded OR may have without thinking about their entire family's needs. We would encourage you to reflect on your needs because we would like to ensure we appropriately assist in providing the essential equipment required to be successful in a remote learning environment. The link for the tech survey can be found here. A typical student will require five tech-type things to be successful.
Some may have completed the survey making some assumptions. Here are a couple of assumption scenarios...
ART IN 3-D STRUCTURESDuring the month of November all 3 of the Grade 3/4 classes designed and built 3-D structures using recycled material. This art project tied into their Science curriculum; students were asked to first design a few 2-D images using a set amount of rods (15-20) on paper. Next they brought in magazines and tape to start the process. They used a pencil to roll up their paper rods until they had their desired amount. The students were shown how to make 2 different sizes of paper rods for their structures and how to plan and construct their ideas from 2-D to 3-D. All three classes had fun incorporating their ideas and personalities into Science and Art! ÉSMS TEMPORARY REMOTE LEARNING OPTIONAs the COVID situation continues to evolve, we understand the importance of adapting teaching and learning to these circumstances. To best satisfy the needs of our students and ensure a continuity of learning during these times, we have decided to offer a temporary remote learning option to families requiring an alternative option to in school in person learning, . School will continue to remain open for all students to attend in person learning. The temporary remote learning option will be available to students from Kindergarten to grade 8. You will find attached the guidelines and criteria for remote learning. Families in need of this option, should communicate their intentions by emailing me at [email protected]. Further information as to how to proceed will be provided to you at that time. We want to help all our students succeed in these trying times; we hope that, by offering a blended model of teaching and learning (In person learning and Remote learning), we can meet student needs and bring some reassurance to families. DONATION REQUEST - GENTLY USED WINTER CLOTHESWith Phys. Ed. classes being outside, in addition to early arrivals at school and three recess times, we are noticing some students are not prepared to be outside for this duration of time. Some of that preparation is based on our students realizing winter has arrived, and that they need to be outside for a good hour or two per day. However, in some cases, our students lack the essential items required to stay warm for an extended period of time outdoors. We are reaching out to our school community! If you have any gently used outdoor clothing that you can donate to the school, we would appreciate it. We are looking for all sizes of winter clothing articles that will assist K-8 students. You can send your items with your child OR you can drop them off at the front office of the school. Just buzz at the entrance and someone will meet you at the door. We thank you in advance for your support in keeping our students safe during our long winter months. STUDENT PERSPECTIVE ON CODE ORANGE CHANGESOur grade 7 & 8 French program is one of many groups of students at ÉSMS that had to relocate for the Code Orange Phase. Their relocation has brought them out to another building altogether. The group is now comfortably settled in to the Salle Iberville in the St. Malo Church basement. In a recent interview with these students, they shared their perspective on this change. Students acknowledge that, while the relocation has had its challenges, it has also presented them with opportunities. “We can still be at school, still be kind of normal” was shared by one student. This relocation hasn’t been without its challenges: some laugh at the creepiness of being in a basement (& some love the feeling of it). The noise can be a bit of a challenge, along with the lack of a thermostat control for the room, for those who like balmy temps. Despite the downfalls, there are some definite bonuses. They appreciate being able to still have access to the school yard, only a short walk away, and to be able to connect with their friends in the ⅞ E class during breaks. Students are taking full advantage of having access to so many bathrooms, of having top notch internet, of a bigger space to work in, and of their expanded classroom library of books. One of the best things, they said, was being able to have the whole ⅞ group together, to be with their friends all day, something they will miss when we return to a more normal time at the school. The group recognizes the compromises made by the entire school community to ensure that all students continue to have access to being at school. Summer Damm summed up the feeling of the group: “I’m glad that everyone is making some sacrifices so that we can all be at school. We will have our hard days, but everybody in the school is helping so that we can be here.” REVISED RRVSD SCHOOL CALENDAR- |
Archives
September 2023
|