Newsletters

Good morning, EMP Parents!

Some bussing issues this morning (oct. 13) affecting Darcy's bus - please check the SD6 website or bus app where it says:

"Route #W3: Green Acres (Orange Bus) Cancelled
Due to unforeseen circumstances Route #W3: Green Acres ( Orange Bus) will not be running today, October 13, 2023. We will update you with further details shortly regarding the afternoon run, which may or may not be running per schedule."

And in other news...

- Rebecka will be offering a volunteer training session this morning at 9:20 am sharp in the library to go over the Child Abuse Protocol Training.  It will be short & sweet, so please come if you can!

Important Events:

o Choir for grades 2 & 3: Mondays & Thursdays at lunch, offered by Ms. Claudette.

o Tuesday, Oct. 17: School photos

o Friday, Oct. 20: Professional Development Day – No school for students

o Wednesday, Oct. 25: Early Dismissal. Please note the dismissal time is 1:08 pm, two hours earlier than normal. This is Informal Reports week – an opportunity for teachers to communicate with all parents through a letter home, a phone call, or an invite into class. If you want to speak to your child’s teacher but it doesn’t happen this week, don’t worry! You can always ask to meet with them at another time.

o Monday, Oct. 30: EMP Pumpkin Palooza family dance and pumpkin carving. In the gym & skyrooms 5:30 - 6:30, with pumpkin viewing outside until 6:45.

o Tuesday, Oct. 31: Black & Orange Day  Wear black or orange if you like!

o Friday, Nov. 17:  Ready, Set, Learn event for families with children 0-5 yrs. RSL Nov 17 Teddy Bear Picnic.pdf  

Weytkp!  Hello EMP Families!

Homework for Parents & Guardians

Yes, indeed, parents have homework!  (When we say this, the students giggle and think the world is feeling a little more fair...)

But seriously, this is what we ask parents to do to ensure they are aware of what is happening at school and so that we can build the home-school connection.  A strong home-school connection means there is good communication between a child's family and their teacher, and this improves student confidence and growth.  

1. Look at your child's agenda every day.  Even if nothing is written in it, you can write something to your child or keep track of after school plans there.  Students who develop the habit of bringing home the agenda, taking it out, showing it to parents, and putting it back in their backpacks develop their "executive functioning skills."  They can apply these planning skills to other areas of their lives and develop their independence.

2. Have your child help make their lunch.  Of course it is often easier to do it yourself, but they are more likely to eat what is packed if they have a hand in choosing.  Offer them two or three healthy choices, and keep it simple if they are younger. Please remember that our school is NUT FREE, so peanut butter is not allowed as we have students with severe allergies.

3. Read the Parent Handbook.  It is available on our school website and in the front of your child's agenda. We are in the process of updating it, so if you see anything that doesn't make sense, please let Ms. Gray know. 

4. Make contact with your child's teacher.  If you have already seen them and introduced yourself (perhaps at the Open House last week - thank you all for attending!), or if you have sent a quick response to an email or SeeSaw message, THANK YOU!  Your active participation in the daily school life of your child makes a difference!  If your child's teacher has not reached out yet with a letter, email, or Seesaw message, please take a moment to reach out to them by email because they may not have your correct contact information.

5. And finally, parents or guardians need to verify their contact information and permissions for various things (like media consent, walking field trips, Indigenous ancestry, etc.) by completing the online forms ASAP.  Need help?  Please call Ms. Gray.  As we say at EMP: We are learning to do hard things! (and no doubt about it, online forms are hard, but not impossible!).

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Interior Health Information for Families

It's that time of year!  Please review the information on respiratory infections, gastrointestinal infections, head lice, etc. on the Interior Health website.  

Consult the Too Sick for School? info sheet if you're not sure if your child should stay home.  Call the school or email your child's teacher AND Ms. Gray if your child is going to be away (Rebecca.Gray@sd6.bc.ca).

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Some dates to remember (Many of these are in the parent handbook, in the student agendas):

Orange Shirt Days: We have two this week, but students are invited to wear orange shirts at any time.  Wednesday, September 27 (as Ms. Tish is doing some activities with all classes tomorrow to recognize the impact of Residential schools) and Friday, September 29, when we will have an assembly.

Monday, Oct. 2 - No school (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation observed)

Wednesday, Oct. 4 - Bus safety presentations

Monday, Oct. 9 - No school (Thanksgiving)

Tuesday, Oct. 17 - Picture Day!

Friday, Oct. 20 - No school (Professional development day for school staff)

Wednesday, October 25 - Early dismissal at 1:05 pm (Interim reporting week - you can expect a parent teacher meeting or phone call or conference sometime this week)

Hello EMP families, 

It has been a wonderful two days of seeing our students return to EMP!  There were so many excited reunions on the playground; it warmed our hearts and reminded us why we do what we do. We anticipate it may take a little more time for everyone to settle in, but we thank all of you who trust in the class placements. All teachers and support staff have spent countless hours considering the very best placements, and everything from academic confidence, friendships, conflicts, energy levels, previously identified supports needed and parent concerns have gone into the creation of these classes. Will your child be placed in the same class as their best friend?  Not always, and for good reason.  Will you get the same teacher you already had with an older sibling?  Not always, but we're so happy to hear you love them!  We hope that after a day or two, you will connect with your child's teacher should you have concerns - students don't always show their anxiousness at school but will instead save it all up to share with you at home because you are their safe people, the ones they trust to take care of them.  In time, I hope you are able to see how much each of our staff members at EMP care for their students!  

Kindergarten families came to the Teddy Bear Picnic today, and teachers got to know their new batch of students through games and crafts. They will begin their school year with a gradual entry - please see the Kindergarten tab on the EMP website (emps.sd6.bc.ca) to review their schedule.  Kindy parents, please remember to complete the CHEQ questionnaire, as discussed at the meeting.  Lost your login?  Come see Ms. Rebecka at the office for a reprint.

Agendas will be handed out to all students soon - please read, sign, & have your child put it back in their backpack each day. If you have after school plans that are different than usual, please write them in the agenda, and also let your child's teacher and Ms. Gray know by calling or emailing (rebecca.gray@sd6.bc.ca).

Not sure who your child's teacher is yet?  Don't worry, they will be reaching out soon to introduce themselves and send you their contact info (or check out the staff page on the EMP website for their email addresses).  Most teachers will be using SeeSaw as a tool to supplement communication between home and school, and to involve students in the learning process.  Your supportive comments online will mean a lot to your child!

Bell schedule - please see emps.sd6.bc.ca/about-us/bell-schedule  Remember that there is no supervision until 8:30 a.m. in the morning, and that students are dismissed two hours early every Friday. 

Hello! Weyt-kp! Kiʔsuʔk kyukyit! Tawnshi!

We are eagerly anticipating and planning for the new school year.  Families, please note the times for the first day of school for students in grades 1 - 3 at EMP:

Tuesday, September 5:  8:50 a.m. - 11:05 a.m.   

• Busses will pick up at the regular time and drop off 4 hours earlier than normal.
• This is an important day for students: The short timeframe allows them to dip their toes back into the school routine. 
• All new students will be welcomed at the office and in the library.  They will tour the school with the principal and support staff and will be then placed with their peers.
• All past EMP students will return to their classroom from last year (a familiar place), and will connect with their peers and teacher from last year.  They will be introduced to all of their possible teachers for this year.  
• Please send a nut-free snack with your child.  Inside shoes are not needed until the next day.
• Class lists will be made after we see who is returning, who is new, and what our configurations will look like. 

Wednesday, September 6:  8:50 a.m. - 3:08 p.m.

• Busses will be running as usual for students in grades 1 - 12.
• Students will learn who their teacher is and where their classroom is when they arrive in the morning. (Please do not ask to find out early - we will not know.)
• Please send a nut-free snack and lunch.  Also send indoor shoes that will live at school.  Remember to label all of your child's belongings with their name.
• Grade 1 - 3 students will have a full day of school.
• Kindergarten students will attend only from 1:15 - 2:45 p.m. with a parent.  Bussing is not available for them.  They will be joining us in the gym and outside for our Teddy Bear's Picnic.

Kindergarten parents, please see the staggered-entry schedule here.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Hello parents & guardians,
We are trying a new way of collecting information for next year's classroom placements. Please fill in the survey link here for each of your children at EMP if you have additional information to bring to our attention about their learning and social/emotional needs. It is optional. The deadline to submit your feedback is June 8 at 2:00 pm. Staff will be reviewing input from teachers, support staff, parents, and students themselves in June as we build our class lists for next year. Final decisions about class placement will not happen until September.
On a side note, we are very interested in knowing who is moving away, and who is moving in. If you have not registered yet or have not yet told Ms. Gray about changes to enrolment, please do so ASAP (rebecca.gray@sd6.bc.ca). This helps us to plan proactively and have staff in place for September.

Other News:
Whole School Lunches: This week's burger & salad lunch was a great success, thanks to our PAC volunteers, especially Rachel Caswell, and also Justin at Rocky River Grill.

Science World is coming to EMP on Monday, June 5. Ask your child what they learned and found the most interesting!

Choir News: Friday, June 9 at 9:15 am, Ms. Claudette's choir group will present at our assembly. Thanks so much to Ms. Claudette for putting a little music into our lives!

EMP Fun Run: Monday, June 12. Please contact Ms. Fry to volunteer (nadyia.fry@sd6.bc.ca)

Ache Brazil Performance: Students will be going to J.A. Laird for a show from the Ache Brasil performance group on June 12th or 13th. Please check your child's agenda to see when their class is scheduled to go. Please note: Kindergarten students only will take the bus. Everyone else will walk. Due to the tight timelines, students who are late will miss the show, and will have to wait at EMP until their class returns. Please help your child to be on time so they don't miss out!

National Indigenous Peoples' Day: Wednesday, June 21, we will be hosting activities in the school yard and having an assembly to recognize the rich history and culture of Canada's Indigenous people. We encourage students who have Indigenous heritage to bring in artifacts, regalia, etc. or wear their ribbon skirts / shirts, sashes, etc. We will be serving fry bread at one of the stations - gluten free options will be available. Thanks to Ms. Tish for working with teachers to organize this celebration!

Fun Day: We are planning one more Whole School Lunch on our annual Fun Day on Wednesday, June 28. We will be serving hotdogs (with veggie & gluten-free options). Please send in healthy snacks as usual (or a whole lunch if your child does not like hot dogs), and be sure your child is dressed for the weather. Rain or shine, we will be outside playing so many fun games! Thanks to Mr. Orr, Ms. Kokko, Ms. McLellan, and all the parents who are helping to organize this event! They ask that you send sunscreen, a hat, a change of clothes or bathing suit, a towel, and, if possible, goggles, as the students will be playing with water and bubbles...lots and lots of bubbles!

Last Day for Students is Thursday, June 29. Report cards will go home this day. If your child is absent, they will be available for pick up at the office the following week (July 4 - 7).

May & June are soooo busy! Here are some of the important dates to keep in mind:
Thursday, May 25: PAC flower basket pick up 3:30 – 5:00 (around the back of the gym)
Tuesday, May 30: First day of Swimming lessons (Grades 2 & 3) (Teachers are looking for volunteers!)
Tuesday, May 30: Grade 3 Parent orientation night at J.A. Laird 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Wednesday, May 31: Whole School Lunch (sliders & salad) (PAC is looking for volunteers!)
Saturday, June 3: Book Fair 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in the school gym. All sales support our school library!
Monday, June 12: EMP Fun Run (Ms. Fry is looking for volunteers!)
Tuesday, June 13: ArtStarts performance 9:15 am at J.A. Laird for most classes (check your child’s agenda)
Wednesday, June 21: National Indigenous Peoples' Day - activities in the school yard
Friday, June 23: Grade 3 Farewell
Wednesday, June 28: Fun Day - activities & BBQ in the school yard (PAC is looking for volunteers!)

Community Engagement
Thanks to those parents who came out last Wednesday to hear about our school strategic plan. We had several teachers and support staff who talked about our literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional goals and strategies. It was very interesting for us to hear your points of view and questions. It’s rewarding to see the progress students have made, and we are making plans to address gaps that we notice. Please take a moment to add your feedback with the following short survey: https://forms.office.com/r/Y7tH15YMTR

Book Fair
Mrs. Tagg is hosting a book fair in the gym on June 3, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Please come out to grab some books for the summer! The money raised goes directly to the school library and helps us to keep engaging books on the shelves for our students.

Special Things at School
We continue to see many toys and special items at school. These things make school fun and are great ways to build connections between students. They are also very difficult for a child to keep track of, and we have many lost / misplaced / damaged / stolen items. Parents, please have a conversation with your child about how they will take care of their special thing, and when it is appropriate to take it out of their backpack. Let them know that if the item is a distraction to learning or causing conflict on the playground, they will be directed to put it away and not bring it back to school. Home is the best place for special things.

EMP Fun Run
Once or twice a week, students at EMP lace up their sneakers and run around the field or the block during our Walk/Run physical literacy session. This is where students get to know their community, build their stamina, set goals, and track their personal progress. On Monday, June 12th, we are hosting our annual EMP Fun Run, where students get to show how they have grown! Please ensure your child dresses for the weather and has good running shoes. Please contact Ms. Fry if you would like to volunteer. Nadyia.Fry@sd6.bc.ca

After School Plans
Families are making many changes to their after-school schedules these days, and it makes it difficult for school staff to ensure we know where all students are, and where they are going. Please write any after school plans in your child’s agenda so that everyone can check what the plan is for the day – Your child, their teacher, Ms. Gray, and possibly their bus driver will refer to the agenda. Also sending an email to your child’s teacher and Ms. Gray is an excellent idea. Rebecca.Gray@sd6.bc.ca    Gold stars to everyone who consistently remembers to call in their child’s absences! Thank you!

Dates to Remember

Wednesday, May 17       EMP Community Engagement event 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Monday, May 22             No school – Victoria Day

Thursday, May 25           PAC Flower Basket pick up 3:30 – 5:00 pm (around the back of the gym)

Tuesday, May 30             Parent Support Night for Grade 3 Transition  6:00 – 7:30 pm  (J.A. Laird Library)

Wednesday, May 31       Whole School Lunch (Sliders & Salad)

Community Engagement Event (Wednesday)

Our Community Engagement event is an invitation for all parents, guardians, and community partners to join us to hear about our work this year and our strategic plan going forwards.  We will talk about our school’s goals, share assessment data, and what staff members are doing to help students grow in the areas of social-emotional literacy, numeracy, and reading.  We will ask for feedback from parents and community.  Babysitting will be provided (RSVP to Ms. Gray if you would like to reserve a spot for your child).  You are more than welcome to stay for part or all of the session, as your schedule allows.

Bus Field Trips & Walking Field Trips

There are so many events happening in May & June – please see your child’s planner and forms for more information.  Swimming looks like it’s a go for grades 2 and 3.  It will start May 30 and run for four Tuesdays in a row at Fairmont Hot Springs pool.  No cost to parents.  More info to follow.

Plan for Sun

Please help your child to be safe in the sun & hot weather:  Pack a water bottle, sunscreen, hat, and maybe sunglasses.  Teach your child how to re-apply sunscreen (without getting it into their eyes).  Label all items so we can get them back to you at the end of the day.

Thank You!

We had so many volunteers last Friday for our Bike Rodeo – THANK YOU!!  They helped students learn about and practice riding safely.  This event stoked the enthusiasm for riding and being active.  Thanks to our bike mechanics who checked all bikes to ensure they were ready for the summer, and to Ms. Tagg & Chereesa for organizing.

Parent Support Night for Grade 3 Transition 

Tuesday, May 30   6:00 - 7:30 PM

J.A. Laird Library

Facilitated by Sue Bradley, District Elementary Counsellor

As our Grade 3 children are preparing to transition from primary to elementary school, you and your child may be experiencing some feelings of anxiety and overwhelm about the changes that lie ahead. Join us for a special night designed to support you as a parent through this exciting but challenging time.

During this interactive and informative evening, you'll have the opportunity to connect with other parents who are going through the same experience. You'll also gain some insights and strategies on how to make the transition as smooth as possible. Staff from J.A. Laird will be available to answer any questions or concerns you may have and to help you feel comfortable with the physical and learning environment of the school.

This is a chance to get some additional support, valuable information and guidance to help your child navigate this transition.

**Please note that this event is intended for parents and guardians as Grade 3 students are supported through a variety of other transition activities within both schools.**

If you have any questions beforehand or need additional information please contact Sue Bradley: sue.bradley@sd6.bc.ca.

Dates to remember:

Wednesday, April 26   Whole School Taco Lunch.  No cost to families.  Send containers with a lid if you can.

Wednesday, April 26   Early dismissal  2:05pm

Thursday, April 27   Early dismissal 2:05pm

Tuesday, May 2   Volunteer Orientation Session (CAPT) 8:30am 

Thursday, May 4   Welcome to Kindergarten at EMP (new K families enrolling for next year)  9:15am or 10:45am.  Please RSVP to rebecca.gray@sd6.bc.ca

Tuesday, May 9   Volunteer Orientation Session (CAPT) 6:30pm (last one of the year!)

Tuesday, May 9   PAC meeting 7:00pm

Friday, May 12   Bike Rodeo in EMP parking lot.  Send a bike & helmet if you can!

Wednesday, May 17   EMP Community Engagement Session 6:00 - 8:00pm

Monday, May 22  Victoria Day - No school

Whole School Lunch April 26

We had a very successful whole school lunch in March, and thanks to the PAC volunteers, we are planning on doing it again!  Build-your-own beef tacos and salad are on the menu. It would be very helpful if you were able to send your child with a container that has a lid, as the plates or bowls from home are just not finding their way home after they go in the dishwasher/sink... and if they had a lid, we could pop them back into backpacks right away.  If you do not send a container, no worries!  We have reusable plates. 

These lunches are in addition to the ones that families signed up for and paid for earlier in the year, and the money for these comes from the Student and Family Affordability Fund.  We are so thankful that community restaurants / caterers and our dedicated parent volunteers have worked together to make this happen at no cost to the students.  We anticipate that with this funding continuing next year, we will be able to support students with healthy food more often.  Please contact Rachel if you would like to volunteer with our School Lunch Program (rachelfcaswell@gmail.com), or show up on Wednesday at 11:15!

Coming and Going

We are in the process of planning for next year and would really like to make contact with new kindergarten families to invite them to our kindergarten events.  If you are aware of a new kindergartener living in our catchment area who is not yet enrolled, please pass on our contact info to their parents so we can get them registered.

If you know that your child will not be returning to EMP next year (or not heading to J.A. Laird if they are entering grade 4), please contact Ms. Gray so we can adjust our numbers for next year.  (Rebecca.Gray@sd6.bc.ca)

Student Drop Off / Biking

Please remember that you should not be parking in the handicapped stalls (we have 2) if you do not have a permit.  Please do not park in front of the music portable, as maintenance staff need access to that area often.  On May 12, we are having our bike rodeo, and will not have any parking available in the front parking lot.  Perhaps it is a good time to start biking to school with your child! We encourage the use of locks, but know that this is sometimes problematic for young students.  If your child has a combination lock and you would like their teacher to know the combination, just in case, please send a note. ;)

Field Trip Volunteers

We appreciate all of our parents who have been volunteering all year long on outdoor learning adventures!  If you are interested but have not yet completed the Child Abuse Protocol Training (CAPT), you have two opportunities to do so: May 2 at 8:30 am, or May 9 at 6:30pm, which is right before the PAC meeting.  There are many field trip opportunities coming up - stay tuned for the permission forms.

Hello Parents and Guardians,
As we are quickly approaching spring break, here are a couple of reminders for you:

Monday, March 13 - Report Cards go home! Please review, then sign and return the covers before spring break. You may keep all papers inside.

Tuesday, March 14 - Winderberry Fundraiser Forms and Payments Due. (Forms have been sent home today.) This is a PAC fundraising initiative. They ask that you return the forms with payment by next Tuesday.

Friday, March 17 - St. Patrick’s Day. Students are invited to wear green and / or show off some wacky hair on this last day of school before spring break.

To ensure the safety of our students, please remember our pick-up / drop-off etiquette and parking lot rules:
• Do not walk across the parking lot. Move to the sidewalk instead.
• Do not park in the handicap parking spots or the maintenance area around the music portable, even "just for a minute," unless you have your handicap tag visible or are driving an SD6 maintenance vehicle.
• Remember that BC is Idle Free! Please turn off your engine while waiting.
• Kindergarten pick ups should happen at the back, outside their classroom doors. Please consider using the back parking lot if you have a child in kindergarten.
• Please keep your dogs off of school property. They are beautiful and well behaved, but cause some safety concerns and complicate pick-up / drop-offs for others.
• Please consider arriving early, parking down the street, and walking into the school yard to drop off or pick up your child, in order to lessen the number of vehicles trying to get in our parking lot.

Other notes:
• Please stop by the school and pick up any items from the lost & found that may be yours. All items left behind will be washed and donated to the thrift store.
• Please remember to inform Ms. Gray and your child's teacher about absences.
• Classes will resume on Monday, April 3 after spring break.

Dates to remember:
Monday, February 13  Professional development day - No school for students
Tuesday, February 14  Friendship Day - Please see notes from your child’s teacher to discover what this will look like in their class.
Wednesday, February 15  100s Day! Special projects to be set up in the gym.
Friday, February 17  Grade 3s visit J.A. Laird
Monday, February 20  Family Day - No school
Wednesday, February 22  Healthy Lunch

Snack Packs
Your child may bring home a small bag of healthy snacks – When we see someone who has finished their lunch and looks a little hungry, or for those students who have really exerted themselves and need more gas in the tank for later, we are offering ½ a bagel with cream cheese, and fruit or veggies. Thanks to Ms. Brandi (our C-Link worker), the Student and Family Affordability Fund, and our wonderful parent volunteers who all make this happen!

Special Things Stay Home
Teachers and supervisors have expressed concern over the rising number of incidents of lost / misplaced / borrowed / stolen toys. Parents, please help your children to understand that special things should stay at home, and work with them to ensure toys don’t become a distraction to the learning that happens at school. Teachers are also giving this same message to their classes, so everyone is on the same page. This has been the practice at EMP in the past, but recently there has been a real increase in the number of toys / Pokémon cards / collectibles seen at school, and they are distracting from the learning and the source of many conflicts. Thanks for your help!

Hello EMP Families,

• Tomorrow, we will build our community spirit by having a school-wide picnic in the gym at lunch. All classes will be invited to eat together. Students should bring their regular lunch and their water bottle. The Parent Advisory Council (PAC) will be providing treats, and then students can choose to play outside or visit with friends and colour inside the gym. We are very thankful for Mrs. Tagg, Mrs. Lam (our PAC Chair), and all the other parents and staff members who are helping to make this lunch time special.

• Please return all library books by Thursday. Over the winter break, students are encouraged to participate in the Winter Reading Challenge. Mrs. Tagg will be handing out prizes in the new year!

• At EMP, we have a Safe Arrival Program, which means that if we haven't already been informed by a parent, we call home to check on the whereabouts of every student who is absent. Ms. Gray has been spending a LOT of time calling families to check on attendance lately. You can help us to streamline this task: When your child is away from school, please let their teacher AND Ms. Gray know, as sometimes the information is not getting to the office in the morning in a timely way. Ms. Grey can be reached at 250-342-9315 or at rebecca.gray@sd6.bc.ca. We are so thankful for all of Ms. Gray's help keeping us safe!

• Please sign and return report card covers before the break!

• Thanks to Ms. Claudette and all of our music students who have been sharing during the “Informances” in the music room. So far, we have heard amazing feedback from parents. Still to come:
Wednesday, December 14
Baron: 9:00 – 9:40 am
Orr/Ervin: 11:00 – 11:35 am
Jacobsen: 1:30 – 2:00 pm

Thursday, December 15
McLennan: 9:00 – 9:40 am
Zehnder: 10:00 – 10:40 am
Reid: 11:00 – 11:40 am
Dearin: 1:30 – 2:00 pm

We wish all of you a restful Christmas break and want to thank you for sending us such wonderful, capable, energetic, clever students. This school is a special place!

In partnership,

Rebecka

Important Dates

Thursday, Dec. 8  -  Volunteer session: Child abuse protocol training 8:00 am in the EMP library

Thursday, Dec. 8  -   Winter Fest open house 5:30 – 6:30 pm in the gym, library, and some classrooms

Monday, Dec. 12  -   Report cards go home

Dec. 13 / 14 / 15  -   Music “Informances” with Ms. Claudette (see the schedule below)

Friday, Dec. 16  -   Last day before the winter break – check your child’s planner for more info about special class activities

Hello EMP families,
• These last two weeks before the winter break are full of learning and excitement! We are looking forward to welcoming you back for another fun evening event on Thursday, Dec. 8th when we open the school for some fun crafts, singing, dancing, games, and visiting during our winter open house. Families are welcome to drop in between 5:30 and 6:30 pm. Check in at the front office and then head to the classroom with the activities that interest you most.

• One last chance to participate in the volunteer CAPT session takes place Thursday, Dec. 8th at 8:00 am in the library. Hopefully some of you who have been asking for more sessions will be able to attend this morning one. If not, perhaps we will catch you in the spring!

• Please look for your child’s report card on Monday next week.

• Ms. Claudette is inviting all parents in to music class so students can show what they have been learning. Informances are "informal" and "informative", giving parents a chance to see how and what their child learns during a typical music class. Your child’s class will perform some poems, songs, movement, or Orff pieces. You are welcome to join your child's class in the music room portable (the one closest to the front entrance) according to the following schedule:

Tuesday, December 13
Fry/Milligen: 9:00 – 9:40 am
Helmer: 11:00 – 11:30 am
Casey: 1:00 – 1:40 pm
Buchmann: 1:45 – 2:25 pm

Wednesday, December 14
Baron: 9:00 – 9:40 am
Orr/Ervin: 11:00 – 11:35 am
Jacobsen: 1:30 – 2:00 pm

Thursday, December 15
McLennan: 9:00 – 9:40 am
Zehnder: 10:00 – 10:40 am
Reid: 11:00 – 11:35 am
Dearin: 1:30 – 2:00 pm

Hello EMP parents & guardians, 

Last week, Mrs. Tagg, our teacher-librarian, planned our Remembrance Day ceremony where three members of our local Legion honoured us with their attendance.  Mrs. Zehnder's, Mrs. McLennan's, and Mrs. Jacobsen's classes read to the assembly, and were able to ask questions to our veterans afterwards.  It was so nice to have this special ceremony in person this year.  The students were extremely respectful and were excellent listeners.  Our halls are now decorated with beautiful poppy art, and all classes have spent time learning about the significance of this day.

We have many classes spending time learning outdoors, so please ensure everyone is dressed for the weather! 

One of the most highly anticipated days is just around the corner... Of course, I'm talking about the Scholastic Book Fair!  We encourage parents to visit with their children, but if you want to send them on their own with a small amount of money to purchase items, Mrs. Tagg will attempt to guide them to purchase books at their level.  She will be there from 8:00 in the morning to 8:00 at night.  Most books cost from $5 to $20, and there are usually some very good deals to be had.  Even students who do not have any money to purchase items will be put in a draw for great books the following week.  We hope this annual event helps to promote an enthusiasm for reading (and helps to raise some money for the EMP library too!).

Parent Support Night New Date: "The Power of Sleep: Building Sleep Routines for our Children and Rest for Ourselves" 

On Thursday November 24 Sue Bradley, District Elementary Counsellor, will be hosting a Drop-In Support Night for Parents. We will discuss the impact of sleep disturbance and not enough sleep, how to build healthy sleep routines for children and youth and explore specific strategies and resources to create positive sleep hygiene.  

TIME: 6:00 - 7:30 PM       

LOCATION: Eileen Madson Primary School Library 

No pre-registration required.  Please contact Sue at sue.bradley@sd6.bc.ca for more information.   

Important Dates 

Wednesday, November 9 – Healthy Lunch. Please remember to send a bowl & spoon to school. 

Thursday, November 10 – Remembrance Day Assembly at EMP

Friday, November 11 – Remembrance Day (no school) 

Tuesday, November 15 – PAC Meeting (7:00 pm, EMP library & virtual)

Wednesday, November 16 – Early dismissal at 2:05pm

Thursday, November 17 – Parent Support Night (6:00 – 7:30 pm, EMP library) 

Friday, November 18 – Scholastic Book Fair (8:00 am – 8:00 pm, EMP gym) 

Amazing things are happening at EMP! 

We had a fabulous turnout for Pumpkin Palooza, and made the front page of the paper!  Thanks to the EMP staff who organized the event and to everyone who participated in the pumpkin carving, dancing, and volunteer training session.   

Our Harvest Fest highlighted the musical and dancing skills of our students.  A big thank you to Ms. Claudette Villeneuve who organized this cultural and artistic event, and to Mrs. McLennan’s grade 2/3 class for being the MCs. They demonstrated excellent communication skills! 

Now that the snow has arrived, we are asking all students to come to school prepared to be outside: this means boots, snowpants, a winter coat, a toque, and mitts should be brought each day. An indoor pair of shoes to change into should stay at school. We know that students grow so fast and it’s not easy to keep up! So, we have many extra items ready to give to anyone who needs them.  Does your family have extra items you have outgrown that are in good condition that you would like to donate? Drop them off at the office so they can be passed on to others!

On the subject of clothing...the Lost and Found is hanging up in the front foyer – please take a moment to check it out and retrieve anything that belongs to your family. Items not claimed before the Christmas break will be donated. 

Outdoor Play Items: We are looking to enhance our outdoor exploration and learning opportunities and would love your help collecting some items.  Ideally, we would love non-breakable dishes, pots and pans, spoons, measuring cups, scoops, funnels, buckets, small shovels, toy cars and trucks, etc.  Really anything that can be used safely outdoors to enhance recess and classroom play and learning experiences.  These items do not have to be new! If you have anything used or old that is collecting dust, and still in working condition, we would love to have it. Please send these items with your child to school or bring to the office. We will collect these items and they will be used school-wide. 

Parent Support Night: Our District Elementary Counselor, Sue Bradley, will be hosting another Parent Support Night on Thursday November 17, 6:00 - 7:30 pm at EMP in the library.  All parents from Windermere Zone are welcome to attend, no pre-registration required.   

The topic will be "The Power of Sleep: Building Sleep Routines for our Children and Rest for Ourselves." This is an opportunity for parents to connect and gain support in regards to common sleep issues for our children and youth, learn how to create consistent sleep routines and explore guided imagery and relaxation techniques.  We will discuss resources and strategies to use at bedtime and throughout the day to help build positive sleep.   

For more information contact Sue at sue.bradley@sd6.bc.ca.   

Book Fair: EMP will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair on Friday November 18th from 8am to 8pm in the gym. There will also be an online option if you are unable to attend. More info on this to follow. All sales directly benefit our school library! 

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please contact us.

In partnership,  

Rebecka

Important Dates

Tuesday, October 18 – PAC Meeting 6:00 pm (virtual & in person) Look for the email next week with the virtual meeting invite.

Friday, October 21 – Pro-D Day (no school for students)

Wednesday, October 26 – Harvest Fest

Thursday, October 27 – Pumpkin Palooza (evening parent event)

Monday, October 31 – Orange and Black Day (no costumes please)

Wednesday, November 2 – Picture retakes (pm)

Thursday, November 10 – Remembrance Day Assembly

Friday, November 11 – Remembrance Day (no school)

Wednesday, November 16 – Early dismissal at 2:05

Reading Time

I had the opportunity to pop in to a Family Read session today, and it reminded me of the importance and enjoyment of reading with a young person. The student I was reading with was completely engaged in the story because they got to pick the book. They commented on all of the funny parts and made connections between the story and their life. They predicted, asked questions, and shared reasons why they liked the story. All are indicators that this student had a high level of comprehension. Any child can do these things if we model them, even if they are not reading themselves. All it takes is a few minutes with a supportive adult or older sibling or friend. Thank you for being a partner in your child’s reading journey – the time you put in at home helps them feel more confident in the classroom. Also, thanks to all the parents who have carved out the time to come in to class to read, or go on field trips, or help with the PAC. It certainly takes a village!

Outside Time & Volunteers

Many classes are enjoying the gorgeous weather and are taking their learning outside. Now that we are moving forward safely from the pandemic, we are allowing (and in fact, encouraging) more learning to happen out of the school building, in the larger community. To do this safely, we need parent volunteers. Please consider volunteering with your child’s class when asked, or email me to be put on a school volunteer list. We will contact you if we are short volunteers to see if you would like to join us. Volunteers must have a current criminal record check on file at one of our SD6 schools and must take part in the Child Abuse Protocol Training each year. Our first opportunity to volunteer is coming up on Thursday, October 27 from 8:55 am to approximately 11:00 am, when we will be walking to J.A. Laird school to watch an ArtStarts performance.

In partnership,

Rebecka

Important Dates

Monday, October 10 – Thanksgiving Day (no school)
Wednesday, October 12 – Early Dismissal 2:05 pm
Thursday, October 13 – Drop-in Support for Parents (see below)
Tuesday, October 18 – PAC Meeting 6:00 pm (virtual & in person)
Friday, October 21 – Pro-D Day (no school for students)
Wednesday, October 26 – Harvest Fest
Thursday, October 27 – Pumpkin Palooza (evening parent event)
Monday, October 31 – Orange and Black Day (no costumes please)

Drop-In Support for Parents

Sue Bradley, District Elementary Counselor for Windermere Zone, will be hosting monthly support sessions for parents at J.A. Laird and Eileen Madson Primary School. All parents are welcome to attend. The first session will be held on Thursday October 13 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm in J.A. Laird Library, We'll be discussing Anxiety in Children and Youth and talk about interventions and strategies to practice at school and home and share resources and community supports. No pre-registration required. If you have any questions or need additional information please contact Sue at sue.bradley@sd6.bc.ca.

Weekly Message

Hello, EMP families!

It is my great pleasure to take over the weekly message from Mr. Goslin, as I am the new principal here at Eileen Madson Primary School. I have had the opportunity to go through all the classes during learning times, I have run with the classes on the Walk / Run days, and have spent a lot of time on the playground!  

I am amazed by the enthusiasm and resiliency I see in the students here, and as one little friend told me this week “We are learning to do hard things!” Learning is something we are programmed to do, and yet it can take a lot of energy to follow through and persevere with new and challenging tasks. This week, I would like to express my gratitude for all the families who work so hard to provide their children with love and support, and my gratitude to the school staff who do the same. This is a wonderful place to be and it is such a privilege to be able to witness the growth in students of this age, in this place, which is the traditional and shared territory of the Ktunaxa and Secwépemc people, and home to many Metis families.

I am also so thankful to Mr. Goslin who is still in the building from time to time. (If you’re lucky, you may catch him waving to cars at the crosswalk!) He has provided me with a lot of background information on this special place, and we continue to work together as I transition to this role. We wish him all the best as he takes on his new portfolio as District Principal of Early Learning.

This week’s Taking Care Awards were a catch-up from previous weeks, so stay tuned next week for more award recipients.

This week’s photo is our Thankful Tree. What a thoughtful bunch we have here at EMP!

In partnership,

Rebecka Riddell-McKay

Taking Care Awards – September 29. 2022

• Ryker T. for pushing in classroom chairs to keep our space tidy
• Paislee R. for keeping out table caddies organized
• Clayton S. for helping to clean-up our classroom library without being asked.
• Elina S. for sharing her positive attitude and enthusiasm for school every day
• Elowyn G. for helping an injured friend to the office
• Charlie D. for gently reminding others of their jobs
• Max B. for being a caring and resourceful friend to Lucas when he is feeling overwhelmed and unsure
• Daxton S. cleaning up a mess of extra tissue in the boy’s bathroom to help keep our school clean and tidy. Yay Dax!
• Sara H. for helping her walking partner when they were scared and upset with calm words and support.  You showed your partner what being a good friend and classmate looks like. 
• Zayla M. for helping others clean up toys in our classroom.
• Hadley H. for creating a map of Canada for each of his classmates. He worked very hard and took great care to make them perfect.
• Kayli J. for sharing her knowledge of traditional indigenous dance with the school.  We are all so proud of you Kayli!
• Henry R. for helping to take care of our classroom by cleaning up water around our sink. Thank you, Henry!

Upcoming Events

• October 10 – Thanksgiving Day – NO SCHOOL
• October 12 – Early Dismissal – 2:05PM
• October 18 – PAC Meeting – 6PM
• October 21 – Pro-D Day – No School for Students
• October 26 – Harvest Fest
• October 27 – Pumpkin Palooza
• October 31 – Halloween – Orange and Black Day

Hello EMP Family and Friends!

I hope that you are set for a great weekend. I also hope that you are finding a way to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Yesterday, the school put on an assembly that included Indigenous dancers featuring many of our students. Thank you to the dancers and to Miss Tish for organizing this and helping us to commemorate this very important day. The picture for this week is of the dancers in the assembly.

I will be handing out the Taking Care Awards on Monday for this week. With everything that was going on this week, we did not have the ability to get them prepared the way that they should be. We will attach the list to next weeks Weekly Update along with the ones for next week.

This will be the last weekly update that I will be sending out and will be passing the torch to Ms. Rebecka Riddell-Mckay. I am going to be stepping back from many of the day-to-day activities as Ms. Riddell-McKay takes on more, gaining more understanding of the school and the community. Her experiences and perspectives will be invaluable to EMP going forward!

I want to thank all of the families, friends of EMP, students and staff for making EMP simply the best place to be a Principal and a member of the community. While I was only here for just over a year, I feel great pride at having been part of such an amazing place and to have hopefully helped to make a positive impact on your children’s lives. I will be slowly moving to the new position, with no official date of leaving, so I am taking this opportunity to say farewell and thank you. And while I may be moving on, I hope to continue to be considered part of the EMP community, and will always feel proud of being the Principal at EMP.  

Always Proud Principal,

Glenn Goslin

Hello Family and Friends of EMP!

Upcoming Events

• September 27 – Parent Volunteer Orientation – 6:00-7:00 – JA Laird
• September 29 – Orange Shirt Day
• September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – NO SCHOOL

Hello Family and Friends of EMP!

I hope that you have had a great week! It has been such an incredibly busy but fulfilling week here at EMP.

I want to thank all of our community for taking part in our Open House on Thursday. It was so amazing to see so many of our families and friends out and interacting at school. I heard many families comment that they had not been in the school for such a long time and they were glad they were back! We hope to have more opportunities in the future!

Our Volunteer Orientation had a fantastic turnout! I am so excited that we had so many people that may be able to help out in our school and take part in things like field trips and in-class volunteer opportunities. If you were not able to attend, there will be more opportunities. JA Laird is providing an orientation on September 27 from 6-7PM. I will also be holding 2 online sessions coming up and will announce when I have them set up.

The EMP new Principal, Rebecka Riddell-McKay will begin on Monday. I will also be part of the school as we work for a longer transition. We look forward to working together to ensure that we can support all of our students as best we can!

On Friday there is no school, as we are observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On the 29^th, the school will be having students wear their orange shirts and we will be observing the day through activities throughout the day.

Our students continue to amaze me with the ways that they take care of themselves, each other and this place! We have over 30 awards this week and they will be listed below.

The picture this week is a collaborative drawing done by the Grade 3 students in Ms. Zehnder’s class. I love the message of choosing to be kind!

Thank you all for all the support, and for the passion of this community for our children!

Proud Principal,

Glenn Goslin

Taking Care Awards – September 23, 2022

• Harper S. for being a leader in our classroom, sharing toys, and doing his jobs quickly.
• Ethan L. for picking up lose garbage on our playground.
• Maverick M. for being brave and helping classmates find their way around the school.
• Braxton K.for picking up garbage on the hill.
• Makenna S. for picking up garbage on the hill.
• Ella M. for helping to clean up a water spill under the water fountain.
• Jeremy L. for helping to clean up a water spill under the water fountain.
• Max B. for helping friends put away books and chairs
• Gabo C. for kindness, words, and thoughtfulness with others.
• Myah C. for kindly helping others with classroom routines
• Mya G. for all of her help with students on the bus.
• Jack M. for all of his help with Kindergarten students on the bus
• Tiegan A. for taking care of and comforting others. 
• Oakley O. for taking a hurt friend to the front desk for first aid. 
• Emily R. for helping a student in class write in his agenda. 
• Leif A. for helping keep the bus safe and clean by picking up a tool and giving it to the bus driver.
• Nathan P. for always jumping in to support and help any of his classmates. 
• Emrie B. for seeing jobs that need to be done in the classroom and taking them on without being asked.
• Ellie W. for welcoming a new classmate. It can be hard joining a new class, but Ellie made sure that our new student fit right in!
• Cambia P. for being a great help in the bus line. She helps to make sure that all our new K students are in the right line and that they all get to the bus safely.
• Jayce B. for helping a classmate find the garbage can.  
• Magnus S. for showing a classmate how to use a classroom tool.
• Emily G. for being an earth helper and picking up garbage found outside.
• Eddie A. for leaving his play area to help a classmate clean up theirs.
• Dominic M. for kindly getting a classmate a chair so they could sit beside him.
• Braya E. for helping a friend clean up paint that leaked on the floor.
• Rocco S. for quickly offering to share his paint pallet with a friend who was missing a colour.
• Ellie H. for taking care of this place and helping to put away books in our classroom library, even though she didn’t get them out.
• Scarlett D. for taking such good care of our classroom and keeping it tidy. Thank you, Scarlett, for pushing in your friend’s chairs when they forget and for helping them put away their things.

Upcoming events

• September 19 – NO SCHOOL – National Day of Mourning
• September 20 – Parent Advisory Council Meeting – 7PM
• September 21 – Picture Day
• September 22 – EMP Open House – 5:00 - 6:00PM
• September 22 – Volunteer Orientation – 4- 4:45 at EMP
• September 27 – Parent Volunteer Orientation – 6:00-7:00 – JA Laird
• September 29 – Orange Shirt Day
• September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – NO SCHOOL

Hello to the EMP community!

SOOO Much going on here at EMP – the learning community is vibrant and alive with learning and laughter. Kids are getting the hang of being here!

It was so good to get the school together for the Terry Fox Run. Thank you to everyone who helped out!

It is a busy week next week with so many things that are happening.

NO SCHOOL on Monday, September 19^th – This has been called for a day of mourning for the passing of the queen.

PAC – This is happening on Tuesday September 20^th starting at 7PM in person! Please come out and join us. It is a great way to have your voice heard and get involved in the school. I will attach the agenda and minutes to the website and the email.

EMP PAC Agenda - September 20

EMP PAC Minutes - June 2022

Open House on Thursday, September 22 – We are SUPER EXCITED to finally be able to have an open house at EMP. Please come and join us and visit your child’s classroom and other parts of the school. We really want to ensure that EMP is a welcoming place for our children, their families and our community. I am attaching a flyer for it to the email and putting it on the website as well!

EMP Open House Flyer

Picture Day Wednesday, September 21 – Please get ready to show some style! Picture day is finally here!

Volunteering – We are so excited to have family members, friends and community members able to volunteer this year. To do so, police clearances need to be completed, and you need to attend a volunteer orientation at a school. You can come and obtain a letter to take to the RCMP to expedite the process. The clearance is good for 5 years at any school in SD6. Volunteer orientations need to be done yearly but can be done at any school. We will be holding an orientation before the Open House next Thursday, and there will be an orientation at Laird on the 27th. Even if you don’t THINK you will be able to volunteer this year, it’s good to get it done just in case an opportunity does arise!

Parking – Please ensure that you are not blocking other people’s driveways or parking in them when picking up your children. I have had a couple of calls from our neighbors that they are having some concerns. Let’s make sure that EMP is a good neighbor!

Taking Care Awards – another great group this week – thanks to everyone who takes care of themselves, each other and this great place!

That is it for this week! Have a great weekend and see you all on Tuesday!

Proud Principal

Glenn Goslin

This Week's Taking Care Awards Sept. 16

• Cullen M. for getting everyone's chairs down in the morning. 
• Ella S. for helping other students stack and take down chairs. 
• Harmon D. for helping other students stack and take down chairs. 
• Ella S. for helping Ms. Bridge clean up a yogurt mess on the sidewalk. Thank you for taking care of this place. 
• Noa M. for helping Ms. Bridge clean up a yogurt mess on the sidewalk. Thank you for taking care of this place. 
• Maci F. for helping Ms. Bridge clean up a pudding mess on the garbage bin. Thank you for taking care of this place Maci. 
• Bryce L. for cleaning up a soapy mess on the counter in the boys bathroom. Thank you for taking care of this place. 
• Dominic M. for cleaning up a soapy mess on the counter in the boys bathroom. Thank you for taking care of this place. 
• Asher U. for welcoming Ms. Claudette with such kind words after music class. Telling others how good they are is not always easy and you did this so wonderfully and with such confidence. Way to be a bucket filler Asher! 
• Bryce L. for picking up garbage and classmates belongings when he noticed items on the floor.
• Piper G. for being a leader in our class by helping classmates understand the task.
• Asher U. for taking care of others.  Asher noticed a friend was upset that he did not get the colour pencil box he wanted.  Asher quickly exchange his box with the other students, so he had the one he wanted.  Way to take care of a friend, Asher!
• Sloan O. for taking care of others.  Sloan has made quick friends with a new student to our school.  She has made her feel welcome and comfortable after her big move to our beautiful town.  Excellent work, Sloan!
• Jack M. for helping to teach a classmate how to tie her shoes.
• Ryan B. for helping to stack extra chairs at the end of each day.

Hello EMP Families and Friends!

Upcoming Events

• September 12 – Welcome Assembly (for students)
• September 16 – Terry Fox Run
• September 19 – Walk/Run Begins
• September 20 – Parent Advisory Council Meeting – 7PM
• September 21 – Picture Day
• September 22 – EMP Open House – 5:00 - 6:30PM
• September 29 – Orange Shirt Day
• September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – NO SCHOOL

I hope that you are all doing well and that you are hearing great things from your children about what is happening at this amazing school!

The start up has been pretty great! It is so great to see so many smiling faces and already seeing that spark in the students. Excitement is in the air!

As always, there is lots to talk about!

• Attendance – Please remember to let us know if your child will be away. You can still call the absence line, but there is now also an email address which you can inform us of a student absence. The email for this is office@sd6.bc.ca.
• Letter from the PAC and the first meeting – Did you know that by being a part of the school, you are automatically part of the Parent Advisory Council? This group works closely together and with the school to support our community through fund raising, providing ideas and opinions and organizing events and volunteers. Please see the attached letter, and perhaps join the next meeting, which is on September 20 at 7PM – more information is to follow!
• Open House - September 22 – EMP will host an open house on September 22 from 5PM – 6:30. There will be snacks and time to go around and meet teachers and talk to them. More details will follow.
• Volunteering opportunities – We REALLY want volunteers here at EMP! Please consider getting prepared so that if something comes up, you can help out with things like classroom activities and field trips. There are new rules to field trips, and so we will need to have more volunteers to be able to have any trips. Those that want to volunteer need to have a valid criminal record check (valid for 5 years and at multiple schools) and a volunteer orientation with a school principal. I will also be looking to provide at least one volunteer orientation before or after the EMP open house.
• Picture Day will be on September 21 – more reminders will be sent
• Forms – Your child should have come home with forms if they are in Grade 1-3. If these could be in on Monday that would be amazing! Kindergarten students will have forms going home sometime early next week!
• Fire Drills, Lockdown Drills, Bus Drills, Hold and Secure – Our school has to have a number of different drills so that students know what to do in the VERY unlikely case of a real emergency. Some of these children will know about, and some they will not.
• Taking Care Awards – We are starting these again this year and I could not be more excited. The students last year really took our mantra of “Take care of yourself, each other and this great place” to heart! It was so wonderful to see how the school and community embraced this! We hope to continue to have such caring actions at EMP this year as well!
• Parking Lot – Please make sure that you follow all the parking rules. Please DO NOT walk across the parking lot, but around it. This keeps everyone safe as people may not be watching for people to be walking in the middle of the lot.

That should be it for right now. Thank you to everyone for allowing us the privilege to be an important part of your children’s lives. We take this responsibility very seriously and we are honored to share this journey with you

Proud Principal

Glenn Goslin

Taking Care Awards

Grayson E., Nina E., Neeko S. and Anna M. – For their bravery and skill in dancing in front of all of the district staff on the district day!

Welcome back from EMP PAC