June 2016 Newsletter
Principal’s Message:
Well, as I write this it’s June 1st.
It
seems like we just waved good bye to the students
on the last day of school in 2015. Where does the
time go…..? The last two months since March
Break have been filled with Science Fair, Spring
Activities and great field trips providing valuable
real-life learning opportunities for our students.
There are many more exciting activities planned, so
take note of the “Important Dates” at the end of our
newsletter, check out the whiteboard in the hall by
the office, and I have updated the website, so look
under events to keep track this month.
BLEWETT RULES – this year we embarked on
creating a new Code of Conduct. You will find
attached the basic information around this. We also
implemented a slogan – Blewett “RULES!” We
had assemblies with the students to explain each
letter in RULES, what it stands for, why it is
important and the expectations around each one in
and out of school. These assemblies included
student made videos, a very inventive student-led
game show and teachers doing skits. We did this to
help all of us take ownership and responsibility for
our behavior in and out of school. You will also
find a matrix attached of student/staff and visitor
expectations in different areas of the school. We
hope you will look at this over the summer and
discuss with your child or children. It is important
to us to all speak the same language. In subsequent
newsletters next year – we hope to continue to
provide information on this regularly.
On Monday, May 30th, we held our School Planning
Day. The entire Blewett Staff worked together to
assess the progress we made on this year’s plan and
to further develop our goal and plans for next year.
The students made very good progress in writing
this year but we feel there is still much we can do.
We have decided to continue to put our energies
into our writing goal and continue our Positive
Behavior Plan (RULES) and our understanding of
our Code of Conduct.
This will be our last newsletter this year. I am very
grateful to all our families for their unwavering
support again this year. I feel blessed to spend my
days here. I hope everyone has a safe and happy
summer!!
Planning for Next Year:
As we look into next year, we are anticipating an
increase in enrollment and we are opening up
another classroom. This means there will be some
multi age classes throughout the grades. We would
ask that over the summer you don’t assume what
class or what teacher your child may be getting next
year. We spend a lot of time doing the class
configurations and we look at each child’s learning
and sometimes social needs throughout the process.
We appreciate the trust you put in us when making
these decisions. Having said that….If your family
will be moving or you are planning on sending your
child to another school in September, we would
really appreciate hearing from you as soon as
possible so we can plan our classes for next year.
Thank you!
Coupon Books:
We are winding up with the coupon books at the
beginning of next week. If you or anyone you know
is interested in buying one, now is the time to do it!
Thanks!
Lost and Found
Please come and visit and look through our lost and
found. It has grown like a weed lately. We will
display items until the last week of school. What
doesn’t go will be donated to one of the second
hand stores downtown.
Read Together This Summer!:
There are lots of ways to read together! Shake it up
and try something different!
My Turn Your Turn
● Take turns reading a passage out loud. Try a
paragraph, a page or even a sentence at a time. This
works well when your child is tired or feeling like it
is too much work.
Unison Reading
● Read the same passage together as if you were
singing a song. This is a great strategy for
challenging books.
Copy Cat
● Take turns reading the same passage … one
person reads it and then the other reads the same
part. This can build confidence, fluency and speed.
Silent and then Aloud
● Let your child read a section silently before
reading aloud to you. This works well for kids who
don’t like taking risks.
Guided Reading
● Read together until your child gives you a signal
to let your voice fade out. When your child
stumbles, come in with your voice again until
she/he is ready to go alone.
Invent your own ways of reading together. Make
it fun and game-like!
Kindergarten Registration:
Kindergarten registration is open to all families
wishing their child to attend Blewett Elementary
School. Children must be five years of age by
December 31, 2016. Parents must provide the
child’s birth certificate, Care Card number and
proof of residence at the time of registration.
Registrations forms are available at the school or
can be downloaded from the school district’s
website at:
http://www.sd8.bc.ca/forms/pdf_forms/Superintend
ent/StudentRegistrationFormS1revApr2012.pdf
Please note that our classes are getting quite full, so
if you plan to register and have not yet done so, it
would be helpful if you could begin the process as
soon as possible.
Click on the link
https://rdckemergency.connectrocket.com/, enter
your email address, include all numbers (landline or
cell) from your household (spouse, children,
relatives, etc.) and choose the electoral area in
which you reside.
Blewett Kidzone Programs
Blewett Kidzone Early Learning &
Care Centre
Unfortunately, we have been seeing some vandalism
happening at the school in the last month or so.
Recently, we had someone drive their vehicle up on
the field and do circles ripping up some of the grass.
There was some spray painting done on the slides
and words written on the outside walls. Just
yesterday we had someone who threw rocks at one
of our windows and broke it. We often have
alcohol cans etc. around as well. I would really
appreciate it – especially over the summer - if you
see something suspicious that you call the RCMP.
We have had very few incidents like this in all the
time I have been here and I hope this pattern will
cease.
Please contact Kidz Klub if you would like your
child to attend on:
- Wednesday, June 29th – Early dismissal (kids out
at 11:10) or
- Thursday, June 30th – Administrative Day – No
School
For more information or to schedule your days
please call Kidz Klub – 250-354-8794 - or Lorry
250-551-8794 [email protected]
BPAC News
The PAC annual barbeque is coming up. When you
receive your order form please consider signing up
for a shift. This event truly relies on volunteer help.
Please be part of our PAC meetings next year. They
are once a month and if you attend you are not
obligated to be part of the executive or other events.
It’s a great way to stay connected with the school.
The first meeting in September is on the 14th.
Everyone have a great summer!! See you in
September.
Ticks
Keep checking! They are still out there!!
Emergency Alert – RDCK
The RDCK has developed an Emergency Alerts
System to keep people informed in the event of an
emergency. This is how it works:
If an emergency strikes, you will be notified via
text, email and/or automated voice on your landline,
providing specific instructions, links, and maps to
keep you informed. It’s easy to sign up and could
be a life-saver if/when an emergency or disaster
strikes in our area.
Vandalism
Last Month’s Bake Sale
Thank you to everyone who baked or purchased
baking at last month’s Bake Sale. $272.00 was
raised for Vancouver’s Children’s Hospital!
Food for Kids
We are finding that a lot of children are coming to
us for extra food these days. Please make sure you
are sending your child with enough food for a good
snack and a full lunch. Thanks so much!
Whole School Photo
If you would like to order a whole school photo,
please contact Jane for an order envelope. The cost
is $13.00 and must be paid with the order.
Envelopes must be in by Friday, June 10th to allow
for delivery before the end of school. Thanks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------June 28th – Farewell Assembly/Gr. 4 & Gr. 4/5
Important Dates:
dance
June 6th – Ron Mulvey
June 29th – Last ½ day of school for students –
June 7th and 8th - Kindergarten orientation
early dismissal – 11:05 a.m.
June 8th – Track & Field day at Redfish for Gr. 4/5
June 30th – Administrative day – school closes for
June 14th – Energy Fair – put on by Gr. 4/5
the summer
June 17th – Gr. 4/5 Bike Hike
June 21th – Gr. K – 3/4 trip to Kokanee
June 22nd – PAC Barbeque
June 23rd – Gr. 5 year end event
June 24th – Splash and Dash