Spring Creek Communicator - March 10, 2023
Message from Spring Creek Administration
Dear Spring Creek Families,
What an amazing week! Our students were outstanding in their performance of Moana. I want to thank every one of our community members who dedicated their time to make the 2 nights such an incredible event. Check out the pictures of dress rehearsals, performance nights and a cast get together.
Many families would have noticed our presentations of student learning/conferences also took place this week. Our students did an amazing job sharing their learning and understanding of the competencies with their families. The level of excitement that occurs amongst our students when we are able to bring our community into our school is palpable. Thank you to our families who were able to take time out of their busy days to come in and support the learning and connection that Spring Creek provides.
Wednesday was International Women's Day. We are fortunate to have so many strong female leaders at our school from student helpers, actors, classroom supporters to staff members leading our production, leading classrooms on a daily basis, managing our office and supporting our students! We had an announcement blitz where students from divisions 1 through 7 were given voice and choice on how they wanted to promote International Women's day. Topics through our announcement ranged from the origins of the day, sexism, achievement of female scientists and how women's rights have changed over time.
Wishing you a wonderful Spring Break,
Mario Tenisci | Principal
Important Information for our Families
Local Parent Book Launch Event
Local parent Paul Shore has just launched a children’s graphic novel and will be holding Whistler launch events at Armchair Books and the Whistler Public Library on March 19th. He promises that the readings and jammed toast flipping at the WPL will be great fun! Event details are on his website’s News page, just below the CBC TV coverage… www.savetheplanetbook.com/news.
Planning for 2023-24 School Year
Are you planning to move to another school for the next school year? Is your child planning to leave the French Immersion program? Do you plan to enroll another child that’s not in kindergarten? Please inform our office [email protected] so we can plan for our next school year.
Parent Responses Requested - Student Learning Survey
The Provincial Student Learning Survey is unique in its scope, size and usefulness to schools. It gathers information from parents/guardians/caregivers, teachers, and students on topics related to school environment, safety, and achievement. The information is used for planning in individual schools and provides a district and provincial perspective.
Early in 2023 the Student Learning Survey will be administered to students in grades 5 and 6, their parents/guardians/caregivers, and all school staff. We encourage parents/guardians/caregivers to participate in this survey, as the results are important in identifying and celebrating current strengths, as well as determining where the school needs to focus improvement. The surveys contain standard questions for the Province – in addition, questions from the school and/or district that focus on local conditions or issues may be included.
The survey can be completed electronically and can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/sat_survey. Any computer with an Internet connection can be used, and access to the e-survey is simple and secure. The survey can be accessed through the link with or without an anonymous logon code by selecting the school district and school name where your child attends school. Provincial, District and School Reports for previous years can be viewed at the same site under the Results section. The e-survey site will be open until April 29th. If you have any questions, please contact the school at [email protected]
Athletics Update
With our basketball teams winding down we will be shifting gears into Track and Field falling March Break. Our school will once again be holding a track and field event for our intermediate students and will make sure to communicate the date to families in early April. We will be looking for parent volunteers to assist in running the event. Our district Track and Field is still scheduled for the afternoon/ evening of May 25th and 26th.
Learning Connections from Staff and Students
Universal Precautions
What does an educated society look like?
Educated citizens:
- are able to think critically and creatively and adapt to change;
- accept the tolerant and multifaceted nature of Canadian society; and,
- are motivated to participate actively in our democratic institutions.
To that end, British Columbia’s schools assist in developing citizens who:
- Are thoughtful and able to learn and to think critically, and can communicate;
- Information from a broad knowledge base;
- Are creative, flexible, and self-motivated and have a positive self-image;
- Are capable of making independent decisions;
- Are skilled and able to contribute to society generally, including the world of work;
- Are productive, gain satisfaction through achievement, and strive for physical well-being;
- Are co-operative, principled, and respectful of others regardless of differences; and,
- Are aware of the rights of the individual and are prepared to exercise the responsibilities of the individual within the family, the community, Canada, and the world.
A focus on competencies rather than content enables schools to develop educated citizens; personalizing learning acknowledges that not all students learn successfully at the same rate, in the same learning environment, and in the same ways. Involving students in reflecting on their work and setting new goals based on their reflections allows them to take more control of their learning. Personalized learning also encompasses place-based learning, where learning experiences are adapted to the local environment or an individual context.
Student Mental Health
School Interventions & Strategies Part 3 of 3
To support student mental health, educators in school utilise multiple interventions to support our learners. Below is a list of strategies, tactics, processes and procedures employed to help students with positive mindsets and emotional regulation:
- Allow students to re-do work
- Post schedule and have predictable classroom routines & expectations
- Talk about mental health in a positive manner & educate other students
- Consider use of technology
- Systematically teach social skills including conflict management, and how to be assertive in an appropriate manner
- Structure activities so student isn’t left out and use activities that encourage positive student interaction
- Watch for increased symptoms and don’t be afraid to interrupt activities that are upsetting
- Try to eliminate stressful situations, make classroom easy to move through, have a safe comfortable spot is possible
- Involve and partner with families and mental health professionals
- Incorporate breaks and large muscle activity into the day
- Be predictable, consistent and repetitive
- Break assignments into manageable steps
- Identify a safe place student can go to regain composure when frustrated or angry- make sure student is capable and supervised if needed
- Establish regular meetings with family to get updates
- Reduce stress go slow when introducing new situations
- Do assessments so you can build on any strengths you can capitalize on
- Help students set realistic academic goals
- Educate other students and encourage them to extend friendship
PAC Corner
50/50 FUNDRAISER – THANK YOU!!!!
The PAC 50/50 fundraiser was a HUGE success. Thanks to each and everyone of you who purchased tickets. We raised $675 for our school and awarded $675 to our winner. Congratulations to our winner Nohemi Vargas with ticket number 1705811!
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
The PAC is working on setting priorities for 2023-2025 and we want to hear from you! Please take a moment to complete this quick survey to let us know what is most important to your family: https://forms.gle/mby77ibPpUG7J4K59 - Survey Deadline: Tuesday March 28th 2023
We'll send out the results summary in the weekly Communicator email on Friday March 31, and discuss how to use the results for strategic planning during our next PAC meeting, on Monday April 24th, 2023.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SPRING EVENTS!
Many hands make light work………. we can use more help with all our fundraising efforts. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out.
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
Keep up to date on all things SCCS PAC by joining us on Facebook:
Follow our PAC Facebook page and get notified for upcoming PAC and school related events:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/SCCSPAC/photos/?ref=page_internal
Join our Private Parents Group on Facebook and stay connected with the school and community of Whistler:
Your SCCS PAC Team
Email: [email protected]
Community Workshops, Programs and Events
Important COVID Safety Information
Health Canada Approved Rapid Test Kits
Test kits are still available to be picked up from the school office, but must be collected by a parent/guardian. We will not release these kits to students. Office hours are 8:00 am – 3:30 pm to pick these up. You may come during office hours to collect tests. For information on safety and proper use of the test kits, please visit the BCCDC updated information here: Rapid Testing At Home web page.
SCCS COVID-19 Communicable Disease Plan
Our SCCS COVID-19 Communicable Disease Plan has been updated for the start of our 2022-23 school year and is available on our website.
Daily Health Check
All families are asked to continue performing the daily health check with our students prior to sending them to school. You can perform this check online, through an app on your mobile phone, or on via the health check below-staying home when sick helps our community stay safe!
