Hi Families,

My apologies for the Friday Flashes not flashing recently…I hope to have them out regularly again soon.

Items to note for the remainder of this month:
– Thur Jan 25 – Literacy 10 & 12 Assessments are taking place
– Fri Jan 26 – Ski Day to Bear Mtn
– Thu Feb 1 – End of 1st semester (for some high school classes)
– Fri Feb 2 – No School for Non-Instructional Day

More Ski Days: There will be another Bear Mtn ski day on Feb 16. Also, we are planning a family ski day to Powder King on Feb 25. This allows for group rates to make it a bit more affordable for a family adventure. Watch for more details to come in a paper note home soon so we can confirm the date.

Shuttle Bus Service: We are grateful illness rates are down and we’ve added a few new students to our community, but there is increased pressure on our contracted bus service. Thank you to the staff who have pitched in transportation for students needing a ride. Starting next week, there will be two buses for most of the runs. In the morning, the first bus will leave when mostly full so any other students can get on the second bus. This service does cost a significant amount of money, so thank you to those who have donated toward it. If you have not yet done so, we encourage you to make it a financial priority to support this service.

As always, please reach out to a teacher or staff member if you have any questions!

Warmly,
Mrs. Atherton

Dear Parents/Guardians,

In the following weeks, your child will have the opportunity to participate in a 15-minute survey about the overall culture of the school. The surveys will be completed online and during school time, at no cost to you. The results will provide valuable information to school leaders and may help your school community improve in meaningful ways.

The areas the survey explores are: School Climate, Academic Climate, Civic Open Classroom Climate, School Mission & Vision, and Social-Emotional Competencies (optional).

The primary purpose of the survey is to help your school understand its culture better. The secondary purpose is to provide the field of education with new insights into how various stakeholders in schools perceive elements of their school culture, using anonymous data for secondary research.

The survey was designed by educational researchers at the Johns Hopkins University Institute for Education Policy.

All responses are anonymous and will be analyzed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University. School personnel will not have access to individual responses. No names, birthdates, addresses, student IDs, or IP addresses will be attached to any responses.

Participation for your child is completely voluntary. If you DO want your child to participate, you do not need to do anything.

If you DO NOT want your child to participate, please advise your child to answer “NO” to the first question on the survey.

There are no penalties for not participating or withdrawing from the survey at any time. If you want to see the questions beforehand, please ask your principal/head of school or any member of the Johns Hopkins team. Their contact information is below.

Thank you for participating in our survey. Please know that we are listening to your input.

Respectfully,

The team at Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy

For questions about research, contact:

Dr. David Steiner, d.steiner@jhu.edu or 410-516-7896

Johns Hopkins IRB office, hirb@jhu.edu or 410- 516-4820

For general questions about the survey, contact:

Dr. Kecia McCoy, Kmccoy18@jhu.edu

Dr. Carol Macedonia, cmacedo3@jhu.edu

I hope you have a wonderful day.

Best regards,

Dr. Kecia L. McCoy, Ph.D.

Program Administrator, School Culture 360™

Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy

Johns Hopkins University, School of Education

2800 North Charles Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21218

Phone: (667) 231-8442

Email: Kmccoy18@jhu.edu

education.jhu.edu | Facebook |LinkedIn |Twitter

Dear Parents, Teachers, Staff, and Administrators,

Your school values and needs input from the community!

In the coming weeks, you will be emailed directly a link to the School Culture 360™ Survey that has been developed by researchers at the Institute for Education Policy at Johns Hopkins University.

Each year, it is critical for school leaders to have reliable data to assess their school environments. This survey can identify areas for celebration, areas for growth, and disconnects between different groups of participants.

The aspects of school culture this survey measures are:

· School Climate – Characteristics of the school environment that foster academic achievement and positive interpersonal relationships

· Academic Climate – Characteristics of the learning environment that promote high expectations, teacher support of student learning, and peer support of student learning

· Civic Open Classroom Climate – The routine experience of deliberation and viewpoint diversity

· School Mission and Vision – The stakeholders’ beliefs about the school’s commitments and values

These areas have been linked to various student outcomes, including academic achievement and civic preparation. A summary of research about these domains is available upon request. While parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and students in Grades 4 to 12 take the survey, not all these groups will answer all components.

This survey is completely anonymous and will be used for secondary research. Participation in the survey is completely voluntary; there are no penalties for not participating.

Please keep an eye out for the survey link that will be sent by an administrator at your school. By sharing your thoughts about your school’s environment, you will provide useful insights that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Thank you so much for your help.

If you have general questions about the survey, contact:
Dr. Kecia McCoy, Kmccoy18

Dr. Carol Macedonia, cmacedo3

If you have questions about research, contact:
Dr. David Steiner, d.steiner or 410-516-7896
Johns Hopkins Homewood IRB office, hirb or 410-516-4820

I hope you have a wonderful day.

Best regards,

Dr. Kecia L. McCoy, Ph.D.

Program Administrator, School Culture 360™

Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy

Johns Hopkins University, School of Education

2800 North Charles Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21218

Phone: (667) 231-8442

Email: Kmccoy18@jhu.edu

education.jhu.edu | Facebook |LinkedIn |Twitter

Hello Families,

Hope you’re enjoying the fresh layer of white! We missed sending out a Friday Flash, but want to ensure you have a few dates in your calendars:

Jan 24-25 – Grad Assessments (Gr 10-12)
Jan 26 – Ski Day to Bear Mountain
Feb 2 – Non-Instructional Day
Feb 5-16 – School Surveys

You will be receiving two emails shortly regarding the school surveys. They are informational and no action is required on these. Please let us know if you have any questions!

Stay safe out there!
Mrs. Atherton

There will not be busses so no school for another day. Stay safe out there and see you next week!

Hi Families,
The busses are cancelled for safety reasons because of the weather so school is closed today. Students are encouraged to take some time to read books, practice math facts, work on Duolingo, RAZ Kids, Mathletics and homework as appropriate.

Hoping everyone is able to stay warm over this cold spell.

Mrs. Atherton

Hi Families,

As a reminder to everyone and knowledge for newer families, if Standard Bus is not running due to bad weather (too cold, bad roads or too much snow), PCS doesn’t have school. Enough students rely on bussing to attend that few students come and it is difficult to accomplish much learning with those at school.

Busses are often cancelled if the temperature or wind chill temperature is -35C or colder. As the forecasts are cold for the next few days, please make note if there is school or not. A notice is typically posted by 6:30 am. We will communicate it via email and social media (which also shows on our website). You can also find bus info on the top right of SD59 webpage or call the bus info line at 250-782-1061.

If you have a younger elementary student and you need to work and do not have child care for the day, please let your classroom teacher know and we will do our best to work with you on a plan.

This is also a good time to note that winter gear is always needed when riding a bus. This includes coats, toques, mitts/gloves. Please prepare your child for the unexpected during winter driving conditions.

Happy cold bug killing weather 🙂
Mrs. Atherton

Hello Families,
A quick Friday Flash to start our Christmas break. It was great to see many of you at school this week. Wishing you a fabulous Christmas season and a Happy New Year!
Mrs. Atherton

Looking Ahead

• Jan 8 – First day back after break
• Jan 26 – Ski day at Bear Mountain

Good to Know

• Our early learning program for 3 & 4 year olds has open spots for January on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Support for children not yet potty trained may be available, so ask!

Shout Outs

• To the K & K Henry family for the treats they provided for our staff this week
• To our students and staff for a great Christmas presentation
• To our families for the support of the Christmas program and bake sale and many treats given to teachers and staff

Verse of the Week – 2 Cor 9:15

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"

Hi Families,
It’s the last week before a change for a couple of weeks. It promises to be busy, but we strive to also accomplish learning and memories along the way!

Our student association is hosting a spirit week this coming. See each day below for how our students can participate.

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Atherton

This Coming Week

• Mon Dec 18
  • Last day to bring in food for Christmas hampers
  • Santa Hat Day
• Tues Dec 19
  • 7:00 pm – Meeting for parents and students interested in spring break El Salvador trip
  • Last day to order hot lunch and/or milk
  • Christmas Tree Day (decorate yourself)
• Wed Dec 20
  • 6:30 pm – Christmas program – Students to arrive at 6:15 and meet in classrooms. Please see teacher notes on what they should wear.
  • Christmas Colour Day
• Thu Dec 21
  • 12:00 pm – Dismissal with no afternoon bus
  • Christmas Pajama Day
• Fri Dec 22 – No School!

Looking Ahead

• Mon Jan 8 – First day back after Christmas break
• Fri Jan 26 – Ski day to Bear Mountain (providing there’s snow!)

To Do

• Complete hot lunch & milk orders
• Fill out government survey on after school care (K-Gr 6 parents)
• Send food for Christmas hampers

Good to Know

• We have quick food at school for students who need a little extra to add to their breakfast or lunch. This is for an occasional basis only so we are encouraging our high school students to bring lunch food to school on a regular basis.

Shout Outs

• To the Penano family for the treats they provided for our staff.
• To Mrs. Siller for organizing the holiday shop and the "elves" who supported her while the students shopped.

Resources

• When your child says "I’m fat!"
  

• Calendar
• Academics

Verse of the Week – Isaiah 9:6"
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Hi Families,
This Friday Flash must have shot around the world as it’s getting to you on a Monday! We keep all our regular programs this week and then wrap everything up next week before break. Happy week to all!
Mrs. Atherton

Looking Ahead

• Mon Dec 18 – Last day to bring in food for Christmas hampers
• Tues Dec 19 – Last day to order hot lunch and/or milk
• Wed Dec 20 – Christmas program at 6:30pm. Students to arrive at 6:15 and meet in classrooms. Please see teacher notes on what they should wear.
• Thu Dec 21 – Noon dismissal. Last day of school before break.
• Mon Jan 8 – First day back after Christmas break

To Do

• When picking up students off our bus at Windrem, please park on the same side as the bus parks. We have received concerned comments about student’s crossing the road to get to their ride.
• Students are collecting non-perishable food for the Christmas Bureau hampers. Please send any canned or dry goods into school with them for the boxes.
• For parents of students Gr 7 and younger, please complete the Ministry of Education survey emailed to you.

Good to Know

• We learned and practiced evacuating from a bus.
• Purdy chocolate orders are ready to be picked up!

Shout Outs

• To the staff who organized the Purdy’s Fundraiser and everyone who participated with purchases and sorting the order. A significant amount is coming back to support our students so thank you!

Resources

• Your Questions About Kids Vaccines Answered
• 7 Self-Care Tips for Parents this Holiday Season
• Calendar
• Academics

Verse of the Week – John 1:9

“The true light that shines on all people was coming into the world.”