Newsletter #4
November 12, 2024
Dear Highland Park Husky Families,
I sure hope you have had a wonderful start to November and found some time to REMEMBER this past weekend. It continues to be getting colder and I suspect snow will soon be upon us. Please continue to ensure your child has what they need to stay dry and warm as winter conditions approach. It never hurts to have an extra pair of socks, pants and gloves. Snow pants will be a must to slide on our little sliding hill.
You may have heard that our district has been gifted a new name K’wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl’ecw. CLICK HERE to learn how to pronounce it. CLICK HERE to read more about it.
I received some very positive feedback about the Student/Teacher/ Family Conferences held in mid October and look forward to reading the goals that students have set for themselves, with input from the teacher and family, of course. These will be included in the First Written Learning Update that will be made available to parents online on Tuesday, December 17th. Please review this goal with your child regularly to keep it at the forefront of their thinking and learning.
Interested grade 5 students are settling in to various leadership roles including morning announcements and eating time supervision of our kindergarten classes. Our grade 5 students have completed the voting process to select the design for their grade 5 GRAD 2025 hoodie. This week we hope to determine sizing and complete student signatures on the design template. Ordering should take place very soon. Our generous PAC contributes a large portion of their fundraising to offset the cost of the hoodies for families. We are not yet sure the cost to families but will provide this information very soon.
For ongoing information pertaining to the happenings at HPE please visit our website: www.hpe.sd83.bc.ca. To access past Newsletters you can CLICK HERE. If you have questions or inquires with regard to any and all aspects of Highland Park School, please contact me 250-546-8723.
Warmest Regards,
Shelly Cull 😊
Does your child have a water bottle and inside shoes? Please remember to send your child to school with a water bottle each day and inside shoes. Inside shoes are important for safety while inside the school and they also help to keep our school clean. They are also very important for gym time. If you wish to review the planner insert (also found in the front of your child’s planner) CLICK HERE . It contains a wealth of information pertaining to our school wide routines and procedures, all designed to keep learning a priority.
SD83 District Strategic Plan and Student Learning Enhancement Report: CLICK HERE to access our SD83 Mission, Vision and Values. Our SD83 Strategic Plan 2024- 2028 can be found HERE . The SD83 Strategic Plan guides our work at HPE and is what our School Learning Plan is based on. You can CLICK HERE to read the Enhancing Student Learning Report that was included in the SD83 October Highlights. CLICK HERE to read the SD83 November Highlights. Mr. Hazlewood’s grade 4 class and their participation in the No Stone Left Alone project is featured.
HPE School Learning Plan Update: On November 8th, staff in attendance at our school based pro d day participated in an online session in the morning with Jessica Minnihan based on her book, Behaviour Code. This insightful presentation provided tools for staff to implement as they support students with improvements in regulation. This learning connects to the goal area in our School Learning Plan related to Human and Social Development and Well-being. In the afternoon session, staff explored a variety of resources and practices to help students improve their skills in writing, a goal area in our School Learning Plan. Also connected to our SLP, staff participated in a collaboration session earlier this week with our District Numeracy Helping Teacher, Mr. Doug Smith. As a grade level team, staff analyzed results of a formative classroom assessment completed by mid October called the SNACC (Student Numeracy Assessment of the Critical Concepts). If you are curious about the content in the Critical Concepts for each grade, you can access them HERE. We are excited to welcome Mr. Doug Smith back to our school for the mornings on Tuesdays and Thursdays to continue supporting our staff and students in classrooms from November 19 – December 19th.
If you are looking for ways to support the development of Numeracy at home, please REGISTER for an upcoming NUMERACY NIGHT on January 8, 2025. This workshop from Box Cars and One Eyed Jacks is designed to equip you with fun and engaging games to play at home as a family. Please register ASAP, as space is limited. The registration deadline is December 13th. The evening event is at Armstrong Elementary School.
In addition to Literacy (writing) and Numeracy (problem solving) we have a belonging goal and well-being goal for our students. Please CLICK HERE to learn more about our Circle of Courage approach and the areas of focus at each school wide assembly. At our October whole school assembly we learned about goal setting behaviour related to the Circle of Courage quadrant INDEPENDENCE. This focus area was timely given our goal setting conferences in mid October. Goal setting is important to becoming a self-directed learner. Students learned about the importance of believing in themselves as learners, growth mindset, asking for and accepting feedback to focus on areas of growth. At our next whole school assembly, on Wednesday, November 13th we will recognize 14 students, one per division, who have shown exemplary behaviours related to goal setting. At the assembly we will continue learning about the Circle of Courage quadrant of INDEPENDENCE but relate it to Problem Solving. This will be connected to the competencies of Communication and Personal Awareness and Responsibility and Social Awareness and Responsibility. We are working hard school wide on encouraging appropriate play at school, play that promotes respect, responsibility and safety in order to build a safe, caring and orderly environment that prioritizes learning. Everyone has the responsibility to contribute positively to a learning environment that is welcoming and builds a sense of belonging for all students. Keeping hands and feet to self, our bodies in our own space, especially when frustration, is an expectation for all students. CLICK HERE to view the Problem Solving Wheel that will be introduced to students at the upcoming assembly. You can CLICK HERE to read more about our Student Code of Conduct. Keeping parents informed of student behaviour and related consequences is a priority.
Scholastic Book Fair at HPE Library: I am excited to announce that we have a Scholastic Book Fair planned next week at our school in the library starting Tuesday, November 19 – Thursday, November 21st. A big thank you to Ms. Lee and our PAC, in particular Annette Martin. Students will have an opportunity to view and purchase items in their assigned library times. Parents are welcome after school on the days mentioned above from 2:00 – 2:40 pm. Thank you for supporting our school library.
HPE Staff and Students Remembers: On Thursday, November 7th we welcomed Mr. Shawn Coady to our school to lead our School Remembrance Day Assembly. He engaged students and staff in a very informative assembly about why we remember, the symbols of remembrance and Canada’s contributions and efforts in both past and present peace keeping initiatives. He acknowledged Indigenous Veterans Day on Friday, November 8th as well. CLICK HERE to read more and view photos. In the SD83 November Highlights recently emailed to parents, you can read more about Mr. Hazlewood’s grade 4 class participating in the No Stone Left Alone project as an act towards REMEBERING.
Remembrance Day Legion Contest: Please CLICK HERE to read more information about a poster contest for students in grades k – 12, a literacy contest for students in grade 4 – 12 and a video contest for students in grades 7 – 12. The due date for all entries and accompanying parental consent form is Friday, November 29th to the office.
Christmas Tree Decorating: On Friday, November 22nd, we have been invited by the Chamber of Commerce to take part in their annual light up and help decorate a Christmas tree. More information will be coming soon.
Introductory Sessions to Lacrosse: On Monday, December 2nd, Tuesday, December 3rd and Wednesday, December 4th we are excited to welcome Mr. Mann and his team of Lacrosse coaches to our school to provide an introductory session for our students, k-5. A schedule will be forthcoming.
Winter Recreation: As communicated previously, we have confirmed the following dates for Winter Recreation for our students in grades 4 and 5. The dates are: Monday, January 13th, Friday, January 17th, and Monday, January 20th at Silver Star Mountain. A letter will be emailed this week to parents of grade 4 and 5 students with the registration link and instructions. A permission form will be sent home as well. It will be very important that you include the correct level for your child’s skiing or snowboarding ability. Read the descriptions carefully. It is our hope that all students will participate. If you are experiencing hardship, please contact Shelly Cull, Principal. Registration and payment is due December 16th.
Several other classes are scheduled to participate in skating. Stay tuned for more information from your child’s classrooms teacher.
Spirit Days: Show your Husky Pride on the following HPE Spirit Days planned by our Spirit Day Committee. CLICK HERE to read more about our upcoming spirit days and ensure you include them in your personal calendars. Canadian Lumberjack Day is coming up next on November 20th, Christmas Sweater Day on December 6th, Who Ville Day on Thursday, December 19th and Pajama Day on December 20th, the last day of school before the Winter Break.
Grade 5 Volleyball: Our student coaches from PVSS are doing an amazing job with our grade 5 students in volleyball. A big thank you to PVSS students Georgia Stowards, Faith Anderson-Roberge, and Talyn Brunwald. The remaining dates for volleyball are November 20, November 27, and December 4 after school from 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm. No volleyball this Wednesday, November 13th because of the PAC meeting.
Numeracy Night: You can REGISTER for the upcoming NUMERACY NIGHT on January 8, 2025. This workshop from Box Cars and One Eyed Jacks is designed to equip you with fun and engaging games to play at home as a family. Please register ASAP, as space is limited. The registration deadline is December 13th. The event will be hosted at Armstrong Elementary School.
Update from PAC: Our next PAC meeting will be on Wednesday, November 13th in the library. It’s been so great to have so many parents participate in our meetings. The more the merrier, so please consider attending. Child minding will be provided for parents who are attending the meeting. PAC is looking for additional helpers to serve soup on Wednesday soup days: October 30, November 13, November 27 and December 11. More dates will be coming soon for the new year. CLICK HERE to access the PAC’s Facebook Page. CLICK HERE to view Minutes of PAC meetings and the Principal’s Reports.
See below for a list of important dates and upcoming events including hot lunch dates and even our Winter Concert Date:
Friday, November 8
PRO D Day – NO SCHOOL for students
Indigenous Veterans’ Day
Monday, November 11
NO SCHOOL – Remembrance Day
Wednesday, November 13
Whole School Spirit Assembly
Hot Lunch (PAC) – Soup Day
PAC Meeting 2:30 pm
Wednesday, November 20
Hot Lunch (PAC) – OPA
HPE Spirit Day – Canadian Lumberjack Day
Grade 5 Volleyball for those who signed up – 2:00 – 3:15 pm
Friday, November 22
Christmas Tree Decorating for Light Up in the community
Monday, November 25 – Friday, November 28
Provincial Career Week
Wednesday, November 27
Hot Lunch (PAC) – Soup Day
Grade 5 Volleyball for those who signed up – 2:00 – 3:15 pm
Friday, November 29
Legion Contest Entries Due to office – CLICK HERE for info
December 2-4
Introduction to Lacrosse k-5
December 2 -6
Classroom Door Decorating
Wednesday, December 4
Hot Lunch (PAC) – Pizza
Grade 5 Volleyball for those who signed up – 2:00 – 3:15 pm
Friday, December 6
HPE Spirit Day – Christmas Sweater Day
Wednesday, December 11
Hot Lunch (PAC) – Soup Day
PAC Meeting 2:30 pm
Thursday, December 12
Winter Concert Day – more information will be coming soon
Friday, December 13
Deadline to REGISTER for Numeracy Night at AES
Monday, December 16
Movies at Centennial Theatre (PAC) – more info to come
Tuesday, December 17
Movies at Centennial Theatre (PAC) – more info to come
Written Learning Updates available online
Wednesday, December 18
Whole School Spirit Assembly – wear your HPE gear
Hot Lunch (PAC) – Askews
Thursday, December 19
HPE Spirit Day – Who Ville Day
Friday, December 20
Last Day of School before Winter Break
HPE Spirit Day – Pajama Day
Monday, January 6
First Day back to School after Winter Break
Wednesday, January 8
Numeracy Night at AES 6:00 – 7:15 pm
Monday, January 13
Winter Rec Session #1 (grade 4 and 5)
Friday, January 17
Winter Rec Session #2 (grade 4 and 5)
Monday, January 20
Winter Rec Session #3 (grade 4 and 5)
