Newsletter #8
March 7, 2025
Hello Highland Park Huskies,
At our most recent whole school assembly, students shared ideas of their signs of spring and of course our upcoming Spring Break was one of them. Warmer weather was another sign of spring shared and with that comes a lot of mud here at Highland Park Elementary School. While we encourage students to stay out of the puddles and muddy muck, please ensure that you have packed an extra pair of clothing for your children as it may come in handy this time of year. Another sign of Spring is more daylight. A reminder that we lose an hour by turning clocks ahead an hour on Sunday, March 9.
Also at our whole school assembly, we talked about RESPONSIBILITY. Both personal and social responsibility and the importance of accepting responsibility when mistakes are made and acknowledging our part in growing a conflict; all part of growing and learning a better way to get our needs met. We talked about our social responsibility to solve problems peacefully, doing what’s expected and encouraging others to do the right thing. Students at HPE hear me say often, “Mrs. Cull likes to solve problems when problems are small.” Meaning, allow us the opportunity to help before the problem grows too big. If problems go unsolved, especially for too long, they grow into bigger problems that get harder to solve. These topics related to Personal and Social Responsibility lend themselves to the Circle of Courage quadrant of INDEPENDENCE, learning to be self directed individuals. When we return from Spring Break, our focus will shift to ACHIEVING, doing your best, which is linked to the Circle of Courage quadrant of MASTERY. This topic will be introduced at our upcoming whole school assembly on Wednesday, April 2. For more information about our assembly dates and topics, CLICK HERE .
Students and staff have been informed that we will have one last fire drill before the break and for this one, it will be a surprise – no warning. Inside shoes are a must at all times in our school. We will be asking students to bring home shoes that are too small so that over the break, families have the opportunity to find shoes that fit. Please ensure your child has inside shoes and a water bottle for use at school. Thank you.
For news around the K̓wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl’ecw School District No. 83, please CLICK HERE to read the February Highlights emailed to families on February 11. CLICK HERE to access the most recent Synopsis from the February 18 Board Meeting. The next Board Meeting in on Tuesday, March 11 at 6 pm. CLICK HERE to find our more information.
We have a busy week ahead as our last week before Spring Break. We welcome students and families back to school after Spring Break on Monday, March 31. If you need to contact me, during the break, please email scull@sd83.bc.ca or hpe@sd83.bc.ca.
Warmest regards,
Mrs. Cull 😊
PAC MEETING: Our next PAC meeting is on Wednesday, March 12 at 2:30pm in the school library. One topic on the Principal’s Report for discussion will be our parking lot. On Thursday, March 13, Mrs. Cull will be meeting to solidify a plan with SD83 Operations (working with what we got) to improve the flow of traffic in our parking lot at pick up and drop off times. The hope is that this will be completed over Spring Break. At the upcoming PAC meeting, Mrs. Cull will introduce some ideas and collect feedback and additional ideas for consideration. The process will be completed with our staff as well. If you have any ideas that you would like to be considered to improve the flow of traffic with our parking lot, please contact Mrs. Cull by email scull@sd83.bc.ca or phone 250 – 546 – 8723 before Thursday, March 13. When you return from Spring Break, you may notice some minor adjustments. For more information on some considerations previously suggested, CLICK HERE to access our previous Newsletters. CLICK HERE to access previous PAC Principal Reports and PAC Meeting Minutes. I wish to take this opportunity to thank our PAC and especially our PAC executives for all they do to help contribute to our students’ school experience. Very grateful for all our families.
LOST AND FOUND: CLICK HERE to view pictures from a recent post on our website of the items in our lost and found. Items will be available for pick up until Friday, March 14 at noon. After that, items will be donated to a local charity organization.
STAFFING UPDATE: Ms. Olvia Johnson will be teaching grade 4 full time in Division 4 as Ms. Lee recently went on leave from the classroom piece of her assignment at our school. Ms. Lee continues to work in our library. We welcome Ms. Victoria Orr, CEA, back to work next week. Today was Kiara’s Simard’s last day in her temporary position. She did a wonderful job in Victoria’s absence. We also welcome Sara Kelly, CEA, who has been assigned to Ms. Hayley Hatt’s position while she is on maternity leave. Please join me in wishing Ms. Hayley Hatt all the best as she awaits the arrival of her new little one. In addition, this Thursday, March 13 is Torrie Heppner’s last day. She has been working alongside Ms. Anderson, as secretary on Thursdays. Please join me in welcoming back Barb Keehn Secretary, to our school in this secretary position.
GLOW GALLERY: A big thank you to Ms. Daughtry and Mr. Byrnes for making use of our empty classroom to create a GLOW GALLERY. Classes will be able to walk through at a scheduled time next week (March 10 – 14). Our plan is to hopefully provide an opportunity for students to tour their parents through at our upcoming Student-led Conferences on Wednesday, April 30. CLICK HERE for a sneak peek in a recent post on our website.
STUDENT LEARNING UPDATES: Our second written formal learning update will be available to parents online using on Tuesday, March 11 after school online. Our school will be providing a hard copy as well and this will be sent home on Wednesday, March 12 at the latest. CLICK HERE to view instructions on how to access MyEd BC Family Portal. If you have questions about your child’s learning or progress, please contact your child’s classroom teacher. As always, please feel free to contact me regarding any and all aspects of Highland Park Elementary School. Our second informal learning update will take place on Wednesday, April 30. Most classroom teachers have opted to host Student Led Conferences after school. This provides an opportunity for parents to visit the classroom and see firsthand the learning of their child. More information will be sent home after Spring Break. In the mean time, please plan on attending (open house format with child minding for school aged children) for 20 – 30 minutes per child. Other options for informal reporting that a teacher may choose include in-person or virtual discussions, telephone calls, emails, portfolios, written summaries. If your child’s classroom teacher is not participating in Student Led Conferences, you should have already been notified of what option has been chosen to communicate student learning. If you have questions, please contact your child’s classroom teacher or Mrs. Cull.
HPE TALENT SHOW: We are excited to see 17 selected students showcase their talents at our upcoming talent show on Tuesday, March 11. If you have a child participating in the talent show, thank you for your help to prepare them for their audition and actual performance. We have many talents being represented, from singing and dancing to playing the piano, even the recorder, to stop motion, animation, and video footage of skiing. Thank you to Ms. Lelond, Mr. Byrnes, Ms. Sandberg, Ms. Kalf for all their hard work with the audition process with our students.
SYMPHONY AT THE VERNON PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE: Students in grade 3 -5 are off to the symphony on the morning of Wednesday, March 12. They will be loading buses by 9:15 am.
MANCALA TOURNAMENT: Mr. Benge is hosting a Mancala Tournament for students in grade 3 – 5 and some interested grade 2 students on Thursday, March 13th. Thank you Mr. Benge for providing this opportunity for our students.
SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY: Friday, March 14 is the last day before Spring Break and students are encouraged to share their school spirit by wearing green or gold. Pajamas are also encouraged. CLICK HERE to read more about our School Spirit Days.
STUDENT LEARNING SURVEY: A reminder to our grade 4 parents that this survey is open until Friday, May 2. This email was sent to families with children in grade 4 on February 6, 2025. Please check your email history for a link to the information. Families with children in grade 4 are invited to participate in order to provide feedback to the Ministry of Education and Child Care. The student portion of the survey will be administered to grade 4 students at school after Spring Break by Mrs. Cull and/or their classroom teacher.
PHYSICAL LITERACY LEARNING SESSIONS: We are excited that SD83 Physical Literacy Helping Teacher, Carla Kurtz, will be at Highland Park Elementary supporting classes with physical literacy learning at the end of April, beginning of May.
Here is a list of important dates and upcoming events for your personal calendars:
Monday, March 10 – Friday, March 14
Glow Gallery tour for students
Tuesday, March 11
Written Student Learning Update #2 available online
HPE 2025 Talent Show (Grade 3 -5)
Wednesday, March 12
Students Grade 3 -5 Symphony visit in Vernon Performing Arts Center
Hot Lunch (PAC) – Subway
PAC Meeting – 2:30 pm
Written Student Learning Update #2 hard copies sent home
Thursday, March 13
Mr. Benge’s class sleepover
Mancala Tournament (Grade 3 – 5, some grade 2s)
K and K/1 classes to Gymnastix and Lakeview Park (Vernon)
Friday, March 14
Last Day of School before Spring Break
HPE School Spirit Day – Pajama Day or Green and Gold Day
Monday, March 31
School Reopens after Spring Break
Wednesday, April 2
Hot Lunch (PAC) – Soup Day
Whole School Assembly
Monday, April 7
PRO D Day – No School for Students
Wednesday, April 9
Hot Lunch (PAC) – Opa
PAC Meeting 6:00 pm (library)
Thursday, April 17
School Spirit Day – Bunny Hop Dance
Friday, April 18
NO SCHOOL – Good Friday
Monday, April 19
NO SCHOOL – Easter Monday
Tuesday, April 22
Earth Day
Wednesday, April 30
Second Informal Learning Update – Student Led Conferences
Little Mountain Stomp Cross Country Run in Salmon Arm
Friday, May 2
Student Learning Survey – last day to complete survey (students in grades 4, 7, 10, 11, 12, THEIR parents and ALL staff
