Students and staff alike enjoyed the warm, fall days in October with many opportunities to take their learning outside. I thank Grade 1/2 teacher Andrea Nielson and Gr. 2/3 teacher Marina Eglis for their class highlight this month.

Grade 1/2 and Grade 2/3 Class Highlight

Our Grades 1/2 and 2/3 classes are collaborating on a multi-disciplinary, multi-modal unit to explore our community, local jobs, maps, and local indigenous groups. We started with reading the book “Mapping Penny’s World”, exploring the different types of maps that can be made, from a child’s perspective. We then discussed why we have maps, how they can be used, and different things we knew about mapping. We then gave students treasure maps of our school grounds and broke them into groups. They used their knowledge to find a bag of Halloween Treasure. We will be making treasure maps next, then collaborating on a map of the Slocan Valley, and identifying local features and businesses. In the coming months, we will visit local businesses and artisans. We will also invite members of the community in to share what they do for work, or what things they have special interests and knowledge in. Indigenous perspectives and learning are at the forefront of our practice, and we will weave this in by referring to the land we live on as Turtle Island, and hearing stories from the land. These activities align with the Grades 1, 2 and 3 B.C. Curriculum for Social Studies and Career Education.

District Cross Country Running Meet

After a two year hiatus due to the pandemic, many elementary schools met at the Lakeside Baseball fields in Nelson to compete in cross country running races from Kindergarten to Grade 6.  We had 20 students from Grade 1-6 join our Winlaw Cross Country Running team.  We practiced twice a week for several weeks leading up to this district competition.  It was wonderful to hear all the schools cheer for their teammates as they were coming down the final stretch on each race.  Nine of our students placed in the top ten.  We are so proud of each student who particpated in our Winlaw team and the resilence, endurance, and commitment that they showed in training and during the race.  We also give out a huge shout of thanks to the parent volunteers who drove out to help assist with supervision.

Student Leadership Group

Our Winlaw Student Leadership meets every Monday at lunch.  This month they have focused on recycling as October is Recycle, Reduce, and Reuse Month.  They have organized paper and juice box recycling containers and garbage awareness for each classroom.  Student Leader teams visited each classroom to teach students about the importance of recycling and how we can have garbage free lunches by bringing home wrappers or anything that might typically be put in a garbage.  Most wrappers can be recycled at home through community recycling. One of our Student Leaders also provided a tasty granola bar recipe in the awareness letter that was sent home to families.

Health and Safety

During September and October, we completed six Fire Drills, one Earthquake Drill and will do the Lock Down Drill on November 8th and the Hold and Secure Drill in January.  During Fire Drills, we practice exiting the school in a safe, quiet, and timely manner.  On October 20th, we practiced the protocols for an Earthquake drill.  I am very pleased to share that our students respectfully participated in all our drills.  In the spring, we will do another three Fire Drills.   

Thank you for checking on your child’s health each day.   If your child shows signs of illness, please keep them at home until they are feeling better.  

Our beautiful fall weather is taking a shift and we are starting to see more rain and likely some snow in the coming weeks.  Please ensure that your child /children are dressed appropriately for the weather each day.  

Winlaw Our Place After School Care

We are so fortunate to have the Seamless Day Winlaw Our Place After School Care program at our school for Kindergarten to Grade 5 students.  It runs from 2:00-5:00 Monday through Friday with our Early Childhood Educator Ms Pati McLaughlin.  We have space each day for children to attend full time, part time and on a drop- in basis. Please email Principal Monica Doyle for more information on how to register your child/children at monica.doyle@sd8.bc.ca if you need after school care.

StrongStart

StrongStart has been up and running for the past two weeks at Winlaw Elementary.  Early Childhood Educator Pati McLaughlin welcomes families with babies and preschool aged children up to five years on Wednesday and Friday each week from 9:00-11:30 where they do play based activites including stories, art, and music.  Strongstart takes place in a classroom and has a movement time in the gym time each day.  A free, healthy snack is also provided. Please contact our clerical Sharon Block at clerical.winlaw@sd8.bc.ca if you need assistance with registering in the program.   

Winlaw PAC

Our new Winlaw PAC Executive was elected at the AGM on October 11th. Chair is Keely Winnoty, Vice-Chair is Laura House, Secretary is Marie Josee Bourgeois, and Treasurer is Lisa Stooshnoff.  We thank each of our PAC Executive members for their time and commitment this year.  We also thank Past PAC Chair Nikko Snyder for her work and commitment during this last year.  The next PAC meeting is November 8th at 4:00 and every parent is welcome to attend. 

Halloween Howler- We give a huge shout out of thanks to our Winlaw PAC for organizing the Halloween Howler again this year which takes place today!  The Howler kicks off with a Costume Parade around the school after lunch and then students rotate in multi-age groups around six spooktacular stations!

Upcoming Dates

November 8-   PAC Meeting 4:00

November 10- Remembrance Day Assembly Time 10:50

November 11- Remembrance Day Holiday

November 16- Early Dismissal Day and Parent/Teacher Interviews

November 17- Early Dismissal Day and Parent/ Teacher Interviews

December 19- January 23- Winter Break school returns on January 3rd

With warm regards,

Monica Doyle, Principal