Category: Community (Page 2 of 3)

End of Year Thoughts

Dear Division 3 and Families,

The end of June is always bittersweet. We say goodbye to friends who might be moving schools, or moving on to high school, and we get nostalgic over the memories and experiences we’ve had together. We are also excited for summer breaks that may be less scheduled and more relaxing, or full of exciting opportunities for exploration and travel. Whatever you are doing this summer, I hope it brings you joy.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our students throughout the school year. Building relationships with students and their families is my absolute favourite part of teaching. When I was working in my district position a few years ago, that was a part of teaching that I really missed. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the students of Division 3–the sports they play, who is in their families, their favourite foods (including the contentious issue of whether pineapple belongs on pizza), their pets’ names and funny antics, and their strengths and passions. While grade 6/7 can be a rollercoaster of a year, I’ve appreciated my time with this group and I’ve been honoured to see how they’ve grown and changed.

I talked about change in my grade 7 leaving ceremony speech, and how embarrassed some students were looking back on the letters they wrote to themselves at the beginning of the year. Through all the groans and eye rolls, Division 3, I hope you can look back at how you’ve grown and changed with pride in your accomplishments. Success isn’t always marked by medals and trophies. It’s in the small victories of handing something in on time, adding more detail to your drawing, or trying something new. Success and growth take courage, and they take time.

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow. ‘”  – Mary Anne Radmacher

Wishing you all the best for a wonderful summer with your friends and families. 🌞

❤ Ms. Coutts

Please enjoy these photos from our year!

Project Ice

Division 1, 2, and 3 have been working hard over three months developing their drama skills. For the past month they have been rehearsing for their reader’s theatre performance of Project Ice: The Ice That Breaks the Night. Our final performance is on Thursday June 8 at 6:30pm in the University Highlands gym. We hope to see you there!

Year Book Pages

Hi Division 3!

Ms. Coutts in Kindergarten (Did I cut my own bangs? We’ll never know.)

EDIT: We are going to be going in a different direction than what is communicated here. You are no longer required to save photos to your OneDrive.

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Language and Knowledge

Humans all over the world define our knowledge, values, culture, and worldviews through the language we use. Today Division 3 looked at Inuktitut syllabics and listened to the language.

Inuktitut includes many different dialects, and is written today using two methods: Qaniujaqpait (syllabics) and Roman orthography. Many Inuit communities are working on revitalizing and continuing to teach/learn Inuktitut to maintain traditional knowledge. Inuit use their language to describe places, phenomena, and relationships unique to them. This is reflective of the deep relationship they have with the land, as well as the complex understandings about nature they have learned from their environment. Like in other languages, Inuktitut ties Inuit to their ancestors, family members, and neighbours. It is a way for them to unite and ensure that their cultures endures for generations to come.

Check out some of these games made for children (and really anyone) to develop some understanding of Inuktitut.

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Black Canadian Excellence

Throughout February, Division 3 celebrated Black History Month by researching various individuals of note and summarizing who they are and what they do/did into one to three PowerPoint slides. Students discovered a wide range of Black Canadians that have contributed to our country through sport, politics, art, activism, education, and more.

Students collaborated on a shared PowerPoint file, each person adding their set of slides to the overall composition. Division 3 has been learning how to communicate information effectively. In their slides, their goal was to use visuals and point form to communicate the main ideas clearly.

Please check out their work with this link: Black Canadian Excellence

Sharing Our Stories

From the beginning of language, humans have told stories to communicate the past and current learnings, to explain the world around us, and to connect and comfort.

They tell others who we are, where we are from, what we believe, and about the experiences that shape us. We learn empathy, lessons about friendships and possible dangers. Our stories teach and inspire.

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Getting Ready for Grade 8

The secondary schools in Burnaby have been starting their parent information evenings and getting ready to welcome a new crew of grade 8s in September!

Our grade 7s are gearing up to start our visits to our catchment high school, Burnaby Mountain Secondary. Our first visit is on the morning of February 23, where students will get to tour the building, meet some of the staff, and get a sense of the different electives/programs available at BMSS. More information about courses and electives can be found here. School information from the open house night can be found here.

If you are planning on attending a different high school, you will receive course selection information upon acceptance. Until then, we will have all students fill out course selection for BMSS.

Have a Wonderful Winter Break

Wishing everyone a cozy, safe, and recharging winter break. Enjoy your time with friends and family, and if you are celebrating, I hope you have a blast! See you again in 2023! 😊

Kamui Mintara Playground of the Gods, Burnaby Mountain, 2017

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