Groundhog Day
Contact Ms. Watt!
stephanie.watt@burnabyschools.ca
Number of the Week

Spelling Words
CONTRACTIONS
don’t
didn’t
I’ll
I’m
it’s
let’s
they’re
we’re
doesn’t
o’clock
won’t
wouldn’t
its
can’t
that’s
mustn’t
you’veLast week’s review words:
balloon
until
finish
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Category Archives: Community Events
Chinese New Year
Posted in Community Events
Nelson Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

T
he Nelson Olympics started on Friday with an opening ceremonies orchestrated by the one and only Mr. Gurniak. We watched the intermediate athletes parade into the gym, the Grade 6 and 7s perform Olympic themed songs and various exciting videos of the Olympic Games. The Nelson Olympic flag was raised and the torch was lit!
I can’t wait to participate in and watch the sports over the next two weeks!
Click HERE to see a highlight video created by our talented Mr. Hui!
And Violet says….drumroll please…
6 more weeks of winter! She saw her shadow this morning so a longer winter is predicted to be ahead of us. Bring on some snow!!!

Posted in Community Events
Groundhog Day…the what and why?
Early or Late Spring?
Thousands of years ago when animalism and nature worship were prevalent, people in the part of Europe where Germany is today, believed that the badger had the power to predict the coming of spring. They watched the badger to know when to plant their crops.
This tradition was brought over to North America, predominantly to Pennsylvania in the United States, where it was the groundhog, not the badger, which made these “predictions”.
According to folklore, if the groundhog sees its shadow on February 2 it will return to its burrow, indicating that there will be six more weeks of winter. If it does not see its shadow, then spring is on the way.
The Groundhog Day concept first became popular in Canada in 1956 when Wiarton Willie became a household name for his early February weather predictions. Wiarton’s Groundhog Day festival grew as Willie’s fame increased. It became one of the largest winter festivals in Bruce County, Canada.
There are also other groundhogs in different parts of Canada. For example, Shubenacadie Sam is reportedly the first groundhog in the country to stick its head out on Groundhog Day. Other groundhogs include: Gary the Groundhog in Ontario, Brandon Bob in Manitoba and Balzac Billy in Alberta.
Kennedy, Ava and I will be watching what Van Island Violet does on Vancouver Island and we’re all hoping she sees her shadow and winter stays! We are hoping for some snow this year!
Our class voted overwhelmingly, 18 to 4, that she would see her shadow and winter would stay. Can’t wait to see!
Posted in Community Events
Nelson Movie Night ~ Zootopia 2!
ADMISSION: $2 or 1 non-perishable Food Bank donation/person.
Thurs., Jan. 29th, 2026
Doors open at 5:30pm
Movie starts at 6:00pm
Nelson School Gym
~ FOR SALE: hotdogs, popcorn, drinks
~ ENTER GYM FROM PLAYGROUND
~ ADULT SUPERVISION REQUIRED![]()
Posted in Community Events, School Events
Nelson Food Drive 2025 ~ Mon. Dec. 1st – Dec. 9th
Did you know that in March 2025, there were nearly 2.2 million visits to food banks in Canada – the highest number in history? Food bank usage has doubled since March 2019 and is 5.2% higher than it was in 2024.
Nelson would like to make a local impact and bring awareness about this issue.
Intermediates are coming around to collect the items each morning next week.
We have created theme days although you’re welcome to bring in any donation on any day!
Monday, December 1st
Breakfast foods! ~ hot and cold boxed cereals, oatmeal, granola, muesli, whole grain bran, granola bars, breakfast bars, tea, coffee, canned fruit, pancake mix, biscuit mix
Tuesday, December 2nd
Snacks! ~ crackers, cookies, natural peanut butter*, powdered skim milk*, rice cakes
Wednesday, December 3rd
Lunch! ~ canned soup, hearty stews, pork and beans, chili, ready to serve meals, boxed macaroni and cheese, jams, crackers, canned fish/chicken
Thursday, December 4th
Lunch part 2! ~ Canned soup, hearty stews, pork and beans, chili, ready-to-serve meals, boxed macaroni and cheese, jams, crackers, canned fish/chicken
Friday, December 5th
Side Dishes ~ canned vegetables*, dried vegetables, side kicks, desserts and beverages, fruit and vegetable juice in cans, tetra packs, bottles, canned fruit*, fruit cups
Monday, December 8th
Appetizers and Dinner! ~ dried lentils, canned beans and chickpeas, brown and white rice, barley, whole wheat pasta and other grains, tomato paste, pasta sauce, canned chicken/turkey
Tuesday, December 9th
Last Donation Day and misc. items / Any item previously listed
*Please bring unused/unopened and non-expired items.
THANK YOU for helping Nelson families this holiday season!
Posted in Community Events, School Fundraisers
Nelson Movie Night!
ADMISSION: $2 or 1 non-perishable Food Bank donation/person.
Thurs., Nov. 20th, 2025
Doors open at 6:00pm
Movie starts at 6:30pm
Nelson School Gym
FOR SALE: hotdogs, popcorn, drinks
ENTER GYM FROM PLAYGROUND DOORS
ADULT SUPERVISION REQUIRED![]()
Posted in Community Events
Remembrance Day Assembly 2025
Families are invited to join us at Nelson’s Remembrance Day ceremony on Monday, Nov 10th at 10:40 am.
Students who are members of Cubs, Scouts, Sparks, Embers, Girl Guides etc. are encouraged to wear their uniform and can help hand out poppies at the end of the assembly.
We hope to see you there!
Posted in Community Events, School Events

