blair.sd38.bc.ca @BlairDragons October 2016

It has been a busy, full month rich with activities: Orange Shirt Day, Terry Fox Run, Meet the Teacher, Parent/Teacher Conferences, Scholastic Book Fair and a Richmond Sockeyes visit to name a few. Now that we are up and running for the year, there are a few reminders to help our community run safely and smoothly:

Drop off lunches at the lunch table by the office only.

We ask that parents and grandparents do not to join their child on the playground at recess and lunch. Please help keep our school grounds safe by observing this request.

Check in at the office if you come to the school during the day.

Stay in you car if you use the drive through pick up lane.

Help communicate our school requests to family members that do not speak English who pick-up/drop-off your child regularly.

Blair Newsletter �1

Sherry Elwood - Superintendent K. D’Angelo - Area Superintendent Catherine Ludwig - Principal Kirsten Wallace - Vice Principal Monica Glaboff - Admin. Assist Carrie McCarthy - Admin Assist

Important Dates

Oct. 21 Pro-D Day (no school) Oct. 28 Hot Food Day Oct. 31 Assembly at 1:30 pm

Nov. 1 Code Red Drill Nov. 3 We Day Nov. 10 Remembrance Assembly at 10:50 am Nov. 11 Remembrance Day (no school) Nov. 17 Photo Retake Day Nov. 17 PAC Mtg. at 6:30 pm Nov. 18 Curriculum Implementation Day (No School)

We Envision A Joyful Community That:

Celebrates Learning Treasures Each Child Values Diversity Teaches the Ethic Of Caring Honours the Wonder Of Our Universe

BLAIR NEWS 6551 Lynas Lane, Richmond, BC V7C 3K8 | 604-668-6330 | Early Warning: 604-668-6318

Mrs. Ludwig and Mrs. Wallace

blair.sd38.bc.ca @BlairDragons October 2016

RAINY WEATHER Blair students go out regularly in the rain. We live on the West Coast and rain is part of our weather. Along with rain comes mud (especially in Richmond!). Please help your child be prepared by sending them to school with:

Boots Rain Jacket Umbrella

PAC Hot Food Lunches Our next hot food day is on Friday, October 28. All orders must be placed online (School Cash Online) before Friday, October 14. The PAC will be making Hawaiian Fried Rice

Blair Newsletter �2

Communicating Student Learning

What is Communicating Student Learning (CSL)? This is a great question. CSL not simply a new term for reporting or a report card format. CSL is much broader than a new report card.

CSL is based on the foundation of formative assessment. Students have a clear & ongoing understanding of why & what they are learning (learning intentions) & how they are learning (descriptive feedback).

Students may share their work along with the criteria with fellow students and their parents Examples of learning may include home/school communication journals, emails, photos, bulletin boards, websites, blogs, conferences Use of portfolios (folder portfolios or e-portfolios) with criteria for choosing samples of a student’s work to share. Many of our teachers are using the Scholantis e-portfolio focuses on all three components of the curriculum model – knowing, doing, understanding

As the progresses, we will continue to keep parents informed on the shift from reporting to CSL.

Are you using our DRIVE-TO-FIVE

Change of clothes

VolleyballOur grade 6/7 volleyball season is now up and running. A big thank you to our coaches (Ms. Pikkarainen, Ms. MacLean, and Mr. Weil). Check our website for the list of games. They LOVE a cheering section!

Sickness Flu season is upon us. Children should be kept home from school when there are any of the following symptoms:

• Fever over 38 degrees Centigrade • Diarrhea and/or vomiting • A rash that has not yet been diagnosed • Blister like sores that have not yet been diagnosed • Cough, runny nose and sore throat

blair.sd38.bc.ca @BlairDragons October 2016

Blair Newsletter �3

WE ARE ON TWITTER!

@BlairDragons

ASSEMBLIES Parents are always

welcome.

1FREEDOM FRIDAYS

Our Parking lot is closed every Friday

morning.

2HEAD LICE

Get in the habit of checking weekly.

3

Elder Roberta Price visited our school on Orange Shirt Day. Here is a reflection written by Division 8:

Important to know…

blair.sd38.bc.ca @BlairDragons October 2016

Upcoming… October 31 - Halloween Sharing Assembly and Great Pumpkin Walk at 1:30 pm - everyone welcome!

Remembrance Day Assembly - Families are invited to be part of this special assembly on November 10 at 10:50am.

Blair Newsletter �4

Conclusion of Current School Closure Process Here is the official Board announcement, which can also be found on the main page of the school district website (www.sd38.bc.ca ): The Richmond Board of Education has voted to terminate the current school closure process. The following motion was approved by the Richmond Board of Education:

WHEREAS the Board of Education (Richmond) has undertaken an extensive public consultation process designed to inform

the public about the declining enrollment and seismic mitigation challenges facing the school district;

AND WHEREAS as part of the public consultation process the Board of Education (Richmond) sought input on possible

school closures;

AND WHEREAS the recent announcement by the Minister of Education that capacity targets will no longer be required for

school districts to qualify for seismic remediation funding;

AND WHEREAS the Provincial Government, through the three Richmond MLAs, has provided public assurance that seismic

remediation funding is available for all schools in Richmond;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the current school closure process be terminated;

AND FURTHER THAT staff be directed to update the Five Year Capital Plan to include all Richmond schools that require

seismic remediation.

FUN RUN MINORU TRACK TERRY FOX RUN

SCHOOL RUN

SHERRY ELWOOD SUPERINTENDENT

VISITS

ZERO HEROS A RECENT PLAY AT

BLAIR

Blair students at a recent BC Lion’s game. RCMP Cst. George took the group!

blair.sd38.bc.ca @BlairDragons October 2016

Blair Newsletter �5

COMMUNITYRichmond International Student Program

Interested in opening your home up for a rewarding experience….

The International Student Program allows overseas students to enter Grades 8 through 12 at selected secondary schools, and under certain circumstances, Kindergarten to Grade 7 at selected elementary schools in Richmond, Greater Vancouver. The program gives overseas students the opportunity to study alongside Canadian students in the BC public education system. As a Host Family, you will have an opportunity to welcome into your home, students from around the world. Your family will have a profound influence on the students’ study abroad experience. Both your family and the students you host will ideally gain a mutual understanding and respect for each other’s culture and world-view. In addition to economic remuneration, your reward will be the realization that your commitment to host international students will, in some small way, contribute to global understanding and world peace.

Each member of your family and your student will come to know each other in depth. Our Homestay program is the ideal setting for this type of experience.

If you are interested in learning more about our hosting program please forward an e-mail for information.

Karen York Homestay Coordinator

International Student Program

Richmond School District 38

Tel 604-295-4303

kyork@sd38.bc.ca

SOCKEYES GAME - Thursday, October 20 We are excited to announce a special opportunity for our students and families. On Thursday evening, October 20 at 7:00pm, Blair students can attend a Richmond Sockeyes hockey game at Richmond Minoru Arena (free tickets to students). Our school will sit in a special reserved section to watch and cheer on our city’s hockey team. For parents wishing to attend this game, the Sockeyes will provide discounted adult tickets to family; parents, grandparents, older siblings for just $2. each (regular price is $10).

blair.sd38.bc.ca @BlairDragons October 2016

Blair Newsletter �6

Social Responsibility:

What does it look like?

Students who demonstrate social responsibility are active, caring, and responsible members of society. They collaborate effectively with others, demonstrate a strong sense of community-mindedness, and take actions to support diversity and the environment. They show respect for everyone’s rights, and demonstrate empathy and a sense of ethical care as they develop relationships and consider differing perspectives. Students move from demonstrating social responsibility in relatively simple and highly supported situations, to demonstrating increasing independence in more complex and varied social and environmental contexts.

Do you have questions about the new curriculum? Join us for Parent Information Evenings.6:30-8:00pm at MacNeill Secondary

!

October 26, 2016 Join us for an introduction to the redesigned BC curriculum. Learn about the core competencies, big ideas and other key features of the new curriculum to support your child’s learning.

November 15, 2016 BC’s new curriculum is preparing children for success in a changing world. How we communicate student learning is changing as well, as we look to new and enhanced means of sharing learning with students and their families. We want to hear from parents their questions, thoughts and input as to current and future methods of communicating student learning.

RSVP to Lisa Urata with number of people, lurata@sd38.bc.ca

Chinese Interpreters available

LIBRARY A big THANK YOU to our parent volunteers who put on

such a successful Scholastic Book Fair.

We raised $2057 of Book Fair Rewards for our school library. An additional $350 worth of new books have also been added to our library, and it's all thanks to

YOU. We look forward to seeing you again at our next book fair in February.