Hello Tom Baines Families,
We hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend and we’re excited to see everyone back. Teachers spent the days at convention learning different skills and strategies to implement in the classroom. We are grateful for this yearly convention to improve our practice.
During the month of February, our school is proud to recognize Black History Month. Through classroom learning and visual displays, we’re highlighting stories of vision, innovation, and perseverance of Black Canadians through biographies and histories of influential people. We celebrate the diversity of experiences, cultures, and histories, and honor the profound contribution of Black Canadians, both past and present.
Important Upcoming Dates:
February 26 – School Council at 7:00 pm in the Learning Commons. If you would like to attend virtually please Click here to join the meeting
February 27 – Grade 9 Band Showcase at 6:00 pm at the U of C
February 27 – Community Engagement Survey begins – link will be sent out in separate email
February 28 – Pink Shirt Day
February 28 – Grade 8 Outdoor Ed Ski Trip
March 7 – Grade 6 Outdoor School Parent Meeting at 6:30 pm in the gym
March 7-8 – Grade 7 Band Camp
Pink Shirt Day and Kindness Ambassador Awards – Wednesday, February 28th
Pink Shirt Day traces back to 2007 in Berwick Nova Scotia, after a new student at their local high school was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. Having witnessed the incident, two Grade 12 students bought 50 pink shirts and encouraged their classmates to wear pink. The next day, they distributed the shirts, and to their surprise, most students arrived wearing pink. Through that act of kindness, Pink Shirt Day has now become a global movement. https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/
On Wednesday February 28, our Boas are asked to wear pink to represent how one act of kindness can create impact for others.
Boas for the Better – school staff is able to recognize and award students for ‘doing better’ and going above and beyond with their learning, work ethic, attitude, kindness, and many other positive attributes. Staff provides the students with a recognition sheet that they bring to the office for a draw. On the last day of the month we make a draw to recognize the students and they receive a small award. This is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate our Boas who show kindness, respect, hard work and inclusion.
Cell Phones – as per our school policy, cell phones are not permitted in the classroom. The vast majority of students are very respectful of this expectation and they keep their phones in their lockers. Phones can only be used before or after school, during the recess portion of the lunch break and if teachers give them permission in class for their work. Cell phones need to stay in their lockers at all other times. Thank you for your support with this. Because students often don’t have their cell phone, if they need to contact home because they’re sick or for any other reason, they will often call from a school phone. We ask you to answer any calls that come from the school. Thank you.
Volleyball – our volleyball season is well underway and our teams are doing well. Quarter finals begin on March 7, with semi-finals and finals following that. The season is expected to be over by March 15. Go Boas!
We thank you for your continued support and are so proud to be a part of this wonderful community.
Derek Siakaluk, Principal
Duncan White, Acting Assistant Principal