Reading Club
Mr. Vachon is back again this year! Students in Gr. 1-3 enjoyed the Reading Club that took place last year. A retired French-speaking teacher, Mr. Vachon volunteered his time during the school day and also during the nutrition breaks sharing his love of reading with students. Reading club students also looked forward to putting their names in the hat for the bi-weekly kite draws.
A new group of Ms. Lynn Roy's Gr. 2 students had their first Eco-Explorations class experience. Once again, joining Mr. Martin's J/I class, this new group is excited to take their learning beyond the classroom walls and into the various outdoor spaces surrounding Cochrane.
The class started off the year blueberry picking and potato digging at the local Community garden.
Students also learned about amphibians and what they do during this time of the year.
The class also had the opportunity to visit the Cultural Grounds to prepare geese, cook bannock, and taste what they helped make.
Terry Fox T-Shirt Drive 2017
One of the ways that we raised money for the Terry Fox Foundation was through the sale of t-shirts. Alicia and Aurora volunteered their time during recess breaks to sell t-shirts.
Kindergarten outdoor classroom
Our Kindergarten students enjoy taking their learning outside into the Kindertarten Outdoor classroom. In this space, students have the opportunity to explore and learn in a natural environment. Though it is still a work in progress, this classroom is taking shape! Recently, we have received a generous donation of a shed to store the Kindergarten equipment in this area.
Student success room (SSR)
Some of our Gr. 4-8 students have the opportunity to use our Student Success Room as an alternative work space. Whether it is to have a quiet area to work or a safe place to get extra assistance, Ms. Cassivi and Ms. Allen are available for most of the day in this room. During Nutrition Breaks, this room is supervised by Ms. Latour. Some students really enjoy eating and having a "chill space" rather than going to the cafeteria!
September character Focus
This month's character focus was "Goal Setting". Terry Fox's goal was to raise awareness and funds for cancer research by running across Canada. Our students were challenged to think about their own goals this month!
Orange shirt day!
This is our second year that we have acknowledged "Orange Shirt Day" at our school and it continues to grow in terms of understanding what this day is all about and in participation. Thank you to our Junior and Intermediate Cree Culture classes for creating awareness for this event through the various posters that were put up around the school!
We wear orange shirts to honour those that attended residential school and to never forget the harm that residential school did to the self-esteem and well being of those children that attended. When Phyllis Webstad went to Residential school in the early 70's, she was wearing a beautiful orange shirt given to her by her grandmother. That orange shirt was taken from her on her first day of residential school. From that day on, the colour orange always made Phyllis feel that she didn't matter and that no one cared. So, we wear orange on September 30 to affirm that all children DO matter and that we will not forget the harm that the residential school experience caused for Indigenous peoples.
Terry fox school run
Once again this year, our school participated in the Terry Fox School Run day on September 29. Our K-3 students walked around our school and our 4-8 students walked a longer route in the community.
Getting to know our students
Many of our teachers take the first few weeks of classes to get to know the unique needs of their students. Such is the case with Mrs. Bourgeois' Gr. 4/5 group! From the look of this graph, most of the students learn best through activity and music. Knowing the learning styles of her students helps with curriculum planning.
Fall leaf collections
Students in Mrs. Meaden's Gr. 1 class enjoyed going outside to gather colourful fall leaves for sorting, classifying, patterning and Art!
