I would like to start this week's update by looking at the topic of Gossip. This is an area that we touch upon as teachers, as well as discuss in the office and in our assemblies with the students - especially the older grades. We talk about the definition of gossip and why it is important not to participate in it. According to Wikipedia, "Gossip is idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others".
We talk to the students about how hurtful gossip can be, how it is often inaccurate and although it usually starts with a grain of truth, the story that gets passed on is often exaggerated until it no longer resembles any part of what the original story is. When people don't have certain parts of the story, those parts get embellished or made up as that is often easier than going to the source of the story and finding out what is accurate. Gossip also often includes emotional pieces (like anger, frustration, jealousy, sadness etc) that can be unhealthy if focused on for too long. Gossip can also be metaphorically equated to those ripples in the ocean that turn into crashing waves. What starts out as a little poke or misinformation, can often turn into something big and out of control.
Unfortunately, we have some students participating in gossip and the spreading of rumors to the point where it is hurtful to others. I have had a few students in my office over the last couple of weeks crying because they believe nobody likes them and that everyone is saying bad things about them. It is very sad to see these crushed little spirits. Many times, because of the students' age, their perception about people not liking them is often bigger than what it really is, but at the end of the day this perception is their reality. This can lead to anxiety and fear. Let's all take a stand and say NO to gossip and the spreading of rumors (stories) that we have no way to verify if they are true or not. Please take a couple of minutes to reinforce this message with your child.
Alberta's Learning and Technology Framework Policy
Please click on the short video below for a quick overview and understanding of this policy. If you are interested in knowing more, there are 20 more short videos that this link will take you to in order to look at each area a little more in depth.
BUDGET INFORMATION and school numbers for next year:
As many of you know there are some pretty serious concerns with the latest cutbacks in education from the Alberta government. One of these issues is that our funding for budgets will be locked in for this September by the end of this week. This makes it especially important for us to get an accurate student head count by this Thursday, April 23. If you know of anyone planning to come to the school in the fall, please have them contact us by this Thursday. ECS registrations: As well, any potential kindergarten students who have not registered for next year, please do so as soon as possible this week. We will be deciding on our class structures and will have information out to the new ECS parents in about a week.
MESSAGE from SOS Fundraising Committee:
Hello everyone there are two fundraisers going on at the moment. The Fund Scrip orders are due this Thursday, April 23. Our paint night will be a fun social event and it is scheduled for Friday, June 12th at 7:00 pm. The posters below contain more information or you can visit this link on our school council page on our website. Our next meeting is next Wednesday, April 29th at 6:30 with the school council meeting to follow at 7:30. Thank you to everyone who participated in the SOS survey to determine where fundraising funds will be spent.
COMING UP THIS WEEK:
* Last week for Alberta Dental Health Services to be here.
* EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: We will be practicing a few more of our safety drills (on alert, shelter in place, drop cover hold) . . . last week we had the opportunity to practice two different types of fire drills. If you would like to read more about the BGRS new emergency protocol "Hour Zero" that all schools are employing, please check out this link on our website.
You can also find this information by going to the parent tab, click on emergency procedures and click on the guide link on that page. As I had mentioned earlier in the year, you can visit the hour zero website for more information as well . . . http://www.hour-zero.com/
Lock Down drills will be coming up in a couple of weeks. I will send home a separate email explaining the protocol for this type of situation. The heads up will give you the opportunity to chat with your child about the drill. We don't want younger students to be frightened by this type of drill and I find if parents chat with them about it before hand, we are less likely to have scared little ones on the day of the drill.
* Thursday, April 23: Fund Scrip orders are due and it is SUPER CRAZY DAY (students can have crazy hair, clothes etc.)
* Friday, April 24: PD DAY and NO SCHOOL for students.
My last note of the week is to address the recent feedback and comments on a number of Face Book pages regarding the piano in 2D. I don't normally comment or post information on daily school decision making, however, given the outcry and lack of information, I thought I would address the situation with some facts.
1. The original post that was made was an opinion and lacking in factual information.
2. Mrs. Down was a part of the decision making process to remove the piano from the classroom and she supports that decision.
3. The piano was removed due to some safety concerns in the classroom. Our number one priority is and always will be SAFETY of our students.
4. The piano being removed is a temporary measure and has not been taken away. The piano will come back to the classroom when all involved feel the timing is right.
I fully support music and the individual talents that all of our staff bring to RBES and I support them sharing those talents with your children. I would be lying if I didn't say that I was very disappointed that so many people were willing to post their anger and frustration on face book, but not one person emailed myself or Mrs. Down to ask what was happening.
If you are ever wondering about a decision in the school, I have always indicated that you are more than welcome to come in and ask, phone or email and I will welcome a conversation with you.
We have more than a few kiddos with challenging circumstances this year. We are all working very hard in order to set them up for success. This child centred focus means that we look at the safety and the emotional well being of all students first. As a staff, we all work hard to make sure that your children are in a happy and safe place in order for their learning to be at an optimum level. We try to work collaboratively as a team with parents/caregivers, our district office staff (OTs, SLPs, PTs, Learning Support Coaches, FSLWs and other supportive roles), our teachers and support staff along with the admin team and our LST (Learning Support Teacher - Ms. Wilson). Sometimes the involvement of this team means that decisions are made to support the collective good of the whole school or a classroom. Because it would simply be impossible to report all of these decisions and anticipate which decisions the whole school community is going to want information on; I would like to ask that if you have a question or concern to please let us know.
Have a wonderful week,
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