PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear Parents,
There is some important information regarding new BC Curriculum in this blog.  Please make sure you read this posting completely as there is a change to your calendar dates regarding two NEW Pro D days ADDED by the Ministry of Education.  We have highlighted these in RED.  We will be publishing a revised School Calendar shortly, updating our school blog calendar links and emailing each parent to ensure our school community is apprised of the revision.  Thank you for your understanding.  These events were outside of our control.

On a more somber note, I was asked by several parents this week, if I would post the speech I gave at our Remembrance Day Assembly, on Tuesday November 10th at 11:00 am.  Apparently there are a number of parents who were unable to attend, but heard that the speech resonated with those in attendance, and some of those parents have asked that I share the speech in the blog.  While I don’t normally include speeches in newsletters and blogs, I’m flattered and in an effort to reach out to those who were not present to hear it, please enjoy this excerpt:

“Good Morning Parents, Staff, special Guests and Students,
This week, this morning, and in fact tomorrow, we find ourselves in a season of remembrance.  Sadly, in the year since we last gathered here, more Canadian military personnel are among the men and women killed in wars, conflicts and violent acts all over the world.

And as the the grey skies of November are upon us, and darkness comes calling ever so earlier in the afternoon now, and wind and rain seem to be relentless against our windows and doors, the leaves fall, and with them, our hearts into a time of remembering.  We remember autumns past and stop to remember loved ones no longer with us.  These days of November are indeed a time for remembering.

The poppy has become the symbol of Remembrance Day, and we wear them in November as a way of honoring the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  Even as we speak today, there are Canadian and Allied forces at war- a different kind of war- but a war nonetheless.  We also stop, pause and acknowledge by wearing poppies that we are giving thanks too for living in safe clean communities across this great country free and for family being close to us.

This morning you have heard, and will hear some more songs, poems and presentations that ask us to remember and give thanks for the community we live in.  As well, you will see beautiful artwork around the school- like the art and writing samples posted outside our library.  Take a moment to admire it; reflect and give thanks for the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces and allied forces who died while serving our country in war and peacekeeping duties.

Canada has a wealth of witnesses (our Veterans) who have described the unspeakable horrors of war through their stories, poetry, songs, and paintings.  That is why remembrance is so necessary and yet so difficult.  It is necessary because we must not forget, and it is difficult, because the pain is never forgotten.

And many of you know that Canadian men and women gave of themselves totally through duty, courage, commitment, selflessness, love and honour, and many paid an ultimate sacrifice so that we can live in a free and democratic society that values the rights and liberties of all people.

Each year, we pause to remember those soldiers, sailors, aircrew and merchant seamen who served, and those who were killed, in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, The Vietnam War, Peacekeeping Operations around the world and Canada’s current missions throughout the world.

We honour these men, women and children by this act today, and in so doing, are admitting with terrible finality that we will never know them—we can only give thanks.  Whatever life they could have led, whatever choices they could have made are shattered.  They are over.  We are honouring that unacceptable thing—a life stopped while doing one’s duty.

Tomorrow there is no school.  It’s a day off for all of us.  Take some time to give thanks for living in a safe community, and please take time to enjoy and embrace your family.  Try to acknowledge them for who they are and accept them unconditionally.

Grasp them.  Seize them.  Cherish them. Embrace them.  And when you’re finished, pay that feeling forward to others.  Stand for those who cannot be heard; and speak for those who do not have a voice.

Be the best person you can be.  There is a silent compromising danger that lurks in society these days- that of complacency.  And there is an urgency that should surround all of us, that we need to make good choices.  Make good choices- AND own them.

Make choices that reflect positivism- not dismissal;
Make choices that reflect compassion towards society- not contempt;
Make choices that reflect a decision made from thought and understanding- not anger. Thank You”

~Remembrance Day, 2015, Speech at Maple Grove delivered by Mr. Evans

Holiday Hampers

Watch for a letter coming home!  We’re excited about making up Holiday hampers again this year.  Our sister school, Nightingale, has selected twelve needy families who will receive a hamper of non perishable food items, gifts, treats and a gift certificate for groceries.  It will make their holiday season much brighter.  These are families who can barely make ends meet week to week.  

Donations should be brought to your child’s classroom and put in the donation boxes. We’ll be looking for parent volunteers to help with packing up the boxes.

Please be generous, it is very much appreciated.

Many students in the school are working hard to ensure the holiday hampers are beautifully decorated and others are making cards for each family.  One division has volunteered to look after collecting $2.00 from as many students as possible to purchase the grocery store gift cards.  Please help us to make this a very special holiday time for 12 families that need some support. 

Collection Period:  November 23^rd to December 8^th.

The Global Citizenship Club and Holiday Hamper Committee

Pajama and Stuffy Day

Maple Grove’s Student Council is sponsoring a School Spirit Day on Thursday, November 26.  On Thursday, all students and staff are invited to come to school dressed in their pajamas and/or robe (of course, put on a fresh pair – don’t wear the pajamas that you slept in the night before!). Bring along a stuffed animal as well.  Show your school spirit and come to school in your pajamas!

 

Parking Safety

Parents, we find ourselves in a position of having to remind you not to use the staff parking lot (south side of the school), or the semi circular driveway (at the front of the school).  Last week we had two near misses in each location.  We want to remind you that the staff parking lot is for staff parking only and that it is also used as a business entrance for all the delivery truck that pick up and drop off from the school.  The front entrance is actually a driveway and parking lot as well.  We get many deliver and courier trucks using that entrance.

We encourage all parents and students to use the North or South end doors to the school.  These doorways have paved sidewalks that lead to the street and are safe for children and families.  Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

 

Movie Night  Disney Pixar’s – INSIDE OUT

Friday, Nov 20th  //  6pm-8pm  //  school gym  //  $2 per person (includes popcorn)
Extra treats will be for sale for $1 each

Bring the entire family to watch this amazing movie with your Maple Grove friends!

Important information for all Parents

Parents, please be advised of the following information:

As you may know, a new comprehensive curriculum for the K-12 system is being developed in BC.  This work has been years in the making with teachers, administrators and the Ministry of Education involved in its development.  At the present time, the curriculum for students in Grades K-9 is being piloted throughout the province.  New curriculum for students in Grades 10-12 will be available for piloting in September 2016.

Earlier this fall the Ministry of Education and the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) announced a plan to support the ongoing implementation of the new curriculum.  As part of this plan, districts have been asked to add two days of curriculum implementation time during the 2015-2016 school year.  This time will be provided for teachers to continue to familiarize themselves with the new curriculum and to plan for its full implementation in the coming years.

In Vancouver, the following two days have been selected as our local non-instructional days for curriculum implementation:

 Friday, March 4 and Friday April 15

 Schools will not be in session for students on these two days.  Please mark and amend your calendars to reflect this change.  We will do the same by publishing it in the school blog shortly.  Changing our School Calendar Tab on the website, and emailing a copy to each parent.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and support as we work to engage all students in a personalized education that reflects individual programming to enable student success.

 Amazing Div 1Grade 7 work on fossils…

 

Montessori Choice Program Information Session

Last week our school hosted a district choice program information sharing session for parents interested in registering for our Montessori program.  The session was well attended and there was a lot of interest in registering at our school.  All the registration information families need is located on the VSB webpage.  There is a wonderful RSL video that walks parents through the registration process.

Yesterday we held our annual RSL (Ready Set Learn) information sharing session.  The program was very well attended.  We are very thankful to Ms. Greyhurst, Ms. Hales, Ms. Lam and Mrs. Tornroos for hosting the event and speaking to many interested parents.  Also thank you to Mr. Adam Smith for helping provide a wonderful educational experience for the preschoolers who were able to attend.   The RSL program is a wonderful opportunity for preschool families to connect with their neighbourhood school and to discuss school readiness and literacy.

Upcoming Events:

November 20th – Movie Night  “Inside Out”
November 27th – Professional Development Day (no school for students)
December 16th- PAC Meeting
Devember 17th- Winter Concert
December 18th- Report Card Day
December 18th- Last day of school before Winter Break