June 6, 2021
It was with a heavy heart that I heard the news last Friday about the residential school in Kamloops. I have asked Carlyn Andres, our Aboriginal Support Worker, to share her insight about this issue in the Newsletter this week:
ʔəy̓ sweyəl my Blacklock families,
Thank you for the conversations you are having at home regarding the 215 bodies that were found at Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc. Not only have we had in-depth discussions at school, it is also clear that they have brought compassion for me and our Indigenous communities. The amount of empathy our students have makes me hopeful for the future – but as we continue to move forward, we need to remember that a week of awareness is not enough. Residential schools are only one part of the many issues that affect our communities. Use this as a starting point to do your own research. I leave you with some quotes to think about over the weekend, from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives.
hay ce:p q̓ə ʔa si:y̓em̓
“We need you to speak up in support of us. We need you to keep advocating for us. We need you to teach the facts. If you are concerned about doing the teaching honourably, focus on the facts. There are so many. Learn them, arm yourself with them. So that when you come across a person, via a keyboard or in person, you are ready with those facts and you can silence their “they should get over it”. We can’t get over it when it continues to happen.
We are grieving our children, our parents, our culture, our land, our languages. And, we are reviving, rebuilding and protecting our children, our parents, our culture, our land, our languages. Do you see why we’re tired?
We are tired and hurting and we need your help.” – Deanna Miller, q̓ic̓əy̓
“It’s not a chapter, it’s literally the foundation that Canada is built on.” – John Sailors
“Indigenous peoples in Canada have survived despite the best efforts of our Governments and Churches. They have deep spiritual and cultural lives. There is much we can learn from them. But we also have much to learn about them and the genocide which has been perpetrated against them. Use your horror, shame and guilt as an impetus for change. Yes, please display a teddy bear. I am. But don’t stop there.” – Dawn Brennan
This photo is a collage filled with hearts with messages of inspiration, love, and hope for our Indigenous People from Mrs. Jarman’s Grade 2/3 class. Monday, June 21 is the 25th anniversary of celebrating the heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples! We look forward to being part of these celebrations.
Our Outdoor Classroom and Learning Space is now complete. Our hope is to have enough money raised to have a roof installed over it by the Fall.
We had several really hot days this week and one of our cohorts was lucky enough to enjoy some water mist during their playtime outside.
Summer Reading Club is happening again at all FVRL libraries this summer. Online registration began on June 1. Information about how to register can be found at www.fvrl.ca. Please click this link to find out more information about the program.—-> Summer Reading Club 2021 Letter to Parents
If you’d still like to use the Edupac service to buy your school supplies for next year, you can go online to edupac.ca to do so. Instructions are printed on the back of the order form that was sent out to you a couple weeks ago. Extra forms are available at the Office. Lists for next year’s school supplies can be found here –> School Supply Lists for Grades 1-5 – 2021-2022
Spare agendas are available at the Office for the discounted price of $3.00 each.
We still have some extra stock of Mome Rath and White Rabbits House Shirts in the Office and are offering them up for sale for the bargain price of $5. If you are interested in purchasing one of these shirts, please contact the Office.
House points are as follows:
Mome Raths – 21,298; White Rabbits – 20,946; Cheshire Cats – 21,132; Deck of Cards – 22,395
Have a good weekend!
Susanna Eppich, Principal
FAMILY PORTAL in MyED BC
Here is a poster for help with passwords –> FamilyStudent Portal Poster (2020 Tri 1 and 2)
Below are links to two videos that offer some help in accessing the Family Portal in MyED BC:
How to Access the Family Portal
DAILY HEALTH CHECK FORMThank you for continuing to conduct a daily health check with your child. It is an important measure to help keep our school community healthy and safe. To better assist families, the Ministry of Education has developed an online K to 12 Health Check .
COVID19 Health Check 2022Feb24
Please read the Daily Health Check Form (by clicking on the above link) and use it as a reference when completing the daily health check with your child.
A mobile phone app version can also be downloaded, called K to 12 Health Checker.
Print versions are available in multiple languages on our District website here.
CALENDAR
Here are the upcoming events:
June 11 – All Library books to be returned
June 22 – Grade 5 Leaving Celebration @ 1:30pm – Students Only
June 29 – Final Report Cards Published & Last Day prior to Summer Break
– Dismissal at 10:45am
For access to our District Community Bulletin Board, please click here: Community Bulletin Board. There are always new flyers that may be of interest to you.