Celebrating Black History Month
The Richmond School District is celebrating Black History Month by highlighting the contributions and achievements of Black Canadians in schools across the district. Richmond Secondary's Library Learning Commons created displays of books that showcase the history of Black communities in Canada, the works of contemporary Black Canadian authors, and an interactive display where visitors could scan QR codes to learn about 24 influential Black Canadians. At Bridge, students created a mural that represents how words of the past are still present today. Meanwhile, McRoberts' Library Learning Commons also created an interactive display with QR codes that raises awareness and honours Black history and educates the community about the achievements of Black artists, athletes, leaders, thinkers, and writers. Overall, schools across the district are actively engaging in celebrating and educating their community about the achievements and struggles of Black Canadians throughout history and encouraging everyone to learn about and appreciate the diversity of their community.
Connecting to Place
Students at Cook Elementary have created beautiful river landscapes inspired by the story "Martin and the River" by Jon-Erik Lappano. The illustrations in the book, with their vibrant colors, sparked the students' imaginations and encouraged a deep connection to the main character, Martin, and his connection to his local river. During the project, the students shared their own connections to bodies of water in the community such as Garden City Park, The Dyke and Terra Nova Park.
To bring their imaginative visions to life, the students utilized fine liners and added a splash of color with watercolor paint to create their own unique river landscapes. This project not only provided a chance for artistic expression, but also allowed the students to explore visual arts and the elements of design.
Connecting with Nature
At Currie Elementary, students embarked on an outdoor learning experience in the fall, where they learned about gardening and plant life. Under the guidance of their teachers, they planted garlic and took care of the garden beds by removing weeds and covering the soil with leaves and hay. This experience allowed the students to understand the importance of nurturing the plants and keeping the soil healthy.
As the winter months passed by, the students couldn't help but wonder about the fate of their garlic plants. They eagerly awaited the first signs of spring and were overjoyed when they visited the garden recently and noticed green shoots in one of the garden beds. The students were thrilled to see the fruits of their labor, and they felt a sense of pride and accomplishment in their care for the plants.
The outdoor learning experience at Currie Elementary has helped the students develop a deeper connection to the land and the environment, and has also fostered a sense of community among the students, as they worked together to maintain the garden beds and keep the plants healthy.
Habitats for Local Animals
Maple Lane Elementary's Wildflower Class recently embarked on an exciting Outdoor Education project. As part of their curriculum, the students were learning about their community and the importance of environmental sustainability. To bring this lesson to life, they were tasked with building homes for various creatures using only natural materials they had gathered from the outdoor environment.
The students were divided into groups, each with a different task of constructing homes for creatures such as mosquitoes, squirrels, mice, and more. The groups worked together to plan and communicate with each other to decide on the best design for their respective homes. They had to consider factors such as the size, shape, and materials to be used, as well as the specific adaptations needed for each creature.
The students put their creativity, communication and teamwork skills to the test as they worked on the project. They had a great time learning about the needs of different animals and finding ways to provide them with a sustainable home. With their hands-on approach and active learning, the students gained a deeper appreciation for nature and the importance of preserving it for future generations.
A Community That Cares
Recently, a member of the Palmer community took the initiative to reach out and request assistance in collecting donations for those affected by the devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkey. The deadline for donating much-needed items, such as winter clothes, baby food, and hygiene supplies, was tight due to the immediate need.
Palmer was quick to respond and spread the word to its families and staff, who eagerly jumped at the opportunity to help. Within 24 hours, the Palmer main office was inundated with donations from its generous families and community members. Students even lent a hand, volunteering to help load cars, and staff members made trips back and forth to the storage facility in Richmond to drop off the donations.
The experience has provided a valuable lesson in social responsibility and citizenship for Palmer students. The outpouring of support and generosity from the Palmer community has been inspiring and a testament to their kindness and desire to help others in need. The Palmer team is incredibly proud of its families and their selfless nature.
The Leadership Challenge
Grades 6 and 7 students at Byng Elementary participated in a student leadership opportunity to develop their leadership skills. Byng has been using "The Leadership Challenge" by Kouzes & Posner as a guide, focusing on the five practices of MICEE: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart.
The students have been learning about the importance of these five practices of exemplary leadership and how they can be used in everyday life. With a foundational belief that all people have the potential to bring out the best in themselves and others, Byng is dedicated to helping students develop the leadership skills they need to make great things happen.
Mural Unveiling
Garden City Elementary School recently celebrated the unveiling of their new school mural this month. The mural, designed and painted by local interdisciplinary Salish artist Atheana Picha, showcases themes of local ecology and how it ties to Indigenous stories and philosophy, and was created in collaboration with students. Members of the Board of Education, Mayor Brodie and some city councillors were all in attendance to speak to the students, staff, and community members during the event.
