A Crescendo of Talent: A Night of Richmond Band Performances

The Richmond School District is proud to present our first-ever Jazz Festival! Held at Hugh Boyd Secondary, the festival showcased two full days of jazz performances by Secondary School Jazz ensembles.

Music plays an essential role in our schools, and this festival highlights the incredible talent and dedication of our students and educators. We invite you to relive the experience by watching our Jazz Night Showcase Concert, featuring performances by all 10 secondary schools and special guests, the Capilano University Jazz Band.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the incredible music that our students have created!

From Fluff to Fabulous- The Wool Felted Story Mats Project

From Fluff to Fabulous: The Wool Felted Story Mats Project

Students created small felted mats using various wool roving colours. The wool was stretched, yarn colours were added and then rolled in bubble wrap while wet. A small amount of soap helped the wool roving turn into felt. The finished mats sparked stories that the children wrote after creating their mats.

The felting process showed how things could be transformed from one material to another. This really surprised the students as the wool roving is very fluffy, like cotton candy, and the finished product is much flatter. Students then discussed what might live on these small mats and wrote their ideas.

The best part of the project was taking the mats home to show them to their families. The students were proud of their mats and proud that they created something that reflected the colours that they love. They learned that each mat had a unique “personality” just like each of them.

The Magic of Making: Discovering Creativity through Found Objects

One day, a bag filled with an assortment of interesting fabrics, papers, ribbons, and wool arrived in the classroom, sparking the students' creativity. Excitement filled the air as the children discussed what they could create and make with the materials.

Without hesitation, they grabbed needles, thread, scissors, staples, glue, and markers to begin their projects. As the students worked, they discovered the power of their imaginations to bring their ideas to life. Although learning to thread needles and acquiring new skills required patience and perseverance, the students were determined to master the art of sewing. They eagerly watched as their peers learned new techniques and asked for help piecing their creations together.

From purses and costumes to standing animals and moving objects, the students explored the design process with enthusiasm and creativity. Through this hands-on experience, they learned the value of collaboration, patience, and persistence, as well as the joy of creating something from scratch.

The Magic of Making- Discovering Creativity through Found Objects
A Slice of Learning- Students Explore Science and Teamwork While Making Pizza

A Slice of Learning: Students Explore Science and Teamwork While Making Pizza

As part of their science and applied skills curriculum, students proposed a plan to make pizza - dough, sauce, and toppings over three weeks.During the planning stage, the class brainstormed all the ideas for possible toppings. On another morning, they helped make the dough, watching the yeast bubble and adding the flour and salt to create a small ball. Then they had to be patientwhile the dough rose and transformed into bread. At another session, the students measured, poured, and stirred tomato paste, tomato sauce, spices, and sugar to make pizza sauce.

On the final day, students had the opportunity to roll out the dough, add the sauce and toppings of their choice, and finally enjoy their pizza. Overall, it was a successful undertaking, and everyone came away with an understanding that some things require a lot of patience and time. The most satisfying part was that it tasted delicious! Students gained an understanding of change over time, the transformation of matter, solid, liquid, and gas, and the importance of teamwork.

Empowering Students through Braille: A Journey to Success

In February, a Richmond student had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the British Columbia Braille Challenge. This is an annual event that brings together visually impaired students from across Canada, the US and the UK to celebrate and improve their braille literacy skills. The regional event, held at UBC, was a great way for the student to connect with peers from all over BC.

Leading up to the challenge, the student focused on developing specific braille literacy skills, such as finger placement for speed and accuracy, and how to read a tactile chart and map. The event was a huge success, not only in improving the student's braille literacy skills, but more importantly in fostering new friendships and connections.

Participating in the Braille Challenge was a tremendous opportunity for the student to celebrate the importance of braille literacy and to connect with others who share similar experiences. The event provided a safe and supportive environment where the student felt empowered to grow and learn. Everyone involved was thrilled to have been a part of it.

Celebration of Braille
Welcome to the Imaginative World of Kindergarten Storytelling

Welcome to the Imaginative World of Kindergarten Storytelling

Picture this - students in Kindergarten are actively at work, developing their storytelling skills using local toy animals and a range of loose parts materials. In their latest story, the animals in the forest have gathered together to enjoy a scrumptious fish lunch, with all the animals making new friends.

As they practice taking turns and sharing their ideas, the students learn valuable social skills, such as patience, listening, and collaboration. With the help of their forest and local animal toys, including deer, beaver, raccoon, moose, black bear, skunk, coyote, rabbit, and snake, the students develop oral language and expression when retelling their imaginative tales. 

By using the "Creative thinking core competencies," students are encouraged to think outside the box and use their boundless creativity to create original and exciting stories. The possibilities are endless, and the children have only scratched the surface of what they can achieve.

Through this hands-on approach, the students have developed their storytelling skills and social skills. These skills are vital, not only in the classroom but also in life, as they learn the importance of sharing, collaboration, and patience. 
As the students continue to use loose parts materials and toy animals in their storytelling, they are sure to unleash their imagination and bring their stories to life.