November 24, 2024  

 Hola familias de nuestra Escuela Canyon Meadows,  

 The first big snowfall of the year arrived, and our students have enjoyed playing outside this week. When I read with our students, I share that many authors observe nature closely to create imaginative stories for children. Throughout the months of September, October and November I have continued to have the pleasure to join some of our division 1 classes to share Spanish stories written by my favourite picture book author, Eric Carle. I have shared with our students that many of Eric Carle’s characters and stories were inspired by his childhood explorations in nature. Sra. Gutiérrez has also continued to have the pleasure to join some classes to work collaboratively with our teachers and students in oral language activities to increase and improve their grammatical accuracy while speaking in Spanish. Both Sra. Gutiérrez and I treasure the moments we spend in our classrooms with our students and teachers. ¡Apreciamos mucho aprender con nuestros alumnos y maestros! 

 

Indigenous Education  

On November 8 all teachers and support staff engaged in the CBE’s Annual Indigenous Education System Professional Learning Day, gifted with the name Maatoomsii' Pookaiks which means “Children First”. During the day we deepened our learning on Truth and Reconciliation through videos and learning tasks prepared by the CBE Indigenous Education Team and discussions. Our ECM staff also had the opportunity to participate in land-based learning experiences at our beautiful Learning Meadows Garden planned organized by our Indigenous Education Teacher Committee. 

 

Indigenous Education Residency 

In line with our commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action #62.3, we are dedicated to fostering strong relationships with our Indigenous Community Leaders and Knowledge Keepers. This school year we have had the pleasure to welcome back Sra. Pearl White Quills as our resident Knowledge Keeper who has already engaged our students in two learning sessions during October 17 and November 21. Our students and teachers have participated in activities to create a deeper understanding of learning on, from, and with the land and traditional human values such as love, respect, courage, honest, wisdom, humility, truth.   

Remembrance Day Assembly 

 Our Remembrance Day Assembly on November 7 showcased powerful, heartfelt messages shared through music, poetry and reflections from our Grade 3 students who proudly led the event. This assembly provided another opportunity to reflect and appreciate those who lost their lives for us to have the peace we enjoy nowadays. 

 

Ongoing Communication and Student Learning Conferences  

In September we had our first Parent Teacher Student Conferences, where you had the opportunity to help us learn more about your children. Our next Conferences are November 28 and 29 during which you will be able to learn more about your child’s progress in learning. Starting on Saturday, November 22 at 7:00 am, parents/guardians will be able to book a date and time for their Conference through MyCBE. If you have difficulty booking, please call the school.

 Each homeroom teacher continues to have a Google Classroom to maintain an online presence. Click on the following for How to Log into Google Classroom for Students. 

  

Upcoming School Events 

 December 16 - Robert Warren Jazz Band Visits/Performs at ECM 

 December Concerts, Dress Rehearsals and Holiday Tour  

 Our students are preparing for their concerts and Holiday Tour.  Attendance at the kindergarten daytime concerts and grade one to four evening performances is highly encouraged. 

The theme of our Winter Concerts this year is “¡Todo el mundo cabe aquí!” | All Are Welcome! We continue to focus on creating a welcoming, respectful, and caring environment for all our students and staff at Escuela Canyon Meadows. You will notice our songs share messages of belonging, inclusion, kindness and empathy with a festive touch. Our students have been the inspiration for these bilingual pieces, most of which have been rewritten to showcase the Spanish language and culture and the theme of our concerts. It is exciting to share them with you. 

 

Students and teachers in Kindergarten, Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be proud to share their Winter Concerts following the schedule below: 

  • Kindergarten AM concert will take place on December 3 at 10:00 am. 
  • Kindergarten PM concert will take place on December 10 at 1:50 pm. 
  • Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 concerts will take place on December 5 and 12 at 6:30 pm.  

Concert 1: December 5th at 6:30

Grade 1: Orbegozo

Grade 1: Ritten

Grade 2: McGrah

Grade 2: Muntadas

Grade 3: Mena

Grade 3: Rincon

Grade 4: Barahona

 Concert 2: December 12th at 6:30

Grade 1: Olson

Grade 1: Simonin

Grade 2: Abboud

Grade 2:Vargas

Grade 3: Kim

Grade 4: Osadan

 Please know that to ensure the safety of our students, parents/guardians and staff we are required to follow the corresponding occupant regulations; therefore, only 2 family members per student can attend the evening winter concert. 

 Dress rehearsals for Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 concerts will take place on December 5 or 12 at 9:00 am in the school gym. Family members who are unable to attend the evening winter concerts are welcome to attend the dress rehearsals. 

 Students and teachers in Grade 5 will be proud to participate in a Holiday Tour on December 17. More details will be provided to Grade 5 parents.  

 We are looking forward to celebrating with our community the joy of “¡Todo el mundo cabe aquí!” | All Are Welcome! during our spectacular Winter Concerts and Grade 5 Holiday Tour!  

 Reciban nuestros saludos cordiales, 

 Lilien Perera Pérez                                     Cecilia Gutiérrez  

Principal/Directora                                    Assistant Principal/ Vicedirectora