Bear Blast
For the Week of February 12, 2024
Working together; succeeding together.
Staff Appreciation Week
February 12-16 has been designated as staff appreciation week. I wanted to take some time in this issue the Bear Blast to showcase the amazing staff that I have the privilege to be a part of. Each and every member of our staff brings their own special gifts and talents to share with their students.
Miss Irving - if you have met Miss Irving, then you are already aware of the infectious energy that she brings with her. Her positive energy quickly rubs off on the students. She works with our youngest students to help them find their way and discover their own personal talents within our school family.
Mrs. Irving - any student who is lucky enough to be in Mrs. Irving's classroom knows that they are truly special. Mrs. Irving sees each and every student for who they are and celebrates that with them. Every morning students are reminded that they are smart, kind, and important.
Mrs. Althouse - Mrs. Althouse works with some of our most amazing students. She approaches her work with a calm patience and understanding. Even when working with our most challenging students, Mrs. Althouse always finds the best in her students and works tirelessly to ensure that they feel supported and heard.
Mrs. Samalla - we work in a large complex building with many, many moving parts. All of which must function together while 240 students pass through the halls. Mrs. Samalla does an amazing job keeping our building functioning and clean. She recognizes that with 240 students, messes are inevitable and is very understanding. She works very hard to make sure that our students have an amazing place to learn and that the rest of the staff has an amazing place to work.
Mr. Haight - Bob has the tough job of getting our kids to school every day. Bob cares about all of his students and always ensures that everyone gets where they need to go at the end of the day.
Mrs. Steiestol - Mrs. S meets each of her students where they are at. She values where they are coming from and provides a learning experience that gives them the best opportunity to succeed. Mrs. S always makes sure that her students have everything they need, whether its lunch or a pair of mittens.
Mrs. Patchin - Mrs. Patchin is the master of hands on learning. More often than not, if you visit her classroom, you will see students up and moving around, learning with their peers in a practical hands on manner. Whether they are building towers or feeding the worms, they are actively engaged in their learning.
Mrs. Siwak - Mrs. Siwak is always looking out for her students, ensuring that they have the best possible experience at PPCS. She is quick to lend them a hand when they need it or to share a joke when they are feeling down.
Mrs. Christianson - Mrs. Christianson holds down the library for us, which is no easy feat. As she checks out books and laptops, she offers advice and a friendly ear for students who need one. She tries to ensure that there is something for everyone and thinks outside the box when it comes to our resource collection.
Mrs. Newberry - Jylene not only ensures that our kids get to school every day on her bus, she also fills in as a sub EA once and awhile. She is a great team member who is willing to do whatever is needed to help our kids.
Ms. Palaniuk - Mrs. Palaniuk is our resident artist who is always willing to share her talents with her students. Her classroom is built on respect and accountability. She fully supports her students as they learn to take more responsibility for their own learning.
Mrs. Lechler - we are very lucky to have Mrs. Lechler as part of our team. She understands that her students are finding themselves and gives them space with her classroom expectations to express themselves as they grow, while at the same time ensuring that they learn limits and stay within them. Her classroom always has a wonderful learning buzz.
Mrs. Binkley - Mrs. Binkley is an amazing advocate for the students that she works with. She works with their teachers to make sure that the work the students are doing is meaningful and authentic, while at the same time be appropriate for their needs. Mrs. Binkley is always the first to lend a hand for things like our books fair and Christmas concert. Both events were greatly enriched by her input.
Mr. Daza - Mr. Daza is our newest staff member, but it feels like he has been with us forever. Mr. Daza always greets everyone with a smile and hello. He works very hard to make sure that our learning environments are ready to go each and every morning.
Mrs. Haight - Mrs. Haight makes sure that our kids get to school safely every day. She does an amazing job of keeping everyone's schedules straight, often knowing where they are supposed to be when they are not sure themselves.
Mrs. Brezinski - Mrs. Brezinski has the tough job of transitioning our grade 6s from the world of elementary to the world of high school. This is a delicate balance of helping them develop their independence while still remembering they are kids. Mrs. B does an awesome job of this. She is a great advocate for her students and helps the rest of remember that they are kids when we sometimes forget.
Mrs. Mielke - Mrs. Mielke is our Diversity Education Teacher. She makes sure that all of our students have the opportunity to learn. She works with the staff to find ways to maximize our student strengths and minimize their weaknesses. She also leads our SRC in providing students with an overall amazing experience at PPCS.
Mrs. Henry - Mrs. Henry is an amazing caregiver, advocate, and educator. She works one on one with a student and does a great job making sure that the student can participate with his classmates in authentic ways. She is also quick to volunteer to help with things such as book fair and Christmas pageant. Her input is greatly appreciated.
Mrs. Smith - every ship requires a good captain and Mrs.,. Smith is our captain. She is often asked about many things that she is not always 100% sure about, but she is always willing to find out and learn. Mrs. Smith balances many schedules and keeps the rest of us on track. She also takes time to chat with students every day and often has to serve the role of school nurse.
Mr. Simpson - Dave is one of our bus drivers, but does far more than just get our kids to the school. Dave takes and active role in their lives. He always makes sure that he knows the hockey schedule and attends most of the games. All of our students who play hockey can say that they have looked up and seen Dave in the stands.
Miss Wallen - Miss Wallen looks after our middles years math, teaching many of our large split classes. Organization and routine are the keys to running a split classroom and Miss Wallen is the master of both. She cares deeply about ensuring that all her students succeed and puts in many hours of extra work to give them every opportunity to do so. On top of all that Miss Wallen has developed a very successful volleyball program at PPCS, where she puts in countless hours of coaching and travelling with the teams.
Mrs. Young - If a students takes and ELA class at PPCS, the more than likely have Mrs. Young. Mrs. Young is firmly committed to preparing students for the world beyond school, whatever that may be. Whether it is writing an essay for our university bound students, or thinking critically for all of her students, Mrs. Young is there to support them on their learning journey.
Mrs. Tessmer - Marlene ensures that her kids get to school everyday. More than that, she gets to know her students and usually knows where they need to be at the end of the day. More than once Marlene has been looking for a student, knowing that they should be on the bus, even when the student did not.
Mr. Harbor - Mr. Harbor is our math guy, steering the students through the challenging waters of calculus and physics. On top of that, Mr. Harbor is also our students' faithful guide as they venture beyond the walls of PPCS into adulthood. Mr. Harbor works tirelessly as our guidance counsellor to ease the burden on our families as students transition from high school to post secondary or even the world of work.
Mr. Bloski - any student who has had Mr. Bloski would tell you that it is a truly unique experience. Mr. Bloski likes to keep his students on their toes and invites them in to a learning experience like no other. In the world of athletics, Mr. Bloski has helped many student on their athletic journey. Everyone is welcome on Mr. Bloski's teams and in his classes. All that he asks is that you are willing to put in the work that is required for the rewards.
Mr. Riley - Mr. Riley is the master of everything practical at PPCS, practical arts that is. Mr. Riley has brought many unique learning experiences to our school, not the least of which was an opportunity to visit a drag strip and even take a run down the track. Mr. Riley has helped to embed our students learning into community service, with many projects evident around town.
Can You Guess What I Am
Each week, Mr. Mielke will post a pic of a strange object. Submit your answers of what you think it is to ppcs@nesd.ca. All the correct answers will be put into a draw for a weekly prize.
Last weeks item was a film strip projector , the winner was Jillian Harbor. I wonder if any of you were lucky enough to be chosen to click to the next frame when you heard the chime.
Can you guess this week's item?
Elementary Skating
Around PPCS
PAA 7 Battle Top Challenge
PAA 8 Residential Wiring
PAA 10 - Welding
JJ, KW, and KS celebrating that their welds passed the bend test.
PAA
The applied engineering team is ready for another year of racing.
DU putting the finishing touches on his chessboard.
A sneek peek of things to come in Construction 20/30.
Unity in the Community
Huge shout out to the Metis Society and all the member of the community in any way contributed to our 2nd annual Unity in the Community. It was an amazing afternoon to celebrate the diversity in our community and the strength which that diversity creates. Thanks to Mrs. Patchin and her grade 3 class for reciting a poem with Elder Rita DuCharme. Thank you as well to all of the students who contributed artwork to the day.
The Porcupine Plain Air Cadets played a big role in the day. Huge shout out to (Front, L-R) AY, KP, LM, TS (Back, L-R) JJ, AE for their participation in the day.
Celebrating Student Telent
All of our students have their own unique talents and interests. It is always amazing, when they choose to share them with us. Recently JJ let me know that he enjoyed using his drone for photography. He agreed to take some pictures of the school for us. He is planning to take pics in all seasons. I can't wait to see them all.
Next Staff vs. Student is
Family Calendar
Volunteers and Athletes of the Month
Volunteer of the month.
Venice Llanes has started helping out with score table for just about every basketball game that goes down in our gym. She is always eager to volunteer and learn more about the game. She runs a tight ship at the table and seems to enjoy the best seat in the house. Thanks Venice for your help because without minor officials we would not be able to play.
Athletes of the Month
Brynlee Smith
Brynlee has taken on a big role this year playing both Jr and Sr girls basketball. She works tirelessly on the court, always trying to out-hustle the opposition. She plays with a lot of brawn, but just as importantly she plays with a lot of brain, out-thinking the opposition at every opportunity.
She has also taken the young pups on the Jr girls team under her wing, giving them pointers, showing them the ropes, and most importantly showing them how to be great team players. Good job Brynlee.
Kayden Wasylyk
Kayden is a skilled player because he is a hard worker. He is often found in the gym working on something individually in a meaningful way. He realizes the only way to get better is to practice what you aren’t good at whereas many times athletes like to come in the gym and rep strengths because its easy, that’s simply not Kayden. He has gone toe to toe with some large individuals on some of the bigger schools we have played and always steps up to the challenge. Looking forward to seeing what you will accomplish the rest of this season and a few more.
Community Events
Hot Lunches
Check Your Punch Card Balance
Please note, as we get used to this new system, please be aware that punch card balances may be up to 1 week behind.
Once you click the link below and find your child's account number, you will see a number to the left of their account number (i.e. 17). That number will not change, so you only have to remember that number going forward.
We hope that this will help our families.
Scan me to check your punch card balance.
Jigs and Carolines are Back
Wednesday - Jigs
Poutine
$7
Fridays - Carolines
Hot Dog w/ Mac and Cheese
$6.00