Bear Blast

For the Week of Feb 27, 2023

Working together; succeeding together.

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As treaty people, we acknowledge the privilege and honor of sharing Treaty 6 territory with the traditional inhabitants; the Cree, Dene, Nakota, Sauteaux, Ojibway, and Metis Nation, Eastern Region II. We are thankful that we can use this land and all that it offers for our sustenance and the sustenance of our families.

We acknowledge the harm of colonialism and the residential school system and commit to working together toward reconciliation and forging a better path forward.

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Perspective

Perspective

During the February break, my family and I visited some family in Edmonton and took in some of the sights. During our trip, we visited Telus World of Science, the science center in Edmonton. While we were there we visited the special exhibit on blue whales. The exhibit arose from an event that occurred in 2014 when 9 blue whales became trapped in the ice off the coast of Newfoundland. Unfortunately, all 9 perished. To put it in perspective, losing 9 blue whales has the same impact on the blue whale population as the entire province of Saskatchewan dying would have on the population of Canada.


7 of the whales could not be saved, but 2 were able to be salvaged. One of them, a female named Blue, is the centerpiece of the exhibit (well at least her skeleton). It was humbling to be in the presence of such a behemoth. The skull alone was massive, but with the entirety of the skeleton, it really put into perspective how we compare to the other inhabitants of our planet. Part of the display showed a small bottle of simulated blood, showing how much is pumped in a single beat of a human heart. Beside it was a large blue recycle bin filled with simulated blood showing the amount pumped in a single beat of a blue whale's heart. This was alongside an actually plasticized blue whale heart, the size of which was staggering.


The nerd in me loved looking at all of the science that was being presented, but the humanist in me also saw the stark contrast. Blue and other blue whales like her (not an entirely creative name) are the largest animals to have ever lived. Everything in the exhibit highlighted the immensity of these behemoths. However, at the same time were remarkable similarities to other creatures, including us. The monstrous paddle was remarkably similar to our own arm. They possessed a heart that although gargantuan was almost identical to ours and even the teeny, tiny mouse heart (which was also present at the exhibit and required a magnifying glass to see.


The evolutionist in me was fascinated by our shared lineage and the humanist by the shared fragility. Although every dimension of the blue whale was truly gigantic, it still was a fragile life form like the rest of us. Although capable of massive destruction, it feeds on the smallest of life (plankton). Although seemingly indestructible, it was susceptible to the shifting ice. Although massive in every sense of the word, it is largely illusive. The exhibit we experienced gave us a rare and subtle glimpse of these beasts, bit showed us that although we may appear different, we are all more similar than we think.

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Seen Around PPCS

Jump Rope For Heart

Froggy Went A Courtin and Spiderella

The grade 3s performed Froggy Went a Courtin and Spiderella for their parents and some special guests. The grade 10 class caught a show and were reminiscing about when they were in Froggy Went a Courtin. A great tradition. Thank you to Mrs. Patchin and Mrs. Zeleny for all the work that went into the plays.

Froggy Went a Courtin'

Spiderella

Pink Shirt Day

Huge thanks to CJ Promotions for working with us to produce a pink shirt unique to PPCS. "All Bears Belong" goes far beyond just pink shirt day but is something that we commit to working toward going forward. We know there is always work to do in ensuring that all students feel a strong sense of belonging to our Bears family and we commit to doing that work.
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Junior Girls Basketball Host Playoffs

On Wednesday, Feb 15 the Junior Girls' Basketball team hosted playoffs. Although we had to settle for second, it was a great afternoon with the whole school cheering them on to victory against the Creighton Kodiaks.

Thank You for Your Support of Telemiracle

Thank for your generous support of Telemiracle. We sold helping hands at lunch. Thank you to Mrs. Mielke, Miss Wallen, and the SRC for selling the hands.
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Hot Lunch Punch Cards

Hot Lunch Punch Cards

Bear Bites is happy to introduce a punch card program for our hot lunches at the school. For $20, families can purchase a punch card good for 5 meals. They can be purchased online using the button below. If you would prefer to pay cash, please have your child bring the money to Mrs. Smith at the front office. We will keep the cards at the Bear Bites canteen and punch them when your child gets a meal.

Please allow 2 school days to process punch card purchases.

Hot Lunch Punch Cards
Bear Bites Punch Card Draw

Bear Bites Punch Card Draw

Each month, we will put all of the finished punch cards into a draw for a free lunch.


The winner for the month of January: Cruz Reed

Bear Bites Punch Card Draw
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Next Staff vs. Student is

Upcoming Events

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3456 Basketball Starts This Week

We are super excited to get the Junior NBA basketball started this week.

Grade 3/4 Girls will practice Mondays at 3:30

Grade 3/4 Boys will practice Tuesdays at 3:30

Grade 5/6 Boys will practice Tuesdays at 3:30

Grade 5/6 Girls will practice Wednesdays at 3:30.


All players need clean shoes and a water bottle to play.

Athletes and Volunteer of the Month

Volunteer of the Month


Earl Santiago


To be blunt Earl Santiago is a beauty. He can be found on days that end in Y loitering in the gym shooting a ball and looking for ways to help. Earl is a huge component of his Jr boys team but also is at most all home games working the table duties. Although still a year too young to play with the big dogs Earl attends Sr boys practice to give us 10 guys so we can roll with 5 on 5 concepts. Earl makes our teams better by bringing his positive energy to the court, score table and school. Thanks for all your work Earl.



Athletes of the Month


Luis Sabayton is well known across the province as perhaps one of the best outside shooters in high school basketball. His defensive capabilities have improved immensely this year and are also known to go end to end on a fast break and slice through a defense while making it look effortless. He usually ends up bleeding from the mouth at some point in the game but if he’s on, we’re on. Good job Luis.


Harleigh Pohl just added basketball to her schedule this year but has shown no rust or inexperience on the defensive side of the ball. She defines the motto everyone can work hard and play great defense. I have seen very few players learn and execute new to them man and rebounding concepts this quickly. Hopefully her successes on D and transfer some confidence to her O game and she will be a great complete player to watch coming up. Way to keep learning Harleigh.

Team Schedules

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Home Games

Thursday

Sr. Boys Bball vs. CUmberland House


Friday and Saturday

Sr. Boys Home Tournament



** Games may start earlier if teams arrive, our goal is to get them home as early as possible.

Hot Lunches

Bear Bites Under New Management

With the new semester starting on Wednesday, Bear Bites says goodbye to JR, Marek, Carter, Jace, Dysen, Jacob, Lexi, and Macey. These students have done an amazing job of getting Bear Bites back up and running and have grown so much in their understanding of food prep and working as a team to run a business. Marcus and Natasha will remain on board to complete Foods credits and to ensure that the new management gets off to the best start. We will do our best to continue serving as the new crew is brought up to speed in terms of their safe food handling and preparing food for large crowds. Natasha and myself are certified in safe food handling and will ensure that our meals continue to be safe and of the highest quality. I look forward to working with the new crew but want to extend a note of extreme gratitude to the outgoing students. They helped to rebuild Bear Bites and should be very proud of what they have achieved. If you see them out and about, please thank them for their service to the school community.
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Jigs and Carolines are Back

Once again, Jigs and Carolines will be offering hot lunches on Wednesday and Friday. Please order directly from them. Please note:


ALL JIGS ORDERS MUST BE PLACED THROUGH THE GOOGLE FORM BELOW.


CAROLINES ORDERS MUST NOW BE PLACED ONLINE AS WELL.

It's going to be a #wonderFULLyear