Bear Blast
Week of Nov 29, 2021
Working together; succeeding together.
We are priviledged to share Treaty 6 Territory traditional lands of the Cree, Dene, Saulteux, Ojibwaya and the Metis Nation.
Our School Clothing Store is Open
We are looking for Basketball Officials
- $36/game
- safe environment to learn and develop your skills.
Contact Dan Bloski at the school (306) 278 2288 or bloski.daniel@nesd.ca
Casual Custodians Needed
Casual EAs Needed
A Season of Waiting When We Have Grown Very Good at Waiting
Normally, we would be preparing for New 2 U Christmas shopping, and we are! We are so excited that New 2 U Christmas shopping is back but not nearly as excited as Joanne and her volunteers. A few years ago when I pitched the idea to Joanne to have the kids shop for items at New 2 U for their families, I had no idea how successful it would be. Right from the first year, Joanne and her crew have worked tirelessly throughout the year to hold back items they thought the kids would like. Once the event arrives, they help the kids shop (and find that perfect item) and then wrap it with care and label it for them. I have heard, literally, a 100 or more stories from families who opened the perfect gift Xmas morning from their child. Along with the story of the gift was the appreciation for the opportunity for the student to shop on their own and pick out a gift all on their own. It was one of our saddest losses last year and something we always committed to bringing back. With 2 years to gather items, I am sure that Joanne and her crew will hold the best New 2 U shopping ever. Stay tuned for what will appear under your tree.
One of my favorite events of the year is the annual Christmas dinner. All 200+ students gathered in the foyer, the older students helping the younger students, all in fellowship and enjoying a wonderful meal prepared by our students for our students. This year again we were faced with the challenge of how to hold such an event and be safe. I have to admit, we had relented to the fact that we would have to have another year without Xmas dinner until our SRC relit our flame of hope. In a meeting, they expressed how much they missed Xmas dinner and that they sincerely hoped we could try it in some form. That was enough to motivate us to take it to the SCC and get their thoughts. They were very supportive and stepped up to offer their services to make it happen. So...I am happy to semi-formally announce that we will have Xmas dinner once again. It will look different, with students eating in the classroom and being served by the teacher rather than dishing themselves up. Some of the fellowship will not be present, but we will have a meal and we will eat together in spirit. It warms my heart to be able to do this for our Bears family. Thank you to our SCC for stepping up to help and to Lutz Logging for once again agreeing to sponsor the meal. We still have some final details to work out, but we are confident that we can make it work.
The twelve days of Christmas is a pillar of the Xmas season at PPCS and this year, as you can see below, the 12 days of Christmas is a go. Some events, particularly the buddy activities, are not possible at this time, but we will do what we can.
Lastly, skating has long been a favorite activity of the Xmas season at PPCS and we are happy to be able to do it again this year. It will, as many things are, be different as we will take the classes 2 at a time rather than all at once. We look forward to seeing the students on the ice, whether they are long-time skaters or first-time skaters. As always we would appreciate any parents who are willing to volunteer for skate tieing. Due to NESD AP309, any volunteers will have to show proof of vaccination or negative test (48h).
Looking back to last year, this Christmas things seem so much more normal. Hopefully 1 year from now as I look back and talk about Christmas at PPCS, it will be that much closer to normal again.
Healthy Snack Ideas
New 2 U Shopping
Huge thank you to Joanne Y and all her volunteers for the joy that they will bring to our littles and their families through this program.
Vaccine Requirement
Incidental visits, such as dropping off or picking up students, dropping off lunches, etc do not require proof of vaccine or negative test. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the school.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.
SRC Corner
The 12 Days of Christmas!!
Seen Around PPCS (and Beyond)
Edsby
As of Dec 1, Edsby will be our primary tool for communication, including the Bear Blast (the Bear Blast will continue to be posted on Facebook and on our website.
Currently, Edsby does not send a notification if a message is sent, so it is strongly recommended that parents check the app once per day for any important messages. If you set notifications through your email, you will be notified when a message is sent. Contact the school or refer to the Edsby help documents for assistance with this.
Emergent messages will continue to be sent via messenger.
Staff Communication
If staff receive a message in any format after 4:30 pm, it is not expected that they will answer until after 8:30 the following morning.
We recognize that some parents may message in the evening when the topic is fresh in their mind; all that we ask is for your understanding in that staff may not answer until the following day. As always, we will deal with emergent situations as expediently as possible. In an emergent situation, please contact me at mielke.dan@nesd.ca or feel free to call or text.
Thank you for your understanding and support in ensuring that our staff is able to rest and recharge..
Upcoming Events
Dec 1 - 17 - 12 (+1) Days of Christmas
Dec 1 - New2U Christmas Shopping
Dec 9 - Christmas Concert
Dec 17 - Last Day of Classes
Dec 20-Jan 2 - Christmas Break
Jan 3 - First Day of Classes
Jan 28 - Term 2 ends
Jan 31 and Feb 1 - No School (SIP DAY)
Feb 2 - Term 3 Begins
Feb 11 - Jump Rope for Heart Event
Athletes of the Week
This week's Male Athlete of the Week is Logan Smith. Logan is a consistent competitor in our intramurals program. Logan is very excited that basketball season is starting up and can't wait to get back on the court in competition.
Congratulations to both our athletes and thank you for being an awesome part of the Bears family!
Volunteer Spotlight
We Want Fans in the Stands
- You only come if you are feeling well.
- You wear a mask at all times when in the building
- Sanitize your hands upon entering and frequently while in the building
- Complete our contact tracing list upon entry
- Show our Bears how awesome they are by cheering loudly (albeit through a mask).
Hot Lunches are Back!!
Jigs Corner Stop Cafe
Dec 8 - 2 Chicken Tenders with Fries $6 or Poutine $6
Dec 15 - 2 Slices of Pizza $6 (Cheese or Pepperoni)
Carolines
Youth Group (Beyond Discovery)
Awana Kids Club
For Kindergarten-Grade 6!
It’ll run each Thursday from right after school gets out until 5:10pm.
Kids can come to the old elementary school (QCP) and enter through the back double doors!
Games, live music, and learning time every week!
Free to register!
Call Heidi at 306-278-7883 or Desi at 306-865-6350 if you have any questions!
When Should I Keep My Child Home?
- Have a fever.
- Are coughing (more than just occasional)
- Sneezing (more than just occasional)
- Have an excessively runny nose (have to blow their nose multiple times a day).
- Vomiting (outside of motion sickness)
The principle that we use is that if a student is expelling something from their body, they should likely stay at home until it stops.
Our teachers are fully prepared to support students at home who are required to isolate or who are sick for extended periods of time.
If students are at school and displaying any of the above symptoms or any other COVID symptoms, parents will be asked to come and get them and take them home. We will then work with the families to determine when it will be safe for the child to return to school (in many cases, it is when the symptoms have stopped).
We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause to our families, but feel that in light of the new health orders, it is needed to ensure that all students, staff, and families are safe and that face to face learning can continue at PPCS.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please contact us at the school at any time.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the new health orders, we would encourage you to contact the Saskatchewan Health Authority or your local MLA.
We recognize the challenges of the ever changing situation, but remain committed to the idea that...together, we got this
Information on the Use of Rapid Testing Kits
Welcome back to #bestyearever
Porcupine Plain Comprehensive School
Email: ppcs@nesd.ca
Website: ppcs.nesd.ca
Location: 403 3rd Avenue East, Porcupine Plain, SK, Canada
Phone: 306 278 2288
Facebook: facebook.com/PPCS2011
Twitter: @Porcupine_BEARS