Volume 13, Issue 2

The sun shone brightly at the PR Welcome Back event at Willingdon. It was wonderful to

see so many smiling, happy faces! 🌞

The Comox Valley Welcome Back Picnic was a success! It was great to see so many familiar faces and to get a chance to meet so many of our new families. 😀

Students and teachers joined together virtually to view and discuss some of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation videos made available for Truth and Reconciliation Week. Thanks to Alyssa and Kersten for organizing this event for us!

Comox Valley riders met up to ride at Comox Valley Dam, Cumberland Pump Track & Field, and Seal Bay Nature Park! 🚵‍♂️

Powell River families enjoyed a tour of the police station during one of the Interaction Day events. Sergeant Swanson was super nice and gave a good tour of the detachment. Students saw a police boat, a quad, and a police car. Students were happy to be able to see inside the police car. We are happy to report that no one was arrested! 😇

Students in the Powell River blended classes prepared soup for the Harvest Luncheon. Students and staff were fortunate to enjoy two vegetable soups, grapes, pumpkin yam scones, homemade buns, pumpkin pie, banana bread, and veggies and dip. Yum! What a harvest feast, indeed! 🥣🌽🥕🍞🍇

In the forest around Comox Lake, students engaged their senses while exploring the mature second growth forest and lakeshore at Cumberland Lake Park. Lessons and discussion were woven into stories, games and sensory awareness activities. Participants met some of the local trees, plants, and animals that make their home in this special forest and observed how they interacted with one another. They learned about the local forest ecology, interconnectedness, and biodiversity, first-hand. The practice of gratitude and respect, place-based learning, and the First Peoples Principles of Learning were central pillars that guided their day.

Thanks to Ian Robertson at the Courtenay Fire Hall, students in the Comox Valley received fire safety education, a tour of the fire trucks, and a tour of the fire safety house! They also learned strategies on how to get out of a burning house. 🔥

Does your family have a fire safety plan? Why not spend some time together to create one!

Powell River K-2 programing began this month at Oceanview Education Centre. Students have been enjoying thematic literacy activities and sports in the gym. There is one more session in November.

Our Grade 5 students had the opportunity to participate in the award-winning Out In Schools 2SLGBTQIA+ education program. Presenters used film and facilitated group discussions to engage youth in building safer, more inclusive communities.

Congratulations to Caleb who was awarded Cadet of the Month in his St. John’s Ambulance division early this fall. The blue braided rope on his left shoulder showcases this special achievement.

Although Caleb has only been with Cadets for a year, he has demonstrated a dedication to studies and service. He participated in online practice scenarios, earning his Standard First Aid certification this summer, and attended and volunteered at several events in the Comox Valley, including Canada Day, CV Expo, and MOMAR.

It is free to join St John’s Cadets in the valley and they are always looking for more cadets! Click here for general information.

Brother and sister Noah and Gracie learned how to sew shirt bags! What a fantastic way to up-cycle clothes. They look awesome! Well done! 🙌

The Smith family loves reading! They enjoy family reading times, individual reading, and reading with their uncle!

The eldest Smith child is in grade 7 and he has set a great example for his younger siblings, who all love books! 📚

Here is Sophie horseback riding at Sprout Meadows! She is riding a beautiful horse, Cheyenne!

Did you know that a person who loves horses is called a hippophile? 🐎💖

Grade 8 student Carson delivered food bags in his community. He also successfully completed his goal of hiking to a Sunshine Coast Trail hut - a whopping 5 hour hike! Way to go, Carson!

✨If you would like to be featured in an up-coming newsletter, please send a picture or two to your teacher! We would love to share your success and learning!✨

The next PIE PAC meeting will be held virtually on March 1, at 4:00 pm. Contact stephanie.hall@sd47.bc.ca to receive a link if you would like to join the meeting. All PIE parents are members of the PAC.