Sheldon Coates News
March 2020
Principal's Corner
February was a short, but fun month, we had many exciting activities.
Our new term for Leader Teams started and students were excited to try out a new team. Mrs. Harley is trying out a new team, titled 'Learn to Draw', which has been very popular. As well, the choir put on a great performance for our Pink Shirt Day assembly, the outdoor education team has had many outdoor adventures, and the student council did a fantastic job hosting our most recent STAR assembly.
Sheldon Coates staff and students recognized Random Acts of Kindness week from Feb. 18-21. Each day of RAK week the staff and students were posed with a kindness challenge. Mrs. Beckstead also brought in a kindness banner for our school. Students were able to be the 'I in Kind' by standing between the large letters of K, N, and D. This poster was a great reminder to us all that even the smallest act of kindness can go a long way.
On a personal note, at the end of this school year my husband and I are excited to announce that we are moving to Regina. While we are excited for the possibilities ahead, we are very sad to be leaving such a great town. I have lived in Grande Cache, and worked at Sheldon Coates school, for the past 12 years and have had so many unforgettable experiences. This town has loved me, supported me, and challenged me to be my very best, and I will be forever grateful. I look forward to these next four months, as I know that they will be exciting and full of even more great memories.
Yours in teaching,
Michelle Bolay
Upcoming Events
March 5 - Deadline for Subway day money
March 6 - PD Day - no school for students in kindergarten to grade 3
March 12 - Subway Day
March 12 - Community Engagement 6:30-9 pm @GCCHS
March 13 - Earmuff Day
March 16 - School Council meeting - 7 pm
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
March 17 - Kindergarten Information Night - 6 pm
March 18 - Preschool Information Night - 6 pm
March 18 - Mountain Blooms orders due
March 20 - Progress Reports sent home
March 23 - March 31 - Spring Break - no school for staff and students
Pink Shirt Day
Community Engagement
The Board of Trustees from Grande Yellowhead Public School Division is hosting Community Engagement Events in each of the five zones across the Division. Staff, parents, students and community members are invited to learn about the processes GYPSD uses to meet educational priorities.
Attendees will hear from Board Chair Brenda Rosadiuk and Superintendent Carolyn Lewis. The evening will include information about the budget process and a report from the community’s principals. Focused conversations with community and school trustees will help contribute to developing GYPSD’s 3 Year Education Plan.
Sessions run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. with light refreshments provided.
Please join us on Thursday, March 12, 2020, at Grande Cache Community High School for the Grande Cache zone's community engagement session.
School Council News
Grade Three birdhouses have been purchased and delivered to the school for a science building unit later this year. Sheldon Coates Council would like to send a huge thank you to Trutec Contracting for purchasing and donating the birdhouses this year! Also, keep an eye out in the first week of March for Mother’s Day planters from Mountain Blooms! They were such a hit last year that they are bringing them back!
Dates to remember:
March. 5th – Subway orders are due
March. 12th – Subway lunch, for those who ordered.
March. 18th – Mountain Blooms orders are due (via order form to school or online through MunchaLunch – found under ‘fundraising’)
We have a very exciting guest coming to our school right after the break. “ClayforKids” will be coming from Edmonton to make a clay project with every single one of our classes and students from preschool to grade 3. Your council wanted to bring something that would benefit our entire school. She will be in our school April 1-3, but projects will not be brought home until later in the month of April.
Library Update
Kindergarten - Wednesdays
Grade 1 - Tuesdays
Grade 2BK - Wednesdays
Grade 2/3L - Tuesdays
Grade 3K - Thursdays
Thank you for continuing to return your books on time!
Please Keep Pokémon Cards at Home for this Month
Winter Walk Day
To Note
- Students in grade 1 and kindergarten will start swimming lessons after Spring Break
- If you are interested in being a substitute at our school, either as an EA or a teacher, please stop by the office to pick up an application form.
- Our lost and found is filling up again. Please stop by the lost and found and pick up anything that belongs to your family.
Habit of the Month
This month's habit is Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Sharpen the Saw means to have balance in your life. We need to have balance in our body, brain, heart, and soul. When we are balanced in our lives, we are more productive.
Some ways we can Sharpen the Saw in all areas:
- Body: play sports, swim, eat healthy, etc.
- Brain: read, do homework, watch educational television, etc.
- Heart: spend time with family, write a note to a friend, start a gratitude journal, etc.
- Soul: meditate, attend religious services, write in a journal, listen to uplifting music, etc.
Outdoor Learning
A Note from the BEST Coach
Empathy begins with the capacity to take another perspective, to walk in another’s shoes. Children learn empathy both from watching us and from experiencing our empathy for them. When we empathize with our children they develop trusting, secure attachments with us. Those attachments are key to their wanting to adopt our values and to model our behavior, and therefore to building their empathy for others. Research has shown that empathy is essential to building healthy and happy relationships with family and friends and to doing well at work (and for kids, in school).
What You Can Do To Nurture Empathy
1.Empathize with your child.
2.Talk about others feelings
3.Suggest how children can show empathy.
4. Be a role model
5.Use “I” messages.
6.Validate your child's difficult emotions.
7.Use pretend play
8.Read Stories about Feelings/ Empathy/ Kindness
Have you Filled a Bucket Today, Carol McCloud
My Many Colored Days, Dr. Seuss
These Shoes, Maribeth Boelts
The Invisible Boy, Trudy Ludbug
One, Kathryn Otoshi
You, me and Empathy, Jayneen Sanders
Be Kind, Pat Zietlow Miller
I am Human, Susan Verde