EE Oliver Elementary
May 2021 Newsletter
From the principal
As we near the end of the second week of online learning, I would like to applaud the students and families who worked to attend the google meets as well as those who worked to complete the assignments without access to the internet. Life has certainly changed for our children with online learning, cancelled sporting events, less time with friends, covid protocols and rules that they have never had to follow before. The children are having to build resilience in a world of uncertainty. As parents and educators we are committed to helping our children grow despite the challenges of the times.
At school we attempt to do this by encouraging the students to engage in calm conversation and problem solve to address issues and worries while encouraging empathetic thinking. We also follow consistent routines which assist the students in staying organized and not feeling overwhelmed. We provide programming and give explicit guidance to classes that give opportunities for students to develop new social-emotional skills.
During the weeks of online learning, and going forward, I hope your families have found time to look after your mental and physical well being: eat nutritious food, have consistent bedtimes, focus on the positive and enjoy some fresh air and the outdoors. I also encourage you to schedule a routine for your children to read and complete homework. These are not always easy to do but so beneficial for everyone!
As always, I encourage you to contact your child’s teacher to discuss any concerns that you may have for your child. “Education is a shared commitment between dedicated teachers, motivated students, and enthusiastic parents”. (Bob Beaupress)
Thank you for all you do to encourage your children and support our school!
Stay well!
Evelyn Krol
Principal
Email: krole@prsd.ab.ca
Website: eeoliverelementary.ca
Phone: 780-835-2225
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EEOSchool
A letter from the Superintendent
May 3 – 9, 2021 marks Education Week and Mental Health Awareness Week –
a celebration of education and recognition of the importance of positive mental health.
In Peace River School Division we are committed to teach, support and nurture the whole student - through engaging classrooms, qualified and caring staff, focus on emotional, social and physical wellness, leadership and mentorship programs, positive behaviour and character programs, and the support of Youth Education Workers and Success Coaches. We are proud of the dynamic learning communities within our schools and we strive to support our students in any way we possibly can. By incorporating wellness into classrooms and curriculum we acknowledge the link between education and mental health which better enables our students to reach their full potential.
We understand it takes a village to raise a child and both the educational and mental health needs are crucial aspects of learning, well-being and success. We are very thankful for the various partnerships we share with agencies, community members and organizations in our school communities. These community partnerships not only provide increased supports for students, they demonstrate that their school communities care, and it also shows what can be achieved when we work together.
During Education Week and Mental Health Awareness Week, our students and staff will participate in activities and learning opportunities that highlight the importance of education and mental health in our lives, families, schools, community and the world.
Thank you to students, parents, staff, community members and organizations for your support - the work you do makes a difference and we appreciate you.
Paul Bennett
Superintendent of Schools
Missing all our little buddies!!
We cannot wait to see all the kids smiling faces on Tuesday, May 25th!
Grow North Gardens is bloomin' Fantastic
You're awesome Michelle and we thank you so much!
Spring is in the air!!
We have duck eggs in the incubator with the Grade ones.
Our grade ones also grew some plants that went home for Mother's day.
Grade 5 have a LOT of tadpoles just waiting to turn into frogs.
And our outdoor classroom is looking amazing!
The only thing missing is the students! We can't wait to have them back in school
Our fish are free!!
We wish them a long and happy future!!
Grade 5 Art
Eagle Award Winners
1000 Cranes - Through the Rural Mental Health Project
Our grades 4-6 students & students from FHS, have been invited to take part in the 1,000 cranes project, headed up by PRSD trustee, Robyn Robertson. It is an initiative of the Rural Mental Health Project.
Robyn came to the school to show students how to fold their origami cranes.
When a person makes their crane, they first write a message, prayer or wish on the inside. We will provide a space to have kids talk about how they are doing, what they are feeling or hopes they have. We would offer the space and be present to be an open listening ear.
The cranes will be displayed on strings at the Fairview Fine Arts Centre when it is all completed
In Japan, the crane is a mystical creature and is believed to live for a thousand years. As a result, in the Japanese, Chinese and Korean culture, the crane represents good fortune and longevity. The Japanese refer to the crane as the “bird of happiness”. The wings of the crane were believed to carry souls up to paradise. Mothers who pray for the protection of the crane’s wings for their children will recite the prayer:
“O flock of heavenly cranes
cover my child with your wings.”
Traditionally, it was believed that if one folded 1000 origami cranes, one’s wish would come true.
It has also become a symbol of hope and healing during challenging times.
As a result, it has become popular to fold 1000 cranes (in Japanese, called “senbazuru”). The cranes are strung together on strings – usually 25 strings of 40 cranes each – and given as gifts.
A famous story about senbazuru is that of Sadako Sasaki (see “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” by Eleanor Coerr [1977]). Sadako was a little girl who was exposed to radiation as an infant when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Although she survived the bomb, she was diagnosed with leukemia by the age of 12. She decided to fold 1000 cranes, hoping that her wish to live would come true. Unfortunately, she only was able to fold 644 cranes before she passed away. Her classmates then continued to fold cranes in her honour and she was buried with a wreath of 1000 cranes to honour her dream. There is now a statue of Sadako in Hiroshima Peace Park – a little girl standing with her hand outstretched, holding a paper crane. Every year, thousands of wreaths of senbazuru are draped over her statue.
Disaster Preparedness
If your family is caught in an emergency or disaster situation, are you prepared? Without any warning a disaster can occur and it may take some time for emergency workers to get to you. It is recommended that you should always be ready to take care of yourselves for a minimum of 72 hours. Your best defense in any emergency is to have a plan and be familiar with what to do.
There are three keys to disaster preparedness.
Know the risks – analyze what hazards you face? In Alberta we face a number of hazards, such as natural emergencies like forest fire and floods, service disruptions like a power failure, or even environmental disasters like a chemical spill.
Make a plan – each household needs an emergency plan. It will assist you and your family to know what to do in case of an emergency. Discuss what you would do in different situations as well as how to meet or contact each other if you’re not together when an emergency occurs. Consider what to do if you need to stay put or if you need to leave your home. Include a list of emergency management agencies in your area.
Create an emergency kit – in an emergency basic supplies will be needed. You may be without power or tap water. Always have items ready such as non-perishable food, water, flashlight, first aid kit and seasonally appropriate clothing. Also consider any special needs supplies such as requirements for any infants or elderly family members, remember any medications, and necessities for pets. Make sure the kit is organized and easy to find and that everyone knows where it is.
You may find the following links helpful in preparing your family for emergency situations.
Government of Alberta
https://www.alberta.ca/emergency-preparedness.aspx
Alberta Emergency Alert App
https://emergencyalert.alberta.ca/content/about/signup.html
Government of Canada Disaster Preparedness Site
(emergency kit contents, preparing a family plan)
https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/yprprdnssgd/index-en.aspx
David Smith,
PRSD Safety & Wellness Coordinator