Staff from Montroyal, Cleveland, Highlands and Canyon Heights gathered at Highlands to learn more about the new B.C. Curriculum. Topics of discussion included:

Aboriginal World Views

• First Peoples Principles of Learning [see this post]

Big Ideas – broad and abstract key concepts used to organize knowledge within and across disciplines

• examples:
  • Math: Parts of wholes can be represented in many ways that have important connections
  • Language Arts: Language and literature help us find meaning and joy
  • Science: Energy comes in a variety of forms that can be transferred from one object to another

Cross Curricular Core competencies – the skills, processes, behaviours and habits of mind inquirers use

• Communication: a set of abilities that students use to impart and exchange information, experiences, and ideas
• Thinking: knowledge, skills, and processes associated with intellectual development
• Personal and Social: a set of abilities that relate to students’ identity in the world – both as individuals and as members of a community

At our “Meet the People” evening this week, I gave some examples of the Aboriginal Education focus in our school district.

From the First Peoples Principles of Learning:

Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational (focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships); and a sense of place

You can read the rest of the Principles by clicking here.

From Ways to Weave Aboriginal Ways of Knowing into Curriculum:

Build on all students’ self-identity (name, where you come from and who our relatives and Elders are). All people need to be connected to their culture to be successful.

From Place-based Thinking Concepts:

In Aboriginal communities, men, women, and children all had their roles. Grandparents were looked after by their families and children learned from all adults by watching, listening and doing.

You’re invited to our “Meet the People” evening Wednesday Sep 23 from 6:30 – 7:30. There will be time for you to meet your children’s teachers in their classrooms, then come to the gym at the end of the evening to hear our focus for the year.

Why the change in name from “Curriculum Night”? We teach children first, then curriculum. So much of what we do is about building relationships, not only in the classroom but among our community members. There are changes to the BC curriculum that will happen over the next two years – it is an exciting time! We will be learning more about the new curriculum at the Curriculum Implementation Day at Highlands on September 28.

Thank you for your patience with the increased traffic in our area, due to the detours necessary for the Capilano Water Main project. We’re pleased to see so many families walking to school, even on the rainy days we’ve had and we appreciate our flaggers who are keeping our students safe as they cross the road.

We have already had three events hosted by PAC – Welcome Back Tea, Kindergarten Tea and a successful Pizza Night. Thanks to the organizers of all three of these opportunities for families to connect.

On Wednesday, administrators and teacher leaders from the Handsworth Family of Schools will be meeting to make those valuable connections among our schools.

Our Terry Fox Run will be held Friday, September 25 at 1:30. We will be collecting “toonies for Terry” beginning Tuesday September 22. Look for more information on our website www.canyonhts.ca

The first days of school are always busy and this year was no exception! We began the week with rain and thoughts of autumn, but ended with warm sunshine and that lovely summer feel to the afternoons. At our Welcome Back Assembly on Monday, I read the book “You Call That Brave?”, a story that encourages us to try something different than we’re used to doing. I introduced our new vice-principal, Mr. Haywood, who spoke to us about how much he enjoys coming to work every day.

A challenge this week was the increased traffic on Highland Boulevard. We welcomed Joanie and Julie, two flaggers who helped families cross the much busier street. RCMP officers enforced the 30 km zone by issuing warnings and more than a few tickets! Steve Billington, the project manager for the Capilano Water Main Construction Project, telephoned and stopped by to see for himself the impact of the traffic detours on our school, as did our Assistant Superintendent, Mark Pearmain. I appreciate everyone’s understanding as we get used to these changes.

Don’t be surprised if you see an extra police presence on Tuesday morning! ICBC is conducting a Safe School Outreach Campaign and will be at our school at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday to hand out Back to School Safety Tips.

Students are now settled into their new classes and getting to know their new teachers, new routines and new classmates. This can sometimes be an anxious time, but parents’ support, encouragement and positive attitudes about the excitement of a new school year helps to ease the transition.

On Thursday night, I attended an event at Lynn Valley Public Library, “Community Commitment to Truth, Healing and Reconciliation.” It was an evening of powerful stories and engaging dialogue to raise awareness and understanding of the Truth and Reconciliation agreement. Click here for more information on the library’s project.

We’re looking forward to the PAC Pizza Party on Thursday – remember to order your pizza this weekend. Our new PAC Social Committee (yes, the same ones who organized the Welcome Back Tea on Tuesday) is working hard to get the word out about this event. Talk it up on the soccer field! At the coffee shop!

Have a great weekend, everyone!