NFTN: Windows Project - Sept 22

Spotlight on Learning:  Windows Project

How are Indigenous people of the world connected?

Presented by:  N. Castonguay

 TEACHER DESCRIPTION:  Reflecting on one’s own identity, experience, and motivation (mirror) and looking into the identities, experiences, and motivations of others (windows) can move students toward more nuanced perceptions of the world around them.

In this project, students were asked to create 4 windows illustrating the connections between North American indigenous people (they chose indigenous groups with which they were already familiar) and African indigenous people, at the same time looking for deeper understanding of the connections they identified.

TEACHER  REFLECTION: Students had to: collaborate to create a rubric including: la collaboration, la pensée créatrice, l’organisation, le contenu et l’exposé oral, collect research to find connections between indigenous groups in point form and illustrate 4 windows on a small poster (without elaborations), present in front of peers, and complete a self-evaluation:

STUDENT REFLECTION:

One Million March

School is and should be a safe place where all students can be welcomed, included and respected in a safe learning environment, while being fully and completely themselves.  No student should be excluded, harassed, or bullied because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.  Gender identity and expression are protected under the BC Human Rights Code and we do not accept any form of discrimination in schools.

We believe that students are at the centre of everything we do.  Protests like those that took place this week are confusing and harmful to the young people our staff have committed to protect and support.     School is and will always be a safe place for every student.

Club Fair Success

Club Fair took place on Wednesday at lunch in the large gym with 26 diverse opportunities.  Thank you to the staff and students who participated – listen to announcements or  check out your TEAMS app for information. 

Congratulations Ms. White

On Sunday morning, Sept. 17, 13 B.C. artists set up at different locations in Langley’s Williams Park, with most unpacking their paints and easels along the banks of the Salmon River that runs through in the lower section of the park located at 68th Avenue and 238th Street, to capture the beauty of the natural surroundings.  They were vying for top honours and a mix of cash and gift cards in the first-ever Langley Arts Council B.C.-wide landscape competition and live painting event, with a three-member jury panel picking the top artists.

As well, there was a people’s choice award, based on votes by visitors to the event.

Langley Arts Council President Lana Hart said competitions are part of the Aldergrove-based council’s mandate to promote and encourage artists in the Langley and beyond. Once the brushes were down, the winners were selected and CONGRATS to our very own Ms. Susie White who placed in the TOP 3! 

Check out the video: https://www.langleyadvancetimes.com/local-news/video-landscape-painters-compete-in-langley-4426757 

Truth and Reconciliation Week

Teachers at Mouat will be participating in Truth and Reconciliation opportunities next week provided by both the Indigenous Education Department and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.   Our Thrive leadership team will also be hosting a lunch time event on September 28 which also is Orange Shirt Day.  Our Thrive team is focused on celebrating resilience while offering educational games, food and a drumming performance.

Access  to  MyED  - Progress, Attendance, and more

Parents, your access to MyED is through your child’s MyEd account (the student portal).  The user name is your child’s @abbyschools.ca email address and a password they set up.  We are able to reset the password.  Below are instructions.  Access to your child’s MyEd account is IMPORTANT as that is where you can find their attendance, gradebook, missing assignments, report cards etc.  Check out the two graphics below.  If are still unable to access, please email sherri.draayers@abbyschools.ca (subject line MyEd access) for either the email (user) or a password reset. 

Student Photos

Your child’s school photos are online and ready to be ordered. Students can use the QR codes that were on the camera card papers handed out on picture day OR go to www.vibrantphotos.ca . Codes for students are their pupil numbers. Please see instruction sheet (PDF below) or call Vibrant Photos (604-380-3388) if you have questions. There is no obligation to buy a package. Pictures will also be used for school ID cards and the yearbook.

Also, Photo Retake Day is October 4. Students that were absent on the original photo day (September 13) do not need to sign up. All other students that took a picture and want a retake will be charged $5 when signing up online to confirm their retake spot and the $5 will be deducted when ordering their package. The deadline to sign-up is October 2. More information about photo retakes is found on the link below.

Please remember that you MUST sign up or the student will not be called down to the camera to have their photos redone. The link for school photo retakes is:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/WJM_2023Fall_Final_Photo_Day_Sign-Up.

This information also can be found on our website.   Here is the PDF instructions:  School Photo Ordering Instructions.pdf 

Self-Care Monday 

This week’s self-care tip is about: COMPASSION 

We often talk about being kind and compassionate to others which is very important, but you must also practice self-compassion and being kind to yourself. For some, this comes easily, but for others it takes work. Just know that you’re worth the effort! Take the time today to say one kind thing about yourself or do something kind for yourself. YOU ARE WORTH IT! 

https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/the-power-of-self-compassion 

Activities to boost self-compassion:  https://www.health.harvard.edu/mental-health/4-ways-to-boost-your-self-compassion 

October – Child health screenings: vision, hearing and dental

Make dental, hearing and vision checks part of a healthy routine

Health screenings help find issues early which can make treatment easier and more effective. It’s important for your child to have regular eye exams and routine dental checkups. It is also important to recognize any hearing loss early as this is essential for speech and language development. Read on to learn when and how to access services for your child.

Dental

Tooth decay is the most common, but preventable, childhood chronic disease. It is important to establish good oral hygiene at a young age and have children’s teeth checked by a dentist regularly. To find a local dentist near you who is accepting new patients, visit the BC Dental Association's Find a Dentist database. If you are a member of a low-income family and you do not have extended health coverage, there are several programs that can help you access affordable dentistry for your children. You can also contact the dental program at your local public health unit and ask about resources available in your community.

Vision

BC Doctors of Optometry recommends children receive their first eye exam when they are six to nine months old with a follow up exam at least once between the ages of two and five and then yearly once they enter school. You can find an optometrist accepting new patients near you at the College of Optometrists of British Columbia's Find an Optometrist database. In B.C., basic eye exams, one per year, are free up to the age of 18. Some optometrists may charge a small user fee of about $35 per visit so be sure to ask about any fees before you make an appointment.

Hearing

Good hearing is essential for speech and language development and plays an important part in a child's social and emotional growth. It is important to recognize hearing loss early and seek out testing and treatment if needed. Fraser Health’s Public Health community audiologists provide hearing services for children from birth to 19 years of age. If you have a concern about your child's hearing, referrals can be made by a parent or caregiver, a health care provider or education professional to your local public health audiology (hearing) clinic.

Find more information on child health screenings and how to access free vision, hearing and dental exams on Fraser Health’s website: https://ow.ly/oK9z50PegZB