News from the Nest - April 11-15

Spotlight on Learning:  Social Justice 12

Last week, one of Ms. Esau’s Social Justice 12 classes had the opportunity to participate in a research project with UFV’s Associate Professor of Nursing, Director for the Center of Education and Research on Ageing (CERA), Shelly Canning, Ms. Canning is the lead researcher who is conducting a research project in four classrooms in Abbotsford this spring. They are exploring perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes of school-aged children across a range of grade levels. Her team is interested in learning more about what school-aged children think and know about older people and dementia. The information that they collected from students will help them create educational resources to address stigma and discriminatory thinking about old age. 

With the guidance of Candace Couse (UFV Assistant Professor, Creative Arts) and Ms. Canning, Ms. Esau’s students created an art project drawing a picture of someone who is old, someone living with dementia, and then the following day completed a “loop writing” assignment about aging and dementia. After the activities were completed, the research team had class discussions with the students where they explained their art and writing projects. 

Over the next few months, the research team will analyze the pictures and data collected and author a short report of their findings to share with other educators within the university, school district, and will be sharing the results of this study through presentations at academic conferences. They are also planning to host an “art exhibit” in October at UFV highlighting the art projects created by the student participants involved in the study. 

It was a remarkably interesting opportunity, and Ms. Esau’s was pleasantly surprised how involved the students became with the project and the stories that they shared about their experiences with elderly people. As educators, we take “care” of our students now, but one day, some of them may be taking “care” of us so having our students understand and have empathy towards elderly people and those suffering with dementia will only benefit our society. 

Our Character Word of the Month is RESPONSIBILITY

Being responsible means that others can depend on you. You are willing to be accountable for your actions. When things go wrong, and you make a mistake, y u make amends instead of excused. When you are responsible, you keep your agreements. You give your best to any job. Responsibility is the ability to respond ably. It is a sign of growing up.

What would responsibility look like if. . .

• You have a regular job at home, and you would rather hang out with friends?
• You have homework to do but a friend wants to go to the movies?
• You just broke something in your friend’s house, but no one saw you?
• You promised a friend you would get together afterschool, but then remember you have a practice?
• You are watching your little sister in a store while your mother finishes shopping?
• You notice your parents working hard to clean the house?

New Graduation Requirements for current Grade 9/10 students

The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), is implementing a new graduation requirement.

Under the proposed model, students who are currently in Grade 10 would be the first group to complete this new requirement, starting in September 2023. The new requirement will apply to all students in B.C. public, independent and offshore schools. B.C. is the first Canadian province/authority to implement this type of requirement.

The Ministry of Education is seeking public engagement for the new Indigenous-focused graduation requirements now until April 22. Visit the site and share your thoughts on the proposed approach for the new requirements.

https://engage.gov.bc.ca/Indigenousgradrequirement 

To facilitate the implementation of the required new grad requirement, we are encouraging Grade 9 and Grade 10 students to change their English course selection through completion of the form below.  If you are a current Grade 9 student, you can change your English 10 credit from Literature & Composition 10 to First Peoples Literary Studies and New Media 10.  If you are a current Grade 10 students can change your English 11 credit to First Peoples Literary Studies and Writing.

Grade 9 students if you would like to change your selection – complete this form by April 15  https://forms.gle/gFXE6PBwc1XDxfXR6

Grade 10 students if you would like to change your selection – complete this form by April 15

https://forms.gle/BzCg4rbd72CSssw4A

Living land week next week - Focusing on the 7 sacred teachings

• Monday - Beaver and Bear (Courage and Wisdom - try something new day)
• Tuesday - Sabe and Eagle (Honesty and Love - dress in the colors of the Medicine wheel)
• Wednesday - Turtle (Truth - Wear tropical clothing day - Bring on the sun!)
• Thursday - Bison and Wolf (Respect and Humility - Random acts of Kindness Day)

Congratulations Kai Chow – Loran Scholar 2022

We are pleased to announce that Kai Chow has been selected as a Loran Scholar for the 2022 school year. As one of the recipients of the prestigious, nationwide $100,000.00 Loran Scholars Award, the application process has been lengthy and rigorous, but Kai has shone every step of the way....in his signature mature and humble manner.

We are beyond pride of Kai and his commitment to both school and community endeavours while maintaining a very high academic standard. 

Kai is the Concertmaster of Sinfonietta (VSO School of Music), where he established and chairs their Youth Council. He also volunteers as a violin teacher at the el-Sistema Bakerview Music Academy. He co-founded “United in Isolation,” a virtual performance featuring violinists nationwide. Through Leadership at WJ Mouat Secondary, Kai spearheaded a fundraiser for youth mental health and a diversity initiative. Kai is well

Congratulations Jonas Heidebrecht – Lead Alto Saxophone National Youth Jazz Band

Jonas Heidebrecht (grade 11) received news that he has won the audition as the lead alto saxophone player in the National Youth Jazz Band. Youth from across Canada, up to age 25, audition for this opportunity but there are only two alto saxophone positions awarded, the top position being the lead alto saxophone.  Hundreds of students audition for the position. Not only was he awarded this position over high school students across Canada, and he beat out undergraduate and graduate university students who are studying jazz at some of the best music universities across North America.  He is one of the hardest working musicians. This is not just a matter of “talent;” this is hours upon hours upon hours of him practicing and working towards a level of musicality and musicianship that is second to none. We all need to keep a very close eye on this young man. He’s going places!

Athletic Action - Boys Rugby is on the Pitch again

Boys Rugby has returned to Mouat with a successful first game against Brookswood.

Final score was Mouat 20, Brookswood 15.  Tries scored by Ashton Gouttin, Matias Cheny, and Sirin An with two. The senior boys are next in action April 13th 4pm at Rotary against Walnut. 

WOW – it is fantastic to see our boys on the pitch again under the coaching and leadership of Coach Dobos as we look to rebuild the Boys Rugby team at Mouat

Giving voice to science….One student’s cross-curricular connection

In Mr. Newton’s Science class studentswere asked to demonstrate their learning using a cross-curricular link to English.  In the example, the student gave literary traits to scientific elements.  

Calendar

• Monday, April 11
  • ABCD
  • Try Something New Day
  • Sr Girls Soccer vs GW Graham
• Tuesday, April 12
  • CDAB
  • Dress in the Colours of the Medicine Wheel
• Wednesday, April 13
  • BADC
  • Wear Tropical Clothing
  • Jazz Cafe
  • Sr. Girls Soccer vs Abby
  • Sr. Boys Rugby vs Walnut Grove
• Thursday, April 14
  • DCBA
  • Random Acts of Kindness Day
  • Vaisakhi
• Friday, April 15
  • No School
  • Good Friday