news

News from the Nest - Nov. 1-5

October 29, 2021

Spotlight on Learning:  Personal Narrative Picture Books

As part of our writing unit, grade 9 students got in touch with their creative side as they created a Personal Narrative in the form of a picture book! Ms. Oppelt designed the assignment because she had a feeling that students were itching for something more creative than a Personal Narrative Essay, and it also would mean less essays to mark, so sign her up! The assignment had students work on their descriptive writing, how to format dialogue in a story, ability to sequence events, as well as show their understanding of Freytag’s pyramid.  Students were engaged and had fun reflecting on their past, choosing a memory, and then bringing it back to life in their picture books.  Ms. Oppelt enjoyed reading through the finished products as it allowed her to get to know her students even more.

Character Word of the Month:  Teamwork

Our Character Word of the Month is teamwork -   Please take a moment to talk with your child about what this word means to you and your family. 

Attendance Matters:

We have noticed a significant number of students who are consistently arriving to school late or who are missing many full school days altogether.  Research demonstrates a powerful connection between students who attend classes regularly and successful learning experiences.  We are asking for your help to make sure that your child arrives to school by 8am, and that students attend all classes during the day unless absent for a legitimate reason such as illness.

If students are legitimately absent or late, parents should report the absence in the Safe Arrival app: https://www.abbyschools.ca/safe-arrival

Gr 9 Take Your Kid to Work Day – Nov. 3, 2021

Grade 9 students, Wednesday November 3, 2021, is the annual Take Our Kid to Work Day (TOKTWD) event. This year with the Covid restrictions in place at many work sites participating in the event will look different for grade 9 students.  If your parent/guardian would like you to participate, they will need to follow the Covid Health/Safety guidelines at their place of work. Students who decide to participate and miss the day of school will need to catch up on any missed work assigned by your teachers. Also, parent/guardians will need to complete the registration with the place of work. Please have your parent/guardian send Mr. Gill an email at paul.gill [at] abbyschools.ca to let him know if you will be missing school on Wednesday November 3 to participate in the TOKTWD event. Mr. Gill will provide a list to the office of all Grade 9 students participating in TOKTWD, so their attendance record is correct.

Have a look at the following website for information: 

https://www.thelearningpartnership.ca/take-our-kids-to-work/workplaces/resources 

Cafeteria  

After many rounds of postings including for a Red Seal Chef, Kitchen, and Cafeteria worker, 11 interviews, 5 tours of the facility we were unsuccessful in hiring like many local businesses who are experiencing labour shortages.  And then, we met with success and  found a qualified person who has accepted our job offer and are pleased to announce that we have hired Karamjit Maan to staff our Kitchen.  Mrs. Maan begins November 5, and we plan to have our Cafeteria service up and running by mid-November.  Stay tuned for menu options.

Cross Country off to Provincials

The Cross-Country Team competed at the Eastern Fraser Valleys on Wednesday. All runners crossed that finish line making their school and coaches proud. A HUGE congratulations goes to Sam May who placed 3rd in the junior boy’s division landing him a spot at the provincial championships which are November 6th. Wish him luck when you see him.

A Pumpkin Patch Kind of Day

Our O2 and Compass programs headed out to the Willow View Pumpkin Patch for a little fresh air, outdoor learning, and some balance time. They had a great time connecting with each other and fostering healthy relationships.  Ms. Traber, Mr. Dobos, Ms. Paternoster and Ms. Davey want to thank the entire crew for their participation and being amazing Mouat ambassadors.

Literacy and Numeracy Exams Next Week

Next week we begin school wide grade 10 and grade 12 Literacy and Numeracy testing.  Grade 12 students who have not completed their Grade 10 Literacy and/ or Numeracy exams received an email to their learn34 accounts with a test time and date.  Grade 10 or 12 students who are currently in a Math 10 or an English 12 have been scheduled to write next week with their class cohort.  

Exam proficiencies are not included in a students grade and are reported out using the Performance Standard of 1(Emerging), 2 (Developing), 3 (Proficient) and 4 (Exceeding).  The exams are required for graduation.

IMPORTANT:  BC high school students graduating in June 2022 who receive a UBC offer of admission will be required to demonstrate a Proficient (3) level of performance on the Grade 12 Literacy Assessment to maintain their offer of admission.  This requirement must be completed by June 30.  SFU has announced that they will use the results for specific programs but not university wide admissions.

Calendar:  Multi-Cultural Week 

  • Monday, Nov. 1
    • ABCD
    • Abby Strong Day
    • Literacy 10 Exams for 12’s
    • Literacy 12 Exam (Lawrence/Taylor)
  • Tuesday, Nov. 2
    • CDAB
    • Sr. Boys Soccer vs Mountain
    • Numeracy 10 Exam for 12’s
    • Literacy 12 Exam (Kehler)
  • Wednesday, Nov. 3
    • BADC
    • Numeracy 10 Exam (Carroll)
    • Numeracy 10 Exam (Jaswal)
  • Thursday, Nov. 4
    • DCBA
    • Sr. Boys Soccer @ Chilliwack
    • Jr. Boys Football vs Kelowna
    • Numeracy 10 Exam (Carroll)
    • Literacy 12 Exam (Turner/ Lawrence)
    • Happy Diwali
  • Friday, Nov. 5
    • SLO Day School Starts at 9:30
    • ABCD
    • Gr. 9, Jr., Sr. Girls Volleyball Tournament Rally in the Valley