Monday: Final auditions for Aristocats Spring Musical
Tuesday: Aboriginal Drumming Club / Basketball Team lunchtime practice / Chess Club
Wednesday: Beginning of Aristocats Rehearsals
Thursday: Lunch hour Choir
Friday: Basketball Team lunch hour practice / ‘Think of Me’ ICBC Road Sense Program
WINTER WEATHER
Winter weather is upon us. A reminder to send your children dressed for our West Coast weather. Rain coats and boots are necessary with the rainy days. Some of our fields are closed but it seems to be “muddy” everywhere. A change of pants and socks are very helpful this time of year.
Our recent weather patterns have included cold and rainy days plus some snow. I appreciate that this colder weather creates a desire to remain in our vehicles and drive students to the front door of our school. The Drop Off Zone, in front of the bus area, road near the staff parking lot, plus the staff parking lot itself are once again being used to park in. A reminder to all that these areas are not designated family parking areas. Our upper traffic circle is for drop off only. These unsafe parking choices are causing unnecessary vehicle congestion. Please park below if you wish to walk your child/children to class. Keeping our children safe is most important to us. Thank you for your cooperation.
Aristocats Musical
Final auditions will take place Monday at both the first and second recess. Students will be brought together on Tuesday at lunch recess to discuss their role. Please remind your child/children that if another child was selected for the character role they wished for, we really enjoyed watching and being a part of their audition! This opportunity in itself is exciting and takes courage. All students will be in the musical and we value all roles!
We will begin to practice individual scenes this week. Full scripts will be sent home as well and your child/children will need to commit time to practice their character role. Thank you in advance for your support!
Messaging Island Health Medical Health Officer on Novel Coronavirus
We recommend that families use the BCCDC website on novel coronavirus (http://www.bccdc.ca/about/news-stories/stories/2020/information-on-novel-coronavirus) as the primary source of information relevant to the situation in British Columbia.
General
- The first case of novel coronavirus in B.C. was announced on January 28.
- Island Health Medical Health Officers, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and provincial and federal authorities are closely monitoring the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from China.
- The risk of spread of this virus within British Columbia remains low at this time.
- Precautions are being taken to prevent the spread of infection.
- Travelers arriving in Canada from affected areas are being assessed at the point of entry.
- Island Health and BC are prepared to quickly and accurately detect and respond to serious infectious diseases.
- It is not necessary for the general public to take special precautions beyond the usual measures recommended to prevent other common respiratory viruses. Regular handwashing, coughing or sneezing into your elbow sleeve, disposing of tissues appropriately and avoiding contact with sick people are important ways to prevent the spread of respiratory illness generally. It is recommended that people stay home if they are sick.
- People experiencing the coronavirus symptoms, such as fever and cough, and who have travelled to the affected area or have contact with someone who travelled to an affected area, should call 8-1-1 or phone their primary care provider. Travel history and symptoms should be provided before attending an appointment.
- We all play a role in dispelling rumours that may lead to inappropriate discrimination against people. Only people who are experiencing symptoms may transmit an illness, it is not related to race or ethnicity. It is important to check trusted sources for information on coronavirus.
- If you have questions, see the BCCDC website: http://www.bccdc.ca/about/news-stories/stories/2020/information-on-novel-coronavirus
- For travel recommendations, see http://www.travel.gc.ca/
- Visit the WHO webpage for international information: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Additional messages for schools
- There is no need to restrict any activities for any students who are well, or to cancel any school events or field trips to public spaces or events.
- Students who become ill following international travel can call 8-1-1 or contact a health care provider. Travel history and symptoms should be provided before attending an appointment.
- Face masks for students, staff or the general public are not recommended as a public health measure for novel coronavirus or other respiratory infections. However, use of masks is an individual choice. Many people wear them in an effort to protect themselves or others. It does not mean someone is ill.
- Students and staff who are ill or have symptoms should not attend school until they are well. This is a better prevention method than attending school while wearing a mask.
Dorothy Gallacher
Executive Assistant to the
Chief Medical Health Officer
Phone: 250.519.3406 | Local: 33406
Email: dorothy.gallacher@viha.ca
Web: www.islandhealth.ca
The ICBC Road Sense Kids Program
ICBC and Saanich police will be visiting Rogers on Friday, February 7th to discuss road safety with our primary students. Knowing how to safely cross the street at a roundabout, navigate a safer walking route to school, or be a responsible passenger are foundational skills for all future British Columbians. The ICBC Road Sense Kids resources facilitate the development of these skills for children between Preschool and Grade 10. The updated road safety resources incorporate the recent changes to the B.C. Ministry of Education’s curriculum requirements, including: • Incorporating Core Competencies, Big Ideas, and Learning Standards through the Know-Do-Understand model • Focusing on personal safety, personal awareness, and personal/social responsibility • Integrating the First Peoples Principles of Learning perspectives.
Teachers can select content that is appropriate for the needs of their students. This material is intended to provide teachers with age appropriate road safety content to augment the existing B.C. curriculum materials. Teachers choose the most relevant exercises and activities based on the needs of their students.
Access our complete catalogue of road safety resources online at: icbc.com/4teachers
FROM THE DESK OF THE SECRETARY-TREASURER
Dear parents/guardians,
As the Greater Victoria School District starts preparing the 2020-2021 budget, it is seeking input to develop a budget that reflects the needs of its learning community. The District is asking parents, staff, students and educational partners, how they can prioritize areas to support student success for all.
The District has launched an online engagement where participants can share their thoughts on budget priorities, view the ideas of others, and rate all ideas as they are posted in real-time.
To join the conversation visit: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/505170349
The online forum will close on February 5, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. All input provided will be presented at the February 10, 2020, Operations Policy and Planning Committee Meeting, and posted on the District website. The input received will be used to guide decision making for the 2020-2021 budget process.
Annual budget development allows an understanding of current investment in areas of success for students: literacy, numeracy, health and well-being and the path to reconciliation, while at the same time identifying areas of opportunity and emerging need to advance student success. In a complex organization, there are always compelling imperatives: climate emergency, diverse student passion and giftedness, growing enrolment, updated seismic ratings and aging infrastructure. Adding to the complexity, 2020-2021 will see a new funding model implemented in each school district in BC, as well as the District’s implementation of its catchment boundary review and renewed strategic plan.
The Greater Victoria School District is comprised of 47 schools that serve the communities of Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Victoria, View Royal, portions of Saanich and the Highlands, along with the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. It is proud to provide quality education for more than 20,000 students—including 1,000 international students from across the globe and over 650 adult learners.
For more information about the District’s annual budget visit: www.sd61.bc.ca/AnnualBudget
UPCOMING EVENTS at ROGERS:
Feb 10 – 18 – K-12 Student Transfer Process
Feb 14 – Pro D Day (school not in session)
Feb 17 – Family Day (school not in session)
Feb 20 – PAC Hot Lunch
Feb 26 – Pink Shirt Day
Feb 27 – Student led Conferences cancelled – moved to April 22
March 11 – PAC Hot Lunch
March 14-29 – Spring Break (school not in session)
March 30 – First day back after Spring Break
April 10 – 13 – Easter Break (school not in session)
April 16 – PAC Hot Lunch
April 22 – Student Led Conferences