This year we will continue with our school goal to focus on Critical Thinking.  Students are learning the language and learning how to explain their thinking.  Please help us by encouraging your child to think about their options, make a choice and explain their reasons.

We had an amazing experience on September 13th when the whole school came together.  The students were placed into 20 ‘family groupings’ (each group had Kindergarten to grade 6 students mixed together.)  We thank all the staff and parents that were able to participate and all the adults that were able to switch their schedules to participate in our event.  Susan Leslie, the District Principal of Aboriginal Education led the whole school through the process of refining what we believe represents Valleycliffe:  What is a community? What does Valleycliffe “feel like”, “sound like”, “look like”?

I am grateful to be part of such a rich, caring environment.  The students spoke from their hearts and were eloquent with their words to describe what we believe and how we want to be at Valleycliffe.  This is the beginning of the dialogue that will continue in the classrooms and on the playground.

Students shared with me about their experience: “I really liked getting to know more people.” “I like being a leader and helping the younger students.” “I felt happy.” “I liked painting.” “I now know more kids.”  “I saw my friends.” “I got to help my brother.”

Isolation to Collaboration, Reaction to Purpose and Focus, Compliance to Engagement     (Tony Wagner, 2005)

We hope everyone found time to relax and have fun.

The school is buzzing with excitement as staff are getting rooms ready, collaborating and learning together.

We welcome several new staff members to our Valleycliffe community: Breanne Roy (Intermediate), Will Prescott (ELL and Primary), Jodie Petruzzelli (District Counsellor), Heidi McClelland (Librarian and Intermediate).

September 4^th, 2018. (8:49-9:49) ONLY 1 hour.

All grade 1 to grade 6 students return to their last year’s classroom. New students to the school will join a same grade peer group Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Details of first day (hour).

8:47-warning bell, students go to classrooms while parents are invited to stay to have coffee/tea to mingle while the students reconnect with their classmates

8:49-attendance-classroom activities

9:20-school assembly in the gym

9:40-back to class to be dismissed (9:49)-please pick up your child outside after the teacher has dismissed them

September 5^th-6^th -7^th the students will return to same classroom. Kindergarten students will be attending scheduled mini-days this week. If your child goes home for lunch or leaves during lunch please send a note, this is a safety precaution for the school.

Friday, September 7^th we hope to have students placed into their enrolling classroom.

Outside supervision: The forest will be closed during outside breaks the first week of school September 5-6-7.

Thank you to everyone who was able to support the Living Classroom through the summer months. Your work was noticeable J certainly a testament to the Valleycliffe community that we care!

We also thank Trevor, Arnold and Jody for making our school sparkle. Everything is shiny.

Bells & PA system: Very excited we have new PA system-we can communicate outside and inside. NO more buzzer!! Our bell will ring at 8:47 start at 8:49, 10:53 start at 10:55 and 12:43 start time 12:45. Teachers will dismiss at 3:00, no bell.

Class placements: The staff will be creating classrooms and hopefully be ready by the end of the week.  Your child should know their classroom teacher by the end of Friday, September 7^th. Prior to Friday please organize a meeting place with your child as they may exit from a different room at the end of the day.

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and

to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of

true education.

Martin Luther King Jr.