Newsletter #1 - September 1st, 2022 | |
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Dear Falkland Families,
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year at Falkland School. I certainly hope you had a summer full of fun, friends, family and adventure. We are looking very forward to seeing all our students return on Wednesday, September 7th for a full day of school. While school will be open on Tuesday, September 6th, this is a day of school for staff only. If you would like to revisit the information emailed home at the end of June, please CLICK HERE.
At this time, we welcome 12 new kindergarten students and 9 new students to the community which brings our total student enrollment to 119. A special "Welcome to the Wolfpack" to these students and their families. We wish our 8 students heading off to high school best wishes as they transition into grade 9. We also wish our several students, along with their families, who have moved to other communities, the very best. You all will be missed.
Based on our current enrollment, I am happy to report that the district approved a 6th division to start off the school year temporarily. You can read more about our configuration below. If by chance students do not return as expected, and we can fit into five divisions, we may need to reorganize. Ms. Gudmundson will be working in the temporary 6th division until the position is filled, if approved that is. We will know more about this additional division by the end of the first week.
There are several ways we keep parents informed of the happenings at our school: e-newsletters, weekly emails, our website, and Facebook. Posts on our website automatically go on our Facebook page so please LIKE or FOLLOW US on Facebook. Please feel free to email me at scull@sd83.bc.ca if you require information or have questions. I can also be reached by phone 250-379-2320 between 8:00 am and 2:30 pm.
School fees, which include school supplies for classroom use, are due before Friday, September 30th. Your prompt payment is appreciated as it allows us to replenish our budget quickly for the purchase of learning resources needed for the start of the school year. CLICK HERE for our fee schedule. Combined fees include $56 for Division 1 (school supplies, performance fee, agenda, lock rental), $53 for Division 2 (school supplies, performance fee, agenda) and $45 for our other divisions (school supplies, performance fee only).
Please CLICK HERE to review the Public Health Guidance for all schools in BC from the BCCDC. You can access the Provincial COVID-19 Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Schools HERE. Parents are requested to continue health checks prior to sending their children to school. Sanitizer will be made available at the entrances to the school and in classrooms for student use. Staying home when sick and practicing regular hand hygiene continues to be important measures for ensuring the health of everyone. Please ensure the school has current contact information for yourself and your designated emergency contacts.
The focus of this e-newsletter will be the USUAL important information at start up for students and parents at our school. These processes, procedures and routines are in place to ensure our school is safe, caring and orderly. While much of this information is the same as what was provided in past school years, please ensure you re-familiarize yourself with them so you can help your child find success.
As always, I welcome your thoughts, questions, suggestions, or any concerns regarding all aspects of Falkland School.
Warmest Regards,
Mrs. Cull
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Transportation App for Parents
CLICK HERE for information about a new app for parents of students who access SD83 transportation. There is a new school bus app called Traversa Ride 360 (also known as Tyler’s My Ride K-12).
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Rather than sending bus information postcards in the mail, parents and students can now access real-time data to access bus stop locations, assigned routes, and scheduled pick up and drop off times. This app is accessible on mobile devices and the web, is confidential and secure, is fully integrated with student transportation and GPS, and the GPS geolocation shows when to expect the bus each day. CLICK HERE to access the sign up steps. You will need your child's unique pupil number which can be obtained by calling transportation at 250-832-9415 or the school 250-379-2320. | |
Visitors and Volunteers
We would like to take this opportunity to remind parents that all visitors to our school MUST sign in at the office. To speak to Mrs. Cull or your child's teacher, it is best to make an appointment. We value the opportunity to address matters promptly (same day) as this is ideal in any problem solving scenario. Please call the office (250-379-2320) to make an appointment with Mrs. Cull or your child's classroom teacher.
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Mrs. Cull likes to be accessible to parents. If you do not yet have her cell phone number, you can contact the office to request it. A quick text or phone call is encouraged to help answer any questions or queries you may have. CLICK HERE to access the problem solving process for SD83 parents. | |
If you would like to volunteer in our school, please contact our school secretary for information and a link to complete the criminal record check process. This online process does take time so please complete it sooner than later if you have a desire to volunteer. Thank you! | |
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At our year end assembly we said farewell to teachers Amber Gudmunson, Julia Albano, Ryan Smithson, Cindy MacKinnon, our custodian Andy Clark, our StrongStart facilitator Krystie Vipond and our secretary Dani Hickman. Since then, Monique Richoux accepted a position at another school and will not be returning this school year. We wish her the very best in her new assignment. We are excited to have all our 7 CEAs return.
A special welcome back to Falkland School to Amber Gudmundson, who accepted a .3 position and Krystie Vipond who will be facilitating StrongStart three mornings a week and supporting in our kindergarten class on some afternoons. Welcome welcome welcome back! Marcy Corke, previously LRT and Librarian, will be teaching in our grade 1/2 class. We have postings out for the following positions: Learning Resource Teacher, Library, counsellor, music, custodian and secretary. We welcome Karlee VanHoof temporarily in the secretary role until it gets filled as well as custodian Andy Clark, also temporarily until the posting gets filled.
CLICK HERE to view our staffing and their related assignments.
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Bell Schedule 2022 - 2023
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We are required to provide a minimum amount of instructional hours in the school year. In kindergarten, the minimum hours are 859. This is less than other grades in order to accommodate a gradual kindergarten entry. In grades 1 - 7, the minimum hours are 878. In grade 8, the minimum hours are 952.
The number of minutes per day is dependent on the number of calendar days there are in the school year. This school year, there are more calendar days between start up and the last day of school so we have reduced our minutes per day. We also have to keep in mind district wide agreed upon time for morning and afternoon instruction.
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CLICK HERE to access our bell schedule for the 2022-2023 school year. In order to promote a classroom community in Division 1 (home of grade 8s) all students in the class follow the schedule set out for the grade 8 students. This helps to build a more cohesive classroom culture. | |
Calendar 2022-2023
CLICK HERE to access the 2022-2023 SD 83 calendar containing statutory holidays and professional development days. Please ensure these important dates, including early dismissal (June 29 - 4 hours early) and our conferencing date (Wednesday, October 26) are in your family calendar. There is no school for students on the conferencing date.
In addition to the conferencing date of Wednesday, October 26th, other reporting dates include:
Wednesday, November 30th - written learning update
Wednesday, March 8th - written learning update
Week of April 24th - additional learning update
Thursday, June 29th - written summary of learning
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Staff work very hard, given the constraints of class size and composition, on a variety of scenarios to best meet the educational needs of our students school wide. | |
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When one grade is split into two classrooms, we work hard as a staff to consider the best learning environment for your children. Our goal is to create balanced classrooms taking into account social emotional factors, friendship issues, sibling issues, class size, and then the strengths and needs for the overall composition of the class. Academic reasons are also considered, however, learning standards from all the grade levels in a class will be addressed. Providing a rich, meaningful educational experience is important in every classroom. We know that change is difficult, but your trust in our staff and our rationale in student placement is important to us and much appreciated. Thank you parents who contacted me to provide input about their child's placement. This is also something that is considered.
Division 6 (Grade K/1) Mrs. McAfree
Division 5 (Grade 1/2) Ms. Corke
Division 4 (Grade 2/3) TBA - Ms. Gudmundson temporarily
Division 3 (Grade 4/5) Miss Minchenko
Division 2 (Grade 5/6) Mrs. Celesta
Division 1 (Grade 7/8) Mr. Clarke
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Our next PAC meeting is on Wednesday, September 14th at 2:30 pm. Elections will be taking place for several of the following positions:
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Directors
Student Planning Council
DPAC Rep
Hot Lunch Coordinator
All parents are welcome. Please contact Adina Clements, President (250-463-5750), Megan Jackson, Vice President (250-379-2527), or Shelly Cull (250-379-2320) to discuss ways you can get involved and contribute to your child's school experience.
For additional PAC related information you check out the following Facebook Pages:
CLICK HERE for information specific to parents - parents only Facebook page.
CLICK HERE for PAC's community Facebook page - anyone can join.
You can also check out updates on our website www.fal.sd83.bc.ca. Past Meeting Minutes, Agendas, Principal Reports and Treasurer Reports can be found HERE or under the PARENT tab.
PAC has their first fundraiser of the school year already in motion with apples from Davison Orchards. Information will be sent home in the first week of school. Orders are due on Wednesday, September 28th and will be delivered on Friday, October 14th.
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When you advocate on behalf of your child, the way in which you express your concerns has an effect on the outcome. CLICK HERE to learn more about the steps to follow when you have a concern. You can access the parent brochure HERE.
It is important to address concerns in a timely manner so they can get solved and a common understanding can be achieved. It is important that students perceive staff and parents working together as partners in supporting their learning.
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Movement Pathways at Falkland School
We are very excited about our new outdoor movement pathways that several volunteers helped paint on Monday, August 29th. CLICK HERE to access the thank you message to our volunteers and some pictures on our website. A special thank you to Traoy Ricard and his team at the Falkland Fire Department for pressure washing the pathways in advance. This was an initiative we started at the start of last school year. This will definately compliment that pathways we created last school year in our hallways. To check out pictures of our indoor pathways installed last year, CLICK HERE.
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Supervision
Please note there is NO SUPERVISION at the school prior to 8:00 am and after 2:27 pm when our bus leaves.
Students should arrive to school after 8:00 am. Students are to stay outside until our morning bell at 8:12 am. Teachers will meet students at their outside line up when instruction starts at 8:15 am (and 8:08 for Div. 1).
BEFORE SCHOOL: Breakfast Club is open to all students each morning at 8:00 am until the morning bell. In order to allow for sufficient spacing, students will be encouraged to eat their breakfast outside, weather permitting, and/or leave once finished eating to make space for additional students. Full bellies help students be ready for learning.
RECESS: At least two teachers are on duty at recess time. The far field is restricted to students in grades 6/7/8.
LUNCH: At least two lunch hour supervisors are on duty during eating time and outside during lunch playtime. In addition to the two LHSs, we also have scheduled many CEAs to support students in their problem solving endevours.
AFTER SCHOOL: Students are to head home promptly at the end of day bell. Supervision is available for bus students until 2:27 pm or whenver the bus leaves. Students are more than welcome to return to school after 2:30 pm at the descretion and supervision of their parents.
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Student Use of Office Phone | Students are able to access the office phone to make calls home if deemed necessary by the classroom teacher. Phone passes are provided by the classroom teacher and we prefer calls are made home during the break times. Due to the volume of phone calls at the end of the day, the phone in the office is not available for students to make after school arrangements. Please ensure after school plans are in place in advance for students. | |
We are more than happy to deliver a message to your child regarding after school arrangements if necessary. If you need to reach your child during the day while at school, please call the office and leave a message if no one picks up. Our school secretary will deliver the message to your child. Please do not leave messages regarding transportation after 1:30 pm as we cannot guarantee we will be able to get the message to your child before the end of the day. If your child has a cell phone, it must be kept in their backpack while at school, even during breaks. You can read more about our use of personal technology below. Please contact the office if you need to reach your child during the school day. | |
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Students are able to arrive to school anytime after 8:00 am.
WALKING: Students are expected to enter and leave the school grounds by using one of the three openings in our chain linked fence. Please DO NOT have your child enter using the parking lot entrance at any time. Students are expected to use pathways and avoid walking through the parking lot.
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Please remember our walkways are for walking only to ensure safe travel for students, staff and visitors. Parents are permitted to enter our school grounds before and after school briefly for pick up and drop off. If you come into the school, please be sure to check in at the office. | |
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BY VEHICLE: Due to limited parking for staff, we ask that parents do not enter the parking lot to drop off their child. We ask that visitors park along Tuktakamin, our frontage road. It is encouraged that parents drop their children off on the school side of Tuktakamin Road near one of the three openings in our chain linked fence. Students are expected to enter the school grounds immediately using the openings in our chain linked fence, not the parking lot entrance please.
BY BIKES/SCOOTERS/SKATEBOARDS: Students are expected to dismount their bikes/scooters/skateboards at one of the three openings in our chain linked fence and walk their bikes/scooters/skateboards along the pathways. Helmets must be worn. Bikes must be locked up at the bike racks. Scooters and skateboards can be stored in the office if there is no room in the classroom. Students are not allowed to ride their bikes/scooters/skateboards on school grounds during the school day. Students are asked to walk their bikes/scooters/skateboards along the pathway to one of the openings in our chain linked fence to leave the school ground at the end of the day.
BY BUS: Students are dropped off at the school just after 8:00 am. At the end of the school day bus students are asked to place their backpacks in a line up at the flag pole. Students can play on the small playground while they wait for the bus.
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We are a mask friendly environment. If students, staff or guests choose to wear a mask, their choice will be respected. | |
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Waterbottles
Due to the install of our two water bottle filling stations at our school, there is no access to water fountains. These have replaced the water fountains on the main and upper levels of our school. All students need to have a waterbottle at all times at school. Clean and filled waterbottles are important for students to have at school. Students are able to access our handsfree waterbottle filling stations when needed. However, students are encouraged to bring their water bottle home at the end of each day for a clean and a refill. This will help to minimize the number of unsupervised students in the hallway.
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Washroom Access
As part of our usual classroom management practices, the number of students out of the room at any given time is limited to one. Teachers will develop a sign in and sign out procedure as usual. The number of students in each washroom is limited to the number of stalls in each washroom. Washroom use in the case of an emergency will not be denied. Our traditional StrongStart washroom is available for students in an emergency situation and is also an option for students who prefer a gender neutral space.
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Leaving Early and Arriving Late - please contact the office | Falkland School is a closed campus which means that once students arrive at school they must remain on school grounds for the rest of the day. Students are not permitted to leave school grounds during the instructional day, unless accompanied by their parent. If you need to pick your child up early or are arriving late, after the first bell, please ensure you check in at the office to ensure our sign in and out procedures can be followed. | |
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Reporting Absences
Please contact the office by phone (250-379-2320) or email (fal@sd83.bc.ca) if your child is absent. For safe arrival purposes, please contact the office anytime before 8:30 am. Do not contact your child's classroom teacher to report your child's absence. Please include the reason for their absence in your message. If your child is unwell, it is important to note your child's symptoms in case other students are absent with similar symptoms. While reasons for your child's absence are confidential, they help us determine additional cleaning and disinfecting that may be required in the case of a respiratory or gastrointenstinal outbreak at the school.
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Use of Computer, Internet and Personal Devices |
Wi-Fi is available throughout the school and can be accessed on personal devices. In order for students to access it on their personal device, parents must give their consent on Parent Connect and students on Student Connect after agreeing to the Digital Citizenship Policy. Students are not permitted to share their login password or use another student's login and password to sign in. | |
We support the use of personal devices for educational use in our older grades. However, if students choose to bring their device to school, the school is not responsible if it gets lost, broken or stolen. We encourage students in our younger grades to leave all technology at home. | |
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If students bring technology to school, it should NOT be visible at any time during the school day, including recess and lunch. Personal devices should be kept in backpacks or lockers (Div 1) unless they have the expressed consent and supervision of their teacher for its educational use in class. | | |
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Smoking/Tobacco/Vaping Products | Healthy school and workplace environments are essential to the quality of learning and working. In accordance with School District policy, Falkland School and its grounds are smoke-free (including our parking lot while in your vehicle) at all times - evenings and weekends. The use or possession of tobacco or vapour products by any student is a Bottom Line Behaviour and is immediately referred to school administration where, as with all bottom line behaviours, School District Policy, 1030.10, Student Suspensions, will be implemented. | | |
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First Aid and Administration of Medication | Serious first aid will be administered by staff with First Aid Training. In the event of a serious injury or illness, parents will be contacted. If parents cannot be reached then the emergency contact person you identified will be contacted. | |
If your child has a medical condition and has been prescribed medication that needs to be administered during the school day, please contact the office to complete the required forms. We are unable to administer any medication without the required documentation in place. Please do not send medications to school, prescription or otherwise, with your child, unless it is part of a school medical plan developed in collaboration with the school principal. | |
Peanuts are Allowed at School | We did not receive notice of any life threatening peanut allergies this school year. So until such time that we do, students ARE allowed to bring food containing peanuts to school. | |
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Thanks to the generosity of our community and continued support of the Rotary Club, we are able to keep our breakfast and lunch top up program in place for the 2022-2023 school year. Donations of eggs, milk, bread, yogurt, fruit, cereal and other healthy options for breakfast are welcome as well. Students can access the Breakfast Club (StrongStart Space - Rm 29) when they arrive to school at 8:00 am. Students are encouraged to eat their breakfast outside weather permitting and to leave the room once they are done to allow space for others. | | |
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Spray deodorant and perfumes are not permitted to be used in the school due to allergic reactions from students and staff. We ask that students and guests in the school be mindful, before entering our building, of the impact strong smells have on others and avoid the use of strong perfumes. Thank you! | |
Students are expected to have a pair of shoes designated for inside use available to wear while inside the building only. Non marking running shoes are preferred so they can be used in the gymnasium during PE. This helps to keep students safe and our school much cleaner. | |
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Thank you for your cooperation. In case of emergencies, shoes must be worn at all times, sock feet are not permitted. | | |
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Nutrition and Healthy Choices | There is an established link between good nutrition, healthy development and academic achievement. In accordance with School District policy, Falkland School supports and promotes healthy nutrition. This is a responsibility shared with parents. We will continue to educate students about the benefits of eating nutritious foods and encouraging nutritious food choices. | |
To this end, we ask that you not send foods/drinks with large amounts of sugar to school. Please do not send your child to school with candy or pop or pop like drinks, such as ice tea, some flavoured carbonated and non-carbonated waters, including vitamin water, sports drinks, etc. Did you know there can be as much sugar in fruit juice as a can of pop? We kindly request you send your child to school with water in a reusable water bottle. Water is recommended as the drink of choice in the newest Canadian Food Guide 2019. | |
We encourage recycling and compost at school. Until we get student leaders organized to take this on, we ask that students continue to take their recycling and food compost from their lunches home each day. | |
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Weather/Air Quality Policy | |
Students stay healthier and learn better with opportunities to play in fresh air during play times. It is important that students come to school prepared for the weather - sun, rain, snow, warm, cold, hot. In the winter months particularly, please send your children to school with gloves, toques, winter boots and warm coats. It is up to the Principal to decide whether conditions indicate that students should stay indoors (ie. too wet, windy, smokey or cold). Our guideline for weather too cold for outside play is colder than -13.
The air quality health index tool will be monitored closely and our ability to access the outdoors for vigorous play may be limited. Again, it is up to the Principal to decide whether conditions indicate a change in usual practice.
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Each year, we conduct safety drills to ensure we practice and are prepared in the event of a real emergency. Each year we conduct 6 fire drills (3 in the Fall and 3 in the Spring), 2 earthquake drills, and 1 lockdown drill in case of intruder. Our first firedrill is on Wednesday, September 21st. Our first earthquake drill is on Thursday, October 20th, in line with the nation wide Great Shake Out. | |
Student Code of Conduct and Violent Risk Threat Assessment | |
Click HERE to access information about our Student Code of Conduct, Discipline Philosophy and Bottom Line Behaviours.
Included is a Fair Notice document outlining our Violent Risk Threat Assessment protocol and procedure in School District 83. To keep our school and community safe staff, parents, students and community members MUST report all threat-related behaviours (verbal and/or written, online and/or on paper) to the school principal to ensure a response, utilizing the appropriate authorities, occurs. Threats are taken seriously, investigated thoroughly and responded to accordingly.
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The North Okanagan-Shuswap School District policy ensures all students dress in a respectful manner which is appropriate and conducive to a positive as well as safe learning environment. Appropriate dress is considered to be that which:
- Is safe and respectful of self and others;
- Is free of any reference which promotes alcohol, drugs, gangs, hate, obscenity, profanity, racism/discrimination, sex and/or violence;
- Is not disturbing or distracting to others within the school setting;
- Is similar to office or retail workplace attire.
At Falkland School appropriate coverage is expected in all learning environments (playground, classroom and gymnasium). Students wearing clothing which is too revealing, including bare backs, bare midriffs, spaghetti straps, plunging necklines, muscle shirts, or clothing not suitable for the task at hand, will be asked to wear something more appropriate, or be given something to wear.
Underwear needs to be under your outerwear, and therefore, should not be visible. Footwear must be worn at all times. Inside shoes are mandatory for all students to be sure our school stays clean.
We ask that hats and hoods be removed once students enter the building. Hats and hoods may be worn during breaks and lunches while outside.
In conclusion…please, Dress For Success.
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Orange Shirt Day - Thurs., Sept. 29th | Orange Shirt day is on Friday, September 30th. Due to the recent announcement of September 30th as a new annual statutory day to commemorate the history and ongoing trauma caused by residential schools and to honour those who were lost and the survivors, families and communities who continue to grieve, students and staff at Falkland School will hold Orange Shirt Day on Thursday, September 29th. | |
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Students and staff are encouraged to wear an orange shirt in support of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. Teachers will be providing age appropriate learning opportunities to better understand the impact residential schools had on children and families. | | |
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2022 Terry Fox Run - Fri., Sept. 23rd | |
Students and Staff will be participating in our annual Terry Fox Run on Friday, September 23rd. We will learn about Terry's contributions and participate in a run. More information will come soon.
We will be collecting loonies or toonies to send off to the Terry Fox Foundation.
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FSA Administration - Mon., Oct. 3rd - Wed., Nov. 9th | |
The Foundation Skills Assessment is an annual province-wide assessment of all B.C. students’ academic skills in grades 4 and 7, and provides parents, teachers, schools, school districts and the Ministry of Education with important information on how well students are progressing in the foundation skills of Reading, Writing, and Numeracy. Administration of this assessment starts on or after October 3rd and will be completed by Nov. 9th. A schedule and more information will come out closer to the end of September to parents of students in grades 4 and 7 with more information.
CLICK HERE for more information about the FSA.
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Information about StrongStart at Falkland School
Welcome Krystie Vipond, our new StrongStart Facilitator. StrongStart is a parent participation program for children 0 - 5. Our Falkland School StrongStart will be open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings (exact times will be communicated at a later time). Please register your child by calling the school at 250-379-2320. CLICK HERE to access more information about StrongStart from the School District.
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FALKLAND SCHOOL | 5732 TUKTAKAMIN ROAD, FALKLAND BC
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