Dear Parents and Guardians
Thank you to all the families who helped clean up the learning garden. The sod was removed along-side the fence to allow students to plant sunflowers along the fence. This will look lovely in the summer/fall!
I would like to share some survey results from our grade 4-6 students with you. Reasons to celebrate!
On Friday, we celebrated our volunteers. Bowcroft has had over 70 parents, grandparents, friends of Bowcroft and family members of teachers help with the many field trip days and in-class supports this year. We are grateful for each volunteer and the difference they made that day for some of our students. Without our volunteers, field trips wouldn’t happen. Without volunteers, some in-class activities wouldn’t happen. Without our German student teachers, who are unpaid, and, therefore, also volunteers, our German classes would have less exposure to German language and culture. This year, we have had seven young adults from Germany stepping into our German (and English) classrooms, working hard alongside our teachers.
Thank you for taking the time. Thank you, that Bowcroft School and our students matter so much to you! Danke!
CBE Student Survey Highlights
- There is at least one adult at school whom I really connect with: 100% for all 3 grades! (up from 75%).
- I like the kinds of physical activities I get to do at school: 90% (up from 61%)
- There are high expectations for me to be successful in my learning. 99% (up from 64%)
- I am proud to be a part of my school. 87% (up from 78%)
- The things I’m learning in school are meaningful to me. 88% (up from 74%)
- My school is a place where learning and extra-curricular activities are safe and accessible (physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially) to all students: 86%
- At school, I have opportunities to learn from the land: 91% (up from 88%)
- My teachers want me to be successful. 99% (up from 93%)
- I have confidence in myself as a learner. 77% (up from 64%)
- AT my school I learn about Indigenous ways of being, belonging, doing and knowing. 99% (up from 95%)
- I can see my culture reflected in my school. 74% (up from 55%). This goes hand in hand with the answer of “I feel a connection the texts (books, land, pictures, videos) I read and hear in class: 88% (up from 73%)
- At my school, I get to learn from Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers: 93% (92%)
- I am confident that I can learn mathematics: 90% (up from 86%) with 100% in grade 6
- I share my ideas and ask questions in mathematics class 80% (up from 66%)
- I know what to do next to improve in mathematics: 88% (up from 61%)
- I am responsible for myself and my actions: 99%
- I think it’s important to help other students when they need it 98%
- I recognize that it is my responsibility to help develop respect and understanding between Indigenous peoples and other Canadians: 97%
- I ask for help when I need it: 89% (up from 84%)
- I talk to my caregivers, friends, classmates and/or teachers about how I feel) 74% (up from 61%).
- I have strategies to help myself that I use if I feel stressed about school 78% (up from 66%)
As before, students admitted that they had too much screen time and didn’t get enough sleep. In order for you to help your child to sleep enough, having NO SCREENS in their bedrooms is essential. Phones and all technology should be in the family room/kitchen, away from the bedrooms and the children.
The overall trend of our grade 4 to 6 students is positive. The many clubs at lunch and the strong personal relationships our staff build with students has made a huge difference in the students’ well-being and overall enjoyment of coming to school.
Warm regards,
Meike Thomsen, Principal
Dates to Remember
May 13: BPAC, 6:30 PM; Ms. Mitchell, grade 5 community program, is presenting
May 15: Grade 1s field trip “A Paintbrush for Piccolo” at the Jack Singer concert hall
May 16: Non-Instruction Day, no school
May 19: Victoria Day, no school
May 22: Welcome to Kindergarten, 6:00-7:00PM
May 23: Chantal
May 26-30: Mr. Benty, German 2, 2School
May 26-30: Ms. Nacinovic, grade 2, Zoo school
May 28: Grade 6, PAT, EAL, PART A, 9-11am
June 2-6: Ms. Afshari, grade 2; Zoo school
June 2: Grade 6 to Open House at Thomas B. Riley School, 12:30 to 1:45pm
June 3: Thomas B. Riley School Open House; 6-7PM
June 10: BPACK, 6:30PM
June 13: Grade 6, PAT, Math, part A, 10:30-10:50am
June 16: Grade 6 PAT, ELA, part B, 9-10 am
June 17: Grade 6 PAT, Math, part B, 9-10:10 am
June 18: Grade 6 PAT, Social Studies, 9-10 am
June 24: Grade 6 Farewell, 2:30pm
June 26: Sports Day – LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
June 27: No school, organizational day