Junior School:Grades 1-6.

The Introductory Kinesiology class welcomed guest expert Sarah Latter from the Cleveland Clinic, who detailed her professional path transitioning from an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology to her current physiotherapy practice. The discussion focused on common athletic injuries affecting the ankle joint, providing our Grades 11 and 12 students with practical, real-world context. The session concluded with a valuable hands-on opportunity to learn and practice the fundamental techniques of ankle taping to provide structural support. It was an informative and highly practical workshop!

Earlier today during Junior School Community Time, the Grad Class Presidents and members of our Student Council led an activity related to food insecurity which provided an impactful, hands-on learning opportunity for our Grades 1-6 students. After hearing about what food insecurity is, students divided into groups and were given popsicle sticks representing $50. They were tasked with purchasing a week’s worth of items to feed a family of four.

Key takeaways from the Junior School students included:
-It was hard to decide what to buy
-They didn’t have enough money for a balanced diet, or enough for a week of food
-The less expensive food wasn’t as nutritious (for example, students wanted more protein, but it was too costly)

Before the Grades 1-6 students returned to their classrooms, the senior students who led the activity presented some important prompts to continue the discussions. These included an appreciation of the privilege of having enough food to eat; the question of what happens for people experiencing food insecurity over the rest of the year, not just at Thanksgiving or around other holidays; and an explanation of why, as vital as Food Banks are as a resource, they don’t help alleviate the root causes of food insecurity and poverty.

Thank you to the senior leaders who helped facilitate this important and timely learning!

Over the past few weeks, Grades 1-3 have been observing the butterfly life cycle, starting from tiny eggs, to caterpillars, then chrysalides, and finally, butterflies!

The butterfly container was placed near the Learning Lounge, allowing all students to ask questions and witness the transformation up close.

Last Friday, one of the butterflies emerged! Students and staff gathered in the side yard to release it. 🦋

The Grade 4s have been learning all about the diverse ways to represent four-digit numbers in Math class recently. Understanding that various ways of representing or showing a number can make it easier to see different things about that number (like if it’s even or odd, half of another number, or double another number), the class then counted on incorporating collaboration to further illustrate this. Small teams of students drew out representations of four-digit numbers and then shared their findings with their peers!

Today, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Junior School students led an assembly to share what they have learned about this important day and how we can honour those impacted by residential schools.

In the Junior School, students and staff have been learning about the histories and lived experiences of Indigenous children and families through books by author Phyllis Webstad.

Across the school, students are engaging in conversations about Orange Shirt Day and exploring Indigenous works. The Grade 8 students, for example, have been reading and analyzing the powerful poem by Rita Joe, I Lost My Talk.

As the Junior School Clementines shared in assembly:

“Whether you`re in Grade 1 or Grade 12, each of us has a role to play in making sure everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

So today, let’s listen with open hearts, ask thoughtful questions, and remember that learning about the truth helps us create a better future for everyone.”