Our Vision is Run to Be Here, and our Mission Statement is ASPIRE.  This week we are focusing on one of our three Values: Safety.  We’re not just talking Covid 19 safety which does take up a lot of our time right now.  We want our students to be safe physically and emotionally.  This is a commitment of all our staff and something we work on every day with support from families and the community as well. 

New mask rules:  Students must now wear masks in their classrooms unless sitting at their desk or eating/drinking.  They must now also wear them in the gym during P.E. 

PAC Fundraiser: DFS fundraiser will be running for the month of March. To check out the fundraiser go www.shopdfscanada.com our 4 digit school code is 7617. Everything will be labeled when shipped so make sure you put your child’s name when ordering. They are Canadian and have some great springtime products.  The West Coast Seed order has been shipped.  We will notify you as soon as they arrive.  Next Virtual PAC meeting March 8 at 7 p.m.

Mrs. Wallace’s Learning Commons Update: March Madness: Battle of the Books has moved into the semi-finals!  Voting is open and will be available until Thursday, March 4 at https://bit.ly/37QkIfk.  Please encourage your student to vote.  Munro Books generously donated book prizes and there will be 1 prize winner drawn each week from participants.

• Freedom to Read week, an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom, which is guaranteed them under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, was Feb. 21-27, 2021.  Freedom to read can never be taken for granted. Even in Canada, a free country by world standards, books and magazines are banned at the border. Schools and libraries are regularly asked to remove books and magazines from their shelves. Few of these stories make headlines, but they affect the right of Canadians to decide for themselves what they choose to read.  Check out this interactive map of where 35 written works have been challenged across Canada and talk to your student about intellectual freedom.
• February 17 was I Read Canadian day – a National day of celebration of Canadian books for young people!  We celebrated the day by highlighting many of our Canadian books from the school library and we still have them on display.  How many Canadian books do you read?  There are lots of lists of great Canadian literature available, check out: The Canadian Children’s Book Centre, the Forest of Reading Awards, and BC’s Red Cedar Book Awards just to name a few.  Happy Reading!

March Madness Theme continues – March 11 we are planning events for all students and staff to be involved in at school.  The school will be divided into morning and afternoon events and all activities will have health and safety protocols in place.   More info coming out next week!

Registration Date: Hockey Academy sign-up for the 2021-22 school year begins on March 8.  Please sign up online (see this website for information)

Monday

Zone rotation.

FAST rotation #4 begins today.  Students will begin go their new classes.  Assessments for FAST #3 are available on the parent portal of MyEd on March 12.

Tuesday 

Skateboarding Club – First Lunch students with signed waivers and proper gear. No exceptions to any of the rules. Listen to announcements each morning for additional opportunities.

Wednesday

Skateboarding Club – Second Lunch students with signed waivers and proper gear. No exceptions to any of the rules.  Listen to announcements each morning for additional opportunities.

Thursday 

Friday

School Spirit Day – Tropical Thunder!

Last Day to order Burger Lunch for March 10.  Order forms are in the office.

Run to be Here/Wear your Mask/Be Safe 

Daily Health Check – please remember to follow the DHC and not send your child to school if they are not well.  If a student becomes unwell, or tells us they are unwell, at school, they will wait for pick up in our Supervision Room which is sanitized between guests.  Up to two students can be in the room at one time (physically distanced and masked).  Masks – please continue to provide and remind your child to bring a mask to school each day.

Sooke Public Health is pleased to be able to offer your child’s eligible vaccines at Journey Middle School on Thursday March 11, 2021.  The vaccines will only be given to your child if we have written parental consent on file.  If you have not sent in a written consent to the school, and wish the vaccine to be given to your child, please send a signed consent to the school before the deadline March 8, 2021.

To ensure the vaccine experience is as pleasant as possible please:

1. Have your child wear a short sleeve shirt to school
2. Have your child eat a nutritious meal before school

Gr. 7 parents please note Public Health Nurses will be offering eligible booster vaccines to students on March 11.  If you signed a consent form when your child was in Gr. 6, you do not need to send a second consent to the school.

Please call Sooke Health Unit @ 250-519-3487 if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you

Sooke Public Health

Our Vision is Run to Be Here, and our Mission Statement is ASPIRE.  This week we are focusing on one of our three Values: Kindness.  This is a value we strive to show each and every day, but even more so this week and on Pink Shirt Day.  We believe we live in a kind town and go to school where kindness is valued and noticed. 

 Pizza Day Gone Wild!  The company we ordered pizza from unfortunately forgot to make our pizzas!  Thank you to Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Crocker for quickly coming to the rescue and although each child got at least one piece, it wasn’t what they were expecting.  The majority of students were patient and understanding.  Students who ordered, and did not request their money back, will receive a free burger lunch March 10 if they fill out their Free Burger Order Form (ask your teacher).  This program is not run by our PAC.

 Equipment and Puzzles – We are still accepting exercise equipment amillen@sd62.bc.ca and/or gently used puzzles jcrow@sd62.bc.ca.  

Mrs. Wallace’s Learning Commons Update:

We have now completed our school-based Skills Canada competitions where students made gravity cars, wind turbines, or spaghetti bridges.  This was all leading up to the regional Skills Canada BC competitions which will be streamed from Camosun in early March.  It was amazing to see so many students using their design thinking skills to have a hands-on learning experience.  Not to mention all the core competencies that were in action – talk about perseverance!  Lots of fun and laughter were experienced as well!  Each competition has teams moving onto regionals: 4 gravity cars, 5 wind turbines, and 3 spaghetti bridges.  Winners will be announced on Monday during the announcements.  Congratulations to all participants!

Registration Date: Hockey Academy sign-up for the 2021-22 school year begins on March 8.  Please sign up online (see this website for information)

Monday

Last week of FAST rotation #3  Assessments will be available on MyEd on or before March 12.

Tuesday

Skateboarding Club – First Lunch students with signed waivers and proper gear. No exceptions to any of the rules. Listen to announcements each morning for additional opportunities.

Wednesday 

 Pink Shirt Day– Students and staff are encouraged to wear pink today!  Activities have been happening over the last several weeks to celebrate kindness.  Today each student and staff member will receive a nut free kindness cookie (gluten and dairy free also available upon request).  Watch for our Pink Flag with staff and student signatures on it flying on our BC flag pole (hopefully the wind will be blowing).

Skateboarding Club – Second Lunch students with signed waivers and proper gear. No exceptions to any of the rules.  Listen to announcements each morning for additional opportunities.

Thursday

Grade 7 FSA online testing

Sooke Parents Education Advisory Council (SPEAC) is sponsoring a workshop for parents about raising an anti-racist child tonight 7-8:30 p.m.  Sign up at www.eventbrite.ca/e/135450264387 if interested.

 Friday

Grade 7 FSA online testing

Fire Drill 11:30 a.m.

School Spirit Day – Dress like FOOD (who comes up with these ideas?)

Run to be Here/Wear your Mask/Be Kind

Daily Health Check – please remember to follow the DHC and not send your child to school if they are not well.  If a student becomes unwell, or tells us they are unwell, at school, they will wait for pick up in our Supervision Room which is sanitized between guests.  Up to two students can be in the room at one time (physically distanced and masked).  Masks – please continue to provide and remind your child to bring a mask to school each day.

Please see the link for the February 24th Career Discovery Expo #Dream Big.

We had a little difficulty with our order today and our staff worked to make the best of the situation.  A shout out to our students who were very understanding as we explained the situation and most classes received a second piece to help make up for it all.  For the classes who did not, or if an order was incorrect (ie: gluten free) we will find a way to make their next lunch day enjoyable!  A reminder for all that our PAC does not do lunch program and it is our staff who took on the project to make our student’s lives a little brighter!  Thank you again for your understanding.

Please see the link for Spring Break Adventure camp from Westcoast Adventure College.

Our Vision is Run to Be Here, and our Mission Statement is ASPIRE.  This week we are focusing on one of our three Values: Respect. Are our actions and words respectful to the people at Journey, in the community of Sooke, and in the world? 

 February is Black History month, which is a great opportunity for students to learn about past and present Social Justice issues. “Justice is the concept of fairness. Social justice is fairness as it manifests in society.” (https://www.humanrightscareers.com/)

Congratulations to Division 13 for creating a powerful presentation on Black History. Students reflected on the role Ruby Bridges played in Kamala Harris becoming the first female, first African American and the first Asian American Vice President of the USA. They also wrote their ideas, thoughts and opinions about the treatment of African slaves in Canada during the period between 1600 and 1834.  After reading and viewing the presentation, it is evident that students believe that people of all different skin colours should be treated equally and with respect and dignity.

Please remind your child that they must sign in and out of the office if they are arriving late or leaving early.  This allows us to keep students accounted for and safe.   Please phone  ahead of time if you are picking your child up early and then again when you are in the parking lot and we will send them from the office to you.  

Do you have exercise equipment collecting dust in your garage? Would you like to find a new home for it? Ms. Millen is looking for exercise bikes, spin bikes, and/or elliptical trainers for students to use for exercise breaks in the support room. If you have any of these items and you would like to donate them please contact Ms. Andrea Millen at amillen@sd62.bc.ca

If anyone has any jigsaw puzzles languishing on the shelf that they would like to donate it would be greatly appreciated. Around 40-250 pieces would be wonderful. Please send to school or email Ms. Janice Crow at jcrow@sd62.bc.ca 

Mrs. Wallace’s Learning Commons Update:

Skills Canada competitions are entering the last week before we submit school results to regionals.  Ask your student about their experiences creating gravity cars, wind turbines, or spaghetti bridges.  A lot of learning, design thinking and fun have been going on in our school!

We are entering the second week of March Madness: Battle of the Books!  New match ups will be shared with students on the announcements on Tuesday.  Voting for week 2 will be available until Thursday, Feb. 18 at https://bit.ly/3pgl6dc.  Please encourage your student to vote.  Munro Books generously donated book prizes and there will be 1 prize winner drawn each week from participants.

Monday – Happy Family Day

Tuesday 

Skateboarding Club – First Lunch students with signed waivers and proper gear. No exceptions to any of the rules. Listen to announcements each morning for additional opportunities.

EMCS – grade 8s should have signed up for all their grade 9 courses for next year by 4 p.m. today.

Cohort Assemblies: Block 2 – Divs. 12/18 Block 4 – Divs. 5/6

Wednesday 

Pizza Lunch Day – pre-ordered, individual lunches delivered to classrooms at lunch

Skateboarding Club – Second Lunch students with signed waivers and proper gear. No exceptions to any of the rules.  Listen to announcements each morning for additional opportunities.

Cohort Assemblies: Block 2 – Divs. 7/8/9; Block 4 – Divs. 1/2; Block 5 – 3/4

Thursday 

Grade 7 FSA online testing

Cohort Assemblies: Block 1 – Divs. 10/14; Block 2 – Divs. 17/18; Block 3 – Divs. 13/20; Block 4 – Divs. 15/16; Block 5 – Divs. 11/21

 Friday 

Grade 7 FSA online testing 

School Spirit Day – Crazy Hair Day

Run to be Here/Wear your Mask/Be Respectful

 Daily Health Check – please remember to follow the DHC and not send your child to school if they are not well.  If a student becomes unwell, or tells us they are unwell, at school, they will wait for pick up in our Supervision Room which is sanitized between guests.  Up to two students can be in the room at one time (physically distanced and masked).  Masks – please continue to provide and remind your child to bring a mask to school each day.

Due to the ongoing pandemic and initial rollout of COVID vaccine, public health has postponed some Grade 6 and 9 immunizations originally planned for January and February. This delay is temporary and follows the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) guidelines for the school age immunization program. Immunizations will resume in the coming weeks and continue until the end of the school year, resulting in immunizations being offered to all Grade 6 and 9 students before the end of June. If you have any questions, please contact your local public health unit at 250-519-3490 and ask to speak to a School Nurse.

Our Vision is Run to Be Here, and our Mission Statement is ASPIRE.  This week we are on the “E”, Explore Cool Stuff!  Even during this time of restrictions due to the pandemic, staff and students are still finding ways to explore new information and ways to learn in an interesting way.  We can hardly wait to have our World-Famous Exploratory Program up and running again! 

Updated mask protocol from the PHO – students must now wear masks at all times when physical distancing is not possible.  Before this new announcement they could be mask free in their classrooms, but now have to wear them as soon as they get up from their desk, and outside if they are not distanced (even in their cohort).  Please remind your child to bring a mask to school every day.  We are currently looking into the effectiveness of neck scarves/gaiters/tubes etc.  Students will be asked to wear masks until we hear further. 

Mrs. Wallace’s Learning Commons Update:

There are lots of exciting things happening in the Journey Library Learning Commons!  We hosted design thinking/STEM challenges for the school in January where Grade 6 students designed marble runs, the Grade 7 students created tin foil boats and the Grade 8 students try their hand at catapults.  Students and staff shared creative ideas, and a lot of laughter and fun.

The school has just jumped into Skills Canada competitions where students will be making gravity cars, wind turbines, or spaghetti bridges.  This is all leading up to the regional Skills Canada BC competitions which will be streamed from Camosun in early March.  We look forward to supporting many of our students and hosting the Journey gravity car trials in the library!

This week we launched March Madness: Battle of the Books!  Students were invited to submit their favourite books and brackets have finally been unveiled.  There is a display up in the foyer for students to follow along and we will be having weekly voting from now until Spring Break.  Voting for week 1 is open and will be available until Thursday, Feb. 11 at https://bit.ly/2MW7wOI.  Please encourage your student to vote.  Munro Books generously donated book prizes and there will be 1 prize winner drawn each week from participants.

PAC Westcoast Seed Fundraiser – we are expecting arrival of our orders by the middle of the month.  We will send home orders with students.  Thank you again for support the PAC and Journey students and staff.

 Monday

New Zones begin each week – Morning: students may go to any zone.  They must always wear a mask and physically distance when possible.  Recess and Lunch: zones rotate today.  Masks are not required when in cohort zone but must be used when travelling to and from zone. Some zones are muddier than others so please wear, “we live in a rainforest clothes”.

PAC Meeting tonight.  A link will be sent to parents who would like to join in virtually.  One item for discussion will be the changing up of Cohorts.  Your input is welcome.

Tuesday

Skateboarding Club – First Lunch students with signed waivers and proper gear. No exceptions to any of the rules. Listen to announcements each morning for additional opportunities. 

Wednesday

Skateboarding Club – Second Lunch students with signed waivers and proper gear. No exceptions to any of the rules.  Listen to announcements each morning for additional opportunities.

Thursday

Last day to order pizza lunch for next Wednesday.  Forms available from classroom teachers or office.  Cash, Cheque to SD62, or online. 

Friday 

Professional Development Day – No school for students. The office will be open from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Run to be Here/Wear your Mask/Explore Cool Stuff

 Daily Health Check – please remember to follow the DHC and not send your child to school if they are not well.  If a student becomes unwell, or tells us they are unwell, at school, they will wait for pick up in our Supervision Room which is sanitized between guests.  Up to two students can be in the room at one time (physically distanced and masked).  Masks – please continue to provide and remind your child to bring a mask to school each day.

Our Vision is Run to Be Here, and our Mission Statement is ASPIRE.  This week we are on “R” Reach for the Stars – When good enough could be a little better or trying something that’s new to you!  We encourage students and staff to REACH FOR THE STARS EVERYDAY.

Lice – nobody likes lice, but it is common this time of year so please take some time to check your child’s head/hair for nits and lice. Your child’s class will be notified if we have confirmation from a parent that their child has lice.  Thank you for keeping us updated.  We do not release the name of the child or family. 

Monday

New Zones begin each week – Morning: students may go to any zone.  They must always wear a mask and physically distance when possible.  Recess and Lunch: zones rotate today.  Masks are not required when in cohort zone but must be used when travelling to and from zone. Some zones are muddier than others so please wear, “we live in a rainforest clothes”.

Lots of Litter and Dog Poop– lately we have had an unusual amount of litter and Dog feces on our school grounds.  Staff will be reminding students that snacks and lunch will be eaten inside the school so wrappers don’t end up on the grounds.  We realize all the litter is not just from us, but it is our school and we are proud to be good stewards of the land.  If you’re one of our neighbours, please keep an eye open for dogs leaving their poop on our fields – it’s where our kids play every day.

EMCS course selection for our grade 8 students begins today.  Students must have access to their student portal in MyEd (info has been sent home to all grade 8 families) to register for courses.

Tuesday 

Ground Hog Day – Come on Wiarton Willie, do your thing and bring us an early Spring!   

Earthquake Drill @ 1:30 pm 

Skateboarding Club – First Lunch students with signed waivers and proper gear. No exceptions to any of the rules. Listen to announcements each morning for additional opportunities. 

Wednesday 

Skateboarding Club – Second Lunch students with signed waivers and proper gear. No exceptions to any of the rules.  Listen to announcements each morning for additional opportunities.

EMCS course selection for our grade 8 students begins today.  Students must have access to their student portal in MyEd (info has been sent home to all grade 8 families) to register for courses.

Thursday 

Friday 

“Crazy Hat Day”– come wearing your favourite or craziest hat today!

Run to be Here/Wear your Mask/Reach for the Stars 

Daily Health Check – please remember to follow the DHC and not send your child to school if they are not well.  If a student becomes unwell, or tells us they are unwell, at school, they will wait for pick up in our Supervision Room which is sanitized between guests.  Up to two students can be in the room at one time (physically distanced and masked).  Masks – please continue to provide and remind your child to bring a mask to school each day.

Our Vision is Run to Be Here, and our Mission Statement is ASPIRE.  This week we are on “I” Invest in People.  Students and staff investing in each other has always been the norm at Journey and this week we are all committed to going that extra little bit to help everyone have a safe and respectful learning environment.

Lice – nobody likes lice, but it is common this time of year so please take some time to check your child’s head/hair for nits and lice. 

Monday

New Zones begin each week – Morning: students may go to any zone.  They must always wear a mask and physically distance when possible.  Recess and Lunch: zones rotate today.  Masks are not required when in cohort zone but must be used when travelling to and from zone. Some zones are muddier than others so please wear, “we live in a rainforest clothes”.

Literacy Week Begins!  Family literacy week has arrived!  We encourage you to celebrate literacy and spend time reading and engaging in other literacy related activities with your student this week.  Information and resources can be found on ABC Life Literacy Canada’s website, as well as Vancouver Island Regional Library’s (VIRL) list of 10 things you can do with your family for literacy week.  If you need a public library card, you can get one online using VIRL’s online library card registration.

Tuesday 

Skateboarding Club – First Lunch students with signed waivers and proper gear. No exceptions to any of the rules. 

Wednesday 

Skateboarding Club – Second Lunch students with signed waivers and proper gear. No exceptions to any of the rules.

Family Literacy Day – Do you know your child’s favourite book?  Do they know yours?

Thursday

Grade 8 Transition meetings 9:30 a.m. (virtual presentation from EMCS in each classroom)

Grade 8 parent transition 7:00pm – Live Q & A with Parents/Students over Teams (Counsellors with Clerical & VP support)

Literacy Week – Book Smack during Block 4! 

Friday 

“Sports Day”– come in your favourite jersey, uniform, t-shirt with a sports logo, etc.

Run to be Here/Wear your Mask/Invest in People

 Daily Health Check – please remember to follow the DHC and not send your child to school if they are not well.  If a student becomes unwell, or tells us they are unwell, at school, they will wait for pick up in our Supervision Room which is sanitized between guests.  Up to two students can be in the room at one time (physically distanced and masked).  Masks – please continue to provide and remind your child to bring a mask to school each day.