Good afternoon – I’m excited to extend an invitation to you to participate in the Greater Victoria Flower Count 2024! This annual event, sponsored and organized by local businesses, Destination Greater Victoria, and The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, aims to spread spring cheer and showcase the beauty of our communities.

The Flower Count is a wonderful opportunity for residents of Greater Victoria, including Sooke, to come together, explore their surroundings, and celebrate the arrival of spring. From 7 a.m. on March 6 to 4 p.m. on March 13, we invite you to join us in counting blossoming blooms and contributing to this delightful tradition. Let’s make Sooke bloom with pride!

In 2023, the community of Sidney took the title of the “Bloomingest Community” with an impressive count of 7,580,503,851 flowers. However, with your participation, we believe Sooke can rise to the challenge and claim the top spot in 2024!

Destination Victoria has exciting prize opportunities for participants, including our Photo contest, Social Media contest, and School contest. Their generous prize sponsors include The Butchart Gardens and La Limo, whose valued contributions are making this year’s event even more special.

So, let’s embrace the spirit of community pride and encourage everyone to get involved. Whether counting flowers in your backyard or exploring the beauty of Sooke, every flower counts towards our collective total.

We encourage you to share this invitation, and together, let’s make Sooke shine in the Greater Victoria Flower Count 2024! Don’t forget to document your flower-counting adventures and share them on social media using the hashtags #ExploreVictoria and #ExploreSooke.

Learn more and participate:

• Home – Greater Victoria Flower Count

I look forward to seeing Sooke and our community spirit bloom!

Church/Throup Roundabout Project Nears Next Milestones

Monday, February 26, 2024 – As the Church/Throup Roundabout project progresses, significant strides are being made towards its completion. On Wednesday, February 28th, weather permitting, the project will achieve another milestone with the completion of additional curb pours. To ensure the safety of construction crews and minimize disruptions, residents and commuters are encouraged to avoid the area, as delays are expected.

Following this phase, starting on Monday, March 4th, weather permitting, the focus will shift to paving pathways and driveways. Throughout this process, flaggers will be present to assist pedestrian traffic, and residents impacted by short-term driveway closures will receive individual notifications from Hazelwood Construction.

The dedicated crews are diligently working from approximately 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekdays, with occasional weekend shifts to expedite the project’s progress.

“We are thrilled to be approaching these significant milestones in the Church/Throup Roundabout project,” said Sue Bassett, Project Manager with Hazelwood Construction. “Each step brings us closer to the ultimate goal of substantial completion this spring.”

As the project advances, the community’s patience and cooperation are invaluable. The Church/Throup Roundabout promises to enhance traffic flow and safety for all residents and visitors once completed.

Media contact:
Christina Moog, Communications Coordinator
Tel: 250.642.1634   l   Email: cmoog@sooke.ca

Link: Church/Throup Roundabout Project Nears Next Milestones (sooke.ca)

Update – Tuesday, February 27, 2024, 4:13 pm – The rain in the weather forecast for tomorrow, February 28, will not permit concrete to be poured. The concrete work is now scheduled for Thursday, February 29th or Friday, March 1st, depending on the weather.

Parent Newsletter – February 25, 2024

Good morning Journey Parents and Guardians!

BC Wrestling: will be here all week starting tomorrow to show students Olympic style wrestling during their PE classes this week.

Pink Shirt Day: is on February 28^th. For more information about this event, click here. Wear pink and spread kindness.

Report Cards: Term 2 report cards will be available for viewing through the MyEdBC portal on Friday March 15^th.

Bus Registration: Mark your calendars! March 1^st is when bus registration for the 2024-2025 school year starts. Stay tuned for more details.

Fundraisers: The PAC is doing a fundraiser through DFS. Flyers have come home with your students last week. Orders are due by March 8^th.  

• • Gautam’s class is doing portrait and bake sales at lunch next week and the week after.

Blood Donor Clinic is back on Monday March 4^th.

Hockey Extravaganza: on March 8^th the whole school will walk over to Seaparc to watch the hockey academy students showcase their talents. We will be going in blocks 2 and 3. The concession will be open for snacks. More details to come.

Multi-Cultural Family Night: see attached for more information about this event coming up on March 14^th.

Spring Break: The last day of school before spring break is Friday March 15^th. We’ll see you back after the Easter break on Wednesday April 3^rd for a whole day.

Student Learning Survey 2023/2024 – Parents, and Guardians: We need to hear from you!

The Provincial Student Learning Survey is unique in its scope, size and usefulness to schools. It gathers information from parents/guardians/caregivers, teachers, and students on topics related to school environment, safety, and achievement. The information is used for planning in individual schools and provides a district and provincial perspective.

Early in 2024 the Student Learning Survey will be administered to students in grade 7, their parents/guardians/caregivers, and all school staff. We encourage parents/guardians/caregivers to participate in this survey, as the results are important in identifying and celebrating current strengths, as well as determining where the school needs to focus improvement. The surveys contain standard questions for the Province – in addition, questions from the school and/or district that focus on local conditions or issues may be included.

The survey can be completed electronically and can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/sat_survey. Any computer with an Internet connection can be used, and access to the e-survey is simple and secure. The survey can be accessed through the link with or without an anonymous logon code by selecting the school district and school name where your child attends school. Provincial, District and School Reports for previous years can be viewed at the same site under the Results section.

The e-survey site will be open until May 3^rd.

Calendar of Events:

Journey Clubs 2023-2024

Appazur: download the Journey Middle School app and get school updates on your phone, and…

download the SD62 app and get school district updates as well!

February 2024

Dear Journey Parents and Guardians/Caregivers:

During the months of January to April, School District #62 is participating in the 2024 Ministry of Education Electronic Anonymous Student Learning Survey Project in cooperation with all other school districts throughout the Province.

Parents/Guardians/Caregivers can complete the online Anonymous Student Learning Surveys any time before 11:59 pm May 3^rd, 2024, providing immediate results to the school and the district.

For 2024: Students in Grades 4, 7, 10 and 12 complete the survey; Parents/Guardians/Caregivers of Grade 4, 7, 10 and 12 Students complete the survey; and all Staff associated with a School complete the survey.  Schools may survey other grade levels after finishing the grades above.

To complete the survey:

1. Go to any computer that has an up-to-date internet browser access at home, work, or school. If you need access to a computer at the school, please call ahead to arrange a time: 250-642-5881.
2. Go to www.bced.gov.bc.ca/sat_survey/access.htm
3. Under the section Direct Access – no logon number required select:
   • District: 62 Sooke
   • School: Journey Middle School
   • Language: the language of your choice
4. Complete the survey by clicking on the appropriate circle to answer each question.  Move to the next set of questions by clicking on the right arrow in the bottom right corner of the screen. Click on the left arrow to navigate backwards.
5. When you are finished the survey, you will get a message “Thank you for sharing your views”.
6. Once complete, your school will have the results immediately.

Thank you for participating in this innovative project.  If you need more information or would like to see the results for the District or your school, consult with your school principal, Ms. Jennifer Gibson at jgibson@sd62.bc.ca or 250-642-5881.

Greeting from the PAC!!!

Here are some important reminders for parents…

1) Sushi Lunch Day is February 23th. All orders must be placed on Munchalunch by February 16th.

2) Game Night Redo – March 6th 6:30-8:30pm at JMS – no tickets this time just come if you want to join in!! Let’s hope there’s no snow!! Free event but we will have a cash concession.

3) Thank you to everyone who participated in our online discussion about how we could spend our $8000.00 Gaming funds. If you want to send along your ideas please email us: journeymiddleschoolpac@gmail.com. 

Coming up:

DFS Fundraiser – catalogues will be sent home soon – ordering is online

Spring Fair and JMS 30th Birthday Celebration – May 24th – details to come

Fun Day/Party for Students – End of June – details to come

Lastly, we are searching for our next Secretary. If you can commit to one meeting a month and take notes we’d love to have you join our team! We are also needing a lunch coordinator too! Email us if you’re interested.

Please select the link for information on the Sooke School District Academy Programs.

Parent Newsletter – February 3, 2024

• Candy Gram Sales: Students will be selling Candy Grams from February 7^th to 13^th at lunch outside the main doors. The candy grams will be delivered on February 14^th to classrooms.
• Grade 8 Families: EMCS will be hosting an information night on Thursday February 8^th from 6:00-7:30 pm in the EMCS Theater. For information about Gr 9 course selection, go here.
• Appazur: download the Journey Middle School app and get school updates on your phone.
• Games: Thank you to the PAC and to all Journey families for the fundraising that has helped purchase outdoor games for students to use at recess and lunch. It’s great to see students playing volleyball, badminton, corn hole, Jenga, and more around the school. Students can sign out one of the games on the clipboard in the foyer near the games bin.
• Professional Development Day on February 16^th. No school for students.

Learning Opportunities for Parents and Caregivers:

• The Boys and Girls Club (BGC) Parenting Programs (Online) Issues / Needs in the Community that Programs Address:
  • Many parents who reach out for support feel guilty, blamed by others, isolated, and unsure about what to do. BGC Parenting Programs can help parents address these feelings in a confidential, non-judgmental group setting. BGC Parenting Programs are professionally facilitated education and support programs for parents of preteens and teens. Parents come to the group with a wide range of concerns regarding their youth:
    • teen mental health
    • lack of motivation (school attendance)
    • drug/alcohol use abusive or aggressive actions
    • defiant/rebellious attitude

Workshops

• Do you need a speaker at your next event? Our facilitators offer workshops for schools, PAC’s, community service organizations and many other types of group meetings on the following topics:
  • Communication
  • Self-care and Boundaries
  • Temperament
  • Adolescent Development and the Relationship Bond
  • Navigating the Teen Years
  • Technology
  • Drug & alcohol use

All programs are via Zoom.

Registration: https://bgcsvi.org/programs/parenting/

• Parenting the Messy Middle: February 13^th. See attached for more details.
• Family Smart “In the Know” Events
  • February’s Event is: A Conversation About Eating Disorders
    • Register for this online event (free). Dates and Times available: https://familysmart.ca/monthly-events/
    • Watch Last Month’s Event: Supporting Safety at Home When Your Child Has a Mental Health Crisis Now:
  • Westshore Basketball: spring break camp. See attached.

Calendar of Events:

Resumption of Roadworks at Church/Throup Roundabout Following Telus Works

Friday, February 2, 2024 – After a temporary hiatus to accommodate Telus completion works, road construction crews are set to resume operations at the Church/Throup Roundabout. The intermittent delays and single-lane alternating traffic are expected to occur Monday through Friday between 7 am and 7 pm, with the possibility of occasional weekend work. The primary objective is to achieve substantial completion by spring.

The break in construction allowed Telus to carry out essential work. As we move forward, residents and commuters are advised to anticipate intermittent delays during peak hours as construction activity resumes in the roadway.

Simultaneously, roadworks will continue on Charters Road in close proximity to the Church/Throup Roundabout. Single-lane alternating traffic will be in effect on Charters Road to facilitate ongoing construction activities. The strategic scheduling aims to minimize any potential overlap between roundabout construction and the temporary closure of Charters Road.

Later this year, Charters Road will be temporarily closed in both directions to facilitate culvert placement and associated preparatory works. This necessary closure is expected to last for several weeks.

Please follow traffic personnel and posted signage when travelling in the area or consider using alternative routes, if at all possible.

Learn more:

• Navigating Sooke: Transforming Traffic Challenges into Solutions
• Transportation Master Plan Implementation: letstalk.sooke.ca/tmp

Contact:

Hazelwood Construction
Tel: 250.716.1940

Link: Resumption of Roadworks at Church/Throup Roundabout Following Telus Works (sooke.ca)

Volunteers needed! 

Please signup here https://volunteersignup.org/FT8Y7

Wounded Warrior Run Travels from Sooke to Sidney on February 4^th, Expect Delays on Highway 14

Thursday, January 18, 2024 – The public can expect delays on Highway 14 on Sunday, February 4, 2024 as the Wounded Warriors Run (One Day Event) travels from Sooke to Sidney. Runners will leave from the Sooke Legion at approximately 10 a.m. and are expected to reach the end of the “original” four-lanes by the Co-op Gas Station in Langford around noon.

Please give runners space and follow the guidance of the support vehicles as you travel in the area.

Wounded Warriors honours and supports Canada’s ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, First Responders and their families. This One Day Run is a prelude to the main Wounded Warrior Run event: 8 days and 600 kilometers from Port Hardy in the north to Victoria at the southern end of Vancouver Island. The run is done relay-style with a team of military and first responders from Vancouver Island. Runners raise over $150,000 for programs and training to support the mental health of first responders, military and their families.

Those wishing to donate to the cause and to learn more about the organization can do so on their website:

• BC Run | (woundedwarriorrunbc.ca)

For more about local traffic advisories, please visit this dedicated web page.

Link: TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Wounded Warrior Run on February 4th on Highway 14 (sooke.ca)