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)

Coffee with a Cop Brewing Community Connections at Cafe VOSINO on February 7, 2024

Monday, January 8, 2024 – “Coffee with a Cop” invites the local community to join an informal gathering with law enforcement officers. This event aims to foster positive interactions, build trust, and strengthen the bond between Sooke RCMP and the community it serves.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, February 7, 2024
• Time: 9:30am-11:00am
• Location: Cafe VOSINO, 6715 Eustace Rd

The event encourages an informal setting where residents can ask questions, share concerns, and connect with the officers who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.

Why Coffee with a Cop?

“Coffee with a Cop” is an international initiative aimed at breaking down barriers and creating a relaxed environment for constructive dialogue between law enforcement and the public. By bringing this initiative to Sooke, we hope to provide a casual setting for community members to get to know the officers serving their neighborhoods, and for officers to gain valuable insights from the people they protect and serve.

Highlights of the Event:

• Free Coffee: Complimentary coffee will be provided to all attendees.
• Open Conversations: Engage in open and friendly discussions with local law enforcement.
• Q&A: Have your questions answered by the officers and gain insights into their roles within the community.
• Community Building: Connect with neighbours, fellow community members, and law enforcement in a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere.

Quote:

Greg Willcocks, Staff Sergeant with the Sooke RCMP –

“Fostering positive relationships between Sooke RCMP and the community is essential for creating a safe and vibrant neighbourhood. ‘Coffee with a Cop’ is an opportunity for us all to come together, share experiences, and build a stronger, more connected community.”

Community Contact:

Sooke RCMP Reception

Tel: 250.642.5241

Media contact:

Christina Moog, Communications Coordinator

Tel: 250.642.1634

Email: cmoog@sooke.ca

Link: Coffee with a Cop Brewing Community Connections at Cafe VOSINO on February 7, 2024 (sooke.ca)

A Message from the PAC:

1. Hot Lunches! Our next hot lunches are locked and loaded in Munch A Lunch, our online ordering system. Take a minute to log in and get your orders in before the deadline!

Click here to create your Munch A Lunch account, or to move your student from their elementary school to Journey.

Panago Pizza – Friday, January 26th (deadline for ordering is Thursday, Jan. 18th)

Hara Sushi – Friday, February 23rd (deadline for ordering is Thursday, Feb. 15th) (ordering open in February)

2. Anti-Bullying Parent Information Session – January 22, 2024 6:30-8:30pm

JMS PAC will be hosting an information session for parents and caregivers of current JMS students to talk about what is happening in our school. Topics will include the differences between bullying and conflicts, what is happening at JMS now, policies and procedures and resources for parents and students. There will also be table discussions to help parents understand what they and their students can do in these situations.

Current JMS parents and caregivers must register to attend the session. Please fill in the form below so we can verify that you are a part of our school community. Also included is an opportunity to submit your questions or comments ahead of the session which will be discussed that night.

Please email journeymiddleschoolpac@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns. This session is for parents only.

Register here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxMGWitYg8_8VtATF-6wyf8x2BG_e2mvthK8gYAOeyhPGeQw/viewform?usp=pp_url

3. Krispy Kreme Fundraiser in the Sooke Community – Saturday, January 27th  – MORE INFO TO FOLLOW SOON

Good Morning Journey Families,

At the current time, Journey Middle School has power and will continue to run as scheduled.

Thank You

Please select the link for more information on Raising Digitally Responsible Youth