Some more great photos from throughout the year at Hillcrest! Thanks for all the wonderful memories.

On Tuesday April 28 the flags at Hillcrest Elementary School will be flown at half mast in recognition of the National Day of Mourning. This day commemorates workers who have been killed or suffered illness due to workplace related hazards and incidents.

Join other Canadian children in song with professional vocal coach Jasmine Denham in this CBC Project Inside Voices.  It’s easy to participate.  Simply go to the website below and watch the latest video that will guide your family through the project.  Each week a new video will be added to move you along.  Be sure to be extra-creative and CBC may just decide to broadcast your video if you choose to share it.

https://www.cbc.ca/music/events/canadian-music-class-challenge/challenge-your-kids-to-raise-their-inside-voices-in-song-1.5531690

Video 1 (April 17): Vocal Warm-up

Video 2 (April 24): The Craft of Singing

Video 3 (May 1): Learn the Song

Video 4 (May 8): Record and Share Your Song

May 13: Upload your project

At the end of the project you will have the option to upload to social media using the hashtags #CBCMusicclass and #cbckids.  Remember that you will need your parent’s permission to share any of your work online.

Please feel free to send your project to our Music Teacher here at school as well!

The photo collage above is our first edition of Monday Memories. We will aim to publish a collage each week to help us remember the good old days. We truly miss the smiles of our wonderful students each and every day!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education and Health’s EASE team has been hard at work adapting EASE classroom activities for use at home by parents and caregivers to support children’s mental health and continuous learning.

EASE at Home is a collection of fun and practical strategies to help guide parents and caregivers in managing their children’s anxiety and worries in the comfort of their home during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

The links below include suggestions for fun and engaging activities:

EASE at Home – Grades K– 3

• EASE at Home K-3_Rhythms & Routines
• EASE at Home K-3_Finding Feelings
• EASE at Home K-3_Calm Breathing
• EASE at Home K-3_Tense & Relax
• EASE at Home K-3_Movement
• EASE at Home K-3_ALL

EASE at Home – Grades 4 – 7

• EASE at Home 4-7_Rhythms & Routines
• EASE at Home 4-7_Finding Feelings
• EASE at Home 4-7_Calm Breathing
• EASE at Home 4-7_Tense & Relax
• EASE at Home 4-7_Movement
• EASE at Home 4-7_Helpful Mindset
• EASE at Home 4-7_ALL

For more everyday activities and resources to help support continuous learning while families are home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, view the Ministry of Education’s Keep Learning BC website https://www.openschool.bc.ca/keeplearning/ and First Nations Education Steering Committee’s website. http://www.fnesc.ca/continuous-learning/  

More information is available at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/child-teen-mental-health/ease

Part of the government’s direction to school districts during this challenging time is to provide some support for the children of Tier 1 essential service workers who have no other child care options. This has caused some confusion with parents as many are on the essential services list, but not necessarily in the Tier 1 group. Hopefully the following information will help provide clarity.

Click on this link for more details.

Dear Hillcrest Families,

I hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy. Our teachers have thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with families this week. Thank you for making these calls such a positive experience for them and for the overwhelming show of support as we navigate these uncharted waters. Below is a link to an important letter regarding our plans to have a family member come to school on Monday April 6 or Tuesday April 7 next week to pick up your child’s personal belonging/school supplies. Please read it carefully and contact the school at (250) 832-7195 if you have any questions or concerns. 

LINK: COVID-19 School Supply Pick-up

Sincerely, 

Gord Ritchie

(Principal – Hillcrest Elementary School)