There was quite a buzz of excitement today at Hillcrest due to a special visit from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks hockey team! Silverbacks players played with students outside at lunch recess time before heading to class to read with students and play some floor hockey in the gym. Everyone involved seemed to be having a ton of fun. What a priviledge it was to spend the afternoon with some local celebreties.

Our main hallway is absolutely glowing in green! Thank you to everyone who brought in their Leprechaun Traps this week. We are so lucky to have such creative and resourceful students at Hillcrest. Those pesky Leprechauns don’t stand a chance now!

It was so cool to see all of our fantastic artwork on display at Piccadilly Mall last week! We definitely have some very talented artists at our school. Way to go Hillcrest!

Close to 60 people joined an online presentation featuring Dr. Sean Larsen who discussed a Practical Approach to Managing Anxiety in Children on March 10 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Director of Instruction Carol-Ann Leidloff was pleased with the turnout and said this online workshop was presented to help parents and educators with some essential tools to better understand anxiety in children, recognize when it is becoming problematic, help children build the capacity to overcome it, and create environments to foster better outcomes for those struggling. She noted Dr. Larsen has agreed to allow the recording of the session to be shared so that those who couldn’t attend can watch it at their leisure.

View recording of Thursday’s presentation here

View pdf of Dr. Larsen’s slides here

Drawing on literature on brain development, emotional regulation, psychology, and years of clinical experience Dr. Larsen wants to help others better understand children’s anxiety and how to support them in more meaningful ways.

Problematic anxiety in childhood is common and disrupts opportunities for healthy experiences. Anxiety can influence a child’s ability to achieve academically, make friends, or find reward in the activities they take part in.

He notes that about one in ten Canadians will access mental health support for mood and anxiety disorders in their lives and a far larger percentage could benefit from these supports and a better understanding of what anxiety is and how it impacts their lives.

Leidloff adds the district hopes to have Dr. Larsen return in the fall with presentations on how to help children sleep better, and on digital parenting.

Leprechaun’s have taken over Hillcrest and our grade 5 leaders need your help to build Leprechaun traps!

Leprechauns are tricky, so you have to be even trickier! Think of things that Leprechauns love: gold, rainbows, shamrocks, anything green and sparkly! Then gather your supplies. This could include lego, cardboard, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, ribbons, paper towel rolls, stickers, etc. Next build, build, build!

Bring you finished trap to school on Monday March 14 or Tuesday March 15 to put on display. We can’t wait to see how creative and imaginative you can be!

It is almost time to take off your mask, if you so choose, but not quite!

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has announced that masks are no longer required in public indoor places as of midnight March 10th, however this does not apply to certain areas including schools and medical/health facilities. This means, in accordance with the Public Health Order, SD83 students and staff continue to be required to mask indoors at school.

Henry announced B.C. students from Kindergarten until grade 12 will no longer be mandated to wear masks after their return from Spring Break which in SD83 is from March 21 to April 1, 2022.

LINK: Provincial COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines for K-12 Settings

LINK: B.C. takes next step in balanced plan to lift COVID-19 Restrictions

Our Lost and Found is overflowing once again! The missing items have been spread out in our main hallway so that they can be easily claimed by students (or parents). Below is a video of the items for your home viewing pleasure. If you see something you recognize please claim it before the unclaimed items are taken to the thrift store on Friday March 18!

It was awsome to see almost all of our 317 students participate in our skating program this year! The improvement we have seen over the past few weeks has been amazing! Thank you to everyone who helped tie skates and this year and a huge thank you to our wonderful coaches Jennifer Gibson, Cara Visco, and Randi Northeast. We couldn’t have done it without you!