I would like to express my gratitude for the students, staff, and families of JVH for their kindness, commitment, and school spirit! We give a huge shout of thanks to the Food Cupboard and Holiday Hamper fundraiser partnership with Kaslo Community Services and the Front Street Market. Student volunteers from Gr. 9-12 are taking shifts raising funds outside of the Front Street Market each day from December 2-December 13^th between 10:00-2:00. All proceeds go towards creating beautiful hampers of food and gifts to help families in need over the holidays. 

Announcements for Parents:

1. We are excited about this week's Gr. 9-12 Drama performances of “A Night of Shakespearean Spoofs” at the Lighthouse Theatre on December 10, 11, and 12^th at 7:00. Please call or stop by the office at 250 353-2227 to purchase your tickets. 
2. We would like to invite you to our Holiday Craft and Caroling night! Below is the info you will need to know if you are interested in being part of the festivities:

• When:  Wednesday, Dec. 18^th from 5:00 - 6:30 pm
• How it works:  Families can float between classrooms and can choose to take part in any crafts or activities that they please! Crafts/activities will run until 6:15 pm.
• When families arrive, a list of activities and which classroom each is being hosted in will be provided for easy navigation.
• At 6:15, the activities will end, and everyone is invited to the Light House Theater to watch and join in with the K/1 and Gr. 1/2/3 classes as they perform Christmas carols to end the evening.
  
  • Brianne Carnegie is leading the songs, and Tamara Schartzentruber will be playing piano! - Sending out a warm thank-you to these wonderful parent volunteers!

We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with you all! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. See you there!

3. Term 1 Learning Updates were sent home with students last Thursday. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions. 

4. Parent Volunteer Orientation:  Tuesday, December 10^th at 9:00. Please sign in at the office and Mrs. Wiens will direct to the room. 

1. If you are attending class trips or are a parent volunteer in another capacity within the school, please complete the requirements found on the website and turn forms into the school office. Thank you! (Forms must be completed in full, to have the application accepted).

2. All Parent Volunteer Packages and Criminal Record Checks (CRC) must be completed annually.

3. If you volunteer at two schools, only one Application and CRC needs to be completed for both.

   Learning Highlights:

   Socials and Careers Education; Identity and Community

   The Kindergarten and Grade 1 Class here at JVH have embarked on a Socials and Careers Education project this semester entitled All About Me, All about You and All About Us. The intention of the inquiry of learning is to discover who they are as members of the k/1 class and school community at JVH. Communities include many distinct roles requiring different skills. As a part of the topic, they widened the focus of their inquiry of learning to the wider community. They explored who local significant figures are, and how their role in society positively contributes to the community of Kaslo. They went on field trips to the: public library, fire hall, police station, hospital, museum, gallery & theatre, and the city hall to meet the mayor of Kaslo! 

   Healthy communities recognize and respect the diversity of individuals and care for the local environment. They were also lucky enough to receive visits from the local: baker, butcher, beekeeper, search and rescue team, mechanic, surveyor, nurses, sour dough company executive, fitness instructor, geologist and much more! ( Ms  Charlotte Dryden, K/1 Teacher)

   At the end of November, the Kaslo Search and Rescue generously volunteered their time and resources to help educate the JVH primary students about how their diverse roles support the community. To supplement the BC Social Studies and Careers curriculum, the KSAR planned and facilitated learning stations including wilderness safety, quad stretcher rides, equipment use, water rescue skills (practices on their rescue boat), and more! The students were so grateful for the opportunity to connect with these knowledgeable community helpers and to learn many practical life-skills that may inspire the pursuit of future careers in the field. (Ms Tegan Gresley-Jones, Grade 1/2/3 Teacher)

   English Language Arts 

   Intermediate 2 (Gr 5/6) has just finished a creative writing unit, in which students looked back to the early childhood they have left behind, and forward to where new worlds and realizations are dawning. Through daily guided writing exercises, they learned to "paint pictures" with words, while adhering to the well-crafted forms of many traditional and contemporary styles of poetry. A highlight was our "Where I'm From" series, inspired by George Ella Lyon's modern classic. In these free verse narratives, students delved into their rich life stories through vivid memories... reflecting an honest and heartfelt understanding of self and heritage. ( Mr. Phil Fertey, Gr. 5/6 Teacher)

   Sports and Physical Education 

   JVH Senior Girls' Volleyball  

   Our team finished their season competing at the Kootenay Zone playoffs in Castlegar at Selkirk College. They competed very well, finishing fifth and winning their last two matches against Nakusp and Salmo. All the girls demonstrated exemplary commitment and dedication to the team this year. We are graduating six grade 12s from our program: Ava Gratz, Daisy Lamoureux, Morgan Handley, Jane Willott, Abbie Stewart, and Emerson Zuk. Lily Kinnear (Gr. 11) is the only player who will be back next year to lend her leadership and expertise to a new batch of senior players. Most of these students have been on the team every year since grade 6 and have represented our school well by competing at events in over ten communities in BC. Well done, girls! (Mr. Cam Zuk, Secondary Teacher and Coach)

   Upcoming Events

   December 10, 11, 12      Grade 912 Drama Performances 

   December 10                Parent Volunteer Orientation 9:00 a.m.

   December 18                Holiday Craft and Caroling Night 5:00-6:30

   December 20                Last day of school before the Winter Break

   January       7                First day back to school after the Winter Break

   February 11,18,25          Secondary Whitewater program

   February 15, 26             Intermediate Whitewater program

   March 5                        Final day of Intermediate Whitewater program 

Best regards,

Monica Doyle

Interim Principal, JV Humphries School