Dear Families,
June is a month of reflection, celebration and transition. As we move into the last month of the school year, students start to turn their minds towards the summer and the next school year. The month is full of learning, awareness, and activities as we wrap up the 2024-25 school year. The month of June is also a month to create awareness and learn more about National Indigenous History Month, Italian Heritage Month, Filipino Heritage Month, Portuguese Heritage Month, Pride Month, and several other important dates of significance. At Valley View School, we create awareness through the morning announcements and culturally relevant stories and activities.
TRC Reflection and Renewal
At Valley View School, our Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) commitment for this school year centers around "Heart - To Belong" and "Body - To Do."
Heart - To Belong: Build and apply an understanding of Indigenous community values such as reciprocity and respect, and how these are lived in relationships with Indigenous students, families, Elders, community members, and the land.
Body - To Do: Engage the school community to learn about the land where your school is located. Have students, staff, and families share their learning and make commitments to Truth & ReconciliACTION through the CBE Land Acknowledgement.
This year, some of the important work we have undertaken includes:
-Engaging students at Valley View School and Ian Bazalgette School in collaboration with Elder John Snow to explore ideas and co-create a prototype plan for an outdoor learning space using a design thinking process.
-Applying for a grant to develop an outdoor learning space — The Outdoor Classroom — a collaborative project between students, staff, and the school council from Valley View and Ian Bazalgette Schools. This space is designed to help us: Learn about local plants, animals, and natural features; Share teachings from Elders and Knowledge Keepers; Honor the cultural significance and history of the land; offer an additional space for teaching and learning in an outdoor setting.
-Creating a welcoming space for learning, reflection, and connection with the land and each other.
-Learning on the land and from the land through hands-on experiences and teachings.
-Personalizing land acknowledgements and sharing these acknowledgements at school council meetings to foster deeper community awareness.
-Hosting Communi-Teas for Indigenous students and families which fosters positive community relationships and offers a space for cultural safety and voice while supporting student success.
-Creating awareness about First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture and history, as well as the history of residential schools in Canada, through activities related to Métis Week, Orange Shirt Day, National Indigenous History Month.
As we continue this journey, your feedback is essential. Please take a few moments to share your thoughts and experiences with the TRC commitment at Valley View School this year. Your input will help guide us as we move forward.
TRC REFLECTION AND RENEWAL SURVEY
Save the Date School Dance – Thursday June 19th
The VVS School Council will be hosting a year end dance for VVS students and families. Stay tuned for more details coming soon.
No Access to Community Centre Parking Lot
Effective immediately, staff and parents/guardians will no longer be able to park at the Community Centre across the street. We ask that you find street parking until we can find another solution. Please follow all traffic signs and laws. We thank you for your understanding and support.
Science Olympics APEGA Results
Last weekend VVS students represented our school at the Science Olympics APEGA challenge at WinSport. Our Division 1 team earned a gold title, and our Division 2 team earned a silver title. Congratulations to all of our students who participated in the challenge! Thanks to Mrs. MacNeil and Ms. Kang for supporting students at the event.
CTV news article - The video here explains the scoring and challenges.
Ian Bazalgette Celebration of Learning – Grade 6 Families Invited to Attend
Ian Bazalgette School will be hosting a Celebration of Learning on Thursday June 5th from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Grade 6 Families at VVS are invited to attend this event as they showcase student learning and achievement.
The Grade 6 tour at Ian Bazalgette School
Ian Bazalgette School will be hosting tours for neighbourhood (feeder) schools on Friday, June 6th. Ian Bazalgette students will not have classes that day, so staff will host small groups as they tour, share information about spaces and learning opportunities, and answer students' questions about the Baz experience.
Yellow School Bus Registration Deadline is June 22
Families have until June 22 to register for yellow bus transportation for the 2025-26 school year. We will continue to accept registrations after the deadline; however, families are encouraged to register before the deadline to ensure students are added to routes for the start of the school year. Learn more about service levels and proposed fees.
Walk Zones Changes for the 2025-26 School Year
The CBE is expanding yellow bus service and adjusting walk zones in response to new Alberta Education legislation, effective Sept. 1, 2025. Transportation eligibility will now be based on driving distance, making more students eligible for the bus and changing school walk zones.
Upcoming Dates:
Friday June 6 - Early Dismissal at 12:15 PM (Grades 1-6 attend; Mon/Wed Science Kindergarten attend; no school for Community Kindergarten)