St. Andrew Junior School Newsletter APRIL, 2019

Phone: 902-863-3046 Fax: 902-863-2273 http://sajs.srsb.ca

Principal: Glenn Austen E-mail: glenn.austen@srsb.ca

Vice-Principals: Joanne Landry E-mail: joanne.landry@srsb.ca Lynn Casey E-mail: lynn.casey@srce.ca

Guidance : Marie Kennedy E-mail: marie.kennedy@srsb.ca Allana MacGillivray E-mail: allana.macgillivray@srsb.ca

Sessions for parent teacher will be held on Thursday, April 4, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

and 6:00 – 8:00 pm There will be classes for students on the morning of Thursday, April 5, dismissing at 11:20.

REPORT CARDS WENT HOME ON THURSDAY, MARCH 28. If you did not receive one, please give us a call!

Grade 5 Parents/Guardians’ sessions ONLY will be by appointment for the homeroom teacher and you will meet these teachers in their classroom. Parents should call to make appointments. Also parents of the 5/6 IMM splits should call for an appointment.

For all grades - specialists will be in the gym and do not require appointments.

Grade 6 parent-teacher meetings will be held in the homeroom classrooms. No appointments are required except as noted for the 5/6 groups above to ensure a space is available to you.

Grades 7 and 8 teachers will be in the Gym – no appointments – first come first served!!

The SAJS Band Veseys’ Fundraiser orders are due April 16th. The orders should be returned on or before this date to allow for the master order to be tabulated and sent off to Veseys. On April 23rd all three bands will be participating in the New Glasgow Music Festival. The Beginner and intermediate groups will be playing at 1:00 pm and 1:15 pm respectively. The jazz band will be traveling up in the evening to perform at 6:40 pm. All performances are at North Nova Education Centre in New Glasgow. Good luck to all bands – we know

you will do well. The intermediate band will be going on their annual overnight trip on April 26th and 27th again this year. For a change of pace they will be travelling to Halifax to

participate in a clinic with the acclaimed Nova Scotian band director, adjudicator and clinician Joe Cormier. This is a great opportunity for our band to represent our school and Center for Education in the Halifax region.

GRADE 6 INTENSIVE FRENCH

As in the past three years Grade 6 students will have the opportunity to take an Intensive French program. An information meeting will be held for interested parents on Tuesday, April 9 at 6:30 pm. This meeting is intended to provide current Grade 5 Core French parents with the information they need to make an informed decision as to whether or not they wish to enroll their child in Intensive French. This will in turn inform us whether SAJS offers one or two sections of Intensive French for the 2019-20 school year. A detailed information letter has been sent home to all Grade 5 parents. Deadline for registration is April 12 and registrations will be numbered as they are received.

EASTER DINNER PREORDER

The cafeteria will be serving their Easter Dinner on Wednesday, April, 17, 2019. DINNERS MUST BE PREORDERED BY WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2019. Dinner will include baked ham with mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots, a chocolate chunk cookie and milk for $6.50.

PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS

We would like to welcome back our pre-service teachers from the St. F. X. University B.Ed. program. This term we are fortunate to have them working with various SAJS teachers and programs throughout the school so that most students will also have the opportunity to work with one or more of these ‘teachers-in-training’. Thank you to all our pre-service teachers for your effort and enthusiasm in working with our young people.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

A big, warm welcome to our four new students from China who will be part of our Grade 5 classes for 10 weeks. Clive (Qinxuan), Mary (Guangye), Amy (Jinwen) and Rosabella

(Zuqi) are part of the Nova Scotia Student International Program and will be staying with host families in Antigonish who will provide them with a ‘home away from home’. A teacher

chaperone is travelling with the students who came to the SRCE and Lara Kung will be spending several days a week in their classrooms at SAJS. We hope they will enjoy their time here with us.

FIRST NATIONS WORKSHOPS

On Friday, March 15, 2019, Grade 5 students had a wonderful experience, spending their day learning about and participating in several traditional aspects of Mi’kmaq culture. SAJS has recently seen the formation of a First Nations Club spearheaded by Grade 5 student Aluk Marble. Aluk is passionate about his Mi’kmaq roots and started the club to educate his peers about the Mi’kmaq language, clothing, music, spirituality and more. Most unfortunately Aluk was ill the day of the workshops and unable to attend but we appreciate his effort and enthusiasm in helping to make the day happen. Students rotated through various workshops. Sylvia Googoo

demonstrated the Waltes ‘game’. The bowl used for this game called the waltestaqn was used by women as an important part of Mi'kmaw spirituality. When filled with water and left overnight the water could be read to reveal certain knowledge. Because of this French missionaries drilled holes in

the bottoms of all waltestaqnk that they found, so that they could not hold water. Over time this knowledge was lost and within the past two generations has come back as a game played with pieces of animal bone for ‘dice’. It is a meaningful and special game which must be taught over time, requires a great deal of skill and a learner must be deemed ready by the elders before playing. Our students were as engaged with this game as with any of their own traditional Board games. Drumming, chants and smudging were presented by Clifford Steven Copage and Susan Prosper. They talked to the students about how the drums were made and their significance to the Mi’kmaq people. Again with the coming of European settlers they were not allowed to practice their culture if not living on a reserve. Musical instruments were hidden around the house as other objects. For example, the Ji’kmaqn—an instrument made from ash wood that is split into many thin strips with one end unsplit for the handle—would be concealed in the kindling box so it wouldn’t be found when searches were done. Students thought this was a really neat ruse in response to an intrusive event. They took part in a drumming session and got to try different instruments. The importance of smudging was also discussed and students got to smell lemon grass and sage and participate in a smudging. Eva Nichols gave an arts/crafts workshop featuring quill

work. The exquisite needle and quill work was evidenced in the clothing of presenters. Quills and birchbark are used to create beautiful artwork. Several motifs have been very popular and were explored. Students had an opportunity to work on a craft piece inserting quills into the pattern and bending them off.

They loved it and one student remarked “I wish she could come back and we could do this all day.” Traditional foods were explored with Joan Christie. Each student received a serving of moosemeat meatballs with wild rice, bannock and wild blueberry sauce. Food is always a hit but through this medium they also learned about the moose, how each part is used and with videos and demonstration learned about moose calls and hunting practices. It was a very interactive experience and a number of students related the moose hunt to deer hunts participated in with their own (mostly) fathers.

We would like to thank Miranda Gould, Regional Co-ordinator of Mi’kmaq Services and Education for arranging and facilitating the day. It was hugely successful and thoroughly enjoyed by students and staff members who were fortunate enough to attend. Our young people were engaged and excited to proceed to the next ‘station’ and experience that particular workshop. Students and staff extend their deep appreciation to our presenters for a meaningful and amazing day.

KIDS IN THE KNOW

This term, our grade 7 Immersion class has been fortunate enough to be taking part in the Kids in the Know program. The Kids in the Know program was inspired by the National Center for Missing and Exploited children. The program engages students with interactive activities to help build skills that increase their personal safety and reduce their risk of victimization online and in the real world. Students discuss current issues facing young people

and how they can overcome personal threats. Topics include Peer/Self exploitation, Cyberbullying, Distribution of Intimate Images, and Adults using technology to exploit children. This program is being

delivered to our students by Constable Morgan MacPherson, the Community RCMP officer, along with Sherlock, the service dog.

Another season of Track and Field has begun. Students will practise at the St. F.X. Track after school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with some Fridays (students will be informed). Districts are up and coming! Stay tuned.

BADMINTON A badminton team has been selected and practices have been taking place and our team played at Dr. JH Gillis Regional School in the Districts on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Regionals will be played at SAJS on April 2 & 3. Students who placed 1st or 2nd at

Districts will play in the Regionals. Provincials will be held in Truro (CED) on April 12 & 13! Good luck to our players.

CONGRATULATIONS TO TARIQ DURANT!! Tariq was a member of the NS Goalball team the last weekend of March playing in Ontario. His team won the gold medal and Tariq scored the winning goal in the 2nd last game. Way to go Tariq!!

1 in 68 people in Canada have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is a Spectrum Disorder, which means that it affects each individual differently, and no two people are the same. When you meet an

individual with ASD you should remember to:

Try to connect and keep an open mind: Don’t avoid, find a creative way to be friends with each other.

Set aside fears. Remember that ASD does not automatically make a person aggressive. Meltdowns can happen when an individual gets overwhelmed, you can give them time and space to calm down.

Different is OK. Repetitive behaviours, such as hand flapping or noises, usually helps an individual with ASD cope and calm. Also eye contact may be difficult.

People diagnosed with ASD want to interact with peers, they simply have some difficulties doing so. Here are some tips on how you can interact with a peer with ASD.

People with Autism can have very sensitive senses,

but this is okay. If you notice it bothering someone,

turn down loud noises and bright lights if you can.

Someone with ASD may take a while to answer you.

Just give them time to tell you their answer. They

may respond in their own way. For example, some

people cannot speak, but they can still

communicate with a picture!

Some people may only want to talk about things

they are interested in. Try to ask a question about

the topic and learn a new fact!

Parents/Guardians/Teachers, here are some ideas you can talk to your child about regarding their peer with Autism Spectrum Disorder:

A disability is only one part of a person. They have

likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses just like

you do!

People with ASD want to be included, have friends

and be respected.

Encourage your child to play with peers with ASD,

give them a compliment, share their toys, and ask

them a question about what they are doing.

If a child has limited verbal communication, suggest

that your child play a game with them that does not

involve speech. ( board game, crafts)

Be a great role model for your children! Encourage

peer interaction, model what a simple conversation

can look like (greeting, compliment, question),

interact positively with people with disabilities in

your daily activities.

For more information about Autism Spectrum Disorder, look at the following resource: http://www.autismnovascotia.ca/ and/or https://www.autismspeaks.ca

UP AND COMING FOR MAY

Victoria Day - Monday, May 20, 2019 NO CLASSES

Gr. 8 Reading, Writing, Math Assessments

OF INTEREST TO OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Students in Grade Primary-2, 3-5, and

6-8 are invited to submit a story or

poem for ACALA’s 11th Annual Family

Writing Contest on the theme of “Our

Pale Blue Dot”. We want to celebrate our Earth, the

nvironment, and all the things that are happening to make

the world a better place! Student authors must write with

at least one other family member to submit a real or make-

believe story or poem of any length. Pictures are not

necessary, but are always appreciated! The contest

deadline is Friday, 26 April, 2019. Winning authors in each

category will be presented at a celebration at the People’s

Place. For more information see ACALA on Facebook, or to

submit a story, contact katcollns@hotmail.com.

To register or find out more, email

katcollns@hotmail.com or call 902-863-3060.

INNOVATE OUR FUTURE – 2019 Leadership Development Conference – Science and Technology – May 10-12, 2019 presented by St.F.X. and

4-H Canada. Open to 4-H members, Gr. 8 to high school students. Registration $125 before Mar 30/19; $150 after Mar 30 to Apr 16/19 includes meals and accomodations. Apply online at www.alumni.stfx.ca/4h19 or contact Rhonda MacDougall at Rhonda.Macdougall@novascotia.ca (902-863-7501)

SchoolsPlus is a comprehensive and collaborative interagency approach to educating and providing service to the whole child and family with the school as the centre of service. The focus of SchoolsPlus is to support students and families by helping them in attaining timely and effective services which meet their identified needs. A big thank you to families who participated in our March Break programs! We had a blast playing games, roasting marshmallows, painting, and watching HOP! Antigonish County Recreation will be running a Spring GO! Program for grades 5 and 6 and Paddle Program at SAJS. Registration will be required. Stay tuned to their website in the next couple of weeks by clicking “register here” at: recreation.antigonishcounty.ns.ca and clicking on “programs” or see Tara in SchoolsPlus for more info! Antigonish Town Recreation will also be bringing back the Spring Fitness classes with Aldona in the next couple of weeks. Registration will be required. Visit www.townofantigonish.ca/ recreational-programming.html or see Tara in SchoolsPlus for more info!

Marguerite MacGillivray - SchoolsPlus Facilitator Jenna Cameron - SchoolsPlus Community Outreach Worker Tara Hassin - SchoolsPlus Community Outreach Worker