Signal Hill Circular - February 5, 2021

Signal Hill Circular for the week ended Friday February 5, 2021 We are honored to be living, working and playing on the traditional, unceded ancestral territories of the St'át'yemc Nation.
Message from our Superintendent	Upcoming Events
Dear Parents & Guardians, Enhanced safety measures are on the way for K-12 schools to strengthen safety plans at school sites. We want to assure you that our current health and safety guidelines in place are working effectively. Still, as the pandemic continues to evolve and as we learn more about its behaviour, our school guidelines must evolve too. Please find below key updates from the Ministry of Education that we have been instructed to have in place by February 26, 2021: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, enhanced safety measures are being introduced to further protect B.C. students, staff, and school communities. A summary of these updates can be found at the beginning of the Provincial COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines for K-12 Settings. All updates are highlighted throughout the document in yellow. Based on revised public health guidance for K-12 schools from the BC Centre for Disease Control, and in consultation and collaboration with all education sector partners and Indigenous rightsholders through a provincial steering committee, key updates include: A requirement that all middle and secondary students and K-12 staff wear non-medical masks in all indoor areas, including when they are with their learning groups, except when (a) sitting or standing at their seat or workstation in a classroom; (b) there is a barrier in place; or (c) they are eating or drinking. Strengthened guidelines for physical education and music classes. Improved protocols regarding staff interactions and shared spaces. Reducing crowding and gathering, and close face-to-face contact. These are important next steps in our fight against the spread of COVID-19 in our school communities. Continuing to enhance K-12 safety protocols is imperative for creating the safest possible environments for students, staff, and their families. School districts are expected to work with their partners and education rightsholders to update their district safety plans so they align with the above changes. Updated plans will be posted to each district’s website by February 26, 2021. At the school level, administrators will work with their health and safety committees to review and complete the new school safety plan checklist. You can expect ongoing communications from us as we make these changes to our SD48 Safety Plan for COVID-19 Exposure Control. In the meantime, please take a look at the following FAQ from the BCCDC to help answer any pertinent questions you may have. Reminder to please continue to complete a daily health check with your child before they enter school each day. To support you with daily screening, a new K-12 health-checker app has been developed for students and their families and can be found at https://www.k12dailycheck.gov.bc.ca. Sincerely, Lisa McCullough Superintendent of Schools	Please note: If you visit our website, the event details can be clicked on to receive more information. You can get to our Upcoming Events on our website by clicking here or visiting https://www.sd48signalhill.org/ Feb 8 \| Lockdown Drill 9:20 AM – 9:30 AM Feb 10 \| Public Board Meeting 6 PM Feb 15 \| Family Day - No School Feb 17 \| Family Day - No School Feb 22 \| FSA (Grades 4 & 7) Feb 23 \| FSA (Grades 4 & 7) Feb 24 \| FSA (Grades 4 & 7) Pink Shirt Day Feb 25 \| FSA (Grades 4 & 7) Feb 26 \| FSA (Grades 4 & 7) Did you know?: At Signal Hill, we have food available for any and all students who are hungry. Food is available all day for students with no questions asked. We believe students learn best when physical and social needs are met and providing breakfast and lunch are two ways to help students learn.
VCH Information Bulletin
VCH reminds residents to plan ahead before visiting COVID-19 test collection sites Vancouver, BC – Since Nov. 16, all residents in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region are offered two options for COVID-19 test collection: either saline gargle or nasopharyngeal swab when they visit certain COVID-19 test collection sites. However, test collectors are reporting some recipients arrive unprepared for the saline gargle test collection, excluding this as a viable testing option. VCH advises members of the public who wish to use the COVID-19 saline gargle device to avoid eating, drinking, vaping or smoking, brushing their teeth or chewing gum for at least one hour prior to taking this test. Research has shown this is necessary to ensure the test provides an accurate and reliable result. To properly complete the gargle test collection, recipients must swish and gargle saline water in their mouth for 30 seconds under the supervision of a test administrator. Saline gargle collection is currently available at 14 test collection sites across urban and rural VCH communities, and accounts for just over 30 per cent of all COVID-19 tests performed in the region. Test collection sites, listed on the VCH website, where the gargle test collection is available include: - Three Bridges Test Collection Centre - Vancouver Community College - Honoria Conway at St. Vincent’s - DTES COVID-19 Test Collection Centre - North Vancouver Test Collection Centre (ICBC Capilano Claims Centre) - Richmond Test Collection Centre (jetSET parking lot) - Richmond Test Collection Centre (Richmond Hospital) - Squamish Assessment Centre - Pemberton Health Centre - Whistler Health Care Centre - Sechelt Assessment Centre - Powell River Test Collection Centre at the Recreation Complex (drive through) - R.W. Large Hospital - Bella Coola General Hospital The Public Health Laboratory at the BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Children’s Hospital and Provincial Lab Medicine services – all programs of PHSA – worked together to develop the gargle test at the start of the pandemic to relieve supply chain demand for swabs for nasopharyngeal sample collection. During the test’s pilot program, laboratory and medical staff found the test was also an easier and more comfortable option for children and their parents and caregivers. The saline gargle devices were first offered to school-aged children in the VCH region on Sept. 17, before it was later extended to all residents in November. B.C. was the first province in Canada to offer this test collection option to its residents as part of its COVID-19 test collection protocol. The BCCDC has published a simple video guide for parents and caregivers which demonstrates how they can practice with their child from home, before they arrive at a COVID-19 test collection site. A video with guidance for adults has also been created. VCH advises waiting at least two hours between practicing and doing the actual test collection to avoid affecting test results. VCH continues to advise anyone with cold or flu like symptoms to use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to determine if they require assessment or testing for the virus. The wait times for test collection is also available for those planning to get tested. ### CONTACT: Rachel Galligan Communications Leader, Public Health Vancouver Coastal Health Cell: 236-833-5618 Email: galligan@vch.ca
Universal Precautions - Lockdown Drill
At Signal Hill Elementary we practice Lockdown drills. Our school drills are part of the universal precautions which we use to keep our school safe. For example, we schedule 10 drills spread out throughout the year, including fire, earthquake and Lockdown drills. The drill that will take place on February 8th was scheduled in August of 2020. We generally practice these drills with our community partners, including the Pemberton Fire Department and RCMP. This is to ensure that if there were an actual incident our schools and community partners would be able to respond efficiently and effectively. Students may have questions or concerns when experiencing this type of drill. With this in mind, thank you for taking the time to check in with your child and prepare them before the drill and please let us know if there are concerns. The National Association of School Psychologists has a useful resource for guiding conversation around this topic. We have attached the link to their webpage below. We are proud of how well our students work together to practice keeping our school safe. https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/school-violence-resources/talking-to-children-about-violence-tips-for-parents-and-teachers
Lil’wat Principles of Learning to guide us in our Mindset
Lil’wat Principles of Learning Lil’wat Principles of Learning Kamúcwkalha - acknowledging the felt energy indicating group attunement and the emergence of a common group purpose. Celhcelh - each person being responsible for their own and others learning, always seeking learning opportunities. Kat'il'a - seeking spaces of stillness and quietness amidst our busyness and quest for knowledge. A7xekcal - valuing our own expertise and considering how it helps the entire community beyond ourselves. Cwelelep - recognizing the need to sometimes be in a place of dissonance and uncertainty, so as to be open to new learning. Emhaka7 - encouraging each of us to do the best we can at each task given to us. (Lorna Williams, 2008)
Community Workshops
Please join us for a two part Online Parent/Caregiver Workshop Series co-sponsored by the Myrtle Philip and Signal Hill PACs Emotional Co-Regulation Workshop Feb 10, 2021 6pm-8pm Online Workshop via Zoom Zoom link : https://sd48-ca.zoom.us/j/61688101651?pwd=K2Q1RzZXc1dRNTRMaVhTLzRWWFhhQT09 In this workshop, parents/caregivers will gain an understanding of how the science of interpersonal neurobiology, sensory processing and parent-child attachment fit together. We will explore how parents/caregivers can begin to develop a more mindful and compassionate perspective on their child’s behaviour when they are able to make sense of it through a neuro-regulatory lens. We will focus on the importance of parents/caregivers being the bigger, stronger, kinder, wiser person in the parent-child relationship and what it means to be emotionally attuned and responsive to your child’s need for safety and deep connection. Some of the benefits of learning how to emotionally co-regulate with your child are increased emotional literacy, integrated, optimal brain development and ultimately, the development of self regulation skills. Learning Objectives:    Acquire a basic understanding of the concepts of interoception (the brain’s ability to be aware of our internal experience which includes bodily sensations/cues and emotions) and neuroception (how our nervous  system relies on feelings in our body to assess our level of risk and safety) Learn how to identify different neuro-regulatory states in your child and yourself and how you can cultivate an increased sense of safety within the parent/child relationship.   A process called emotional co-regulation. Be provided with practical, sensory-based strategies that can support the process of co-regulation in the short term and brain integration and self regulation in the long term. Parent/Caregiver Mental Health and Well-Being Workshop February 24, 2021 6pm-8pm Online Workshop via Zoom https://sd48-ca.zoom.us/j/61688101651?pwd=K2Q1RzZXc1dRNTRMaVhTLzRWWFhhQT09 Without a doubt, the exceptional circumstances of this past year have had a profound impact on our mental health as parent/caregivers and our overall ability to be resilient in the face of adversity. Getting caught up in the day to day care of our kids, we can easily lose sight of what we need in order to be the calm, compassionate, connected presence that our kids need. In this second workshop, we will be addressing how to cope with the all too common feeling of not “being enough” as parent, what gets in the way of us showing up for our kids in meaningful ways and how practicing mindfulness, self validation and self compassion can help you and your family members can move from surviving to thriving. Learning Objectives: Learn about what emotions contribute to caregiver burnout and how to proactively manage feelings of exhaustion during this period of prolonged stress. Introduce the practice of mindfulness (ability to witness our internal experience, non-judgmentally) and why this skill is the foundation of emotional literacy and self care. Come to understand the value of compassion and self compassion and how parents/caregivers can support a stance of acceptance and kindness within themselves and their family. Workshop Facilitators: Suli Ackhurst MSW, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Registered Clinical Social Social Worker Marketa Nykl M.Ed, Registered Clinical Counsellor Suli and Marketa are both imperfect parents and experienced family therapists that have worked extensively in the area of Child and Youth Mental Health, particularly in the treatment of adolescent eating disorders. They both have a specialized interest in mindfulness, emotions and the embodied nature of mental health. They believe that parents need not only information but also support to gain the skills necessary to engage in the type of advanced level caregiving that kids need to optimally support their mental health. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Parenting in Another Culture Program 2020-2021 For families with children who are not familiar with Canadian School System Info-Sessions facilitated by Amanda Walker from Capilano University. 4. Transition from Elementary School to High School Wednesday February 10, 6 – 7pm, Whistler/Pemberton specific for Gr 6 & 7 student(s) and their parent(s) to learn about high school (Gr 8~) 5. Entering Kindergarten and Elementary School System Wednesday February 24, 6 – 7pm (Whistler/Pemberton specific) To register and to get a Zoom link, please contact Izumi Inoue at info@welcomewhistler.com 604.698.5960 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Strengthening Families Program Does your family experience: Miscommunication or misunderstanding Hurt feelings Anger Trouble completing homework or chores Behavior problems at school or home Trouble being organized The Strengthening Families Program can help. This life-skills training program for families and their children (6-11yrs) helps: Improve communication Foster positive parenting practices Improve school performance Strengthen parent-child attachment This FREE 6-week program runs from Feb 11th – March 18th, Thursday evenings 7:30pm – 8:30pm, and includes: Parents-only workshop Free family gift each week To register visit www.sscs.ca/programs/strengthening-families-program Or contact Olivia Bevan on 604 815 2177 or at olivia.bevan@sscs.ca __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Daily Health Check
The Ministry of Education’s K-12 Health Check and the BC Self Assessment Tool and K-12 Health Check App can be used to support daily health checks for students and adults.
PAC Hot Lunch
Dear Families, The next session of the PAC's Hot Lunch Fundraising Program (Spring 2020-2021) has started. Next Thursday, February 11 is the deadline for the first week's menu item (served Feb 17/18) - SUSHI! Orders are due at the school by 3pm Thursday for paper orders and online by midnight. If you miss the first week, you can always order for the next, and the next, but the deadline is always Thursday end of day. Thank you for understanding that orders without payment will not be delivered. New this session is an option to help provide hot lunch for another student who may wish they could partake but isn't able to at this time due to the cost. Your contribution will go directly toward food cost alone (as compared to a small portion of the order of food items which goes toward fundraising initiatives). The goal is to continue to have a more inclusive school experience for everyone. If you want to participate, you can add that value to your orders on a weekly basis, or anytime during the session, as you will see on the order forms. Please note that careful attention is paid by our volunteers when delivering food to the classrooms, as well as by the food vendors, and recommended safety measures are being followed. HOW TO ORDER: ONLINE: Go to https://signalhillpac.hotlunches.net to register if you haven't already. (You need a new account each school year.) On the home page, search for our school, create a new account and enter the school access code SHE2020 Add students by name and class Place your orders for the current session. Pay by: on-line using a credit or debit card via the Bambora system; or, Send Cash or Cheque with your child to deposit into the new cash box on the wall beside the library entrance. Make sure the student’s name and class attached are well defined! PAPER: Fill out attached paper order form with all current information Drop completed form (with name & payment) with your child to deposit into the new cash box on the wall beside the library entrance. For any questions or concerns, please contact hotlunchsignalhill@gmail.com If you miss the deadline for this upcoming week, you can still order food through the session as it will continue when we return from winter break. Thank you for supporting the Fundraising efforts of the PAC through hot lunch!
Learning Connections
Outdoor Fun with snow caves and snow blankets! Happy to be here! The Daily5 with Ms. Treadway Biome’s with Ms. Nicholas! Geosphere with Ms Admas!
Mental Health & Well-Being
JOURNALING HAS SOME PRETTY POWERFUL OUTCOMES Researchers are finding that journaling to better understand yourself and learn from emotions has many positive effects on mental well-being including: Strengthening the immune system and lowering stress helping to increase health and reduce depression and anxiety. Learning healthy ways to release emotions. Over time, young people that use journaling to reflect on their emotions learn to become less reactive. Clarifying and achieving goals. A study showed that people who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them and feel less stressed. Creating empathy and understanding by allowing them to see their emotions and recognize that everyone faces challenges. Developing self discipline by sticking to a positive habit. Allowing them to get to know themselves thereby increasing self confidence. Helping them to bounce back from challenging circumstances. Increasing gratitude when they see the positives in their life.
Amhalhtś Be Kind Sois Gentil Tulle Be Calm Sois Calm Atsxentśut Be Safe Sois prudent

Signal Hill Circular - February 5, 2021

Lil’wat Principles of Learning

JOURNALING HAS SOME PRETTY POWERFUL OUTCOMES