After two months, staff and students of Briar Hill have settled nicely into routines and engaging learning and community opportunities. The end of September brought the Terry Fox Run, with students surpassing our fundraising goal. It is wonderful to see the way in which our school community comes together to contribute to events of common concern such as this. In October, we welcomed Poet Miranda Krogstad, who presented at a whole school assembly, enticing our students with the world of poetry. Students are eager to being working with Miranda, who will be in our school for ten days between November and January.
Prior to Thanksgiving Day, teachers and students reflected on the things that they are thankful and grateful for; family and friends consistently topped the lists for all. As a school, we are thankful for our engaged and supportive parent community and our kind and compassionate students. Our kindergarten children captured and shared what they are grateful for in a large format mural that graced our front entrance in October.
Hallowe’en Hey Day is always an October highlight for students, and this year’s pumpkin carving contest generated a great deal of interest. The results were announced on Friday, October 25. Sincere thanks go to our many parent coordinators and volunteers, as well as the Grade 6 students who designed the Haunted House.
As we enter November, we continue to feel thankful as we take time to honour and remember the men and women who have served, and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace. Our annual Remembrance Day assembly will be held on Friday, November 8 at 10:40 a.m.
The month of December will be a busy one at Briar Hill School, beginning with a day of storytelling by Jeff Stockton. Jeff will be telling stories and playing the harp to one or two classes at a time throughout the day on Wednesday, December 4. Jeff Stockton is an award- winning storyteller, Celtic harpist and recording artist. To learn more about Jeff, visit his website at http://www.jeffstockton.ca/.
Finally, all students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 will be attending Alberta Theatre Project’s production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe on Tuesday, December 17. This trip is generously funded by the Briar Hill School Council; details will be sent home closer to the date.
Sincerely,
Stephen Hart, Principal
Robin Halbert, Assistant Principal
