April at 100 Mile Elementary

🌱 École 100 Mile Elementary – April Newsletter

Land Acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that we live, work, and learn on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc Nation. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from this land and its people.

🐺 Principal’s Message

April has brought a real shift in energy to our school. With longer days and warmer weather, students are naturally more active and energized. While this is something to celebrate, it also means we need to be especially intentional in maintaining calm, structured, and predictable learning environments.

At École 100 Mile Elementary, we continue to ground our work in the Circle of Courage—supporting students in developing belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity. These months are an important time to reinforce these values:

• Belonging through strong relationships and inclusive classrooms
• Mastery by staying focused on meaningful learning
• Independence by encouraging students to take ownership of their work and actions
• Generosity by caring for one another and our shared spaces

You will see this come to life both inside and outside the classroom as we continue to embrace outdoor learning opportunities and hands-on experiences connected to our local environment.

🌎 Focus on Learning: Outdoor Education

This month, many classes have been taking their learning outside. Whether it’s exploring local ecosystems, practicing observation and descriptive writing, or building curiosity through inquiry, outdoor learning continues to be a powerful way to engage students.

Easter Hat Parade
Our annual Easter Hat Parade was a wonderful celebration of creativity and community. Students proudly showcased their unique designs, each one reflecting imagination, effort, and personality. We know that these projects often involve time and support at home, and we would like to sincerely thank families for helping bring these creations to life. It was especially meaningful to see so many family members join us for the parade—your presence helps make these moments even more special for our students. Events like this continue to strengthen our sense of belonging as a school community.

Spring Carnival
Our Spring Carnival was a tremendous success and a highlight of the month. A huge and heartfelt thank you goes to our PAC for the incredible amount of time, energy, and organization that went into planning this event. From games and activities to the overall welcoming atmosphere, the evening truly brought our school and wider community together. It was wonderful to see students, families, and staff connecting, laughing, and enjoying time together outside of the regular school day. Events like this remind us of the strength of our school community and the importance of coming together in celebration.

Recognition Assembly – Respect
This month’s Recognition Assembly focused on the Grandfather Teaching of Respect. Throughout the month, staff have been intentionally noticing and acknowledging students who demonstrate respect in their daily actions—whether through kindness to peers, care for our learning spaces, or responsibility for their own behaviour. Students who were recognized have shown that respect is not just something we talk about, but something we practice. These assemblies continue to be an important way to celebrate positive contributions and reinforce the values that shape our school culture.

🌎 Learning in Action

Earth Day
Earth Day provided a meaningful opportunity for students to engage in learning that connects directly to their environment and their role within it.

• Mrs. McClusky’s class took their learning into the community by visiting a local park and helping to clean up a shared space. This experience helped students see firsthand how small actions can contribute to the well-being of our community and environment.

• Ms. Langton partnered with Mrs. Varney’s class to create bird feeders using natural materials. This hands-on activity encouraged students to think about local wildlife, ecosystems, and how we can care for the living things around us.

These experiences reflect our commitment to outdoor and place-based learning—helping students build awareness, responsibility, and connection to the world around them.

Global Citizenship – Generosity in Action
Mrs. Helmer’s class demonstrated outstanding generosity and global awareness this month. After learning about schools in Roatán, Honduras, students chose to donate a portion of the funds they have been raising for their own field trip to purchase school supplies for a rural school. This decision reflects thoughtful discussion, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility to others beyond our immediate community. Opportunities like this help students understand the impact they can have in the world and bring the value of generosity to life in a very real way.

Special Visitor – Mary Forbes
Our primary students had the opportunity to learn from a very special guest, Mary Forbes, who visited classrooms to share her knowledge about local predators and their important role in our ecosystem. Through engaging stories and discussion, students learned how predators help maintain balance in nature and why each species plays a vital role in the health of our environment. Experiences like this help deepen students’ understanding of the natural world while strengthening their connection to the land and the living systems around them.

Forest Walks with Mrs. Lindberg
Regular forest walks with Mrs. Lindberg have provided students with valuable opportunities to step outside, reset, and reconnect with the natural world. These experiences allow students to shake off stagnant energy, support their well-being, and return to class more focused and ready to learn. Just as importantly, they create space for joy—sometimes expressed through laughter and a case of the “sillies”—which is an important part of healthy development. These moments outdoors continue to support both regulation and a strong sense of belonging for our learners.

Special Visit – Nachos the Snake
Students were excited to welcome a special visitor this month—Nachos the Snake. This unique experience gave students the opportunity to learn more about reptiles, their habitats, and how they contribute to healthy ecosystems. For many, it was also a chance to build comfort and curiosity around animals they may not encounter every day. Hands-on and engaging learning experiences like this help spark interest, deepen understanding, and create lasting memories.

Big & Little Buddies – Mme Hamm’s Classes (K/1 & 6/7)
Students in Mme Hamm’s Kindergarten/Grade 1 class and Mme Hamm’s Grade 6/7 class (yes—two different Mme Hamms!) have been building meaningful connections through their Big and Little Buddies partnership. These shared experiences provide opportunities for older students to take on leadership roles while supporting and encouraging their younger peers. At the same time, our younger students benefit from positive role models and a strong sense of connection within the school.

Activities have included reading together, outdoor play, and collaborative learning, all of which help strengthen our sense of belonging and community across grade levels.

👩‍🏫 Staff & Classroom Updates

We would like to recognize and thank Ms. Pittman, who has been working alongside Ms. Craig as a student teacher over the past two months. During her time at École 100 Mile Elementary, Ms. Pittman has built positive relationships with students, contributed to classroom learning, and become a valued member of our school community. Her dedication and enthusiasm have been evident, and we are grateful for the care and effort she has brought to her role. We wish her all the best as she continues her journey in education. In our French Immersion department we have been lucky to have another student teacher, Mme Chiberches, who has been sharing her skills with the students in both Mme Hamm and Mr Plante’s classes.

🍎 Reminders & Updates

Hot Lunch – May
Hot lunch ordering for May is now open through Munchalunch. This is always a popular option for students and a great support to our school programs. We encourage families to log in early to view upcoming menus and ensure orders are placed before the deadlines.

🍎 A Note on Nutrition & Well-Being

As student energy levels increase, maintaining consistent routines becomes even more important. We encourage:

• Sending a balance of healthy food options to support sustained energy
• Saving treats for later in the day
• Reinforcing regular eating habits to help students stay focused and regulated

These small routines make a big difference in supporting a positive learning environment.

🌼 Looking Ahead

As we move further into the spring months, we typically see a noticeable increase in student energy. This is a natural part of the season, and at school we respond by reinforcing clear routines, consistent expectations, and engaging learning opportunities.

Our focus remains on supporting students not only academically, but also in developing independence, self-regulation, and positive relationships. The growth we see during this time of year—both in learning and in personal development—is often significant.

We look forward to continuing this important work together over the coming months and appreciate your ongoing support as partners in your child’s learning.