Brent Kennedy Elementary School

Parent and Family Weekly Update 

December 9-13 2024

I would like to express my gratitude for the continued support of the awesome parents and community at Brent Kennedy! This season reminds us of the importance of community, kindness, and togetherness; values we strive to instill in our students every day.

We have many exciting events and activities coming up to celebrate the Christmas season, including Christmas caroling, concert practice and classroom door decorating. BIG THANK YOU to the Nelson & District Credit Union for a very generous donation to the school, which we will use to help us support families in need this Christmas. We appreciate these special opportunities to team up with our community to support our families at Brent Kennedy.  

This weeks newsletter features beautiful Christmas tree art seen at the front of the school, created by our Kindergarten class. 

Please take a moment to review the updates below and join us in making this a joyful and memorable season for all.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful week!

Announcements for Parents

• Term 1 Learning Updates have now been published to the parent portal via MyEd BC. Parents will have received an email indicating that the Learning Updates are published. Please click this link to access the MyEd. BC webpage : https://myeducation.gov.bc.ca/aspen/logon.do
• All Grade 4 students are invited to participate in the Middle Years Development Index (MDI) Survey coming up in the New Year. A hard copy information sheet and passive consent form has gone home with students. Additional parent information was sent home to Gr 4 parents via email.  
• Intermediate parents - please check your emails for upcoming messaging about downhill skiing at Whitewater ski hill.
• Primary parents – permission forms have gone home for skating and XC Skiing.

Announcements for Students

• Student Lunchtime Activities: 

  • Volleyball Gr 5/6 – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

  • Soccer Gr 2-4 – Friday 

• Please do not throw sticks, rocks or pinecones.

• Reminder that the forts in the forest belong to everyone! All students are allowed into any fort they please.

• When in the forest for recess, please remain in the RED DOT boundaries. 

• Please get a GOLDEN TICKET from your teacher if you need to visit the office area for any reason. Students without Golden Ticket will be sent back to class. 

• Remember to get your bus pass before the end of the day! 

Still Out There: 

• In order to avoid classroom interruptions, please wait until dismissal to pick up your child, if possible, unless an arrangement has been made. Thank you from teachers! 😊
• Students often need a change of clothes after recess if it is wet outside. If your child is in the primary grades especially, consider slipping an extra pair of pants into their backpack.
• Please note the parent volunteer information listed below. All parents who volunteer in the school or classroom are required to please complete the application process annually. Completed applications and Criminal Record Checks (CRC) are kept in the office. Teachers are notified when a parent in their class completes the required application and CRC for volunteering. Please let us know if you have any questions or need assistance with this process.
• Parent Volunteer Information : Parent Volunteer Information Page
  
  • AP 2303 : Volunteers
  • If you are attending class trips or are a parent volunteer in another capacity within the school, please complete the requirements found on the website and turn forms into the school office. Thank you! (Forms must be completed in full, to have the application accepted).
  • All Parent Volunteer Packages and Criminal Record Checks (CRC) must be completed ANNUALLY.
  • If you volunteer at two schools, only one Application and CRC needs to be completed for both. 
• Please keep up the great work with parent communication to the school regarding absences and after school plans. Thank you!
• Please remind your child to please get their bus note before 2:00 pm, if they require one.

• If you can, please label your child’s jackets and sweaters (even initials would be helpful!). This allows us to return left behind clothing to the right person. 

• Please take a look at the lost and found the next time you are in the school to see if anything belongs to your family. 

• When you contact the School office via phone or email, or send a note with your child, please be as detailed as possible and include: 
  
  • Students First and Last name
  • Homeroom teacher
  • Name of bus route (if applicable) 
  • Any other details pertaining to your question or request. THANK YOU!
  • If you have arranged an alternate pickup arrangement for the day, please let your child’s teacher know. 
• Please remind your child to keep their cell phone or other device either at home or zipped up in their backpack for the duration of the school day. Please see the bottom of page 2/ top of page 3 of the Brent Kennedy Elementary School Code of Conduct for more information on cell phones at school. 

This Week and Coming Up:

December 6 : Term 1 Learning Updates published to the parent portal via MyEd BC. 

December 9 : PAC Meeting @ 5:30 in the school library 

December 13 : December Celebration Assembly 

December 17 : Christmas Concert dress rehearsal 

December 18 : Pizza Day for all!

December 19 : Christmas Concert (Invitation Sent)

December 23 : School Closed for Christmas Holidays

January 6 : School Reopens

Ms. Klassen

Principal

Brent Kennedy Elementary School