Good evening families of Simons Valley School,
As you settle in for a cold evening, we are preparing for a fun week of learning. After Teacher Convention, many staff have some exciting new practices to share with each other that will ultimately improve student learning. An exciting keynote speaker, Dr. Greg Wells, shared some well-being advice that was applicable to all people in this age of technology that we thought to share with our own school community. One of his focus points was on the importance of sleep. He reported that our students (6-12 years old) should get 9-11 hours of sleep per night. As we know from what Mr. Paul Davis informed us in the fall, no student should have a screen in their room. The light from the screen can trick the mind to waking up. Quality sleep is highly correlated with learning, so it is important to prepare our student’s brains to be in the best possible condition to learn. As such, Dr. Wells provided an interesting notion of “Defend Your Last Hour”, speaking particularly of routines that do not involve a screen and instead include calming activities (e.g. reading, hot bath, journaling, etc) to help your mind and body settle into a rested state. He also suggests having a “bedtime alarm” in addition to our more known “morning alarm”. I have just put my new bedtime alarm into my phone (no YouTube for me tonight). For more information on Dr. Wells expertise and research, please visit: https://drgregwells.com.
Here are some important dates to keep in mind:
Key Dates for January 2025
- Feb 18 & 20 - Home Alone Course at Lunch
- Feb 19 – Fun Lunch – Little Caesars
- Feb 20 – Parent Council Meeting at 7pm
- Feb 21 – Panago Pizza Night
- Feb 24 – 1C/D Field Trip to the Sam Centre
- Feb 25 – 1A/B/E Field Trip to the Sam Centre
- Feb 26 – Pink Shirt Day
- Feb 28 – Professional Learning Day – No School
https://simonsvalley.cbe.ab.ca/calendar
Black History Month 2025
February is Black History Month, which is a time to learn, reflect, and celebrate the contributions of Black Canadians. This year’s theme for 2025 is "Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations." CBC Curio offers a rich collection of videos, documentaries, and educator resources to support meaningful learning in the classroom. From student-led explorations of Black history to thought-provoking discussions on identity and culture, these resources can help spark courageous conversations.
Georges P. Vanier School
Georges P. Vanier School is hosting an open house on February 20 at 6:30pm for those grade 6 families interested in French immersion.
School Council Meeting in February (Feedback session)
Our administration team will be sending a survey and collecting your feedback at our next school council meeting on February 20, 2025. We encourage you to attend to share your thoughts regarding school planning, which includes the school development plan, school budget, and school fees.
Have a great week,
Chris Hooper EdD