Submitted by Brenda Brewer, Principal, and Breanna Heels, Vice-Principal
We have just had March Break and we are rolling into April now! With warmer weather and the sounds of Spring, we have also had many Covid protocols lifted. The biggest change is that students are able to play together on the playground again, and you can hear kids laughing at recess – perhaps one of the sweetest sounds of Spring!
The Grade 5/6 and 6/7 classes also recently spent the day at the Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre. The classes got to ski, snowshoe, play Survival (which is a class game at the BOEC), have a cookout lunch and build shelters. Going to the Outdoor Education Centre has always been a rite of passage for Grade 6 students, and even though it has been adapted, we are just really glad these trips could still happen this year. Grade 8 and 12 Grad photos also were able to happen this year which is exciting! Secondary Girls Volleyball teams finished their tournaments, and Secondary students are now into the Badminton season. Green Industries, which is a new course at Bruce Peninsula District School (BPDS), taught by Mr. Kuipers have plants growing in the cafeteria and will be ready to plant them soon. Ms. Stanton is leading a school play, A Lighter Shade of Noir, which will be open to the public to see between May 12-14 so mark your calendars!
At St. Edmunds Public School, in school library visits are resuming as well.
Spring is always a season for renewal and awakening, but it feels especially so this year!
Lift of Covid Restrictions
As of March 21, many of the Covid protocols have been lifted or eased. Masks are no longer required, although they are still encouraged. Students no longer have to physically distance or remain in their class cohorts. It is really exciting that they can now play with other classes, and no longer have to remain in zones at recess. Despite these changes, we encourage everyone to continue to be mindful, respectful, and accepting of each other’s personal space and comfort level when it comes to physical distancing.
We continue to require staff and students to continue to screen every day before coming to school at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/. As always, anyone who is sick or has any new or worsening symptoms of illness should stay home until their symptoms are improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours for nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea). We also continue to provide rapid antigen tests for symptomatic staff and students.
Featured Staff
We would like to take an opportunity in each issue to highlight the amazing staff at BPDS and St. Edmunds. In this issue, we would like to introduce you to the Intermediate teaching team at BPDS!
Terri McIver teaches Grade 6/7 and has been teaching at BPDS for 16 years! Terri was a student at BPDS, and loved it so much, she came back to teach here. Lots of BPDS staff were also students here, so you know it’s a great place to be! Terri was also Mrs. Heels’ Associate Teacher when Mrs. Heels was becoming a teacher! Terri says: “I love teaching at BPDS, because I have the best colleagues and we have the best students! In grade 6/7, we are looking forward to the spring weather, and taking our learning outside!”
Melissa Rosenburg teaches Grade 7/8 at BPDS and has been teaching at BPDS for 7 years. Melissa says: “I LOVE teaching at BPDS because every day is different and exciting, with no room for boredom. Except snow days, they can sometimes be boring without the chatter of all the kids in the classroom. Teaching Grade 8 at BPDS is so rewarding, as I get the pleasure of watching the kids grow and change through coaching them in sports, helping them organize and lead their ideas through Student Council, laughing and making memories on school trips and inspiring and learning from each other within the class. Getting to know the kids in and outside of the four walls of the classroom is just so cool, and they inspire and challenge me to always be the best version of myself!”
Student Demographic Census
Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) is organizing a Student Demographic Census. All junior kindergarten to Grade 12 students will be provided access to this confidential questionnaire in April 2022. The goal of the census is to collect accurate and objective demographic data that will describe the current student population, across all municipalities, grades, and school communities; identify barriers to student success and well-being, including barriers to student achievement, equity, and inclusion within schools; and inform new and existing instructional programming and supports to better support the achievement and well-being of BWDSB students.
If you have any questions, visit BWDSB’s designated web page at www.bwdsb.on.ca/students/student_demographic_census. Additional information will be shared by the school as we get closer to the Student Demographic Census.
If you don’t already follow our Facebook page, you can follow us at Bruce Peninsula DS to see all of the amazing things happening at the school. If you ever have questions or concerns, give us a call at (519) 793-3211 or by email: Brenda_Brewer@bwdsb.on.ca and Breanna_Heels@bwdsb.on.ca.
