What's Up at Myrtle Philip? February 9-13

I Just / It Was Just a Joke

Words 100% by Brianne Aldcroft

It started about four years ago while I was principal at Pemberton Secondary where I would call students on behaviour they know very well is problematic, and rather than saying "oh sorry about that", which is what they used to do, they instead say "I was just (insert behaviour)" or "it was just a joke". The behaviours are almost always innocuous...crumpling up a piece of paper loudly, squeaking shoes on the floor, bouncing a ball in the hall during class time. In and of themselves, not a real issue or problem, but just please stop. 

I've noticed it in my own two kids, PSSers, and MPEers, so I bet you are seeing this too. The problem with this response is it minimizes another person's request and deflects the request. It's a defensive reaction and that doesn't build connection. Instead, it erodes connection and the give and take social contract.

My hunch here, is it's actually a new form of boundary testing in a time when boundaries (heck, the rule of law?) feel a lot fuzzier. We include kids a lot more in decision making and we give them "voice and choice", so perhaps they feel the request not to crumple paper so loudly while I'm in the middle of a lesson is also negotiable. It can be challenging for kids to say they are sorry. Again, that defensiveness.

What I've been working on with kids is that it's really no big deal. You can really just say "sorry about that" and if I do something that bothers you, I'll do the same thing. Owning our behaviour and how it lands for another person builds connection and we could really use a lot more of that.

It takes a village folks!

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New Stuff

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Family Heritage Day--February 17

Belong Club has planned a Family Heritage Day where we can dress up in traditional clothing from our cultures and perhaps bring some food from our cultural background to share with the class. This is like a school spirit day, but here we celebrate and appreciate what makes us different.

REMINDER: No Parents in Halls

If you are dropping an item off or delivering your child to school late, it's important that school staff take the item or child to the class. The main reason is confidentiality. Sometimes we are using hallways as workspaces for kids or are having tricky conversations with kiddos and having a "random" adult in the hall breaks that confidentiality. Also, we are trying to build kids' independence from you. Thanks a ton!

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In Case You Missed It

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School Food Programs

Our School Food Program ensures students have access to nourishing food at school through the lunches and snacks in the community fridges and breakfast program. Whistler Community Services Society in partnership with SD48 provides food to ensure that every child has access to nutritious, delicious and local food to be able to learn at school. Government funding helps but we rely on family and community contributions to bridge the gap and keep programs sustainable.

Every bit helps - Donate to the program here.

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Breakfast Club!—All Welcome!

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

8:05 am to 8:20 am

Cereal and toast

Remember your manners, tidy up after yourself, back outside when you are done so more students can come in for a bite to eat.

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Bussing

Students must be registered to use SD48 busing and meet certain criteria.

If you have the same address as last school year and are already registered, you are good to go!

If you are new to the district or have moved homes, please go to the SD48 website for further info and for instructions on how to register: School Bus Transportation

Information about Bus Routes is also on their website.

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Attendance

Please let the office know as soon as possible if your child will be away during the first week of school. Email [email protected] with your child’s first and last name, the reason for their absence, and their start date.

We ask that both new and returning families take a moment to familiarize themselves with our Attendance Procedures and expectations

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Volunteers

Criminal Records Checks - If you wish to volunteer at Myrtle Philip Community School or partake in any class field trips in the upcoming school years, we require that a Criminal Record Check (CRC) be on file here at the office. Click here for more info.

Volunteer Driver Application – This must be completed annually in addition to the CRC if you plan to volunteer as a driver this year: Volunteers – Families – Myrtle Philip Community School (sd48myrtlephilip.org)