What's Up at Myrtle Philip? June 8-12

The UBC Middle Years Development Index

Info from MDI and Grade 5 Focus Group, Coherence by Brianne Aldcroft

Each year, SD48 participates in the UBC Middle Years Development Index which is effectively a survey that grade 5 and 8 students do. At MPE, we took the survey back in early February. UBC just gave us our results. I did a focus group last week with a crew of 10 grade 5 students to look at their data and give us a bit of a richer picture. After crunching the info from UBC and the Focus Group, here is what the grade 5s would like us to know/do:

Talk about trusted adults. Ask your child who they feel comfortable going to at school and ask them why. Naming a trusted adult increases the likelihood children will engage in help-seeking behaviour. I use the acronym WITS: Walk away, Ignore, Tell Someone.

Normalize uncomfortable feelings. Many of our kids linked low well-being to stress, sadness and "friend drama". These things are not fun, but part of life. Adults help them develop strategies and coping.

Support predictable routines. The survey showed low-ish levels of sleep and nutrition, but the focus group disagreed with this. The kids in the focus group said they have pretty strict bedtimes and are forced to eat SO much fruit (oh the pain!).

Framing friend conflicts as growth/learning. The "friend drama" came up a lot. The focus group said it's the hardest thing they have to deal with. I would agree with them! It's super hard to learn how to be a good friend while the people you are trying to be friends with are ALSO learning how to be a good friend. Framing friendship struggles as growth or learning allows kids to grow at their own rate and avoids blame or framing things as character flaws. 

It takes a village!

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New Stuff

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Class Placements

We create balanced, inclusive classrooms each September based on students' social-emotional needs and academic needs. Families can share optional input through this Google Form which will be open until June 12. We cannot take specific requests for teachers or classmates. If you are the parent of twins or have step-children close in age, do let us know through the form if you want them separate or together.

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Grade 7 Farewell Ceremony!

It's a little too soon for me to wrap my head around it, but I know you need to plan, so I'm letting you know that we will be saying farewell to our grade 7s on June 16 from 5-6 pm. We will do a school-wide dress rehearsal during the day.

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Public Engagement On the Future of Child Care in BC

Since the launch of ChildCareBC in 2018, families have seen substantially lower fees, more spaces, and a bigger workforce in the sector with the newest social program in B.C. in a generation. The Province is continuing to build on this progress and is seeking input to guide the future of child care in B.C. 

The provincial government has launched a survey to hear directly from families, early childhood educators and child care operators about their experiences. 

This survey is voluntary and is separate from the ongoing mandatory Provider Profile Survey. I encourage you to share the survey with your parent communities. 

The survey can be found at gov.bc.ca/childcaresurvey and is available from May 28-July 9, 2026. A poster is available for you to share with your schools and child care providers. 

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In Case You Missed It

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Host Families Needed!

See the advert below from the SD 48 International Program. They are looking for host families for next year. I HIGHLY recommend you do this if you have the space in your home and life. You may not be able to go to Spain for a year, but you CAN invite Spain to your home for a year. By and large, the experience is a positive one.

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Personal Technology

Personal technology can interrupt learning because notifications, messages, and games pull attention away from class. Keeping devices put away helps everyone stay focused, protects people’s privacy, and makes sure learning isn’t disrupted.

Students may not use personal electronic devices including cell phones, smart watches, e-readers, and wireless earbuds during the school day unless a teacher gives clear permission for learning.

Devices, including watches, must stay turned off and kept in back packs. If a device is used without permission, it will be taken to the office. After the first offence, the student can pick it up at the office. After the second, a parent or guardian must pick it up.

--> Teachers may not be able to tell the difference between a normal watch and a smart watch. They may ask that all watches be kept in back packs. Admin supports this. Teachers don't have time to check every watch and what it can and and can't do.

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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)