Values: Belonging, Respect, Reconciliation, Empathy, Equity and Perseverance
Dear Falkland Families;

I hope by now you have all had the opportunity to review your child's progress from the second learning update made available to parents online through the MyEd Family Portal on Wednesday, March 6th. If you need help accessing this information or would prefer a paper copy, please contact Karlee at the office and she can either walk you through it or print a copy off for you. In reviewing the update, I hope that you have had the opportunity to read through the descriptive feedback provided in all areas of learning in order to support your child to find ways to continue their learning journey. The self assessment provided on the Core Competencies and the reflection on their personal growth toward their particular goal area, are all ways we are providing opportunities for students to become self directed learners. Please save the date of Thursday, May 2nd for our Student Led Conferences, the next informal learning update. Soon an email will be coming home requesting you to sign up between 2:30 and 4:30. We are hopeful that you can make every effort to make this date and time frame work, given the notice provided, however, if unable to do so, please contact your child's teacher to make other arrangements.

Please CLICK HERE to check out the Falkland School contribution to the SD83 Art Fair display at Picadilly Mall in Salmon Arm. We are working on making arrangements to have the displays up over Spring Break at the Okanagan Regional Library in Falkland as in previous years. What an amazing showcase of talent by our students.

As we move into Spring and the likelihood of wetter weather, please remember to send your children to school with the necessary outdoor gear to protect them from the wet, mud and cold. We go outside each recess and lunch (unless the temperature is colder than -13 or rain is too heavy) and often learn outside during the instructional time. Spare clothing is helpful for children who love to explore the wet, mucky puddles. This helps to keep outside time fun.

If you are interested in helping volunteer at the school, a reminder that all volunteers MUST have a police information check completed and on file with the school district. This takes several weeks so we encourage you to contact Karlee at the office for the online link to get started on the process right away. This process needs to be renewed every five years. In order to drive children other than your own to and from SD83 events, there are certain requirements that must be in place in order to be approved. Please check in at the office for more information.

Supervision starts in the mornings at 8:00 AM. Please do not send your children to school before 8:00 AM. Students are directed to go home immediately after school unless supervised by a parent. If your child's after school plan is different from the norm, please inform Karlee or myself at the office (250-379-2320). We are very busy at the end of the school day so please contact the office to advise of a change of plans as early as possible. Children are more than welcome to return to school to play after 2:30 PM but are the responsibility of their parent.

Please remember when your child is absent from school to contact Karlee at the office by email (fal@sd83.bc.ca) or phone (250-379-2320). Include the reason for their absence in your message. Thank you very much. This helps to ensure all our students are safe and accounted for.

Keeping parents informed is important to us at Falkland School. There are several ways we keep parents informed of the happenings at our school: e-newsletters, weekly emails, our website, and Facebook. Posts on our website automatically go on our Facebook page so please LIKE or FOLLOW US on Facebook. You can always call myself or Karlee at the school; we are more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

Have a wonderful Spring Break. See you Tuesday, April 2th.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Cull
Draft 2024-2025 SD83 Calendar
Feedback is being solicited on the draft 2024-2025 school calendar in SD83. Please have a look and share your thoughts with our Superintendent and the calendar committee. Feedback through the use of this form will be accepted until March 21st.

CLICK HERE to access the information of what all needs to be considered in the development of a school district calendar.
Yearbook - Intent to Purchase
Compiling a yearbook takes lots of time, effort and energy. Before we begin this process, we want to make sure that our efforts are wanted. If you are interested in purchasing a 2023- 2024 yearbook, please complete this form that was sent home with your child in February and return it to school prior to Spring Break, March 15th. CLICK HERE for more information. Payment is $28.00 and due May 1st.

We are also starting to collect Yearbook Cover Pages. These are due Wednesday, May 1st. Students are encouraged to hand in as many as they like that meet the following criteria:

  1. Name on the back, not on the front.
  2. Images must reflect school themes
  3. Images must be colourful and original
  4. Use 8 1/2 x 11 white paper vertically positioned.
Salmon Arm Schools - Configuration Information Session
If you are interested in participating in the configuration discussion of K-12 schools in Salmon Arm, CLICK HERE to learn more.
Vision Screening for Students - Grade K, 3, and 6
A form was emailed home to families of students in Kindergarten, grade 3 and grade 6 on Friday, February 29th. We are excited to have these volunteers at our school on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 9th, 2024. If you prefer to NOT have your child's vision assessed, please complete the reverse consent form provided by email.
Protein and Veggie Boxes available - with subsidy option for those needing financial assistance
As communicated by email on Friday, February 29th, families of SD 83 schools are able to take part in a monthly protein and vegetable box supplied by local farmers. These boxes are being made available to increase the affordability and access to nutritious foods for families, while also supporting local farmers. Boxes will also include recipes to help with some ideas for using the ingredients.

1. Who can participate? This program is open to all SD 83 families.

2. How do we order? Boxes are ordered and paid for online. Please ensure you select Falkland School when ordering.
Meat Box: sd83.yfmeats.ca
3. Is there a discount option? While any family in SD 83 can participate, each school has a limited number of subsidized boxes. Therefore, if families feel they can afford the full price, we ask that they please leave the subsidy opportunity for those who cannot. If needing this subsidy, please enter the promocode (available from the school principal) and then pay the remaining balance ($20 for veggies, $30 for meat). This discount will be covered by the School's Family Affordability Fund.

4. How do I pick-up? Boxes are delivered to schools on a designated day for pick up by families after school during the following times: 2:30-3:30 (Falkland School, StrongStart space). Our designated pick up days are Thursday, March 7th, Thursday April 4th, Thursday May 2nd, and Thursday May 30th.

5. Is there a limit: Due to the coordination involved in drop-off and pick-up, and the capacity of each volunteer and farmer, there will be a limit of 80 boxes per school (40 meat, 40 veggie). The online ordering site will show when the capacity has been reached and the boxes are sold out.
Information about the Health Curriculum in BC
We are pleased to have Amy Witt, Health Support Teacher, return to Falkland School to support teachers in their instruction of the health curriculum. CLICK HERE to access the health curriculum (which includes content related to sexual health and mental health) which is part of the Physical and Health Education curriculum. You can click on a specific grade. You can select the elaborations button for both the Curriculum Competencies and Curricular Content to get additional information on each of the learning standards included for the grade of interest. Amy will be at our school on Wednesday, April 17th and Wednesday, April 24th. She is an engaging educator and I know our students will be excited to see her again.

CLICK HERE to view the Big Ideas K-10 – continuous view. 

CLICK HERE to view the Curricular Competencies K-10 – continuous view. 

CLICK HERE to view the Curricular Content K-10 – continuous view.

CLICK HERE to view the guide for elementary teachers – Supporting Student Health Guide, Elementary.

CLICK HERE to view the guide for secondary teachers – Supporting Student Health Guide, Secondary.

CLICK HERE to view the alternate delivery policy. The alternate delivery policy does not allow students to “opt-out” of learning about these sexual health topics. It is expected that students will, in consultation with their school, demonstrate their knowledge of the learning standard(s) that have been addressed by the alternative means. If you would like to arrange for alternate delivery, please arrange a meeting with the Principal to determine the learning that will be taught and the arrangements for assessment. As stated in the Guide for Elementary Teachers, as part of the comprehensive approach to student health and well-being, teachers are encouraged to treat health education as a regular, ongoing area of study rather than a once-a-year event.
Lost and Found

Starting on Wednesday, March 13th, lost and found items will be on display in our hallways for students until 2:30 Friday, March 15th, the last day of school before Spring Break. Please come and have a look and take what's yours. Anything unclaimed will be taken to a local thrift store.
Student Led Conferences - May 2nd

SAVE THE DATE
To fulfill our reporting obligation with respect to Communicating Student Learning, the staff at Falkland School would like to invite parents into the school on Thursday, May 2nd to participate in student led conferences, as the second informal report.
During student-led conferences, students will guide you through their learning using work samples and/or activities specifically selected as evidence of their learning. Each conference should last approximately 20 - 25 minutes. While opportunities for students to practice will be provided, the teacher will be present to support your child if needed and answer questions you may have about their work samples or progress.

This is a sacred time between a student and their parents. In order to ensure this time is uninterrupted, we ask that parents find child care for siblings, or use the child minding option available at the school. The school will ensure we have school support staff on sight to provide care for your children so you can attend your child's student led conference.

More information will be coming home soon about how to sign up between 2:30 - 4:30 PM on Thursday, May 2nd.
Be an Upstander
Bullying is unwanted, repeated, intentional behaviour to harm someone else, emotionally or physically. Typically there is an imbalance of power. While bullying is unkind, not all unkind behaviour is bullying.

CLICK HERE to access more information about what bullying is and the difference between bullying and conflict. Please CLICK HERE to access the ERASE website, dedicated to promoting safe and caring schools.

An UPSTANDER is someone who recognizes when something is wrong and acts to make it right. When we stand up for what is right, and do our best to help support and protect someone who is being hurt (physically and emotionally), we are being socially responsible.

CLICK HERE to watch a video about what it means to be an UPSTANDER in both bullying and unkind situations.

Follow up with all students involved in a conflict situation typically occurs so students learn their role in contributing positively to our school community. Students can make choices to be an UPSTANDER and more helpful in a bullying or unkind situation. Our expectation is that all students will take part in doing what's right as an UPSTANDER. If a student struggles to find the courage to act as an UPSTANDER, at the very least, we would like students to walk away and inform an adult. Keeping parents informed of their child's behaviour at school is important to me as Principal at Falkland School. Thank you for your continued support at home to encourage your child to do the right thing when they observe unkind behaviour. We all have a role to report unkind behaviour and bullying as soon as it occurs to ensure our working and learning environment is safe and caring so everyone feels a sense of belonging.
When students see behaviour that is unkind, they can stop it by getting involved. As an UPSTANDER, they could try:

  • Saying something like, “leave him/her alone,” or “cut it out"
  • Modeling the use of kind words to others
  • Directing attention away from the unkind behaviour
  • Getting support from friends to stand up against the person acting unkind
  • Reporting the unkind behaviour to adults

Don’t be a BYSTANDER and encourage unkind or bullying behaviour by:

  • Sticking around while it is happening to observe - your presence adds to the problem
  • Laughing, cheering or recording it, even DARING others
  • Forwarding bullying or unkind photos or texts or spreading information about the incident
  • “Liking” mean comments or photos on social media
  • Joining in on the bullying or unkindness

At assemblies and in our classrooms we are making student to student interactions a priority. While we are encouraging students to be UPSTANDERS, at the very least, all students have an obligation to be respectful, responsible and safe in every setting and at all times.
BE RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, SAFE

Our School District Code of Conduct ensures that students are expected to demonstrate positive standards of attitude and behaviour. Our Falkland School Code of Conduct ensures students are respectful, responsible and safe. Actions of students need to contribute to a safe, caring, and orderly environment, in accordance with School District Policy 1030 Wellness in Schools, and corresponding regulation 1030.01 Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools. In addition, according to policy 310 Student Code of Conduct, School District 83 expects students to conduct themselves in the following ways to maintain environments conducive to learning:
a) Maintain courteous and respectful relationships with fellow students, teachers, support staff, and others involved in the school system;
b) Respect public and personal property;
c) Adhere to all classroom, school and district rules and policies;
d) Comply with the reasonable directives of a teacher or other employee of the Board;
e) Maintain appropriate standards of hygiene, dress and language;
f) Attend school daily and promptly at the appointed hours;
g) Work diligently and respectfully without disrupting the work of others;
h) Demonstrate respect for all people, both in and outside school in compliance with the BC Human Rights Code;
i) Demonstrate respect for diversity including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, age, ability, culture, ancestry, language, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background.
 
SD83 Student Code of Conduct Policy 310 also states that where appropriate, consequences for unacceptable conduct should be preventative and restorative in nature and should provide students with an opportunity for growth and reflection. Restorative and other measures, including student suspension and exclusion form school may be necessary for those occasions when efforts fail to result in a student complying with expected conduct standards.

Please CLICK HERE to access the Falkland School Code of Conduct. We have been working hard to reinforce the expectation of keeping your body in your own space. We have also been working hard on helping students understand that if they don't yet have the moral courage to be an UPSTANDER, and are unable to find ways to contribute positively, at the very least students are not permitted to impact the school experience of others in a negative way.

Behaviour is communicative and usually represents an individual’s best effort to meet their needs. Discipline provides an opportunity to learn a better way to meet an individual’s needs and fix mistakes with those affected. The ultimate goal of any discipline is restorative, where the individuals and relationships involved are strengthened. Individuals must be willing to accept responsibility for their part in a problem or conflict in order for restoration of self and others can occur. If unwilling, consequences are assigned from a least restrictive to more restrictive approach based on a progressive discipline model. Discipline, like all learning, happens internally. Making mistakes is how we learn, and with children, there’s a lot of growth that happens in the area of personal development and their understanding of socially responsible behaviour at school and beyond. Learning takes time, patience and practice. We all have a role to play in doing what’s expected to keep our school safe, caring, and orderly thus contributing to a school environment that prioritizes learning and promotes a sense of belonging for all.
Problem Solving Wheel
In whole school assemblies and in classrooms, we support students to develop peaceful problem solving skills through the use of strategies that make up our problem solving wheel. Staff on supervision also encourage students to access the problem solving wheel. Supervisors help them to determine an appropriate strategy to attempt, given the size of the problem. Making it clear that a particular behaviour, being directed toward them, is unwanted, in an assertive and direct way, is one of the first steps often missed with students
A conflict usually arises when the efforts to meet one’s needs interferes with the needs of another. Conflict is inevitable in any group setting. At Falkland School we use this Problem Solving Wheel to help students solve small problems on their own. Students are encouraged to solve problems when they are small and to access adult support at anytime to help them solve a conflict. It's important that a sense of resolution is found because unresolved conflict is not healthy and can affect a child's sense of belonging. If your child has mentioned to you about an unresolved conflict that happened at school, please contact your child's classroom teacher or Mrs. Cull for help.
Falkland School Wolves Basketball - Grade 6, 7, 8
Congratulations Dylan Klassen, Kolton Klassen, Charlotte Ellis, Darius Gervais, Sid Wood, Kendyl Celesta, Luke Abel and Hudson McAfee (not pictured) on a successful season. A big thank you to Shelly Cull and Katelyn Abel for coaching. We are all looking forward to our upcoming jamboree consisting of our last couple of games on Thursday, March 14th. We are also looking forward to a celebration to follow on Tuesday, April 2nd, our first day back from Spring Break with frozen treats and pizza.
Cross Country Running

Stay tuned for more information after Spring Break about our Falkland School Cross Country Running Team for students K-8. Thanks to our Head Coach Shelly Cull for taking on our Falkland Wolves Cross Country Team. We would love some parent volunteers to assist with practices (likely 2-3 times a week from 11:30 - noon) and the various runs offered this school year. On practice days team members will eat their lunch from 12:00 - 12:15 as a group.

More information about practice dates and upcoming dates for races, will be forthcoming to those students who express interest. The Little Mountain Stomp race in Salmon Arm is set for Wednesday, May 1st for kindergarten to grade 7.
Dress Code

The North Okanagan-Shuswap School District policy ensures all students dress in a respectful manner which is appropriate and conducive to a positive as well as safe learning environment. Appropriate dress for school is considered to be that which:

  • Is safe and respectful of self and others;
  • Is free of any reference which promotes alcohol, drugs, gangs, hate, obscenity, profanity, racism/discrimination, sex and/or violence;
  • Is reflective of school as a work setting.

At Falkland School, as a place of work for students, appropriate coverage is expected in all learning environments (playground, classroom and gymnasium). Students wearing clothing which is too revealing, including bare backs, bare midriffs, plunging necklines or clothing not suitable for the task at hand, will be asked to wear something more appropriate, or be given something to wear.

Underwear needs to be under outerwear, and therefore, should not be visible. Footwear must be worn at all times. Inside shoes are mandatory for all students to be sure our school stays clean and safe.

We ask that hats and hoods be removed once students enter the building. Hats and hoods may be worn during breaks and lunches while outside.

In conclusion…please, Dress For Success.
School Spirit Days

CLICK HERE to access a list of our School Spirit Days from our website and ensure these dates are in your personal calendars. Students who participate get a spirit ticket which goes into a classroom draw for a chance to win a prize from our office treasure box.
Cowfolk Breakfast - Friday, May 17th
On Friday, May 17th, students will be dressed in their cowfolk attire for our annual community breakfast to kick off the Stampede May long weekend extravaganza.

As always, the community is welcome to attend by donation. Breakfast opens at 7:45 am for the community and our classrooms will be invited two at a time after attendance is taken. A big thank you to our PAC for providing this opportunity for our students and broader community. 8:20-8:45 Div 5 and 6, 8:45 - 9:05 Div 3 and 4 and 9:05 - 9:25 Div 1 and 2.
Information from PAC
Thanks to the following parents for taking on executive positions with PAC:

President: Taylor Moody
Vice President: Julana Arndt
Treasurer: Mami Peterman
Secretary: Angie Sarvi
Directors: Adina Strotmann, Trisha McLean, Sonia Frank, Megan Jackson
DPAC rep: still needed please
Hot Lunch Coordinator: Julana Arndt
Greenhouse: Sonia Frank

The next PAC meeting is Wednesday, March 13th at 2:30 pm at the school. PAC is always looking for volunteers to support their efforts at the school to make our school an even more positive place to learn and grow. Child Minding will be provided.

Please contact Taylor Moody (250-503-4932) or Shelly Cull (250-379-2320) to discuss ways you can get involved with PAC or the school and contribute to your child's school experience.
PAC Meeting Dates:

Please record the following dates in your calendars:

Tuesday, April 16th
Tuesday, May 21st
Tuesday, June 18th

All meetings will take place at 2:30 pm.

Tell your Friends and Family....
If you shop at Cobs Bread in Vernon and mention that you are supporting Falkland School, 5% of your purchase will be donated back to Falkland PAC.
Soup Days
A big thank you to Julana Arndt and Janice Evans and their kitchen at Faith Mission for providing our students with soup every Tuesday that is fully funded by Feeding Futures Funds. Soup is available to all students who opt in. As usual please let the school know if you choose for your child to not participate.
Hot Lunch
Friday, March 17
Friday, April 12
Friday, April 26
Friday, May 10
Friday, May 24
Friday, June 7
Friday, June 14
Flip Give

Looking for an easy way to support the PAC? For everyday shopping online, download the FlipGive app and continue to shop at your usual favourite stores. Join our team now using our invite code KBQVBV in one of two ways:

  1. CLICK HERE to download the FlipGive app.
  2. CLICK HERE to Join online or to acquire more information.
For additional PAC related information please check out the following Facebook Pages:

CLICK HERE for information specific to parents - parents only page.

CLICK HERE for PAC's community page - anyone can join.
 
You can also check out our updates on our website www.fal.sd83.bc.ca. Past meeting minutes, agendas, principal reports, and treasurer reports can be found HERE or under the PARENT tab.
Thank you PAC for all you do in support of our students, staff, and school.
If you are interested in volunteering at the school, a reminder that all volunteers MUST have a police information check completed and on file with the school district. This takes several weeks so we encourage you to see Karlee for the online link to get started on the process right away.
Annual Growing Smiles
Falkland School Fundraiser

Information will be emailed home soon to families about our annual plant and flower fundraiser, just in time for Mother's Day, Stay tuned for this information.
Swimming - Grade K-3
Our students grade 4 - 8 recently completed three Winter Rec sessions at Silver Star Mountain. Our primary students will soon be participating in swimming as part of their recreation opportunity.
Swimming will take place for 6 Wednesdays starting May 15th until June 19th from 10:30 - 11:30 at the Vernon Aquatic Centre for students in grades K-3. PAC has generously covered the cost of bussing. Permission forms will be sent home soon after we return from Spring Break. Lessons will be approximately $50per student. Please contact Shelly Cull if you require financial support in order to participate. Knowing how to swim, given our area, is something our staff and PAC value and therefore swimming remains a learning experience we continue to prioritize for our students at school.
Student Learning Survey - Grade 4 and 7 Students and their Parents

The Provincial Student Learning Survey is unique in its scope, size, and usefulness to schools. It gathers information from parents/guardians/caregivers, teachers, and students on topics related to school environment, safety, and achievement. The information is used for planning in individual schools and provides a district and provincial perspective.

In April of 2024 the Student Learning Survey will be administered to students in grades 4 and 7, their parents/guardians/caregivers, and all school staff when we return from Spring Break. We encourage parents/guardians/caregivers to participate in this survey, as the results are important in identifying and celebrating current strengths, as well as determining where the school needs to focus improvement. The surveys contain standard questions for the Province. The survey can be completed electronically and a link will be emailed home to families with children in grade 4 and 7 when we return from Spring Break. The e-survey site will be open until Friday. May 3rd.
Upcoming Events - check our website for upcoming events.
FALKLAND SCHOOL  | 5756 TUKTAKAMIN ROAD, FALKLAND BC

250 - 379 - 2320| fal.sd83.bc.ca | fal@sd83.bc.ca