Owl Post
October 14, 2024
As we enter the second half of the school year, our focus remains on building academic success in every classroom while reinforcing schoolwide expectations to support a safe, positive, and productive learning environment for all students.
Our Academic Efforts
- Meeting Every Learner’s Needs: Teachers continue to differentiate instruction in the classroom, and our WIN program (K-5) provides leveled support to help students reach grade-level standards.
- K-5 Science of Reading Training for all teachers to help make sure that all teachers have the tools, knowledge, and common language to build foundational reading skills in each and every student at Vernon.
- Middle grades math and reading support classes
- With the help of our interventionists, we have already seen strong student growth.
- SMART Reader Program: Every Wednesday, volunteers read with our 1st graders, fostering a love of reading and strengthening early literacy skills.
- Parent Volunteer Support: parent volunteers provide additional foundational reading practice for students needing extra support.
- Professional Learning Communities in grade level teams to help reflect, collaborate, and target instruction based on student data.
- SEI SUN School Afterschool Program: Shania Rose leads our afterschool enrichment program, offering academic and extracurricular opportunities for students.
Recognizing Student Growth
We celebrate student achievements through weekly drawings and other recognitions, highlighting their efforts and progress.
Focus Areas
- Middle Grades (6-8): Encouraging students to be present in class, stay focused on learning, and develop academic and social problem-solving skills.
- Student engaement efforts to work with students to increase engagement in the classroom and around the school.
- Younger Grades (K-5): Promoting perseverance in challenges, a growth mindset, and problem-solving through kindness and collaboration.
Strengthening Our Community
We are also reinforcing key values that make Vernon a supportive and thriving school community:
- Being Supportive: Encouraging students to uplift one another.
- Celebrating Growth: Recognizing achievements, big and small.
- Challenging Each Other: Inspiring one another to rise to challenges and be the best Owls we can be.
Our goal is to empower students to embody the traits of IB learners, strengthen our school community, and ensure that every student feels supported in reaching their full potential. Thank you for your continued partnership in making this possible!
Black History Month Celebration
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION - 2/27/2025
February is Black History Month. This observance is a chance to understand Black histories, going beyond stories of racism and slavery to spotlight Black achievement. It’s also an opportunity to provide a fresh reminder to take stock of where systemic racism persists and give visibility to the people and organizations creating change.
Schools across the district are participating throughout the district, with gatherings, curriculum, decorations and other more.
Vernon will be celebrating with events throughout the month, as well as an evening event on Monday, 2/27/25. This is a collaborative event between Vernon educators, SUN School and our Families of Black Students affinity group. It is sure to be a great night! See below for Evening Event details, and below that, the plans for the whole month!
BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION:
WHERE: Vernon School
WHEN: Thursday, February 27th details to come!
Hello from the school nurse!
The Winter sick season has arrived! I have noticed an increase in illness at school and
wanted to give you all a few good reminders about staying healthy.
● Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often, rubbing for at least 20 seconds. Teach
the younger kids how long 20 seconds is, have them sing their ABCs one time, is about
20 seconds.
Be sure to keep your hands away from your face.
● Do not share food, drinks, or personal items.
● Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or by completely covering your nose and
mouth with the inside of your elbow, use that “cough pocket”! Be sure and wash those
hands after blowing your nose please.
● Stay up-to-date on all vaccines, including COVID-19 boosters and influenza.
● Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
● Disinfect high-touch surfaces daily.
● Check in with your students every day, if they are ill, please keep them home. If they
come to school ill, chances are pretty high, their illness will spread around and they’ll
end up getting sick again. Let’s stop to virus cycle.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there are any questions or concern.
In health~
Cindy Bakke BSN, RN, School Nurse
Vernon’s E-Bike Lending Library
The Vernon Bike Bus has been given an Aventon Abound cargo e-bike for our community to share. Glady's Bikes on Alberta generously built it for free. People in the Vernon community are invited to borrow the bike for up to one month, and then pass it along to the next interested person.
Please make sure you have a place to secure the bike and store it out of the elements.
Complete this form if you are interested in borrowing the bike, and share it with anyone else who may want to give it a try.
