Volume 15, Issue 3

PIE students and staff attended a very moving, hybrid (online and in-person), Remembrance Day and Indigenous Veteran's Day Assembly led by Ian Landy, on November 8th.

Alexa (left), with her cousin and grandmother, lead a beading workshop in qathet where students learned about Métis traditions and how to make bracelets.

Xander helped make beautiful decorations for the PIE Winter Market!!

Brandon and his partner crafted an exceptional WW1 Dodgeball game variation that they facilitated as part of a PHE 10 Leadership Activity through Term 1 qathet In-Person Learning.

The PIE Bowen Island centre, on Bowen Island, has been in operation for 21 years and operated for the majority of that time as the Island Discovery Learning Community (IDLC). IDLC joined PIE in September of 2019 and both PIE and IDLC ran parallel programs for the next few years till the qathet School District applied and was approved to operate a Provinical Online Learning School (POLS), begining in September of 2023.

Many IDLC satellite programs grew from the original learning community on Bowen Island and we are planning to highlight them, as well as our other two main centres, Comox Valley and (the original PIE centre in the qathet Region), in upcoming newsletters.

On Bowen Island, we support small groups, from Kindergarten up to grade 11, that focus on academic topics across many areas of study. In addition to the teacher-led classes and get-togethers organized by PIE staff, families also organize many social events throughout the year. A close relationship is established between families and teachers and this allows for an informed and connected way to support every child’s learning journey.

The MacDonald Family has been sharing their family adventures in South America. Check out their blog for epic photos and entries about their once-in-a-lifetime trip!

As the weather turns from fall to winter we are so grateful for all the fun that was had on our fall 2024 Field Trip series in the Comox Valley. We have started planning for our winter term offerings and look forward to having more field trip fun starting on Friday, January 17th. This photo was taken at Nymph Falls, in the Comox Valley, which is open year-round. You can learn more about this spectacularly scenic place here: https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/parks-recreation/comox-valley-parks-trails/nymph-falls-nature-park

Grade 3 students in qathet participated in a cross-cultural day as part of their in-person opportunities.

Jane Elliott came to the qathet School District in May of 2015, as the keynote speaker for our District Professional Development Day. Having learned about her, and her work, when I was in university, it was exceptionally meaningful to be able to hear her speak in person. At the end of her presentation, she asked if there were any educators who would like a copy of the Peters Map she had discussed. There was one catch, anyone who wanted a copy had to promise to put it up so others could see it, rather than keep it in a drawer as a souvenir. So, I signed the map in 2015, along with Jane Elliott, and it took till this year for us to have a building of our own in the Comox Valley where I could display it for others to see. When I emailed Jane Elliott (91 years old this month) to let her know I had fulfilled my promise, she was very happy to hear the news. When I emailed her again with the pictures of it up, she replied:

Stephanie!

Thank you, again, for the PICTURES! How delightful! 9 years ago! Good Lord! Who would have guessed that this would happen, just when I’m disgusted with myself for not doing a job as well as I thought I should have done, today. What a blessing you are!

Most sincerely,

Jane (One Race) Elliott

So, in honour of the work she has done to fight prejudice and bigotry, please take a look if you are in the building, and/or check out the link below, and spread the news about there being only One Race - The Human Race. ❤️

December 🎅

6: National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women

10: Sharing & Caroling (CV)

10: Human Rights Day

11: Winter Wonderland Skate (qR)

20: Term 1 Learning Updates Published & Last Day Before Winter Break

January ☃️

6: First day back after the winter break

26 - Feb 2: Family Literacy Week

📸 Instagram

Email: stephanie.hall@sd47.bc.ca
Website: https://www.sd47.bc.ca/pol
Location: 7105 Nootka Street, Powell River, BC, Canada
Phone: 604-485-2756
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/16157794226