Dear Parents/Guardians,

Winter is here, and many of our students are thrilled to enjoy the snow and all the fun our winter playground has to offer! Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather, including warm jackets, snow pants, and waterproof boots. Extra socks, mittens, and toques are always a smart addition—even for our Jr. High hockey players.

We've noticed the hallways becoming wet, muddy, and slippery. To help keep our school clean and safe, we encourage all Jr. High students to have a separate pair of indoor shoes to wear throughout the day. Additionally, a friendly reminder that students need appropriate footwear for gym class. Winter boots and cowboy boots should not be worn on the gym floor. Thank you for your support in ensuring a safe and productive environment for everyone!

Report cards will be available on December 5. For families with Grade 6-9 students, now is a great time to check PowerSchool to ensure all assignments are submitted. Completing assignments regularly helps students master learning objectives and stay prepared for upcoming assessments. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher sooner rather than later.

For our K-6 students, the outcome-based report cards provide a clear snapshot of their progress in specific skills. At this stage in the year, you may notice more Bs (Beginning) and As (Approaching), as students continue to work toward mastering their learning outcomes throughout the year.

With the arrival of snow and cold weather, Polar Bear Club forms have been sent home. If you’d like your child to participate, please sign and return the form to the school. Note that Grade 7-9 students do not require a signed form to join.

As part of our commitment to student growth and achievement, our school has developed a School Continuous Improvement Plan. Using data from various assessments and screening tools, our teachers analyzed student performance to identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth. As a staff, we collaboratively set school-wide goals to address these areas. In the classroom, this means targeted instruction, differentiated learning activities, and ongoing progress monitoring to meet the unique needs of every student. Our aim is to create a supportive and dynamic learning environment that fosters continuous improvement and success for all students. Please see the plan below.

Finally, there’s still time to join in the festive fun with our Fa La La La Fundraiser! This is a great way to spread holiday cheer and support NCS. Order forms are due by Monday, November 25, so don’t miss out!

Thank you for your continued support, and let’s make this winter season a wonderful one for everyone.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Bailey Benson

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." ~ B. B. King

Nov. 25 - Fa La La La Fundraiser Orders Due

Nov. 28 - Hot Lunch: Quesadillas (FREE sponsored by Niton Esso & A&W)

December

Dec. 1 - Yellowhead Santa's Anonymous Applications Due

Dec. 3 - Skills Canada Day

Dec. 5 - Report Cards Term 1 Released

Dec. 5 - Hot Lunch: Chicken Nuggets (FREE)

Dec. 6 - Professional Development Day, No School for Students

Dec. 12 - Christmas Concert @ 7:00 PM

Dec. 12 - Hot Lunch: Perogies (FREE)

Dec. 18 - Christmas Craft Day

Dec. 19 - Hot Lunch: Pizza (FREE sponsored by Jim Robinson Contracting Ltd.)

Dec. 20 - Last Day before Christmas Break

The Grade 6/7 class has been hard at work in their CTF program, honing their woodworking skills. Students are learning the fundamentals of measurement, tool safety, and craftsmanship as they tackle hands-on projects. Their dedication and creativity are evident in the unique and practical items they're constructing, showcasing their growing confidence and teamwork.

The K/1 class celebrated the 50th day of school with an exciting school-wide word scavenger hunt! Students eagerly explored the halls, searching for hidden words to build their vocabulary and teamwork skills. The day was filled with laughter, learning, and a sense of accomplishment as they reached their goal together.

All classes had an incredible adventure exploring with the VR goggles! Students were thrilled to step into virtual worlds, discovering exciting places and new perspectives. The immersive experience sparked curiosity and wonder, making learning feel like a thrilling journey beyond the classroom walls.

The K/1 class celebrated the 50th day of school in style by stepping back in time to learn iconic 50's dances like the jive, mashed potato, and twist! The day ended on a sweet note as students explored their senses to describe a root beer float, savoring its fizzy, creamy taste afterward. It was a fun-filled day of movement, discovery, and delightful treats!

The Grade 6/7 class had a blast playing French bingo as a fun way to expand their vocabulary skills! Students practiced listening and pronunciation while matching French words to their bingo cards. The engaging activity sparked friendly competition and helped boost their confidence in using new words.

The 4/5 class continues to shine as reading buddies for the K/1 students, fostering a love of books and building connections. Each week, the older students share stories with their younger peers, helping them develop listening and reading skills. This partnership not only strengthens literacy but also creates a warm sense of mentorship and community within the school.

The K/1 class explored creativity and color theory by painting rainbows using only primary colors. Through mixing red, blue, and yellow, students discovered how to create vibrant secondary colors, bringing their rainbows to life. This hands-on activity was a fun and artistic way to learn about colors while expressing their imaginations!

Theme: Accomplish

Our Knight Awards theme for the month is to Accomplish A few things to look for, promote, and model for our students,

• Confidence: Successfully meeting goals builds self-confidence, empowering students to take on more challenges.
• Building for the Future: Academic and personal accomplishments lay the groundwork for future opportunities, whether in further education or career paths.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Overcoming obstacles while working toward goals improves resilience and problem-solving abilities.
• Responsibility: Meeting commitments teaches accountability and reinforces the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions.
• Independence: Mastering the process of achieving goals helps students become more independent and self-reliant learners.

Volleyball

• Jr. Girls Volleyball Wind-Up: Tuesday, November 26, 3:30 - 5:00.
• Jr. Boys Volleyball Wind-Up: Thursday, November 28, 3:30 - 5:30. Parents/ Families are welcome to join the team at 4:00 to play against them, followed by food.

Basketball

Basketball season is just around the corner for our Grade 6-9 students, with practices and games starting in the next few weeks! It's a great opportunity to build skills, teamwork, and school spirit. Students interested in joining the team can sign up at the office—don’t miss out on the chance to hit the court and represent our school!