Gabriola Elementary School @ Track & Field

I took the morning off work on Wednesday to join the kids from the Gabriola Elementary School that qualified for the Zone Track & Field meet in Nanaimo, there were 57 from our school.  It was intense, fun and great to see kids in action.  I do have to say my favourite part was seeing how much these kids care for each other, there were a few kids that had minor injuries, when they did they were surrounded with kids from all grades ensuring that they were getting treatment and offering supportive encouragement, it made me so proud to be with them.  I think the community on Gabriola is doing a pretty good job raising these kids!
(the photo is of my daughter Bianca, she finished 3rd in the 1500 and is headed to the Districts)

Anti bullying on Gabriola - Thanks to the BCTF

The Gabriola Elementary School PAC has organized a presentation on Anti bullying through the BC Teachers Federation.  Benula Larsen will give a one hour presentation free of charge and allow parents to learn strategies, gain knowledge and share concerns.  Benula is a practising teacher who is volunteering to share her knowledge and experience in these areas.

This presentation will take place on Wed, Jan 23 in the Gabriola Elementary School Library from 6-7pm.  

Here's a bit of information on anti bullying from the BCTF website: 

Anti bullying
Bullying behaviours are no longer acceptable in our society and schools are attempting to do something about them.  This introductory session on anti bullying will include: the definition, the bullying triad, the cycle of bullying, and the signs to watch for if your child is being bullied.  Participants will also learn and share strategies for bully proofing children.

Advent - Day 2

The kids signed up for the school choir and have been practicing on their recess breaks with Mr. Bradbrooke, the music teacher at the Gabriola Elementary School.  On Sunday, the kids choir sang at the United Church on South Rd, I think it was a treat for all that attended.

Gabriola Elementary School Christmas Craft Fair

Tina & I will be heading to display our new creations, with our good friend Jane, at the Gabriola Christmas Craft Fair at the Elementary School this Saturday, December 4th from 10 am – 3 pm. We welcome you to come by for a little visit and see what we’ve been up to in the evenings.

There’s a little something for everyone, from glam jewellery, a flock of whimsical “party” birds, to the new series of paintings by Tina, auntie Jane's handsewn owls, and tutus for all of islands princesses– there are some great gift giving ideas, for you & yours.

In addition there are over 38 artists who will have a wide variety of offerings everything from honey, pottery, metal works, and so much more.

Also, please stop by the silent auction table in the front, when we’re not at our table we’ll be looking after the Silent Auction. To date we have nearly 100 treasures that will be on display, from gorgeous jewellery, to firewood, gift certificates, excavation services and so much more…

There’s also the cookie walk, which sells out quickly but has a wide array of baked goods to choose from.

It’s a great way to shop local while supporting our local Elementary School.

Gabriola residents learn how the brain works best!

If you're looking to find the way that the brain works best, you may want to attend the public presentation at the Gabriola Elementary School on Wed, Nov 17 from 6:30-8:00. The Gabriola PAC and the Gabriola Parent Participation Preschool are sponsoring Gary Anaka to come to the island to present his material on how the brain learns, what can be done to promote brain function and how to maintain a healthy brain into later years (sounds like something for everyone).

Admission is by donation.

Gabriola Arts Council is looking for the kids to help create MAGIC

The Gabriola Arts Council is looking for students from grades 1 to 6 attending Gabriola Elementary School or Home Schooled on Gabriola to create an image for the“Do you believe in Magic?” contest. They can’t wait to see the submissions dropped off at Coast Realty (Folklife Village) by the upcoming deadline on Wed SEPT 8 at 4pm. Here are a few rules, then it’s up to you to create the magic:


1) 8.5 X 11 inch piece of paper
2) Crayon or paint accepted
3) May incorporate words
4) The theme is “Do you believe in magic?”
4) Must have name, age, grade & phone number on BACK of artwork (**not on front)
5) Drop it off by the deadline

The Gabriola Arts Council is looking forward to seeing white paper magically transformed into works of arts that they can use to design a poster for an upcoming event, and the GRAND PRIZE will be an Ice Cream Party for five friends (and the young artist) at Mad Rona’s. For full information on the contest please see the Sounder.

Daytrip to Newcastle Island

The Gabriola Elementary School Kindergarten and Grade 1 students headed over to Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park for one of their year end events. The ferry to Newcastle Island leaves from Maffeo Sutton Park, near the sea wall in Downtown Nanaimo. During the summer the ferry leaves regularly between 9am and 9pm. Newcastle Island is a 10 minute ferry ride from Nanaimo, and is a beautiful park with great walking trails, camp sites, a dance hall, camp store, concession, biking and no cars.
The students went to Brownie Bay where a marine biologist met with them, had them set up a net in the eel grass and discussed the marine life they found in the net. It was a great day trip from Gabriola and all within walking distance to the Gabriola Ferry, a memorable event for the kids and a great day for the parents that were able to attend.

Fill the tummies of Gabriola Students

If you have a child that attends the Gabriola Elementary School, then you are likely familiar with Carmen Mattes. Carmen runs the LUNCH program at the school and ensures that there is the opportunity for every child to be nourished with a meal that's wholesome and filled with lots of nutrients. This program needs the support of the community, there are many ways to support this program, helping Carmen cook in the kitchen, donating food or helping to fund raise. If you're looking to contact her you can leave a message for her at the school, 250.247.9342.
Attend "The Trashformation" community art show on Thursday (April 22) at 7pm at Artworks and you can donate to one of Gabriola's many non-profit groups. Throw some money into this garbage can (part of the "shake your can"event), and it will go to filling up the tummies of Gabriola Students- it's so much easier to learn when you're not hungry.

Stream of Dreams an ECO-EDUCATION PROGRAM reaches Gabriola !

If you went past the school today, you may have noticed a bright new addition to the fence outside the Gabriola Elementary School. This week the students & homeschoolers were lucky to have the opportunity to participate in the stream of dreams. Volunteers worked hard to cut out wooden fish, Stream of Dream instructors presented a talk about watersheds, and then the students got to paint the fish. Today another group of volunteers were busy arranging the fish on the fence helping to create a community art legacy and reminder of environmental responsibility.

It will be FULL DAY kindergarten on Gabriola in 2010 !

I was with my kids at Gymnastics in Nanaimo tonight and there was a buzz going around about which schools were selected for full day kindergarten beginning in Fall 2010. I checked the School District 68 site when I got home and found a link to Full Day Kindergarten in the news. This sheet also contains answers to frequently asked questions and lists the schools selected.
For parents with children attending kindergarten in Sept. 2010, you should enroll your child soon as registration opened on Jan 4. (Submitted by: Tina Lynch)

Crafters & volunteers raise money for Gabriola students!

Last Saturday, the Gabriola Elementary school was filled with energy and the road in front was lined with cars. Volunteers worked hard to organize this annual event which included; Christmas tree sales, a cookie walk, concession, kids craft room, raffle, silent auction, and the craft tables. It was great to see so many people supporting the PAC in so many ways. Jennifer and I were in the Kids Craft Room and had fun watching the kids make sales and trade for other items, it was a really good opportunity for the kids. Submitted by: Tina Lynch

350.org

Gabriola Elementary School took part today for 350.org, an international day of climate action. Students of all ages had been preparing with letters, power point presentations, a song, & coming up with ways that each of us can reduce our carbon footprint, which they presented in a very powerful assembly that the community was invited to.

The teachers, students, parents & volunteers did an amazing job in pulling this together… It provoked thinking about our environment and the effects of climate change.

The 350.org website shows 4457 actions taken in over 172 countries to take a stand for a safe climate future. It’s also a great resource to help fascilitate conversations with kids, with activities that they can do. We chose to do a project on “Icelandic Butterflies” which we created with the kids and submitted on the 350.org website. The Butterflies created will be in the display gallery as of October 24, 2009 – the International Day of Climate Action. Mor-more, kept busy this week painting 3 kids shirt with the 350 logo - they looked fabulous...

The embracing of 350.org in our community, and especially by the school just shows that there is hope!

Hot Meals!

Gabriola Elementary School has been lucky to have Carmen Mattes preparing hot lunches for students twice a week over the past years, and she’s back at it again. The suggested price is $2.50 per meal, and the aromas of home cooking linger around the school hallways on the days she’s cooking. If you have any produce from your garden that you can’t use, they are always looking for donations and the full tummies in the school are always thankful for it!

Local BC Fruit & Veggies for the kids at School!

This year the Gabriola Elementary School has been selected by the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation to take part in the BC School Fruit & Vegetable Nutritional Program. All kids and school staff that wish to participate will receive a fresh BC fruit or vegetable snack twice a week every other week. This will help their health and improve their concentration, with only 20-25% of children in BC eating the recommended daily minimum of 5 fruits and vegetables this seems to be a critical step to better nutrition for our future generation. To learn more about this program or to get an application for your school please visit : http://www.aitc.ca/bc/snacks .

Gabriola Elementary Schools Year End Assembly

Once again the Gabriola Elementary School gym was full as the community was invited to celebrate the Year End Assembly.

We sat excitedly, watching the kindergarten class decked out in their graduating caps, carefully created by Mrs. Ellis, Kindergarden teacher extrodinaire, as they received their certificates. They were escorted into the assembly with their Grade 7 buddies, who have served as role models throughout the year and have definitely set them down the right path.

It was a very supportive environment with many feelings flowing throughout, lots of joy, some tears, a lot of recognition for teachers, students, the PAC and our retiring principal. For both Tina & I, having gone through the school system on the island, it sure brought a lot of fond memories back...

Congrats to all the students, and the beautiful "Blues" send off to Principal Rooney, who is retiring...

A nice beginning for summer and a tribute to those leaving the school.

“March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb”

This is what my daughter has been telling me this month as she decides if it’s a lamb or lion day, it seems like most days this month have been a mixture and would be closer to resembling a zoo.

Today is my daughters sharing day in her kindergarten class at the Gabriola Elementary School and this month’s theme is seeds, the perfect topic for her, and the girl who asked for a garden for Christmas when she was three.

It’s a great time to begin planting seeds; we’ve just put our peas in her garden and are starting our onions indoors. It’s great to see that a number of the beds at the school have also started to be planted. We feel very fortunate to live in a community that embraces gardening in the kids’ curriculum… Submitted by Tina LYNCH

Gabriola Elementary School Christmas Concert

In the midst of a winter snow storm, the show still went on. There were a few changes as the rehearsal quickly turned into the real show as snow accumulated outside of the school doors. In less than 2 hours the school contacted enough parents to notify them of the time change to fill the school gym. It was an impressive display of young talent that included all the children, mice, reindeer & villagers set against a beautiful hand painted back drop. The school’s music teacher Rose Topp was to thank for the heartwarming production that set all in the Christmas spirit !