A Slice of PIE

Whew! Septembers are always a whirlwind, but with the extra late start this year, we had one fewer week to get everything done ahead of our 'end-of-September' deadline. Thank you so much to our families and our staff for all of your hard work to meet that deadline!

For learners enrolled before the first day of school, you should have received a 'Welcome Email' from your teacher as well as an initial email from me with the subject line "🍎 Welcome and Welcome Back 🍏". If you did not receive either of those emails, please check your spam/junk folders and add sysadmin@myeducation.gov.bc.ca as a contact (you can make the name of the contact 'PIE') so you don't miss school-wide emails. Also, please ask your/your family's teacher to send/resend those emails if you missed them.

Wishing everyone a fantastic year ahead!

Sincerely,

Stephanie

qathet School District senior admin arranged profesional development for the principals and vice principals at the end of August. We were very fortunate to be able to spend the day learning with Kristy Blakeway on the 27th and to begin the year in a good way with our whole senior admin and PVP team on the 28th.

Our outstanding Professional Development team organized some fantastic learning in-person at each of our three main centres, as well as a whole-school online session. We learned about each other, watched təm kʷaθ nan (Namesake), learned about AI with Cari Wilson (VP of Innovation and Technology for the West Van SD), had an introduction to DIBELS (a set of procedures and measures for assessing the acquisition of literacy skills) and UFLI (an 'explicit foundational skills instruction process') presented by members of the Learning Assistance Teachers' Association (LATA), as well as ways to maximize the effect of teachers' efforts with their students, instructional routines, cross-curricular and inquiry-based approaches and partnership with our PIE families. It was an excellent way to start the school year. There was lots of learning, laughing and connecting with our colleagues.

Many of our qSD staff and parents were able to attend learning sessions with Dr Una Malcolm. The sessions were designed for educators, families and caregivers of students in Grades K-8. The workshops explored how literacy develops and offered resources along with practical ways to support reading and writing at home.

On September 25th, the entire qathet School District was invited to visit t̓ɩšosəm for a day of learning to build connections with each other and learn about the Tla'amin Nation from and with Tla'amin community members. We are so grateful for all the work that went into organizing this day and for the immense generosity extended to us in our time there.

What a wonderful way to kick off the school year! Students, families, and PIE staff gathered at Selah Campground to reconnect, welcome new families, enjoy some delicious pie, and soak up the beautiful surroundings. It was a lovely afternoon of connection, conversation, and community!

One of only 100 Air Cadets, across the country, Finley worked hard this past year through ground school, medicals, a Transport Canada exam and interviews in order to gain an elusive spot in the Power Pilot Course through the Air Cadet Program. He successfully completed his programming at Sealand in Campbell River this summer and now flies a Cessna 172. Way to go!!

Dax was given the opportunity to attend summer camp in Vernon, BC this summer as part of the Air Cadet Program. He was selected for the Survival Instructor Course where he learned aircrew survival techniques; including shelter building, signal fires, obtaining food/water etc. While Dax’s course was cut short by a week due to wildfires in the area, he was still able to complete the required material to now be considered a survival instructor! He will be able to teach these skills to his cadet squadron this year.

We’d like to take a moment to recognize our outstanding office admin staff for the incredible care and dedication they bring to PIE. Amanda, who joined PIE last September, is a calm, steady, and supportive presence in our qathet office. She consistently goes above and beyond to support our students, families, and colleagues. Her kindness, reliability, and willingness to help make a real difference in our PIE community. With the fewer number of weeks in which to get everything done this month, all of our staff worked exceptionally hard to meet deadlines and expectations. This is a special shout-out to Amanda, and all the rest of our CUPE staff, who stepped up to help make everything run as smoothly as possible this month.

Indigenous education and learning is an on-going process and with Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30, we invite you to explore some of the resources we have curated for families.

Each new school year, we take some time to remember Terry Fox, one of Canada’s most inspiring young people. In 1980, Terry began his Marathon of Hope, running across Canada on one artificial leg to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. Although cancer forced him to stop his run before reaching his goal, Terry’s determination and courage inspired millions of Canadians—and continue to do so today.

Every year, communities across Canada come together for the Terry Fox Run, carrying forward his vision of a world without cancer. Terry reminded us that one person, with determination and a big enough dream, can make an extraordinary difference.

“I’m going to do my very best.” — Terry Fox

Did you know that his hometown was Port Coquitlam, BC? See the link below for Chris Kennedy's reflection on what the continued recognition of Terry's great accomplishment means. Chris talks aobut what it meant to him when he was young, witnessing Terry's story in real time, as well what it means to him now as the superintendent of the West Vancouver School District and a former principal in Port Coquitlam.

Chair: Ning Liu

Vice-Chair: Sarah Pendray

Treasurer: Kevin deBellefeuille

Secretary: Lara McKercy

Teacher Rep: Marnie Webb

Administrative Rep: Stephanie Hall

Thank you to the executive and all parents who contribute to using PIE PAC funds to add extra events and activities for PIE students each year. We are looking forward to this year's adventures!

PIE PAC funds are divided amongst our three main centres, based on student FTE. Please see the PIE PAC email for more information.

You can reach our PAC members at: piepac47@gmail.com

Information regarding PAC meetings for this year will be coming soon.

Each October, schools and communities across Canada and the United States recognize LGBT History Month as a time to celebrate the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ people and to learn about their ongoing struggles for equality and inclusion. This month offers an opportunity to highlight the diverse voices, histories, and achievements that have shaped our world, while also fostering a culture of respect and belonging in our school community.

World Teachers’ Day is a chance to celebrate the many people who share knowledge and inspire learning. In our community, teaching takes many forms: parents guiding their children at home, learners teaching one another through curiosity and discovery, and staff offering support and expertise along the way. On this day, we honour the spirit of teaching wherever it happens, and we give thanks for the dedication and creativity that makes learning possible for all. A heartfelt thank-you to our families and staff for the care and commitment you bring to teaching every day.

Living with a mental health or substance use challenge is hard enough; masking can make it even harder. Living with mental health challenges often forces people to hide behind a “mask” to protect themselves from judgment and discrimination. But the heavier the stigma, the heavier the mask becomes, and the more isolated we feel.

More information on mental health can be found at the erase (Expect Respect and a Safe Education) Mental Health and Substance Use website, which provides accessible information and resources for students, adults, and school staff. The site includes practical strategies for integrating mental health into everyday learning environments.

This year’s World Mental Health Day theme —"Equal Health. Fair Funding. No Exceptions".

To strengthen mental health literacy and build capacity across the school system, the following resources are available:

• Supporting Students in Times of Change is a practical guide to help educators support students’ mental health and well-being during periods of transition, uncertainty, or crisis.
• Mental Health in Schools Strategy provides a vision and pathway for promoting mental health and well-being across all aspects of the K-12 education system.
• Decision-Making Tool is an optional toolkit designed to help educators identify appropriate and effective resources tailored to the unique needs of learners.
• Language Matters! An Introductory Guide for Understanding Mental Health and Substance Use for Educators and School Communities, along with its companion resource for families, supports mental health literacy in the K-12 system. These resources help educators, families, and school communities engage in meaningful conversations, build shared understanding, and apply key concepts and terminology related to mental health and substance use.

Each year, Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October. This holiday is a time to pause in gratitude for the harvest season and the blessings of community, family, and friendship. As we gather, it’s also important to recognize the Indigenous roots of harvest celebrations and to reflect on how thankfulness can inspire generosity and connection in our daily lives.

October 🌰

2SLGBTQIA+ History Month

5: World Teachers Day

10: World Mental Health Day

12: Thanksgiving

23: Pro-D (schools closed)

November 🍂

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

11: Remembrance Day

13: World Kindness Day

27: Term 1 Submission Deadline

December 🎅

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

10: Human Rights Day

18: Schools Close (end of day) and Learning Updates Published

21: Winter Vacation Begins!

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