Mountain View Elementary School
January/February 2026 Newsletter
January Newsletter
January has flown by so far and we really appreciate all of our families' participation in the great events taking place; whether by attending or staying on top of all of the permission forms coming home.
We had an assembly on the first day back from the break about Ribbon Skirt Day, which is commemorated nationally and is part of a conversation that we will continue to have over the next few months. As well, staff have been honouring Black Excellence through the of January and into Black History month in February. As a part of our commitment to honour and celebrate the diversity in our school, we have also been working on school-wide anti-racism teachings. We appreciate your support with these important conversations.
Kim's Cardio has been happening on Fridays and will continue until the end of the month. Many thanks to our PAC for supporting this great activity.
In staffing news, we would like to thank both Ms. Murphy and Ms. Jensen who have been working with us in student support roles, and we welcome back Ms. Gaber and Ms. Letourneau to full-time duties.
Next week is Family Literacy Week, with our annual Family Literacy night taking place at the school from 5:30 until 7:30. Our PAC has organized the Scholastic Book Fair to be running throughout the week, including on Family Literacy Night.
We recently heard back from the Terry Fox Foundation that our school donated $1817 this past fall - many thanks for your support of this great charity!
If you volunteer at the school in any capacity while students are in the building, please ensure that you have filled in the Volunteer Form as it expires every year. Please contact our office if you are needing more information.
Our clerical team has been working hard to update our school's website in order to have information available to you when you need it. Please take a moment to check it out: https://mountainview.sd68.bc.ca/
The district recently sent information about the new Wellness Guide, which has resources for students, parents and school staff. Please take a moment to look through as it has great information that can be of help: https://www.sd68.bc.ca/wellness-guide/
As a reminder, if your child is needing to take medication at school (even Tylenol or allergy medicine), please work with our office so that we can administer it.
Finally, it is that time of year where the Student Learning Survey takes place for our grade 4 and 7 students. If you have children in grades 10, 11 and/or 12 they will also be taking part in this. This survey provides us with critical feedback about how we are operating as a school, and the data generated from ultimately helps to guide our school plan. There is a parent version of the survey that we would greatly appreciate you taking the time to complete. Regardless of what grade your child is in, you are able to respond to the survey by following this link: https://www.awinfosys.com/SurveyFull1/central/main/access_Parent.asp
Child, Youth and Family Support Resources
Emergency Procedures
Opportunities!
Reminders
BELL SCHEDULE 2025-2026
8:35 am Warning Bell
8:40 – 10:15 Morning Session
10:15 – 10:30 Recess
10:30 – 11:45 Morning Session
11:45 – 12:20 Noon Recess
12:20 – 2:23 Afternoon Session, dismissal at 2:23
STUDENT DROP OFF/PICK UP
We continue to urge parents/families to exercise caution when dropping off or picking up your child. To decrease the parking, we would ask that you encourage students that are able, to walk independently to the lineup. Our outdoor play area is used for classroom outdoor play and learning until 2:23 pm. Thank you for respecting that.
Students arriving after the bell: Please have your child enter through our front door after the bell. That way we can ensure that your child’s attendance is recorded, and they are safe.
Students that need to leave early: Please come to the front entrance, and we will have your child meet you.
SCHOOL BUS INFORMATION
Our school bus information is on the School District website: https://www.sd68.bc.ca/transportation/
The School District staff have implemented a Z Pass. To register, please go online. The student number is required to register. Please check the bus schedule as some route stops and times have changed.
ABSENTEE INFORMATION
If your child is going to be away, please email info.mv@sd68.bc.ca or call before school (250-753-2831) begins. If the answering machine is on, please leave a message stating your child’s full name, grade and teacher’s name and the reason for the absence. On the email, please state the child’s name, teacher (if known) and date(s) of absence.
Our new website has a "Report an Absence" button now... see it here: https://mountainview.sd68.bc.ca/report-absence/
LUNCH HOUR/RECESS EXPECTATIONS
At Mountain View, we have an active playtime at recess and students eat in their classrooms. During the eating time, students will be actively learning as well. Expectations for students during recess are as follows:
➢ Play outdoors from 11:45 until 12:20, Monday through Friday. Spending their breaks outside provides students with the opportunity for movement and fresh air.
➢ Eat lunch in classrooms (this is teacher-supervised instructional time).
➢If the weather makes it unsafe to be outside, we may declare an “inside day”, where we will keep students inside during the noon recess. Inside days are rare, and students should always come prepared to be outside.
➢ Please encourage your child to dress for all types of weather as we encourage our students to be outside as much as possible.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS/BEHAVIOUR
During the first few weeks of a new school year, it is important for students to review and to understand what the expected behaviour will be both in the classroom and on the playground. Throughout the year the following will be emphasized so that a safe and positive learning environment is present.
➢ Safety: Act in a safe and responsible manner.
➢ Responsibility: Develop the use of self-regulation. Achieve your best.
➢ Respect: Recognize and respect the rights of others as well as yourself. Be kind to others
MOUNTAIN VIEW ELECTRONICS POLICY
All student cell phones, smartphones, gaming devices etc. are to off, stay out of sight and in the student’s backpack throughout the school day; meaning from the time they arrive at school property to the time that they leave the school property. Students may use their phone under the direction of their teacher & with their teacher’s permission for specific educational purposes. If a student needs to use a phone during the day, the student phone is available in the office area. If a parent needs to contact a student, please call the office.
Electronic gaming devices are not to be used at school. It is not permissible for students to use electronic devices to video/record other students on the school property or field trips, unless under the direct supervision of their teacher for a learning activity. Electronic devices should only be used in the classroom, under the direct supervision of the teacher, with the teacher’s permission for learning activities. Mountain View Elementary School is not responsible for any electronic device that is lost, stolen, or damaged while on school property.
TREE NUT and SCENT AWARENESS
Please note that Mountain View Elementary is nut and scent aware school. We have students and staff who are quite allergic to tree nuts and strong scents/fragrances. Thank you for keeping these food items home and not using these scented products.
PAC Corner
A Big Thank You from the Mountain View PAC! The following fundraisers are taking place:
Candle Fundraiser:
https://www.isleofrosecandleco.com/
Mitchells Fundraiser:
Superior Farms Fundraiser:
www.superiorfarmsbc.ca/fundraiserprogram: Password: fundraiser
Save the date for the Spring Fair, Friday May 29th. If anyone has any activity ideas or suggestions, or would like to help run this event please email: mvelempac@gmail.com
You can reach out in person, or anytime via email at mvelempac@gmail.com OR join us for an in person session in the library at 7PM on February 10th!
ERASE Bullying
Anonymous online reporting tool for bullying and harassment.
Dates to Remember
- Family Literacy Week and Scholastic Book Fair Sales - January 24th - 30th
- Family Literacy Night - Tuesday, January 27th
- Hot Lunch (Pita Pit) - Friday, January 30th
- Hot Lunch (Cobbs) - Friday, February 6th
- Professional Development Day (school is closed) - Monday, February 9th
- PAC Meeting - Tuesday, February 10th 7pm
- Hot Lunch (Hot Dogs) - Friday, February 13th
- Family Day (school is closed) - Monday, February 16th
- Hot lunch (pizza) - Friday, February 20th
- Pink Shirt Day - Wednesday, February 25th
- Hot Lunch (Subway) - Friday, February 27th
Contact Us
Mountain View Elementary
2480 East Wellington Road, Nanaimo, V9R 6V6
Principal: John Cunnian
VP: Lisa Chew
Secretary: Tammy Trickett Orr
Population: 403 students
Tel: 250 753-2831
Fax: 250 741-8320
https://mountainview.sd68.bc.ca/
Mountain View Elementary School is located on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. We are grateful to teach, learn, and live in these traditional lands.