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Strong Start Alert

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On Friday, February 21, 2025

Strong Start Super Pod will be a Eagle Ridge Community Centre 1089 Langford Parkway 9 – 11 am

 
 

Literacy Newsletter #2

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Literacy Newsletter #2
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Oral Language
“Oral language encompasses both speaking and listening. Oral language skills include learning how spoken words sound, what words and sentences mean, and how to communicate ideas. Nurturing oral language skills provides a strong foundation for learning to read.” – Reading Rockets
Research indicates that young kids with better oral language skills have an easier time learning how to read. Here are some things that parents and caregivers can do at home to promote oral language skills:
1. Talk, Talk, And Talk Some More! – the more you talk to your child, the more you expose them to language and the opportunity to use language.
2. Read Together – through reading together, children are exposed to new vocabulary and learn about sentence structure and how to put words together.
3. Singing Songs – exposes children to new vocabulary and language concepts; choose songs that are repetitive and have simple lyrics.
4. Describe Everything You Do – when going about daily activities, describe what you are doing and why. In doing so, children will understand the purpose of language and how to communicate information.
5. Encourage Your Child to Play With Words – through games and activities (silly rhymes or songs, word association games or coming up with new words that starts with the same sound), children can play and explore language.
6. Expand On What Your Child Says – expand on a topic that your children are discussing. In doing so, you help your children build on their language skills and encourage them to keep talking.
7. Limit Your Child’s Screen Time – too much screen time can be detrimental to language development. Spending time engaging in face-to-face interactions and activities promotes language learning.
 
 

Pop-Up Play Events for Children Entering Kindergarten in Fall 2025

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Join us for one, or all, of our drop-in Pop-Up Play Events.  This is an opportunity for Sooke children entering Kindergarten, in Fall 2025, to join a Kindergarten play time outside.  Please come to any school, not just your future school.  Come meet other children entering Kindergarten as well as current Kindergarten students, teachers, and staff.

Siblings are welcome!

Upcoming dates:

John Muir Elementary School – February 20th – 1:15 to 2 pm/June 12th – 1:15 to 2 pm

Saseenos Elementary School – April 24th – 1:15 to 2 pm

Poirier Elementary School – May 15th – 1:15 to 2 pm

Sooke Elementary School – March 6th – 11:00 to 11:45 am

 
 

John Muir Weekly February 7

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Friday Newsletter – February 7
Dear Families,
It has been a super exciting week with the snow! Students spent recess and lunch sliding, building, and enjoying being outside. As there appears to be more snow in the forecast, please refer again to the district’s process regarding weather-related closures, class cancellations and delayed school openings.
Literacy at John Muir
Literacy is a foundational skill that plays a crucial role in our children’s academic success and overall development. Literacy in the classroom involves students learning to read, to write, and to think critically. Reinforcing these skills at home is equally important. Reading together, discussing books, and encouraging writing helps to create a strong connect between classroom learning and everyday life.
To support the literacy connection between school and home, we will be introducing several reading initiatives over the next few months. On Tuesdays, look for a special newsletter that will share some tips to support literacy at home and promote our literacy initiatives. Thank you for supporting your children in their literacy learning!
 Grade 4 Student Learning Survey
This week, parents of Grade 4 students received information about the Grade 4 Student Learning Survey. The survey will be administered at school for Grade 4 students. Parents, guardians and caregivers of Grade 4 students are also encouraged to participate in the survey as the results are important in identifying and celebrating current strengths, as well as determining where the school needs to focus improvement. The survey contains standard questions for the Province – in addition, questions from the school and/or district that focus on local conditions or issues may be included.
 The survey can be completed electronically and can be accessed on the Internet at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/support/student-learning-survey.
 The e-survey site will be open until May 2, 2025. 
 
Important Dates
February 4, 11, 18, 25 – Grade 2 Swim (PM)
February 12 – Basketball game 3pm: Sooke vs John Muir @ JM
February 13 – Hot Lunch (Chompkins)
February 14 – Pro-D Day: No School
February 17 – Family Day: No School
 
From the PAC:
Hot lunches for January – March are open for ordering:
February 13 – Chompkins (orders due February 5)
February 20 – Popcorn 
February 27 – Hara Sushi (orders due February 19)
March 6 – Popcorn
March 13 – White Spot (orders due March 5)
 
Orders can be made here https://munchalunch.com/login
Next PAC Meeting: February 24, 9am in the library
 
If you have any questions regarding any PAC related topics, please send us an email at pac.johnmuir@gmail.com
 
John Muir PAC
 
The PAC would like to hear from the parents and caregivers at John Muir Elementary. We have created a google form with some questions to give us more info on what we have going on, and what you would like to see. Fill out the form for a chance to win a $15 credit to your child’s munchalunch account. Forms due January 29 and the draw will be January 30.
Click here to fill one out!
Hot lunches for January – March are open for ordering:
January 23 – Popcorn ($1.00, can be purchased day of)
January 30 – Pizza (orders due January 22)
February 13 – Chompkins (orders due February 5)
February 20 – Popcorn
February 27 – Hara Sushi (orders due February 19)
March 6 – Popcorn
March 13 – White Spot (orders due March 5)
Orders can be made here https://munchalunch.com/login
Fundraisers:
Created By Kids art cards: Items have all finally made it into Sooke. We will have everything sorted and ready to go home by Monday afternoon. Please send us an email if you would like it sent home with your child at pac.johnmuir@gmail.com.
Next PAC Meeting:
Monday, January 20 @ 9:00 am in the school library. If you would like to join online, please click here.
If you have any questions regarding any PAC related topics, please send us an email at pac.johnmuir@gmail.com
John Muir PA
 
 

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

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Kindergarten Registration

As we prepare for the new year, we are excited to share important information about kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 school year.

If you are not registering a child for kindergarten next year, please disregard this email. If you know someone who needs to register their child for kindergarten next year, please share this information with them.

Eligibility for Kindergarten Registration

A child is eligible for kindergarten registration if they turn 5 years old on or before December 31, 2025. This means the child must have been born in 2020. No exceptions can be made to this requirement.

Kindergarten Registration Dates

All children must register at their in-catchment school, determined by the family’s primary address. To find your in-catchment school, visit the School Locator tool. If you have a unique circumstance, you can submit a school change request form (click the link to view the dates). Please note that you must first register at your designated in-catchment school before submitting a school change request. Kindly be aware that school change requests are not guaranteed.

Nature Kindergarten

  • Registration opens: January 13, 2025, at 8:00 AM
  • Registration closes: January 17, 2025, at 4:00 PM
  • Attendance at an information session is a mandatory requirement for completing the registration process specifically for Nature Kindergarten. Click the link below to view the dates and locations of upcoming information sessions.
  • Learn more: Nature Kindergarten

French Immersion Kindergarten

  • Registration opens: January 13, 2025, at 8:00 AM
  • Registration closes: January 17, 2025, at 4:00 PM
  • An optional online information session will be held on January 8, 2025, at 6:30 PM.
  • Learn more: Kindergarten French Immersion

Note: If the number of registrations exceeds the available seats, a lottery will be conducted in accordance with our Student Enrolment Priorities. Families will be notified of the outcome before the Regular Kindergarten registration period begins.

Please note that families may not register for both Nature Kindergarten and French Immersion Kindergarten. If you are unsuccessful in securing a seat in one of these programs, you will need to register your child for Regular Kindergarten.

Regular Kindergarten

  • Registration opens: January 29, 2025, at 8:00 AM
  • Registration closes: February 5, 2025, at 4:00 PM
  • If registrations exceed the available seats at your in-catchment school, a lottery will be conducted following our Student Enrolment Priorities. Families will be notified directly if they do not secure a seat and will be provided information about the designated overflow school.

After February 5, 2025, registration will continue an ongoing basis and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, also following our enrolment priorities.

Need Help?

If you have questions or need assistance with kindergarten registration, please contact us at info@sd62.bc.ca.

Information from School

Our schools will reach out to families registered for kindergarten in September before the end of May 2025.

Thank you for reviewing this information. We look forward to welcoming our newest learners to the Sooke School District!

 
 

Nature Kindergarten Parent Information Sessions

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Nature Kindergarten is a program of choice that takes place at Saseenos
and Sangster Elementary Schools. Parents/caregivers must attend a
mandatory information session to receive program information and a
registration form. Both sessions will offer the same information, so you
can attend either one.

Please click on link for the date and time of these information sessions.

Nature Kindergarten Parent Information Session – 2025

 
 

STRONG START

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HOURS

Mon. 8:30-11:30 – John Muir Classroom

Tue. 11:45-2:15 – Ed McGregor Park

Wed. 8:45-11:45 – John Muir Classroom

Thur. 8:30-11:30 – outdoor day John Muir Nature Playground

Fri. 8:30-11:30 – John Muir Classroom

The John Muir StrongStart Program operates five days each week and is open to parents/caregivers and their child(ren). It is a drop-in program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Please bring your child’s birth certificate to register for the program.

Weather restrictions for outdoor StrongStart Programs:

If the administration and/or StrongStart Facilitator feel that the program participants are at risk due to weather including high winds (30 km/hour + and swaying tree tops); persistent, strong rainfall; lightening; and/or temperatures below -5 degrees C, then program will end/close for the day.

strong start registration form

 
 

School Calendar 2024-2025

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Calendar 2024-25 – FINAL

Colour Calendar 2024-25

 
 

ONLINE CONSENT PORTAL

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The Parent Page – This is where parents login to provide and/or review consents for their children.

  • When using the system for the first time, parents must use the front page to request an access number (which acts as their password).
  • Parents use the verification number to gain entry. From there, they can provide consent to the six activities. If your student is not listed, please make sure that the email address used is the same email address your students school has on file.
  • This is meant to be a one-stop shop for parents to provide consent.

The URL for this page is https://consent.sd62.bc.ca

Here are the consents that are available as this time to be collected online:

  1. Media Consent
  2. Internet Access Consent
  3. General Consent for School Fieldtrips/Activities (Short walking trips)
  4. School Cash Online Consent
  5. Fresh Grade Consent
  6. Google Apps For Education Consent-Grades 4 and 5 only
  7. Aboriginal Education Information and Self-Identification

When do the Consents expire?

  • Some consents (namely GAFE, KEV, and Fresh Grade) expire once a student leaves the district and/or graduates
  • Some consents last one school year
  • The system tracks the expiry of these consents. To renew a consent year to year (for Internet access, as an example) a parent simply reconnects to the system next school year. The system will note that the consent has expired and will give parents an opportunity to renew their permission.

How do you sign up for these consents?

Step 1 – Add registration@sd62.bc.ca to your email contacts

Step 2 – Parents go to the link https://consent.sd62.bc.ca

Step 3 – Add your email address

Step 4 – Go to junk folder as the verification number may be sent to this folder. Make note of your SD62 email verification number

Step 5 – Add the verification number Step 6 – Click on the Consents and choose, “I do give consent”.