John Muir Weekly January 10th

Friday Newsletter – January 10

Dear Families,

Happy New Year! We hope that you had a restful and enjoyable winter break. It has been wonderful to see staff and students back in the classroom, excited for the new year, connecting with friends and engaging in learning. As we return to school, we are excited to continue the journey of learning with your children in the months ahead. As always, we are grateful for the support that you as caregivers provide at home, and we look forward to working together to help each student thrive. Together, we can make this a successful and inspiring year for all. Thank you for being a vital part of our school community.

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

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 January dates:

Saseenos Elementary School – January 16th – 1:15 to 2 pm

Poirier Elementary School – January 23rd – 11 – 11:45 am

Reading Partners Program

The Victoria Literacy Connection will be offering a reading partners program for students in Grades 2 and 3 for 5 weeks between February and March and for 8 weeks between April and May. The Victoria Literacy Connection is looking for volunteers to support this program at our school. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please see attachment for more information.

Late French Immersion at Journey

Late French Immersion is a program where students enter in Grade 6 and learn to become fluent in French. By Grade 8, they are at the same fluency level as Early French Immersion students (who enter the program in Kindergarten or Grade 1). If you have a child entering Grade 6 in September 2025 and is interested in joining the French Immersion program, there is an information session at Journey Middle School on January 20th at 6:00pm. Please see attachment for more information.

School Zone Safety

To help create an environment of safety for students, staff, and families, please follow the posted road, bus zone, and drop off and pick up signs. In doing so, you help to ensure that our school community arrives and departs the school safely. Thank you for your understanding and commitment to keeping our school community safe.

Online Safety Pamphlet

Please check out the attached online safety pamphlet which includes information about:

• Ways to keep children safe online
• What you should know about gaming
• Warning signs of excessive gaming
• Tips for gamers 

Important Dates:

January 14 – Grade 2 swim lessons begin

January 16 – Hot Lunch – Subway

January 17 – Kindergarten Hearing and Vision Screening

January 20 – PAC Meeting 9am in the library

From the 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 16 – Subway (orders closed)

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: We are still waiting on Purolator for the rest of our shipment. Once we receive all the packages, we will sort and contact you when it’s available for pick up. I apologize for any inconvenience this has brought, hopefully it will be resolved soon.

Next PAC Meeting:

Monday, January 20 @ 9:00 am in the school library.

If you have any questions regarding any PAC related topics, please send us an email at pac.johnmuir@gmail.com