Home / School News

Friday Newsletter – February 21, 2025
Dear Families,
It is hard to believe that the month of February is almost gone. We have had another action-packed week at John Muir. Here are some of the things that happened:
  • Kookum Jo-Ina finished her three-week residency and made Metis crafts with students.
  • Grade 2 continued their swim program.
  • Divisions 7 and 8 did a whole school presentation about the Frog Moon, one of the thirteen Coast Salish Moons.
  • Our basketball team had their second game on Wednesday and won! They displayed teamwork and great sportsmanship.
  • We had our first pop-up play afternoon for children who will be starting Kindergarten in September.
Reading Challenge:  On Wednesday, students received a reading challenge sheet. The purpose of the challenge is to complete one activity per day so that a literacy activity is practiced every day. Students have until March 13 to complete the challenge. Once completed, return the calendar to school for a prize and an entry for a book prize.
SPEAC
SPEAC is hosting an online MAR presentation on Monday, February 24. SPEAC is proud to host the Moms Against Racism presentation:  Interrupting Unconscious Bias on Monday, February 24 at 7pm by Zoom. This workshop provides an introduction to unconscious bias, inviting participants to reflect upon how our ingrained beliefs influence our emotions, behaviours, and thoughts whether we realize it or not. With this understanding we explore ways bias is impacting our life and how to lessen its effects.  Registration is now open: https://forms.gle/xsJAcjxLj2TXHUnd7  See attachment.
Grade 4 Student Learning Survey
This week, parents of Grade 4 students received the 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 25 – Grade 2 swim
February 26 – Pink Shirt Day
February 26 – Basketball Game @ Poirier 3pm
February 27 – Hot Lunch – Sushi
 
From the PAC:
Hot Lunches:
February 27 – Hara Sushi
March 6 – Popcorn – can be purchased day of for $1.00
March 13 – White Spot – orders due March 5
Fundraisers:
Veggie bundle and Easter Purdys fundraiser forms will be coming home soon. Keep an eye out for them. If you would like to go online and order Purdys now, click here https://fundraising.purdys.com/117752-126388  Use account# 27939.
Next PAC Meeting is February 24 @ 9:00am in the library!
John Muir PAC
If you wish to stop receiving emails, please let us know!
 
 

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
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.
 
 

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

 
 

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 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 PrioritiesFamilies 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 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

 
 

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

 
 

Calendar 2024-25 – FINAL

Colour Calendar 2024-25

 
 

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”.