Dear DRBS Families,

Gratitude focus for the week:

“If you are a dreamer, come in

If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,

A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer….

If you’re a pretender, come sit by my fire

For we have many flax-golden takes to spin.

Come in! Come in!” – Shel Silverstien

What stories have you created about yourself? The power to proclaim them or change them is in your hands. This creative power is always within you.

Thank You/Reminders

Ø Thank you for all your patience on this very cold first week back. Hopefully next week is better! Please remember staff and volunteers did not make the parking rules or design the neighbourhood – nor can they control the weather. We are out trying to keep students safe! When we ask you to follow the parking rules, not block driveways and crosswalks, not double park etc it is because it creates an unsafe environment for kids running over to cars on the ice and in the clouds of exhaust. It would be very easy for a driver not to see a child or to not be able to stop on time. No amount of yelling, swearing, name calling and rude gesturing on the part of drivers towards staff and volunteers will change the situation – it only creates unneeded conflict. PLEASE be patient, park your car in an appropriate spot and walk over to meet your child to help us keep them safe. If you cannot find a spot or are worried about your child not finding you, let us know and we will have their teacher keep them until you can arrive safely to get them.

Ø Thanks for supporting our McDonald’s Fun Lunch for Ronald McDonald house. We raised $645.00

Ø The travelling art shop will be set up for the next couple weeks in the Launch Pad – please ask your child about it. (See below)

Niitsitapi Pi’kssíí (Blackfoot Fancy Beings) is an exhibition featuring artworks that depict animals, or fancy beings, significant to Blackfoot culture by two contemporary Blackfoot artists, Ryan Jason Allen Willert and Kalum Teke Dan. Blackfoot teachings about these animals are a large part of the exhibition, which would not have been possible if not for the generous support of Elder Camille (Pablo) Russell. To develop an understanding of balance and harmony in nature and the cycles of renewal that affect seasons of life, it is essential to observe the natural world and its animal cohabitants. This fact is well known in Blackfoot culture. As explained by Blackfoot author Betty Bastien, the knowledge of the Siksikaitsitapi (or, the Blackfoot Nation) is organized according to thousands of years of observation and participatory relationship with the natural world.1 This knowledge highlights a reciprocal relationship with the land and the creatures that occupy it; four-legged fur-bearing beings, birds, fish, and humans alike share a kinship with the

land, the sky, and all the environments we inhabit. Niitsitapi Pi’kssíí (Blackfoot Fancy Beings) emphasizes how Blackfoot language, storytelling, and knowledge-sharing has intrinsic value when it comes to understanding the natural world. This exhibition was curated by Ashley Slemming and Diana Frost, and it has been organized by the Alberta Society of Artists in partnership with the Indigenous social enterprise Colouring it Forward for the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition program.

Monday January 15

o Professional Development Day - No school for students

Tuesday January 16

o 6:45 – School Council Meeting

Wednesday January 17

o Elder Shirley is here to work with Grades 5 & 6

Upcoming Dates

o January 23 - Fun Lunch

o January 25 – Grade 6 classes at the Zoo

o January 25 – Grade 2 at the Zoo (Calder & Jamieson)

o January 29 – Grade 2 at the Zoo (Nicholls & Goss)

o January 30 – Report cards able to view by parents

o January 30 – Kindergarten – Scientist in School Fieldtrip

o January 30 – Grade 3 at the Zoo - all classes

School Council News

Legacy Stars - The legacy stars have arrived! Now we are just waiting for some warmer weather to install them on the fence. Thanks for your continued patience. Please send any questions to Sadaf at drbsfundraising@gmail.com.

Work Bee - There's still some spots left in the January Work Bee! Sign up now for Work Bees held on the last Thursday of every month. Work Bee volunteers help our amazing teachers with tasks/classroom jobs (ie. cutting and gluing materials for assignments, activities and so much more). Police Clearance Required. https://www.signupgenius.com/g... Contact Jennifer at drbsworkbee@gmail.com with any questions.

School Council Meeting - Join us at the School Council and Development Association meeting on Tuesday Jan 16 in the Launch Pad. The PhysEd, Music and Literacy Specialists will be presenting about their programs! The full agenda and link to join the meeting virtually was distributed via email on Jan 10, contact Jacqui at drbscouncilchair@gmail.com with any questions