Good Things are Happening District Newsletter – March Edition
Good Things are Happening at New Westminster Schools!
This new newsletter highlights exciting developments and achievements taking place at our schools and within our district throughout the year. We know our staff and students work hard to leave a positive mark on our community and we are pleased – and more than a little excited – to share their success stories with you.
NWSS Hits High Notes in Dual Musical Productions
New Westminster Secondary School’s musical theatre department wowed local audiences yet again in dual productions of the popular Broadway classic, “Annie” and a one-act edition of Disney’s “High School Musical”.
Both shows debuted in January 2024 and showcased the exceptional talent that went into producing the hit musicals, on and off-stage.
Music Mayhem at NWSS Yields Awards
New Westminster Secondary School’s most talented student musicians banded together last November to sing and play their hearts out at “Music Mayhem”. The event raised money for groups to attend music festivals in Edmonton and Whistler and represented NWSS’s strong and rich musical education tradition. Members of the public were invited to watch and donate.
- The proceeds allowed the NWSS Jazz A ensemble to attend the Surrey Jazz Festival where they demonstrated their talents in an evening showcase of the festival’s best groups.
- The top senior jazz combo award was given to NWSS’s very own Luka MacInness-Cann, Ross McCrae, and Gabe Junio.
- Luka also received an award for outstanding saxophonist.
Connaught Heights Elementary Students Help Spread Holiday Joy in Community
It all began during the week of December 4-8, when classes braved the cold weather, fog, and rain to enthusiastically drop off flyers to houses in the neighbourhood. What did these flyers have on them? It informed household members that Connaught Heights students were collecting donations of food, toys, and clothes to build hampers for families in the community.
Winter Adventures at Queen Elizabeth Elementary
Kayla Yee, one of our Grade 1 teachers, is passionate about getting our students involved in outdoor experiences. She has organized both our ski club and snowshoeing activities for various grades and classes at QE. These activities have been amazing new experiences for many students in our community and they provide opportunities for families to take part in local winter activities in our mountains.
Lord Kelvin Leads in Promoting Media and Traditional Literacy
Traditional literacy and media literacy take centre stage at Lord Kelvin Elementary through two school programs that help students build reading and oral skills. The Literacy Leaders and a morning TV news show that broadcasts twice a week on school premises expose participants and viewers to practical communications skills that will help them throughout their future academic and working lives.
- Literacy Leaders – All Grade 5 students take on a leadership role by going to the kindergarten to Grade 2 classes to lead literacy games. The learning impact of these games is remarkable because the students who were below grade level often catch up. As well, “struggling” leaders are given an opportunity to develop their own literacy skills while they help younger students.
- Morning TV News Show – This program is led by three Grade 5 students who share info with the rest of the school. It helps with oral language development, reading fluency, public speaking skills, communication, teamwork and uses technology to increase student engagement school wide.
Toonies for Tummies Feeds Hungry Minds by Filling Empty Stomachs
Fraser River Middle School hosted “Toonies for Tummies”, where students received a healthy breakfast prepared by grocery retailers and individuals from the companies that support the campaign.
“Toonies for Tummies” is a campaign run by the Breakfast Club of Canada and The Grocery Foundation and supported by Global News aimed at alleviating childhood hunger to jumpstart learning. The initiative partners with grocery retailers and companies that manufacture food, beverage, and consumer goods in Canada, whose contributions contribute to the campaign’s success.
Board of Education Leading Search for New Superintendent
The New Westminster Board of Education is searching for a new superintendent to take over from Karim Hachlaf on a permanent basis after he departs for Burnaby on April 1. Retired superintendent of schools, Sylvia Russell (no relation to board chair Maya Russell) will join the New Westminster Schools team as its interim leader in April.
“We’re pleased to have Sylvia anchor our district through this important time while we recruit a permanent superintendent,” said Maya Russell, chair for the board of education. “Her track record providing interim leadership and mentoring superintendents will give our staff the support and guidance they need while we take the time for a strong superintendent selection process.”