March 12, 2025

Dear Sidney Families,

Spring is a time of growth; and in the hive our Sidney Bees have been very busy. As I read through the second term reports, I notice many comments about increased participation in classroom discussions, much progress in social responsibility and a bloom of comments around student participation in various school activities. As you read through reports, I thought that a spring sport analogy might be helpful:

From the world of baseball :)

Understanding the Proficiency Scale

Emerging: “I have an initial understanding. I am able to hold and swing a bat with support.”

Developing: “I have a partial understanding. I am able to hit a ball using a tee. I am working on my swings and my timing.”

Proficient: “I have a solid understanding. I am independently able to hit a ball when it is pitched to me.”

Extending: “I have a sophisticated understanding. I am a skilled and confident player. I can play in challenging situations and hit a wide variety of pitches”.

You will have access to your child’s online reports tomorrow, March 13, via Brightspace. If you have not already set up your Brightspace parent portal account, you can find the information here: https://sidney.saanichschools.ca/brightspace-login-your-students-learning-update-report-cards

I hope you enjoy celebrating your child’s successes, as outlined in the report card, and as we plan for term 3, thank you for supporting your child in setting goals for improvement for third term.

As part of your child's goal setting, I encourage you to chat with your child about our Sidney School Beliefs.

We take care of ourselves. We take care of each other. We take care of this place.

Some students are working towards taking care of their physical and mental health, by getting the rest they need to have the energy to take on new challenges and stretch their learning. Others are learning to take the time to eat their lunch and refuel for busy afternoons. And many students are learning to participate fully in body breaks throughout the day to stay calm, alert and focused. I have noticed, during outside playtime, many students who are working towards finding ways to better include others in their play or taking responsibility for their actions towards others. And all our students are working hard, every day, to take care of their personal belongings (wowzer the lost and found overfloweth!!!!), their shared classroom materials, such as class books, toys and art supplies and shared spaces, such as the learning commons and the school bathrooms.

We appreciate your partnership, parents and caregivers, and your ongoing support with not only student goal setting but in so many aspects of school life - family read around the school, student-led conferences, movie nights, volunteering in the hive and so much more! Your input and involvement are truly valued.

Wishing your child(ren) a very fun-filled spring break! We look forward to seeing students back on March 31 refreshed and ready to take on the many learning challenges of our final term.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Mary Lynn Heron