Nov 6, 2024 

Dear Sidney Families, 

Goodbye October and hello November - first term feels like it is whipping by! Before we know it, report cards will be in hand, and we will be heading off for winter break. A huge thank you to our parent community for your partnership with so many wonderful Sidney school initiatives and events to start our year: clothing swap, family read around the school, fall parent-teacher conferences, school Halloween dance, Healthy Hive breakfasts and so much more. Hats off to the PAC for hosting the first school dance in years. What a turn out and such a success! 

As students continue to settle into their routines, teachers are working hard to support student social-emotional learning. In fact, teachers spend a great deal of time in the fall determining each child's ability to stay calm and alert, recognize the causes of stress, develop strategies for dealing with stressors and recover efficiently and effectively from stressors. Teachers refer to these abilities as self-regulation. The research indicates that the connection between strong self-regulation skills and academic success is high. So high, that the staff at Sidney is committed to investing a considerable amount of time to enhancing students' self-regulation strategies and skills. Teachers use a wide variety of social emotional programs and classroom activities such as role play, journaling, social stories, general assemblies, direct skill teaching and reading children's literature to highlight social-emotional skills. The list of programs and activities are endless.... 

I know that many parents have also expressed an interest in learning more about what we do at school to support students in remaining focused, alert, calm and engaged. Thank you for connecting with your child’s teacher to learn more about what supports work for your child in class. Often, the same strategies used in class, when used at home, create powerful changes for your child. The Zones of Regulation is an excellent tool used in Saanich Schools. I have also attached a zones toolbox to use at home. I hope you find these resources helpful. Happy reading! 

Sincerely, 
Mrs. Mary Lynn Heron 

Principal