A message from the Head of School to the Crofton House Community

Announcing the Research Chairs of Teaching and Learning for 2020-2023

Crofton House is proud to announce the Research Chairs of Teaching and Learning for 2020-2023, Janelle Caballero, Department Head, Career Education, Senior School and Catherine Spinney, Assistant Department Head, Science, Senior School.

Janelle and Catherine will join our current CHS Research Chairs. Crofton House is honoured to have this calibre of teacher-as-researcher within our community and are grateful to each for their commitment to contributing to the professional learning of the CHS community as well as that of our broader community.

KidSafe - Call for Volunteers for Food Pick-up and Delivery

During this difficult time, KidSafe is continuing to provide on-site programming, meals and food supplies for families in need. Support from the CHS community has made a significant impact on KidSafe’s ability to provide these services (read the thank you letter from KidSafe). As they continue to support families, KidSafe is looking for volunteers to help with food and pick-up and delivery. Deliveries are low to no contact.

They are looking for volunteers to:

• Pick up lunches at CHS and deliver to one of three elementary school sites
• Pick up food and supplies at Hastings Elementary and deliver to one of three elementary school sites

If you would like to volunteer, please sign up.

Reminder: Complete the Remote Learning Parent Experience Survey

We are seeking feedback on the remote learning experience from parents and students through an online survey. Input from this survey will help the School know where to focus its efforts as we make adjustments to the plans and practices in place. Please complete the Remote Learning Parent Experience Survey by Tuesday, April 28, 2020. Check your email for the link and password.

Become a Class Parent for 2020–2021

The CHS Parents’ Auxiliary encourages parents interested in becoming a Class Parent for the 2020–2021 school year to register by Friday, May 15. This is a shared volunteer position with light responsibilities spread out over the entire school year. It is a great way to meet other parents in your grade and make new friends. For more information, please contact the class parent coordinator, at classparents@croftonhouse.ca.

CHS Parents’ Auxiliary Annual General Meeting

All Crofton House School parents are members of the CHS Parents' Auxiliary and are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting via a Zoom meeting on Thursday, May 7 at 8:30 am. Please RSVP online by Monday, May 4

Safer Schools Together - Parent Presentation

Safer Schools Together invite parents to join a complimentary remote presentation: "Raising Responsible Digital Learners" focusing on increasing understanding and awareness of safety in the remote learning world

There are two sessions offered:

• Wednesday, April 29, 2020 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am - Register
• Tuesday, May 26, 2020 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am - Register

As remote learning builds momentum at Crofton House, this newsletter will continue to feature some of the unique learning and notable moments that are happening online. While this will look different than our usual photos and descriptions of classrooms and events, we hope these will help our community continue to feel connected as we need to stay apart, and to share in the innovative efforts being made across all grades.

Students in Film and Television 12 participated in “5x5”, an assignment to make a film with five scenes, each lasting five seconds. Grade 12 student Britney submitted her short film “quaranTEEning” which looks at the experience of social isolation..

Senior School students and staff participated in a virtual Spring Crafternoon event. During the session, participants learned how to make fairy teacup gardens and how to grow their own vegetables from kitchen scraps.

Grade 11 students who were meant to be on an Outdoor Education trip received a delivery from teachers (following appropriate distancing guidelines, of course) with some camp-at-home gear. They set up tents for class and will be focusing on camp skills translated to city life.

Junior and Senior School students celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day this week. Junior School students received a slideshow with ideas for environmentally responsible crafting, gardening and backyard camping. In the Senior School, Social Responsibility Club captains organized a week of activities such as crafting a reusable tote bag from a t-shirt, making beeswax sandwich wrap, and an eco-friendly recipe book.

Grade 5 student, Zara, tries out an Earth Week activity, making a reusable tote bag from a t-shirt, during the child care taking place in the ECE Centre for students whose parents are essential workers. Try it at home!

In this week’s Junior School assembly, Mrs Hutchison talked about what it means to be collectively trying “do the right thing”. Her message: it’s not always easy to do the right thing, but it’s easier if we’re doing it together and we end up helping each other in the process. Inspired by this message, Grade 6 students performed their own recital of the song, “Just Do The Right Thing”.

The whole school community will be missing this year’s Junior School musical, Singin' In The Rain Jr., due to social distancing guidelines. We are disappointed we won’t see the final production and want to acknowledge the enormous effort students and staff put into preparing for the musical. Grade 7 student Madison created a behind-the-scenes look at the performers rehearsing.

April is Poetry Month and several community members contributed to a virtual poetry reading. Enjoy!

Tag us with #CHSConnects in your remote learning social media posts. Show us your workstations, work product from school work, or a fun activity your family does to take a break. Follow along with us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

Thank You, Essential Workers!

As we settle into our second month of COVID-19 closures and see encouraging signs of BC’s pandemic curve flattening, the Parents’ Auxiliary would like to say thank you to all the essential workers who have allowed us to stay safe in our homes during this difficult time. We know many in our school community fill these important roles — we owe an enormous debt to the healthcare workers and first responders who tirelessly battle this disease, in addition to those who work in grocery stores, transportation, law enforcement, education, and the many other sectors deemed essential during this time. Stay safe and stay home.

Log into the My CHS portal to access the full school calendar.

Crofton House is following the directives of British Columbia health officials and restrictions around group gatherings. Events in May have been cancelled. Please see the school calendar for details.