Jun
2
By Darcy Topinka
On May 5, 2011 we hosted our annual gallery gala. The students raised $894.00. Proceeds from the sale of the children's art will be donated to artsREACH, which is a local Victoria not-for-profit. The organization strives to give all children an opportunity to experience a quality arts education. artsREACH workshops are provided without charge to public elementary schools. If you are interested in donating, check out their web site on-line.
Thursday June 2nd is a special day here at the school as we welcome twenty two fresh faces to our hallways. Our newest kindergarten students and their parents will arrive for an orientation session. This is an incredibly exciting time for families, the beginning of many firsts in their children's education. Both children and parents have an opportunity to tour the school, meet staff and teachers, all in an effort to ease the jitters of their first day of school.
We also thank our café helpers on June 17th, with a special lunch to acknowledge all their hard work in the café. Throughout the school year, grades four and five volunteer to assist café staff in preparing our hot lunch program, in addition to operating the morning munch cart, which features healthy snacks.
The community centre will host our annual James Bay Community Picnic on Wed June 15th from 3:30 to 6:30pm. Drop in for an afternoon of live entertainment, food, tons of activities for kids, and support the centre as you bid on some amazing silent auction prizes. Kikeyambay, a West African electric orchestra, will be performing as well as a local drumming group, Masala, who will close out the afternoon with their infectious drumming styles. The centre is very appreciative to all the down town and James Bay businesses who made a donation to the auction.
The last day of school this year is Wednesday June 29th. School dismisses at 2:38pm. Our Principal, Janice Matthews, retires at the end of the school term. Although her role as Principal comes to an end, Janice will remain on the Society's board of directors and will still have an invested interest in our community. On behalf of the staff at the centre and school, we sincerely want to thank Janice for the many contributions she has made to public education over the years and to the invaluable contributions made to the James Bay Community School and to the community. Good luck Janice, enjoy the mountain views, and watch for marauding elk.