​We are born with the ability to smile, yet as we age, we smile less often. Research shows that children smile an average of 400 times per day, compared to the typical adult who smiles only 20 times per day. Why is smiling important? Smiling not only offers a mood boost but helps our bodies release cortisol and endorphins that provide numerous health benefits, including: reduced blood pressure, pain and stress, increased endurance and a strengthened immune system. Furthermore, studies show that people who smile appear more likeable, courteous and competent. Smilers tend to be more productive at work and make more money. So the next time you’re feeling like a pick-me-up, try busting out a toothy grin and it could give you the lift you’re looking for. And if you’re already in a good mood, why not flash those pearly whites at a stranger and pass along the good vibes?

• ​If you know of a family who has a child going into grade one next September (2026)​, there will be room to join our Team if they are interested. Contact Mrs. Edstrom in the office for more info or to express interest.
• Ms. Kipp extended our library time by a week so if you have not already, please send your child's library book back for Monday. We will not be taking any more books from the library this year (for sure).
• ​Please remember to send your child with a water bottle and with the sunny weather, sunscreen applied in the morning as well as hats and sunglasses are a good idea.
• The permission forms for both the upcoming Isobel Lake field trip and the trip to Centennial Park (both in June) came home. Please return by the due date or sooner and if you need another one, please let us know. We will need parent helpers.​
• ​Please remind your child to look over the Lost & Found items in the main hallway if they are missing anything.
• If you are signed up for the Hot Lunch program on any of our field trip days, please note that your child will receive a bag lunch of some sort in lieu of the school lunch on that day, however, extra food is often necessary on field trips as we are ravenous.​
• Monday, June 8 we will participate in a lesson with Eureka Science.
• Wednesday, June 10 we will be spending the day at Isobel Lake. Parent help is needed please. More info has been posted.​
• Friday, June 12 we will be making our last trip to the river for Fresh Air Friday but will not be staying to play.
• In celebration of Pride Week, Friday June 12 will be Rainbow Day at BEST.
• Wednesday, June 17 Team Awesome will have a dental presentation.
• Wednesday, June 17 BEST will have our last pancake breakfast for the year. 
• Friday, June 19 is National Peoples' Day at BEST and we will participate in various activities. Team Awesome will have some sand and water play outside in the afternoon so dress your child to get muddy (Fresh Air Friday).
• Sunday, June 21 is Father's Day. Call your Dad!
• Monday, June 22 Team Awesome will spend the day at Centennial Park. Adult help is needed please. More info to come.
• Tuesday, June 23 is Primary Fun Day! Look for info closer to the date.
• Wednesday, June 24 all student materials will come home. We will play with bubbles in the afternoon.
• Wednesday, June 24 is our Grade 7 leaving ceremony and Team Awesome will play a small part. You are more than welcome to attend.
• Thursday, June 25 is our last day of Kindergarten. Dismissal will be at 12:30(ish) and there will be an assembly. You are welcome to attend, as always.
• If your child will not attend our last days of Kindergarten, please let us know so we can send their items home early.​
• Please remember that items such as accessories/ toys from home should not come to school. Thank you!
• Scholastic flyers are available here. All Scholastic orders can be done online whenever you like. Our class code is RC210022.​​​​
• Please have Team Awesome read any little paper books that come home (approximately 1 per week) multiple times for practice/ fluency. Thank you.
• Sight words we are learning in class: day, has, had, made, off, say, they, them, went. Please feel free to practice together at home.
• Newsletters are paperless and can be found on the BEST website at best.sd73.bc.ca.
• If your child is exhibiting illness symptoms of any kind they must be kept home. Thank you.​​​

Go forth and Smile!

Our trip to Isobel Lake is on Wednesday, June 10! So here's the plan- although it is wobbly as out there in the forest we are not restricted to time constraints so things are fairly relaxed other than our departure time at the end of the day.
We will be leaving the school as soon as possible in the morning (9:00ish). Be sure to pack lots of lunch/snacks (they turn into voracious eaters on field trips), a water bottle, a sweater and a hat. The children will be expected to carry their own packs all day so make sure they are manageable. We hope the weather is warm but of course it is unpredictable, so please dress your child appropriately. Apply sunscreen and bug repellent before leaving the house as the children have a tendency to share and over-apply, getting it into eyes/hair etc. The bus will drop us off at the top of the hill and we will either use the bathrooms (outhouses) at the top or the bottom of the hill... or both. Children will be divided up among the adults after we get off the bus and the groups will be encouraged to explore but to stay together. We will eat our snacks after a short walk and take our garbage with us. We will make our way around the lake, stopping and exploring and staying out of the water. It is not inconceivable that someone will 'accidently' fall/ slip into the water (it has happened before) so we will pack a change of clothes just in case. Partway around the lake we will stop to see what we can see in the lake from the shore and the pond kits will be brought out to use and later we might carefully go out onto the docks. Slightly further on we will stop in a large grassy area with covered picnic tables to eat our lunches and then slowly make our way back to the bus so we can leave by 2:00. Sometime during the day we will get a picture of all the Ks together. Sounds like a great day! Hope you can join us.
PS As per our previous fieldtrips this year, parents are welcome to drive their own vehicles or join us on the bus. 

Pride Month – June 2026

• Kamloops Pride Week: June 8 to 14, 2026. Your one-stop shop for all things Pride Week! More information here.
• Minister’s, parliamentary secretary’s, K-12 education partners’ statement on Pride 2025 Provincial Acknowledgement.
  
  
• Everyday Allyship: Small Actions That Matter
  • Pause and listen: Before responding, take a breath. Listen to understand, not just to reply.
  • Acknowledge and validate: When someone shares their experience of harm or identity, acknowledge it without shifting focus to yourself. A simple “Thank you for trusting me with that” goes a long way.
  • Use inclusive language: Practice using names, pronouns, and terms that honour people’s identities and experiences.
  • Speak up against harm: When it’s safe, gently but clearly call out harmful words or actions.
  • Keep learning: Allyship isn’t a title – it’s a practice.
    
    

Kamloops Pride Week features a fantastic variety of family-friendly, all-ages events designed for kids, youths, and parents to celebrate together. Here you will find everything you need to take part in Pride Week, including event details, parade and booth applications, community updates, and recognition of the sponsors who help make this celebration possible. We invite you to join us in celebrating, learning, and standing together in pride. Some family-friendly activities offered include, but are not limited to, the following:

🎲 Meeple Meetup

• Date & Time: Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Location: Lower floor of the Kamloops Museum and Archives
• Description: A relaxed, drop-in social event open to all ages. Unwind and make new friends while playing board games and enjoying light snacks. You are welcome to bring your favourite game to share.
• Cost: Free. 

🎳 Youth Bowling Night

• Date & Time: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 | 5:45 p.m.
• Location: Falcon Lanes (2020 Falcon Road)
• Description: An inclusive social evening specifically curated for 2SLGBTQPIA+ identifying youth. Enjoy a couple of games of bowling and pizza with friends. Remember to bring socks!
• Cost: Free, but online pre-registration is required via the Kamloops Pride Events page. 

🏐 Festival-Style Volleyball & Pride Open House

• Date & Time: Friday, June 12, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Location: East end of Riverside Park (near the Sandman Centre)
• Description: A lively outdoor gathering featuring mixed 4-player grass volleyball courts for all skill levels, food trucks, and upbeat music. It serves as a community resource fair to learn about local inclusive programs and check out Indigenous artisans.
• Cost: Free. 

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🏳️‍🌈 Kamloops Pride Parade & Festival

• Date & Time: Sunday, June 14, 2026 | 11:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Location: Downtown Kamloops & Riverside Park (100 Lorne Street)
• Description:
  • The Parade (11:00 a.m.): The colorful procession marches through Downtown Kamloops, starting at Seymour Street and 2nd Avenue, traveling down Victoria Street, and dispersing near 5th and 6th Avenue.
  • The Festival (12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.): Gathering by the Riverside Park bandshell. It features a dedicated Kids Zone with inflatable toys and family activities, alongside live musicians, drag performances, and local artisan booths.
• Cost: Free. 

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🏊 Free Pride Swim Days

• Location: Westsyde Pool and Fitness Centre
• Description: The City of Kamloops hosts inclusive, free public swim windows during Pride Week. Staff are specially trained to ensure a safe, acceptance-first environment where everyone can wear the swimwear of their choice comfortably.
• Cost: Free, though attendance is capped at 70 people per session, making advanced registration on the City of Kamloops Calendar necessary. 

​At BEST we work very hard to instill a growth mindset in our students. When children believe they can get smarter, they understand that effort makes them stronger. Therefore they put in extra time and effort, and that leads to higher achievement. The feedback that teachers and parents give children can either encourage a child to choose a challenge and increase achievement or look for an easy way out. For example, studies on different kinds of praise have shown that telling children they are smart encourages a fixed mindset, whereas praising hard work and effort cultivates a growth mindset. When children have a growth mindset, they take on challenges and learn from them, therefore increasing their abilities and achievement. We all live upon a continuum, and consistent self-assessment helps us become the person we want to be. ​

​Hello Families, 
Your child has been working on a play in Fine Arts class with Mrs. Phillips called “Mixed”. 
Please Save the Date! Their performance will take place at 11:20 on Tuesday, May 26 in the Gym. Families are invited to come watch their performance!
The students are representing different colours in the play and we have been working on our costumes (big dots for each colour). If they wish to dress in colours matching their original colour they can. 
Those colours are as follows:  
Red - Rory, Kaysen, Bowden, Ben, Nolan, Beau, Charlie, Tara, Paniz
Yellow - Alvan, Cayley, Olive, Zephyr, Shea, Nethuli, Leo, Wolf, Tessa, Ella, Spencer
Blue - Jayvin, Brock, Lark, Nikki, Gyubin, Taz, Quinn, Van, Jojo, Emma, Zack
 If you have any questions, please let me know!
Mrs. Phillips
Bert Edwards Fine Arts teacher