​The school is required to conduct two lock down practices during the year and our first one will be Wednesday of this week. During the procedure an announcement will be made over the PA system that just says, "Lock down." Because our classroom doors are locked at all times in case this procedure needs to happen for real, all that needs to be done is closing the doors, turning out the overhead lights and keeping the children as quiet as possible (we usually whisper-read a book). We will be explaining to the children that we need to practice in case there is an emergency in the school that requires us to stay inside our classrooms. Because they are four and five year olds who have active imaginations they will inevitably come up with all sorts of situations in which this procedure might happen. Please rest assured that at no time will we be elaborating on reasons for which we might have to activate the lock down procedure. Mostly the children see it as an adventure but sometimes they become anxious or scared, especially when the door is rattled from the outside to see if it is locked. We try to answer any questions and relieve their fears before/during/after the activity but some extra hugs and explanations might be needed at home. If you have any questions please contact Ms. Edstrom at the school.

​Having a day at home on Monday is lovely but I find Nov. 11 often produces some sober musings, and well it should. I will spend most of Nov. 11 doing the usual must-be-done things but also will take some time to remember why I am able to have the freedoms I do thanks to veterans. Our Remembrance Day assembly today was very well done and I was happy to see many parents join us. The children were so well behaved at the assembly- we are so proud of them! At the end of the assembly, after we had watched two children from every class lay a wreath underneath a cross with the words 'We will remember', some of the children were feeling sad. Truth to tell, I always feel emotional at the Remembrance assembly too. And I couldn't help but wonder what must have been going through the minds of the veterans sitting in our gym this morning. So while I am thankful to have a day at home on Monday, it seems ungracious to revel in it as the cost for it was so high. Take tomorrow to Remember.

• Please refrain from sending more than 1 Halloween treat to school each day with your child. They will be encouraged to eat their healthy food (ie sandwich) before having the treat at lunch.
• ​Please return library book by Tuesday in its special bag so we can get a new one.
• Saturday, Nov. 11 is Remembrance Day.
• Monday, Nov. 13 is a holiday in lieu of Saturday.
• BEST will hold a lock down drill on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Info to come.
• BEST PAC will hold a Craft Fair in the gym on Sunday, Nov. 19 from 10am-3pm. See you there!
• December hot lunch orders are due to the office by Wednesday, Nov. 22. 
  
• BEST PAC is sponsoring a Hot Chocolate Day on Monday, Nov. 20 for the primaries and Tuesday, Nov. 21 for the intermediates. Hot chocolate is $2.00 with a limit of 1 per student. Please have orders to the office by Friday, Nov. 17.
  
• The December Family Project (disguise a gingerbread person) came home this week and is due back Friday, Nov. 24 or when it is completed. Have fun!
• Friday Nov. 24 is a possible Fresh Air Friday. Look for a confirmation notice on our entrance door. Please dress your child for the weather.
• The PAC cookie dough fundraiser went home last week. Cookie orders are due back Friday, Nov. 24 and order pick up is Friday, Dec. 15. Thank you for supporting our PAC.
• BEST PAC is sponsoring a Chopped Leaf lunch for students and orders are due back by Tuesday, Nov. 29 with lunch delivered on Friday, Dec. 8.
  

• We often put notices, order forms etc. past their due date in the extra paper box so the children can use the blank side for drawing and writing. 
• With the colder weather and hand washing some of the children's hands are becoming chapped and sore. Please apply lotion at home often to help combat dryness. 
• Please consider mittens instead of gloves for warmth and ease of use. Thank you!
• It is  'zipped up' coat and mitten/ glove season. Please practice with them at home.
• Please remember to label all outdoor items as best you can.​​
• 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: at, and, do, from, go, he, she, stop. 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 Remember!

Presented by: TRU, Bob Gaglardi School of Business & Economics and School District No. 73
Understanding mental health and substance use. A powerful inspiring story of one man's battle through trauma, addiction, mental health and homelessness and how he beat the odds to break free by using both harm reduction and recovery services. Human connection can change the direction of people's lives.
This workshop will be held at Thompson Rivers University, House of Learning 190 on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. If you are interested in attending, you are asked to register here.