Dec. 6, 2024

Dear Poirier Families,

We had a great week with your kiddos. The students met SPÁ¸EŦ (SENĆOŦEN for Bear), our special Winter Black Bear. He will be hiding around the school until the Winter Solstice when he begins his hibernation. The kids are having fun trying to find him. Speaking of Winter, be sure to check out the Sooke Winter Market tomorrow, Saturday, at the Sooke Museum; our choir will be performing at 1pm! They are absolutely amazing.

• The Ecole Poirier Elementary Apparel and Swag online store: https://ecolepoirier.deco-schools.com/ Check out our new comfy, cozy hoodies and sweatpants as the weather turns cold.  If you are still looking for presents for Christmas, please place orders by December 10th.  Please be aware that some items may be two weeks from order to delivery due to delays in shipping of clothing pieces from her supplier.  Payment options are credit card or EMT, if you choose EMT, please send immediately following placing your order to prevent delays.  All items will be delivered to the school for distribution, if you want the item to be a surprise, or you have any questions about products, please contact ep.pac.fundraising@gmail.com.  
• It is time for our annual shoebox drive! Last year we were able to fill many shoeboxes to give to women in need, and we are hoping to be able to continue this initiative for the 2024 holiday season. The grade 5 Peer Helpers will be helping put together shoe boxes, and we need your help to fill them! If you can, please pick up some items to donate and students can bring those into school. The deadline is Friday, December 13th. In addition to shoeboxes and gift-wrapping paper, please consider donating some of the following items: soap, chocolate, makeup, gloves/hats, socks, shampoo and conditioner, general spa items, toothbrush or toothpaste, cough drops, lip balm, tea/hot chocolate/coffee, gift-cards. See attached PDF for more information.
• Flu and cold season is upon us. Please keep your child at home when they are sick. We will call home for a pick up if they are unwell and unable to learn. We know that kids can develop symptoms at school and this is beyond your control. We will try to get them home quickly so that they can recover.
• Have your say! Our District is looking for input as they develop the new Strategic Plan. Please use this link to add your input. Direct link to survey: Take Our Survey and Help Shape the Future of Education in the Sooke School District | Sooke School District

• Employment Opportunity: A Walking School Bus is being developed for our school by the lead of the BC Walking School Bus Program (Friendly Communities Planner) from the Society for Children and Youth of BC. They are officially hiring Walk Leaders! The posting can be found on our Walking School Bus website: https://scyofbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/BC-Walking-School-Bus-Walk-Leaders.pdf 

From our PAC

You’re invited to participate at our upcoming General PAC Meeting, we hope you can join in on the conversation and help us make a difference together for our Bears! Date: Tuesday December 10th Start Time: 7:00 pm Location: MS Teams (link below) 

Agenda: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vFxENsGYlaVAy6rx7E9xCIviNLVRAjIg/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=118326634045741612632&rtpof=true&sd=true

Minutes from previous Meeting: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NIQ333newf8IozpLkQADSolaoSP6F05w/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=118326634045741612632&rtpof=true&sd=true 

Please click on “Join the meeting now” below to bring you into the meeting, and then select “Join in this browser instead” (you do not need to download anything this way). Please avoid using Firefox as a browser, as it is not compatible.

We thank you in advance and look forward to having you participate!

– Your PAC Executive Team

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 266 844 212 090

Passcode: QpPf52

Attached to our Weekly:

• Peer Helper’s Shoe Box Charity Drive Info
• Santa Breakfast Dec. 7th
• Information Session for Nature Kindergarten September 2025 
• School District Strategic Plan Survey

Dates Ahead:

December 10, Tuesday PAC Meeting 7pm MS Teams

December 13, Friday Last Day for Shoe Box Donations Peer Helpers Initiative

December 16, Monday Kindergarten Hearing Screening (Public Health)

December 16, Monday Sing-a-long 10:40 (Salish Sea and Div14 and Div18)

December 17, Monday Sing-a-long 10:40 (Cedar Creek and Div17 and Div19)

December 18, Monday Sing-a-long 10:40 (Sealion Way and Div 5)

December 19, Thursday PJ, Teddy, and Blankets for a cozy afternoon

December 20, Friday Last day before winter break

January 6, Monday Back to School! Full Day

Have a wonderful weekend. Tess Vally and Grania Bridal

November 29, 2024

Dear Poirier Families,

Crack out the toques, mittens, and woolies because it’s getting chilly out here. 

We had an assembly today and some of our Black Bears were presented with awards for their entries in the Sooke Legion Remembrance Day contest. Excellent job: Gabe, Elleanor, Quinn , Nate , Thelonious , Adi! Thank you to everyone who entered. 

We also read a story together and focused on kindness to others, differences between us, and how we are all the same. We all work to be anti-racist and appreciates our differences and learn from each other. 

• It’s here! The Ecole Poirier Elementary Apparel and Swag online store, the website is live! You will find it at:https://ecolepoirier.deco-schools.com/ There are no deadlines, all online order, it is here to stay!  Please be aware that some items may be two weeks from order to delivery to the school.  All items will be delivered to the school for distribution, if you want the item to be a surprise, or you have any questions about products, please contact ep.pac.fundraising@gmail.com 
• It is time for our annual shoebox drive! Last year we were able to fill many shoeboxes to give to women in need, and we are hoping to be able to continue this initiative for the 2024 holiday season. The grade 5 Peer Helpers will be helping put together shoe boxes, and we need your help to fill them! If you can, please pick up some items to donate and students can bring those into school. The deadline is Friday, December 13th. In addition to shoeboxes and gift-wrapping paper, please consider donating some of the following items: soap, chocolate, makeup, gloves/hats, socks, shampoo and conditioner, general spa items, toothbrush or toothpaste, cough drops, lip balm, tea/hot chocolate/coffee, gift-cards. See attached PDF for more information and to see what NOT to donate.
• The École Poirier Choir has been invited to sing at the Sooke Winter Market on Saturday, December 7th at 1pm. If your child is interested, please watch for details on a form which will be sent home with all choir members next week. Families can indicate their child’s intent to participate in this performance by returning the form to Mme Arts at the school. For info and updates on choir happenings, follow the CHOIR group on the Poirier App! 

Attached to our Weekly:

• Shoebox Info
• Santa Breakfast Dec. 7th
• Information Session for Nature Kindergarten September 2025 

Dates Ahead:

December 10, Tuesday PAC Meeting 7pm MS Teams

December 12, Thursday PAC Hot Lunch

December 16, Monday Kindergarten Hearing Screening (Public Health)

December 20, Friday Last day before winter break

January 6, Monday Back to School! Full Day

Enjoy a cozy walk on Whiffin Spit this weekend!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Tess Vally and Grania Bridal