The chilly weather caused a bit of a delay at the start of the week, but we’re glad to be back on track now. Here’s what’s coming up:

Moana

Ecole Central Elementary School is presenting Disney’s Moana JR. at the Cultural

Centre on Wednesday, February 12, and Thursday at 10:00 am. The

60-minute musical adventure is based on the 2016 Disney film Moana.

In this thrilling and heartwarming stage adaptation, Moana sets

sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage.

She and the demigod Maui embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and

camaraderie as she learns to harness the power that lies within. Adapted for

young performers, this musical includes favorite songs by Tony®, GRAMMY,

Emmy, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i,

and Mark Mancina, such as “How Far I’ll Go,” “Shiny,” and “You’re Welcome.”

Valentine’s Day

Each class will be holding its own Valentine’s Day party. Please refer to your child’s specific class information for details regarding time, activities, and any necessary contributions. These parties are a wonderful opportunity for students to celebrate and share in the spirit of friendship and joy. Make sure to check in with your child’s teacher for any additional details or questions. Let’s make this Valentine’s Day special for all our students!

PAC Meeting

The next PAC meeting will take place on February 24^th at 3:00 pm in the school’s library.

Kindergarten registration is open!

Please see the attached Information

Upcoming Events:

February 11th – 100^th’s day

February 12^th – Moana at NP Cultural Centre – selected classes

February 12^th – Subway make up day

February 14 – Valentines Day

February 14^th – Mr. Dale’s class Skiing

Feb 17th – Family Day

Feb 28th – NID Day

March 10^th – Report Cards go home

March 12th/13th – EDD

March 14th last day of school

March 31st – Back to school

April 18^th – Good Friday

April 21st – Easter Monday

April 22^nd – Picture Day

April 28^th – KBAM, Agent for Presto SMART ART presentation

May 21^st – District Speech Contest @ARYES

Kind regards,

Ms. Palma

The post Weekly Update February 10-14 2025 appeared first on Upper Pine Elementary & Junior Secondary.

School Board Visit

On February 3rd, board representatives will be visiting our school. I will be presenting on behalf of our school in the library and invite you to attend this important event. The presentation will focus on our Framework for Enhancing Student Learning—a dynamic, evolving plan designed to meet the varied needs of our students.

During the presentation, I will discuss our progress toward achieving our three primary goals. Additionally, I will cover various aspects of our school initiatives, including leadership efforts from our student council, our newly launched school meal support program, the “Ready Set Learn” program, and highlights from various fundraisers and special events that have been shared in my weekly emails.

This presentation aims to provide a comprehensive summary of our efforts and achievements, offering an in-depth look at how we are enhancing our students’ educational experiences.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Interim Reports

Your child will bring home their interim reports next week, which provide a snapshot of their overall progress. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions, comments, appreciation, or concerns. We value your input and encourage you to reach out.

PAC Meeting

The next PAC meeting will be on February 24^th at 3:00 pm in the school’s library.

Kindergarten registration is open!

The post Weekly Update February 3 -7 2025 appeared first on Upper Pine Elementary & Junior Secondary.

Good Evening Upper Pine Families,

Gym times will continue to be spent outside when the weather allows. It is important that your child brings a full set of winter clothing: a toque, gloves, snow pants, and a jacket to be able to participate in the outside activities. Your child’s teacher will communicate with you regarding skating times. If your child wants to bring his/her equipment, on the bus, it must be transported in a cloth bag, with skate guards on, and NO hockey sticks on the busses.

Basketball practice times:

Grade 4/5 boys’ team – Mondays/Thursdays from 2:45 – 4:00 pm (Mrs. Backus)

Grade 4/5 girls’ team – Tuesday from 2:45 – 4:00 pm (Mrs. Smith)

Grade 6 mixed team – Wednesday from 2:45 – 4:00 pm (Mrs. Smith)

Kindergarten registration is open!

Upcoming Events:

Jan 29th – Spaghetti Bridge Building Competition for Mr. Dale’s class at Robert Ogilvie Elementary

Jan 31st -Pro D Day

Feb 3 – 7th – Interim Reports go home

Feb 17th – Family Day

March 11th – Report Cards go home

March 12th/13th – Early Dismissal Days

March 14th – Last day of school before Spring Break

March 31st – Back to school

Kind regards,

Ms. Palma

The post Weekly Update – January 20 – 24, 2025 appeared first on Upper Pine Elementary & Junior Secondary.

Kindergarten registrations are due May 1st to save a seat in your home school.”

The post Kindergarten Registration 2025-2026 appeared first on Upper Pine Elementary & Junior Secondary.

As we settle back into the routine of school days, the weather has been wonderfully cooperative, and the students have been enjoying the warm weather during break times and during gym classes.

Skating Rink:

Our skating rink is now fully operational, and classes have begun to enjoy this distinctive feature of our school. However, when temperatures rise and the ice begins to melt, we will refrain from using the rink to prevent any damage to the surface.

This weekend, I kindly request that community members check the condition of the ice. If you find the ice melting, please refrain from using the rink until it has thoroughly refrozen.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Mr. Blaney, who has dedicated weeks to flooding the rink and continues to maintain it!

Gym Classes

Whenever the weather permits, gym classes will take place outdoors. We are fortunate that our school can offer a variety of winter activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, and skating.

Please ensure that your child is equipped with a full set of winter clothing— including a toque, gloves, snow pants, and a jacket—to fully participate in these outdoor activities. This is a school wide expectation for all students from K-8.

Your child’s teacher will provide further details about specific skating times. If your child wishes to bring their own skates/helmet to school, please ensure it is transported in a cloth bag with skate guards attached. Please note that hockey sticks are not permitted on the bus or on the ice during class times.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation.

Basketball practice times starting next week:

Grade 4/5 boys’ team – Mondays/Thursdays from 2:45 – 4:00 pm (Mrs. Backus)

Grade 4/5 girls’ team – Tuesday from 2:45 – 4:00 pm (Mrs. Smith)

Grade 6 mixed team – Wednesday from 2:45 – 4:00 pm (Mrs. Smith)

Kindergarten registration is open!

Upcoming Events:

Jan 29th – Spaghetti Bridge Building Competition for Mr. Dale’s class at Robert Ogilvie Elementary

Jan 31st -Pro D Day

Feb 3 – 7th – Interim Reports go home

Feb 17th – Family Day

March 11th – Report Cards go home

March 12th/13th – Early Dismissal Days

March 14th – last day of school before Spring Break

March 31st – Back to school

Kind regards,

Ms. Palma

The post Weekly Update – January 13 – 17, 2025 appeared first on Upper Pine Elementary & Junior Secondary.

Christmas Concert

Last night, our school gym came alive with the joyous sounds of the holiday season as we hosted our annual Christmas concert. It was so nice to see so many of you in attendance, and we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your support. Your presence truly made the evening special.

The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the children’s performances. Their enthusiasm and talent shone brightly as they sang carols. It was heartwarming to witness the smiles on their faces and the pride in their eyes as they took the stage. We hope you enjoyed their performances as much as we did.

This concert was a wonderful way to begin the Christmas holiday season. We hope that this event has filled your hearts with the spirit of the season and set the tone for a joyful and peaceful holiday.

Thank you once again for joining us and making the evening memorable.

Winter Jacket Giveaway

Friendly reminder that we still have several jackets to give away.

The Fort St. John Fire Department and Lux Apparel have generously donated many winter jackets to the school district and our school has received several jackets to give away. If your child is in need of a jacket, please email Ms. Palma at pvasarhelyi@prn.bc.ca to make your request. Rest assured that all inquiries will be handled confidentially.

Here is the list of sizes for the donated jackets that are still available.

Boys Jackets one each:

7/8

Girl’s Jackets one each:

4/5, 5t, 6t

Hot Lunch Orders are Due on December 18^th at Midnight

– Payment for the hot lunch program will no longer be available through the platform. Once you have placed your order, please submit your payment via e-transfer, check, or cash.

– We now accept E-transfers at upperpine@prn.bc.ca

When using e-transfer, kindly include a message specifying the recipient’s name and the purpose of the payment. This is important because children’s names and parents’ names and emails may not always match, so please be as specific as possible with your information.

– Due to the rising cost of a full pizza, the price will be increased to $3, and the BBQ chicken will increase to $3.25.

– Our Subway menu will no longer include clubs as an option.

Please bring one non-perishable food item when you attend the school Christmas concert, and we will donate it to the Women’s Shelter.

Upcoming Events: 

December 17^th–Red and Green Day

December 18^th -Winter hat Day

December 19^th– Christmas Dress Up

December 20^th– PJ Day / Last Day of School

January 6^th– First Day of School after the Christmas Holidays

Sincerely,

Ms. Palma

The post Weekly Update – December 16 – 20, 2024 appeared first on Upper Pine Elementary & Junior Secondary.

As we approach the holiday season, we want to take a moment to wish everyone a joyful and restful time with loved ones. This year has brought many achievements and challenges, and we are grateful for the unwavering support and dedication of our students, families, and staff.

The holiday break is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and to celebrate the spirit of togetherness. Whether you are spending the holidays with family, trying new traditions, or simply taking some time to relax, we hope you find joy and peace in these moments.

Thank you for being an essential part of our school community. We look forward to returning in the New Year, re-energized and ready to continue our journey of learning and growth together.

Wishing you all happiness and warmth this holiday season!

Upcoming Events:

January 6^th – School reopens after Christmas Vacation 

Sincerely,

Ms. Palma

The post Holiday Wishes appeared first on Upper Pine Elementary & Junior Secondary.

As we approach our last two weeks of school before the holidays, here are some important announcements regarding our Christmas Concert and other upcoming events.

Christmas Concert

‘We invite family members who are unable to attend the evening Christmas Concert to join us for the Dress Rehearsal on December 12th at 1:00 PM in the gym.

The Evening School Christmas Concert is scheduled for December 12th at 6:30 PM. Students and their families may enter the school through the main entrance.  Teachers will open their classrooms at 6:10 PM, and all students must be in their classrooms by this time to prepare for the concert. Families and guests can find seating in the gym, and the performance will commence promptly at 6:30 PM. We encourage everyone to wear festive attire to help kick off the holiday season!

 Hot Lunch Orders are Due on December 18^th at Midnight

– Payment for the hot lunch program will no longer be available through the platform. Once you have placed your order, please submit your payment via e-transfer, check, or cash.

– We now accept E-transfers at upperpine@prn.bc.ca

When using e-transfer, kindly include a message specifying the recipient’s name and the purpose of the payment. This is important because children’s names and parents’ names and emails may not always match, so please be as specific as possible with your information.

– Due to the rising cost of a full pizza, the price will be increased to $3, and the BBQ chicken will increase to $3.25.

– Our Subway menu will no longer include clubs as an option.

Please bring one non-perishable food item when you attend the school Christmas concert, and we will donate it to the Women’s Shelter.

Matilda The Musical

Several of our classes have registered to attend “Matilda The Musical.” Please make sure that the permission forms are all returned.

School Fees

This is a friendly reminder that there are still several outstanding school fees. Mrs. Fillion will be sending notifications home next week.

Upcoming Events: 

December 10^th– Matilda The Musical at the NPCS

December 12^th– Christmas Concert @ 6:30 pm in our school gym

December 13^th– Annual Trackers Hockey Game – Grade 6/7 and 7/8 class

December 17^th–Red and Green Day

December 18^th -Winter Hat Day

December 19^th– Christmas Dress Up

December 20^th– PJ Day / Last Day of School

January 6^th– First Day of School after the Christmas Holidays

Sincerely,

Ms. Palma

The post Weekly Update December 9 – 13, 2024 appeared first on Upper Pine Elementary & Junior Secondary.

It’s hard to believe that we are already entering December. Due to the cold weather, we have been spending more time indoors. According to the Weather Network, temperatures are expected to warm up next week. This means we will have the opportunity to go outside before school, during recess, and at lunchtime. Please remind your children to dress appropriately for the weather and to continue bringing gloves, toques, jackets, and snow pants. Thank you!

We have noticed that many students are feeling tired and displaying less patience lately. We would appreciate it if you could talk to your children and remind them that there are numerous adults in the building who can assist them if they are unable to resolve any issues with their peers or if they need a break. Thank you for your continued support!

Changes In Our Hot Lunch Program:

– Payment for the hot lunch program will no longer be available through the platform. Once you have placed your order, please submit your payment via e-transfer, check, or cash.

– We now accept E-transfers at upperpine@prn.bc.ca

When using e-transfer, kindly include a message specifying the recipient’s name and the purpose of the payment. This is important because children’s names and parents’ names and emails may not always match, so please be as specific as possible with your information.

– Due to the rising cost of a full pizza, the price will be increased to $3, and the BBQ chicken will increase to $3.25.

– Our Subway menu will no longer include clubs as an option.

Matilda The Musical

Several of our classes have registered to attend “Matilda The Musical.” If your child’s classroom teacher has signed up for this event, your child will be bringing home a permission form next week.

Please find the attached information letter from the organizers.

Transportation

Following the memo from the Transportation Department regarding students who wish to take a different bus to a friend’s house, we would like to remind parents that bus drivers require 24 hours notice for any students traveling on a bus for which they are not registered. Once the bus driver has approved the request, please notify the school office so we are aware that your child will be traveling to a friend’s house on a different bus. Thank you for your cooperation.

Upcoming Events: 

December 6^th– Flannel Friday

December 10^th– Matilda The Musical at the NPCS

December 12^th– Christmas Concert @ 6:30 pm in our school gym

December 13^th– Annual Trackers Hockey Game – Grade 6/7 and 7/8 class

December 16^th-20^th – Christmas Caroling/Christmas Festive Outfits

December 20^th– Last Day of School

January 6^th– First Day of School after the Christmas Holidays

Sincerely,

Ms. Palma

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