November, 2018 _________________________________________________________________________ Principal’s Message

Happy November, Gibson Family. This is one of my favourite times of year. The warm colours of the trees, the feel of the slight chill in the air, and getting bundled up in a cozy sweater with a hot beverage and a book. We kicked off our Literacy event this week with the Halloween Spooktacular, where we announced to the kids our commitment to provide them with meaningful opportunities to read everyday, to encourage them to have a growth mindset, to support them with their learning

needs, and provide them with opportunities to collaborate, and celebrate. We encourage you to get involved with your child’s learning by asking them to tell you about something interesting they read today, and in turn, tell them about something you read. Maybe it’s from a book, a magazine, the newspaper, or even something on the Internet.

Another way I encourage you to be involved in your child’s learning is to get involved and join our PAC! We need you! Your children need you! PACs, with strong participation from parents, have an important influence on life at the school and the feelings the community has towards the school and education. There is strong evidence that increased parent involvement in the school results in increased student achievement, accomplishment, satisfaction and bonding: all of which we want our children to have! Another BIG reason for you to join the PAC, is that without a PAC, the school does not receive government funding! PACs are eligible to receive a gaming grant of $20 per student towards enhancing extracurricular activities, such as field trips. If we do not have a PAC, Gibson Elementary would not qualify for the grant. Our next PAC meeting is November 6th at 7pm. Please come and join us for some chai, samosas and exciting discussions about life at Gibson.

Check Out Our New School Logo!

We love our new design of the grizzly. As seen on the logo, we will continue to strive to be SAFE, KIND, RESPONSIBLE and RESPECTFUL here and everywhere. This month we will be working on being RESPECTFUL. Each morning there will be a helpful tip on what being respectful looks like, sounds like, and

Gibson Elementary 1451 90 Ave, Delta, BC V4C 3H3 Principal: Ms. Potter School website: http://gb.deltasd.bc.ca Vice Principal: Ms. Klassen Phone: (604) 594-7588 Admin Assistants: Ms. Shields Absentee Phone: (604) 572-5968 Ms. Towler

September 4 Schools Open - Dismissal at 12pm

NEWSLETTER

feels like. Be sure to practice at home, too! Gibson’s Literacy Commitment

As a part of our commitment, teachers at Gibson are a part of a Professional Literacy Community with 7 other Delta schools. Teachers at Gibson collaborate once a month to discuss strategies and share ideas on how to improve their own practice, thereby supporting all our students with improving their reading levels as well as developing a JOY for reading.

Remembrance Day Assembly

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On Friday, November 9th at 11am, Gibson will be holding a Remembrance Day Assembly in our gym. There will be several classes offering contributions for the assembly, and parents/families are welcome to join us. Please arrive at the gym for 10:30am as we will begin our assembly on time. This is a somber occasion as we remember those who made sacrifices in order for us to enjoy the freedom that we have today. If you plan to attend the assembly, please remember that the students who are singing/speaking are offering a contribution, and that this is not a performance. Please refrain from taking pictures, waving at your children, etc.

Delta Emergency Procedures

At Gibson, student and staff safety remains our No.1 priority. School Emergency Procedures, which has been in place the past fifteen years has been “Code Green, Code Yellow and Code Red”.

Over the past few years, most B.C. School Districts, in consultation with community and Provincial partners, have moved away from these procedures and adopted language that is more universally accepted across North America (and globally by first responders and Police). Through extensive consultation with our Delta Police partners, Delta has started the process to transition to the new language. Please see the poster below the new category names and procedures for each. We will be holding the first Hold & Secure drill on November 15th. Please see the graphic below and review our new Emergency Procedures.

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EVACUATEHOLD & SECURE

LOCKDOWNSHELTER IN PLACE

ROOM CLEARDROP, COVER & HOLD ON

Used to move people out of the school when a hazard exists inside • Direct students and other staff to exit the school via the shortest safe route

• Report to and assemble outside at the designated assembly site

*Principal or designate will determine next steps

Used to move people away from a hazard contained in one room/area• Direct students to leave the room/area and report to designated area (Ex. Library)

• Summon assistance as needed and appropriate (Ex: call First Aid Attendant, Principal/Vice Principal, custodian, 911)

*Principal or designate will determine next steps

Used if there is a security concern in the neighbourhood• Bring everyone into the school and remain inside

• Secure exterior doors

• Close exterior window blinds/drapes (if available)

No one may enter or exit the school during Hold & Secure

*Typically, normal activities continue WITHIN the school.

Used if an environmental hazard may impact the school • Bring everyone into the school and remain indoors

• Secure exterior doors and windows • Close exterior window blinds/drapes (if available)

• Turn off all ventilation systems (if locally available/situation dependent)

Staff designates will monitor access to theschool via the main entrance

Access may be denied if a risk exists thatjeopardizes the safety of occupants *Typically, normal activities continue WITHIN the school.

Used in response to an armed or dangerous assailant WITHIN the school• Gather people in your vicinity into a secure room—do this quickly • Close and secure doors

• Turn off lights, be quiet, get down low/behind heavy furniture, get out of sight

• Silence all cell phones on hand and ask they be placed face down on floor

• Alert other occupants by any means available and/or call 911—only if safe to do so

OR LEAVE SAFE: If no secure area is available and a safe exit is, then quickly leave the area/school. Report to the designated assembly area and await instructions.

*Normal activities in the school cease. Await police response.

Used in the event of an earthquake, explosion, or any event that shakes the schoolQuickly move away from obvious hazards

• DROP - low to the ground

• COVER - take Cover under a sturdy table, desks, furniture, or other large sturdy items

• HOLD ON - to the furniture you are under and stay there until the shaking stops

After the shaking stops, wait 60 seconds and then evacuate via the shortest safe route

Report to and assemble outside at the designated assembly site

*Principal or designate will determine next steps

FIRE3 in fall3 in spring

EARTHQUAKE2/yearThe Great BC Shakeout

LOCKDOWN2 full school drills/year

IN AN EMERGENCY CALL THE SCHOOL OFFICE

GENERAL INQUIRIESsafety@deltasd.bc.ca

STAFF PREPAREDNESS• A family emergency plan• Basic kit with essential personal itemsTemplates for an emergency family plan and kits can be found at:

www.getprepared.gc.ca

SCHOOL DRILLS & INFO

DELTA SCHOOLS EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

November 6 PAC Meeting 7pm in the Library

November 7 Diwali

November 9 Remembrance Day Assembly at 11am

November 12 Statutory Holiday - No School

November 15 Hold & Secure Drill

November 16 Hot Lunch

November 16 PAC Movie Night in the Gym 6:30pm

November 23 Non-Instructional Day - No School

November 30 Hot Lunch