Welcome! Bienvenue! Nuw-'ilum!

Dear Quarterway Families,

This week we opened a Learning and Care Centre (LCC) in our school for children of Essential Service Workers (ESWs) from our community. Many staff members volunteered to work with the students and other staff members were able to come work in their classrooms for the first time since we left for spring break. Even these little changes feel huge compared to the closures of all school buildings. We are feeling thankful we are able to be back in our school again, even with the strict safety and hygiene expectations.

Students attending the LCC continue to work with their classroom teacher and support staff through phone, email and online connections. At school we have one educational assistant in each classroom and a supervising teacher for the two or three classrooms. It is not school as usual, but children at the LCC have access to academic supports while their parents are working away from home in hospitals, care centres, grocery stores and filling many other essential support roles for our community.

A recent video from the school district shares the story of food distribution services to families in our school communities who used to have breakfast, snack, and lunch programs in school. As more and more families have been affected by temporary or long-term layoffs, we are hearing many stories from families who have never before needed to ask for help with childcare or food supports. While we recognize this time away from school is temporary, as a staff, we want you to know that we are only a phone call away if you are struggling to find solutions. Our child, youth, and family support worker, Sandy Posnikoff, is one of the volunteers coordinating the food distribution program. If this is a concern for your family, send her an email! Our counsellor, Pattie Metheral, has been connecting families with community support resources and connecting with students who are struggling with making sense of these changes in their lives. Your teachers and support staff are there for you as well. Connect!

This website showcases some of the creative connections across grades in our learning community: 

- See Mme Pauline's Aboriginal resources and oral stories to expand and enrich your learning in new directions. Merci, Mme Pauline! 

- See Mme Lorenz' corona virus parody contestants on her music website. Emily wrote these lyrics and entered this video for the competition that closed today, May 15.

- Mme Beedie continues to add literacy support sessions to her student support site. 

- The Nanaimo Museum is looking for examples of how this period in time is being experienced by the people in our communities. Mme Mélanie's art challenges in the Student Information section are just a few examples of how you might participate. 

- Mme Mariela's students have built Rube Goldberg machines like Cedar's invention.

- How about you as parents and caregivers, how are you doing? In our Parent Resource section we are trying to provide you with supports as well.

- The PAC page has photos of our new swings and our Build-a-Whale Days. 

Our community is going through this challenge together. In these challenging times, it's OK to ask questions or ask for support. Please reach out if you are needing assistance.

We miss you! Be well! Be active!

Sincerely,
Quarterway Staff

Ça va bien aller! Vous nous manquez!

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This drawing by Julian is a Nanaimo sight we know well.

Have you heard the ferries saluting Essential Support Workers (ESWs) every evening at 7:00 pm? Click here to see and hear what 7:00 pm sounds like in Departure Bay.