Dear Braeside Families

Wow!  It was so great to welcome everyone in last night.  We could tell that students were excited and proud to showcase their classrooms and for families to meet their teachers.  We are proud of the work that our students and staff do each day at Braeside School.  If you could not attend the Welcome Back event last night, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher.  It is important that you families know who is working with their child throughout the school year.  If you haven’t had a chance to follow the classroom Instagram account yet, please consider it!  Teachers post almost daily about what is happening in the classroom.  This can be a great jumping off point for families to engage with their child about what is happening at school.   

We were so proud of our students during the Terry Fox Run on Tuesday!  Many students committed to running or running with short breaks throughout the entire time and were able to do multiple laps of the course.  Many students shared they enjoyed the longer run. Thank you to our volunteers who helped encourage students and direct traffic!  We best our school fundraising goal!  Students raised a total of $1345.  Amazing. 

Today we recognized Orange Shirt Day at school.  Class engaged in learning around Orange Shirt Day in different ways depending on the grade level.  For example, the grade 4 / 5 students read, You Hold Me Up, by Monique Gray Smith then discussed, “What does it mean to hold someone up?” and “How can we work together to support one another at school to have a strong learning community?”  They completed the lesson making origami orange shirts highlighting children’s rights. 

This year our School Development Plan (SDP) will again focus on improving students’ literacy skills, most specifically in writing.  Staff have begun working with students to gather initial writing samples and assess skill levels. This week grade 4 / 5 students participated in poetry lessons linked to fall.  Here are some of the poems that students shared today: 

The crunchy leaves are smooth and colorful, 

They rustle in the sky like tiny flames. 

They dazzle through the sky. 

I hear a crispy crunch when I step on it. 

Fall is fiery. 

- HM 

The beautiful leaves are glowing in the sun. 

They twirl through the blue sky like tiny rainbows. 

They glimmer in the sky. 

I feel the wind in my hair when a leaf zooms by. 

Fall is magical. 

- FH 

The crunchy leaves are sparkling. 

They move gracefully through the sky. 

They are like airplanes and they deliver autumn to everybody. 

I hear and feel mighty and satisfied when I go through the smooth crunchy 

leaves and forest. 

Fall is a piece of art, it is unique and it takes time. 

- TF 

Throughout the year we will be sharing progress related to our School Development Plan (SDP) as well as strategies and areas of current focus.  Talk to your child about their current writing skills and how they are hoping to grow this year.

The Online School Store is open until the end of the day! 

Braeside School Online Store 2025 | Big Mountain Activewear 

Please remember that students do not have school next Monday or Tuesday.  We look forward to welcoming them back in on Wednesday Oct. 1.  We have encouraged students to spend as much time as possible outside over the weekend.  Take advantage of this nice weather! 

Take care, 

Fiona Johnson and Melanie Bennett 

Important Dates 

  • September 29: Non-Instructional Day (No School for Students) 
  • September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (No School) 
  • October 3: PM Kindergarten Attends 
  • October 7: School Council Meeting, 6:30 in the Learning Commons 
  • October 13:  Thanksgiving, No School for Students 
  • October 17:  PM Kindergarten Attends 
  • October 20: Non-Instructional Day for Students 
  • October 21 – 29: Alien Inline Skating Residency 
  • October 23:  Picture Retake Day 
  • October 31: PM Kindergarten Attends