Sandy's Global Eyes

December 1st, 2018

Continuing in the Holiday spirit, a fellow colleague and I decided to take the ferry across to the South side and continue to Grassy Plains with a goal of checking out the community Christmas bazaar.

The morning was frosty with a light sprinkle of powder snowflakes to make the day extra pretty. The fields are getting quite frozen as are the ponds and many of the nearby lakes. This is one of the communities which was hit hard by forest fires this summer, then additionally recently lost their only store/cafe due to a fire caused during the morning creation of homemade donuts!

We arrived at the Grassy Plains community center about 10:30 a.m. and entered the packed community hall. There was a very interesting array of crafts and foods–from antler necklaces to home grown lamb, beef jerky, and gluten free baking! We bought several unique items and entered the local draws. After crossing back over on the ferry  to Francois Lake we couldn’t help laughing at all the bucks prancing around the fields, near the Mormon church,  past the “No Trespassing” signs. Apparently, they were aware that hunting season is over for them!

Prior to returning home Sarah and I checked out the Decker Lake Trading Post. I’ve driven past it many times, but never popped inside. OMG! They have anything and everything. It’s a hoarder’s heaven…but not our style.

After returning to home base in Burns Lake, I got the fire going and Brat and I had a lovely relaxing evening.

November 30th, 2018

Temperatures now are quite brisk about -5 to -12 degrees and the lakes are all freezing or frozen, but the arrival of snow (except for light dustings) is later than usual I’m told. Apparently last year at this time there was about 2 1/2 feet on the ground by now! Brrrr! I can definitely wait to shovel all the upcoming snowfalls!

Tonight is the annual Santa parade and Tree Lighting ceremony in Burns Lake! I dawned my gloves, toque, scarf, down jacket, and snow boots then walked downtown along the icy and slippery sidewalks heading toward the back road. I heard the parade started about 6:00 p.m. along the back road where the library, fire hall, floral shop, post office, gas stations, electric car charging station, etc. are located. Hmmm… I didn’t see anybody lining up or waiting? I did however see cars parked along the road. Then about 5 minutes before the sirens started…families gathered and people emerged from the parked cars! Guess they know the routine! I was standing across from the Fire Hall in the first section of the parade route. It was fabulous and so worth attending! The only thing missing was the usual snow!

It started with the usual police cars and emergency vehicles, sirens wailing! They were followed by Christmas floats from most of the larger businesses in town. Candy was flying! Several Santas made appearances 🙂 One of my favorite floats was a nativity scene followed by 3 shepherds riding horses with camel humps! A man ran beside them scooping up all the stinky excrement! 🙂 Everybody seemed so excited and as I followed the parade I learned that most of Burns Lake seemed to be out in force and were mainly located at the end section of the parade by the train tracks and where the logging trucks all park at night. I also observed that several Orthodox Mennonite families, who were quite surrounded by the thrown candy,  didn’t pick any candy up.

After the parade ended, some families departed…but most of us crossed over the highway to participate in singing carols, drinking free hot chocolate, then watching as the fantasy of lights were switched on. During the parade and carol singing event I was very touched by the number of students (from both schools) who came over to me to say hello, give me a hug, and introduce me to their parents! This is one very friendly community!

November 29th 2018

Participating in a staff spa party at Elle Haven Day Spa was a perfect early birthday present! 7 females and 1 male staff member from our school participated in the fun evening. We each got to select 2 treatments out of: manicure, pedicure, 1/2 hour massage, or facial. The remaining time we nibbled on snacks, drank bubbly non-alcoholic wine, chatted and laughed!

How can you tell I had a facial? lol. It was a wonderful way to bond and lots of fun!

November 28th, 2018

When I arrived at WKE in August the principal showed me 3 huge Tower Gardens and asked if I would like to use at least 1 in the Learning Commons. Of course, I said “sure” I would love to take on one–thinking it was a fancy soil garden. Well…After my husband inspected it and changed it around he explained it was actually hydroponics! Oh boy! Another new experience ahead! One staff member was good friends with the retired teacher who created this design, and she visited our school to hold workshops and involve the students in the initial planting using rock wool.

We watched videos, reviewed parts of plants, then all students were given the chance to plant their herb or vegetable. When the lights are turned on, and the pumps circulating water, the garden tower looks a bit like a science fiction creation. We need to check the ph regularly and the rest will be a surprise! Hopefully we will produce lots of healthy greens for students to eat at school in the near future.

November 24th

This weekend I decided to explore some of the winter recreation around Burns Lake. The closest down hill mountains are at Smithers (145 km to the west) and Fort St. James (175 km to the north east). However, there is a very active Cross Country Ski Club about 10 minutes from Burns Lake–Omineca Ski Club. So…I decided to check out their open house.  The club is small and friendly. They specialize in cross country skiing and biathalon training (cross country skiing and shooting at targets). I guess that makes sense with such a passionate group of hunters around this area. There were free snacks in the lodge and I met the main instructor for beginners (me). After soaking in lots of new information and getting acquainted with some of the club members I ended up buying two yearly memberships, added my name to the beginner adults lessons list, got measured for seasonal rentals, and even signed up to assist with the big club competition in early February! Hopefully by the end of the season (Early to Mid March) I’ll be able to stand up on those very skinny long skis and actual maneuver through the trails!

After joining the Omineca cross country club, I decided to go and watch ice hockey at the local arena. Several of the grade 6 and 7 boys and girls at my 2 schools play rep hockey and asked me to go and watch their tournament. So…I did! The Burns Lake Peewees were coached by Wendy (a fellow teacher from Decker) and played well. The end result was really close! I sat with some of the parents and entered all the fundraising draws. My throat was a bit sore from yelling loudly encouraging my students. After getting goals several of the boys skating past me giving me a thumbs up! It was very touching! I’m definitely coming back to watch more kids hockey games during my stay here.

Apparently there is an active curling rink also in the complex. I’ll check that out another day.

November 23rd, 2018

I woke up to another light snowfall. I have the plug ready for the car and the snow shovels are in the carport and on the front patio area…but so far I’m told it’s been an unusually mild winter here. People keep saying…just wait! The cross country club wants to open soon. But most people are happy to avoid shoveling the white stuff! The coldest temperature I’ve experienced so far here has been -13 degrees Celsius.

The mornings are dark later and later and the night comes sooner. I find I am driving to Decker (7 minutes away west towards Topley) at 7:55 a.m. often in foggy conditions with the sun just coming up. Thank goodness for remote start up on my Jetta! It takes about 10 minutes to warm the engine right now and the seats are toasy. I am on duty at 8:10 a.m. at Decker Elementary, but sometimes the first bus arrives before that so I usually arrive about 8:05. The children love to play in the forest area around the school. These photos were taken while I was on duty about 8:15 a.m.

It was Plaid Friday, so our staff and many students got into the theme.

The sunset photo was taken from the school parking lot as I left at 4:15 p.m. There were lots of prizes to be won and games to play around town during Plaid Friday but you really only could participate if you had the day off or got off work early. I walked downtown after dinner to discover everything ended by 7:00 p.m.

Darn. It looked like a fun event!

November 21st at WKE and November 22nd at Decker Elementary Schools.

I was really thrilled to collaborate with fellow staff at each school for working bees in the Library after school hours this week.

At WKE the District Literacy coordinator, a mentor teacher, a primary teacher from the English stream, and a French Immersion primary teacher joined me to level several hundred early readers into 4 main reading categories. (Pre-Primer to mid grade 1); (Mid grade 1–end of grade 1); (Grade 2); (Grade 3). Now I am busy adding information about these categories using the online Library system–Destiny, then I need to add 4 different colored stickers, and create level lists for each category.

At Decker, there hasn’t been a teacher-librarian or clerk at the school for many years and the Fiction section needed a major weeding! Most of the classroom teachers and 1 FN support worker stayed after school for over 2 hours. Following my criteria, we removed about 800 soiled, unused, old, damaged novels from the shelves.

I now have the tedious task of checking history of questionable novels, removing books  from the Destiny automated library system, stamping discarded, wiping out the barcodes, creating signs and putting the books on display as FREE to a new home (for teachers, or students).  Both Library Collections are getting rejuvenated and more user friendly for teachers and students. 🙂  Great team work staffs!

November 2018

Although he is also renovating our home in Nanaimo during my 6 month position in sd91, when my husband travels the 1,084 km each way for visits he never just ‘chills’ and relaxes. No… We explore the area on weekends and after school. He cuts up wood and kindling for me. He creates a lovely fire in the wood stove so the house is warm. He assists me at school and helps me with any tech issues. He shops and cooks really healthy meals. He even filled the freezer with soups and stew so that I eat healthy whenever he is absent. (I’m gluten intolerant). He encourages and always supports me. I am so thankful that I have Mark as my partner and husband.

This blog post is for you hon! You truly are amazing and I love you!

November 17th, 2018

The much anticipated annual Christmas bazaar at LDSS (Lakes District Secondary School) in Burns Lake did not disappoint! All participants had to offer hand created items for sale. The doors opened for seniors from 9:00–9:30 then the entire community was invited to attend. It was packed! As you entered the school you were greeted by welcoming smiles, carolers, and east coast type fiddle music. It was so delightful to see the variety of cultures and religions represented and respected in this area of B.C. There was everything from cast iron to hand made christening gowns, from painting/stained glass to specialty foods, from innovative fold-able tables and bird feeders to jewelry. Fun times for all the family!

Even the Plaid Friday mascot made an appearance! I highly recommend attending this event if you are in Burns Lake mid November next year.

Mid November 2018

Dividing my time as Teacher Librarian/Learning Commons Specialist between two schools at Burns Lake and Decker lake is somewhat challenging and exhausting, yet so fulfilling.  I teach collaboratively with 16 different classroom teachers, plus have challenge groups and reading groups to plan for each week. In addition to collaborating with staff, supporting Learning Commons Leaders, introducing STEM and Inquiry, regular Library Administration duties, and 4 early morning duty shifts… I’m also busy evolving both Libraries into Learning Commons. Mastering all the names of both staffs is slowly coming; however, all the students’ names are not cemented yet! The staffs are wonderful and it is very fulfilling and touching when students make a point of hugging me and introducing me to their parents during community events after school hours!

Here are a few photos of some of the events we’ve shared at my two schools during mid November time period. There was a really cool marionette performance–a bit tough to see from the back but really neat props!

I open the Library/Learning Commons most mornings at each school. It is really popular, but I have to limit the numbers to 35 as it gets so busy. I expect as the temperatures drop…It will become even more popular. My Learning Commons Leaders are working on decorating for the upcoming Book Fair and they assist in the mornings. During  Intermediate lessons we have been learning about location of fiction series, authentic websites vs. hoax websites, how to cite text and online sources, and best search engines for science fair research.

The primary classes are learning about fairy tales–traditional vs. fractured and exploring STEM challenges to create structures (house for the 3 pigs, bed for Goldilocks, etc.).

We are having a wonderful time!