Hello Mahogany Families!

Super Moon, Comets and Norther Lights...it seems like the sky is trying to tell us to look up and remember that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. I have been on a quest since last year to see the Northern Lights and have missed them more times than I can count. I finally saw them last week and I was in awe. Such beauty and unexpected spectacular colors. This week my next quest, the comet was conquered. I spent a lot of time waiting for the clouds to pass and my patience paid off. I am not sure if it is the years of teaching Sky Science as a Grade 6 teacher, but I am in awe of these sky events. It reminds me to take a breath, look deeply and be present. Without taking the time to look up, be patient and also to enjoy the moment when it comes. I feel like this is the lesson I was supposed to learn – especially all the other times that I missed out. This will be my goal this weekend. To enjoy the weather (I hear it is about to change Monday) and to take time to enjoy the leaves, the cloudy October sky and hopefully see some more spectacular scenes in the evening sky.

I wish for you all to be able to find the time to experience these amazing sights and if nothing else to pause to look, truly look around and enjoy this fabulous fall season.

Have an amazing weekend everyone! Unplug and connect.

<3

Tracy and Christine

Inspiration

"Sometimes the best way to disconnect is to reconnect.”

Weekly Wonder

How will you unplug and connect this weekend?

Updates and Administrivia

Picture Day

Monday, October 21, 2024 is Picture Day! Bring you smiles and look your best! We will be taking individual photos. Retakes will be held in November and we will have a second set of individual photos in the spring along with class group photos.

Lates and Absences

Mahogany families, we need your help! We have noticed that there are a large number of students who are coming to school late on a regular basis. Please remember that every minute counts for our classrooms. When your children arrive late the miss important instruction and disrupt learning for themselves and others. If you are experiencing challenges getting to school, we are happy to connect to see how we can help support. Regular attendance is important to students’ success both academically and socially.

Thank you for your consideration on this important issue. We love welcoming your children to Mahogany every day and are always excited to see them!

Halloween at Mahogany (Costume/Pajama Day)  

Halloween will be a special learning day at Mahogany School. Classes will not be having parties but may engage in Halloween or Autunm-focused learning activities. We know that this is a big day for children, and we also recognize that not all families celebrate Halloween. As an inclusive environment we want to make sure all students feel comfortable and safe at school. Teachers will also provide alternative activities for students who do not participate in Halloween. We know that many of our families look forward to Halloween each year and welcome the opportunity to capitalize on our students’ excitement to enhance their learning. 

We know that some families will want their children to wear costumes to school and some may want to save them for community events after school hours. On October 31, we welcome students to wear their costumes or pajamas to school. Please send your child to school in whatever outfit (costume, pajamas, regular clothes) so that we do not have to worry about lost items or clothing. To celebrate our school spirit, in the afternoon we will end the day with what has become a Mahogany tradition - a dance party in the gym! 

Please have your child bring a healthy snack for themselves. Do not send a treat for the whole class as we will not have class parties and cannot accommodate class food due to allergies.  

We invite students and staff to wear costumes or pajamas for the day if they wish. When choosing a costume to wear to school please remember: 

• Keep your child’s comfort and safety in mind for indoor and outdoor play. Make sure your child can wear a coat and indoor and outdoor shoes with their costume. 
• Long capes, uncomfortable shoes, or other tripping hazards are discouraged. Students should be able to participate in gym and outdoor play safely throughout the day. 
• Please ensure their vision is not obscured by their costume. For this reason, masks should not be worn. 
• Please leave loose props at home. We cannot be responsible for anything lost or left behind at the school before Halloween night and there will be no staff here to accommodate entrance to the school for any forgotten items.  
• Do not send costume weapons to school (swords, guns, etc.) 
• No extremely gory costumes. Please remember we have small children in the building, students, and staff with varying levels of sensitivity. We want everyone to feel safe and have fun!

Connection

Walk for Wenjack Week|

We would like families to count their steps from October 17 – 21.  They can use the template below to track it and either print it out and send it back to school or they can email it back to you-whatever works best for them.  Once they have sent back their step count, please send me your class total so that we can include it in our Walk for Wenjack assembly PowerPoint.

Please ensure to post those 5 days to IG and communicate with families to help increase the community engagement.

Wenjack Assembly will be Tuesday, October 22 at 10:00am.  We will have a few performances, a read aloud and an informational video.

We are hoping that by involving families it will help bring more awareness to our participation as a Legacy School.

***Just a note for the future (June) We will be adding to and revisiting our holistic framework circle in the garden in June for National Indigenous Peoples Day.  We had a few people asking***

School Council / Parent Society

Our next School Council Meeting will be on November 5, 2024, at 6:00pm at Mahogany School followed by our next Fundraising Association Meeting will be the AGM which will be held in person at Mahogany School All parents/guardians are welcome to join! Doors will be open at 5:45pm. Please join us in the Gathering Space.

Happenings

Upcoming

Mon., October 28 Day 5

• Regular Day

Tues., Oct 29 Day 1

• Regular Day of Classes

Wed., Oct 30 Day 2

• Regular Day of Classes
• Wellness Wednesday

Thurs., Oct 31 Day 3

• Regular Day of Classes
• Mahogany Choir (grade 3,4 and 5)
• Halloween
• Costumes / Pajamas all day
• School SPIRIT parade and dance party in the gym

Fri., Nov. 1 Friday Schedule

• Early Dismissal 12:00 PM
• AM Kindergarten Attends