DRM Weekly Bulletin

Friday, November 15, 2024

Dear  Eagle Families, 

Wishing you a wonderful long weekend on behalf of the staff at Don Ross Middle School.

Safety Notice:

We are reminding students and families of Section D of our School Code of Conduct, specifically: unacceptable behaviour includes “Possession of weapons, including any object meant to simulate the appearance of a weapon.” Please see the following picture of an example of such an object that is not acceptable to have at school. Thank you for your support with keeping our school community safe.

Important Dates:

Monday, Nov 18 - School Based Pro D Day, no school
Wednesday, Nov 20 - PAC meeting, 7pm, DRMS library
Monday, Nov 25 - Group A Learning Update’s uploaded to MyEd
Monday, Dec 9 - Winter Band Concert dress rehearsal, 3pm
Tuesday, Dec 10 - Winter Band Concert, 6pm
Dec 23 - Jan 3 - Winter Break, no school

**Reminders**

• Please make sure your child arrives at school on time and is ready to learn each day. If they arrive late, they need to check in at the office so we can update their attendance.
• Our morning announcements are posted to the website daily. For information on our clubs and sports teams, see link to read what we’re up to on a daily basis.

Athletics

Thank you to all athletes and families who have made our fall athletics season a great success! Our school competed in 3 sports: volleyball, soccer and x-country running. Here are some highlights: 

Volleyball: 

Our grade 7 athletes entered 4 teams into a Sea to Sky elementary volleyball tournament! It was a chaotic environment with 14 teams competing, but there was great sportsmanships and cheering throughout!

Our grade 8 and 9 girls teams both made it to finals in our district championships. The games were fierce and exciting to watch, with our grade 8 girls taking home the district trophy! Go girls!

Soccer: 

Our boys soccer team had a short albeit exciting season, starting off with a two day tournament in North Vancouver. They played their final game at the start of this month, with an incredible come-back of 4-2 against Windsor Secondary. Congrats to Atsuhiro for scoring a hat trick!

X-country:

All runners raced in at least one meet this year, with many students running at 5-6 events this fall! A special congratulations to Clara Frantz, Tanner Schulz, and Gabrielle Reid for making it to provincial championships and placing above mid-pack against runners from across the province! 

Our winter sports season is upon us, with basketball practices already underway! Below is the practice schedule for all teams. Currently our boys grade 8 and 9 teams are combined, but we will split them into two teams depending on student turn-out at today’s practice. Grade 8 and 9 students will all be playing in the North Shore League games; the schedule will be released next week. Grade 7 students will play in a couple of elementary school tournaments in the new year; dates tbd. Payment will be done using School Cash Online once fees are finalised. 

Grade 7 co-ed: Coaches Darcy and Emily (Ms Smirnova as staff sponsor)

Mondays 3:15-4:30 (starting Monday November 25)

Grade 8/9 girls: Coaches Meredith and Brook (Ms Butterworth as staff sponsor)

Tuesday and Wednesday 3:15-4:30 (starting November 5)

North Shore league games:

Grade 8 and 9 boys: Coaches Mike and Ruan (Ms Smirnova as staff sponsor)

Thursday 3:15-4:30, Friday 2:15-3:30 (starting November 15)

Counselling Update:

Tuesday was our first day of Quarter 2 at DRMS. Students should now be settled into their new routine!

 This Thursday, our school nurse, Angela, joined us during lunch to introduce herself to our students. She will be visiting every Thursday at lunchtime in the MPR to provide education and resources on various health-related topics. During her visit this week, Angela gathered feedback on the subjects that interest our students the most. Key areas of interest included sleep, screen time, phone use, discrimination, social media, injury prevention, nutrition, mental health, wellness in school, immunizations, allergies, and hygiene.

Friday, October 25, 2024

Dear  Eagle families, 

Halloween is right around the corner, and excitement is building! As we prepare for the week ahead, here are some reminders and updates to keep our school community safe, informed, and ready for some festive fun. On Tuesday we will have our spirit day, students are encouraged to show their house colour and represent who will be the winning team this year. Thursday students are welcome to wear costumes to school if they choose, with the reminder we sent last week in mind, please ensure your child has a school-appropriate costume. Please avoid costumes with masks, excessive gore, accessories that could be considered unsafe and socially and culturally sensitive. Thank you to our amazing teachers, staff, and parents for supporting all of our Halloween events! We’re excited to make this a memorable week for everyone.

Have a spook-tacular weekend, 

Graham Jackson, Principal

Important Dates:

Friday, Oct 25 - Pro D Day, no school
Thursday, Oct 31 - Halloween Fun Day
Friday, Nov 8 - Remembrance Day Assembly
Friday, Nov 8 - End of Quarter 1
Monday, Nov 11 - Remembrance Day, Stat Holiday, no school
Monday, Nov 18 - School Based Pro D Day, no school
Wednesday, Nov 20 - PAC meeting, 7pm, DRMS library
Monday, Nov 25 - Group A Learning Update’s uploaded to MyEd

**Reminders**

• Please make sure your child arrives at school on time and is ready to learn each day. If they arrive late, they need to check in at the office so we can update their attendance.
• Our morning announcements are posted to the website daily. For information on our clubs and sports teams, see link to read what we’re up to on a daily basis.

Parent Information

• On Halloween, our DRM Leadership students are hosting a Halloween social for all students in the gym.  Leadership students wanted an opportunity to build school and community spirit, and have been working hard preparing for the day.  Classes will be called down in grade groupings to enjoy our carnival-style social.  Students are encouraged to dress up in their school-appropriate costumes for our costume competition, and bring some money for bake sale items.  We will also have lots of carnival style activities and a photo booth, all free-of charge, with lots of prizes for participants.  If you have spare Halloween decorations that you would like to donate to the school for the event, please contact Ms. Stanford and Ms. Leevers ([email protected] & [email protected] ).  Leadership students will be busy preparing ahead of the day next week, and we are so thrilled by their commitment to building up our school community! 
• We have been working with the RCMP about E-bike safety and in the spring will have an active safe rider campaign.  They have prepared the update below:

https://bc-cb.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=2100&languageId=1&contentId=85657

Library

The Authors in Schools Program came to Don Ross Middle School this October 21st!  Canadian author, Sarah Suk gave a presentation to students talking about her start as an author and her new book, The Space Between Here & Now. Suk’s speculative fiction is a moving story of memory, family and courage.  Thanks to the Whistler Writers festival for sponsoring this literary event and for a class set of Sarah’s books! For more information about Sarah, check out her website:  https://www.sarahsuk.com/about

Don Ross Middle School Weekly Bulletin

Friday, October 11, 2024

Dear Eagle Families,

As we approach Thanksgiving break, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for our wonderful school community. This time of year reminds us of the importance of giving thanks and appreciating the people and experiences that enrich our lives. During this break, I encourage everyone to take time to relax, recharge, and spend quality time with loved ones. Whether you’re travelling or staying close to home, I hope you find a chance to recognize all the good in our lives. Personally, I am incredibly thankful for the dedication and support of our teachers, staff, students, and families. Your commitment to making Don Ross Middle School a nurturing and inspiring place to learn is truly appreciated.

Wishing you all a happy and restful Thanksgiving break!

Graham Jackson, Principal

Important Dates:

Monday, Oct 14 - Thanksgiving Day, stat holiday, no school

Wednesday, Oct 16 - PAC meeting, 7:00 pm, DRM library

Thursday, Oct 24 - Early dismissal, 2:00 pm
Thursday, Oct 24 - Parent/teacher conferences
Thursday, Oct 24 - Photo retakes

Friday, Oct 25 - Provincial Pro D Day, no school

**Reminders**

• Please make sure your child arrives at school on time and is ready to learn each day. If they arrive late, they need to check in at the office so we can update their attendance.
• Our morning announcements are posted to the website daily. For information on our clubs and sports teams, see link to read what we’re up to on a daily basis.

Parent Information

Athletics:

It’s been a great week for our student athletes! Our grade 9 girls played two volleyball games against Coast Mountain Academy on Wednesday, and our grade 8/9 students ran alongside many other x-country athletes at our very own cross-country meet! Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to help. Our grade 7 x-country runners participated in a meet at Nairn Falls yesterday. Way to go Eagles!

Cross-country running

Our grade 7 x-country runners will be participating in a meet on Tuesday Oct 15 at EGHE. Stay tuned for details about transportation. 

Our grade 8/9 runners will be attending a meet at the Richard Juryn trail in North Vancouver on October 16. The bus will leave at approximately 2:15 and return around 6:30pm. 

Volleyball

Our grade 8 and 9 girls will be playing games in Pemberton on October 16. The bus will leave from Don Ross at 2pm and will arrive back at the school around 7:20pm. 

Our first grade 7 volleyball tournament will be held on October 5th at Don Ross from 1:30-4:30pm. 

Call for referees: if anyone has volleyball refereeing experience and is available to volunteer for our games on October 23, November 4, November 5, or November 8, please email Katya ASAP at [email protected]

Boys soccer

The soccer team will have their next (and possibly last) game on Wednesday October 30 against Windsor Secondary School at the Brennan Park field. Stay tuned for more information about transportation. 

Payment for all teams

Payment systems have now been set up for all teams except grade 7 volleyball (stay tuned). Please use School Cash Online to pay for student's team fees. If you are financial unable to pay, please email [email protected]

Questions?

For more updates or to see the season schedule for any Don Ross team, please see the athletics tab on our website. For any other questions or concerns, please email Katya, the athletic director, at [email protected] 

Don Ross Middle School Weekly Bulletin

Friday, October 4, 2024

Dear Eagle Families,

Happy Friday! As we wrap up another productive week at Don Ross Middle School, I want to take a moment to reflect on our recent achievements and share some important updates.

Firstly, I am incredibly proud of our students’ dedication and hard work with special shout-out to our leadership and Indigenous Leadership students for their work on assemblies and school activities. I would also like to congratulate our soccer team, cross country runners and volleyball teams for amazing teamwork and sportsmanship!

As we move into October, I want to remind everyone of the importance of maintaining a balanced routine. With the changing seasons, it’s crucial to stay active, eat healthily, and get plenty of rest. Our school counsellors are always here to support students with any challenges they may face, so please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Have a great weekend.

Graham Jackson, Principal

Important Dates:

Monday, Oct 14 - Thanksgiving Day, stat holiday, no school

Wednesday, Oct 16 - PAC meeting, 7:00 pm, DRM library

Thursday, Oct 24 - Early dismissal, 2:00 pm
Thursday, Oct 24 - Parent/teacher conferences
Thursday, Oct 24 - Photo retakes

Friday, Oct 25 - Provincial Pro D Day, no school

**Reminders**

• Please make sure your child arrives at school on time and is ready to learn each day. If they arrive late, they need to check in at the office so we can update their attendance.
• Our morning announcements are posted to the website daily. For information on our clubs and sports teams, see link to read what we’re up to on a daily basis.

Parent Information

 Don Ross Middle School will be piloting a pay-what-you-can on Fridays as part of the Feeding Futures Program on Fridays.  

Ordering is now open for the Fall Session (October - December).  Friday's lunch will alternate between sushi and teriyaki rice bowls for the fall session.

The first lunch date is October 11th and the deadline to order for the first lunch date is this Thursday at 12pm. Orders will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis, with a weekly deadline of Thursday at 12pm for the next week.

 Parents with existing Munch a Lunch accounts can log in here: https://munchalunch.com/login

New parents can sign up here: https://munchalunch.com/schools/donross

*If you already have an existing account for ordering hot lunch, you will be able to login and use that account to place orders for the Feeding Futures Lunch Pilot. However, orders will still be placed separately by selecting the Feeding Futures Pilot*

Athletics:

It’s been a great week for our Eagles! Our first volleyball games happened this week for our grade 8 and 9 girls against Whistler Secondary. Our grade 7 x-country runners attended a meet in Whistler on Tuesday and our grade 8/9s attended a meet at Rice Lake on Thursday. Way to go Eagles!

 Cross-country running

Our school will be hosting a grade 8-12 x-country meet on Wednesday October 9 at 4pm. Please email Katya ([email protected]  if you already have a criminal record check and would like to volunteer as a course marshal and cheer on our grade 8/9 students! 

 Our grade 7 x-country runners will be attending a meet at Nairn Falls on Tuesday at 3:30pm. More information on transportation to come.

 Volleyball

Our grade 9 girls volleyball team will be playing a game against Coast Mountain Academy on October 9 from 3-5pm at Garibaldi Highlands Elementary. They will be dropped off by the school bus but will need to be picked up by a guardian after the game at Garibaldi Highlands Elementary School. 

 The next grade 9 game will be on October 16th in Pemberton. Grade 8 girls don't have any upcoming games for the next 2 weeks. Grade 7 students will have two tournaments in November; stay tuned. 

 Call for referees: if anyone has volleyball refereeing experience and is available to volunteer for future volleyball games, please email Katya ASAP at [email protected] 

 Boys soccer

Our boy's soccer team played in a tournament in North Vancouver last week. Despite other teams having mainly grade 10 players, our boys played hard and didn't give up! 

 The soccer team will have their next (and possibly last) game on Wednesday October 30 against Windsor Secondary School at the Brennan Park field. Stay tuned for more information about transportation. 

Payment for all teams

 Payment systems have now been set up for all teams except grade 7 volleyball (stay tuned). Please use School Cash Online to pay for student's team fees. If you are financial unable to pay, please email [email protected] 

 Questions?

Don Ross Middle School Weekly Bulletin

Friday, September 20, 2024

Happy Friday!! 

We are thrilled to share our school with our students and families and our Open House was a great success! Thank you to all the families, students, and staff who participated and made it a memorable event. Our annual Terry Fox Run was today, thanks to all who came together to honor Terry’s legacy and raise funds for cancer research. Welcome to Our New PAC! We are excited to welcome our new Parent Advisory Council (PAC) members (see below). We look forward to working together to support our school community!

Just a few safety reminders: 

E-Bike Safety Reminder For those students who ride e-bikes to and from school, please remember to follow all safety guidelines. Wear your helmets, use bike lanes where available, and be mindful of pedestrians and other vehicles.

Also, our School Property Policy: We want to remind families that students are not allowed to leave the school property during the day, including during lunch hour. This includes visits to the Brackendale General Store, The BAG, and Crabapple Café. Here is a quote from our school policies and procedures:

“Students are not allowed to leave school property during lunch hour. Community businesses such as The Brackendale General Store, The BAG, and Crabapple Café are off limits to all Don Ross Middle School students from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. (school hours). Parents/guardians may not give students permission to leave school property without parental or guardian supervision. Parental Consent alone is insufficient as we cannot provide supervision off-site during school hours.”

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe and have a great weekend! 

Graham Jackson, Principal

Important Dates:

Friday, Sept 27 - SSTA Pro-D Day, no school

Monday, Sept 30 - Truth and Reconciliation Day, no school

Oct 1 and Oct 3 - Grade 9 overnight Garibaldi Lake Trips

Monday, Oct 14 - Thanksgiving Day, stat holiday, no school

Wednesday, Oct 16 - PAC meeting, 7:00 pm, DRM library

Thursday, Oct 24 - Early dismissal, 2:00 pm
Thursday, Oct 24 - Parent/teacher conferences
Thursday, Oct 24 - Photo retakes

Friday, Oct 24 - Provincial Pro D Day, no school

**Reminders**

Please make sure your child arrives at school on time and is ready to learn each day. If they arrive late, they need to check in at the office so we can update their attendance.

Parent Information

Athletics

The cross-country season is up and running! Practices are on Mondays and Thursdays after school until 4pm. Our grade 8 and 9 students will be attending their first meet on September 25 at Ambleside!

 Volleyball practices started last week in the Don Ross gym. Practice schedule is as follows:

Grade 7 co-ed: Wednesdays 3:15-4:30 and Fridays 2:15-3:30

Grade 8 girls: Mondays and Thursdays 3:30-4:45

Grade 9 girls: Wednesdays 4:30-5:45 and Fridays 3:30-4:45

 Our grade 8 and 9 girls will go head-to-head with Whistler Secondary on Oct 3 and Oct 1 respectively. Come to the Don Ross gym after school to cheer on our girls!

 Jr Boys soccer (grade 8 and 9)

Our first practice kicked off this week and will continue to be every Wednesday from 3:15-4:10 on the Don Ross field.  Our first games will be a tournament at Argyle Secondary School in North Vancouver on September 26 and 27. Stay tuned for information about transportation and payment. The boys will be having a bake sale on Tuesday to raise money for the tournament.

A reminder to all athletes: permissions forms must be submitted in order to attend practices and games. Please do not hand in cash with your permission form, all payment will be processed online once final fees are calculated.

Indigenous Leadership: 

This week was our first meeting for Indigenous Leadership! We will be meeting weekly on Wednesday afternoons from 2pm - 3pm. Next week will be our assembly for National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Our Indigenous Leadership students will be supporting the event by sharing some of their culture and truths.

PAC:

We have a new DRMS PAC executive team. A big thank you to everyone who volunteered for a role with the PAC.
Chair: Sam McDonald
Vice: Ilka Guigova
Secretary: Colleen Horsley
Treasurer: Esther Lautard
DPAC: Dalia Shehata
SPC: Ilka Guigova
SPC: Christie Hyndman
SPC: Kathrine Folinsbee

Counselling: 

Classes are now officially set for the year. Our learning support team has worked very hard to create thoughtful class composition. Thank you for all of your patience as we’ve navigated through the beginning of the year. We will be coming around to all classes in the next couple of weeks to formally introduce ourselves again to students in smaller groups. We are excited to get to know all of the students throughout the year!