Safe, Caring & Inclusive Learning Communities

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Last year, Mountview Elementary School’s StrongStart Centre was selected to participate in a StrongStart BC Pilot Project called Enhancing Physical Activity, Healthy Eating and Social Emotional Development. This pilot was designed to help StrongStart BC Centres bring movement, healthy habits, and social-emotional well-being into everyday activities with children and families. The goal was simple: to make physical activity, healthy eating and social emotional development a natural and enjoyable part of daily life in early learning settings across BC. The pilot focused on areas of the province where families may be facing more challenges, making sure that extra support and resources reached the communities that needed them the most. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Trish Morey from Mountview StrongStart Centre said that she was invited to monthly Zoom meetings where educators across BC were trained in “Appetite to Play: Healthy Eating &amp; Physical Activity in the Early Years” (www.appetitietoplay.com) as well as “Feelings First” (www.feelingsfirst.ca). Trish submitted weekly pictures and write-ups throughout the year about the learning taking place at her StrongStart Centre and 12 of her ideas where shared in the provincial publication called “Moments that Matter.” Trish told us that the best part of her work is that she loves what she does and feels included in her school community. Trish said it gives her joy when she can help connect families and share important resources that make an impact for young children, parents and caregivers. When asked what she is known for at her center, she replied, “I’ve been told that my superpower is that I can make something out of nothing!” This indeed fits with her role as an ECE engaging the curious and exploratory minds of young children, bringing creativity into each play-based activity she sets up in her centre.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/0c099f20-9137-4afe-84d4-821de3ff64b7" alt="1 Strong Start BC Pilot Project at Mountview's Hattie Darney" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/4d5c5653-09af-468b-82a9-152eb5520f7e" alt="2 Strong Start BC Pilot Project at Mountview's Hattie Darney" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Today educators in a variety of roles and responsibilities within the school setting came together to train or re-train on non-violent crisis intervention strategies with district principal Kristina Beaulne. The verbal and non-verbal behaviours, actions and strategies that educators use can have a profound de-escalating effect with youth and with grown-ups in our learning communities. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this learning round today.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/b92c04fb-4915-4e59-bd6c-12396a44229e" alt="Non violent Crisis Intervention Training1 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/43f81bc7-7a97-49b2-8814-9de760f68238" alt="Non violent Crisis Intervention Training2 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mountview StrongStart students work together to make playdough for their class. Everyone in the group was able to participate, even the young toddlers added ingredients and helped with the stirring. What an incredible opportunity to learn together, while making a classroom resource to enjoy for many days to come. Where there is a will, there is a way!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/a8692e67-3947-444e-9b75-ff0c8ae30de4" alt="Big Science Little Hands BEULAH SMITH" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On the first day of school, Mountview students noticed several new faces in the school. They decided to gather at the buddy bench to welcome the new students into the games they were playing. No one asked them to do this. We are so proud to see their kindness and thoughtfulness.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/bd871083-9c70-5d8c-9cf9-b528654a87c4" alt="78wd9jbm.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div>