They come running to the reception area with books, games, sketch pads, and friends. “Is it our day today?” they ask Mrs. Howard. Big smiles spread across the students’ faces as they scurry to different learning pods set up across the Learning Commons. To say this space is a hit would be an understatement. It [...]
BY JACINDA FLEMING, GRADE 12 STUDENT AND ELEMENTARY JANITOR Soggy cucumbers, mouldy chunks of pepperoni, and wet mushy socks are just some of the things I’ve seen on the floors of school classrooms. I won’t even start with what I’ve seen in the bathrooms. I am a janitor at the elementary campus and have been [...]
Sometimes the world is heavy. The news is heavy. Our hearts are heavy. I hear the word anxiety tossed around like a disease that people have. As a teacher I hear it often in reference to kids who “have anxiety.” I have a little girl in my class who struggles with worries and heavy thoughts. [...]
“I’m sorry, but we’re not going to offer you the position.” Defeated. Disappointed. Those were two feelings that flooded my thinking when I found out I wasn’t going to be a Residence Advisor during my fourth year of post-secondary studies. There was no plan B! The house I was renting wasn’t going to be an [...]
As I am moving out of my role as middle school principal, I thought it would be appropriate to share my highlights from the past 13 years. In no particular order, some of the things I will remember are: Coffeehouse performances Pre-pandemic, our middle school would hold an annual celebration of the arts. We often [...]
For many of our ACS families the parent-school partnership kicks off with a meeting in the principal’s office. Not because their child is in any trouble but because, as a school, we feel that partnering well with parents is a crucial component to creating a school community where students will flourish. A Sweet Response In [...]
Do you remember Kid President? It was a small collection of YouTube videos hosted by a young boy on a mission to help kids and grown-ups change the world together. This collection became one of the most watched videos on the planet about 8 years ago. Brad Montague was the brainchild behind these videos as [...]
I had the “unfortunate” opportunity to join an illustrious club this summer. A special shout out to the senior members out there! I joined the “blow- your-trailer-tire-club.” My family and I were making the annual trek out to Bear Creek Provincial Park up the Coquihalla highway with our tent trailer and 2006 Nissan Quest minivan. [...]
A few surprises have come my way over the course of my time as a teacher and administrator. This is my 22nd year at ACS. For the first 9 years I was an assistant principal or vice principal, and for the past 13 years I have been the middle school principal. Before coming to ACS, [...]
BY LINDA GROOT, LIBRARIAN Bi-monthly, I like to bake banana bread to bring to our boisterous staff to eat during break with their brew. Better yet, I love to book talk the best brand-new books we have bought for staff to borrow for their bunch of students in their classrooms. But then blasted Covid hit. [...]
