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First People’s Principles of Learning & Numeracy

At Pythagoras Academy we have a dedicated Truth and Reconciliation Team who have just organized an informative First People Principles Pro D day on May 19, 2023. We had indigenous visitors who joined us to share their journey and story with staff. They answered our questions we had and were very friendly and welcoming to us. It was a touching experience to have an opportunity to listen to their personal experience, stories and history of indigenous people and their culture. 

In addition, in May Grade 2-8 students participated in an end of year numeracy assessment called 'snap.' This is done at the beginning of the year and then again towards the end of the year to assess progress. This helps teachers at Pythagoras Academy to understand year-over-year our students' strengths and specific needs to help them become more successful in numeracy and math. Numeracy is interwoven into our lives and is all around us. At Pythagoras Academy, students are encouraged to try their best in every situation. 

I am proud to be part of this school family that is focused on making a difference in Canadian education. I have witnessed different cultures being embraced and celebrated, as well as the growth and progress of students and staff in the First People’s Principle of Learning and Numeracy. I believe that Pythagoras Academy is a place that feels welcoming and an environment where students can be themselves and be proud and share their own identity without judgment. Students enjoy coming to school to work together and learn each day. 

Leanne Ho
Grade 1 homeroom &
Vice Principal of Curriculum

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Messages from Across the Grades

Junior Kindergarten "JK" 

Junior Kindergarten students have been busy planning and preparing for end of year events, like the special Mother's Day Tea Party. Students baked cupcakes to decorate with their moms, ate sweet treats, sang heartfelt Mother's Day songs, took many photos, and made life-long memories. Appreciating our mother's provides us with a deeper understanding of how learning involves generational roles and responsibilities.

Grades K/1

ReadingKindergarten

Kindergarteners have been focusing on financial literacy, where students use their observation skills to notice attributes of Canadian coins, learning to identify coins, and what money can be used for. Students have been following the First People’s Principles of Learning by practicing patience throughout the day in situations such as waiting for their turn to speak during circle time. From listening to the book “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein, Grade 1 students gained a deeper understanding that one should only take as much as they need. 

 

Grades 2/3

Grade 2 participated in a work shop about Coast Salish Art hosted by the Joy of Learning site. They've been learning about 2D shapes and learned some of the 2D shapes used in artwork, including ovoids, trigons and crescents. In the workshop, students heard a tradition Coast Salish story and then learned how to draw a Shrew. In Numeracy, Grade 3 students are exploring data collection and graphing techniques.

Grades 4/5

The grade 4 students attended the Outdoor School program at Grouse Mountain to learn more about the natural world, understand Aboriginal Worldviews, and develop sustainable values. Students had the opportunity to learn about local wildlife and ecology, discover First Nations culture, and explore the stunning mountains. Grade 5 students have been focusing on the First Peoples Learning Principles concept that learning is holistic, reflective, experiential and relational. 

Grades 6-8

The grade 6, 7, and 8 classes practice the First Peoples Principles of holistic, experiential, and relational learning by engaging in collaborative learning groups, where students tackle new ideas and skills while gathered at the classroom whiteboards or table groups. The exploration and discussion of the problems allow students to connect and reflect on the previous knowledge they each bring to the group, and to discover new ways of thinking. 
 

What can you read about Truth and Reconciliation in the library?

The Pythagoras Library is a place to locate resources to learn more about the First Peoples Principles. Learn to count in Cree, read stories about school and what is was like to learn a new language. Come in a check out the following collection:

You can read fiction like Fatty Legs by written by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton and illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes. This is a memoir aimed at students in grades 5-7.

Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation is a new addition to the collection. Written by Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith, readers will learn about the lives of survivors and listen to people who are putting the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into action.

Cloudwalker is a book that describes the creation of the river is in a series of Northwest Coast legends by Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd. It tells about British Columbia's northwest coast and the salmon-bearing rivers. These rivers are the source of life for all creatures in the area, but what gave life to the rivers themselves?


Mrs. Powell 
Teacher Librarian
Literacy Coordinator

Wellness at Pythagoras Academy

When reflecting on this month’s wellness article, I thought of how the topic of wellness, mindfulness and the First People Principles correlate. It dawned on me that there are many incredible connections between these ideas. 

Following the First People Principles of Learning: 
Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family, the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors.
Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational (focused on connectedness, reciprocal relationships, and a sense of place).
Learning involves patience and time.
Learning requires the exploration of one‘s identity.

Based on the principles above, Indigenous peoples have a holistic view of wellness, which includes physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. For Indigenous people, wellness is interconnected with the land, culture, and community. Wellness-based activities are traditionally expressed through storytelling and other cultural practices explored throughout mindfulness practice. 

How can we integrate this into our daily practice at school and home? Well, for instance, wellness activities such as going for a walk in the park or the beach can help us be present with what is happening around us, like the smell of the ocean or fresh pine. In our classrooms, various tasks can be seen present, with teachers spending their academic blocks outside exploring nature or reflecting on their well-being in a daily journal.

Resources: 
https://www.fnesc.ca/first-peoples-principles-of-learning/
https://www.mindfulteachers.org/blog/indigenous-perspectives-on-mindfulness

 

Ms. Una Miljevic
Vice Principal of Student Life
Grade 4-8 Team Lead/ Grade 4 Homeroom Teacher
Wellness Coordinator

First Peoples Principles of Learning and Mathematics

Pythagoras Academy is in a continuous time of growth and discovery about the First Peoples Principles of Learning. In fact, all schools in British Columbia are called to incorporate Indigenous pedagogy in our planning and teaching, and we sometimes find ourselves wondering how to do this effectively and sensitively. 

To help remedy this, on May 19 of this year, the Reconciliation Committee at PA organized a professional development day where we heard from First Nations elders and participated in talking circles and resource sharing. Earlier in May, several teachers engaged in a two-part online Indigenous Math Education Symposium, where educators across the province shared their experience with including indigenous knowledge and culture in their math instruction. Our Pro-D day in January, presented by the Independent School Association of BC (ISABC), centred on the theme “Healing the Land; Healing the Mind”, and offered workshops in environmental, cultural, and emotional concerns, along with a keynote on indigenous cultural advocacy and allyship. This spring, several PA classes visited the Hiwus feast house at Grouse Mountain to hear stories of indigenous traditions and culture.

These experiences have helped us begin to see the richness of the cultures of the first inhabitants of this land, and have inspired us to learn more about how we can bring these ideas into numeracy instruction at Pythagoras Academy. We can study patterns and relationships in the natural world, and we can use story and experiential learning to understand and communicate mathematical thinking. By embracing these principles, math becomes a meaningful and inclusive journey of discovery.

Ms. Dawna McIver
Grade 6 Homeroom Teacher
Numeracy Coordinator
Grade 6-8 Core Math

Featured Students
Celebrating student achievements, whether they occur inside or outside of school, is incredibly important. Recognizing and honouring the hard work and dedication that students put into their endeavours can boost their self-esteem, motivate them to continue striving for excellence, and reinforce the idea that their efforts are valued and appreciated. Celebrating achievements also helps to create a positive school culture where students feel supported and encouraged to pursue their passions. Whether it's a simple shout-out in class, an awards ceremony, or a special event, taking the time to celebrate student achievements can make a big difference in their lives. This month, in particular, we would like to take a moment to celebrate of few of our students' most recent achievements:

Join us in celebrating Philip's incredible triumph as a champion of the Steveston Meltdown Hockey Tournament, showcasing his extraordinary skills on the ice!

Congratulations to Seraphina, who recently secured a well-deserved 1st place in the prestigious Piano Junior Level 3 competition!


Congratulations to Betty who showcased a wonderful ballet performance, earning her and her team winning placements along with medals!

Congratulations to Jospeh, one of our young pianists whose mastery of the keys reached soaring heights during a recent performance!

Last but not least, congratulations to Gino who continues to make outstanding achievements in the field of Mathematics. He participated in the Waterloo Gauss Math competition, in the grade 7 level, where he achived a top 2% placement! 

Upcoming School Events and Important Dates 

June 4-9: Last week of teacher-led clubs
June 6: Class rep. appreciation lunch 
June 8: K-3 garden party 
June 9: Sports day 1/2 day
June 11: RBC Run for Kids
June 15: JK closing ceremony 
June 16: Summer fair @1pm
June 20: Closing ceremony @10:30 last day of school

Upcoming Community Events and Important Dates 

April 28 - October 29: Richmond Night Market
June 10: Car Free Day (Surrey)
June 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day

 

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8671 Odlin Crescent, Richmond, BC V6X 1G1

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