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Welcome Back! 👋 📚 🔍

We are underway with another exciting school year at Pythagoras Academy. As summer fades into our memories and leaves start to change colour, it’s that time when students begin to embark on their learning adventures.

What can parents do at home to set their child/ren up for success? I recommend that students have a well-organized space at home that is specific for learning. The best learning spaces are comfortable and well-lit. Preferable the learning space you create for your child will be a quiet place with all the learning tools they need close by (paper, pencils, calculator, ruler, etc.). How your child’s day begins is so important. How can it be a calm, learning opportunity for them as they wake up and get ready for school?

At our parent-orientation session in early September, I discussed with parents a particular way of supporting children when they are at home and getting ready for school. An important skill that every child needs to learn is how to break a task down into steps and accomplish these steps within a given time.
At the parent orientation session, I suggested a way to help children in kindergarten to grade 3 get ready for school. This method involves showing your child a picture of what is inside a properly packed school backpack and showing them a picture of what it would look like if they were in their school uniform, properly dressed and at the front door of their home. The next step is to ask students to describe the steps they would need to go through to have their backpack and school uniform look like the picture. As they describe their plan to you, they are learning important mental planning skills.

This is a more pleasant way to get ready in the morning and to keep the morning routine calm. I want to acknowledge a particular family that was at the parent orientation session and tried out this idea with their child. Please read that excerpt below.

Warm regards,

Mr. Michael Bouchard
Head of School
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Inspired by your presentation, Mr. Bouchard, my son Nathaniel and I created a "What to Bring" reminder together. This has been a wonderful opportunity for us to collaborate and tackle the morning routine as a team. It's heartwarming to see him take ownership of his morning responsibilities. It's now making a positive difference in our morning routine, Nathaniel is becoming more organized and this also contributes to a more peaceful morning for our family. 

After a few days, besides our “What to Bring?” picture, we collaborated to create a "Priority Board" together, to help him organize his after school routine. It has been a fantastic tool in teaching him about setting priorities, managing his time and taking responsibilities. I'm delighted to share that Nathaniel's growth in independence has been remarkable with these efforts. 
There are so many ways possible for us to collaborate including the collaboration between parents and teachers through PAPO, library volunteers, uniforms sales, field trips, and so much more.

Together we thrive!

Cherrie Chen
Nathaniel’s mother
Messages from Across the Grades

Junior Kindergarten "JK" 

Junior Kindergarten students are excited to begin the school year filled with the joy of learning. Our first couple of weeks were a great success! We're continuing to learn about class rules and procedures and getting to know each other through "all about me and my family" activities. In numeracy, students are learning about counting and recognizing numbers from 1–10. In addition to our daily academic activities, students are also practicing the "O Canada" and "Pythagoras Academy" anthems.

Grades K/1

Kindergarten has started the year off strong by focusing on letter and sound recognition with the help of "Fun Family Phonics." In Numeracy, students are diligently working on numbers and how they can be decomposed into smaller parts. Grade 1 students have started the year by learning routines for their classrooms, including the beginning of the day procedure, lining up, and establishing class rules. 

Grades 2/3

Grade 2 and 3 students are excited to be back in the classroom with their friends! Students are working on developing a positive and kind classroom community as well as developing their team-building skills. They recognized their own strengths and thought about some areas that they can work on this year. They also took time to notice their classmates' strengths.

Grades 4/5

Grade 4 students welcomed the new school year by exploring the books “All Are Welcome” and “The Day You Begin.” Students participated in hands-on activities that explored themes of diversity, inclusion and community. Grade 5 students are reacquainting themselves with the routines of the classroom, getting to know their teachers and fellow classmates. Students also engaged in team-building activities, icebreakers and character development exercises to foster a positive classroom environment. 

Grades 6/7

Students in Grade 7 started the term by learning about their new responsibilities as the role models and elders of the school. They participated in team-building activities with the Grade 6 class, as well as learned about one another during sharing circle. In addition, students created vision boards about their dreams, wishes, and goals.

Diving into the World of Circuits: I.T Classes at Pythagoras Academy
In today's fast-paced, tech-driven world, grasping the basics of circuits and design projects is more important than ever. These skills serve as the foundation for modern electronics while also nurturing creativity and problem-solving abilities in our students. Grades 2-7 at Pythagoras Academy began this school year with engaging, hands-on learning experiences that encouraged critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Throughout the month, our students immersed themselves in projects that empowered innovation and collaboration. They tackled challenges, designed solutions, and delved into the exciting world of circuits using Hummingbird Bit kits, Squishy Circuits and Brown Dog Gadgets projects. This not only prepares them for future careers but also cultivates a mindset of contributing to a technologically advanced and sustainable world. 
Stay tuned for a glimpse of the fantastic final projects our students have created this month!

Mrs. Yanina Vihovska

Educational Technology Coordinator
Specialist Team Lead 
IT/ADST Teacher (K-G8)
Usborne Literacy Event at Pythagoras Academy
As the book racks came in followed by baskets and baskets of new Usborne books, the novels and colourful nonfiction books were quickly set up as the students entered the building to start the day at school. As the Billy Mini Monster books, Graphic Novels books and boxes of puzzles filled the shelves, Pythagoras Academy library was transformed into a pop-up book shop.

Books were being sold and ordered throughout the week of September 19-22. Every class visited the book fair to browse and purchase new reading material. The students in JK-Grade 4 were welcomed each visit with a greeting from Ms. Becky and with a story before having time to look and shop. The grade 5-7 students enjoyed shopping during recess as well. 

A total of $4168.00 was taken in, which allows our teachers to share their suggestions to collect curriculum related materials for over $1000. Thank you to all of the students and parents who supported this welcome back to school book fair at Pythagoras Academy.

The resulting display was a vibrant floral garden, a breathtaking testament to the collective imagination and passion for literacy and the joy of reading.

Mrs. Powell 
Teacher Librarian
Literacy Coordinator
Wellness at Pythagoras Academy
Going back to school can be an exciting but also potentially stressful time for families. Focusing on wellness during this period is essential to ensure a smooth transition and a successful academic year. Here are some tips for promoting wellness when going back to school:

Establish a Routine: Having a daily routine helps create a sense of stability and predictability. Set regular wake-up and bedtime schedules, and allocate time for homework, meals, and relaxation.

Healthy Eating: Proper nutrition is crucial for physical and mental well-being. Encourage balanced meals and snacks with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid excessive sugary or highly processed foods.

Stay Active: Physical activity is essential for overall health. Encourage regular exercise or outdoor play to help reduce stress and improve concentration.

Stay Informed: Keep yourself informed about your child's school policies, events, and activities. Engage with teachers and school staff to stay updated on your child's progress.

Supportive Environment: Create a supportive and nurturing home environment where children feel safe to express themselves and seek help when needed.

Remember that everyone's wellness journey is unique, and adapting these tips to your specific circumstances and needs is important. Prioritizing wellness during the back-to-school period sets the foundation for a successful and fulfilling academic year.



Ms. Una Miljevic 
Vice Principal of Student Life
Grade 4-7 Team Lead
Grade 4 Teacher
Celebrating Student Achievement at Pythagoras Academy
Congratulations to Jasmine, in 5P, who competed a Brazilian jiu jitsu tournament and won a silver medal! Thank you for sharing your success with the school community and bringing in your medal to school to show the class! Keep up the hard work!

*Please let teachers know of achievements for your chance to be showcased in an upcoming newsletter edition!*

Upcoming School Events and Important Dates 

October 2: Truth & Reconciliation Day
October 6: Whole school emergency release drill
October 9: Thanksgiving Day
October 11: 'PAPO' parents' meeting
October 18: Fire drill
October 20: BC Provincial Pro D Day
October 24: Crazy Hair/Hat Day
October 26: Pumpkin Patch
October 31: Halloween Assembly/ Dress Up
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8671 Odlin Crescent, Richmond, BC V6X 1G1

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