PINE RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL

MAY 2020

Principal: Mrs. Rafuse Vice-Principal: Mrs. Vance

Dear PRMS Families; Please take a few minutes to read through our monthly school newsletter. As we have spent a month in isolation, we wanted to thank families for their support and feedback as we made the transition to a dis-tance format. We know that this presented challenges for some families, and that there are still some ad-justments we can make to better meet the needs of our students and families. But we are grateful to be in this together with you and feel proud that the feedback you and your children have given us, we are about 80% there with just right work for our 400+ students. This is well done panthers! Also, please be reminded that we are available to support families in any way necessary. Calling the school phone and emailing the school through regular contacts continue to be checked and responded to. Reach out anytime. There are many options and possibilities for continuing student learning. At the same time, we acknowledge that it has been a challenging time. Within our newsletter, please find information on supporting adolescents and how to watch for age appropriate responses to tragedy and violence.

The wellbeing of our school family continues to be our top priority. We hope that the change of seasons

and extra time together is of benefit. Looking forward to when we can be together

again and know that we are thinking of you all.

Cathy Rafuse Nora Vance Gray Principal Vice Principal

PRMS hopes this newsletter finds all of it’s Panther families well.

Our hearts are breaking for the families and their friends who were forever changed by the shocking tragedy that shook our

tiny province in April. There are no words to explain the why, but it does remind us of the importance of being there for

each other with love and support always.

Take care everyone and, as always, please reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or need help with anything!

Phone and email messages are monitored daily (902-765-7570 prms@avrce.ca)

You will be heading off to West Kings in September to become a Wolverine!

Please take a look at the video created by some of the WK staff. A great way to see some of the faces you will meet next year!

West Kings Staff Video - “Lip-Sync to Happy”

GREETINGS FROM COUNSELLOR KIM

Happy May parents, guardians, and students of PRMS. It is my hope all families are healthy and staying safe. We are all working diligently to support all of you whether it is by phone call, email, or virtual teaching tools.

I have been connecting via email with students on a weekly basis who have expressed an interest in getting support. I have sent several emails to students via their gnspes account. If you feel you would like to reach out for support, please feel free to email me at the following address: kanelson@gnspes.ca.

If you need mental health support, reach out : Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line is available 24/7 for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or someone concerned about them. Call (toll-free) 1-888-429-8167.

Interested in joining Band???

If you are in Grade 6 and are interested in joining the Band in Grade 7,

please contact the school to register : (902-765-7570) or email prms@avrce.ca

Here are some great reasons to give Band a try:

Make friends and share your enjoyment of music

Learn to play an instrument and increase hand-eye coordination, memorization skills and develop creative thinking

Build self-confidence and pride in contributing to a bigger goal as a team

Work together and learn as a team; the Band handles success and failure together

Commitment to practice improves self-discipline

Celebrate the results from putting in the effort to reach personal excellence and encourage others to do the same

MARCH Joshua Boudreau

Cohen Reid

Danielle Stoddart

Diana Winters

Aliyah Carroll

Paisley Corkum

Michael King

Ryver King

Gage Battiste

Alyssa Boudreau

Jayden Ernst

Cody Balsor

Owen Bond

Malazia King

APRIL Caden Martin

Sienna King

Jessee Talbot-Melanson

Olivia Nicholson

Hildie Avery

Jake Matheson

Kerrigan Sawler

Makayla Anthony

Seon Hui Lee

Ellen Vincent

Alex Deveau

Hailey Lunn

Dylan Leonard

Ema Mead

Malaya Francis

Madison Spencer

Brook Kasprzak

Abigail Ward

Isaac Bradbury

Brooke Bowlby-Balsor

Ethan Morse

Ben MacDonald

Keigan Lemieux

Philippe Tringle

Logan Noble

Samuel Mazerolle

Kennedy Glavine

Olivia Freeman

Shona Peddle

Erika Peddle

Marissa Brace

Ashlynn Clarke

Brian Veinotte

Myleana Arsenault

Jacob Worthman-Spence

2020-2021

SCHOOL YEAR

Please advise the school if you know

you are moving or transferring to a

different school.

We are currently planning classes for

the 20/21 school year.

The numbers are important!!

Thank you!

Yearbook Info

We are still accepting orders. Price is $10. If you are unsure if you have placed an order, please provide your name and class and we will ensure a copy is ordered for you!

Grade 8’s—There will be a page in the year-book entitled “When You Were Little”. If you wish, please send in a baby/toddler picture to:

annmarie.chalifoux@avrce.ca

MR. BUNGAY - Grade 8 English

Home town - Stephenville, Newfoundland Favorite past time - I love to read, play board (and video) games and cheer on my New York Jets. Mostly though, I enjoy spending time with my kids (they are 8 and 6). Favorite subject/teacher - I've always been an ELA and History fan. One of my favourite teachers ever was Leo McKay, Jr. who has published several books and been nominated for the Giller Prize. He had a very peculi-ar sense of humour (I think some of my students can relate). I bump into him semi-regularly through in-services which is always great. Favorite places lived - Having moved to the Annapolis Valley permanently in 2007, I must say I love living here and am very happy to be bringing up my own children in the area. I also lived in the hamlet of Qikiqtar-juaq, Nunavut (pop. 500) from 2004-2007, that was a lovely experience. Favorite book - Can't narrow it down to one but it would have to be something by Stephen King. Favorite meal - I'm a sucker for Shepherd's Pie.

MS. SALEM - Grade 8 English

Hometown - Halifax, NS

Favorite past time - Walking outside with my family

Favorite teacher - Mr. Brown. I had him for various courses from grade 7 until 12 and our whole class was able to build a wonderful relationship together.

Favorite place to visit - My dad’s family is from Montreal, so going back to visit is always my favourite place.

Favorite book - Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling

Favorite meal - Something my dad makes: bacon wrapped beef cooked with tomatoes and carrots and served over noodles.

Favourite quote - "Learn to fail or fail to learn." - Tal Ben-Shahar

MS. PAQUET - Grade 8 English

Hometown - I was born in Bathurst, NB but moved to PEI when I was 6 weeks old! My dad was a forensic identification officer with the RCMP so we were on the move a lot! My school years were spent in the "hub" of NS, Truro!

Favorite past time - Hanging out with my family, hiking, biking, snowboarding, beachcombing, camping

Favorite subject - Biology- I loved the hands-on labs!

Favorite place lived - The Yukon. I lived there for 8 years and loved the rugged beauty and wild space!

Favorite book - Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls

Favorite meal - My dad's seafood chowder with my mom's biscuits :)

MRS. ALLEN - Educational Assistant

Born in Hartlepool, UK

Favorite activities - spending time with family, Girl Guides, crafts of all kinds, learning new things, movies,

growing things (like plants, not spores), animals, reading when I get the peace to.

Favorite subject - Art and English but my favorite teacher was Mrs. Walsh, our swimming instructor in junior

school. She taught me an important life lesson that has kept me going throughout my life in that you can keep

going that little bit further, tough though it may seem at that moment in time, the feeling of accomplishment

when you reach your goal is definitely worth it.

Favorite place - Loved Rome and would love to go back there one day as we couldn't get in to see the Sistine

Chapel. I do feel very lucky that I live in Nova Scotia and couldn't wish for a better place to live.

Favorite book - Nineteen Eighty Four. Only book so far that I actually jumped whilst reading, other than my

Dad's, Avenue of Nut Trees.

Favorite food - Really loving Mexican stuff at the moment. Wish we had a Taco Bell closer :)

Though things seem grim at the moment, they will pass and seem only momentary in the life you have yet to

live. Count your blessings, hard though this may seem, things really could be so much worse.

MRS. RAFUSE - Educational Assistant

Hometown - Born in Nova Scotia and spent most of my life living in Berwick

Favorite activities - Camping , playing cards, spending time with families and friends

Favorite place to visit - New York City

Favorite book - Kane and Able

Favorite food - Seafood

I enjoy helping others succeed!

MS. HIRTLE - Educational Assistant

Hometown - Born in Digby. Currently live in Torbrook.

Favorite activities - Love to golf, knit, bowl, sew

Favorite subject - Math. Don't have a favorite teacher because I feel they all influenced me equally.

Favorite place - Love to visit California. Enjoy living in Nova Scotia.

Favorite book - No real favorite book but love two authors, Stephen King and Debbie Mcomber

Favorite food - Lasagna

Try to be kind to others and hope they are kind back.

Kennedy Glavine - # NS Strong

Caleb Hartery

Friendship bracelet

Summer Tsang

Artwork by Faith Langille

Summer Tsang

Faith Langille

Cole Morrison

Madisson Kennedy

Judes Sienna Amelia

Daphne H.

Faith C.

Kai D. / Aiden P.

Ms. Arsenault Ms. Graves

Hope

Ryder Ryder Tyson

Amelia Kennedy Ms. Arsenault

Lauren D. Dirk Connor Colbie Brynn

Alex Gilliane Noah Hailey Ryver

Miranda Logan Matthew V. Lauren H. Michael Mercedes

Leah Emily Will

Maggie Addisyn Evelyn Madeline

14 Wing Community Cen-

tre and Military Police were

driving through the com-

munity spreading Easter

cheer when many families

needed it the most!

Many homes and businesses took time to spread messages of hope, support

and thanks with warm and welcoming signs!

Thank you. We are all in this together!

Helping Children Cope with Nova Scotia’s Current Tragedy

When children experience a tragedy directly, or indirectly through TV, social media or conversations, they

may feel scared, confused, or anxious. Young people react to trauma differently than adults. Some may react

right away, while others may not show signs they are having a difficult time until later.

Some children may be shielded from this, and some may feel far removed from these events. Other children

may be very aware. You can help children through a tragic event regardless of their response level.

The most important thing is to listen to your children. You know them best. If they are not aware of the event,

there may be no need to share details. We know some children may already have a lot of worries right now.

While some children will easily talk about what happened, some may become frightened. Some may even

get traumatized again by talking about it, or listening to others talk about it.

We know that we will be hearing about this in the coming days, and possibly weeks. For both children and

adults, our hearts and minds can only take so much. Now, more than ever, it is important to take a break

from the TV, radio, and social media from time to time.

Possible Reactions to News of a Tragic Event

Many of the reactions noted below are normal reactions to an abnormal situation.

Early Childhood (0-5 years old)

Infants and Toddlers (0–2 years old) cannot understand that a trauma is happening, but they know when

their caregiver is upset. They may start to show the same emotions as their caregivers, or they may act dif-

ferently, like crying for no reason, withdrawing from people, and not playing with their toys.

Children (3–5 years old) can understand the effects of trauma. They may depend on the adults around

them to help them feel better.

In addition, children 0-5 years old may:

• Go back to thumb sucking or wetting the bed at night

• Fear strangers, darkness, or monsters.

• Become clingy with family members/caregivers, or want to stay in a place where they feel safe.

• Express the trauma repeatedly in their play or tell exaggerated stories about what happened.

• Change eating and sleeping habits.

• Have unexplained aches and pains.

• Show aggressive or withdrawn behavior, hyperactivity, speech difficulties, and/or disobedience.

Childhood to Adolescence (6-19 years old)

Children (6–10 years old)

• May have trouble paying attention and do poorly in school work.

• May become aggressive for no clear reason. May act younger than their age by asking to be fed or dressed

by their parent/guardian or caregiver.

Youth and Adolescents (11–19 years old)

• May deny their reactions to themselves and their caregivers

• May complain about physical aches or pains

• May start arguments, resist any structure or authority

• May engage in risky behaviors such as using alcohol or drug

In addition, children 6-19 years old may:

• Want much more attention from parents or caregivers.

• Stop doing their school work or chores at home.

• Feel helpless and guilty because they cannot take on adult roles as their family or the community responds

to this tragedy

How Parents/Guardians and Caregivers can Support Children

The good news is that children and youth are usually quite resilient. Most of the time they get back to feeling

okay soon after a trauma. With the right support from the adults around them, they can thrive and recover.

The most important way to help is to ensure children feel connected, cared about, and loved.

• Help children express emotions through conversation, writing, drawing, and singing.

• Accept children’s feelings and let them know it is okay to feel sad, upset, or stressed. Crying is often a way

to relieve stress and grief.

• Provide physical presence and comfort if wanted.

• Ask your child what worries them and what might help them cope.

• Ask what they know about the event. Watch news coverage with them but limit access to media so they

have time away from reminders about the trauma. Don’t let talking about the trauma take over conversations

for long periods of time.

• Help them see the good that can come out of a trauma. Look for examples like heroic actions, families and

friends who help, and support from community members.

• Some children may better cope with a trauma or disaster by helping others. They can write caring letters to

people affected, or send thank you notes to people who helped.

• Be careful not to blame a cultural, racial, or ethnic group, or persons with psychiatric disabilities. This may

be a good opportunity to talk with children about discrimination and diversity.

• It’s okay for children to see adults sad or crying, but try not to show intense emotions as this can further

frighten children or lead to more trauma.

• Model how to take care of yourself. If you are in good physical and emotional health, you are more likely to

be readily available to support your child. Model self-care, set routines, eat healthy meals, get enough sleep,

exercise, and take deep breaths to handle stress.

• Keep your family’s daily routine as much as possible.

• Support your child in having contact with their friends.

• Encourage children to be physically active.

If behaviors last for more than 2 to 4 weeks, or if they suddenly appear later on, children may need more help

coping. Please see supports below:

The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addic-

tions crisis, or someone concerned about them, by calling 1-888-429-8167 (toll free).

Kids Help Phone is available 24/7, by calling 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.

Morneau Shepell has also opened its 24/7 bilingual crisis support line to help anyone in need of emotional

support as a result of these tragic events. The number is 1-844-751-2133.

School administrators and teachers are here to help, too. They can refer you to resources in the commu-

nity.

Adapted from: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration |Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disas-

ter or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers, https://store.samhsa.gov/product/tips-talking-helping-children-youth-cope-after-

disaster-or-traumatic-event-guide-parents/sma12-4732| public domain, last updated 2012