Good afternoon, Raven families,

Wishing everyone a wonderful last weekend before the summer break!

As we approach the end of the school year, we find ourselves in that bittersweet season of goodbyes and new beginnings. This is the time when we say farewell to some cherished staff members who are moving on to new opportunities or adventures, and we also look forward with excitement as we welcome new staff to our school community.

Goodbyes and all of the best!

·         Stephen Burkell

·         Karen Burkell

·         Jon Wong

·         Samantha Marchand

Welcome to our newest Ravens!

·         Kirk Newman

·         Isobel McIntosh

·         Breanne Beatty

·         Jory Rusnak

We are deeply grateful for the contributions of all our staff—past, present, and future—and we thank you for your continued support as we move into a new chapter together.

Digital Culture:

Group chats are text or message threads with multiple participants. Many start out as fun ways to connect, but the bigger they get the harder they are to manage.

We are seeing a noticeable increase with respect to the following issues:

·         Overwhelming Volume: Hundreds of messages at all hours Inappropriate Content: Swearing, sexual jokes, mean-spirited memes, or content meant to shock.

·         Exclusion and Removal: Kids being added and kicked out as a form of bullying or control.

·         Screenshots and Shaming: Students screenshot messages and share them with others outside the group, often with the intent to embarrass.

·         Peer Pressure: Some students say they feel they have to laugh along or join in on harmful content to stay included.

·         Conflict Spillover: Arguments in-group chats often show up in class the next day — even if the messages happened at home.

Negative Impact on Students:

·         Mental Health: We are seeing increased anxiety, sleep disruption, and avoidance of school due to chat-related drama.

·         Fear of Missing Out: Students do not want to leave the chat even if it’s toxic, because they fear being excluded or talked about.

·         Relationship Strain: Even close friendships are affected by online group dynamics, especially when jokes go too far.

What Can Parents Do About Group Chats?

·         Starting the Conversation: Ask your child how group chats make them feel, what kind of things are shared, and if anything has ever made them uncomfortable.

·         Setting Boundaries: Encourage screen-free times (especially at night), limit large group chats, and remind your child it is okay to leave a chat that feels negative or stressful.

·         Being the Exit Strategy: Let your child "blame you" if they need a reason to step away — “My parents are checking my phone” or “I’m not allowed to be in this chat” gives them a way out.

·         Staying Informed: Learn the platforms your child uses, and talk regularly about what respectful digital behaviour looks like.

Ravens Track and Field Relay Celebrations:

·         Grade 9 Boys’ Relay: 2^nd – Kaveesh, Shea A, Mikael A, and Jake L

·         Grade 9 Open Relay: 1st – Nolan H, Cohen K, Ethan S, and Jackson M

·         Grade 9 Girls’ Relay: 5^th– Ella S, Kenzie K, Josephine H, and Emilia T

·         Grade 8 Boys’ Relay: 3^rd – Quincy F, William M, Zachary M, and Graydon R

·         Grade 8 Open Relay: 1^st – Adrian C, Alex K, Mayah L and Lily M

·         Grade 8 Girls’ Relay: 3^rd – Sage C, Eva R, Georgia A, and Djana D

·         Grade 7 Boys’ Relay: 4^th – Beau T, Zachary B, Tireni L, and Beckett H

·         Grade 7 Open Relay: 2^nd – Kai W, Kaelum, Eli G, and Zach D

·         Grade 7 Girls’ Relay: 3^rd – Mackenzie S, Olivia S, Charlottte F, and Claudia G

·         Grade 6 Boys’ Relay: 1^st  - Nolan M, Ben T, Bronson K and Dlein P

·         Grade 6 Open Relay: 4^th – Connor M, Lewis B, Alex M and Charles B

·         Grade 6 Girls’ Relay: 3^rd – Myla K, Brooklyn H, Caliah R and Alexa A

Bicycles, Skateboards & Scooters:

With the warmer weather, we are seeing more students riding their bikes to school, which is great to see. Active transportation is a healthy and environmentally friendly option that we fully support.

However, we have recently had a few concerning incidents involving bikes being tampered with during the school day. As a result, we are increasing supervision around the bike racks during peak times. Bicycle racks are located in front of the school and beside the portable on the compound. We remind all students that bikes must be securely locked, and we strongly discourage bringing expensive or high-end bicycles to school. Unfortunately, any bikes left outside carry the risk of being damaged, tampered with, or stolen·        

As a reminder, skateboards and scooters are not permitted for use on school property. We appreciate your support in helping keep our school grounds safe and respectful for all.

Climbing Trees:

We have also recently noticed a number of students attempting to climb trees during recess and lunch breaks and afterschool. While we understand the appeal and the sense of adventure it brings, tree climbing poses significant safety risks. The potential for falls and injuries is real, and we want to ensure that all students are safe while on school property.

For this reason, students are not permitted to climb trees during the school day. Staff will be reminding students of this expectation, and we ask for your support in reinforcing this message at home. Our goal is to keep our outdoor spaces safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting a safe and caring school environment.

Library Books: Past Due 

Library books are now past due and must be returned immediately. Starting Tuesday, June 24, lost book fees will be added to student accounts. Please ensure all borrowed items are returned to avoid these charges. Thank you for your prompt cooperation. Thanks, Colleen Lalonde

Monday

Rotation 1,2,3,4,5,6

Grade 9s VR Experience

CYSF Wrap Up Party at Lunch

SR and JR Football Celebration at Lunch

HR 601 Locked Room AM

HR 602 Locked Room PM

Instrument Returns  

Grade 9 Off Campus Day

Tuesday:

Grade 9s at Carburn Park

Grade 8s Shibori Shirt Dying Activity AM

HR 603 Locked Room AM

HR 604 Locked Room PM

Grade 9-Off Campus Day

Instrument Returns  

Wednesday:

Report Cards go live via PowerSchool

HR 605 Locked Room AM

5 & 6 Healthy Hunger at Lunch

RTA School-Wide STEM Challenge PM (Wear your team colours!)

Thursday:

Last day of school for the 2024-25 year!

Special Rotation: Homeroom Classroom

Yearbook Signing (BLURB)

Early Dismissal 12:35 PM

Friday:

NO SCHOOL

Appeals AM

 

Kind regards

Brenda Lewis