Two Days Left for the Bastion Scholastic Book Fair - We're half way to our fundraising goal!

 

Bastion Bobcats we have two days left for the Scholastic book fair.  We're over half way to our $4000 sales goal (our average has been $4400 per year over seven years).  Drop by the library for awesome reads and for those that celebrate Christmas, there are many gift options for you to consider.

So far our "gross" sales (before tax) are $2742 up to Dec. 5th.

We're down to many "last copies," so check that last copy section on top of the book shelves as you enter the library: Hockey Superstars, World of Rocks, Discovering Dragons, Bad Bunny, and Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer, and more are sitting up there just waiting for more people to order them.  They take about a week or less to arrive at the school.  

Thanks everyone for supporting this exciting fund raising opportunity for our Bastion library.

See you at the fair!  Your Ardent Librarian, Ms. Shannon Murrells-Allaway, aka Mme or Ms. M.

Library In-Class Sales for the Scholastic Book Fair, Nov 27, 28, 29, 30, 2023 (the first week)

What is your favourite book of the 2023 fall Scholastic book fair?  There is so much to choose from, that you may find this decision challenging! See below and of course check out the fair in person

This week sales are just for the sixteen Bastion Bobcat divisions during their library block.

Flyers:

- Newsprint flyer sent home with Bastion Bobcats

- "Colour Me" Flyer - "Colour a star next to the books you want to read"

Book Trailers:

- More featured books

Wish Lists:

- Pete the Cat
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Dec. 4, 5, 6, & 7th sales will continue during regular scheduled library blocks, but also those extra times:

- before school      7:30-8am
- big recess            11:27-11:59
- after school         2:20-4pm

Note: the fair closes, 3pm, however, Thu., Dec. 7th for clean up and pack up.  Mme. M still needs adult cashiers at lunch and clean-up crew helpers, 3pm, Thu., Dec. 7th.  Contact her at smurrell@sd83.bc.ca

Fair Sales Goal for 2023:
I have held seven Bastion English Scholastic Book Fairs in ten years (COVID halted two years), and in those seven years, Bastion had net sales of $29,002 - OUTSTANDING!  Our average gross sales (7% GST) have been $4435.  Due to inflationary times, and tight budgets for many, let's aim for $4000 gross sales this year. 

Overall, any book sold at the book fair is a fantastic success at many levels!

Thanks for your support and see you at the fair!

Bastion Book Fair Beings Next Week (Nov 27th onwards) for In-Class Sales!

  

Save The Date!

Dear families,

Mark your calendars! The fun and excitement of a Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school the last week of November & the first week of December!

Book trailers and highlighted books preview

The English Scholastic book fair Dates:

- Nov. 27, 28, 29, 30 will be in-class library sales only

- Dec. 4, 5, 6, 7 will be in-class library sales and before school (7:30-8am), BIG recess, and after school (closed little recess and 3pm on the last day of the book fair, Thu., Dec 7th)

Needs:

- adult cashiers: click here for the schedule; email Mme M if you can help out, smurrell@sd83.bc.ca 

- Poster Person(s) - set up the poster display sometime the week of Nov 20th once the fair arrives; take down poster display & store, Thu, Dec. 7th, 3pm onwards.

- Thu., Dec. 7th, clean-up, & pack-up crew 

I'm very excited about our upcoming book fair. Email me if you have questions &/or can help out. In the meantime, KEEP ON READING!

Mme. Murrells-Allaway, aka Mme M, your Ardent Librarian. smurrell@sd83.bc.ca

"Today a reader, tomorrow a leader," Margaret Fuller

Scholastic Book Fair Soon Arriving at Bastion Elementary - Last week in Nov. & 1st Week in Dec., 2023!

 

Save The Date!

Dear families,

Mark your calendars! The fun and excitement of a Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school the last week of November & the first week of December!

Book trailers and highlighted books preview

The English Scholastic book fair Dates:

- Nov. 27, 28, 29, 30 will be in-class library sales only

- Dec. 4, 5, 6, 7 will be in-class library sales and before school (7:30-8am), BIG recess, and after school (closed little recess and 3pm on the last day of the book fair, Thu., Dec 7th)

Needs:

- adult cashiers: click here for the schedule; email Mme M if you can help out, smurrell@sd83.bc.ca 

- Poster Person(s) - set up the poster display sometime the week of Nov 20th once the fair arrives; take down poster display & store, Thu, Dec. 7th, 3pm onwards.

- Thu., Dec. 7th, clean-up, & pack-up crew 

I'm very excited about our upcoming book fair. Email me if you have questions &/or can help out. In the meantime, KEEP ON READING!

Mme. Murrells-Allaway, aka Mme M, your Ardent Librarian. smurrell@sd83.bc.ca

"Today a reader, tomorrow a leader," Margaret Fuller

Veteran's Week & Remembrance Day, 2024

Indigenous Veterans, Aboriginal Veterans Day 
is commemorated on November 8

"Remembering the forgotten fallen: honouring Indigenous Veterans Day," Global News, 2022 (2:53)

 

Indigenous Veteran's Day, 2020 

 Indigenous Veteran's Day, 2016

How Indigenous Veterans are Being Supported by the Current Systems. (11:54)
an interview with Richard Vedan, member of the Secwepemc First Nation, 

Associate Professor Emeritus of Social Work, UBC

Indigenous Veterans: Equals on the Battlefields, but Not at Home by Indigenous Corporate Training.

Edwin Victor Cook, Indigenous war hero from Alert Bay, a small island community off of the north end of Vancouver Island.  Blog post by Bob Joseph (@wewap, Twitter); article contributed by Wedlidi Speck, hereditary Head Chief of the Kwaguλ Gixsam and is a chief amongst the E'iksan K'omoks.

Inquiry: What Roles Do Animals Play During War?

 

Tales of Animals in War, 2020

Tales of Animals in War, 2018

                                                        Tales of Animals in War, 2017

Print Resources:

Faithful Elephants

Fidèles Éléphants

Innocent Heroes Fiction Red Cedar nominee, 2018-19 about animal heroes during war time.

Digital Resources:

The Role of Animals WWI - BBC collection of pictures and brief summaries

Other War & Peace Themed Info:

"The Poppy Story (Early Years)" (4:04)

"An animated short film about the journey of the poppy and what it means. Written specifically for very young children this is an excellent introduction to the poppy and remembrance"

by PoppyscotlandEdu (YouTube)

Who's That Man? book/song by Marny Duncan-Cary (4:54)

 The Peace Book by Todd Par, Bastion Elementary's copy

History of the poppy through the story The Poppy Lady (15:11)

  Halifax Seaport Farmer's Market Flash Mob produced by Veterans Affairs Canada.
One of Mme M's favs!

Black Canadians in Uniform - A Proud Tradition, Veteran's Affairs, Canada

 Honouring Canada's Black War Veteran's, City News Toronto, 2018

Veteran's Week, Nov5th - 11th,  #CanadaRemembers, Government of Canada Website

 

Veteran's Affairs Canada

Remembrance Day, Government of Canada

Your Stories, Your Voice - Women and LGBTQ Veterans by the government of Canada, Francais  

Remembrance Day Stories: An Unlikely Animal As a Soldier - Wojtek the Bear

Brothers in Arms: a Ture World War II Story of Wojtek the Bear and the Soldiers Who Loved Him
Written by Susan Hood and illustrated by Jamie Green

 

The Heart Melting Story of Wojtek, the Soldier Bear (5:14)



Soldier Bear Wojtek by Polish Scottish Heritage (11:17)

Young Reader Choice Awards 2023-24: BC, Alberta, Ontario ... Other! Adults nominate, but KIDS CHOOSE THE WINNERS!

Canadian Young Reader Choice Awards, 2023-2024

What should I read next?  Hopefully Bastion students say this a lot.  Below are some great options.

These reading programs have adults nominating books, but kids and young adults reading them and choosing the winners - how exciting.  There are both French and English options.  BC's Red Cedar program (grade 4 & 5 [it's a grd 4-7 program]) I offer each year at Bastion due to our Parent Advisory Council's (PAC's) generous support.

- Forest of Reading, Ontario Library Association: a reading program intended for all Canadians (French component as well)

- Hackmatack (Atlantic Canada), French nominees as well

- Red Cedar (BC) 

- Chocolate Lily (BC)

- AB Rocky Mtn (Alta)

- MYRCA (Manitoba) 

- PNLA run by the Pacific Northwest Library Association, a US/Canada joint venture.  They sponsor a year-long YRCA reading program for children in Grades 4 to 12 living in Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana and Washington. 

- SK Willow (Sask)

Also, check out our Bastion library collection at: https://baslib.sd83.bc.ca (search term =  YRCA)

Grade 4 & 5 Bastion Bobcats please join me for this year's Red Cedar Program! 
Warm wishes, Ms ou Mme M (aka Ms. Shannon Murrells-Allaway).

-----------------------

Some Great YRCA Promotionals:

Book talk for Gordon Korman's Unplugged by Edmonton Public Library Staff, 2024 PNLA nominee
Check out more information about PNLA by Edmonton Public Library: YRCA

"2023 YRCA Trailer" by Edmonton Public Library (EPL) Staff: 

promoting the 2022-2023 PNLA reading program (6:58)

Previous Winners:

- Red Cedar Past Winners

Fall + Pumpkins + Seeds + Rotting Flesh = some great elements for story writing AND FUN SCIENCE!

How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin  by Margaret McNamara & G Brian Karas
Read by Riko's Reading Room (8:18)

Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell read by Bookroot Readings (5:59)

Festival du Livre, Oct, 2023 - Post Thanksgiving: Oct 10,11, 12, 2023

Festival du Livre / Scholastic Fundraising Bookfair, Oct 10-12, 2023

What: Book fair fundraiser in the Bastion library (French & some English books). Note: there is no longer an online sales options. When: 

In-Class Sales: during regularly scheduled library classes for the 16 divisions (Oct 10-12) In-Person Sales:                Oct, 10, 11, 12, Tue/Wed/Thu

Before school          7:30 am to 8:10 bell

Big Recess 11:27-11:55

After School 2:10 - 4:00pm

NOTE: Thu, Oct 12th, the fair closes. Sales will end at 3pm, & myself and family volunteers will begin packing up the fair.

Where:

In Person: La Bibliothèque Élémentaire de Bastion / Bastion Elementary Library

Festival du Livre Needs:

Teacher-librarian Ms. Shannon Murrells-Allaway needs family adult volunteers as cashiers for after school shifts and for the Thu., 3pm pack up:

Volunteer Schedule for Festival du Livre

(view only status)

Clean Up Volunteer Schedule & Task, Thu, Oct 12th, 2023.  3-4:15'ish (pending # of volunteers)

(view only status)

Contact teacher-librarian Shannon Murrells-Allaway regarding volunteering &/or questions smurrell@sd83.bc.ca  Thank you for spreading the word about this exciting fundraiser. 

English Book Fair Mon., Nov. 27th - Thu, Dec. 7th

I'll give more information as we get closer to those dates. Here is the volunteer schedule for the Eng Book Fair

Great Reading Opportunities for the 2023-24 School Year - Young Reader Choice Awards

Canadian Young Reader Choice Awards, 2023-2024

What should I read next?  Hopefully Bastion students say this a lot.  Below are some great options.

These reading programs have adults nominating books, but kids and young adults reading them and choosing the winners - how exciting.  There are both French and English options.  BC's Red Cedar program (grade 4 & 5 [it's a grd 4-7 program]) I offer each year at Bastion due to our Parent Advisory Council's (PAC's) generous support.

- Forest of Reading, Ontario Library Association: a reading program intended for all Canadians (French component as well)

- Hackmatack (Atlantic Canada), French nominees as well

- Red Cedar (BC) 

- Chocolate Lily (BC)

- AB Rocky Mtn (Alta)

- MYRCA (Manitoba) 

- PNLA run by the Pacific Northwest Library Association, a US/Canada joint venture

- SK Willow (Sask)

Also, check out our Bastion library collection at: https://baslib.sd83.bc.ca

Warm wishes, Ms ou Mme M (aka Ms. Shannon Murrells-Allaway).

Head Lice: What are They and Ways to Prevent Them.

A nit (egg) and a louse (known as lice where there are more than 1)

Bastion Bobcats we tend to have lice finding their way onto Bastion Bobcat heads each fall.  Let's see if this year we can prevent the spread at our school.  See below to learn about lice, & strategies to keep them away and how to rid them if you do get them.

Mia learns about head lice with KidsCan (2:52)

Head Lice - Identification by Univ of Florida (3:11)

Promoting Health of Children & Youth | Infant & Youth Health | IH (interiorhealth.ca)

Canadian Paediatric Society: "Head Lice - Caring for Kids"  

Bastion library books about lice

Okanagan Regional Library books about lice

Welcome Back Bastion Bobcats: Bastion Library Events for 2023-2024 Will Be Awesome!

Hello everyone.  I hope you had a fantastic summer.  I can't wait to hear about your adventures and what great books you have gobbled up!  Below may be some topics of interest for you:

Okanagan Regional Library Summer Reading Program:
If you were part of the Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) Summer Reading Program (SRP), you have until Sept. 29th to enter your challenge tracker into the prize draw.  Learn more at the ORL website https://www.orl.bc.ca/kids-teens/kids/summer-reading-club.

Bastion Book sign outs: Book sign outs will begin the week of Sept. 18th (Mon., Sept. 18th is Pro D, however)

200 Nights of Reading Program: Parent volunteer Tiffany Loewen makes this great reading event happen. 200 Nights of reading sheets will be given out the week of Sept. 11th during scheduled library classes. The student reading start date will be Mon., Sept. 11th.  Scholastic Book Fairs: October Festival du Livre: - online sales are no longer available - in-person sales Oct 10, 11, 12 (Tue, Wed, Thu) (post Thanksgiving) - wrap up & pack up Thu, Oct 12th, 3pm - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Nov/Dec English Book Fair: - online sales are no longer available - sales just during scheduled library classes Mon., Nov 27th to Thu, Nov. 30th - in-person sales Mon. Dec 4th to Thu, Dec. 7th - wrap up & pack up Thu, Dec. 7th at 3pm - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Please contact Ms. Shannon Murrells-Allaway (aka Ms ou Mme M), teacher-librarian for more information. Looking forward to another great learning year!

April is National Poetry Month - Come and Play with us in the Beautiful Universe of Words!

Poésie

Poetry - Student & Teacher Writings & Selections

Poetry - Resources and Links

"Olya & Olena Escape the Invaders" by Olya Illichov & Maddy Shyba; art by Diana Bezukh

"The truth about stories is that's all we are" says Thomas King, Canadian writer and broadcast presenter.  

Youth authors Olya Illichov and Maddy Shyba give their version of two ballerinas escaping a war-torn Ukraine.  This addition to our Bastion library collection gives us a literary glimpse into the struggles of Ukrainians surviving the current war with Russia.

A continued warm welcome and blessings to the families that have sought asylum in our Salmon Arm community, and Canada as a whole. 

Olya & Olena Escape the Invaders: author interview (2:04)

• Olya & Olena Escape the Invaders by Durville & UpRoute Books, Calgary, Alberta
• Bastion Elementary's copy of Olya & Olena Escape the Invaders

Canadian Maple Syrup: Indigenous Knowledge and How to Make It - Then and Now

       Maple Syrup - Canada's Liquid Gold!

Early Signs of Spring  = 's  Sugaring off , March'ish!
Sugaring off is happening now (Feb & March) in Central and Eastern Canada, and even British Columbia - as we shift from winter into spring and the temperature rises. 

Ms. Ollinger's class called this time of year "Winspring" et la classe de Mme Valerie ils l'ont nommé cette fois "Prinver!"  Excellent/Excellente!

Beyond knowing that maple syrup is delicious, what else do you know about this amazing tree gift?

Heritage Minute: Syrup (1 min)
Aboriginals learned about this maple tree nectar 

& shared their knowledge with immigrants/settlers

CBC Archives shows the history of maple sugar production from Aboriginals to Canadian immigrants.

• The Legend of Chief Woksis
• Industrie du sirop d'érable Enclopedie Canadienne
• Maple Syrup Industry Canadian Encyclopedia 
• Wonderopolis:
• How Do You Tap a Maple Tree
• How Do Trees Make Sap
• A connection to French Toast - Where Does French Toast Come From?

QUEBEC:

Le goût et la couleur du sirop d'éreble? - UN CHEF À LA CABANE - Capsule - S8E079

(4:07)  (Discusses molecules!)

ONTARIO:

Ontario maple sugar producer: Fultons Pancake House & Sugar Bush, 
Pakenham, Ontario.  (5:35)




"Tap My Trees" aims to teach hobbyists and home schooling families how to make maple syrup.





"Tap My Trees" reviews the supplies you will need.

Faits de Le Sirop D’Érable / Maple Syrup Facts:

• Maple syrup is one of Canada's most popular commodities and accounts for 85% of the world's total supply (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) (Feb., 2016).
• Several Canadian provinces produce maple syrup; Québec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia account for most of Canada's maple syrup production. Maple festivals abound wherever syrup is made.  There are 17 syrup-producing states in the U.S. 
• The province of Quebec recognized as the leading producer of maple syrup worldwide
• Les Produits et le Terre D'Origine
• Histoire et Origines: La Légende de Nokomis
• SIROP D'ÉRABLE PUR : 60 ml (1/4 tasse) vs Sirop Habitant
  • Calories : 220
  • Glucides : 54 g
  • Sucres : 48 g
  • Riboflavine : 25 %
  • Manganèse : 15 %
  • Calcium, magnésium et zinc : 4 %
  SIROP HABITANT : 60 ml (1/4 tasse)
  • Calories : 213
  • Glucides : 53 g
  • Sucres : 47 g
  • Riboflavine : 0 %
  • Manganèse  : 0 %
  • Calcium, magnésium et zinc : 0 %
  
  "Comme on peut le constater, côté calories et sucres, ces deux produits sont très semblables. Toutefois, le sirop Habitant ne renferme ni vitamines ni minéraux.
  
  Liste d’ingrédients
  Si le sirop d’érable ne contient que du sirop d’érable, la liste d’ingrédients du sirop d’imitation s’allonge. Celle qui rassemble plusieurs ingrédients, dont le glucose-fructose, le sucre, le sirop de maïs et la cassonade, compte aussi des additifs, du colorant caramel et un arôme artificiel d’érable.
  
  Antioxydants? Indice glycémique plus faible? Rien ne s’applique à ce sirop d’imitation! Sans parler de la saveur qui ne rappelle en rien le délicieux sirop d’érable bien de chez nous! "(Source: Le Journal de Montréal)

Festival du Sucre D'Érable et Cabane à Sucre / Maple Syrup Festivals & Sugar Shacks - Fevrier et Mai / February-May

• Le Répertoire des Restaurateurs de Cabanes à Sucre du Québec - (avec une carte)
• New Brunswick
• Ontario

Poesie/Poem
"Maple Feast"
In the big-flaked sugar-snow
The crystal-gathering sledges go.


Stumbling through silver to my knees,
I shout among the maple trees,


Tilt gleaming buckets icy cold
Till I am full as I can hold


Of clear bright sap, until I feel
Like a maple tree from head to heel!


Then to the sugarhouse I run
Where syrup, golden as the sun,


Is boiling in the crisp march air.
And I, as daft as a baby bear,


Eat, till my buttons burst asunder
From maple sweetness, maple wonder!


By Frances Frost from Sing a Song of Seasons: Poems about Holidays, Vacation Days, and Days to go to School. (821.008 BRE)


RECETTES / RECIPES:

• Maple Butter, Blueberry Moose, Sugar Pie, Chocolate Maple Cake, Glaze for meat and fish
• Recettes par Maurice Jeanotte

Sirop D'Érable Maison (Francais) (3:06)

TEACHER RESOURCES:

• Spring - Ziigwan DVD, 10 mins (SSD0924, RSC)