AHE April 2026 Newsletter
Principal’s Message
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable Spring Break filled with time to recharge and connect with family and friends. It’s wonderful to see our school come back to life with energy and excitement as we head into a busy and meaningful month of learning.
Our focus for April is Collaboration—working together, listening to different ideas, and supporting one another to reach a shared goal. At our school, we connect this important competency to the Coyote, who reminds us that learning often happens through curiosity, teamwork, and problem-solving. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, or during special events, we will be encouraging students to share their thinking, respect different perspectives, and work cooperatively with others.
There are many opportunities this month for students to put collaboration into action. We’re kicking things off with our Egg Drop Challenge on April 2—an exciting STEM activity that invites creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. Later in the month, we will celebrate Earth Day with our first-ever Clothing Swap, promoting sustainability while working together as a community. We will also be hosting Student-Led Conferences on April 29 and 30, where students will take the lead in sharing their learning and goals with their families—an excellent example of collaboration between home and school.
Thank you for your continued support in making our school such a caring and connected place to learn. We are looking forward to a wonderful month ahead!
Mrs. P. Mair
Egg Drop
Our school community is buzzing with egg-citement as we prepare for the upcoming Egg Drop Challenge on Thursday, April 2! This fun and engaging STEM activity has given students the opportunity to design and build a creative contraption that will protect a raw egg from a high drop.
Students have been working hard—either at home or during lunch times at school—testing ideas, solving problems, and thinking like engineers. We’ve been so impressed with their creativity, perseverance, and willingness to try, revise, and try again.
The big moment will take place after lunch on April 2, when all egg-safe contraptions will be dropped from the school roof. Timing will depend on the number of entries, but we are looking forward to seeing which designs can successfully protect their precious cargo!
Good luck to all of our participants—we can’t wait to see whose egg survives the drop! 🐣💡
Numeracy News
In numeracy, we are continuing to build a strong community of mathematicians who learn with and from one another. A key focus this month is collaboration—working together to share ideas, explain thinking, and talk through problems in meaningful ways.
When students discuss their strategies and listen to different approaches, they deepen their understanding and develop stronger problem-solving skills. These mathematical conversations help students see that there are often many ways to arrive at a solution, and that learning is strengthened through teamwork and communication.
The Problem of the Week is a great way to practice collaboration and problem solving 🙂
Earth Day
We are excited to celebrate Earth Day on April 22 with a special event—our very first School Clothing Swap! This is a wonderful opportunity to promote sustainability, reduce waste, and support one another as a school community.
Families are invited to donate gently used, clean spring and summer clothing in great condition during the week of April 13–17. These items will be organized by our amazing team of parent volunteers—thank you for your time and care in making this event possible!
On Earth Day, classes will have the chance to browse the clothing and select a new-to-them item or two to take home. It’s a fun and meaningful way for students to participate in caring for the environment while also experiencing the joy of sharing within a community.
In the afternoon, classes will also take part in our neighbourhood clean-up, helping care for the spaces around our school and putting our environmental values into action.
Thank you for supporting this initiative and helping us make a positive impact together! 🌱👕
Jump Rope For Heart
Our Jump Rope For Heart event is planned for Monday, May 11th. The date is fast approaching, and our students will be jumping and celebrating over 40 years of Jump Rope for Heart! Students will receive more information at our Kick Off Assembly on April 13. We encourage parents to come along on the afternoon of May 11th to support our students as they celebrate and jump to help support the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation appreciates our participation to continue the life-saving work that they are doing. Please consider making and collecting donations. More information will follow regarding how to support our Jump Rope Event!
Bike Safety
As the weather improves and more students are choosing to ride to school, we want to remind everyone about the importance of bike safety and respecting the rules of the road, especially when using e-bikes. Riders are expected to follow all traffic laws, wear appropriate safety gear, and be mindful of pedestrians at all times.
For safety on school grounds, all bikes must be walked while on school property and across crosswalks. This helps keep everyone safe during busy arrival and dismissal times.
All bikes are also expected to be parked in the designated bike racks provided.
Thank you for helping us keep our school community safe and respectful for everyone!
Student Led Conferences
We are looking forward to our Student-Led Conferences on April 29 and 30, with an early dismissal at 12:30 p.m. on both days.
These conferences are a meaningful opportunity for you to connect with your child’s learning in a very personal way. Students will take the lead, sharing examples of their work, reflecting on their progress, and celebrating their accomplishments. This format encourages students to build confidence, take ownership of their learning, and speak proudly about their growth.
During the conference, your child will also share their current learning goals and highlight the curricular competencies and core competencies they are developing in class.
Please keep an eye out for booking information coming soon—we look forward to seeing you there!
Fable Book Fair
We are excited to welcome the Fable Book Parlour Book Fair during our Student-Led Conferences on April 29 and 30! This is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to explore a curated selection of engaging books and support a local business at the same time.
On both days, students will have time in the morning to browse the book fair with their classes—please note that students should not bring money to school, as this browsing time is simply for looking and enjoying the selection.
On Wednesday April 29, and Thursday April 30th, there will also be an opportunity for students and families to make purchases during the conference time, allowing for a little extra flexibility to find the perfect book.
Student Learning Survey
The Provincial Student Learning Survey is unique in its scope, size, and usefulness to schools. It gathers information from parents/guardians/caregivers, teachers, and students on topics related to school environment, safety, and achievement. The information is used for planning in individual schools and provides a district and provincial perspective.
In March and April 2026, the Student Learning Survey will be administered to students in grades 4 and 7, their parents/guardians/caregivers, and all school staff. We encourage parents/guardians/caregivers to participate in this survey, as the results are important in identifying and celebrating current strengths, as well as determining where the school needs to focus improvement. The surveys contain standard questions for the Province – in addition, questions from the school and/or district that focus on local conditions or issues may be included.
The survey can be completed electronically and can be accessed on the Internet at:
https://www.awinfosys.com/SurveyFull1/central/main/access_Parent.asp
Any computer with an Internet connection can be used, and access to the e-survey is simple and secure. Parents may access the survey through the Parent Direct Access from the website listed above by selecting their child’s district, school’s name, and language of preference. Laptops will be available to complete the survey during our student led conferences on April 29 and 30.
The e-survey site will be open until May 1st.
If you have any questions, please contact the school at 250-837-6360
Sports Sports Sports
Smash Ball
Our grade 6 and 7 students are participating in Smash Ball on Tuesdays at RSS under the leadership of the RSS Volleyball course participants. Smash Ball uses fewer players on a smaller court, which allows for increased contact with the ball – making it an efficient and fun way to develop the skills and enjoyment for the sport. Students progress through a series of skill-building levels to eventually take part in a formal volleyball game. Our students love it!
Smash Ball will be taking place on Tuesdays 3:15-4:30:
March 10 – Practice #1
March 31 – Practice #2
April 7 – Practice #3
April 14 – Game Day #1
April 21- Game Day #2
April 28 – Wind-Up Tournament 3:30-5:00
District Grade Activities
As part of our District grade sports program, grade 2 and 5 students will be benefitting from 3 swim lessons in May. More information will be sent home to families later this week. The lessons are short, so please have your child wear their bathing suit under their clothes to speed up the entry into the water!
Grade 2 : Mondays , May 4,11, 25 at 9:00-9:30 and 9:30-10:00 and
Grade 5: Mondays, May 4,11 and Wed. May 27th 10:00-10:30 and 10:30-11:00.
Students are split in two groups, each getting half hour free time and half hour lesson.
Reading Matches Running
We are starting our new spring challenge for body and mind! This round, students can team up with a buddy to run relays around the school and add up the pages they have read for a month. All reading in school and at home will count, as do books that students read with parents or are read to them. Reading Matches Running starts the week of April 13. Reading tally sheets will be available starting Monday, April 13 from Ms. Draboczi. Runs will take place twice a week. Thank you Ms. Draboczi and Mr. Cadegan for putting their passions together to offer this fun activity!
Parent/Caregiver Series
Please join us on April 28th at 6:30 in the Revelstoke Performing Arts Center at RSS. This will be our final presentation of the Parent Caregiver Series this year, and we are please to offer an in-person presentation by Vanessa LaPointe.
PAC News
We hope everyone had a fantastic spring break! We’re excited to host a Kawakubo Sushi Hot Lunch on Wednesday, April 22nd. Order forms will be coming home in backpacks soon, so be sure to keep an eye out. If you’d like to help with the sushi hot lunch, please send a quick email to pacarrowheights@gmail.com.
Our Easter Purdy’s Campaign is wrapping up! Orders are ready for pick up at the front office! Thanks for your support!
Lastly, our April PAC Meeting will take place on Monday, April 13th at 6:30 pm in the AHE Library. We encourage all parents, grandparents, and caregivers to attend. Childcare is provided in the gym.
Spring Fling Dance
Our Grade 7 Leadership Group, with the generous support of our PAC, is excited to host the Spring Fling for students in Grades 5–7 on April 10th from 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Admission is $5, with all proceeds going toward the purchase and installation of new swings for our playground—a fun way for students to support something they will all benefit from!
The evening will include music, activities, and a concession for students to enjoy. Each student in Grades 5–7 is also welcome to invite one guest from another elementary school, making it a great opportunity to connect with friends.
We are still looking for parent volunteers to help run the concession and support supervision during the event. If you are able to help, we would greatly appreciate your support in making this a safe and successful evening for students.
We look forward to a fun night of community, leadership, and springtime celebration!
Library News
Battle of the Books
This year we had 50 students participating in Battle of the Books between grade 2 and 7. It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm and the camaraderie in our teams! We are proud to send six students to Vernon to the Zone Competition. They will join forces with students from BVE and CPE to represent SD19. Each of them chose a friend to accompany the team and cheer for Revelstoke. Good luck to our readers on Thursday, April 8th!
Class Photos
Mountain West Studios will be at AHE on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 15th to take class photos. Weather permitting, photos will take place outside.
As you may have heard, the BVE PAC, in collaboration with Mountain West Studios, is excited to be providing family photo sessions as a fundraiser! The sessions will take place on Tuesday, April 14 in the gym at Begbie View Elementary – 1001 MacKenzie Avenue, Revelstoke.
Our goal is to provide quality portraits that CELEBRATE YOU and your Family. This is a fundraiser! 100% of the sitting fee is donated, and each family will receive a complimentary 8×10 print.
To book your Family portrait sitting, please visit this link:
http://Revelstoke Family Sittings
If you have any questions after reviewing the sign up page, please contact our customer service team.
Mountain West Studios Phone: 1.888.644.4494 Email: help@mountainwest.ca
Indigenous Education
March 31 is National Indigenous Languages Day in Canada, a day to celebrate, honor, and revitalize the over 70 distinct Indigenous languages spoken across the country. Established in 1989, it emphasizes that language is crucial for culture, identity, and the ongoing process of truth and reconciliation.
The First Peoples’ Map allows users to explore First Nations language regions, traditional place names, and community landmarks, as well as Indigenous artists and their works. It also provides audio features so users can hear correct pronunciations of language names, greetings, and place names. All 36 First Nations languages spoken in what is now known as British Columbia are represented on the map. Follow the link below to check out the map!
https://fpcc.ca/stories/first-peoples-map/
Upcoming Events
April 2 – Egg Drop
April 3 – Good Friday (no school)
April 6 – Easter Monday (no school)
April 8 – Battle of the Books in Vernon
April 9 – Hot Lunch (Community Kitchen)
April 10 – Spring Fling 6:30-8:30
April 13 – Whole School Assembly
April 13 – PAC Meeting
April 13-21 – Clothing Swap Collection
April 15 – Class Photos (p.m.)
April 17 – Retro Day
April 22 – Earth Day Clothing Swap (a.m.) and Neighbourhood Clean-Up (p.m.)
April 22 – PAC Sushi Lunch
April 23 – Hot Lunch (Community Kitchen)
April 23 – Pre-K Play 4:00-5:00
April 23 – PALS (p.m.)
April 28 – Vanessa LaPointe at RPAC 6:30
April 29, 30 – Student-Led Conferences and Early Dismissal
April 29, 30 – Fable Book Fair (during conferences)
Stay connected!
Please visit our website arrowheights.sd19.bc.ca
