AHE December 2025 Newsletter
Principal’s Message
December is always a busy and exciting month at our school! Students and teachers are hard at work preparing for the Christmas concert, with rehearsals in full swing and every class contributing songs and performances. We’re also looking forward to sending home the first written learning updates—a great opportunity for families to see student goals, strengths, and areas of growth.
In December, our focus is on generosity and joy—exploring how small acts of giving can brighten our classrooms, our school, and our own hearts. Using the BC Core Competencies, students will practice kindness, reflect on the impact of their actions, and find ways to share joy within our community during this festive season.
With all the excitement of the season, we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a little snow to add extra magic to our December days. Wishing all of our families a joyful and festive month ahead!
Mrs. Mair
Communicating Student Learning
Our first written learning updates will be sent home on December 12th. As the curriculum continues to evolve, our approaches to assessment and reporting must evolve as well. The goal of communicating student learning is to ensure students are active participants in their own growth, developing ownership of their learning, while keeping parents well informed about their child’s progress.
In these written learning updates, you will find information about your child’s goals, strengths, stretches, and areas where continued support may be needed.
Please take some time to review the CSL and Reporting Guide for Parents, which was shared with families on November 26th, as it provides helpful context for understanding the updated reporting process.
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration for the 2025–2026 school year is now open! Families are invited to register their children early to help us plan for the upcoming year. If you have a child who will be turning five by December 31, 2025, or know someone in the community who does, please contact the school office to complete registration or for more information.
Early Years Development Instrument (EDI)
In February, Kindergarten teachers will complete the Early Development Instrument (EDI) for students. The EDI looks at social, emotional, language, cognitive, and communication development. This helps schools and communities understand trends in children’s development and plan programs and supports.
More information for families of Kindergarten students will follow.
Middle Years Development
Instrument (MDI)
Between January 13 and March 13, 2026, students in Grades 5 will complete the Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI) online. The MDI helps us understand students’ thoughts, feelings, and experiences inside and outside of school. This information supports schools and communities in planning programs that promote students’ personal and social development. More information to families of grade 5 students to follow!
Numeracy News
The Power of Math Games
Playing math games is a fun and engaging way for students to practice and strengthen their numeracy skills. Games help children build confidence with numbers, develop problem-solving strategies, and explore mathematical concepts in a hands-on, interactive way. Whether at school or at home, a few minutes of math play each day can make a big difference in developing a strong foundation for learning. Here’s a link to some fun and engaging Math games for the holiday break!
https://blogs.sd38.bc.ca/sd38mathandscience/math-games/
Indigenous Education
This year, our reconciliation efforts continue to grow in meaningful ways. Each class is creating thoughtful land acknowledgements, and students are exploring stewardship projects that help care for the beautiful land we are lucky to work, live, and play on. These actions are a small but important step in honouring the land and building a stronger connection to our community and environment.
This November, our indigenous Education department is celebrating Métis Awareness Month! Students are participating in a special craft activity during recess and lunch to learn more about Métis culture and heritage. Their creations will be displayed on a bulletin board in the school to raise awareness and celebrate the vibrant contributions of the Métis community.
Battle of the Books
Arrow Heights Students love reading! Our school literacy goal is to nurture a love for literacy, and Battle of the Books does just that! Battle books are now available to be signed out at the AHE library. The School District Battle Of the Books will take place on Thursday, March 5th. As always, Ms. Draboczi will be organizing our school based BOB fest in February. Parents are encouraged to come watch!
- February 24 – Grade 4/5
- February 25 – Grade 6/7
- February 26 – Grade 3/4
AHE Food Drive
In keeping with our school-wide theme for December, we are encouraging students to practice kindness, reflect on the impact of their actions, and find ways to share joy within our community during this festive season.
The annual AHE food drive starts on December 1st. Teachers will be accepting non-perishable items for the food bank in classrooms and transferring them to our “Food Express” in the hallway. Food collection will continue until December 19, when it is picked up by Community Connections.
This year we will be decorating our Christmas tree in the front entry with socks and mittens. If you would like to donate a new pair of socks or mittens, they will be hung on our tree and donated along with food items on December 19th.
Christmas Concert
Rehearsals are in full swing for this year’s Christmas concert, a Revelstoke-inspired spin on the classic A Christmas Carol! With more than 60 students in the cast and every class preparing songs, the show is shaping up to be a festive highlight of the season. Our concert is planned for December 18, 2025.
We will have two performances on concert day: a 1:00 p.m. matinee and a 6:30 p.m. evening show. Families with young children or elderly relatives are encouraged to attend the afternoon performance, as the evening performance is typically very full.
We also invite families to bring a donation for the local food bank to help support those in our community this holiday season.
We can’t wait to share this wonderful production with you!
Classroom teachers will be communicating specific costume and prop needs for their classes.
Holiday Craft Fair
Our Holiday Craft Fair is scheduled to take place on Friday, December 12. This a long standing AHE tradition that allows students to shop for loved ones. Families are invited to donate 10–20 handmade crafts between December 8–11. Items can include ornaments, small toys, bookmarks, jewellery, baked goods, or any simple handmade creations.
Crafts will be priced at 25¢–$5, and classes will shop in buddy groups, with a fresh selection put out for each group to keep things fair.
We rely on parent volunteers to make this event possible — to help, please email pacarrowheights@gmail.com.
Grade Level Sports
Alpine Skiing/Snowboarding
Staring in January, our grade 3 and 6 students will be taking part in lessons at RMR. All sessions will take place on Mondays with Grade 3 students attending on Jan. 12, 19 and 26, while the grade 6 students will participate on February 2, February 9 and 23. More information will be coming to families this month. Please be sure to send your child to the hill with appropriate socks, ski pants, jackets, gloves, etc. The school does have some gear to lend! Reach out if your child will need support with the proper outerwear to ski or snowboard.
Skating
Our grade 1 students in both classes will be going skating on Wednesday January 7, 14 and 21. Lessons are provided by skating instructor Marisa Salon and take place during public skate times in the mornings. More information will be coming from classroom teachers.
Grade 6 and 7 Basketball
Our grade 6 and 7 students will soon be forming teams to compete against BVE and CPE in the district basketball tournament. league play is on Thursdays after school and there is a final tournament at the end of February at RSS. Volunteer coaches this year are Mr. Cadegan, Ms. Butler and Ms. Gauer and practices will be held at lunch and after school. This year we are offering an open gym at 8am Monday-Friday (starting December 1) for grade 6 and 7 students interested in working on dribbling and shooting.
Curling
While our grade 6 students are off exploring RMR, our grade 7 students will have the chance to experience curling with volunteers from the Revelstoke Curling Club. Our students will enjoy two sessions on February 2nd and 9th. Students are asked to supply helmets and stretchy clothing for curling.
PAC News
December is here! Christmas will be here before we know it, and December is always a busy month for the Arrow Heights PAC.
Holiday Craft Fair – December 12th
Hopefully everyone is getting their crafting on for the Holiday Craft Fair. We are still looking for a few more volunteers for the Craft Fair on December 12th. If you’re available to lend a hand, please sign up using this volunteer link. This is such a wonderful event, and the kids absolutely love it.
PAC Meeting – December 1st
Our monthly PAC meeting will be held on Monday, December 1st at 6:30 PM in the AHE Library. Childcare is always provided. These meetings are a great way to stay informed about what’s happening at the school, and all parents, grandparents, and guardians are welcome to attend.
Purdy’s Fundraiser – Thank You!
A big thank you to all the families who purchased from our Purdy’s fundraiser! This is a fantastic campaign for the school, and we appreciate your support. We will send an email when the orders are ready for pick-up.
Upcoming Dates:
December 1 – Whole School Assembly 11:15
December 1 – AHE Food Drive Starts
December 1 – PAC Meeting 6:30
December 11 – Hot Lunch (Community Kitchen) Roasted Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Vegetables
December 12 – PAC Christmas Craft Fair
December 12 – Written Learning Updates sent home to families
December 18 – AHE Christmas Concert 1:00 and 6:30
December 19 – Christmas Sweater/ Red & Green Day
December 22 – Jan. 4 – Christmas Break
January 5 – School resumes
January 12, 19, 26 – Grade 3 Ski and Snowboard Program
January 7, 14, 21 – Grade 1 Skating
February 2, 9, 23 – Grade 6 Ski and Snowboard Program
