Benito School Newsletter

As I bring closure to this chapter of my career, I imagine the next chapter to be just as re- warding. One never knows where life will lead them, and although I never thought I would remain teaching in one school this long, I am pleased and proud to say that Benito School has been a wonderful educational institution to teach in for the past 24 years. I have enjoyed in- spiring the minds and building relationships with so many students. I have also enjoyed the opportunities to make connections with families and celebrate the success of their children. I would like to thank all of you, students, families and staff for the opportunities to learn and grow together. After many years of working together to inspire, stimulate and educate our youth, Benito School Staff has be- come an educational family. I am very grateful to have shared these opportunities and experiences with all of you. I am reminded that change is powerful, as quoted: “I truly believe the intention of creating positive change is so important to the collective conscious- ness. When you have a group of people that have the intention and the capacity, talent, and intelli- gence to actualize those intentions, then you have something really powerful.” Jimmy Chin With both sadness and joy in my heart, I would like to bid farewell to Mrs. Hack, Miss. Bowles, Mrs. Badowski, Mr. Salmi and Mr. Moncrief as they pursue new career opportunities and build relationships with new students, families and staff. I wish you all the best and look forward to participating in future meeting and professional development opportunities with you. To begin the next chapter in my career, as Principal of Benito School I am delighted to introduce our new Be- nito School Staff! Our educational team is privileged to have Mrs. Beverly Negrave, Mrs. Shirley Hugill, Mrs. Lorrie Eagle, Mrs. Carrie Blosha, Mrs. Leigh Osatchuk, and Mrs. Keitha Kerr and Mr. Darrell Coutts remain on Staff. Collectively, the knowledge, experience and dedication to our students, families, and the community is outstanding! To complete our team, we are fortunate to welcome our new teaching staff: Ms. Andrea Edwards, Miss. Cortny Wagner, Mrs. Marlana Checkley, Mr. Brad Slepicka and Mr. Scott Behrman. Their ambition and enthusiasm to begin a new venture is overwhelming. Equipped with a broad range of experiences and talents, Benito School Staff looks forward to the 2018-19 School year, building new relationships, exploring new learning opportunities and developing new skills. With the continued effort of students and support of our families, together we will continue to inspire, stimulate and educate our youth. I invite you to read on and learn about all members. Benito School’s 2018-19 Staff

Hello, My name is Andrea Edwards I’m so excited to join all of you in the and I will be coming to Benito school to fall at Benito School! My name is teach Kinder-Gr 1 is September. I have Marlana Checkley and this will by many years of teaching experience at this my 7th year teaching Grade 5. I grew grade level. I joined the Swan Valley up in a very small town called Mani- School Division in 2011 and I am currently tou, and moved to Brandon to study teaching Kindergarten French Immersion at Brandon University. Morden was at École Swan River South School. My hobbies include most my teaching home for 4 years, but outdoor sports and activities such as: hiking, camping and the past 2 years I have been teaching in The Pas. My walking Zoomer (my little dog). I hope to meet you all very husband and I are excited to move to Swan River this soon. Have a great summer!! summer, and are looking forward to lots of camping, fishing and golfing! I’m Brad Slepicka a new teacher at Benito School and I will be Hi Everyone, I'm extremely excited to have recently acquired teaching Music and Band. I grew a teaching position at Benito School for the 2018/19 school up on a farm just outside of Mini- year! Growing up in Minitonas, it has always been a goal for tonas, where I went to school until my family to one day return to the Swan River Valley. After grade 9. After graduating from graduating from Brandon University, I have been teaching at high school in Swan River, I MCI in the southwestern corner of the province at Melita for attended the University of Regina the past six years. My courses have been quite various at MCI, where I completed my Bachelor of from teaching early to senior high PE, to a mix of middle years Education in the Middle Years Program in 2017. During this and senior high social sciences. I have also been involved as time, I was able to teach in several schools around Regina the head coach of our high school hockey team, as well as the and Swift Current, Saskatchewan. I also completed my Cer- coach within our grade 7/8 volleyball programs. All of these tificate of Extended Studies with a focus in Music this past past experiences in the classroom and coaching extra- year. curricular sports leads me to believe I will be a good fit at your When not in the classroom, I call Square Dancing through- school. out western Canada. I have been calling since 2011 and I In my spare time, I still manage to be involved in semi- enjoys teaching the activity to people of all ages. Within the competitive (if you can call it that?!?) sports such as rec hock- valley, I’m also known for my fiddle playing; however, these ey, slo-pitch and numerous rounds of not so competitive golf days I am more commonly found playing the cello – my during the summer months. In coming back to the valley, my newly found passion. Carpentry is another hobby of mine. I fiancee Tiffany (who is also originally from here) as well as our find both small and large projects quite entertaining. 3 year old daughter Aubrey will also be making the area our If you would like to find out more about me and the experi- new home. All in all, I'm excited to not only meeti you all in ences I’ve had, you can check out my ePorfolio – person, but also being given the opportunity to work along- www.bradslepicka.wordpress.com. side the staff members and students at your school! See you all soon, enjoy your summer! Hello, my name is Cortny Wagner and I will be teaching Grade 2 at Benito School. Scott Behrmann I moved to Swan River April 1st 2017 for my eight week teaching practicum. When my practicum was done I realized how much I liked working in the school division so I decided to move to Swan. For the first part of the school year, I subbed in the different schools in the division, and at the beginning of April I started a term position at Taylor School teaching grade five. I am one of five kids in my family. I have three brothers and a twin sister. I also have four nephews. I enjoy traveling and have been to Italy, Spain, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. In the summer, I like camping and spend many hours fishing with my brother Nolan. I also enjoy baking, sewing, and taking my dogs Penny and Sadie for walks. Benito School’s 2018-19 Staff

I’m Leigh Osatchuk. Benito is a great Hello, I’m Beverly Negrave and I’ve little community with great people and been the secretary here at Benito School great kids. I've been an EA for 11 years for 10 years in total. My husband Miles and had the privilege of working in the and I, live and farm in the Alpine area building and watching my own children re- with our two wonderful teenagers, Rachel ceive a foundation for higher education; like (entering grade 12), and Riley (entering no other. grade 9). I grew up in Saskatchewan (Go Riders!) just We enjoy spending time visiting with our across the border, but my husband and I have called Benito friends and neighbours, and in the summer, our family really home for 22 years. We have 2 children. Our son graduated enjoys camping, boating, watersports, and working together SVRSS in 2016 , and our daughter is currently in Grade 9 with on our farm. In the winter, we like curling, snowmobiling, and her sights on Grade 10! We are very involved with our com- shooting pool in our basement. This time of year I love to munity and our children's activities. Ukrainian Dance is very spend time in my garden growing fruit, vegetables and flow- important to our family as well as football, curling, snowmobil- ers. ing, camping, and fishing. We are involved with our local Rec I like to be very organized, and I work really hard to support Board, and take great pride in being dedicated volunteers. the students, staff and parents here at the school in anyway When you start to get to know me, you'll see that I love to that is helpful. laugh and have a good sense of humor, but I also wear my heart on my sleeve. I am very transparent, so don't be afraid I’m and I have been an EA at ask me anything. I love helping the little children, and being a Lorrie Eagle Benito School for 20 years. I work mostly sense of reason to the older kids. I can't wait to get to know with early years students. I love my job! I all our new staff members and make them feel like a part of the "Benito School Family". love the relationships that are built with the kids and the opportunity to see their growth every year in their education. I am Shirley Hugill and I teach the Gr. 3/4 class at Benito School. I have about 24 years Away from school I enjoy time spent with of teaching experience, most of which has family and friends. Looking forward to next been at the Nursery School to Grade 4 level. year! I started my teaching career in Roblin and then taught in federal schools in Pauingassi I am Keitha Kerr. I have been em- and Fisher River. In 1984 I married Garth, a ployed as an EA at Benito School for 10 local farmer, and have been living and years. I was born and raised in the Beni- teaching in the valley since then. We have to / Thunderhill area. My family consists two daughters and one son. I enjoy being active and like of myself, Nick, Karli, Kori and Tristen. kayaking, biking, yoga, marathoning, cross country skiing and In my spare time, I enjoy reading, painting walking. Quiet evenings are spent reading a book or playing and being outdoors. Scrabble.

My name is Carrie Blosha and I have been an educational assistant for many years, Before coming to Benito school I worked at I’m Cheryle Zbirun Librarian / EA. Ecole Swan River South school. I love the kids and my job. We are a farming family. I enjoy I have worked at Benito school all outdoor activities especially snowmobil- for……….ever? and have always loved ing, fishing and being at the lake. I also love working in the library. to read. I am looking forward to another My favorite pastimes are making soap, great year at Benito School. reading, knitting & felting, learning new things and especially playing with all the I’m Darrell Coutts. I have been the school baby lambs we have on our farm. custodian for 8 years. In my spare time I like to go fishing. I am very helpful and have an unlimited supply of gum. BSI: (Benito School Information night) Wednesday, September 5th at 6:00 p.m. Benito School Staff and Parent Council would like to invite you to attend our Back to School Information On June 18, students from the Uni- night on Wednesday, September 5th, starting at 6:00 versity of Manitoba’s Let’s Talk Sci- p.m. Come that night and help your child settle into ence program came to all our classes their locker, tour their classroom, and meet and greet to do some amazing hands on Sci- ence activities with the students. the new teachers. Feel free to ask questions and pro- Topics included: Build a Bacteria, vide us with some parental insight. Coffee, juice and Feast for the Senses, It’s Electrify- snacks provided. Everyone welcome! More infor- ing, Hydration Station, Super Sci- mation will follow in your child(ren)’s back to school ence Challenge, Crime Lab, and En- letter. trepreneurial Science. The students found the sessions to be very en- gaging and everyone learned a lot.

Stay Sharp This Summer! FYI Parents: When your kids say “I’m Bored” this summer, know that they still have access to both of these educational programs throughout summer. Tools to keep their brains sharp and a relief from summer bore-

Benito School staff, students and parents said goodbye to five teachers at a farewell assembly on June 26. Stu- dents read poems, shared memories and presented gifts Kindergarten to Grade 6: www.TumbleBookLibrary.com to our departing teachers. Each teacher has spent a Username: swanvalley great deal of their career here at Benito School. Patti Password: reads Hack—21 years, Tammy Badowski— 20 years, Pam Grade 7 to 12: www.tumblebookcloud.com Bowles— 12 years, Will Moncrief— 13 years, and Kevin Username: swanvalley Password: login Salmi - 8 years. You will all be very much missed. After all the lengthy fundraising and planning, the Grade 7 & 8 class travelled to Clear Lake in the Riding Mountain National Park on June 20-23 for their long awaited class trip. Thank you to Mr. Moncrief and Mrs. Badowski for all the planning to make this trip possible, and thank you to Mr. Scott Martin and Ms. Keitha Kerr for chaperoning this trip. The kids came back with great stories and memories that will last a lifetime. Sports Report

Well it is that time of year again to wrap up the year and we have a few things left to report on. First off I would like to thank Ady, Avery, Talisa, Hailey, Erin, Ty, James, Breanna, Chris, Laine, Caleb, Riley, and Jordan from the Gr 78 class, along with Jackson from the Grade 6 class, for their efforts in running a smooth and organized Tabloid Day for our students in Kindergarten to Grade 4. They had a great time with their activities and winning all sorts of ribbons. Well done folks!

Our runners have been putting a lot of miles behind them lately with training and running events. On June 3, twenty-five Benito School students, staff, alumni, and parents participated at the annual Swan River Fun Run in the 1km, 5km, and 10km events. Congratulations everyone for getting active and earning a -well deserved medal. Two weeks later on Father's Day, Sunday June 17, Benito School was also on the move at the Manitoba Mara- thon running in the 10km and Half Marathon events. Congratulations to our 10km finishers, Carter M and Mr. Moncrief, along with Mrs. Bender for completing the Half Marathon. Congratulations once again to everyone on a fan- tastic season of running!

I would like to take this time to thank all of our students, parents, and staff for their involvement in athletics this year and the past 13 years. You all have made this a very enjoyable final year in athletics for myself as a Cobra and wish you the best in the years to come. Have a safe and active summer!

Play Hard, Play Fair – Mr. M.

A big Thank You to the hot lunch ladies (Leslie Foster, Linda McCrea, and Shelley Schure) for providing the monthly service. Thank you to the families for supporting the hot lunches as all funds raised go back to the students and school to support school initiatives. Parent Council paid for all the expenses for the year end K to 6 movie at Star City Cinema. Students were treated to the movie “Coco” along with popcorn and a drink. Parent Council also paid for the Gr. 7/8 class to go bowling on June 27 since they were away when the movie was scheduled. Parent Council has agreed to purchase a new microwave for the open area. Hot Lunch- reminders for next year—no late orders accepted. If parents haven’t communicated to the school that your child will be away and not at school by 12:00 pm, the food items will be sold or given away (Hot Lunch ladies will not automatically pack up the lunch as they often just sit in the cooler and go to waste). Parent Council is looking for new fundraising ideas for next year in order to provide our children more opportunities (movies, bowling, Robert Munsch Theater presentations, etc.). If you have any suggestions, please contact the school or any member of the parent council. Moments

Thank You’s! Thanks again to all the staff, parents and students who made for another successful year in our music program. If you were not able to attend the concert I must tell you that our students did a tremendous job in representing themselves and their school. Congratulations to the Grade 8’s who have completed their musical studies at the school. I wish you all the best at the High School and please keep music a part of your lives in whatever way possible. Thank you for all the memories Caleb Daisley, Christo- pher Elliott, Riley Negrave, Laine Gogol, Jordan Rivard, and Breanna Krochak! Music Next Year! A few notes, no pun intended, about the fall. Band students/parents please make sure that you student is ready for the first day of class with their instrument. Parents of Grade 4 students please carefully read over any notes, letters, or brochures I have sent home. I want to ensure that everyone comes with the correct supplies and is ready for their first class in September.

Parents of upcoming Grade 3/4 students please turn in your $6.00 deposit for your student’s recorder at the beginning of the year so that we are ready to begin in September. Farewell! I have greatly enjoyed my time here at Benito School over the past eight years, and I would like to thank all the staff, parents, and students over the years who have made our time here so enjoyable and worthwhile. Sara, Xavier, Everett and myself wish the staff and students continued success and well wishes for the future.

“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heav- en to the soul.”

-Mr. Salmi

What a terrific school year. The staff of Benito School want to thank some special people for making our school year a productive one. First and foremost thank you to the parents Go to www.svsd.ca/schools/benito to find all the info you will need to help you over the summer. of all the students who have kept involved in their kids education, this is as simple as checking his/her agenda and sign- The website contains a full color copy of the June ing it to attending Parent Teacher Interviews. Thank You to Final Newsletter, copies of the school supply lists for each grade, the student handbook and much Jamie Eisler, Marilyn Cottyn, Sarah Danyluk, and Katie An- more. derson for providing substitute teacher support this past The Benito School website is a valuable tool to year and Jo Ann Fuchs and Brenda Forman for providing help you stay connected, informed and ready for EA / Custodian substitute support. You all have been valua- school. ble assets to our building. Thank you to Louise Oberton, Ashley Sigurdson, and Lorna Munro for all the help and support. “It takes a village to raise a child”...

September 2018

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

2 3 4 5 PD Day 6 1 7 2 8 Labour Day Admin Day NO SCHOOL First Day of Classes NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL  BSI Evening 9 10 3 11 4 12 5 13 6 14 1 15 School Pictures 9:00 am 16 17 2 18 3 19 4 20 5 21 6 22

23 24 1 25 2 26 3 27 4 28 5 29 Soccer Jam Soccer Valley Champs