Following our Heritage Unit we will be learning about immigration and citizenship in Canada. Here is a letter by Mrs.Gysbers about an upcoming fundraiser to support a Christian refugee organization this week. All Grade 5 students are invited to participate in this fundraising event.

Fundraiser for refugees

After putting some thought into how to raise money for refugees that are currently coming right to our very own city from various parts of the world, we’ve decided on the following:

Who are we serving? We will give our donations to Kinbrace, a Christian organization that provides housing and support for new refugees coming to Canada. For more information, go to their website at kinbrace.ca.

What will our money be used for? Kinbrace will use our collected donations to stock the Kinbrace kitchens with new pots, pans, plates, cups, and other kitchen essentials. How great to be part of extending hospitality to newcomers with providing new equipment for preparing meals!

How much should students donate? A suggested amount is $5, but the amount is a personal decision (could be less or could be more), and we really want to encourage that students prayerfully give what they personally feel is appropriate to give. We want it to be heartfelt, and it would be great if somehow it comes from the students themselves (not just a handout from parents). If students don’t have their own money or make an allowance to contribute from, perhaps they could earn the money by doing an extra job or task.

When do students bring in money? Students may bring money in on Friday to place in a donation box.

Any related fundraising events? We are keeping this fundraiser simple, so students can donate without it being connected to a specific event; however, we will participate in a reflective walk where we will walk and think about the refugees who have had to travel great distances in search of a new home and a new life, while emotionally dealing with the devastation they are leaving behind. We will end in a time of prayer for the many people around the world fleeing their home countries to find security and a better life.

If you are interested in learning a bit more yourself, feel free to come to the library this Thursday (1:00-1:30) to hear Loren Balisky (director of Kinbrace) speak to our students. Feel free to grab a chair or stand at the back (room may be limited as we will already have 50 students there, but feel free to find an open space where you can).

Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Mrs. Gysbers

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Grade 5W News March 3, 2015

Hello Grade 5 Parents,

Here are some updates regarding the events mentioned in the previous post:

1.) Heritage lunch is POSTPONED – It came to our attention that Middle School will be having their Theme Week lunch next Friday, and will require full use of the kitchen. We’ve decided that it makes most sense to reschedule the Heritage lunch for Friday, April 17. We will provide further information after Spring Break. We apologize if this change causes any inconvenience.

2.) Refugee focus in Socials – after learning about our own family stories of immigration to Canada we will now delve deeper in our study about refugees next week with:

Movie – next Wednesday we will watch most of the documentary titled “God Grew Tired of Us.” It is an award winning National Geographic film that shows the journey of the “Lost Boys of Sudan” (you can learn more about this group of boys by googling that term).
Speaker on refugees – next Thursday, (March 12) we will have Loren Balisky, the director of Kinbrace, a local charitable organization right here in Vancouver (located on Commercial Drive) that supports refugees in various ways. For more information, check out the website at kinbrace.ca.
We are planning on doing a small fundraising event in the Grade 5 classes in order to raise money for supporting refugees through Kinbrace. We are still working out the details, but we will have an in-class event next Friday (we thought it would be better to have the fundraising event after they have become more informed about refugees on Wednesday and Thursday as it may have greater impact). We will let you know more details soon.

3.) Dear Day this Friday, March 6, 2015. We will have a drop-everything and read day on Friday. Students should bring their own reading material, a small pillow, and healthy snacks, peanut-free.

4.) Heritage projects – Students have completed their heritage posters that are now displayed in the hallways and in our classrooms. Students will be doing brief oral presentations, summarizing what was most important or memorable about what they have learned about their family heritages.

If you have any questions or feedback regarding any of these happenings, please contact me.

Mr.Wu