This year did not end in a typical way and we appreciated the support of parents and the community during the month of June.

This year we also are saying goodbye to two of the program teachers.  Mr. Utting will be recalled to a position in the district over the summer and will not be returning to MACC in the Fall.  We have appreciated the expertise and experience that Mr. Utting brought to MACC this year.  The students appreciated his deep understanding of science and his ability to push and challenge them in Math.  He was able to bring experts into the classroom and take the classroom out into the community.  Ms. Moody & Ms. Abbot enjoy the opportunity to be able to work with and collaborate with Mr. Utting.  Thank you for what you contributed to the program and best wishes for the Fall.

Ms. Moody was offered that chance to fulfill a professional dream of opening a new middle school.  After four years, she is also leaving Hillcrest and MACC this year.  She has been a key person in laying the foundation for what the MACC program is today.  She leaves a legacy for future students and teachers.  Thank you for this solid foundation and best wishes at Eagle Mountain Middle.

Here are some of the highlights from the last weeks of this school year:

The grade 6’s had been working with Ms. Lenarczyk (a teacher with CAST) on understanding self-regulation through sensory input.  The students learned about their sensory needs and ways to meet them within different settings.  Students then worked in teams to design an ideal classroom to meet the sensory needs and learning preferences of the class.  We experimented with different ideas including lowering a table closer to the floor so students can choose to sit on the floor at a table.  We will continue to work on the design of our classroom and share pictures and our ideas in the Fall.  One activity Ms. Lenarczyk did with the class was making our own stress balls.

The students all participated in a Water Wise Safety presentation with the BC Lifesaving Society at the end of May.  Students learned about safety equipment required when boating and ways to help protect the marine environments.

We learned about amusement park science at Playland with Yellow Team!  Speed…. Forces…. Gravity….

This year we also say goodbye to a dynamic group of grade 8’s that have shaped the program, have learned from and taught each other.  Middle school is a place where students come into a school community in grade 6 and then 3 years later they leave to become part of new school communities.  Coming and going is a part of what we are…. as your teachers we have been honored to be a part of your journey. Please keep in touch and have a safe and enjoyable summer!