School Update 

To the students and families of MRS, 

On Monday, we were excited to welcome Earth Rangers to our school for a no cost, school wide performance. This immersive eco experience provided students with an engaging opportunity to explore environmental challenges and think critically about how they can make a difference. Through interactive elements, students were encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, and deepen their understanding of the world around them. 

Throughout the presentation, students explored key concepts such as conservation, endangered species, habitats, ecosystems, and adaptation. The experience was designed to include STEM aligned content that supports the science and environmental curriculum, helping students make meaningful connections between their learning and real-world environmental issues. 

As winter continues, we anticipate frequent changes in weather that may require students to both layer up and layer down throughout the day. We encourage families to send students prepared for a variety of conditions so they can remain comfortable during outdoor learning and play. As well, a reminder that clearly labeling clothing helps us return lost items to their rightful owners. We are hopeful that a full transition out of winter snow is just around the corner and look forward to more consistent spring weather soon. 

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. 

Maple Ridge Staff 

Upcoming Important Dates 

iLab Materials Needed 

If you are willing to donate any of the following materials, please drop them off at the front door (wagon) or send them with your child.   It is greatly appreciated and helps to keep a variety of loose parts and maker supplies replenished.  

• Small cardboard sizes such as granola, cereal boxes 
• Cotton balls, cotton swabs 
• Natural objects – pebbles, pinecones, seeds, shells, etc 
• String, ribbon, twine 
• Cardboard tubes (no toilet roll tubes) 
• Scraps of fluffy fiberfill or batting 
• Pipe cleaners 
• Small loose parts such as letter tiles, cubes, marbles, game pieces, etc 
• Paper cups in any sizes 
• Coffee filters 
• Tubing 
• Foil 
• Packing box filler such as crinkle cut paper shred, packing peanuts, etc (please no solid Styrofoam or cardboard molds) 

If you have any questions or think you have something not listed that might be useful to our iLab, please email Ms. Harris at anharris@cbe.ab.ca.    

🎵 Notes from the Music Room🎵 

This week in music students listened and compared Beethoven’s 5th Symphony and Fur Elise. Can your child sing the main leitmotif (short melody phrase) for these songs? 

Kindergarten and grade 1 students learned a new song tale called Old Mr. Rabbit. We are exploring high and low sounds using this song.  Can your child sing this song and describe the problem and solutions to the story? 

Grade 3 students continue to grow as musicians and have now learned notes BAGE on the recorder.  We continue to strive for a gentle tone, playing with accurate pitches and fingerings. Ms. Harris is super proud of how much they have progressed! 

Grade 4 students reviewed classroom expectations and skills playing the recorder.  Parents, please remind your child to bring their recorder to school on Monday so that we can begin our work to learn recorder duets.  If you are unable to locate a recorder, please send me an email and I can arrange to have one ready for music class. 

🎵🔬 Fun Fact: The oldest known musical instruments are flutes made from bone, estimated to be over 40,000 years old!