IMPORTANT DATES

February is Registration Month!!!!

February 8-12th   Spirit Week at ADJH
February 14th      Valentine’s Day
February 15th      Edward Francis Arab Heritage Day (no classes)
February 18th      Grade 9 Grad Photos

We acknowledge that we are in Mi’kma’ki, which is the traditional ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people.

What is Heritage Day in Nova Scotia?
Celebrated the third Monday in February; this year Monday, February 15th! Nova Scotia Heritage Day is an annual reminder of our storied past and an opportunity to honour the remarkable people, places and events that have contributed to this province's unique heritage.

This year we honour:  Edward Francis Arab!

EDWARD FRANCIS ARAB HERITAGE DAY – MONDAY – FEBRUARY 15TH

Edward Francis Arab is the grandson of Abraham and Annie Arab, and the son of Louis and Sadie Arab.  His grandfather was among the first villagers from Diman (Lebanon) to settle in Nova Scotia.  At the age of 22, Edward was one of the youngest to graduate (with honors) from Dalhousie Law School in 1937 (he obtained a BA in 1935).  Edward was invited to join a law firm, but decided to open his own practice.  Most importantly, he gained a reputation for working on cases that combated prejudice and racism.  He firmly stated that no immigrant, African-American, or person of poverty should be refused, regardless if they could pay.  Edward was proud of his Lebanese heritage, and was the first president of the Canadian Lebanon Society (1938) which still exists today!

GUIDANCE NEWS
1)  All grade 7 and 8 students are reminded to return their registration forms by next Friday, February 19th.  These forms are very important as they let School Admin know that you are returning in September 2021 and that you are in the same program (English/Immersion/Band).   Please return them to your homeroom teacher.
2)  Any Gr. 9 students who are interested in IB should please go and see Mrs. Greer as she is compiling a list for this group.  Please go and see Mrs. Greer before the end of the day today - Friday, February 12th.
3)  Any Gr. 9 students who are interested in the 02 program should please go and see Mrs. Greer as she is compiling a list for this group.  Please go and see her before the end of the day today - Friday, February 12th.
4)  Any grade 7 and 8 girls who are interested in a virtual girl's conference, which has always been so exciting and fun in years past, please go and sign up with Mrs. Greer in Guidance.

GRADE 9 GRAD PHOTOS
Grade 9 grad photos will be taken Thursday, February 18th in the lunch room.  With the new COVID rules, Lifetouch will steam clean each robe and sash between use. Lifetouch requires each student wear/bring their own shirt and tie as there is not enough time to steam clean those as well.  If you would like an idea as to what former students wore for their photos, please look at the composites on the walls throughout the school on the first floor.

FEBRUARY IS AFRICAN HERITAGE MONTH

In honor of African Heritage Month, each morning a short biography will be read about one of forty incredible black trailblazers who saved lives through their bravery, improved laws through their advocacy and broken-down barriers by being the first in their fields and inventing new ways of doing things.  All biographies are found in the book entitled, “Trailblazers – The Black Pioneers Who Have Shaped Canada – written by Ms. Ridley-Padmore!

https://ansa.novascotia.ca/african-heritage-month

The 2021 African Heritage Month theme, Black History Matters: Listen, Learn, Share and Act, recognizes the important legacy of people of African descent and the long-standing history in the development of Canada.

The theme brings focus and increased awareness of racialized issues of a community that has overcome great adversity for inclusion. It further calls on us to listen, learn, share and act to make society a better place.

Nova Scotia has over 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities with a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. African Heritage Month provides us with another opportunity to celebrate our culture, legacy, achievements, and contributions of people of African Descent – past and present.

SPIRIT WEEK – NEXT WEEK (FEBRUARY 8-12TH)
Friday, show your love for Valentines day and come dressed in your reds and pinks.

LOLLIPOPS
Lollipops will be delivered today - Friday!

LIBRARY NEWS
With February being African Heritage Month, Ms. Demers would like to inform students that she has several new diverse books that have been published recently.  You can see the titles on Ms. Demers' google site which has a link through the ADJH website.  If you have any questions, please see her at lunch time.
Ms. Demers also still needs snowflakes decorating the Library.  Pick up your colouring sheet in the Library at lunch time.  All submissions win a prize!

BISSETT LAKE – RED CROSS – THIN ICE!!!!

STUDENTS ARE NOT TO GO ON THE ICE – BISSETT LAKE – NOT SAFE

https://www.redcross.ca/crc/documents/Where-We-Work/Canada/Manitoba/safe...

Safety On and Around the Ice

The Canadian Red Cross wants to remind you to be safe on and around ice. Fluctuating temperatures can make ice unstable and you should be vigilant and keep your eyes open to spot unsafe conditions before venturing on it.  Unless you’re absolutely sure that ice is thick enough—stay off!

The colour of the ice indicates its strength and quality. Blue ice is the strongest, while grey ice is unsafe.
Avoid ice that has recently frozen, thawed, and then frozen again.  Ice thickness should be a minimum of: 15 cm for skating, walking or skiing in small groups.  20 cm for larger groups, such as skating parties. 

Snow cover can insulate the ice and keep it from freezing completely. Use caution near pressure ridges in the ice.  When ice goes through a freeze-thaw-freeze cycle it becomes weak and unsafe until it freezes solid again. Mist rising can be a sign of open water. Watch out for protruding objects or air holes that can indicate weak ice. The ice may be thinner near dark objects which are at the edge of the ice or that protrude.

MASKS-SANITIZER-SOCIAL DISTANCING – REMINDERS

Just a reminder to students to please remember to wear your school-provided mask or your own mask every day and to make sure your mask covers your nose!  Also, (1) when you enter the building to sanitize your hands (2) walking through the halls in single file/social distance where possible, (3) bring your water bottle to school and (4) before you are dismissed for lunch, please remove all items off your desk so they can be cleaned during the lunch break.

BREAKFAST BINS
Breakfast bins, which are located at the front of each classroom or on the teachers’ desks, are filled with snacks for students to take if you are hungry! Students are asked to please not touch all the items in the bin; just take the item you want without touching the others!  Thank you!