JB Community Centre School

By Darcy Topinka

Fall has been incredibly busy here at the school and centre since we have ushered in a few new teachers and a new school principal.  James Bay Community School is nearly full with eight divisions totaling 166 children from kindergarten to grade 5.  Principal Elaine McVie and returning Vice-Principal Scott Clazie are at the helm this year ensuring children are academically challenged and gearing up for another successful year.  All of us here at the community school are committed to planning an exciting and rewarding year for our students. Our Parent Advisory Council is off to a busy start with a fundraising campaign selling entertainment books, and the fall line up of recreation and lifelong learning programs are well under way.

Our talented children's choir returns for another year with sixty students. Practices started in early October.  The choir is assisted by a dedicated group of volunteers from the Arbutus Singers; we look forward to their public performances throughout the year.  Tickets are available for purchase generally two weeks prior to the concert events. Students have wasted no time getting back into a rigorous session of cross country running. Fall cross-country is in full swing and 15 of our students are diligently showing up for early morning practice and giving it their all.  Students will have another opportunity to join in the spring for the next round of practices and races.

Matthew Glynn has recently joined the community centre staff as our nutrition supervisor. Matthew is responsible for our children's lunch program and our seniors and community dinners.  Matthew has recently become a father and has worked at a number of local hotels and restaurants here in Victoria. He also takes pride in his scratch baking skills and markets his home-made bread creations at the Moss Street Market.

Family and friends of veterans and serving members of our Canadian Military are very welcome to join us for our Remembrance Day assembly November 10th at 11:00 am when students and staff will take time to honour Canadian Veterans. 

Residents of James Bay are welcome to attend the JBCS Society AGM which will be held on Monday, November 14th, at 6:00 pm key staff members and board directors will be on hand to answer questions and review the successful past year.  The Community Centre is one of the most active centres supported by the city of Victoria and School District #61, attracting many community members for all sorts of reasons - from programs to special events and rentals.  The centre logged over 22,000 visits last year.

The City of Victoria's Municipal election is just around the corner. Don't forget to vote. JBCS will of course be one of the polling station on November 19th.  For further voting information about all candidate meetings and polling stations, please refer to the City of Victoria website.

The centre is very proud to have launched its new website this past summer a very special thank you goes to Nimpkish Media for its many hours of volunteer time putting the site together.  The website is updated monthly with current and relevant programming and event information.