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Gunalchéesh hàt yìy.adi and Welcome to our school website.
Our website is under construction in many areas, and we invite you to continue to return to see the ongoing changes. We also do daily to nearly daily updates on the home page.We encourage parents/guardians to mark our Home page to stay up to date with information, notifications, events and photos. Ghùch Tlâ Community School is located in the community of Carcross, which is situated in the Southern Lakes region of Yukon, about a 45-minute drive from Whitehorse. Our school population tends to fluctuate slightly; right now we have 45 students in full time attendance. The majority of our students (92%) are Carcross/Tagish First Nation and come from the community of Carcross and the surrounding area. Our teaching staff consists of seven teachers (including Tlingit Native Language teacher), four educational assistants, one CDC worker, C/TFN ESW and a part time librarian. For such a small school we continually strive to not only have BIG ideas, but to make those ideas happen!! |
Spring Is Here
Although it seems that spring has arrived, the weather is still changeable and we need to continue to bring some warm items to school. Students who are riding their bikes to school need to be aware of the vehicles on the road and students should be wearing helmets to protect their precious heads and brains.
Safety first. With that in mind I ask that community members keep their eyes on the surroundings and watch out for children on their bikes, especially along the highways. They may just pop out of the ditch and startle you. And you kids, remember that you share the road, not own it. Please keep your bike to the shoulder or edge of the road and do not drive down the middle of the road.
Although it seems that spring has arrived, the weather is still changeable and we need to continue to bring some warm items to school. Students who are riding their bikes to school need to be aware of the vehicles on the road and students should be wearing helmets to protect their precious heads and brains.
Safety first. With that in mind I ask that community members keep their eyes on the surroundings and watch out for children on their bikes, especially along the highways. They may just pop out of the ditch and startle you. And you kids, remember that you share the road, not own it. Please keep your bike to the shoulder or edge of the road and do not drive down the middle of the road.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
KINDNESS: ..."kindness needs practice. Just as a tree doesn't strengthen its roots the night of the storm, you can't develop kindness overnight; you'll have to practice it in the littlest experiences-to the moth visiting your home, the telemarketer who trespasses into your peace, and the airline agent who botches your flight booking. With practice, you'll become instinctively kind; kindness will become effortless and will require not active thought." Amit Sood
Please check out these videos on YouTube "How to Stop Bullying: Show Your Kindness" on the NCSA Video Channel.
Please check out these videos on YouTube "How to Stop Bullying: Show Your Kindness" on the NCSA Video Channel.
nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/momo-online-safety-guide-for-parents/
ONLINE SAFETY
There has been a great deal of attention and concern in the press about the "MOMO Challenge". I encourage parents and guardians to monitor what children are doing online especially in the area of YouTube.
https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/momo-online-safety-guide-for-parents/
The National Online Safety site has a guide to help parents with the many issues concerning the internet and online safety. I encourage parents or guardians to take time to check out this website and learn more about how they can better understand what is going on for children as they search and exist with the Internet.
ONLINE SAFETY
There has been a great deal of attention and concern in the press about the "MOMO Challenge". I encourage parents and guardians to monitor what children are doing online especially in the area of YouTube.
https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/momo-online-safety-guide-for-parents/
The National Online Safety site has a guide to help parents with the many issues concerning the internet and online safety. I encourage parents or guardians to take time to check out this website and learn more about how they can better understand what is going on for children as they search and exist with the Internet.
TLINGIT LANGUAGE PRACTICE
Let's start our conversations with each other in Tlingit. Let's greet each other in Tlingit.
I have presented a challenge to the staff and students to "give it a go" and greet all in both Tlingit and English so we can cement the language in our brains and make it just like breathing. I encourage parents and guardians to take on this challenge, and start our conversations using Tlingit. I ask for speakers to be patient as we learn, and I accept feedback on pronunciation, this is constructive and will help me teach my mouth and tongue to do correct sounds. Gunalchéesh ax eey_ ilatóowu, thank you for teaching me.
Yeke'e tsoo taught! Good Morning! or Yeke'e yagi! Good Afternoon!
Ye'keéyi ts'ootaat i jee yéi natí. Have a good morning.
Yek'éiyi yagee i jee yéi natí. Have a good day.
Wáa sá iyatee? How are you?
Xat yek' ée. I am fine. (sorry I cannot get a line under the X; I am working on the text)
We.é dée? And you?
Xát tsú xat yek'ée. Me too, I'm fine.
A big Gunalchéesh to Marlene, Sean and Gary for helping me get the proper spelling and dialect for words; it is a joint effort between the school and C/TFN Language department. Please be patient and remember this is a work in progress with positive results...that we have begun the conversation.
Let's start our conversations with each other in Tlingit. Let's greet each other in Tlingit.
I have presented a challenge to the staff and students to "give it a go" and greet all in both Tlingit and English so we can cement the language in our brains and make it just like breathing. I encourage parents and guardians to take on this challenge, and start our conversations using Tlingit. I ask for speakers to be patient as we learn, and I accept feedback on pronunciation, this is constructive and will help me teach my mouth and tongue to do correct sounds. Gunalchéesh ax eey_ ilatóowu, thank you for teaching me.
Yeke'e tsoo taught! Good Morning! or Yeke'e yagi! Good Afternoon!
Ye'keéyi ts'ootaat i jee yéi natí. Have a good morning.
Yek'éiyi yagee i jee yéi natí. Have a good day.
Wáa sá iyatee? How are you?
Xat yek' ée. I am fine. (sorry I cannot get a line under the X; I am working on the text)
We.é dée? And you?
Xát tsú xat yek'ée. Me too, I'm fine.
A big Gunalchéesh to Marlene, Sean and Gary for helping me get the proper spelling and dialect for words; it is a joint effort between the school and C/TFN Language department. Please be patient and remember this is a work in progress with positive results...that we have begun the conversation.
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FINAL REPORTS
The final report cards will be available for students to take home on the last day of school, June 7th. We also will be mailing the final reports home if they were not picked up on that day. |
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NHL Indigenous Hockey Tour
CYFN is bringing the NHL Tour back for a second year to the Yukon and they are coming to Carcross. On Tuesday, March 5th, 2019 the players are coming to visit the Learning Center and the school. This is the draft agenda of what the day may look like:
10am-players arrive in Carcross...visit C/TFN
11am-Players arrive at Ghùch Tlâ Community School
Noon-lunch with the students-Boston Pizza (fingers crossed)
1pm-ice hockey/floor hockey with Players
Players:
Brian Trottier
Reggie Leach
Jamie Leach
Aaron Asham
Blair Atcheynum
John Chabot
Ric Nattress
JS Aubin
CYFN is bringing the NHL Tour back for a second year to the Yukon and they are coming to Carcross. On Tuesday, March 5th, 2019 the players are coming to visit the Learning Center and the school. This is the draft agenda of what the day may look like:
10am-players arrive in Carcross...visit C/TFN
11am-Players arrive at Ghùch Tlâ Community School
Noon-lunch with the students-Boston Pizza (fingers crossed)
1pm-ice hockey/floor hockey with Players
Players:
Brian Trottier
Reggie Leach
Jamie Leach
Aaron Asham
Blair Atcheynum
John Chabot
Ric Nattress
JS Aubin
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CAP Conference
On April 30th, C/TFN hosted the Canadian Association of Principals here in Carcross. Principals from across Canada spent the day in Carcross and learn about Carcross/Tagish First Nation, its people, the history and visit the school. The students of Ghùch Tlâ did us all proud as they danced for our visitors at the Learning Center. A big thank you to Gary for being the mentor and leader for our students to dance and perform. A big thank you to Robin for organizing this event. A big thank you to Leona for all last minute details and muscle. A big thank you to our sewers who made regalia for all students. A big thank you to Bev S for speaking to the visitors, Sean for the fire and smudge ceremony and to all and any who put in time and effort for this event. |
PHONE BOOK COLLECTIONS
We are again collecting phone books to raise funds for the students. Look for collection boxes at Montana's, the Post Office, C/TFN main Admin building, and the Learning Center. With spring in the air, it is a great time to clean house and purge those old phone books. HIGHWAY Cleanup The week of May 21st the students of Ghùch Tlâ will begin their highway cleanup to keep Carcross and Yukon looking clean and cared for. Be careful when you are driving and be aware of those picking up garbage along the road. Community Clean-up The community clean-up happened May 1st. Thank you to C/TFN for the BBQ. Now, although we had a dedicated day to the clean-up it does not mean we ignore garbage or debris around town. Together we can continue to keep Carcross as beautiful as it is in our hearts. |
MARIJUANA/Cannabis:
Although Cannabis is now legalized in Canada and Yukon, it is not legal in our school. Our school is a totally and completely "NO CANNABIS" zone. NO VAPING: Vapes are not to be brought to school. If a vape is spotted it will be taken and returned only to the parent/guardian of the student. FH Collins has a new vaping policy, please take time to check it out on their website. 
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School Council:
We are still looking for 1 School Council members. If you are interested please contact Ruby Simmons or Robin Lord. SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING
School Growth plan working meeting for Saturday, May 4th, 2019 at the school in the library. 9am start. May the 4th be with you! |
ORANGE SHIRT DAY
On September 30, 2018 Northern communities will join thousands across Canada in bringing awareness to the experiences of the residential school system by wearing an orange shirt.Orange Shirt day began in British Columbia in 2013, when residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad, shared her story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on the first day at a residential school. Since then, Orange Shirt Day has become an opportunity for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation, and in support of Youth, adopting the phrase “Every Child Matters”.2018 Orange Shirt Day falls on Sunday, September 30. On Wednesday, September 26, Ghùch Tlâ Community school and C/TFN will show their support in creating a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment and promoting reconciliation by wearing an orange shirt, a gift to all students from C/TFN. Local Inland Tlingit Artist Megan Jensen has been chosen to design this years’ Orange Shirt Day design with proceeds to benefit Yukon’s Our Voices youth organization. A series of tragic losses across the North spurred this group of emerging young leaders to join hands and initiate a dialogue on how to support northern youth and how to prevent future tragedies by investing and providing experiential learning, training, and development opportunities for young emerging leaders in the Yukon. Designed by local Inland Tlingit Artist Megan Jensen, the theme embodies the resilience of Indigenous communities all over turtle island. The circle represents the continuity of culture and unity of all things. The mountain represents the north west coast of Canada and the Yukon. The Tlingit style hand is to honour all the families that have been impacted by the dark history of the Residential School System. We hold up our hands to send our love and strength to all the children that were taken, the children who never returned home, and for the intergenerational trauma that still terrorizes our communities. The eye symbolizes the life of our people and the gift of knowledge…we are strong, and resilient while we educate others to ‘See’ the legacy of genocide in this country. |
Students and Staff of Ghùch Tlâ Community School on Orange Shirt Day 2018.
Afternoon Indian Bingo.
BUS Please let the school know by 2:30 pm if there is a change to where you child goes after school. The Admin Assistant is not here after 2:30 pm. HOT LUNCH Our hot lunch program is back in action providing lunches for all students daily. If you child does not like what is on the menu for that day, please provide them with a lunch from home. Snacks are to be provided and packed from home. We have oranges, apples and some bananas available. We are so fortunate to have the financial support of C/TFN to help feed our children. We also provide breakfast starting at 8:30 am, thank you to President Choice Children's Charity and Breakfast for Learning. We may make some adjustments to the lunch calendar based on what we can get at the grocery store. We do our best to stick to it, but it can be subject to change. We would like to welcome Liz Baker who is now our new "lunch lady". We thank her for helping to feed our children. We ask that you either have your child eat what is made or provide a packed lunch from home. Please try not to purchase food/lunch from Montana's and deliver to the school. Students should not be calling home before or at lunch demanding parents/adults buy them lunch. Only the grade 7/8/9 students have the privilege on their lunch hour to walk over to Montana's. We ask you to support us in this request. Time, effort and money goes into the hot lunch program and we need to show respect to the program and those who provide for our students. We have applied for funding with Jordan's Principle to continue providing lunch for our students, this lunch program is not a guarantee for next year. We would love to receive letters from home in support of the lunch program to put forth to Jordan's Principle. May Menu (sorry I cannot get the calendar to load)
Monday May 6-Salad Bar Tuesday May 7-Grilled Cheese Wednesday May 8-Tacos Thursday May 9-Turkey, potatoes and salad Friday May 10-leftovers Monday May 13-salad bar Tuesday May 14-tacos Wednesday May 15-Grilled Cheese Thursday May 16-beef stew and bannock Friday May 17-leftovers Monday May 20-NO SCHOOL Tuesday May 21-spaghetti Wednesday May 22- Grilled Cheese Thursday May 23-chili and buns Friday May 24-leftovers Monday May 27-Salad Bar Tuesday May 28-tacos Wednesday May 29-grilled cheese Thursday May 30-Beef Stroganoff Friday May 31-leftovers Cell phones in school/technology or electronic devices
Students are not to be using personal electronic devices during instructional time. The older students in the Grade 7/8/9 class have the right to access their devices during their break times, but must give their device over and put it in the black box in their class after their breaks. Blue-tooth devices that connect to their wearable technology or music speakers must be turned off during instructional time. Grade 4/5/6 and the 1/2/3 students should not bring their personal electronic devices to school, if they do to use it on the bus ride, they need to drop the device off to the office for the day and will get it back at bus time. Field trips are the exception for this group, only if the teacher has made that part of the trip itinerary. This expectation has been in place for several years now, and accountability to follow this expectation is with the students. The students are given ample opportunity to follow this expectation (and wait time to make the right choice) knowing what the consequences of not following the Personal Electronic Device Policy/Rule; that they each signed. If a device (cell phone, ipad, etc) is being used during instructional time which is not part of the instruction, and the student refuses to either put it in the black box/hand over to the office, this will be communicated immediately with home, the phone then can be held all day by the office and only given back to the students parent or guardian. The process of accountability is fully transparent and discussed with the students regularly, there are no surprises. If a parent or guardian needs to communicate with their child, please do so through the teacher contact or the office directly. Please help support the students to make the correct choices and not put them in a conflict position with the Personal Electronic Device Policy. Gunalshéesh. |
Fire and Smudging Ceremony at C/TFN Learning Center.
Safe School:
Students coming to school under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be asked to leave the school immediately and their parents/guardians will be notified. NO SCHOOL
Monday, May 20th, 2019-Victoria Day BEVERAGES AT SCHOOL
The school is promoting healthy beverage choices during school hours and we encourage students to have a water bottle and ask that students do not bring to school;
CELL Phones/Electronic Devices
It seems that almost everyone has a cell phone. This is a fact. And for those who do not have one, others wonder "what is wrong with them?" Nothing is wrong with not owning or using a cell phone. I remember when we had to only use a land line to call people, or walk over and speak face to face. We wrote letters to let friends and family know how we were doing, and we waited patiently to hear back. We participated in more "face to face" time, being with others, having a cup of tea and a conversation, now..it seems different and is different. We go for a cup of coffee with a friend and our faces look to the screen and not the others face. We text and expect immediate responses and lose patience. We swipe left and delete things and people from our lives. I encourage anyone who has a cell phone to look at the amount of screen time they do in a week, and track that information. I encourage those who have a cell phone to turn it off at dinner time, and talk with those around the table or room. I encourage those who have cell phones to take technology breaks during the week. To get away from those screens and turn to the faces around you and make a connection of a human kind. |
Student-Led Conferences
Thank you to all the Parents and Guardians and Grandparents who came to Celebrate the Learning of their children. These are not "interviews" like the old traditional way of sit with the teacher and get talked at; the students walk their adults through their learning, what they have been doing and the goals they have set for themselves. This is totally "Student-Led" with the teacher available as support. We look forward to having higher participation in future Student-Led Conferences at the school.
Thank you to all the Parents and Guardians and Grandparents who came to Celebrate the Learning of their children. These are not "interviews" like the old traditional way of sit with the teacher and get talked at; the students walk their adults through their learning, what they have been doing and the goals they have set for themselves. This is totally "Student-Led" with the teacher available as support. We look forward to having higher participation in future Student-Led Conferences at the school.
Self Love: Don't Compare Yourself, Note the Things You're Proud of, Let Go of Past Mistakes, Say Yes to Things You Love, Speak Kindly to Yourself, Let Yourself Rest.
The Countdown Begins
We are in the home stretch for another school year, but that doesn't mean that days should be missed. Every instructional minute counts! As the sun begins to shine more and more hours each day, it can be tough for little ones to know when to go to bed. Sleep is very important to support learning and being ready to learn. Please make sure children get to sleep especially on Sunday night. This includes being late in the morning, instructional time begins at 9 am, and if your child is arriving late and has not had breakfast, that instructional time is missed. We will always make sure any child who comes to school in the morning has had something to eat before trying to learn. Another important part of being ready and able to learn; healthy start to the day with food.
On the note of more daylight, although the sun is up, the school front door opens at 8:15 am for safety, but breakfast is not being served until 8:30 am. If you are dropping off you child at school, please make sure it is not before 8:15 am.
The last day of school and the day we have our end of year ceremony is Friday, June 7th, 2019.
We will have our ceremony in the morning after recess, followed by a BBQ and then "happy summer" cheers!.
Clothing Donations
If you have any winter or warm gear for children or youth kicking around your home, we would love to receive them at the school to keep our students warm throughout the winter season. |
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Ghùch Tlâ Community School with the students from Klukwan School, Haines, Alaska. Oct 2018.
It was wonderful having a quick visit from the students, staff and chaperones from Klukwan School in Haines, Alaska. The students and staff of Ghùch Tlâ Community School would like to say thanks to the following people for helping us "shine" as a school, community and First Nation. A huge thank you to C/TFN for supporting this visit and making quick plans for our guests. Thank you to Robin Lord for helping to organize a Carcross Itinerary, C/TFN Executive Council meeting our guests and gifting them with Swag bags, Keith Smarch for their visit to the carving shed, the staff of the Learning Center and Gary Johnson as our Cultural Liason/Ambassador. Thank you Gary for jumping in to help welcome our guests, singing them in and leading Ghùch Tlâ students in dance and song, and taking Klukwan School on a tour with the senior boys around Carcross. If we missed anyone to thank, it is not because we are not thankful, just forgetful of names. To all who helped on the spur of the moment, many blessed thanks. This visit we hope is only the beginning of a growing relationship and exchange with Klukwan School. Wouldn't it be grand if we could go visit them in Alaska in the spring? Hmmm something to think about indeed.
Gunalchéesh!
It was wonderful having a quick visit from the students, staff and chaperones from Klukwan School in Haines, Alaska. The students and staff of Ghùch Tlâ Community School would like to say thanks to the following people for helping us "shine" as a school, community and First Nation. A huge thank you to C/TFN for supporting this visit and making quick plans for our guests. Thank you to Robin Lord for helping to organize a Carcross Itinerary, C/TFN Executive Council meeting our guests and gifting them with Swag bags, Keith Smarch for their visit to the carving shed, the staff of the Learning Center and Gary Johnson as our Cultural Liason/Ambassador. Thank you Gary for jumping in to help welcome our guests, singing them in and leading Ghùch Tlâ students in dance and song, and taking Klukwan School on a tour with the senior boys around Carcross. If we missed anyone to thank, it is not because we are not thankful, just forgetful of names. To all who helped on the spur of the moment, many blessed thanks. This visit we hope is only the beginning of a growing relationship and exchange with Klukwan School. Wouldn't it be grand if we could go visit them in Alaska in the spring? Hmmm something to think about indeed.
Gunalchéesh!
The Grade 7/8/9 class created using glow sticks; "light art". This "Mere Loup" translates from French to English as "Wolf Mother", or Ghùch Tlâ for us in Tlingit.
Bullying
The definition of Bullying varies but here are two examples:
Is when an individual or a group of people with more power repeatedly and intentionally cause hurt or harm to another person or group of people who feel helpless to respond.
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Repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour intended to cause fear, distress, or harm to another person's body, emotions, self-esteem or reputation.
What Bullying In NOT:
Here at Ghùch Tlâ Community School we have taken on the goal to "Hold Each Other Up", and be "Accountable" for our behaviour and will address bullying as it happens: within the school (children to children), coming into the school (adults to adults), outside of the school (lateral violence). We have a Kindness campaign going on for the school, and using positive posters to address "kindness", a compliment box and working to take back the word; "bully". Let's make the change together and fill this world with kind words, thoughts, actions and express our "love" for all of the Creators creations, big and small.
We need to work together to support and communicate collaboratively to make the change and bring positive Restorative Practices into our daily lives.
The definition of Bullying varies but here are two examples:
Is when an individual or a group of people with more power repeatedly and intentionally cause hurt or harm to another person or group of people who feel helpless to respond.
-or-
Repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour intended to cause fear, distress, or harm to another person's body, emotions, self-esteem or reputation.
What Bullying In NOT:
- Single episodes of social rejection or dislike
- single episode acts of nastiness or spite
- random acts of aggression or intimidation
- Mutual arguments, disagreements or fights
Here at Ghùch Tlâ Community School we have taken on the goal to "Hold Each Other Up", and be "Accountable" for our behaviour and will address bullying as it happens: within the school (children to children), coming into the school (adults to adults), outside of the school (lateral violence). We have a Kindness campaign going on for the school, and using positive posters to address "kindness", a compliment box and working to take back the word; "bully". Let's make the change together and fill this world with kind words, thoughts, actions and express our "love" for all of the Creators creations, big and small.
We need to work together to support and communicate collaboratively to make the change and bring positive Restorative Practices into our daily lives.