This week, the Grade 6 Detectives have been deep in the lab, the ledger, and the chapel sound booth! From decoding the laws of motion to figuring out restaurant tips like pros, they’re on the case with curious minds and steady hands.

Let’s take a look inside their latest investigations:

🔬 Science Report: The Laws of Newton

We’ve launched into a brand-new unit on Newton’s Laws of Motion, and our student investigators are discovering how movement, mass, and force interact in our everyday world. 🚗💥

Here’s what they’ve uncovered so far:

• 1st Law: The Law of Inertia
  An object in motion stays in motion… unless acted upon by an outside force.
  🧠 Ask your student:
  “What happens to your body if a vehicle suddenly turns?”
  (Spoiler: You feel like you’re sliding sideways!)

• 2nd Law: F = ma (Force = Mass × Acceleration)
  The more mass something has, the more force you need to move it.
  🧠 Ask:
  “If you swing a bat with the same force, what happens when you hit a small ball vs. a large ball?”
  (Clue: Not everything flies the same distance.)

• 3rd Law: Every Action Has an Equal and Opposite Reaction
  Push something—and it pushes back.
  🧠 Ask:
  “What happens to you when you push on a wall or a sled?”
  (Hint: Newton’s favorite tug-of-war moment!)

Keep those questions coming—our classroom is practically a mini physics lab.

➗ Math: Cracking the Code of Percentages

Detective alert! Our math mystery this week: How do you quickly calculate a 20% tip at a restaurant?

🧠 Ask your student:
“How can you figure out 20% of a bill?”

Their response should sound something like this:

1. Divide the total by 10 (to get 10%)

2. Double that amount to get 20%!

It’s a real-world skill—and your student is ready to pick up the tab (theoretically, of course!).

🎹 Chapel Line-Up: This Week’s Worship Crew

This week’s worship session has an all-star lineup leading us in music, sound, and spirit. Give a high five to these amazing student leaders:

• Drums: Jayce

• Electric Guitar: Olivia

• Acoustic Guitar: Isaac D

• Bass: Kianna

• Keys: Grace, Alivia

• Percussion: Nathan

• Vocals: Avery, Jordan, Jayna, Neariah, Mrs. Van Santen

• Stage Manager: Maximus

• FOH (Front of House): Danny, Maddox, Evan

• Tech: Elliot, Ari

They’re helping create a meaningful and musical space each week—thank you, team!

That wraps up this week’s chapter in the Grade 6 Detective Files. Whether it’s Newton’s forces, percentages in practice, or harmonies in chapel, our students are staying sharp and solving real-world mysteries with style. 🧠✨

Until next time,
Detective Wolfsen, signing off.

Another week, another round of clues, clever thinking, and classroom capers. Our junior detectives have been busy—solving internal mysteries of the human body, chasing flying discs, and crafting characters who face challenges of their own. Here’s what’s going down at Detective HQ (a.k.a. our classroom):

📸 URGENT: Graduation Photo Submission

🔍 Evidence Needed Immediately!
Tomorrow is the final day to submit your Grade 6 graduation photos. We’re building our memory wall and can’t complete the case without your child’s:

• 1 recent photo

• 1 baby photo

• (Optional) Any class photos from earlier years

Upload your pics tonight so we can wrap up this piece of the graduation puzzle. Don’t leave us with an unsolved mystery!

>>Photo Upload<<

🗓 May 21 – Puberty & Sex Talk

This Wednesday, Grade 5 detectives will attend separate sessions for their Puberty & Sex Talk. If your family prefers to opt out of this case, you may pick your child up at noon. Info packets are available at the office for those wanting more details.

✍️ Creative Writing: Dreamers, Dominators & Deep Lessons

In our writing unit, students are hard at work creating imaginative short stories. The mission? To build relatable characters in tricky situations—characters who face challenges, learn something, and come out stronger with a lesson to share.
🧠 Ask your student:

• What’s your story about?

• Is your main character a dreamer with big hopes, or a dominator who has to learn humility?

• What challenge do they face?

• What lesson do they learn?

These tales are full of heart, humor, and detective-worthy detail.

🧬 Science Recap: Body Systems Uncovered

Our biology cases are officially closed… for now.

• Grade 6: Finished our unit on the Excretory System

• Grade 5: Wrapped up the Respiratory System

Ask your student:

• What does their system do?

• How does it help the body stay balanced and healthy?
  You might be surprised by how much these young scientists have learned!

🥏 PE Update: The Flying Disc Files

It’s all about frisbee this week in Phys Ed. Students are learning to throw with accuracy, power, and control.

Detective Challenge:
🕵️ Ask your student to demonstrate their throws:

• Forehand flick

• Backhand spin

• Trick shots? (Optional but impressive)

➗ Math: Ratios in Real Life

This week in math, we’ve been cracking cases involving ratios—a handy skill when adjusting recipes or planning projects.

Detective Challenge:
🧪 Ask your student:

• “If a recipe serves 4 and we need to double it for 8 people, what would the new measurements be?”

• “How do ratios help us in everyday life?”

Let them show off their problem-solving skills—they’re cooking up some serious math!

🎶 This Week’s Chapel Line-Up

Here’s who’s leading worship this week in chapel:

• Drums: Scott

• Electric Guitar: Avery

• Acoustic Guitar: Olivia

• Bass: Kyara

• Percussion: Manny

• Vocals: Kaiya, Isaac B., Nick, Shiloh

• Tech: Danna, Elora

• Door Greeters: Thomas, Emilie

Applaud these students for their leadership and heart in worship.

Until next time, keep your pencils sharp, your sneakers laced, and your imagination open. Case closed… for now. 🕶️✒️💼

We need Grade 6 grad photos by Friday, May 16th:

• One recent photo

• One baby photo

• (Optional) Any class photos from past years

Please click on this link to upload them here:

>>Photo Upload<<

The calendar’s got more red ink on it than a marked-up witness statement, and this month’s looking busier than a gumshoe in a city full of secrets. Here’s what’s on the docket for our squad of junior sleuths:

🕵️‍♀️ Chapel Line-Up: May 14’s Investigative Ensemble

The spiritual vibe’s in good hands this week with this dedicated chapel crew:

Tech: Ari, Elliot
Vocals: Jordan, Sina, Alexis, Danna
Keys: Alivia, Grace
Bass: Kianna
Drums: Jace
Acoustic Guitar: McKena
Electric Guitar: David
Percussion: Nathan
Door Greeters: Thomas, Emilie

🔍 Important Dates & Major Clues

🗓 May 12 – Grandparents Day, Math Test, & Memory Verse Quiz
Three cases in one day. Detectives, don’t forget to bring your sharp minds, warm smiles for visiting grandparents, and those memory verses locked and loaded.

🕶 May 14 – Pay to Wear Casual (Library Fundraiser)
Trade your uniform for undercover attire with a $2 donation to our library fund. Casual never looked so classy.

💉 May 15 – Science Test

• Grade 6: Excretory system – know your kidneys from your nephrons.

• Grade 5: Respiratory system – it’s all about breathing easy (and not just after the test).

📚 May 16 & May 19 – No School
Pro D Day & Victoria Day. Take the time to recharge. Even detectives need rest.

📦 May 21 – Puberty and Sex Talk
Sensitive case files ahead. Grade 5 students will be split into boys’ and girls’ groups to discuss puberty. Attendance is optional—pick up an info packet from HQ (a.k.a. the office). Students not attending may be picked up at noon.

🎭 May 22 – Newsies Field Trip
Time to hit the town and follow the trail of headlines. Bring your curiosity and maybe a notepad—this one’s got style and story.

🎤 May 30 – Spring Showcase @ 1:30 PM
Lights, camera, growth! Celebrate our students’ hard work in a display of talent, creativity, and probably some toe-tapping tunes.

🎓 June 6 – Grade 6 Graduation
It’s the final chapter for our oldest sleuths. A night of nostalgia and new beginnings, 6:00–10:30 PM.
📸 Photos Due by May 16:

• 1 recent photo

• 1 baby photo

• Optional: Class photos through the years
  Upload your evidence and RSVP—let’s build a memory wall to crack hearts wide open.

🕐 June 13 – 11:30 AM Early Dismissal
A short day—but the mysteries don’t end there.

🎉 June 16 – Intermediate Fun Day
Games, laughs, and curiously fun time.

💦 June 19 – Waterslides Field Trip (Last Day of School)
Close out the year with a splash. A fitting end to a year full of learning, laughter, and the occasional classroom caper.

Keep your trench coats pressed, your pencils sharp, and your curiosity alive. Until next time, keep sniffing out the truth and showing the world what junior detectives can do. 🕵️‍♂️

Tomorrow, May 7th, we roll out early—real early. The kind of early where the dew’s still fresh and the robins are just clearing their throats. Why? Because the whole crew is heading to the Britannia Mine Museum.

The plan?

• Departure: 7:00 AM sharp. Be there by 6:50 AM, or you’ll be chasing the bus down the highway.

• The Scene: We’ll dig into the depths of mining history, pan for truth, and maybe even find a nugget of knowledge.

• The Extras: A pit stop at the gift shop—bring a bit of pocket change if you plan to take home a souvenir.

• The Getaway: A quiet walk to Shannon Falls, soaking in some West Coast beauty before heading back.

• ETA Back at HQ (school): 4:00 PM.

Dress like you’re tracking clues in unpredictable weather: layers, closed-toe shoes, and extra snacks in your pack. Leave your gadgets at home—this investigation’s screen-free.

Graduation – The Final Chapter Begins
There’s another major operation on the horizon: Grade 6 Graduation. The evening of Friday, June 6th, will be one to remember. It starts at 6:00 PM and runs until 10:30 PM—four and a half hours of celebration, recognition, and probably a few nostalgic tears.

To pull off this caper, we need some evidence—a few key photos:

• One recent photo (your star detective as they are today)

• One baby photo (to show how far they’ve come)

• Optional: Class photos from over the years (for a visual timeline of their school story)

📎 Please upload these files and RSVP by Friday, May 16th. We’re building a memory wall, and we need your piece of the puzzle.

Wonder Reading Assignment – Case of the Open Heart
Meanwhile, in language arts, we’re diving into Wonder—a novel about kindness, courage, and not judging a book by its cover. Students are following Auggie Pullman through his journey of fitting in, standing out, and reshaping perspectives. Read the parent letter to find out more about expectations for the reading schedule, thinking notes, and reading check-ins as we read through May.

If your student seems quieter than usual, they might be thinking deeply about friendship, empathy, or the power of a precept. This story hits home.

Stay sharp, stay warm, and stay curious.
– Detective Wolfsen, on the trail of knowledge 🕵️‍♂️

Art Gala

April 28 – Prepare to be captivated by an unforgettable night of creativity and inspiration! Our talented Grade 4-6 students have poured their hearts into masterpieces that will amaze and delight.  Bring your family and friends and immerse yourselves in a magical world of colour, imagination, and artistic expression.

🌟 Art Gala Details
📅 Date: Monday, April 28th
📍 Location: The Chapel
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Track Meet

May 1 – We are headed to South Surrey Athletic Park for the Christian School Track Meet. We need parent volunteers and transportation is limited. Please let me know if you are able to drive your student. my email: dwolfsen@highroadacademy.com

Star Wars/Superhero dress up day

May 5 – Dress up as your favourite superhero or star wars character. Bring the force, but leave weapons and lightsabers at home.

Brittania Mine Field Trip

May 7 – Feel free to join us for our trip to the Brittania Mines. It is a long trip, so we leave at 7:00 am.

Puberty & Sex Education Afternoon

May 21 – Families received an email and letter about the upcoming puberty and sex education afternoons for Grades 5 & 6 students. The school is offering information packages at the office for those who want to learn more. Attendance is not mandatory, and parents can pick up their child at noon on Wednesday, May 21st, if they prefer. Grade five students will attend the session on puberty, and grade six students will attend the sex education session.

Grade 6 Graduation

June 6 – We are thrilled to share that our recent bake sale was a tremendous success! Thanks to your generosity and support, we raised $1,800, which covers all our graduation costs. 🎉

As we begin planning our graduation evening, we need your help! Please take a moment to fill out the jot form linked below, and kindly attach two photos of your child:

• One recent photo
• One baby photo

Additionally, there’s a section where you can upload any class photos you have from previous years. These memories will make our graduation celebration even more special!

Important Update: The time for our grad ceremony has changed! Please note the new details:

• Date: Friday, June 6th
• Start Time: 6:00 PM
• Pick-Up Time: 10:30 PM

Photos are due by Friday, May 16th.

Thank you once again for all your support. We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with all of you!

Link to Jot Form: https://highroadacademy.jotform.com/251115018602948

• April 16 – Jersey Day – wear a team jersey with casual clothes (otherwise wear the uniform)
• April 17 – Math Test, Science Test – Grade 5 Muscular system, Grade 6 Endocrine system
• April 18 – Good Friday – no school
• April 21 – Easter Monday – no school
• April 25 – PD day – no school
• April 28 – Art Gala 6-7:30pm – Join us in our annual art display of our best works of art this year
• May 1 – Grade 4-6 Track meet – please turn in permission slips soon (parents may only drive their own children and must have their criminal record check in the office to join us)
• May 5 – Star Wars Dress Up
• May 7 – Brittania Mines field trip
• May 14 – Pay to Wear Casual Day – Library Fundraiser

Our Bake Sale is on Tuesday, April 8th, to raise funds for our Grade Six graduation! This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to support our sixth graders.

Here’s How You Can Help, students can choose from two options:

1. Bake and Bring: Bring in 2 dozen homemade baked goods to sell.

2. Send in Support: If baking isn’t an option, send in $20 cash with your child to help purchase treats.

Important Dates:

Bake Goods Due: Morning of Tuesday, April 8th

Monetary Contributions: Please send $20 cash (no debit machine available)  by Friday, April 4th

Please use the link below to sign up and indicate what your child will bring to the bake sale.

Bake Sale Sign Up

If grocery costs are a concern, please email Mrs. Goosen at pgoosen@highroadacademy.com, and she will provide supplies for your child to bake treats.

The calendar is packed, the cases are piling up, and March is shaping up to be a whirlwind of events, challenges, and surprises. From dressing up in national pride to cracking the code on the nervous and digestive systems, there’s no shortage of mysteries to unravel. And just when you think you’ve got it all figured out—poof—Spring Break arrives like a magician’s trick. So grab your notebooks, stay sharp, and let’s dive into this month’s biggest investigations. 🔍

March 12 – Canada Dress-Up Day 🇨🇦

Red, white, and maple leaves—those are the clues, and they all lead to one thing: Canada Dress-Up Day. This Wednesday, agents are advised to blend into their surroundings by donning national colors. Got a hockey jersey? A beaver hat? Maybe just a simple red-and-white combo? Whatever your disguise, wear it with pride.

March 13 – The Science Test Mystery 🧠🍔

Two groups. Two different mysteries to crack.

• Grade 6: The Nervous System—neurons, reflexes, and the secrets behind how your brain sends messages faster than a getaway car.
• Grade 5: The Digestive System—a deep dive into what happens after you take that bite of a donut. The journey from chew to… well, let’s just say it’s a case worth digesting.

Agents, study hard. The test is coming, and there’s no escaping it.

March 14 – The Great Disappearance Act 🎩✨

At exactly 11:30 AM, the school halls will empty as students vanish into the Spring Break abyss. But before they go, interim reports will be delivered—cold, hard evidence of the progress made so far. Read them carefully. The clues to future success might be buried inside.

March 31 – The Return 🚪

After two weeks in the wild, the squad reassembles. Backpacks dusted off, pencils sharpened. School resumes, and the next case begins.

Chapel Lineup 🎤🎸

A good detective never works alone. This week’s crew is ready to bring the soundtrack to our investigations:

• Tech: Elora, Dana
• Keys: Alivia, Mrs. Van Santen
• Vocals: Isaac B, Nick, Kaiya, Avery
• Electric Guitar: Averi
• Acoustic Guitar: Grace
• Bass: Kianna
• Drums: Scott
• Percussion: Nathan
• Stage Manager: Jayna
• Front of House: Danny, Evan, Maddox, Max
• Door Greeters: Thomas, Emilie

🧁 Bake Sale – April 8th! 🍪

Detectives, we’ve got another case on our hands—a case of deliciousness! On Tuesday, April 8th, we’re hosting a Bake Sale to raise funds for our Grade Six graduation, and we need your help to crack the code to success!

How to Get Involved:

🔎 Bake & Bring – Whip up 2 dozen homemade baked goods to sell. (Think cookies, muffins, or anything your sweet tooth desires!)

💰 Send in Support – If baking’s not your style, no problem! Send in $20 cash with your child to help purchase treats.

Key Details:

📅 Baked Goods Due: Morning of Tuesday, April 8th
💵 Monetary Contributions Due: By Friday, April 4th (Cash only—no debit machine available!)

🔗 Sign Up: Please click on the this link Bake Sale Sign-Up Sheet to let us know what your child will bring.

If grocery costs are a concern, no worries! Email Mrs. Goosen at pgoosen@highroadacademy.com, and she’ll provide supplies so your child can still take part in the fun.

Let’s make this the sweetest fundraiser yet! 🕵️‍♂️🍩

Another week, another case. Stay sharp, agents. There’s always another mystery lurking just around the corner. 🔍🕵️‍♂️

🏃‍♂️ Join the Middle School Track Team! 🏃‍♀️

Detectives, it’s time to trade in your magnifying glass for some running shoes! If you’re in grades 6 to 8, get ready to run, jump, and compete because our Middle School Track Team is gearing up for an exciting season!

📅 Practices begin right after Spring Break
🏆 Track meets will take place in April and May

If you’re interested in joining or have any questions, email Mrs. Goosen at pgoosen@highroadacademy.com. Don’t miss this chance to race to victory! 🚀

The wind howled through the alley as I sifted through the latest case files. This wasn’t your average case—no missing jewels, no mysterious footprints in the snow. No, this one was different. A journey into a world beyond the ordinary, a place where adventure, identity, and belonging collide. The name on the file? The Barren Grounds.

🕵️‍♂️ The Assignment
We have our next investigation: a novel study of The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson. It’s a story with layers, twists, and turns that’ll sharpen our detective skills: reading comprehension, critical thinking, and deep reflection.

Here’s the deal:

• We read one chapter per school night, starting March 3. That’s 27 chapters, mapped out through April 25, with a spring break intermission.
• Every night, we log a “deep thought”—evidence, analysis, a theory. We use different investigative techniques: connection, visualization, questioning, inference, and transformation.
• Morning check-ins confirm our progress, and Friday discussions uncover the deeper truths buried in the text.

🔎 The Schedule
The case unfolds one chapter at a time, with all files locked for the break between March 15–30. Here’s the breakdown:

Week 1 (March 3-7): Chapters 1-5
Week 2 (March 10-14): Chapters 6-10
Week 3 (March 31-April 4): Chapters 11-15
Week 4 (April 7-11): Chapters 16-20
Final Weeks (April 14-25): Chapters 21-27

📖 Investigative Techniques: Cracking the Code
Each night, we use one of these methods to dig deeper:

1. Connection 🔗 – Linking the case to personal experience, another story, or the real world.

   • Example: “Morgan feels out of place in her new home. It reminds me of when I switched schools and felt like an outsider.”

2. Visualization 🎨 – Painting a picture of the scene with sensory details and a sketch.

   • Example: “I see Morgan sitting in a dimly lit room, the air thick with dust, staring at a mysterious attic door…”

3. Questioning ❓ – Digging into the unknown, asking the tough questions.

   • Example: “Why does Morgan push people away? Is she scared of getting hurt again?”

4. Inference 🔍 – Reading between the lines, picking up on clues.

   • Example: “Morgan’s silence isn’t anger—it’s fear. She’s afraid to trust.”

5. Transformation 🔄 – A shift in thinking, a new perspective gained.

   • Example: “I used to think tough people were just mean, but maybe they’re just protecting themselves, like Morgan.”

🕵️‍♀️ How You Can Assist the Investigation
This case isn’t solved alone. Parents, we need your help. Keep your detective on track—remind them to read, discuss their deep thoughts, and encourage their discoveries.

🚨 Need backup? Struggling readers can access YouTube read-alouds (links provided in class).

Got questions? Clues to share? Contact dwolfsen@highroadacademy.com.

The case is open, detectives. Grab your notebooks, sharpen your pencils, and let’s crack this mystery wide open. The Barren Grounds await. 🔍