Hi everyone, it is a short week but a busy one with lots happening at Albion in the next few days. It looks like a nice week ahead weatherwise!
Terry Fox Run/Walk is Coming up!
We are now collecting donations for our Terry Fox Event that will be held on Friday, April 25th! Donations will be collected until April 30th. Donations of any amount can be accepted at online at https://schools.terryfox.ca/92626
Cash or cheque of any amount is also accepted. Donations of $20.00 or higher are eligible for a tax receipt; name and address are required for tax receipt.
Please share the link and/or attached QR code.
Students can make their fundraising page using the above link
Help us to achieve our fundraising goal of $2500 for the Terry Fox Foundation!
As we enter more spring like weather, Albion Elementary is beginning to prepare for the last athletic event of the school year, Track & Field. Track & Field is open to all intermediate students. As some families of students have never participated in track before, there are always a lot of questions. Hopefully this will answer many of your questions.There are 8 events that students can try for track (100m run, 200m run, 600m run, 4x100m relay, shot put, discus [just for gr. 6/7 students], high jump, and long jump.) Starting April 15th, students will begin practicing shot put, high jump, and long jump during gym classes.To allow each student to try all the events, and to help us figure out which students will be participating in which events, Albion Elementary will have our own Track & Field Day at the Albion Sports Complex on Wednesday, April 30th. This day will allow students to try 6 different events over the course of the school day [100m, 200m, 600m, Relay, Shot Put & Discus [just for gr. 6/7].) Watch for further information soon on the Parent Portal about this event.On or before May 5th, students who are interested in improving their skills in any of the 8 events will be able to attend before or after school practices with various teacher coaches. A schedule is sent out weekly with the practice information (dates/times/locations). High Jump practices will begin the week of April 21st.We will be posting Personal Best posters on the boards by the library. Teacher coaches will post the personal best scores from participating students so that students can track their improvement over the practice weeks.Once we have completed preliminary practices and tryouts, coaches will give lists of 10 or so potential athletes for each event to Mrs. Matlock. The week of May 12th, Mrs. Matlock will meet with students who have qualified for the track meet to help them choose their events. Once the events have been chosen, permission forms will be sent home with more information about exact event dates and times and further track meet information. We are able to send 3 students per grade/gender for each event to represent Albion Elementary at the District Track Meet. Students are able to choose up to 3 events as well as the bonus relay team event.The main District Track and Field Meet will take place on Wednesday, June 4th (Grade 4/5) and Thursday, June 5th (Grade 6/7) at MRSS. High jump events will take place at alternate locations, beginning the last week of May.If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask Mrs. Matlock or your child’s teacher.
All elementary schools will be welcoming students for a 12:30 pm start on the first day of school. This is a similar schedule that we used last year, and it allows schools to have important staff meetings in the morning before welcoming our students in the afternoon.
2025/2026 School Year Start date and End date
First Day of School (Late Start for Students)
First day of school – September 2, 2025: Students start at 12:30 pm
Year-end procedures / last day for students:
Last day of school – June 24, 2026: dismissal at 12:00 noon
Reminders
Federal Election
Albion will be used as a voting site on Monday, April 28th from 5am to 10:30pm. Voters will not have access to the school during school hours, thus they will be directed around the school to the back where they will go in and out of the gym to vote. Expect that our parking lot will be very busy and drop off and pick up may take extra time that day. Plan accordingly. If you can walk, that might be an excellent option that day.
Class Placements
We are beginning to create our classes for next year. Please be assured that staff devote considerable time, care, and attention to this process. This very complex and lengthy responsibility occurs over several weeks and continues into September when class placements are finalized. Throughout the year, there have been many opportunities for parents and teachers to discuss each child. Staff work together to consider the following criteria very carefully: social emotional skills and relationships, as well as learning styles, strengths, and needs. Our goal is to create safe and engaging inclusive classrooms that balance these factors, as equitably as possible. If you feel there is further information to consider about your child, you may submit input to Mr. Sheridan in writing by Friday, May 16. Please refrain from requesting specific teachers or peers by name as these submissions will not be reviewed.
School Fees 2025/2026
Once again, this September Albion Elementary will continue with the school supply program. A flat fee of $55 per child (planner not included) will be charged. This flat fee of $55 per child will cover ALL personal school supplies that each child will need for the school year.
This flat fee will ensure that school supplies bought for all students:
-Are the appropriate learning supplies for the grade level.
-Are of good quality and will last the year.
-Are cost effective.
-Will eliminate the “hassle” factor many families experience struggling to find required supplies.
-Will help to reduce visible inequalities with regards to student socio economic situations by ensuring everyone has the consistent and comparable learning materials
How will this process work?
Classroom teachers will bulk order the required student school supplies in June. Supplies will be delivered to the school in August and will be ready for use when children arrive in September.
Any families with additional questions about this process, or who are concerned about financial hardship, are encouraged to speak with Mr. Sheridan or their classroom teacher directly for assistance.
Classroom teachers will request school supply money in September once new classrooms have been established.
PAC News
PAC Meeting Monday April 14th 7:00 pm Zoom (link will be sent out via the Parent Portal). All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. We will be discussing the results of the recent parent survey. Full agenda can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VRNmQVlsI9H-9VvFIvLEUPJguCtmG_fi?usp=drive_link
April Hot Lunch- Friday, April 25th- Subway
Movie Night – Friday, April 25th 6:30pm (doors open at 6pm, pizza available to pre-order on munch-a-lunch until April 17th)
All orders are due by 9pm on Thursday, April 17th
Ordering for PAC hot lunch is done through www.munchalunch.com
Don’t miss out! Hanging Baskets are on sale until April 17th
PAC Movie Night Despicable Me 4 Movie Night! April 25th, doors open at 6:00, movie starts at 6:30. Pizza is available by pre-order only until April 17th on munch a lunch. This is a family event, students may not be dropped off and must be supervised at all times. To support this fun family night out, we do request that all parents please not use their cell phones during this family event. Please take this opportunity to sit back and enjoy some quality family time! |
District News
SD42 Accessibility Barrier Report Form
Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District No. 42 is inviting feedback from students, staff, and families on accessibility barriers in the district. These barriers can range from access to a school program, building, or school information, to the ability to receive a needed service or support. Provide feedback at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SD42access
Family Education
| DEO – Family Education & Support Centre Zoom Classes Spring 2025 |
Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District No. 42, in partnership with the Family Education & Support Centre, is offering evening Zoom workshops during the spring term.
Registration and session information can be found in the attached flyer or on the district website. Registration is limited to one parent/caregiver as spaces are limited; however, more than one parent/caregiver may participate in the Zoom meeting. A 24-hour cancellation notice is required for a refund. Class materials and Zoom links will be emailed to you before the session.
For more information, please contact Hannah Macdonald, program manager, community connections and healthy living, at 604.837.2384 or hannah_macdonald@sd42.ca.
Fraser Health April Newsletter: Outside play and physical activity for children and youth
Physical activity is a necessary requirement for optimal health – and the benefits are even greater if you can do it outdoors.
Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence helps to develop cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength and bone density, and being outdoors is known to improve mental health.
There are many benefits to unstructured, outside play. When children and youth spend time outside, they:
- Sit less, move more and play longer – key to cardiovascular health and fitness.
- Have healthier eyes – spending more time outside reduces nearsightedness risks.
- Sleep better – sunlight helps regulate sleep hormones and sleep patterns.
- Enjoy improved mood – exercise reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Feel more connected to nature – experience calm and develop mindfulness.
Planning active outings doesn’t have to be challenging or costly. Here are some ideas that you can try this week:
- Try a new activity – check out geocaching or seaweed searching.
- Unplug and connect – here are some ideas to decrease recreational screen time.
- Go for a scavenger hunt – try this nature scavenger hunt, plant scavenger hunt or backyard activity.
- Go for a walk or hike – try these 10 hikes to take your kids on this summer.
- Play in a forest or park – try a new regional park every day for a week or go to this adventure playground.
- Explore a local stream – check these beautiful watershed walks in the region.
- Swim at the pool, waterpark or beach – check beach safety conditions first or stay cool at a local spray park.
- Ride a bike or scooter – explore the Hope Bike Park or check out the pumptrack at Vedder Rotary Trail
- Visit farms, fish hatcheries and bird sanctuaries – this local family fun guide has unique ideas.
Find more ideas to keep your kids active through the year on Fraser Health’s website: Keeping children active – Fraser Health Authority
Community Events
This week’s events…
Monday, April 14th – Vaisakhi
Running Club – 2:30 to 3pm at the NetPlex with Mrs. Crisafi
Zoom PAC Meeting 7:00 pm- see parent portal for Zoom link
Tuesday, April 15th
Grade 6/7 Ping Pong Intermurals @ 12:20pm
Tier 1 Ultimate Home Game – At the Albion Sports Complex vs Fairview
Wednesday, April 16th
Terry Fox Shirts Order Deadline
Running Club – 2:30 to 3pm at the NetPlex with Mrs. Mackenzie
Tier 2 Ultimate Home Game – At Blue Mountain
Thursday, April 17th
Div. 8,9,10,11 to Walnut Grove Pool 11-2:15 pm
Grade 6/7 Ping Pong Intermurals @ 12:20pm
Ultimate Practice – 2:30 to 4pm at the Albion Sports Complex
PAC hot lunch orders due on munch-a-lunch
PAC movie night pizza order due on munch-a-lunch
PAC Hanging Basket Orders Due
Friday, April 18th – Good Friday No School
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