Weekly memo December 2-6, 2024

A reminder to all  families to follow the PAC Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/share/1EC4524Mnp/?mibextid=K35XfP

 Me & Ed fundraiser on Thursday night (December 5th). Dine in, take out, or delivery!  25% gets donated back to the school when you mention “Albion Elementary”

Movie night pre-orders for pizza close December 2nd on munch a lunch, and this is the only way to get pizza

Boston Pizza hot lunch December 20.  Orders close December 12

On December 13 – we will be selling, $2 candy bags after school.

If you are looking for a gift, PAC will soon be selling tickets to an Abbotsford Canucks game.

Skating is sold out.  Please email the PAC to go on a waitlist.  If you can no longer attend, please email the PAC so we can re-assign your tickets.

District Information
Inclement Weather Procedures: SnowAs the weather cools, please review the school district’s inclement weather procedures as they relate to snowfall and possible school closures.The decision to close schools due to accumulating snowfall is ultimately the responsibility of the superintendent, who must balance the safety of students, staff and parents with the need to provide learning. The decision is not taken lightly and is the result of a carefully thought-out process that is reviewed after each experience and refined if necessary.Except in rare circumstances, no announcement will be made if schools are open.The decision to close schools is made by 6:30 a.m. Details are:

• posted on the SD42 Website (www.sd42.ca).
• posted on the SD42 Facebook feed (SD42Facebook);
• posted on the SD42 Twitter feed (@sd42news);
• shared with News 1130, CKNW, and CBC 690 radio stations.

 Please note: The district supports individual and family decisions regarding safety. Parents/guardians have primary responsibility for their children’s safe travel to school. If, for any reason, there are personal concerns about the ability to travel safely to school, other arrangements should be made.

Education Assistant Program at Ridge Meadows College
If you or someone you know may be interested in a career working with children and youth with diverse abilities, Ridge Meadows College (operated by SD42) still has seats available for the January 2025 cohort of its Education Assistant (EA) program. The demand for this job is high as the province faces a shortage of EAs and virtually all graduates of the program move on to work in school districts across B.C., including Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District No. 42. If you’d like to learn more about the program, you can visit the website at https://rmcollege.sd42.ca/program/education-assistant/. In addition to the EA program, RMC also has programs in administration, early childhood education, community support and others.

Water Testing Strategy for District Facilities
The school district is updating its water testing program by adjusting the number of drinking water sources in its facilities. This new water testing strategy, which has already been implemented in a number of neighbouring districts, will ensure a more streamlined testing schedule, limiting annual testing only to water sources that are being used. Each facility will also have at least one designated water dispensing station, with the goal of increasing this number over time.

Water sources designated for drinking are marked with a Drinking Water sticker, while those not included in the testing program are marked with a Not for Drinking sticker. A limited number of drinking water sources in the district require a 2-minute morning flush to ensure water quality; these are marked with a 2-Minute Morning Flush sticker. This morning flush is completed by staff as the facilities department prioritizes upgrades as a long-term solution.

Adjustments to designated drinking water locations may be made to meet any emerging needs and ensure easy access to safe drinking water across all our schools.

Staff will review this new labeling system with students at the beginning of each school year to ensure that all students, particularly younger ones, understand which water sources they can use for drinking.

For more information about the water testing program, visit the district website at https://bit.ly/40Uvcqy or the Ministry of Education and Child Care website at https://bit.ly/466CPuI.

Board Meeting Highlights (November 13, 2024)
Board meeting highlights from the November 13, 2024, public meeting can be found on the district website:  https://www.sd42.ca/assets/media/2024-11-13-Board-Meeting-Highlights.pdf

Community Information

This week…
Monday, December 2^nd
Girls’ Comp Basketball Practice – 7:30am
Boys Comp Basketball Tryouts – Recess
Handball Intramurals @ lunch (Team 2 vs Team 6)
Last day to get pizza for the movie night- see www.munchalunch.com to order

Tuesday, December 3^rd
Girls’ Drop-In Basketball @ Recess
Girls’ Rec Basketball Practice – 2:30pm

Wednesday, December 4^th
Handball Intramurals @ lunch (Team 3 vs Team 5)
Boys Comp Basketball Practice – Recess
Girls’ Comp Basketball Practice – 2:30pm
Book Fair Open 2:20-3:30 pm

Thursday, December 5^th
Dismissal 11:30 am- Student inclusive conferencing
Girls’ Comp Basketball Practice – 11:30am
Book Fair Open 11:30 am- 5:00 pm

Friday, December 6^th
Book Fair Open 8:30 am – 2:20 pm
No Classes – Student Led Conferences

Upcoming Events
Monday, December 9- Div. 2 Curling 12:00 pm-2:10 pm
Tuesday, December 10- Grade 6 Immunizations
Wednesday, December 11- Grade 6/7 Entrepreneur Fair
Thursday, December 12- Div. 4 and 13 Skating 12:25-2:20 pm
-Div. 2 Curling 12:00- 2:10 pm
Friday, December 13- Theme Day- Dress like your favourite celebrity/character day.
-Candy bags for sale $2.00 after school
-PAC Movie night
Thursday, December 19- Primary Christmas Musical 11am-12 pm and 1-2 pm
-Div. 11 Bowling 12:00-2:20 pm
Friday, December 20- Intermediate Talent Show- Time 11-12 pm
– Last Day Dismissal 2:20 pm
Monday, January 6- School Re-opens