April Newsletter

Hello MRE Families,
We hope that your Spring Break was happy and relaxing. It’s such a beautiful time of year with warmer weather, blossoms, and signs of renewal everywhere.

As we enter the final term, read often with your children, ask them to share an interesting part of their day and have fun together!

For the full version of this newsletter with pictures and colour, go to the NEWS tab on this website.

Happy days,

Barbara MacKinnon                                                    Chelsea Lendvoy

Principal                                                                        Vice Principal

 Upcoming dates for your calendars:

April 7, 2023     Good Friday – Classes not in session

April 10, 2023   Easter ‑ Classes not in session

May 9, 2023     K. Early dismissal – 11:00 a.m. Kindergarten only

May 10, 2023   Non-Instructional Day ‑ Classes not in session

May 22, 2023    Victoria Day ‑ Classes not in session

Goals from Reporting Conferences
During the Student Inclusive Reporting conferences before the break, you discussed next steps in your child’s learning at school. Writing down the goal was an important part of the process. As we begin the final term of the year, please take a moment to revisit the report card and commit to reaching the goal(s).

It’s often said that a goal without a plan is just a wish.
• Discuss the purpose of your child’s goal.
• Break a big goal into smaller steps.
• Make a plan for how you will address obstacles.
• Enlist help as needed.
• Celebrate success.
There are many online sites with fun and doable ideas for setting and reaching goals with kids

 

Lost and Found

We are very happy to report that many items left at the Lost and Found were claimed before the Spring Break. Things labeled with names could easily be returned to their owners. Leftover clothing was donated to
charity. We will continue to post photos of Lost and Found items on the MRE Facebook page and in the Friday Blasts.

Young Entrepreneur Fair (YE)

A note from Divisions 2 and 3:

The YE fair is coming up on Wednesday, April 12^th.   Mrs. Pajak’s and Mrs. McClain’s classes will be selling products such as keychains, lightsabers, Lego crayons, slime, games, handcrafted necklaces, bookmarks, pet rocks and much more! Prices will range from $1 to $5. Please bring small bills or change to purchase items. We will be donating 25% of the profits to the BC Cancer Foundation. Please come out to support this important cause. Parents and other family members are welcome to attend the fair.  It runs all day in the gym. Hope to see you there!

Student Information

Please remember to let the school office know if any of your child’s information changes, e.g., home phone number, cell phone number, work phone number, address, emergency contact information, email address, etc. It is very important that the school has up-to-date information. Thank you.

Student Absences

If your child will be away from school, please let the office know at by entering the absence on the portal, emailing mre_reception@sd42.ca or leaving a message at 604 467 5551.

Learning Survey 2023 – Grades 4 and 7 – and Parents Too

This month, the Student Learning Survey will be administered to students in grades 4 and 7.  It is also open to their parents/guardians/caregivers, and all school staff.

The Provincial Student Learning Survey is unique in its scope, size, and usefulness to schools. It gathers information on topics related to school environment, safety, and achievement. The information is used for planning in individual schools and provides a district and provincial perspective.

 

We encourage parents/guardians/caregivers to participate in this survey, as the results are important in identifying and celebrating current strengths, as well as determining where the school needs to focus improvement. The survey for parents is available in 18 different languages and contains standard questions for the province.  It takes about 30 minutes to complete.  Parents of Grade 4 and 7 students will receive a portal invitation to participate.  The link for the survey is:  https://www.awinfosys.com/SurveyFull1/central/main/access.asp

 

Any device with an Internet connection can be used, and access to the e-survey is simple and secure. The survey can be accessed without a logon code through the direct link by selecting School District 42 and then Maple Ridge Elementary. Provincial, District and School Reports for previous years can be viewed at the same site under the Results section.

The e-survey site will be open until April 29^th, 2023.

If you have any questions, please contact the school at 604 467 5551.

Thank you for your participation!

PLANNING FOR SEPTEMBER – Are you moving?

Although it may seem early, schools are beginning to make preparations for September 2023.

 

If you know that you will be moving and your child will not be attending MRE for the 2023-24 school year, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can plan more accurately.  Visit the school district website https://www.sd42.ca/student-registration/  for registration, withdrawal, and transfer information.

CLASS PLACEMENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2023

We will soon be beginning to create preliminary class lists 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 observe, discuss, and get to know the students. Staff work together to consider social emotional skills and relationships, as well as learning styles, strengths and needs as placements are made. Our goal is to create safe, engaging, and 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 the principal by email (Barbara_mackinnon@sd42.ca) by May 31st, 2023. Please refrain from requesting specific teachers or peers by name.

Kindergarten Registration

Any child who turns 5 years old in 2023 (born in 2018) is eligible to register for the 2023-24 school year.  For additional information, about kindergarten registration please visit:

https://www.sd42.ca/kindergarten-registration/   Please note that spaces are filling very quickly.

Ready, Set, Kindergarten (Formerly “Welcome to Kindergarten”)
The Ready, Set, Kindergarten Event shares strategies and resources that make early learning through play a priority in the home and support children in a successful transition to school. This will be held on May 9th for students who are registered to begin Kindergarten at MRE in the fall of 2023.  Information will be sent to families through the portal.

Current kindergarten students will be dismissed at 11:00 a.m. on this day.

Parents’ Corner

Alternatives to asking your child “How was school today”?

Adapted from: https://www.bestofparenting.com/10-alternatives-to-how-was-school-today/ and https://www.idtech.com/blog/after-school-questions-to-ask-kids-instead-of-how-was-your-day

 

When children are asked, “How was school today?” their typical answer is “ok”, or “fine” or “good”. If you would like to have a bit more information from them, instead of asking “How was school today”, try asking more specific questions.  Once they start talking, be sure to listen without judgement and if they are sharing something that bothered them, try not to immediately reassure them, or give them solutions. Instead use the “Active Listening” technique: repeat what they have told you, try and summarise it or just try and put a name on their feeling. This can lead them to share even more.

Examples of alternatives to “How was school today”

• What made you smile today?
• Who did you help today? Who helped you today?
• When were you the happiest today?
• Tell me about three different times you used your pencil today at school.
• Tell me something you know today that you didn’t know yesterday.
• Who were you sitting with at lunch?
• What was the coolest (saddest, funniest, scariest) thing that you saw today?
• If you could change one thing about today, what would it be?
• What part of the day do you look forward to?
• What’s something you struggled with at school today?
• What do you need to do to prepare for tomorrow’s learning?

UPCOMING HOT LUNCH DATES

The session is set to open for orders on Monday March 27 with the first hot lunch (pizza pizza) closing on April 6th. to order go to https://mre.parentcouncil.net)

• Friday April 14 – Hot Lunch  (Pizza Pizza)
• Friday April 28- Snack  (COBBS bread)
• Friday May 5 – Snack  (Tim Hortons Donuts )
• Friday May 19 – Hot Lunch  (Subway)
• Friday June 2 – Snack (TCBY – frozen yogurt)
• Friday June 16 – Hot Lunch/Carnival (Pizza Pizza)

UPCOMING MEETINGS

• Bingo Night Planning meeting: Monday April 3rd at 6:00 p.m. in the library.
• Dance Planning Meeting Monday: April 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in the library
• Regular PAC meeting:Tuesday, April 11th at 7pm in the library.
• Carnival planning meeting: April 19th at 6:30 in the library.

BOOK FAIR – APRIL 17-19

• PAC is sponsoring a spring book fair. Shopping will be open from April 17th – 19th with proceeds going to the school library.  Parents are able to visit the Fair after school each day until 3:00 p.m.

NEUFELD FUNDRAISER

• Open for orders April 15 – 29th with pick up of items on May 10th at 6:30pm.

CARNIVAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

• Carnival planning is in full swing, and we need your help!  We are looking for people to help first thing in the morning for set up and multiple shifts between 8:30am – 1:30pm.  Volunteer opportunities include concession, assisting with stations, rides, and helping ensure everyone has a great time!  Parents of kinders are encouraged to come out and join/assist their own child as they explore the event!  Please sign up at https://signup.com/go/dgsaFVo

ONLINE RAFFLE & FUNDRAISER

MRE PAC is participating on the SD42, check out the prizes and buy your tickets at https://haneyrotarysd42dpac.rafflenexus.com/a/mre

READY SET GLOW!

Friday April 28th, save the date!   Planning for a Spring dance is underway, more information to follow.

INTERESTED IN JOINING PAC AS AN EXECUTIVE?

We are happy to announce that nominations for PAC executive positions can be made until our May 8th AGM / election meeting.

Please email the nominating committee, (nominateMREPAC@gmail.com), to submit a nomination for yourself or someone else you know who is looking to join the executive team.

POSITIONS INCLUDE:

Chair:

-conduct monthly meetings
-may be the spokesperson for the organization
-prepare the agenda for monthly meetings
-appoint committees where authorized to do so by the membership
-liaise with and support healthy relationships with within the school and community partners.

Vice Chair:

-support the chair and assist the council when necessary
-may be appointed to conduct meetings
-all duties of the chair can be conducted by the vice chair

Treasurer:

-prepare monthly finance reports
-report on the bank balances at monthly meetings
-distribute funds as voted on by the membership
-complete deposits at bank when necessary
-maintain proper financial records
-assist in drafting the annual budget

Secretary 

-record distribute and file minutes for all PAC meetings

-keep an accurate and up-to date copy of the constitution and bylaws
-assist in filing and record keeping as needed.

DPAC

-attend monthly DPAC meetings representing the council
-liaison between DPAC and council
-provide reports from DPAC to council
-vote on the behalf of the council at DPAC meetings and DPAC executive elections

Member at large:
-Serve in a capacity on projects and events to be determined by the executive throughout their tenure as the needs of the council requires.