Friday Blast – April 4

Friday Blast

Maple Ridge Elementary

Friday, April 4^th, 2025

THIS WEEK

We welcomed students back after a much-needed two-week break. A spring is in everybody’s step with lighter mornings and warmer weather. Classes are beginning new projects, and teachers are planning exciting field trips.

You might have noticed some of our staff looking a little extra stylish (or silly!) this week… That’s because we’ve been secretly celebrating Underground Spirit Week! Each day brought a surprise theme… from all black on Blackout Day, to bold plaid, funky hats, 80’s throwbacks, and even drinking from “anything but a cup”.

It’s been a fun way to build community, share a few laughs, and model joy and connection for our students, all while keeping the spirit alive and well at MRE! So, if your child said their teacher had their coffee in a bowl… they probably weren’t joking! 😊

 

NEXT WEEK

Monday, April 7^th

Tuesday, April 8^th

7:15 am – Akido

Wednesday, April 9^th

11:00 am – 1:45 pm: SPCA Visit (Div. 7 & 8)

Thursday, April 10^th

7:15 am – Akido

8:30 am – 2:20 pm: Fish Hatchery (Div. 20)

Friday, April 11^th

Spirit Day – Wear your favourite western attire!

PAC Treat Day – Cobbs Bread (for those who ordered)

 

PICK UP & DROP OFF

The driveway at the front of the school is open in the morning for student drop off. This is the “kiss n’ go” option. Please pull over to the right (do not exit your vehicle) and allow your student(s) to exit your vehicle. If your student needs more time to say goodbye in the morning, or you need to exit your vehicle for any reason, utilize the “neighbourhood parking” option. Please avoid stopping to pick up your student(s) on River Rd. A photo of available local parking is attached for your convenience. Let’s work together to keep our children safe.

 

The driveway at the front of the school is closed to vehicles at the end of the day to prioritize student safety, except for buses and vehicles with an accessibility decal. Avoid stopping to pick up your student(s) on River Rd. Please do not park in either of the staff parking lots. Students are present in these areas after school and traffic needs to be limited for student safety reasons.

 

 

WHEELS AT MRE 

Springtime is here, and we love to see our students arrive with their scooters and bikes! Students and families are reminded that all equipment with wheels must be walked by the student as soon as they arrive on school grounds. This includes wheelie shoes (wheels must be retracted). We’ve observed that students can require frequent reminders to retract their wheels, which can take away from learning time. Consider leaving wheelie shoes as part of your student(s)’ after-school or weekend fun.

 

FRENCH IMMERSION MUSICAL

Many of our French Immersion students have been hard at work this term with Mme Alliette and Mme Sweetnam to bring you a delightful bunny-themed musical—all in French! This student-driven production showcases the talents of our young performers.

Show Date: April 29th

Time: 9:15 AM (Doors open at 9:00 AM)

Who: Max. 2 guests per family

Admission: By donation – all proceeds go toward the Quebec student trip

From acting and singing to stage crew and set design, students have taken on various roles to bring this show to life. Chat with your child to find out how they are involved! We can’t wait to see you there for a morning of fun and French flair! 🎭🐰

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SIT IN THE FRONT ROW!! AUCTIONED SEATS AVAILABLE!

https://www.32auctions.com/mrebunnies

  

PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

It’s the West Coast seeds fundraiser pick up!

You can pick up your order Monday after school or it will be sent home with your student(s).

Our next meeting is Monday April 22^nd at 6:30 pm in the MRE library.  All are welcome!

Don’t forget to order hot lunch as our final schedule is posted: https://mre.parentcouncil.net

HOT LUNCH SCHEDULE:

Cobs Bread Treat Day April 11 (orders were due April 3)

Subway Hot Lunch April 25 (orders due April 17)

Booster Juice Treat Day May 9 (orders due May 1)

Sushi Hot Lunch May 23 (orders due May 15)

TCBY Treat Day June 6 (orders due May 29)

Planning is underway for our spring dance, stay tuned for the date and more details next month! 

BOOK FAIR

Get Ready to Dive into a Good Book! Spring Book Fair is coming soon on April 14th, 15th and 16th. Stay tuned for information from your child’s teacher on which day their class will be attending. Book Fair will also be open after school each day.

 

SD42 NEWS

2025 Summer Learning Options

The Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District is offering the summer learning options below for 2025:

Elementary – English and French Immersion (up to and including Grade 6)

• Location – English: c̓əsqənelə Elementary (24093 – 104 Avenue, Maple Ridge)
• Location – French Immersion: Laity View Elementary (21023 – 123 Avenue, Maple Ridge)
• Schedule: Wednesday, July 2 – Friday, July 18, 2025 (9 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.)

Grade 7 to 8 Transition Explorations – Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies (ADST) or Fine Arts (Drama, Art)

• Location: Thomas Haney Secondary (23000 – 116 Avenue, Maple Ridge)
• Schedule: Wednesday, July 2 – Friday, July 18, 2025 (9 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.)

Grade 8-9 Literacy and Numeracy Skill-Building

• Location: Thomas Haney Secondary (23000 – 116 Avenue, Maple Ridge)
• Schedule: Wednesday, July 2 – Wednesday, July 23, 2025 (8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Grade 10-12 Courses Leading to Graduation

• Location: Thomas Haney Secondary (23000 – 116 Avenue, Maple Ridge)
• Schedule: Wednesday, July 2 – Wednesday, July 23, 2025 (8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Families can register through the Parent Portal (https://parents.sd42.ca) between noon, Thursday, April 17 and 3 p.m. Thursday, May 8, 2025. Waitlist registration period runs between May 14 and June 20, 2025. Please note that priority will be given to SD42 catchment students, followed by the registration time stamp.

For more information about these offerings, please go to the summer learning webpage, review our flyer, or contact the continuing education department (ce@sd42.ca or 604.466.6555, extension 1).

Afternoon camps for elementary summer learning students

The district also offers afternoon camps for elementary summer learning students. Learn more about these camps under the Afternoon Camps (Elementary Summer Learning Students) tab on the summer learning page.

Late French Immersion

There are still spaces available for students to register for Late French Immersion for the 2025/26 school year. Registration for this district program is open on the Parent Portal. To learn more about creating a Parent Portal account, please visit: https://parents.sd42.ca. For additional information about this program and the registration process, visit https://www.sd42.ca/student-registration/.

The SD42 Late French Immersion program is an excellent opportunity for students who want to learn French as another language and are looking for a challenge. Students learn French while learning all subject areas of the curriculum. Students who are currently in Grade 5 are eligible to begin Late French Immersion in September 2025 at Golden Ears Elementary. This two-year elementary program continues at Maple Ridge Secondary School until Grade 12, when students can graduate with a dual Dogwood.

To learn more about our French Immersion program, watch our French Immersion informational video: https://youtu.be/m-K1X3kA6Lo

For additional information, please contact Laura Brandon, Principal of École Golden Ears Elementary at Laura_Brandon@sd42.ca or Jennifer Simon, Principal and Coordinator of French Programs at Jennifer_Simon@sd42.ca.

The Late French Immersion program runs out of Golden Ears Elementary (23124 118 Avenue, Maple Ridge).

 

IN OUR COMMUNITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foundry News

 

The Foundry provides mental health care, substance use services, physical and sexual health care, youth, and family peer supports, and social services to youth aged 12-24 years of age. It provides drop-in counselling as well as various social events that your child can attend. This is a terrific way to build positive connections with others within the Maple Ridge community.