Friday Blast
Maple Ridge Elementary
Friday, Dec. 15th, 2023
THIS WEEK
The stage is set, complete with light and sound, to welcome our students and their families into our school to celebrate community and a term full of learning adventures. See you at Light Up the Night!
NEXT WEEK
Monday, Dec. 18th
“Holiday Havoc” Dress up in your favourite festive attire!
Tuesday, Dec 19th
9:00 am – 10:30 am OR 1:00 pm – 2:20 pm: Light Up the Night – Winter Concert
Wednesday, Dec. 20th
12:45 pm – 2:15 pm: Division 1 Bowling at REVs
Lug-A-Mug – Bring your mug and the PAC will fill it up with yummy hot chocolate!
Thursday, Dec. 21st
Friday, Dec. 22nd
Pajama Day
Last day of term!
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
Staff and students are excited to present a winter concert on Tuesday, December 19th entitled “Light up the Night”. We will be collecting donations of cash, coins or non-perishable food items and all proceeds will go to Maple Ridge Elementary. There will be donation boxes at the entry, but donations are optional. Please choose only one concert, as seating is limited, and we want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to see the performances.
RAFIKI BRACELETS
There are still a few bracelets left! Please see Mrs. Pajak if you would like to buy one. The money we raise will be used towards a legacy gift for the Grade 7 group to leave for the school.
“Holiday Havoc”
Monday Dec 18th – students can celebrate this fun spirit day by dressing in their most festive outfits!
GRADE 7 LEAVING COMMITTEE
If you would like to support our Grade 7 leaving celebration an account is up and running at the Maple Ridge Liquor Store at the corner of 207 and Lougheed. Patrons just have to mention MRE grad, and a portion of your purchase will be donated back to the school and used for the Grade 7 Leaving Event. Thank you!
HEALTH AWARENESS
We are continuing to practice Health Awareness this year for everyone entering our school – this includes staff, students, and visitors. Health awareness includes checking regularly for any symptoms of illness (including, but not limited to, COVID-19 symptoms) and staying home when sick.
ATTENDANCE
If you know that your child is going to be late or absent from school, please let us know through either the parent portal, by calling us at 604-467-5551 or by emailing mre_reception@sd42.ca. If you know your child will be absent multiple days in a row you can enter them all at once so that you do not need to update it each day.
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
This is the last week to donate to our Christmas Hampers. If you have anything you would like to contribute to the hampers, please donate them in the green bins near the office. We appreciate our community’s generosity so far this holiday season!
BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL
A reminder to parents that supervision is not available for students before or after school. Unless your child is participating in an after-school program or team, please make sure you have arrangements for them before and after school.
In January we will be running several after school programs. For registration information, please visit: https://www.sd42.ca/after-school-programs/
PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Want to know what PAC is up to? Visit our Facebook page Maple Ridge Elementary PAC and subscribe to the PAC calendar for current events and news.
Want to get involved, we are always looking for volunteers! Check out opportunities and sign up at https://signup.com/group/47703560186256400 or reach out to pac.mre@gmail.com anytime!
Lug A Mug – December 20th send your child to school with their favorite mug so we can fill it with hot chocolate!
Parents are welcome and encouraged to help deliver to the classrooms, please sign up here https://signup.com/group/47703560186256400
Hot Lunch Schedule – 2024 dates are coming soon; the new schedule will be open for ordering next week.
The next PAC meeting is Monday January 15th, 2024, 7pm in the MRE library.
There will be a Grade 7 Leaving Meeting beforehand at 6 pm. All Grade 7 students and their parent are encouraged to attend.
IN OUR COMMUNITY
Charitable Donations
School District 42 is a registered charitable organization and provides the communities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows with an opportunity to fund local school priorities. It is structured to support both district-wide and school-based fundraising efforts. Donations of $25 or more received from individuals or organizations other than charitable organizations are eligible to receive an official donation receipt for income tax purposes.
As a registered charitable organization, the school district can accept donations towards specific programs and projects; the district cannot accept donations that are directed to specific individuals.
If you would like to donate, please complete and submit the following form: https://www.sd42.ca/assets/media/Donation-Form-Fillable.pdf
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 cohort of its Education Assistant (EA) program. Courses take place Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings and occasionally during the day on Saturdays. If you would like to learn more about the program, you can visit the website at https://rmcollege.sd42.ca/program/education-assistant/. 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 SD42.
New District Community Supports Page
The district has published a new page on its website underneath the “Parents” tab that lists a directory of community-based food security and other resources for families in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Christmas supports offered in the community this year are also listed on this page, with registration information: https://www.sd42.ca/community-supports/
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.