Friday Blast – Dec. 20

Friday Blast

Maple Ridge Elementary

Friday, Dec. 20^th, 2024

 

THIS WEEK

We would like to wish all our MRE families a safe, restful and joyful Winter Break. See you in 2025!

 

FIRST WEEK OF TERM 2

Monday, Jan. 6^th  

Tuesday, Jan. 7^th

Wednesday, Jan. 8^th

Thursday, Jan. 9^th

Friday, Jan 10^th

PAC Hot Lunch – Hot Dog Day

 

MRE BREAKFAST PROGRAM

 Did you know our school has a breakfast program for students in need?  The program is open every morning from 8:00-8:25 and takes place in Ms. Cora’s room.  If your child is in need of breakfast to start their day please email Cora (cora_lindgren@sd42.ca).  Please also indicate if your child requires supervision from 8:00-8:25 or if they can be dismissed outside (unsupervised) after they finish eating.

 

INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES: SNOW

As 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.

 

City of Pitt Meadows Winter Programs

Our winter program guide is available online and in print. Browse the City of Pitt Meadows Parks, Recreation & Culture Guide for a variety of activities and programs for all age groups! Registration for winter programs is open. To view programs or register, visit pittmeadows.ca/programguide for details.

Low-Cost Activities at Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre:

Parent & Tot Mini Gym 0-5Y Looking for an indoor activity? PMFRC offers low-cost Parent & Tot Mini Gym in the gymnasium on Mondays and Wednesdays (10:05-11:45 am) and Saturdays (9-11 am) for only $1 per child.

Value Times at the Fitness Centre

Work out at the fitness centre during our value times. It’s only $1 for youth (13-18Y) and seniors (60Y+) and $2 for adults (19-59Y). Value times are:

Tuesday 10-11:30am, Wednesday 8-9pm, Thursday 6-7am and Saturday from 3-6pm.

Holiday Break Drop-In Gymnasium Programs Enjoy the additional Holiday Break Drop-In Programs available from December 23 to January 5! Visit pittmeadows.ca/gymnasium for full schedule.

Upcoming Pitt Meadows FREE Family Events

The City of Pitt Meadows proudly hosts several signature and community events throughout the year, visit pittmeadows.ca/special events. For upcoming holiday events and activities visit pittmeadows.ca/Christmas.

Winter Wonderland – A Holiday Skating Event – December 22 & 23

Enjoy this special family event, sessions will run as follows: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., 4:00 – 5:30 p.m., 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. The cost for this event is $2 per person/per session plus rentals. Skate rentals are $3.95 and helmets are $2.65.

When: Sunday, December 22 & Monday, December 23, 2024

Location: Pitt Meadows Arena, 11435 Bonson Road, Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2S3 For full details, visit pittmeadowsarena.com.

FREE Family Lounge Drop-In Program – Sundays from 3-7pm

Drop by the Constable Rick O’Brien Youth Lounge with your family! The Youth Lounge will open Sundays, from 3-7pm for a time of unstructured activities for you and your children. Enjoy a variety of activities including billiards, ping pong, video games, retro arcade and board games. There is also a concession with food and drinks.

Our Recreation team will be on hand to supervise, but please remember that this is a parent-led program. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Older siblings (11Y+) are also welcome but must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

For questions or details about this program contact the Youth Lounge Supervisor at abuckle@pittmeadows.ca or 604.465.2456.

FREE Program – Community Services Let’s Play (1Y – 5Y) – (Course ID# 13735)

Families will engage in a variety of play opportunities with their child, such as loose parts, sensory explorations, the wonder of art, music & movement, science discoveries and more. Registration is required.

This FREE program has 8 sessions and runs from 10-11am, January 14 to March 4. Registration is required, register by phone at 604-465-2470, or visit pittfitandfun.ca

 

Board Meeting Highlights (December 4, 2024)

Board meeting highlights from the December 4, 2024, public meeting can be found on the district website: https://www.sd42.ca/assets/media/2024-12-04-Board-Meeting-Highlights.pdf

 

SD42 Accessibility 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

 

PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

Winter Hot Lunch Session Now Open for Ordering! 

Friday January 10th – Hot Lunch – Hot Dog Day

Orders due by Thursday Jan 2nd

Friday January 24th – Snack Day – Tim Hortons Donuts 

Orders due by Thursday Jan 16th

Friday February 7th – Hot Lunch – StrEATS **New Vendor!**

Orders due by Thursday January 30th

Friday February 21st – Snack Day – TCBY (Frozen Yogurt)

Orders due by Thursday February 13th 

Friday March 7th – Hot Lunch – Pizza Pizza 

Orders due by Thursday February 27th

There is no PAC meeting in December but if you have questions please reach out at pac.mre@gmail.com anytime!

 

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.