Friday Blast
Maple Ridge Elementary
Friday, Dec. 22nd , 2023
THIS WEEK
Light Up the Night was a huge success! We want to express our admiration for our students’ courage and musical talent. Children’s songs and smiles are uplifting and reflect what the holiday season is about! We would like to share our appreciation for all the Teachers and Educational Assistants who planned, led, and supported our concert. Lastly, we would like to convey our gratitude to our families who came to watch. We are lucky to have such a great community here at MRE. Wishing everyone a wonderful break!
NEXT WEEK
Monday, Jan. 8th
First Day of Term 2
Tuesday, Jan. 9th
Wednesday, Jan. 10th
Thursday, Jan. 11th
Friday, Jan. 12th
PAC Subway Lunch for those who ordered
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS 2024
To register go to: schooldistrict42.perfectmind.co
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.
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!
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.
JANUARY 12- HOT LUNCH – SUBWAY
** Orders due January 4th
JANUARY 26 – SNACK DAY – BOOSTER JUICE SMOOTHIES
** Orders due January 18
FEBRUARY 9 – HOT LUNCH – HOT DOG DAY
** Orders due February 1
FEBRUARY 23- SNACK DAY – COBS BREAD
** Orders due February 15
IN OUR COMMUNITY
HELPFUL LINKS
- Healthy Kids Program – children under the age of 19 years may be eligible for basic dental services.
- Canada Dental Benefit – children under the age of 12 years who do not have access to a private dental insurance plan.
- UBC Dentistry - offers a free dental program for children 12 years and younger. Please see the attached application form.
- Affordable dentistry options for children – Fraser Health Authority
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
Information Nights: Wheelhouse & Late French Immersion
Information nights are coming up for the following district programs. Registration for both programs opens on the Parent Portal at noon on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. For additional information about these programs and about the registration process, visit https://www.sd42.ca/student-registration/.
Wheelhouse Online Information Nights:
Thursday, January 25, 2024 (7 p.m.)
Preregistration required: https://bit.ly/WH-Info24-1
Monday, January 29, 2024 (7 p.m.)
Preregistration required: https://bit.ly/WH-Info24-2
Wheelhouse Program
The Wheelhouse is a supportive and nurturing classroom for Grade 6 and 7 students. The program fosters a caring classroom community that helps students develop independence, leadership skills, and a community-focused mindset. In this enriching environment, students not only ignite their passion for learning but also strengthen these foundational qualities.
Program highlights include the following:
- Weekly field study days during which students learn outside the regular class setting;
- A classroom of care and discovery that is well supported by staff, parents, and community mentors;
- Leadership activities that improve confidence, citizenship, and social responsibility;
- A strong focus on building individual skills to be successful learners.
For more information, including a more in-depth look at the program, dates and times for student interviews, and details on how to become a Wheelhouse student, please visit The Wheelhouse online at https://wheelhouse.sd42.ca/.
Registration
Registration for The Wheelhouse opens online at noon, Wednesday, February 14, 2024. Registration will be via the Parent Portal. Please ensure you have created a Parent Portal account and have familiarized yourself with the platform well in advance of the registration date and time. To learn more about creating a Parent Portal account, please visit: https://parents.sd42.ca.
The program runs out of Alouette Elementary (22155 Isaac Crescent, Maple Ridge).
Late French Immersion Online Information Night:
Tuesday, January 23, 2024 (7 p.m.)
Preregistration required: https://bitly.ws/36uFd
Late French Immersion
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 2024, 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.
Registration
Registration for Late French Immersion opens online at noon, Wednesday, February 14, 2024, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on February 23, 2024. Registration will be via the Parent Portal. Please ensure you have created a Parent Portal account and have familiarized yourself with the platform well in advance of the registration date and time. To learn more about creating a Parent Portal account, please visit: https://parents.sd42.ca.
The Late French Immersion program runs out of Golden Ears Elementary (23124 118 Avenue, Maple Ridge).
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
