Friday Blast
Maple Ridge Elementary
Friday, Feb. 16th, 2024
THIS WEEK
The highlight for many staff and students this week was a visit to Westview Secondary to watch a performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The weather cooperated as several classes, including some big buddies and little buddies, enjoyed the walk to attend this community event. This was a great leadership opportunity for our intermediate students and a chance to practice road safety skills for our primaries.
NEXT WEEK
Monday, Feb. 19th
Family Day – School not in session
Tuesday, Feb. 20th
Pro-D Day – School not in session for students
9:30 am – 4:30 pm: Babysitting Course (for those who registered)
Wednesday, Feb. 21st
7:30 am: Boys T1 Basketball Practice
3:00 pm: Boys T1 Basketball Game @ Fairview Elementary
Thursday, Feb. 22nd
Kindness Day – Wear your pink shirt!
7:30 am: Boys T2 Basketball Practice
1:00 pm: School Kindness Assembly
3:00 pm: Girls Basketball Game @ Glenwood Elementary
Friday, Feb. 23rd
Div. 10 Skating (AM)
Cobbs PAC Snack (for those who ordered)
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Drama Program (for registered students)
PARKING LOT REMINDERS
Drop-off and pick-up are busy times at MRE. Students come and go excitedly and are still learning about road safety.
In the mornings the drive-thru lane is for quick drop and go only. Please pull your vehicle over to the right so other cars can pass. Do not stop on the crosswalk. Do not leave your vehicle for any reason. If your child requires assistance getting out of the vehicle we encourage you to find parking in one of the areas shown on the map below and walk them to the school.
In the afternoons the drive-thru lane remains closed to all vehicles except daycare buses and vehicles with handicapped decals. Please find an alternative location to meet your child or park in one of the areas shown on the map below, all of which are within a 5-minute walk to the school.
Please note that staff parking lots should not be used to pick up and drop off students before or after school. At all times drive very slowly through the parking lot. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work together to keep our students safe.
GRADE 7 LEAVING COMMITTEE FUNDRAISING
Did you know that you can continue contributing to the Grade 7 Leaving Event by donating your cans and bottles? The Maple Ridge Bottle Depot has an account under the number: 604-467-5551. When you donate just mention you would like the funds to go to this account. The Grade 7s thank you in advance for helping to make their Leaving Event an awesome day!
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 must 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!
DIVISION 6 FEBRUARY SOCK DRIVE
Division 6 Sock Drive for the Homeless continues through the month of February! We are hoping that the MRE school community will help us deliver a big pile of NEW SOCKS for the Salvation Army to distribute to the needy in our own town. Socks are much needed in this wet and chilly weather. You can bring your donations of new socks into the box in the school foyer, or to Mrs. Haavisto’s classroom. Thank you for your support, and a heartfelt thank you to those who have already donated!
CLASSROOM LINE UP
Morning is a busy time for teachers and office staff preparing for the day ahead. A reminder to parents that students are to line up at their outside door or class meeting location before school and not come in through the office.
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.
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!
BINGO NIGHT!
We are excited to announce MRE PAC Adult Only BINGO Night! Event Date: March 1, 2024. Tickets now available! GRAND PRIZE: $500 CASH!
Entry tickets include a Full Bingo Card Booklet, a complimentary drink voucher and an entry into the door prize for $30.
~ One Entry Ticket per person. ~
The evening includes a concession, $5 drinks, 50-50 tickets, fun games and of course BINGO to fill the night!
Space will be limited, so buy your tickets today!
All tickets will be WILL CALL and available for pick up at the on-site registration desk.
Doors Open at 6:00 pm.
Event: BINGO NIGHT
Date: Friday, March 1, 2024
Location: Maple Ridge Elementary School
Time: 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
This event is 19+. Please ensure you bring along Government Issued Photo Identification. Please Plan a Safe Ride Home.
https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSebMpwBs10…/viewform…
SD42 NEWS
FRENCH IMMERSION PARENTS INVITATION
We are looking to get the Canadian Parents for French (CFP) chapter restarted in SD42. An information night has been scheduled on Zoom for February 26th @ 7 pm. This information night would be open to all parents of French immersion students so please share it out to anyone that wishes to attend. Restarting this chapter would come with some funding available to support the French Immersion students in our district.
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
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).
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.