Friday Blast

Maple Ridge Elementary

Friday, Jan. 12^th, 2024

THIS WEEK

January combines the new term and ‘fresh start excitement’ of September with the reassuring consistency of familiar classrooms and routines. Although it is dark and chilly, January and February can be great months for student learning. The investment that was made into forming relationships by students and staff last term is paying off as our busy community has hit the ground running! Students and teachers have already participated in bottle drives, basketball, and the PAC hot lunch.

We are looking forward to a great term with our MRE students and families!

NEXT WEEK

Monday, Jan. 15^th

3:00 pm: Boys T2 Basketball Game @ Pitt Meadows Elementary

6:00 pm: Gr. 7 Leaving Meeting

7:00 pm: PAC Meeting

Tuesday, Jan. 16^th

7:30 am: Boys T1 Basketball Practice

9:00 am: Kindergarten Dental Screening

2:30 pm-4:00 pm: Coding Program (for those who registered)

3:00 pm: Girls Basketball Game @ Highland Park Elementary

Wednesday, Jan. 17^th

3:00 pm: Boys T1 Basketball Game @ Hammond Elementary

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Girls Basketball Practice

Thursday, Jan. 18^th

7:30 am: Boys T2 Basketball Practice

Friday, Jan. 19^th

SCHOOL CLOSURE DECISIONS

 School Closure Decision: Snow

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.

Student Transportation

Student transportation may be affected by heavy snowfall. There are currently 10 bus routes, which may be cancelled altogether or switched to snow routes.

If buses switch to snow routes, an alert will be posted to the district website no later than 6:30 am.

District procedures around student transportation during inclement weather are outlined in a memo that was sent to all students who rely on school buses.

Please note that Bus route 1, 2, 3 and 50 (Highland Park, PMSS, Garibaldi, Whonnock) do not have a snow route as there is no change to the route in the event of snow.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Do you have a child who will be turning 5 on or before December 31^st, 2024? If so, it is time to think about kindergarten registration.  Kindergarten registration is a big step, but it does not have to be a difficult one.  See below for a schedule of the registration phases.  For more information visit: https://www.sd42.ca/kindergarten-registration/

BLACK EXCELLENCE DAY 

Black Excellence Day is a lead-up to Black History Month and an opportunity to rejoice in Black history and learn about Black stories, Black art and Black people, and a day to stand in solidarity with Black Canadians. As we celebrate Black Excellence, we also want to highlight the contributions of Black Canadians and the ongoing civil rights struggle of Black Canadians as they often go unacknowledged in our history books and school curriculum.  We look forward to participating in Black Excellence Day on the 15th of January with our school communities.

Should students wear black shirts on this day? There is no specific requirement for students to wear a “Black Shirt” on this day. We encourage students to engage with the learning and the opportunities for celebration. The Ninandotoo Society has created T-Shirts for this day and if you are interested in purchasing one, please order directly from their: https://marigold-wrasse-pdwl.squarespace.com/

SANTA MALL 2024

In the spirit of rethinking, reusing, and recycling, we invite you to donate your:

• new or used tissue paper and gift bags
• holiday tins
• sturdy holiday boxes
• cloth gift bags
• simple Christmas stockings
• new or gently used items to add to the gift table
• We will be collecting items year-round. You can find the donation tub in the school hallway!

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 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!

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/

LOST AND FOUND

The Lost and Found is starting to fill up again! There are many nice coats, sweatshirts, boots, umbrellas, etc… feel free to stop by before or after school one day to check if any of your child’s belongings are there.

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 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

 SD42 NEWS

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).

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

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.