Friday Blast
Maple Ridge Elementary
Friday, Jan. 19th, 2024
THIS WEEK
This week was characterized by multiple snow days! We hope everyone stayed safe and warm.
NEXT WEEK
Monday, Jan. 22nd
3:00 pm: Boys T2 Basketball Game @ Maple Ridge Elementary
Tuesday, Jan. 23rd
7:30 am: Boys T1 Basketball Practice
2:30 pm-4:00 pm: Coding Program (for those who registered)
3:00 pm: Girls Basketball Game @ Maple Ridge Elementary
Wednesday, Jan. 24th
Pro-D Day – No school for students
9:30 am – 1:30 pm: Stay Safe Course (for those who registered)
Thursday, Jan. 25th
7:30 am: Boys T2 Basketball Practice
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Girls Basketball Practice
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Jujitsu Program (for those who registered)
Friday, Jan. 26th
Spirit Day – Hat Day!
PAC Snack – Booster Juice
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Drama Program (for those who registered)
MONEY FOUND
Please contact the school office if you have lost some money.
SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT!
Hat Day Is Friday, January 26th. Show your school spirit and wear your favourite hat!
WESTVIEW ELEMENTARY ADVANCED BAND
Contact your child’s teacher for more information.
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 31st, 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/
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 tables
We will be collecting items year-round. You can find the donation tub in the school hallway!
GRADE 7 LEAVING COMMITTEE
Grade 7 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’d 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!
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.
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 February 12th 2024, 7 pm in the MRE library.
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.