Friday Blast
Maple Ridge Elementary
Friday, Nov. 10, 2023
THIS WEEK
We came together as a school community for our Remembrance Day assembly on Thursday to learn about the sacrifices which Canadians, including Indigenous peoples, made during and after various wars and conflicts. Students were able to reflect on how these sacrifices may have impacted their own lives. The school welcomed Lieutenant-Commander Paul Pendergast who is an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy. Lieutenant Pendergast spoke about the role peacekeepers have played and continue to play around the world.
NEXT WEEK
Monday, Nov. 13th:
Statutory Holiday – School Not in Session
Tuesday, Nov. 14th:
2:30 pm – Explorations Program for registered students
Wednesday, Nov. 15th:
8:30 am – 10:20 am: Division 19 skating
9:30 am – 12:30 pm: Division 11 visit to the fish hatchery
3:30 pm: Triple Ball game @ MRE
Thursday, Nov. 16th:
Friday, Nov. 17th:
9:30 am – 12:30 pm: Division 10 visit to the fish hatchery
DROP OFF & PICK UP SAFETY
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT IN KEEPING OUR STUDENTS SAFE!
Drop-off and pick-up are busy times at MRE. Students come and go excitedly and are still learning about road safety. For this reason, we are continuing to close off the lane at the front of the school during pick-up at the end of the day. The lane will remain open for drop-off in the morning. This is for a quick drop-and-go only. We ask that you pull over to the right. Do not leave your vehicle for any reason.
At the end of the day, please find an alternative location to meet your child or park in one of the areas shown 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. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work together to keep our students safe.
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.
REMINDER – STUDENT LED CONFERENCES
Your child’s teacher has sent out, or will be sending out soon, a reminder to sign up for your child’s student led conference. Once again this year, conferences can be in person, or by Zoom. These conferences are an opportunity to celebrate your child’s learning and growth so far this year, and to set collaborative goals to work towards. Please sign up on the Parent Portal.
WESTCOAST RECESS AND LUNCH – DRESS FOR THE WEATHER
A reminder that MRE students play outside even when it is cold, rainy, or snowy. Only on rare occasions will we keep students inside. We would ask that you send your student(s) to school dressed for the weather (boots, coats, mitts, umbrella, etc.). Please send an extra set of clothing if you know your student gets wet playing on the slides or in the field.
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
This year our school will be collecting donations for the Christmas Hampers that will be donated to families in our community and the Hamper Society. Each week we will be collecting donations based on a “theme.” Next week’s theme is gifts for adult members of the family. If you have any new, unwrapped items that you think a parent or adult would enjoy please consider donating them. There is a green bin in front of the office for donations.
If you have other donations that do not match the themes, we will still collect them and donate them to families.
GRADE 7 LEAVING PLANNING MEETING
There will be a Grade 7 Leaving Planning meeting starting at 6:00 pm on Monday November 20th All Grade 7 parents and students are invited to attend. Students must be accompanied by a parent.
PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
There are several ways you can support MRE by getting involved with PAC!
Maple Ridge Elementary Facebook Page: Check out PAC’s calendar of events and learn more about PAC information.
The next PAC meeting will take place on Monday, November 20th at 7:00 pm. There will be a Grade 7 Leaving Planning meeting beforehand starting at 6:00 pm. All Grade 7 parents and students are invited to attend. Students must be accompanied by a parent.
Sign up to help:
https://signup.com/group/47703560186256400
HOT LUNCH SCHEDULE
Nov 24 – Tim Hortons
**Orders Due Nov 16
Dec 8 – Pizza Pizza
**Orders Due Nov 30
FUNDRAISING
ART CARDS
Art Cards have arrived, and students will be working on them over the next couple weeks. Once ready, your student’s art will be sent home as well as ways to order and support MRE!
NEUFELD
The MRE Neufeld fundraiser will be kicking off next week. The online catalogue and order process will be posted on our PAC Facebook page and flyers will be sent home as well.
BOOKFAIR
BookFair is coming to MRE and will be open Nov 20-22nd. Students will have a chance to visit during the day and parents are welcome to come by after school!
SANTA MALL
Ho Ho Ho! It’s that time of year again! Santa Mall is coming to MRE one last time (unless there’s a person/team willing to take this over…).
Our dates are Monday, December 4th and Tuesday, December 5th. A bin will be available by the office for donations. Please, if you can, drop off something new or gently used when you come to the school for your child’s parent teacher conference. Hunt through your bins, boxes and closets and pass along all of your unwanted jewelry, candles (unburned), bath stuff (unopened), tableware, clothes (new w/tag), artwork, and holiday themed items etc. We used up all of our wrapping paper, tissue, bags and boxes last year so those are much needed. Please watch for the link to the sign up to volunteer. Set up will be Friday and volunteers are needed to help for Dec 4-5 at the event. Thank you in advance and together let’s make this final Santa Mall one for the kids to remember!
IN OUR COMMUNITY
Family Digital Communities Session:
Establishing Safe, Caring, & Respectful Digital Communities – Everyone Welcome! Recommended for Parents/Caregivers/Grandparents and youth aged 10 and up as a way to facilitate the conversation of safe and caring use of technology at home and in the community. This session covers all things digital, from how to be a good digital citizen, the criminal consequences of cyberbullying, and how to report and receive support in cases of sexting/sextortion. Some of the most prominent concerns currently surrounding use of social media platforms, smartphones, and artificial intelligence will be discussed.
November 8, 2023 6:30pm – 7:30pm online https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/732334942527?aff=oddtdtcreator
November 28, 2023 7:00pm – 8:00pm online https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/732343096917?aff=oddtdtcreator
November 30, 2023 6:30pm – 7:30pm online https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/732346587357?aff=oddtdtcreator
Grade 5 and 6 students residing in the City of Maple Ridge can experience the positive benefits of leisure and recreation at no charge!
Eligible students will have FREE access to drop-in activities offered through Maple Ridge Parks, Recreation & Culture at the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre (MRLC), Hammond Outdoor Pool (during operational season), and Planet Ice Maple Ridge (PIMR).
https://www.mapleridge.ca/1474/Grade-5-6-Active-Pass
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 great way to build positive connections with others within the Maple Ridge community.