Friday Blast
Maple Ridge Elementary
Friday, Oct. 13th, 2023
THIS WEEK
The school had a notable atmosphere of kindness and community this week. We saw students inviting others to play at recess, complimenting each other’s work and offering to help their teachers and classmates.
NEXT WEEK
Monday, October 16th:
2:30 pm – Soccer Program for registered students
3:00 pm – Triple Ball game @ Yennadon
7:00 pm – PAC Meeting (MRE library)
Tuesday, October 17th:
7:30 am – Triple Ball practice in gym
2:30 pm – Explorations Program for registered students
3:15 pm – Intermediate Cross Country @ Alouette Lake
Wednesday, October 18th:
3:15 pm – Primary Cross Country @ Albion Sports Complex
Thursday, October 19th:
3:00 pm – Triple Ball game @ MRE
Friday, October 20th:
Professional Development Day – students do not attend
CROSS COUNTRY
If your child is interested in participating in cross country this year, permission forms were posted on the parent portal!
- Cross country is a great form of exercise, and an opportunity to learn skills of resilience and perseverance.
- The intermediate cross-country run will take place at Alouette Lake on Tuesday, October 17th at 3:15 pm. It is open to students in Grade 4-7.
- The primary cross-country run will take place at the Albion Sports Complex on Wednesday, October 18th at 3:15 pm. It is open to students in Grade 1-3.
- Please note that this is an afterschool activity and parents are responsible for the transportation and supervision of their child.
DROP OFF & PICK UP SAFETY
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 closing 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.
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 upon a “theme.” Next week’s theme is holiday treats like, gingerbread houses or hot chocolate etc.
If you have other donations that do not match the themes, we will still collect them and donate them to families.
IN OUR COMMUNITY
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
FRASER HEALTH
Each month Fraser Health will share information and resources regarding children’s health.
October – Child health screenings: vision, hearing and dental
Make dental, hearing and vision checks part of a healthy routine
Health screenings help find issues early which can make treatment easier and more effective. It is important for your child to have regular eye exams and routine dental checkups. It is also important to recognize any hearing loss early as this is essential for speech and language development. Read on to learn when and how to access services for your child.
Dental
Tooth decay is the most common, but preventable, childhood chronic disease. It is important to establish good oral hygiene at a young age and have children’s teeth checked by a dentist regularly. To find a local dentist near you who is accepting new patients, visit the BC Dental Association’s Find a Dentist database. If you are a member of a low-income family and you do not have extended health coverage, there are several programs that can help you access affordable dentistry for your children. You can also contact the dental program at your local public health unit and ask about resources available in your community.
Vision
BC Doctors of Optometry recommends children receive their first eye exam when they are six to nine months old with a follow up exam at least once between the ages of two and five and then yearly once they enter school. You can find an optometrist accepting new patients near you at the College of Optometrists of British Columbia’s Find an Optometrist database. In B.C (British Columbia)., basic eye exams, one per year, are free up to the age of 18. Some optometrists may charge a small user fee of about $35 per visit so be sure to ask about any fees before you make an appointment.
Hearing
Good hearing is essential for speech and language development and plays an important part in a child’s social and emotional growth. It is important to recognize hearing loss early and seek out testing and treatment if needed. Fraser Health’s Public Health community audiologists provide hearing services for children from birth to 19 years of age. If you have a concern about your child’s hearing, referrals can be made by a parent or caregiver, a health care provider or education professional to your local public health audiology (hearing) clinic.
Find more information on child health screenings and how to access free vision, hearing, and dental exams on Fraser Health’s website: https://ow.ly/oK9z50PegZB
Curious Minds Learning Centre LTD. 📚🍎
We still have spaces available in
Our Morning Preschool Class 9am – 1pm (located at Maple Ridge Elementary)
2 days/week (Tues & Thurs) = $162/month
3 days/week (M-W-F) =$217/month
5 Days/week =$280/ month
+ $50 registration fee
******SUBSIDY WELCOME *******
www.curiousmindslearningcentre.com
Phone: Ms. Sarah 604-315-3240
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.
Home Alone Zoom Workshop
Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District, in partnership with the Family Education & Support Centre, is offering evening Zoom workshops.
The Family Education & Support Centre is excited to present the Home Alone workshop for parents/guardians who want to prepare their nine-year-old child for staying at home when they turn 10 years old. This workshop looks at what works for your family unit in relation to safety and making wise choices when your child is home alone. We will look at topics such as earthquake preparedness, fire preparedness, power outage preparedness, key safety, door safety, phone safety, and much more. Parents/ guardians must participate with the child.
Cost: $10
October 17 (6 to 8 p.m.)
How to register
- Go to http://schooldistrict42.perfectmind.com
- Create an account if you are new to the site
- Login
- Click on the ‘Schedule’ icon at the top left of the screen
- Click on District Program Registration (Under Program Registration)
- Click on Virtual Online Sessions
- Click on your course of interest then enroll
- A Zoom link will be emailed to you after you register
For more information, contact Hannah Macdonald: 604.837.2384 or hannah_macdonald@sd42.ca.
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/ or register for the next information session, taking place November 2nd. The demand for this job is high as the province faces a shortage of EAs (Education Assistants) and virtually all graduates of the program move on to work in school districts across B.C., including Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows SD42.
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.
Sign up to help:
https://signup.com/group/47703560186256400
Attend a meeting: The next meeting is on Monday, Oct. 16th at the MRE library and starts at 7:00 pm. We hope to see you there!
MRE’s Family Halloween Dance
Oct. 27th 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wear your costume!
Drinks & snacks available for purchase
Admissions by donation.
Students must be accompanied by an adult.
HOT LUNCH SCHEDULE
Oct 27 – Cobbs
**Orders Due Oct 19
Nov 9 – Subway
**Orders Due Nov 1
Nov 24 – Tim Hortons
**Orders Due Nov 16
Dec 8 – Pizza Pizza
**Orders Due Nov 30
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.
Sign up to help:
https://signup.com/group/47703560186256400
Attend a meeting: The next meeting is on Monday, Oct. 16th at the MRE library and starts at 7:00 pm. We hope to see you there!
HOT LUNCH SCHEDULE
Oct 27 – Cobbs
**Orders Due Oct 19
Nov 9 – Subway
**Orders Due Nov 1
Nov 24 – Tim Hortons
**Orders Due Nov 16
Dec 8 – Pizza Pizza
**Orders Due Nov 30