Friday Blast
Maple Ridge Elementary
Friday, Oct. 24th, 2025
THIS WEEK
We celebrated hands-on learning this week with many students engaging in fun activities, including Diwali crafts and treats, Wilderness Wednesday, the Glow Gallery, Pumpkin Patch visits and more!
NEXT WEEK
Monday, Oct. 27th
2:20 pm – 4:30 pm: Afterschool program: Drama (for registered students)
Tuesday, Oct. 28th
7:30 am: Triple Ball practice
2:20 pm – 3:30 pm Afterschool program: Yoga (for registered students)
3:00 pm: Triple Ball game vs. Fairview @ Fairview
Wednesday, Oct. 29th
9:00 am -12:00 pm: Meadows Family Farm (Div. 10 & 11)
2:20 pm – 3:30 pm – Afterschool program: Tae Kwon Do (for registered students)
Thursday, Oct. 30th
2:20 pm – 4:00 pm Afterschool program: Art (for registered students)
Friday, Oct. 31st
Halloween Safety Assembly and Costume Parade
2:20 pm – 3:45 pm – Afterschool program: Coding (for registered students)
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Nov. 5th: Skating Field Trip – 12:45 pm – 2:30 pm (Div. 1 & 2)
Nov. 8th: Quebec Trip Bottle Drive at MRE – 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Nov. 10th: Pro D Day (school not in session)
Nov. 11th: Remembrance Day (school not in session)
Nov. 18th: The Act- 12:00 pm – 2:15 pm (Div. 6)
| Nov. 24th: Kindergarten Dental Screening |
Dec. 4th: Student Led Conference – 11:30 am dismissal
Dec. 5th: Student Led Conferences – school not in session
Dec. 8th: Gr. 6 Immunizations
Dec. 16th: Winter Concert (AM & PM)
Dec. 19th: Last Day Before Winter Break!
HALLOWEEN
With Halloween just around the corner, we wanted to once again take a moment to remind students, families, and staff about the need to be thoughtful and inclusive if selecting a costume to be worn at school. The choice of costume should always be respectful of the diverse cultural and lived experiences of all the members of our school communities and should align with the district’s stated commitment to inclusion, anti-racism, and equity.
Please keep the following two guidelines in mind as you and/or your child decide on a costume:
- Be kind and consider the school community: Choose costumes that are respectful and do not mock or demean someone’s gender identity, culture, race, religion, age, or ability. Avoid costumes that could be offensive or perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
- Be thoughtful and safe: Steer clear of costumes that depict violence, or substances like alcohol or drugs. Additionally, replica weapons (e.g., guns, knives, etc.) are not permissible at school.
The choice of Halloween costume should align with the expectations set out in school codes of conduct and our district Safe, Caring and Healthy Schools policy. We must always ensure our learning environments remain safe, welcoming, inclusive, and affirming for all students, families, and staff.
We appreciate your consideration and thank you for helping keep our schools safe, caring, and inclusive this Halloween.
WSS MUSIC DEPARTMENT NOTES
The WSS Sr Concert Band will be joining the Maple Ridge Concert Band for a joint concert on November 25th, 7:30 pm in the WSS MPR. Admission is by donation at the door. Open to the public.
WSS Winter Concert:
This concert will be held Dec 9th in the WSS gym. The baton drops at 7 pm and admission is by food bank donation or cash donation to the WSS music program.
All music classes will be performing including the Sr and Jr Concert Bands, Jazz Band and the two elementary band programs.
January 8th:
The WSS Music and Theatre Departments are taking 40 students to the VSO to experience a live symphony orchestra playing the score to the move: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
See Mrs. Jensen or Ms. Allen for details. Open to music students in grades 8-12.
February TBA:
Grand Band Jamboree
Westview is hosting our district wide 2nd annual Grand Band Jamboree. This is an opportunity for second year players from across the district to gather together, rehearse a couple of charts, attend sectional clinics and come back together to perform for an audience (family and friends).
Date TBA (early Feb)
Time: 3:15 pm-5:30 pm
Location: WSS gym
Contact: Mrs. Linda Jensen- WSS Music Director
March 11th Spring Concert and May 28th Final Concert
BOTTLE DRIVE
Support our Grade 7 students heading to Quebec by participating in our bottle drive fundraiser! Bring your refundable bottles and cans to the school on November 8th from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Every donation helps, and all proceeds will go towards the students’ trip. Thank you for your support! Or if you prefer, you can take your bottles directly to a bottle depot and donate them to the account 604 802-0314.
NEW DOWNREGULATING SPACE COMING SOON!
Our school is looking for donations for some gently used items to add to our downregulation room! Specific items we are looking for include:
-Small area rugs
-Kallax woodtone Ikea 2×2 cube bookshelf
-Lamps
-Comfy chairs or seats
-Calming toys or fidgets
-Magnetic blocks or shapes
If you have an item you’d like to donate, please reach out to Mme Lendvoy (chelsea_lendvoy@sd42.ca) or Mrs. Span (cassandra_span@sd42.ca)
SCHOOL PHOTOS
MRE SPIRITWEAR IS BACK & ONLINE!
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES
Staying hydrated is important! We have a very limited supply of paper cups that are kept for ‘emergencies’. With the intention of limiting time spent out of the classroom refilling small cups, reducing waste, and avoiding slippery spills when cups are filled too high, families are encouraged to send their student(s) to school with a full reusable water bottle. Thank you for your support!
MRE BREAKFAST CLUB
Did you know that we have a breakfast club at Maple Ridge Elementary? Daily from 8:00-8:30 am, students can drop in for a delicious breakfast. If you have any questions about the breakfast program, please contact Mme Lendvoy: Chelsea_lendvoy@sd42.ca
MORNING ROUTINES
Peer and teacher connections are the foundation of learning, and we start our days with this in mind. Students are asked to line up at their classroom doors, or designated spots, each morning and not come through the front doors of the building. In addition to the benefits of following class routines, the office is very busy in the mornings, and it is helpful to staff if the area is kept clear. Thank you for your support.
FAMILY SIGN IN
All student family members and guardians are asked to enter the school via the front doors and sign in at the office. All visitors are required to wear a red visitor’s pass at all times, even during brief visits. Please walk your student to their outside classroom door or designated meeting spot and avoid walking through the inside of the building. Your support is appreciated.
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.
DROP OFF & PICK UP
The driveway at the front of the school is open in the morning for student drop off. This is the “kiss n’ go” option. Please pull over to the right (do not exit your vehicle) and allow your student(s) to exit your vehicle. If your student needs more time to say goodbye in the morning, or you need to exit your vehicle for any reason, utilize the “neighbourhood parking” option. Please avoid stopping to pick up your student(s) on River Rd. A photo of available local parking is attached for your convenience. Let’s work together to keep our children safe.
The driveway at the front of the school is closed to vehicles at the end of the day to prioritize student safety, except for buses and vehicles with an accessibility decal. Avoid stopping to pick up your student(s) on River Rd. Please do not park in either of the staff parking lots. Students are present in these areas after school and traffic needs to be limited for student safety reasons.
PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Happy Friday, MRE families!
🎃 THANK YOU! A huge thank you to everyone who came out to our Halloween Dance! It was a spooky success and we loved seeing all the creative costumes. All profits go toward library enhancements.
🍕 HOT LUNCH REMINDER Orders due Oct 30th for StrEATS on Nov 7th! Place your orders at mre.parentcouncil.net Questions? Email hotlunchmrepac@gmail.com
📅 NEXT PAC MEETING Sunday, Nov 17th at 6:30pm in the MRE Library. All are welcome!
🙋♀️ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES We’re always looking for help with school events and activities. Check out current opportunities at https://signup.com/go/dgsaFVo
🎨 ART CARDS FUNDRAISER Program launched Monday, Oct 20th! Teachers have received their art kits and students will be creating artwork in class. Artwork will be sent home by Tuesday, Nov 4th, and orders are due by Wednesday, Nov 12th. Products will arrive the week of Dec 1-5, just in time for the holidays!
Sign up here: https://signup.com/go/dgsaFVo
Questions? Email us at pac.mre@gmail.com or find us on Facebook: Maple Ridge Elementary PAC
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.