Friday Blast
Maple Ridge Elementary
Friday, Oct. 27th, 2023
THIS WEEK
Spooky season is upon us and students can be overheard talking with their teachers and peers about costumes and candy and all that cool stuff! Please be sure to check out some more important information later in this blast on how to help us keep our students safe and happy at school during this fun time.
NEXT WEEK
Monday, October 30th:
2:30 pm – Soccer Program for registered students
Tuesday, October 31st:
7:30 am – Triple Ball practice in gym
1:00 pm – Halloween Parade
2:30 pm – Explorations Program for registered students
Wednesday, November 1st:
3:00 pm – Triple Ball Game @ MRE
Thursday, November 2nd:
Friday, November 3rd:
12:45-2:15 Division 1 + 2 Ice Skating Field Trip
HALLOWEEN COSTUMES
As per Harry Dhillon’s email to families earlier this week, please keep in mind the following 2 guidelines when you and/or your child decide on their Halloween 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 ultimately 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. If you have questions, please connect with your school administration.
We appreciate your consideration and thank you for helping keep our schools safe, caring, and inclusive this Halloween.
HALLOWEEN PARTIES & FOOD
Some classes may be having a class party on Halloween. Please note that all food items that are shared with students must be either pre-packaged or prepared by a person with FoodSafe. This information is based on the updated Provincial Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12.
Grocery store baked goods items or food from restaurants such as pizza are acceptable. Homeade baked goods will not be accepted at school.
HALLOWEEN FOOD DRIVE
Have you noticed the posters around the school, about the Halloween Food Drive? The Grade 7 Leadership group is collecting cash donations or donations of non-perishable food items from Wednesday, October 25 until Wednesday, November 1. These donations will go to the Friends in Need Food Bank to help feed families over the holiday season.
Nous cherchons des donations pour les friends in need food bank.
On October 31st, the grade 6s and 7s will be having a Halloween Dance between recess and lunch, entrance to the dance is 1 dollar or one food item.
Pour entrer dans la danse c’est un dollar ou de la nourriture.
Remember, together, we can scare hunger!
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 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 on a “theme.” Next week’s theme is books. If you have any new, unwrapped Arts and Crafts supplies, colouring books, paint sets, markers, etc. 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.
MRE GRADE 7 QUEBEC TRIP
BOTTLE DRIVE!!!
On Saturday, November 4th, 2023, Grade 7 French Immersion students from Maple Ridge Elementary will be in the neighbourhood collecting bottles as a fundraiser for their Grade 7 Quebec Trip. If you are able to donate bottles, please attach this notice to your donation and leave it on your front porch by 9 am on November 4th. You can also drop off donations in the drive-through at the front of MRE from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. that day. Or if you prefer, you can take your bottles directly to a bottle depot and donate them to the account 604 802-0314.
Thank you for your generous support!
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 9 – Subway
**Orders Due Nov 1
Nov 24 – Tim Hortons
**Orders Due Nov 16
Dec 8 – Pizza Pizza
**Orders Due Nov 30
Neufeld Fundraiser coming soon, watch for more details!
Art Cards are happening again this year and will be distributed to teachers next week.
IN OUR COMMUNITY
Family Digital Communities Session:
These sessions can be shared in your school newsletter. Families should register themselves.
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.
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.