Friday Blast
Maple Ridge Elementary
Friday, September 29th, 2023
THIS WEEK
Students and staff engaged in a week of learning activities around Truth and Reconciliation, including assemblies, songs, drumming, storytelling, art, land acknowledgements and our friendship circle. We would like to thank our Indigenous visitors and community members for sharing their gifts of time, knowledge and truth with us.
NEXT WEEK
Monday, October 2:
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Classes Not In Session
Tuesday, October 3:
Professional Development Day – Classes Not In Session
Wednesday, October 4:
Triple ball game cancelled
Thursday, October 5:
Last day to order Spirit Wear!
Orders due for Pizza! Pizza! Hot lunch
Friday, October 6:
2:30 pm After School Basketball Program for registered students
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. 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.
CONSENT FORMS
All consent forms, including the walking field trip form, are now live on the portal. Please ensure these forms are completed.
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.
LIBRARY NEWS
There are still some library books that didn’t make their way back to school before the summer break. Students will need to return them before they can sign out new books! Please contact Mr. Bisset about lost books.
SPIRITWEAR IS BACK!
Get ready to show your MRE spirit! There are sample sizes available at the office. The last day to order is Oct. 5.
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 the theme for donations is: board games. Please only send new, unused and unwrapped board games.
The 12 Weeks of Christmas at MRE
On the first week of Christmas, the community gave to MRE… board games for the family.
On the second week of Christmas, the community gave to MRE… self-care items, like deodorant, nail polish, shaving cream, make-up, moisturizer and toiletrieeees.
On the third week of Christmas, the community gave to MRE…Christmas treeeeeaats, like Gingerbread houses, cookies, chocolates, candy, coffee, hot chocolate, and tea!
On the fourth week of Christmas, the community gave MRE… supplies for kids to get crafty!
On the fifth week of Christmas, the community gave to MRE… Books for everyone who likes to read!
On the sixth week of Christmas, the community gave to MRE… Science, Building and Technologyyyyyy gifts (Lego, Science Kits, Transformers)
On the seventh week of Christmas, the community gave MRE… gifts to make parents happy!
On the eighth week of Christmas, the community gave to MRE…Teenager presents! LED lights, vines, fairy lights, basketball hoops, headphones, portable speakers…
On the ninth week of Christmas, the community gave to MRE… Something cozzzzzzy. Mittens, toques, scarves, socks and slipperrrrrrrs!
On the tenth week of Christmas, the community gave to MRE… Dolls, Action Figures, and Barbieeeees
On the eleventh week of Christmas, the community gave to MRE… Gift Cards Minimum $10 (must provide receipt)
On the twelfth week of Christmas, the community gave to MRE… Frozen whole Turkeeeeeeeys
Please note that any contribution is appreciated. If you have items you would like to donate that are not on the theme, please feel free. If you have any questions, please contact our Child and Youth Worker Cora Lindgren (cora_lindgren@sd42.ca). Items donated will be split between the MRE community and the hamper society to assist those families needing additional support this holiday season.
IN OUR COMMUNITY
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’s 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., 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
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.
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
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!
HOT LUNCH SCHEDULE
Oct 13 – Pizza Pizza
**Orders Due Oct 5
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
SAVE THE DATE
Halloween event happening October 27th…. More details to follow!