Dear MRE Families,
The snow certainly adds an interesting twist as we near the end of the second term. While it’s tricky for driving, it creates a great deal of fun for students! The fledgling buds and longer daylight hours remind us that spring is just around the corner.
The focus in the last weeks has been on kindness and inclusion, with Pink Shirt Day as just one of many events. You may have noticed the large banner on the fence where Mme Alliette and Mme Abby’s classes set out artwork and bracelets to give away to passersby. Their enthusiastic efforts even made the front page of the local NEWS last week!
Kindness and friendship messages remain posted throughout the school. Our school-wide assembly focussed on how everyday acts of kindness can make a big difference, including friendship songs from the choir, as well as from Mme Noura, Mme Alliette, and Mme Zepeski’s classes.
Student Inclusive Conferences will take place on March 9th and 10th. There’s still time to set up an appointment. Contact your child’s teacher https://elementary.sd42.ca/mapleridge/staff/ or the office if you need help with this. As in the previous term, you have the choice whether to meet in person or on Zoom. We hope that you find the process to be collaborative, informative, and rewarding for you and your child. Consider keeping the reporting goals in a prominent place and check in on the progress your child makes.
As this is the last newsletter before Spring Break, we want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very relaxing and enjoyable break with family and friends.
Yours sincerely,
Barbara MacKinnon Chelsea Lendvoy
Principal Vice Principal
Mark your calendars!
Thursday, March 9 —early dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Friday, March 10 — no school for students
March 13-24 —Spring Break, no school
March 27 —Welcome Back for Term 3
Student Inclusive Conferences – Term Two Reports
Information about scheduling student inclusive conferences has been sent by classroom teachers. This is a chance for students, parents/guardians, and teachers to discuss student growth, celebrate accomplishments and set goals for future learning. Please expect draft report cards to come home by March 6th.
As with last term, you have the choice to attend the conference in person, or by Zoom.
Jump Rope for Heart
MRE’s fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation has raised an impressive $1940 to date. Online donations can be made at https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/19616 until March 11th.
The best part of this event was the renewal of skipping at school. Learning to jump rope takes perseverance and resilience as well as physical exertion. It’s been great to see students of all ages using the ropes. Another goal of the Jump Rope for Heart Program is to make students aware of lifelong healthy habits. Here are their EASY to remember steps.
Lost and Found
We love returning items to their rightful owners! All it takes is a name marked on clothing or water bottles – hint, hint. This doesn’t need to be fancy – a permanent marker will do the trick.
The Friday Blast has photos of the Lost and Found each week. Most of the items are kids sizes 10 and under. Please ask your child to have a look at the rack (or come in yourself).
Items that remain after March 11th will be donated to a local charity.
Sports and Clubs
We are drawing to a close with both the girls’ and boys’ intermediate basketball inter-school game season. Students played hard and developed skills and camaraderie. A big thanks goes to the coaches, volunteers, drivers and spectators!
Our high school student referees who showed up for every home game for all three teams (and did an amazing job) are Logan H. and Nolan R.
Team members are:
Boys’ Competitive: Coached by Mrs. McClain
Madden P.
Owen M.
Nehman A.
Quinn R.
Bashir S.
Shameer K.
Ilia S.
Damian S.
Ben L.
Kingston E.
Jordan M.
Kieran C.
Tanishq R.
Girls’ Competitive: Coached by Mrs. Pajak
Holly M.
Kailey H.
Emily N.
Ellie L.
Ella L.
Tina M.
Claire L.
Bella M.
Sydney M.
Simran J.
Tia W.
Boys’ Recreational: Coached by Alecia M. and Holly C. (parents)
Hayden I.
Gurveer G.
Antonny S.
Angus S.
Gabe G.
Owen
Rylan J.
Ethan P.
Excel R.
Xander G.
Linden N.
Emmett
Ongoing Clubs at MRE:
Board Games Club – Grades 4-7
Mondays, 2:30-3:30
Sponsor teacher: Mr. Macnamara
Sign-up required.
Writing for Fun Club
Tuesdays at 12:05 (after eating lunch)
Sponsor teacher: Mme Noura
No sign-up needed.
MRE Reading Club
Grades 2-7
Fridays at 12:05 (after eating lunch)
Sponsor teachers: Mrs. Dillen and Mrs. Haavisto
No sign-up needed.
Aikido
Sponsor: Mr. Foster
Sign-up required
Mondays and Wednesdays (February 27- April 26, 2023) from 7:15 – 8:00 A.M.
Moving?
If you are moving before the next school year, please visit the school district website https://www.sd42.ca/ for registration and transfer deadlines.
https://www.sd42.ca/student-registration/
Communication
As we continue to reduce handling of materials and the consumption of paper, most school-based publications, including the Friday Blast and this monthly newsletter will be sent home via the parent portal. Pertinent information will be updated on our school website: http://mre.sd42.ca. On the website, the Friday Blast and Monthly Newsletters are translatable into more than 40 languages.
Check the website at https://www.sd42.ca for district information.
We also have a school-based Facebook page called Maple Ridge Elementary SD 42. Teachers will be using a variety of methods for their class level communications.
MRE PAC News
Check us out on Facebook – search Maple Ridge Elementary PAC
The enthusiasm and hard work of the MRE PAC makes a huge difference to our school! All MRE parents are automatically members of the PAC, and everyone is welcome at the meetings. Up-to-date information about events and fundraising is shared on the weekly Friday Blast which can be found on the Parent Portal or school website.
Upcoming:
Wednesday March 1st Carnival committee meeting 6:30 in the MRE library
Friday March 3rd Hot Lunch – Hot Dog Day
Monday March 6th Bingo committee meeting 6 pm followed by our PAC meeting at 7pm in the MRE library
Friday March 31st Snack Day – Booster Juice Friday March 31st
The next meeting is on March 6th, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the school library.
The PAC website is full of information about upcoming events happening at MRE. Here’s how to register:
- Go to mre.parentcouncil.net
- Click on “Click Here to Register”
- Enter Access Code MREPAC
- Complete the rest of the registration form.
*NOTE: By listing your email address when you register, you are giving permission to receive PAC notices by email. You may withdraw this consent at any time by responding to emails you receive with a request to unsubscribe from your PAC notice list.
District Information
Kindergarten Registration
Any child who turns 5 years old in 2023 (born in 2018) is eligible to register for the 2023-24 school year. For additional information, about kindergarten registration please visit:
https://www.sd42.ca/kindergarten-registration/ Please note that spaces are filling very quickly.
Student Registration, Transfer, and Withdrawal Requests
Registrations, transfers and/or withdrawals are completed through the Parent Portal.
For information, visit:
https://www.sd42.ca/helpdesk/registration/parent/
Have your say – GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK!
Have you ever wondered if you could give your input into the yearly school calendar? Here’s your chance.
The proposed district school calendars for 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26 (Regular, Distributed Learning, and Kanaka Creek Elementary) were presented to the Board of Education at the February 15, 2023, public meeting and are now out for public consultation.
To review the proposed calendars, visit https://www.sd42.ca/proposed-district-calendars/
To provide feedback on the proposed calendars, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/proposed-calendars
The survey will be open from February 16, 2023, to March 18, 2023 (4:00 p.m.).
All feedback will be reviewed by senior staff for possible revisions once public consultation concludes. The proposed calendars will then be submitted to the Board of Education for approval at the April 12, 2023, public board meeting.
Careers
Have you thought about a career with our school district?
To see the opportunities we have available, visit us at https://www.sd42.ca/careers
Community News
GUESS WHAT TIME IT IS….
Registration 2023/2024 is now open for Curious Minds Preschool
NOTE: Children need to be 3 years old (fully potty trained) by December 31st, 2023, to be eligible for preschool
Maple Ridge Elementary location
20820 River Road, Maple Ridge
604-315-3240 – Ms. Sarah
Glenwood Elementary location
21410 Glenwood Ave Maple Ridge
604- 463-2002 – Ms. Stefanie
Our Extended preschool programs run 9am-1pm
2 days/week (Tues/Thur) = $200/month
3 days/week (M-W-F) = $275/month
Full Time = $375/month
We will require a non-refundable $50 registration fee as well as a 1 month’s fee for deposit.
Registration is based on a first come, first served basis, so please phone the Location you are interested in for more information, & to book a date and time to meet!!!
We can’t wait to welcome you into our program!!
email: curiousmindslearning@shaw.ca
FAMILY EDUCATION AND SUPPORT CENTRE
Have a look at the many, many programs and services that are offered by the Family Education and Support Centre.
https://www.familyed.bc.ca/_files/ugd/5abc98_2ac6527ac4504793afa94fef2fc3c8f0.pdf
Among others, topics include:
- Parenting Through the Ages and Stages
- Parenting Resilient Children
- Conflict Resolution and Anger Programs
- Brave New You
- Healthy Relationships
- Men’s Anger Management
- Caring Dads
- I Am Awesome – Spring Break Camp
Maple Ridge Elementary | March 2023 | |||||
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
PAC Hot Dog Day | ||||||
5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
1:00 p.m.
V’Ni Dansi Metis Dance presentation |
Maple Man
Presentations all day |
11:30 dismissal for student inclusive conferences | School not in session- student inclusive conferences | |||
12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
Spring Break | ||||||
19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
Spring Break | ||||||
26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
First day back following Spring Break |
|
PAC Booster Juice Smoothies |