Friday, Oct. 20th, 2023<\/p>\n
THIS WEEK<\/strong><\/p>\n Many students took part in the Primary and Intermediate Cross Country meets. Despite the rain, it was wonderful seeing so many students representing our school and giving it their all. We\u2019d like to thank PAC for donating the juice boxes. The school also participated in the BC Shake Out drill and a fire drill. We wrapped up a busy week with our Fall Fun Day. Thank you to PAC for serving up some delicious hot chocolate. We saw many smiling faces!<\/p>\n NEXT WEEK<\/strong><\/p>\n Monday, October 23rd<\/sup>:<\/p>\n 2:30 pm – Soccer Program for registered students<\/p>\n Tuesday, October 24th<\/sup>:<\/p>\n Gr. 6 Immunizations<\/p>\n 7:30 am – Triple Ball practice in gym<\/p>\n 2:30 pm \u2013 Explorations Program for registered students<\/p>\n Wednesday, October 25th<\/sup>:<\/p>\n 3:00 pm \u2013 Triple Ball Game @ Alouette<\/p>\n Thursday, October 26th<\/sup>:<\/p>\n Friday, October 27th<\/sup>:<\/p>\n PAC Snack Day (Cobbs) for those who ordered<\/p>\n 6:00 pm \u2013 8:00 pm PAC Halloween Dance<\/p>\n HALLOWEEN COSTUMES<\/strong><\/p>\n As per Harry Dhillon\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/em><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n We appreciate your consideration and thank you for helping keep our schools safe, caring, and inclusive this Halloween.<\/p>\n HALLOWEEN PARTIES \/ FOOD<\/strong><\/p>\n Some classes may be having a class party on Halloween.\u00a0 Please note that all food items that are shared with students must be either pre-packaged or prepared by a person with FoodSafe.\u00a0 This information is based on the updated Provincial Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12.<\/p>\n Grocery store baked goods items or food from restaurants such as pizza are acceptable. Homeade baked goods will not be accepted at school.<\/p>\n DROP OFF & PICK UP SAFETY<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>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. <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n 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<\/strong>. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work together to keep our students safe.<\/p>\n We are continuing to practice Health Awareness this year for everyone entering our school \u2013 this includes staff, students, and visitors. Health awareness includes checking regularly for any symptoms of illness (including, but not limited to,\u00a0COVID-19 symptoms<\/a>) and staying home when sick.<\/p>\n ATTENDANCE<\/strong><\/p>\n 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<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n WESTCOAST RECESS AND LUNCH \u2013 DRESS FOR THE WEATHER\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n A reminder that MRE students play outside even when it is cold, rainy, or snowy.\u00a0 Only on rare occasions will we keep students inside.\u00a0 We would ask that you send your student(s) to school dressed for the weather (boots, coats, mitts, umbrella, etc.).\u00a0 Please send an extra set of clothing if you know your student gets wet playing on the slides or in the field.<\/p>\n CHRISTMAS HAMPERS <\/strong><\/p>\n 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 \u201ctheme.\u201d\u00a0 Next week\u2019s theme is crafts. <\/strong>If you have any new, unwrapped Arts and Crafts supplies, colouring books, paint sets, markers, etc. Please consider donating them.\u00a0 There is a green bin in front of the office for donations.<\/p>\n If you have other donations that do not match the themes, we will still collect them and donate them to families.<\/p>\n MRE GRADE 7 QUEBEC TRIP<\/strong><\/p>\n BOTTLE DRIVE!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Thank you for your generous support!<\/p>\n Halloween Food Drive<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Nous cherchons des donations pour les friends in need food bank.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Pour entrer dans la danse c\u2019est un dollar ou de la nourriture.<\/p>\n Remember, together, we can scare hunger!<\/p>\n IN OUR COMMUNITY<\/strong><\/p>\n Grade 5 and 6 students residing in the City of Maple Ridge can experience the positive benefits of leisure and recreation at\u00a0no charge!<\/p>\n Eligible students will have\u00a0FREE\u00a0access 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).\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.mapleridge.ca\/1474\/Grade-5-6-Active-Pass<\/a><\/p>\n FRASER HEALTH<\/strong><\/p>\n Each month Fraser Health will share information and resources regarding children\u2019s health.<\/p>\n Make dental, hearing and vision checks part of a healthy routine<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Dental<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2019s teeth checked by a dentist regularly. To find a local dentist near you who is accepting new patients, visit the BC Dental Association’s\u00a0Find a Dentist database<\/a>. 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\u00a0affordable dentistry for your children<\/a>. You can also contact the dental program at your\u00a0local public health unit<\/a>\u00a0and ask about resources available in your community.<\/p>\n Vision<\/strong><\/p>\n BC Doctors of Optometry<\/a>\u00a0recommends 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\u00a0Find an Optometrist database<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n Hearing<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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\u00a0local public health audiology (hearing) clinic<\/a>.<\/p>\n Find more information on child health screenings and how to access free vision, hearing, and dental exams on Fraser Health\u2019s website: https:\/\/ow.ly\/oK9z50PegZB<\/a><\/p>\n FOUNDRY NEWS<\/strong><\/p>\n The Foundry provides\u00a0mental health care, substance use services, physical and sexual health care, youth, and family peer supports, and social services\u00a0to 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.<\/p>\n Education Assistant Program at Ridge Meadows College<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0Courses 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\u00a0https:\/\/rmcollege.sd42.ca\/program\/education-assistant\/<\/a>\u00a0or register for the next\u00a0information session<\/a>, 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 \u2013 Pitt Meadows SD42.<\/p>\n Parent Advisory Committee <\/strong><\/p>\n There are several ways you can support MRE by getting involved with PAC!<\/p>\n Maple Ridge Elementary Facebook Page: <\/strong>Check out PAC\u2019s calendar of events and learn more about PAC information.<\/p>\n The next PAC meeting will take place on Monday, November 20th<\/sup> at 7:00 pm.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Students must be accompanied by a parent.<\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wordpress1.blob.core.windows.net\/maple-ridge-elementary\/2023\/10\/E6327AE8-9021-40A2-9993-D2CA4415E4B9_1_201_a.jpeg\")
<\/strong>HEALTH AWARENESS<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>October \u2013 Child health screenings: vision, hearing and dental<\/strong><\/h1>\n