Dear DG Families,

Can you believe we’re heading into our last week of school before Winter Break?  Where does the time go?   Please read on for this week’s news …

Week(s) of Giving – thank you!

Thank you for the donations you sent in for our Week(s) of Giving campaign.  Your generous donations of something warm, something to sip, something sweet and something to do were all assembled into shoe boxes and wrapped with festive paper to be delivered to two different organizations: The Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre (FRAFCA) and The Orchard, Whole Way House Society.   These gift boxes will help bring some holiday cheer to children, teens, and seniors in the community.

In addition to our Week(s) of Giving campaign, this year we are once again putting Christmas Hampers together for local Delta families in need.  Tomorrow is the last day we are collecting donations.  Please see info below:

Christmas Hampers

For the past few years, we have partnered up with  another school in Delta to provide families in need with some Christmas hampers this year.  Our sister school will provide hampers for our families and in turn we are collecting items to help their families. We do this in the spirit of trying to keep things private and confidential for the families who are in need.

Please have a look at the descriptions of the two families below and please consider bringing in donations to help with our hamper efforts. We would like to get the hampers to them by Monday, Dec 12th.  Students can bring in donations to their teachers, or they can be dropped off directly at the office.

Again our sincerest thank you!

Family #1 Mom & 2 Children

Family #2 Mom & 2 kids

Should you want to sign up to buy an item, please do so on this link.  You DO NOT need to write your name – you could use your initials, or put “yes” or a check-mark, etc…  we are just trying to make sure that we don’t get 16 toques:)  Again, thank you all for your generosity!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FGG8UEdGF6a9LLLyfBOTiPhSb1XwZFjyADLaibHpL5o/edit?usp=sharing

Canned Food Drive

As we have done in previous years, we are once again collecting donations of non-perishable food items for Delta Assist. Our food drive started last Wednesday and runs until this Wednesday.   We are also asking that you please bring a donation for the food drive as your “entry” to the Christmas Concert.

Christmas Concerts

Our Christmas Concerts are this Tuesday, December 13th, and we CANNOT WAIT to see you there!!!  It’s been 3 long years ….

There will be two shows – 1:30pm and 6:30pm.

As typically there are more guests at the evening concert, we are encouraging those who are available to come to the afternoon performance to do so.   There is no limit to the number of family members who can attend the afternoon show and tickets are not required.

You will, however, need your tickets (sent home last week) in order to get in to the evening concert.   We have issued two tickets per family.  Any additional tickets that were returned to the office have now been given out to those who families who were on the waiting list.

Please bring a canned food item as your “entry” to the concert.

Also, the PAC will be selling 50/50 tickets, so bring along some cash (see more under PAC section, below)

Please also see our Christmas Concert Q & A list, below, which was also sent home via email on Friday:

Question: When is the Christmas Concert?

Answer: Tuesday, December 13th. There are 2 performances – 1:30pm and 6:30pm.  Doors open 30 min before the concert start times (so 1:00pm and 6:00pm)

Question: Is there early dismissal on Tuesday, December 13th?

Answer:  No, it’s a regular dismissal day

Question: Do students stay at school until the evening concert begins?

Answer: No.  Students go home at regular dismissal time, and are asked to be back at the school at 6:00 pm (not earlier).  Students will report to their classes, using their usual doors.  Parents who are staying to watch the evening performance will line up at the outside gym doors.

The door closest to the staff parking lot will be for winners of the best seats contest only 

General admission will be through the outside gym doors closest to the undercover area

See map below:

Please note, there is no entrance to the gym for parents/guests through the school.  

Parents who aren’t staying for the evening performance, you can drop your child off to their line-up area or classroom and come back to pick them up when the concert is over, at approximately 7:30pm

Question: Is there an entry fee for the concert?  

Answer:  No, but we are asking for a canned food item as we’re collecting donations for Deltassist.  For the evening concert, you will also need to present your tickets (sent home Dec 1st). No tickets are needed for the afternoon concert.   

Question: Will my child be performing in both the afternoon and the evening concerts?

Answer: Yes!  We want to ensure both audiences see a great show.  This means we need students to attend in the evening as well.  If there is an exceptional circumstance, and your child is unable to be here for the evening performance, please contact your child’s teacher as soon as possible.

Question: Given that my child will be performing in both the afternoon and evening shows, should I come and watch both performances?  

Answer: Ideally, no.  Due to limited seating capacity, we ask that parents and guests attend either the afternoon or the evening concert, but not both.   Tickets are required for the evening performance.  2 tickets per family were sent home last week.   Tickets are not required for the afternoon performance, so this would be a great time for grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc… to come and see the concert.

Parents who aren’t attending the evening performance should drop their child off at their usual door/line-up area at 6:00 pm.  When the concert is over, at approximately 7:30 pm, parents will pick students up from their classrooms.

Question: Can I leave right after my child’s class is finished performing in the concert? 

Answer: No, please stay and enjoy the entire show!  Leaving part way through is disruptive to the audience.   Plus, all of our students and staff have worked really hard to put this event together so we want to ensure that the classes performing at the end of the concert are not looking at a bunch of empty seats. That would be really discouraging!

Question: If I won the “best seats” contest for the evening performance, do I still need my tickets to get in?

 Answer: Yes, for the evening concert.  If you won best seats at the evening concert, you still need your tickets to get in.  No tickets are required for the afternoon concert.

If you won the “best seats” contest (winners have been notified by phone), this means you have reserved seating in the first 4 rows (ie – the “best seats”!).   “Best seats” winners will be entering the gym through the outside gym doors closest to the staff parking lot.    Your “best seats” will be labelled with your names.

 Question:  What doors do students use for the evening when coming for the evening concert? 

Answer: For the evening concert, students should arrive at 6:00pm (no   Students will use their own/regular doors (see above map).  Grade 7 student helpers will be stationed at the doors to greet students and assist them to their classrooms.

Parents, while you are welcome to walk your children to their classrooms if you wish,  we suggest that you don’t as you will, then, need to then go back outside and line up outside the gym doors for entry into the concert.  Our suggestion, instead, is that you drop your children at their entry door and then make your way to the outside gym doors to line up for admission to the concert.  This is why we will have big buddies at the doors to greet students and make sure they get to their classrooms. Please note, there is no entry to the gym, for audience members, through the interior of the school.   

Question: What doors do parents and guests use when coming to the concert. 

Answer: For both the 1:30 and the 6:30 concerts, parents/guests will use the outside gym doors.  See above map

The door closest to the staff parking lot will be for winners of the best seats contest only 

General admission will be through the outside gym doors closest to the undercover area

Doors will open 30 min before the concert start time (1:00 for the afternoon concert and 6:00 for the evening concert).  

Question:  Are you as excited as we are?  

We can’t wait to see you there!

If you have any further questions about the concerts, please contact your child’s teacher.

Please don’t send your children to school when they are ill

Important Information about FRENCH IMMERSION for the 2023-2024 School Year

Are you interested in:

• the Early French Immersion program for your soon-to-be-Kindergarten child?

• the Late French Immersion program for your currently-in-grade-5 child?

Or, do you know a family who might be?

Please note and/or pass along this important information about French Immersion for the coming school year

Our district offers both early (Kindergarten) and late (grade 6) French Immersion programs.  Both programs require an application prior to registration. 

Here are some other important reminders/dates about French Immersion:

1.  An on-line application form needs to first be completed and submitted by the deadline.  This demonstrates a commitment by the families to register their child in the designated program if their child is accepted and to understand that there is a commitment for the child to stay in the French Immersion program until Grade 12.   Applications will be available January 4th on both the School District website https://www.deltasd.bc.ca/programs/french-immersion/

2.  The deadline for application is January 22nd at 4:00 pm

3. ALL families hoping for a Kindergarten or Grade 6 (Late Immersion) spot for September 2023 MUST apply, including families who already have children in the French Immersion program.,  Having a child already in the French Immersion program does not guarantee you a spot for your upcoming child.   But, it does increase your chances!

4. Spots are given following a priority order.  Find out more, here https://www.deltasd.bc.ca/programs/french-immersion/

5. There is more IMPORTANT information on the District website https://www.deltasd.bc.ca/programs/french-immersion/

6.  Deadline for application is January 22nd at 4:00 pm

Adult Crossing Guard Needed (paid position)

We are still looking for a Crossing Guard for the corner of Nordel and 112^th.  

Do you know someone (friend, neighbour, family member, etc…) who might be interested?   Please help us get the word out!      If yes, please contact Ms. Grund at bgrund@deltaschools.ca   or at 604-581-6185

This is a part-time role, for one hour per day (30 minutes each in the morning and afternoon), Monday – Friday, from September to June, on days school is in session.

Hours: 

8:20– 8:50am, Mon – Fri

3:00 – 3:30pm, Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri

1:45 – 2:15pm, Wed

Requirements: 

Completion of Grade 10, or equivalent. Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents and drivers. Ability to use good judgement when confronted with difficult situations. Knowledge of and the ability to apply basic road safety rules. Physically capable of performing the duties of the position. Ability to work in all weather conditions. Criminal records check required

Student Crossing Guard Schedule

A huge thank you to our student crossing guards!   We appreciate the many students that volunteer their time to keep our school community safe before and after school. As this is such an important role, we ask that students find their own replacements if they are not able to do their crossing guard duty. Please review the updated crossing guard schedule with your child so they understand when their crossing guard duty takes place. Ms Grund is in charge of our Student Crossing Guard program, so please contact her with any questions.PlayDay Reg Form Nov 28

Revised Crossing Guard Schedule Crossing Guard

PAC SPECIAL LUNCH DAYS

We have had a high number of absences on Special Lunch Days.  This leads to a lot of food waste.   As such, please note that if your child is absent on a special lunch day, your child’s lunch order will be automatically donated to someone else. 

The exception being – if you wish to pick up your child’s lunch order you must:

• email your child’s teacher to let them know
• pick your child’s lunch up, at the office, between 1:30 and 2:15 pm only, on special lunch days

If you have questions about this, please contact the PAC pacdevongardens@gmail.com

Christmas Concert 50/50 Draw… How Exciting!

Thank you to our AWESOME PAC for organizing the 50/50 draw!   Please note, tickets will be cash only.  The draw(s) will happen at the end of each concert and you must be present to win!

Reminder – PAC Fundraisers ongoing throughout the year

Return-it Express

PAC has created a school fundraising account. To participate, simply bring your containers to the depot in sealed, clear bags, and enter the registered phone number, 604-581-6185, into the Express kiosk. You will be prompted to select the number of bags you’re dropping off, the kiosk will automatically print the same number of sticker tags displaying our PACs unique Express account code. Tag each of your bags with a sticker tag and drop the bags off in the designated Express drop-off area to be counted. For a list of Return-it Express location visit https://www.return-it.ca/locations/express/

Cobs Bread Dough Raiser Program

This program enables us to raise money for our school throughout the year! Be sure to mention Devon Gardens Elementary (or code 7806) each time you make a purchase at COBS Bread Scott 72 Centre; they will donate 10% of your purchase back to our school.

Level Ground Trading

Level Ground is a BC business that works with fair trade coffee, tea, dried fruit and spice producers.

• Supporters enter the code devongardensin the ‘discount code’ field at the checkout.
• All products on our web store (com) qualify for the fundraiser. Orders must be $40 or more. These orders also qualify for free shipping to most addresses in Canada (there is a shipping fee on all orders shipped to NU/NT/YK). All orders are paid for through our web site and shipped directly to your supporters. No need to collect orders or distribute products to households.
• Your fundraising amount is 20% of total sales.  So on a $100 order your school will receive $20.

Online Stay Safe & Babysitting Courses

Offered through First Aid Hero. When registering use promo/coupon code DGPAC and our PAC will earn $5 from each registration. For details, available course dates and online registration, please refer to this flyer:

Questions? Send an email to pacdevongardens@gmail.com

Thank you,

Your Devon Gardens PAC

Monday, December 12th: Last day to bring in Christmas Hamper donations

Tuesday, December 13th: Christmas Concerts –

• TWO shows1:30pm & 6:30pm (bring your canned food items and your $$ for the 50/50 draw!)

Wednesday, December 14th: Pyjama Day

Thursday, December 15th: PAC Purdy’s chocolate orders pick-up after school (undercover area)

Friday, December 16th: last day of school before Winter Break

Friday, December 16th: Special Foods Day (pizza hut)

if your child is absent on a special lunch day, your child’s lunch order will be automatically donated to someone else.  If you wish to pick up your child’s lunch order you must:

• email your child’s teacher to let them know
• pick your child’s lunch up, at the office, between 1:30 and 2:15 pm only, on special lunch days

Tuesday, January 3rd: Back to School

Wednesday, January 4th: Early French Immersion (Kindergarten) applications are available

Other dates and events are listed on the school calendar on our website: https://dg.deltasd.bc.ca/events-calendar/