Dear DG Families,

It’s hard to believe this is the last week before Winter Break!   It’s a busy one… please read on for this week’s news:

Reminder Bollywood Dancing permission and $4.00/Student

The first week back to school in January, we have booked Bollywood dance workshops for all students!  All classes will have dance instruction throughout the week, culminating with an assembly performance on the Friday (parents/guardians will be welcome to attend – stay tuned for more information).  Through generous donations from our PAC, we are able to bring this opportunity to students for only $4.00 each.    A huge thank you to our DG PAC for subsidizing the cost of these sessions.   If you have not yet submitted the $4.00 to your child’s teacher, and completed the online permission form for your child, please do so ASAP.   Please access the permission form through Parent Connect.    If you are having difficulty accessing Parent Connect, please contact Ms. Chahal at the school.    Alternatively, if you need a paper copy of the form, you can print one here: https://dg.deltasd.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/12/Jan-2025-Bollywood-dance-workshops.pdf

Monday is the last day to donate to Christmas Hampers for Delta Families

As we have done for the past several years, this year we are once again providing Christmas hampers/gifts to families in need.  This year we are collecting items to help provide a Christmas for 3 Delta families:

Family #1 – mom and 3 children (girl 16, girl 7, boy 4)

Family #2 – mom and 7 yr old boy

Family #3 – 7 yr old boy and guardians

We have put together a google doc that provides a bit more information and gift suggestions for the families.   We are still in need of several items (please check the link below).    If you are able to donate any of the remaining items, please drop them off at the school office any time on Monday, Dec 16th (or send them with your child):

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12RQbodNxq_QhmDpSMzD0Qvw1hw8lG6UocCSPB10uAqg/edit?usp=sharing

Canned Food Drive – December 17th

We are once again collecting donations of non-perishable food items for Delta Assist by asking that you please bring a donation for the food drive when you come to either of our Christmas Concerts on December 17th.  There will be boxes just inside the gym doors in which to deposit your donations, and student greeters will be there to assist with this.    Before leaving home, please double check expiry dates for your donations. 

Christmas Concerts this Tuesday!

Our Christmas Concerts Tuesday, December 17th, and we CANNOT WAIT to see you there!!!

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

• Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Deltassist – there will be boxes just inside the gym doors
  
• Doors open 30 min before show time (so, 1:00pm and 6:00pm)
• Entry is through outside gym doors only
  • Doors closest to the staff parking lot: Winners of Best Seats contest
  • Doors in the undercover ares: general admission
• Tickets are required for the evening concert

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 a few weeks ago) in order to get in to the evening concert.  Please ensure you bring them with you!

Also, for both the afternoon and evening concerts, the PAC will be selling 50/50 tickets, and running a concession in the undercover area, so bring along some cash!  50/50 tickets will be 3 tickets for $5.00 or 10 tickets for $10.00, and concession items will be a dollar or two.   The 50/50 draw will take place at the end of each concert.

Please also see our Concert Q & A list, below:

Question: When is the concert?

Answer: Tuesday, December 17th. There are 2 shows:   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 17th?

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. 

Question: Is there an entry fee for the concert?  

Answer:  No, but we are asking for a canned/non-perishable food item as we’re collecting donations for Deltassist.  For the evening concert, you will also need to present your tickets (sent home Nov 21st). No tickets are needed for the afternoon concert.   

Also, the PAC is running a concession and a 50/50 draw, so be sure to bring some cash!

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.

We understand that there may be some exceptional circumstances and some students may not be able to attend the evening concert.  If your child will not be participating in the evening show, please advise 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: 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 November 21st.   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.

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 isn’t polite!  It’s disruptive to the other audience members, not to mention the student performers.   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 to the evening show.  No tickets are required for the afternoon concert.

If you won the “best seats” contest (winners have all been notified by email), 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.    There will be a seating map on the gym wall to help you find your reserved seats.   Your “best seats” will be labelled with your names.

Winners of the Best Seats contest:  Please ensure you double check the email you were sent indicating which performance your “best seats” are for – afternoon or evening.

Question:  What doors do students use for the evening when coming for the evening concert? What time should they be at the school?

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

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 as there is no entry to the concert though the school.  Our suggestion, instead, is that you drop your children at their usual entry doors 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.

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.

Please note, there is no entry to the gym, for audience members, through the front door or 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.  There will be no entry to the gym/concert for parents/guests through the school.

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.

Term 1 Learning Updates

A reminder that Term 1 Learning Updates (report cards) were posted to Parent Connect last  Thursday (December 12th).    Teachers have worked hard to prepare these for families so please take some time to review your child’s Learning Update.  It contains important information about your child’s progress to date, as well as what they need to work on next term.     Once you’ve had a chance to look it over, please contact your child’s teacher should you have any questions.

To access your child’s Learning Update on Parent Connect, you will need your EMAIL ADDRESS (as defined in the student’s record) and PASSWORD to sign in.   If you are a first time user or have forgotten your password, simply click on the “Forgot My Password – OR retrieve initial password” link on the log in page and it will be emailed to you.   If you still need assistance after trying that, please contact Ms. Chahal in the office by calling the school at 604-581-6185 or sending an email to the general school mailbox: devongardens.elem@deltaschools.ca

Here is the link to sign in to parent connect:

https://cimsweb.deltasd.bc.ca/schoolconnect/parentsignone.aspx

What exactly is PAC?   Check out their one-pager, here

A reminder about Special Lunch Days- there’s one this week (Panago)

• Proceeds from Special Lunch Days will be administered by the PAC and go towards the purchase of school/student/classroom needs/supplies/events, etc.
• Please send utensils with your child as these will not be provided.  Feel free to also send a drink, condiments, etc. to supplement your child(s) order.
• If your child is absent on Special Lunch Days, your child’s order will be automatically donated to someone else UNLESS you email your child’s teacher that you want to pick up their food. Pick up is between 1:30-2:15PM at the office on the day of (please do not come earlier).   Your child’s order will be kept in the fridge until this time
  

Questions???  Please send an email to pacdevongardens@gmail.com.

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

Online Stay Safe & Babysitting Courses

Offered through First Aid Hero. When registering use promo/coupon code “DevGardens25” and our PAC will earn $5 from each registration. For details, available course dates and online registration, please follow the link: www.FirstAidHero.com

Questions? Send an email to pacdevongardens@gmail.com

Kinder Books

Introducing the Kinder Books Loyalty Program for schools! This year-long fundraising program is designed to help schools earn credit towards purchasing books for their school library.

Here’s how it works: for every net book purchase made at Kinder Books, the school will earn 10% of the purchase amount towards a credit at our store. At the end of the fundraiser, we will notify the school of their credit amount. The school can then decide to use the credit at the beginning of the new school year or at the end of the calendar year.

The best part? This program applies to all book purchases at our store, including special orders for kids and books for adults. Plus, orders can be placed online at www.kinderbooks.ca, making it easy for grandparents or other family members who live out of town to participate. Simply mention your school’s name at checkout, and we’ll credit your school accordingly.

Online orders can be picked up at the store during business hours or shipped through Canada Post

Information from the School District

French Immersion for the 2025-26 School Year

There are two French Immersion Programs offered in Delta: EARLY French Immersion Program (Kindergarten to Grade 12) and LATE French Immersion Program (Grade 6 to Grade 12). Do you, or does someone you know, have a child who might be interested in the French Immersion Programs staring in September?

While it might seem early, now is the time to start looking into it!  There is an application process, with very strict deadlines.

The first step is to attend a French Immersion Parent Information Meeting.

Early French Immersion (Kindergarten Entry):

In-Person Information Nights

Jan 13, 2025 at 6:30p.m. at Burnsview Secondary

Jan 14, 2025 at 6:30p.m. at South Delta Secondary

Application deadline: January 22, 2025 at 4p.m.

Late French Immersion (Grade 6 Entry):

In-Person Information Nights

Feb 10, 2025 at 6:30p.m. at Chalmers Elementary

Feb 11, 2025 at 6:30p.m. at Cliff Drive Elementary

Application deadline: February 12, 2025 at 4p.m.

Online registration for both programs begins on January 4th, at 8:00 am   Online Application Page

If this doesn’t apply to your family, but you know someone else who might be interested, please pass the information along.

Delta Choral Society Children and Youth Choir – Spring Term Starts in January

Delta Choral Society, a not-for-profit, non-denominational community organization, is committed to offering an inclusive, affordable choral music experience for students in the Delta area.

In 2025, the Delta Children and Youth Choir spring term will run from January 6th through to May 3rd. Artistic director, John R. Williams, is an accomplished choral conductor, composer, pianist, adjudicator and recording artist and holds a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington. With John at the helm, children and youth will be provided with weekly rehearsals that cultivate an appreciation for music and teach proper singing techniques in a fun but structured environment.

Delta Choral Society singers will share their talents with the community at two end-of-term concerts.  The choir currently rehearses at Benediction Lutheran Church, 5575 6th Ave, Tsawwassen, on Monday evenings from 5:15-6:00pm.

If your child has an interest in singing and being part of a musical team, sign them up for only $70 per term. For more information, visit https://www.deltachoral.ca/delta-childrens-choir/  Feel free to email your questions to info@deltachoral.ca and to register your child for next term go to https://www.deltachoral.ca/join-new-members/

Monday, December 16th – last day to bring Christmas Hamper Gift Donations

Tuesday, December 17th – Christmas Concerts 1:30pm & 6:30pm

• parents and guests enter through the outside gym doors only (no entrance through the school)
• did you win “best seats”?  Line up at the gym doors by the parking lot.  Otherwise, line up in the undercover area
• bring a canned food item as your entry fee
• bring some cash as the PAC is running a concession & a 50/50 draw
• evening concert only – drop your kids off at their regular entry door at 6:00 pm (no earlier), then line up outside the gym doors for concert entry (no entry through the school)
• evening concert only – bring your tickets!
• questions? contact your child’s teacher

Thursday, December 19th – Special Lunch Day (panago)

Friday, December 20th – Spirit Day (red & green)

Friday, December 20th – last day of school before Winter Break!

Saturday, January 4th – French Immersion applications for 25-26 school year available on line

Monday, January 6th – Back to school after winter break

Week of January 6th – Bollywood Dance workshops

Monday, January 13th – Kindergarten French Immersion info night (Burnsview, 6:30pm)

Wednesday, January 15th – Black Excellence Day

Wednesday, January 22nd – deadline for applications French Immersion Kindergarten, 4:00pm

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