Dear DG Families,
Parking Lot Safety
A reminder to all drivers that the upper parking lot is for school district staff and emergency vehicles only. The lower parking lot is for student pick-up and drop-offs at all times, even when classes are in session and/or it’s raining or snowing. We have had more than a few near-misses between cars and pedestrians in the staff parking lot in the past couple of weeks as adults drop off or pick up students during school hours, particularly in the morning. For everyone’s safety, always use the lower parking lot for student drop off and pick up.
District Budget Consultation –
The budget consultation process is fast approaching.
Expect an email with more information that will be sent directly from the District later this week.
Ensuring Students come Dressed for the Weather
We are expecting another rainy week. Please expect that kids will go out for recess and lunch, unless there is extreme weather. Ensuring students come dressed for the weather isn’t just important for playing outside. It’s also important in case of an emergency requiring evacuation of the building.
In addition to ensuring your children come dressed for the weather, we ask that ALL students have a change of clothes at school (yes, even grade 7s). The field can be quite slippery and muddy. In order to avoid us having to call you (possibly at work), to bring your child a change of clothes, please ensure that your child has spare clothes at school that they can change into, just in case. Your child’s spare clothing should be labelled with their name, in a ziplock bag, and left either in the classroom or in your child’s backpack.
Allergy Reminder
Due to very serious allergies, we ask that NO seafood/fish, onions or nuts be brought to school. Please also keep this in mind whether it be a lunch prepared at home as well as if you are dropping off a commercially prepared lunch (eg. fast food) for your child.
Early Dismissal February 1st and 2nd
Student led conferences are on Thursday, February 1st and Friday, February 2nd. To accommodate this, students will be dismissed at 2:00 pm on both February 1st and 2nd.
As teachers will be conducting conferences, students must be picked up, promptly, at 2:00 pm on these dates.
Please make a note of this in your calendars and advise daycare providers or other family members who pick up your child from school.
Student led conferences are on Thursday, February 1st and Friday, February 2nd. To accommodate this, students will be dismissed at 2:00 pm on both February 1st and 2nd. Please ensure that you make arrangements to pick-up your children promptly at 2:00 pm on these dates and/or notify your child’s daycare.
What is a Student-Led Conference? Just as it sounds, a student-led conference is a conference with parents, led by the student. The role of the classroom teacher is a facilitator in the conference process. Students lead parents through a discussion of their work and established academic and social goals. The process includes the teacher facilitating several conferences at the same time. Conference appointments will be 20 min long (some students/parents may require less time, which is fine), and several sets of parents may sign up for each appointment time.
Appointments for Student Led Conferences will be booked through Parent Connect.
Instructions for Parent Connect can be found here
If you are having difficulty, please contact Ms Labrosse in the office.
When students have the opportunity to show, explain and demonstrate their learning, they are not only communicating their accomplishments and understanding, but also sharing with you what and how they are learning, and the criteria for success. In addition, giving students this opportunity:
- develops your child’s self-assessment and communication skills
- helps build the independence, confidence, self-esteem and pride of your child
- provides an opportunity for your child to receive supportive feedback to further their learning
- provides an opportunity to celebrate your child’s learning. While your child is leading you through the conference, the teacher will be available to join you for part of the time.
Roles and Responsibilities of Student-Led Conferences
Late French Immersion Application Deadline is Quickly Approaching!
Are you interested in the Late French Immersion Program for your child currently in Grade 5? 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. It’s important to attend a parent information session:
For Late French Immersion (entry in grade 6):
A pre-recorded Late French Immersion Information presentation is available here: https://vimeo.com/503206055
In-person Information Nights:
- Feb 7th at 6:30pm at Chalmers Elementary
- Feb 8th at 6:30pm at Cliff Drive Elementary.
2. 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.
- Deadline for Late French Immersion program (Grade 6 entry) is February 12th at 4p.m. Link to LFI application form
3. ALL families hoping for a Grade 6 (Late Immersion) spot for September 2024 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 (provided your application is submitted on time)
Find out more, here https://www.deltasd.bc.ca/programs/french-immersion/
5. There is more IMPORTANT information on the District website
Save the Date!
Suggestions: art supplies, kitchen utensils, small tools, home decor (picture frames etc), scratch and win tickets, small electronics, gift cards, candles, etc.
PAC Fundraisers ongoing throughout the year:
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
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 devongardens in the ‘discount code’ field at the checkout.
All products on our web store 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 “DevGardens24” and our PAC will earn $5.00 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
Monday, January 29th: Drumming workshops for those classes impacted by the snow day.
Tuesday, January 30th: Gr 7 parents night at Delview 6:30 pm AND Gr 7 English parents night at Burnsview 7:00pm
Wednesday, January 31st: PAC popcorn sale at recess
Wednesday, January 31st: Gr 7 parents night at Sands 6:00pm
Thursday, February 1st: 2:00 pm Early Dismissal for Student Led Conferences
Friday, February 2nd: 2:00 pm Early Dismissal for Student Led Conferences
Monday, February 5th: PAC meeting 7pm
Thursday, February 8th: PAC Special Lunch
Monday, February 12th: Late French Immersion Application Deadline
Friday, February 16th: Professional Development Day – No School for Students
Monday, February 19th: Family Day – No School
Please note, not all important dates are listed here. Other dates and events are listed on our school calendar on our website: https://dg.deltasd.bc.ca/events-calendar/