January 6th – 10th, 2025

Dear DG Families,

Happy 2025!  We hope you had a wonderful winter break with family and friends.  As we head into term 2, there’s lots on the go.  Please read on for news and info you’ll need to stay in the know:

 

Bollywood Dance Workshops are happening this week!

This week we have Bollywood dance workshops for all students!  A huge thank you to our DG PAC for subsidizing the cost of these sessions.   Classes will have dance instruction throughout the week, culminating with an assembly performance on Friday.  Students will have sessions Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday this week, so please make sure your child comes dressed in clothing and footwear they can move comfortably in.

 

Black Excellence Day is January 15th!

As a lead up to Black History Month, which is February, Black Excellence Day is a day to rejoice Black history and learn about Black stories, Black art and Black people, and a day to stand in solidarity with Black Canadians.

  • Black Excellence Day was created by Ninandotoo Society and takes place on January 15th each year (or the preceding Friday if it falls on a weekend or holiday).
  • January 15th is in honour of the great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was born on January 15, 1929.
  • The contributions of Black Canadians and the ongoing civil rights struggle of Black Canadians often go unacknowledged in our history books and school curriculum.
  • The term Black Excellence was born out of the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

In celebration of Black Excellence Day, and throughout Black History Month, we will be learning about the struggles and contributions of notable Black Canadians.   We are also looking forward to a performance from the group Metaphor, later this month.  They will be sharing their presentation of Hip Hop 101.  The show explores the history of hip-hop, looking at how hip-hop culture has always shaped the communities it touches, from its roots in African oral tradition to contemporary sounds. Through music, dance, and participatory games, students explore themes of anti-racism, anti-bullying, self-empowerment, acceptance, and celebration. Metaphor’s Hip-Hop 101 is a pumped-up performance of positive hip-hop.

Thank you, DG PAC, for helping us bring in this dynamic group!

 

 

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

 

TERM 2 SPECIAL LUNCH AND SNACK DAYS – Orders due by Wed, Jan 15th

Happy New Year!  We are trying some new suppliers this time!

Nando’s Hot Lunch– Thursday, Jan 23

Cobs Buns and Cinnamon Buns Snack (for recess) – Wednesday Feb 5

TCBY Frozen Yogurt Snack (for recess) – Wednesday Feb 12

Loz Takos Lunch (Gluten Free Option available) – Thursday Feb 20

Subway Sandwiches Lunch (Gluten Free Bread Option available) – Thursday Mar 13

Deadline to submit online orders – Wednesday, January 15

How to Order

  • Visit https://devonpac.hotlunches.net/ and register for an account (you must register for a new account each year, may use same login and password as previous years)
  • Select items/order per child & pay
  • For step-by-step instructions on registering and ordering/payment, click here.

Other information to note:

  • Hot Lunch ordering is optional. Absolutely no-obligation to order.
  • Proceeds from all hot lunch fundraising will be administered by the PAC and go towards the purchase of school/student/classroom needs/supplies/events, etc.
  • No additional utensils or condiments will be provided. Please feel free to send a drink, etc. to supplement your child(s) order.
  • If you have more than one child at the school, place orders for all children first and then proceed to final payment. This will save you transaction fees.
  • Nutritional Info:
  • Please be mindful of known absences/vacations when placing orders.
  • If your child is absent on the day of the hot lunch, the meal will be automatically donated to someone else. Please email your child’s teacher if you want to pick up their food. Pick up is between 1:30-2:15PM at the office on the day of the hot lunch
  • *If you need to pay through an alternate method (cash or e-transfer) please place the order through the hotlunch website and email us to arrange payment

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

The PAC is also in need of volunteers to assist with special foods days.  If you assist, please sign up using this link:

 

Thank you,

Your Devon Gardens PAC

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

 

PAC Movie Night Fundraiser

Movie: Elemental (Rated PG)
When: Friday Jan. 17, 2025
Time: Movie starts at 5:00pm. Doors open at 4:30pm
Where: Devon Gardens Gym
Price: $5/person – ages 2 years and older.
Ticket includes a bag of chips and a juice box.

Order forms will be sent home this week, with youngest and only students.

Important Information
● Students must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the movie.
● Younger siblings are allowed.
● All children ages 2 and older as well as adults must purchase a ticket.
● You may bring blankets and pillows for the gym floor, limited seating available.
● Space is limited. Tickets are first come first served.
● No refunds will be given.

The PAC is also looking for parent volunteers to assist with this event.  If you are available to volunteer, please sign up using this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wjLJXdC-gnk8v5zIqFHbn4HBx56iLMB0U1qqdxKZSJ0/edit

 

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.

 

Now – 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 15th – Deadline for ordering for special lunch and snack days for term 2

Friday, January 17th – PAC movie night 5:00pm (doors open at 4:30pm)

Monday, January 20th – Performance Group – Metaphor “Hip Hop 101”

Monday, January 20th – PAC meeting, 7:00pm

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/