Dear DG Families,

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  With the second month of school well underway, there’s lots going on at DG!   Please read on for this week’s information …

Allergy Reminder

A reminder that, due to very serious allergies, we ask that seafood/fish, onions and nuts not 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.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

On Friday, you should have received an email from Ms Labrosse with instructions on how to sign up for the Parent/Teacher conferences (through Parent Connect) happening next Wednesday and Thursday.

Parent/Teacher Conferences are an important opportunity for parents/guardians to have meaningful conversations with the teacher about their child’s progress and we encourage all parents to book an appointment. In order to accommodate as many parents/guardians as possible, we are offering in-person conferences on Wednesday October 18th and virtual conferences, via MS Teams, on Thursday, October 19th.  If you would prefer an in-person appointment on the 19th, or a phone appointment on either day,  that can also be arranged by contacting your child’s teacher.

Early Dismissal Next Wed & Thurs

To accommodate parent teacher conferences next week, students will be dismissed 1 hour earlier on both Wednesday, October 18th (dismissal at noon) and Thursday, October 19th (dismissal at 2:00 p.m.). 

Please make a note of this in your calendars and advise daycare providers or other family members who pick up your child from school.

Have you logged into Parent Connect to check your contact information & complete the on-line consent forms?

Please take the time to log in to Parent Connect and to update your forms.  Each year, the Delta School District requires that parents approve, through Parent Connect, various
permission forms (eg. walking field trip, Fruit & Veggie program, Photo & Media consent,
Google Apps).

It is important that the information that we have for you is up to date.  Please see the link for details.

https://dg.deltasd.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/09/parent-connect-instructions.pdf

Monthly Focus – October

Each month, at Devon Gardens, we choose a focus area (September was Manners).  This month, we are working on Sympathy, Empathy and Compassion.  In addition to learning about this in their classrooms with their teachers, we also share information and reminders with students via our daily announcements.

From the Library

The Book Fair is Next Week!

Our Librarian, Mrs. Goldman, has arranged to have a Scholastic Book Fair at Devon Gardens the week of October 16th (Monday – Thursday). Students will have the opportunity to browse and purchase books during their library lesson that week, as well as after school. The book fair will be open to students and their families until 4:00pm each day.

Road Safety

When dropping off your child to school, please do not stop your car in the driving lanes of Russell Drive, or stop in the middle of the road to drop off your child at the crosswalk.  With one lane going in each direction of Russell Drive, it blocks the flow of traffic when cars stop in the driving lane to let children out.  It is also very unsafe for students. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe at drop off and pick up times.

Fall weather

Just a reminder that as the weather gets cold and wet, please make sure that kids come dressed appropriately for the outdoors in all sorts of weather (eg. jacket, waterproof/water resistant footwear, hat, gloves, etc…) . Please expect that kids will go out for recess and lunch, unless there is extreme weather.

VERY IMPORTANT –  all students (even Grade 7s!) are required to have a spare change of clothes (socks, pants, T-shirt) at school.  Spare clothing should be in a ziplock bag, labeled with your child’s name   

Adult Crossing Guards Needed

We are still looking for adult crossing guards, both full time (at Nordel and 112th), part time (at 112th by the entrance to the school field) and casual/on-call.  If you are interested, or you know someone who might be, please email our Vice Principal, Mme Hamilton, or call the school office (604-581-6185).

PAC INFORMATION

PAC POPCORN SALE FUNDRAISER –  This WEDNESDAY at RECESS!

The PAC will be holding a Popcorn Sale on Wednesday, October 11th, at recess.

• $1.00/bag, limit 2 bags per student
• Students are asked to please bring exact change

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 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 $2

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

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS/FAMILIES

Have You Ever Thought of Becoming a Foster Parent?

Do you share a desire to help young people reach their full potential?

Currently in B.C. there are 1000’s of kids who need foster families when they can’t live at home.  Many of these children and teens have experienced trauma and difficult times.

They need amazing foster families who are committed to their care and provide support so that they can grow and develop in a positive way.   Please see the link below for more information:

Caring for children and youth in B.C. – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

If this is something you would be interested in, or if you would like more information, please contact:

Ministry of Children & Family Development, South Fraser Recruitment Team (FII) at  604.209.2681.

Wednesday, October 11th – PAC popcorn sale at recess

October 16th – 19th – Scholastic Book Fair

Wednesday, October 18th – Parent/Teacher Conferences (early dismissal, 12 noon)

Thursday, October 19th – Great BC Shakeout (Earthquake drill)

Thursday, October 19th – Parent/Teacher Conferences (early dismissal, 2:00pm)

Friday, October 20th – Non-Instructional Day/Provincial Pro-D (no classes for students)

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