Dear DG Families,
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Thank you to those of you who participated in the survey regarding parent/teacher conferences. We will be looking at the responses this week and then sending out information about the format for our conferences this year, based on your feedback. We will also send out instructions on how to book your conference times. Appointments will be booked through Parent Connect, so in the meantime please make sure you are able to log on.
World Teachers’ Day is October 5th.
Please join us in thanking all of our dedicated educators who work so hard to make a positive difference in the lives of our students. You are amazing!
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
As well, parent connect is the portal that you will need to use when booking parent teacher interviews, which will be happening very soon (please watch for an email from Ms Labrosse)
From the Library
The Book Fair is Coming Soon!
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.
Author Visit – Kenneth Oppel
We are excited to welcome visiting author Kenneth Oppel to our school on Wednesday October 25th, for students in Grades 4-7. Students have the opportunity to pre-order books that Kenneth Oppel will personalize and sign after his presentation. If your child would like to purchase a book, order forms are available in the library from Mrs. Goldman, as well as through the link below. Please ensure order forms and money are returned to Mrs. Goldman by Friday October 6th. Students may also bring their own Kenneth Oppel books to be signed.
- Use the designated parent parking lot (safely and courteously!) across the street from the school. Please do not double park or block the entry/exit to the parking lot
- Follow the directions of crossing guards
- Use the cross walk to cross Russell Drive and encourage your children to do the same (it’s not safe for kids to run across Russell Drive)
- Keep our staff parking lot clear of parent vehicles and pedestrians (lately we’ve noticed an increase in parent vehicles driving through, and even parking in, the staff lot; please don’t do this)
- Stress to your children that they should not hang out in or run across the staff parking lot. Use the path across the front grass areas, rather than cutting through the staff parking lot.
- Keep vehicles clear of Downs Road – there is NO student drop off/pick up, here
- Do not block private driveways of houses near our school
- Encourage older students to walk or bike to school
- If possible, walk younger students to school
- Drive slowly and cautiously
Here’s a link to the traffic reminders/parking map on our website.
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
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
Strong Start
StrongStart provides free early learning programs for children from birth to Kindergarten entry. Parents/caregivers attend with their children.
StrongStarts are led by Early Childhood Educators who support children with their learning and share ideas, resources, and community services with families.
No advance registration is required. Programs run 9-12 at Heath, Chalmers, Jarvis, Hellings and McCloskey Elementary Schools. There is also an afternoon program at McCloskey. Families are welcome to attend anytime during program hours but it is recommended that if families are attending for the first time that the drop in during the first half hour, which is usually open play time.
StrongStart Locations In North Delta:
Hellings Elementary
11655 86th Avenue
604-596-1701
hellings.elem@deltaschools.ca
McCloskey Elementary (morning and afternoon programming)
11531 80th Avenue
604-596-9554
mccloskey.elem@deltaschools.ca
Jarvis Elementary
7670 118th Street
604-594-3484
jarvis.elem@deltaschools.ca
Chalmers Elementary
11315 75th Avenue
604-594-5437
chalmers.elem@deltaschools.ca
Heath Elementary
11364 72nd Avenue
604-596-1508
heath.elem@deltaschools.ca
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.
Thursday, October 5th – PAC Special Lunch Day
Monday, October 9th – Thanksgiving (Statutory Holiday, schools are closed)
Wednesday, October 11th – PAC popcorn sale at recess
Wednesday, October 18th – Parent/Teacher Conferences (early dismissal, 12 noon)
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/