Dear DG Families,
On behalf of the staff at Devon Gardens, we want to thank you for a fantastic first term of learning at school and we wish all of our DG families a safe, wonderful and happy Winter break.
We look forward to welcoming our students back to school on Monday, January 4th, 2021!
Celebration of Learning
Our Winter Celebration of Learning video will be sent out to all families on Tuesday, December 15th.
Focusing on the Positive
When you ask parents what they want for their kids, the most common reply is that they want their children to be happy. Several years ago, Time magazine featured an article called How to Raise Happy Kids: 10 Steps Backed by Science. The article points out that while sometimes it’s hard to balance what’s best for children with what makes them happy, the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
We encourage you to read the full article, but if you don’t have time, here are the 10 steps:
1. Get happy yourself
2. Teach them to build relationships
3. Expect effort, not perfection
4. Teach optimism
5. Teach emotional intelligence
6. Form happiness habits
7. Teach self-discipline
8. More playtime
9. Rig their environment for happiness
10. Eat dinner together
BREAKING DOWN THE STIGMA IN SUBSTANCE USE & ADDICTION: A COMMUNITY APPROACH TO SAVING LIVES
The overdose crisis has affected many of us across B.C. Driven by an increasingly toxic drug supply contaminated by Fentanyl and other contaminants, we have lost over 1000 lives since 2016 and it is only increasing. Our very own community has lost loved ones and if we don’t change our current approach, we will only see this number grow.
In this webinar, we’ll present information on how we as a community can help break the stigma attached to substance use an addiction through education, harm reduction, and connecting with our kids. No age is too early to start this important conversation. You will learn current information on the overdose crisis, learn how Delta Police are responding to the crisis and how you can start the preventative conversation with your loved ones.
Panel:
Guy Felicella – Harm Reduction Expert & Advocate
Ryan Hall – Inspector – Delta Police Department
Joanna Angelidis, Director Learning Services – Inclusive Learning – Delta School District
Kirsten Hermanson – Manager Prevention & School Wellness –Delta School District
TUESDAY DECEMBER 15TH AT 6:30 PM VIA ZOOM
REGISTRATION LINK BELOW:Register in advance for this workshop: https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5YlcuiqpzovH9Qq_9B_NpKC_2cWywPTMrty
Managing Stress in these Uncertain Times
The District will be hosting two more sessions on “Managing Stress in These Uncertain Times” once again in PUNJABI on December 16th 6:30-8pm and in ENGLISH on December 17th 6:30-8pm. Please see the attached flyers for more information (please note one is translated into Punjabi).
Managing Stress – Dec 17th – English Version
Punjabi Speaking – Managing Stress 16th 3
Next Virtual PAC meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 25, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
Reminder – Fundraisers ongoing throughout the year
Level Ground Trading *NEW*
Level Ground is a BC business that works with fair trade coffee, tea, dried fruit and spice producers. For details and to place an order, please visit our very own Devon Gardens landing page https://www.kaci.io/devon-gardens-elementary-school-level-ground. Enter DevonGardens in the discount code field at checkout and 15% of your purchase will be a payback to the school on every order of $40+. Note free shipping on orders $60+
Online Stay Safe & Babysitting Courses *NEW*
Offered through First Aid Hero. When registering use promo/coupon code DGPAC and our PAC will earn $8 from each registration. For details, available course dates and online registration, please follow the links below:
Babysitting – https://firstaidhero.com/babysitting-courses/online-babysitting-courses/
Stay Safe – https://firstaidhero.com/stay-safe/
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.
*Correction – Devon Gardens families helped raise a payout of $608.79 from June 2019 to Dec 2, 2020!!!*
Questions? Send an email to pacdevongardens@gmail.com
Regards,
Devon Gardens PAC
Friday, December 18th: Red, Green and Santa Hat Day
Monday, December 21 – January 1st, 2021: Winter Break
Monday, January 4th: School reopens
Monday, January 4th: EFI applications available