Dear DG Families,
Happy February DG Families!
February is Black History Month
Black history refers to the stories, experiences, and accomplishments of people of African origin. Black history did not begin in recent times in Canada, but in ancient times in Africa. People connected by their common African history and ancestry have created Black history here. The African-Canadian population is made up of individuals from a range of places across the globe including the United States, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Canada.
The commemoration of Black History Month dates back to 1926, when Harvard-educated African American historian Carter G. Woodson proposed setting aside a time devoted to honour the accomplishments of African Americans and to heighten awareness of Black history in the United States. Celebrations of Black history began in Canada also shortly thereafter. During the early 1970s, the week became known as Black History Week. It was expanded into Black History Month in 1976.
In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine. The motion was carried unanimously by the House of Commons.
People of African descent have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity since the arrival of Mathieu Da Costa, the first Black person thought to have set foot on land that is now referred to as Canada. However, the role of people of African descent in Canada has not always been viewed as a key feature in Canada’s historic landscape.
Mathieu Da Costa, a free man who was hired as an interpreter for Samuel de Champlain’s 1605 excursion
Black History Month is a time to learn more about these Canadian stories and the many other important contributions of Black Canadians to the settlement, growth and development of Canada, and about the diversity of Black communities in Canada and their importance to the history of this country.
“African-Canadians have made inestimable contributions to Canada in politics, in the arts, in military service, in technological innovation and in business — all during times characterized by pervasive racism. And these great Canadians not only endured, they succeeded.” – the Honarable Dr. Donald Oliver, former senator.
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a favourite celebration for our students. As we are learning with many events during COVID, we would still like to celebrate Valentine’s Day while following some of our new health and safety protocols.
Students are welcome to give Valentine’s cards to their classmates. We are, however, reminding everyone not to bring/share food items with the class (ie. no baked goods, no candies please).
Jump Rope for Heart
We will be starting Jump Rope for Heart activities in P.E. this week. Students will learn about heart health, how to skip, and various kinds of skipping tricks. If students wish to fundraise for The Heart and Stroke Foundation they can do so online at jumpropeforheart.ca and click on ‘Donate to a School’ up until Feb.19th (due to Covid 19 there will be no donation envelopes for cash donations this year). Prizes from fundraising will also be delivered online in the form of gift cards to Toys R Us, Indigo, Amazon or WalMart. All students are encouraged to go online and track their “Easy Healthy Habits” at jumpropeforheart.ca to earn virtual badges, whether or not they choose to fundraise! This year is the 30th year that Devon Gardens has participated in Jump Rope for Heart! As a community we have raised over $100,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation in that time. Way to go DG!
Cycling Issues and Opportunities Survey
The City of Delta is asking schools to share the following survey regarding cycling paths in Delta.
The survey will help to identify issues and opportunities for improving the cycling network.
To have your say, complete this short survey by February 5, 2021.
https://letstalk.delta.ca/cyclingmasterplan’
Fraser Health Winter Update and Resources for Families
Recently, Fraser Health shared a brief update on how we can all help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools. We encourage you to take a read: click here to view it. Also, a reminder that the Fraser Health website offers a wealth of valuable resources for families. Click here to access them.
Family Day
Family Day is on Monday, February 15. We encourage all families to continue to follow the public health orders. Currently, this means you should limit your Family Day activities to the members of your immediate household. Please DO NOT:
- Invite friends or family to your home
- Host gatherings outdoors
- Gather in your backyard
- Arrange playdates for children
Many thanks for continuing to help keep our community safe.
Pick up times can be very busy, and Russell Drive and 112th are very busy roads. As such, we encourage families to walk to and from school if possible. Parents can continue to help us keep our students safe during pickup and drop off times, by doing the following.
- Use the designated parent parking lot across the street from the school
- 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
- Keep vehicles clear of Downs Road
- 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
Crossing Guard Schedule
Please see the schedule listed for crossing guards until March 2021
Crossing Guard Schedule
Reminder – Fundraisers ongoing throughout the year
Level Ground Trading
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 $40+
Online Stay Safe & Babysitting Courses
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. 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
Self-Care: Juggling Personal Life in the Context of COVID-19
This will be a facilitated dialogue session over Zoom for parents/caregivers.
Participants can expect the following from this workshop:
- to increase their self-awareness around stressors and reflect on their current self-care practices
- be provided some psycho-educational background on self-care and the body-mind relationship
- explore what a self-care plan can look like (what should be included, how to set realistic boundaries, etc.)
- begin developing a tangible self-care plan to implement and utilize following the workshop
Presenter:
Leah Hughes, M.Ed., R.C. Coordinator –
Secondary Focus, Inclusive Learning
Delta School District
When: Feb 4, 2021 6:30 PM – 8PM
Self- Care Juggling Personal Life in the Context of Covid-19
Thursday, February 4th: Student portfolio feedback forms due back to school
Week of Feb 8 – 12: Jump Rope for Heart Event during PE classes
Friday, Feb 12: Wear Red day
Saturday, Feb 13: Deadline for Late French Immersion (Grade 6) applications online
Monday, Feb 15: Family Day (School is closed)