Dear DG Families,
We are expecting some rain this week but in general, the warm weather is coming! Please remember to pack a water bottle, hat, and sunscreen for your child. For our younger children, as it would be simpler, sunscreen can be applied at home prior to coming to school.
Summer Learning is Coming and We’ll Be Back in the Classrooms!
If you would like your children to continue learning into the summer, please check out your options the Delta School District is offering at the following link:
https://www.deltasd.bc.ca/programs/continuing-education/summer-school-registration/
Planning for 2021-2022 School Year
Next School Year
We know that it is still May, but we are already busy looking at numbers for the next school year. If you plan on moving over the summer, the school would like to know as soon as possible. Please email the school at devongardens.elem.cims@deltasd.bc.ca
2021-2022 Class Placement Information
In the coming weeks, we will start to look at next year’s organization and class placements for students.
Some Things to Know about Our Process:
Class placements are important decisions and something that teachers consider very carefully.
FACTORS & CONSIDERATIONS: Assigning students to classes is a very complex task that takes into consideration a variety of factors, including: learning styles and strengths, what a student is able to achieve in relation to the goals of the curriculum, degree of independence in work habits, social and personal needs, age and physical maturity, previous placements, gender balance of class, etc….
The number of staff members assigned to our school is decided by the Superintendent’s Office and is based on projected student enrolment. Enrolment estimates and class size guidelines affect the configuration of classes, which may also necessitate a particular organizational configuration (i.e. whether or not we have combined or “split” classes and the number of students, per grade, in the class).
SCHOOL-BASED DECISIONS: The professional staff is in contact with children in the school setting for 30 hours a week. Your child’s present teacher, along with other educators who work with your child, have a year’s worth of current, rich information and insight about the conditions under which your child learns best. Therefore, decisions around where to place students are determined through school-based, team decisions, based on their recommendations.
INPUT FROM PARENTS: As our partners in education, parents may also have important information to assist us with the placement of students. Parents are welcome to share with the school personal, educational, or social information that could affect their child’s placement. Our staff will keep in mind this information, along with the above considerations, when building classes.
If you have information about your child and the kind of learning environment in which she/he best works and learns, and you would like to share this information with our staff, please fill in the “Parent Information” form by clicking on the link below. Please complete the form no later than Tuesday, June 1st.
It is important to note that it is not possible for parents to choose their child’s teacher or make requests regarding other students. Teachers who are currently on staff may not be here next year, may not be assigned the same grade, or may not teach a class configuration that meets your child’s learning needs. Whatever the scenario, we strive to place your child in a warm, caring environment that will maximize his/her learning potential.
Should you have information you wish to share with us, please fill in the form by Tuesday, June 1st. Please fill in 1 form for every child. Please note, parents are not required to do this. It’s optional.
Crossing Guard Schedule
Please see the schedule listed for crossing guards until the end of June!
Crossing Guard Schedule
Staying Connected To Your Teen: A Guide to Support Youth Through Their Teen Years
Join us to learn about the key ingredients that support a healthy and strong relationship with your teen(s). Healthy relationships include care, support and boundaries. Teenage years can be challenging and strong connections are essential protective factors that allow for continued growth. Learn practical strategies and develop a plan of action to support the development of your child.
Facilitated By:
Sukh Shergill & Kirsten Hermanson
Register in advance for this workshop:
https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5wodeysrD0iHtJKOx6lZFeDfg kEl1dYtzZ
Staying Connecting With Your Teen- May 20 V2 (1)
Family Smart
FamilySmart® is a non-profit organization that supports parents and caregivers whose children struggle with mental health and/or substance use. We provide peer support, resources, and can help parents navigate the mental health system. We have no waitlist and our services are free.
We host monthly “In the Know” virtual sessions for parents free of charge, which include a topic expert for families to learn, ask questions, and connect.
“How to Manage Your Mental Health in Tight Quarters”
May 27th 6:30pm to 8pm
Dear Parents & Guardians,
Next PAC meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 31st at 7:30pm.
Voting in of PAC executive positions will be at the Annual General Meeting scheduled for Monday, June 21st. Below is a list of PAC executive positions, with years served and intention to continue for the next school year. A call-out seeking nominations for all positions will be sent out in early June. Please consider joining. Any parent or guardian of a student registered at Devon Gardens Elementary is eligible to hold a position. For questions, please email pacdevongardens@gmail.com.
| PAC Position | Name | Years in Position | Returning for 2021-22 |
| Chair | Varinder Khaira | 3 | No |
| Vice-Chair | Jennifer Iachetta | 1 | Yes |
| Secretary | Janelle Lindahl | Many | No |
| Treasurer | Carolyn Stanley | Many | Uncertain |
| Gaming Rep. | Cleo Yeh | 1 | Yes |
| DPAC Rep. | Vacant | ||
| CFP Rep. | Katrina Smyth | 1 | Yes |
| Member at Large | BJ Dhaliwal | 3 | No |
| Member at Large | Jana Methven | Many | Yes |
Neufeld Spring Fundraiser – Thank you to all that participated and congratulations to the top sellers!
Reminder – 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. 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+. 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/
Questions? Send an email to pacdevongardens@gmail.com
Regards,
Devon Gardens PAC
Friday, May 21st: Professional Development Day (school is not in session)
Monday, May 24th: Victoria Day
Monday, May 31st: PAC meeting via Zoom 7:30 p.m.
