Dear DG Families,
Email Accounts
Please check your contacts to make sure you have the correct email addresses for school staff. In the Spring of 2021, our district transitioned from using First Class to Outlook for our email server. Previously staff email addresses ended in @deltasd.bc.ca. With the transition to Outlook, staff email addresses now end in @deltaschools.ca. Please double check your contacts for school staff. If you still have email addresses ending in @deltasd.bc.ca, please update your address book so that we do receive your email.
Also, our general school mailbox is devongardens.elem@deltaschools.ca
The school email address can be used for general questions or inquiries. Should you wish to contact a specific staff member, please email them directly. Emails sent to our school email address are typically picked up by Ms. Huffington. However, they are accessible by other staff at school For this reason, please do not use the general school email address to send confidential or sensitive information, rather email your child’s teacher, Mme Greenhalgh or Ms Tee directly.
Library Books
Library books and water do not go well together. As we experienced some very wet weather this fall, books are being returned to the library damaged. Please provide your child with a large Ziplock bag to keep their library books in, to help keep them safe from rain, water bottle leaks and the occasional lunch accident. If books are no longer usable in the library, you will be responsible for the cost of replacing the book. Thank you for your help. Please contact Mrs. Goldman should you have any questions or require additional information
Board Games
In our emergency planning, we know we need to be able to keep students safe, fed, hydrated, dry and warm for up to 72 hours. But we would also need to keep them occupied.
To help with this, we are looking for donations of things like gently used board games, puzzles, Lego, card games, etc… (things that don’t take up too much space, or require power/batteries). So far, we have received a couple of donations. But, we could definitely use some more! If you have items at home you are no longer using that might be suitable, please consider donating them to our EP program. For games/puzzles, please double check there are no missing pieces. Donations can be dropped off at the school office.
School Goal – Writing Focus
We would like to take this time to share with you our school Writing goal.
For the last couple of years, our school goal has been centered around writing. Specifically, our goal has been to explicitly teach writing strategies in order to help our students find joy in writing. We’ve noticed that students often struggle with writing, find it challenging to express themselves in writing and aren’t necessarily able to see themselves as “writers”. Many students also report feeling quite stressed and anxious when it comes to writing.
In order to support of our writing goal, we’ve created dedicated time for teachers to work collaboratively, in grade groups, where they meet to look at resources to support their teaching, talk about writing strategies, share ideas, co-plan activities and lessons, analyze student writing samples, and more. We also survey students in grade 3 -7, twice a year (fall and Spring) to gather their input on what they are learning and how they feel about writing.
Mrs. Goldman, our librarian, has also arranged for some virtual author visits for later on in the school year. Hearing from an author directly can be a powerful experience for students. It can help build relationships between kids and the written word, inspire them to pursue creative endeavours, and connect lessons learned in the classroom with the wider world.
Hearing directly from an author also gives kids a behind the scenes look at how a story or book comes to be; the journey from idea to publication. When authors discuss how they have to incorporate their editors’ feedback students recognize how authors have to use the same skills that they are learning in class and make the connection with the feedback they, themselves, receive from their teachers about their own writing process.
Updated Health and Safety Check and Travel Guidelines
With the winter break coming up and many families resuming travel, please remember the following explicit guidelines as set out by the Ministry.
“Students, staff and other adults who are not fully vaccinated and have travelled outside of Canada CANNOT attend school for 14 days after arrival, as part of federal requirements.”
daily-health-check-english Sept 22
A reminder that parents are required to complete the daily health check for their child before sending them to school each day, and to ensure that children do not come to school when they are ill.
Parking Lot Reminders
Please be mindful when you are driving through the staff parking lot at ALL times. Students are coming through the lot as well when they are trying to access the office.
We understand that drop off and pick up times can be very busy. We encourage families to walk to and from school if possible. Unfortunately, our school was just not designed to accommodate so much traffic during drop off and pick up. 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
- Keep our school/staff parking lot clear of parent vehicles and pedestrians
- Stress to your children that they should not hang out in our parking lot
- Keep vehicles clear of Downs Road
- Do not block private driveways of houses near our school
- Encourage older students to walk to school
- If possible, walk younger students to school
- Drive slowly and cautiously
- Report traffic concerns to the office and/or the Delta Police non-emergency line
Please follow the traffic signs also when dropping off your child on 112th; park only in designated parking spots.
We have been told that bylaw officers will be patrolling our school areas to ensure that everyone is following the traffic rules.
Undercover Area Drop off and Pick Up Reminders
When you are dropping off or picking up students, please ensure that you are leaving enough space between yourself and others. This is particularly important in the undercover area where space is more limited. Lately, we have noticed that some parents are lining up with their children. Please do not do this. Please stay on the periphery of the undercover area so that students have sufficient space in their lineups.
As well, parents and guardians are encouraged to please wear a mask when on the school grounds as most of our students (especially the younger ones) are not yet vaccinated against COVID. We thank you for doing your part to help keep everyone safe.
Subway Lunch Day
Our first special lunch day, organized by the PAC, will be this Friday, November 26th. If your child has ordered lunch from the PAC hot lunch site, it will be delivered to your child’s class in time for lunch.
Please note, per COVID procedures, the school is continuing to limit the dropping off of items, including lunches, throughout the school day. This has not changed. We are not able to accept individual lunches dropped off at the office, including on the special lunch days.
Crossing Guard Schedule
Please check the crossing guard schedule for when your child is scheduled to be a crossing guard. Reminders to please find someone to take your spot if you are unable to be out for your shift. Many thanks!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BMm71ezj8vyuCaZ2IBOJVu2osV2625I0zcJIqqkwYCk/edit?usp=sharing
On-Line Report Cards – Another Important Reason to Sign-on to Parent Connect
Please make sure you can access Parent Connect as this is how you will be able to view your child’s report cards https://cimsweb.deltasd.bc.ca/schoolconnect/parentsignone.aspx
If you are having difficulty accessing Parent Connect and/or need assistance, please contact Ms. Huffington in the office.
We understand there are sometimes extenuating circumstances which may prevent you from viewing your child’s report card online (eg. limited access to technology). As such, you may request a printed copy of your child’s report card. Should you wish to do so, please send a note or email to your child’s teacher by Wednesday, December 1st.
District Opportunity – Indigenous Parent Advisory Council
The District is looking for parents/guardians who may be interested in joining the Delta School District Indigenous Parent Advisory Council. If you are interested, or would like more information, please email Mme Greenhalgh
SANTA’S POTTERY WORKSHOP Nov 24th – Dec 22nd
Let’s get ready for Santa! Create a decorative plate and matching pinch pot cup for Santa’s (and your) milk and cookies! Let’s make some gifts; A pottery gingerbread man is fun to make; trimmed with icing and candies! Design a whimsical sculpture of a winter snow-boot, and a snowman too! All dinnerware safe clay and glaze supplies included!
Pottery Instructor Venetia Inglis is offering an after school potter workshop.
WHEN: Wednesday’s after school from 1:45-3:00 pm
WHERE: DG music portable
COST: $85 for 5 sessions.
REGISTRATION: contact pottery instructor Venetia Inglis (not the school office) at 604 649-4051 or Venetia.inglis@gmail.com
Please contact Venetia Inglis for more information/question.
Spaces are limited so be sure to sign-up now to avoid missing out!
Please note – As this is not a school-sponsored activity, instruction and supervision of students will be provided by the pottery instructor, Venetia Inglis, and not by school staff.
Neufeld Farms
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. 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
Monday, November 22nd: Last Day to Order Neufeld Farms
Friday, November 26th: PAC Subway Special Lunch Day
Monday, November 29th: Pro-D Day – no school for students (teachers will be in & engaged in learning!)
Thursday, December 2nd: Neufeld Farms Pick up, beginning at 5:00 pm
Friday, December 3rd: Grade 7 Girls and Grade 7 Boys Safeteen presentations
Monday, December 6th: Virtual PAC Meeting (via Zoom) – 7:30 pm
Other dates and events are listed on our school calendar on our website: https://dg.deltasd.bc.ca/events-calendar/