Dear DG Families,
Fuel Conservation
In light of the rationing of fuel until December 1, we would like to encourage families to walk to school. Please see the letter sent out by the Delta School District on Nov. 23.
Christmas Concert
As we are still unable to have parents join us for an in-person Christmas concert, this year, our Christmas concert will be pre-recorded and sent home to parents through a video. We have reached out to families who have checked off “No” in the picture consent and outside media to see if your child can be recorded for our Christmas concert and in the yearbook.
Caring for our Community and Hope for the Holidays
There are many disadvantaged in our Delta community. This season at Devon Gardens, we would like to help and give others hope for the holidays. Each day during the last week of school before the break, we will focus on supporting a local cause and non-profit organization:
| Date | Caring For | Donations to Help |
| Dec. 13 | Deltassist | Non-perishable food items that haven’t expired: dry pasta, pasta sauces, juice, canned fruit, canned vegetables, granola bars, canned protein such as tuna, salmon, sardines, etc., cereal, hearty soups, peanut butter, jam, macaroni and cheese, baby food, baby formula, vitamin drinks such as Boost or Ensure, monetary, and food for the homeless such as easy to open cans of tuna, chili, crackers, peanut butter, cookies, juice boxes, sports drinks such as Gatorade or Powerade, and drinks with some nutrients like V8. |
| Dec. 14 | Animals
(Perfect Pastures Animal Sanctuary, HugABull, and Delta Community Animal Shelter) |
Monetary (* funds are the most needed *), towels, blankets, flat collars, harnesses, leashes, high-quality limited ingredient pet food and treats, bedding, crates, flat sheets, cloths, old newspaper, pens, COA target stick, OXBOW Timothy Club Carrot, Royal Canin kitten food (canned and dry), reuseable pee pads, milk replacer for kittens, heated pet mats, Feliway Classic diffuser refill pack (helps reassure cats and control unwanted behaviour), OXBOW Timothy Tunnel, Kitty Go Here senior cat litter box |
| Dec. 15 | Seniors | Students will make a kind and thoughtful card |
| Dec. 16 | Homeless | Warm items: mittens, scarves, toques, coats, socks |
| Dec. 17 | DG Festive Friday | We will celebrate by wearing red, green, festive sweaters, socks, Santa hats, etc… |
Donations for all organizations will be accepted any day during the week. Please provide support as best as you are able. It really makes a difference when the community works together to provide for each other.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/PerfectPastures/
https://www.delta.ca/services/delta-community-animal-shelter
Amazon wish list for HugABull: https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/1DSPHTFZMVOT4?ref_=wl_share
Amazon wish list for Delta Community Animal Shelter:
https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/1706X28DKSS8I?ref_=wl_share
We will also be exchanging families with another Delta school to put together Christmas Hampers. Please stay tuned for more information, coming soon.
French Immersion for the 2022-23 School Year
Please share this information with other families you know who may be interested in French Immersion for next year
Our district offers both early (Kindergarten) and late (grade 6) French Immersion programs. Both programs require an application prior to registration.
Here are some other important reminders/dates about French Immersion:
1. An on-line application form needs to first be completed and submitted by the deadline. This demonstrates a commitment by the families to register their child in the designated program if their child is accepted and to understand that there is a commitment for the child to stay in the French Immersion program until Grade 12. Applications will be available January 4th on both the school and District websites
Application deadlines are:
- Early French Immersion (Kindergarten-Grade 12) 4p.m. Saturday, January 22nd, 2022
- Late French Immersion (Grade 6-Grade 12) 4p.m. Saturday, February 12th, 2022
2. Parent Info Nights – Due to COVID, the French Immersion Parent Info sessions are pre-recorded. The Early French Immersion video is below (the Late French Immersion video will be available in January).
3. Online Question and Answer Periods for Early French Immersion (Kindergarten) will be held via Zoom on Dec 1st and 2nd, 2021 at 6:30p.m. Pre-registration is required for these sessions. To join either of the Zoom Online Question and Answer periods, please register here:
Early French Immersion Question and Answer Period Registration Form
Parents/Guardians of Early French Immersion applicants will be notified by Tuesday, February 8, 2022 if:
- they have been accepted to Early French Immersion
- what school they should register at
Please visit the Delta School District Website for more information: https://www.deltasd.bc.ca/programs/french-immersion/
Growth Mindset
Our student planner focuses on a virtue each month. For the month of November, the focus has been on perseverance and having a growth mindset.
When we talk about helping kids to persevere or having a growth mindset, we’re not saying they should learn to act like things are great all the time (because that’s not real!). As we focus on perseverance mindset, one of the things we’ll be talking about is helping kids develop resilience and a growth mindset.
What Is a Growth Mindset? We all have beliefs about our own abilities and potential. These beliefs are part of our mindset, which helps determine the actions we take – or don’t take – as we go through life.
A growth mindset is the belief that our intelligence and abilities (and often our circumstances) can be improved with effort and the right strategies. A fixed mindset, on the other hand, is the belief that our intelligence and abilities are more or less stable and unchangeable.
Cultivating a growth mindset has been strongly linked to greater happiness and achievement in life. When kids know their brains are capable of growing, amazing things can happen! So how can you help them develop this mindset?
Here are some ways to help support the concept of “growth mindset” at home
1. Talk about the brain and how it works – help kids understand that the brain literally grows new connections as they practice and learn how to do something. When kids learn how their brains work and grow, they take the first steps of developing a growth mindset.
2. Talk about the two mindsets and the basic differences of growth and fixed mindsets. Find opportunities to help kids recognizing them – in story characters and even in themselves. Here’s a great video to get you started
3. Model a growth mindset for them. One effective way to do this is to let your kids overhear your thinking out loud when you go through challenges.. For example, saying “This is really hard for me. I guess I better keep practicing.”
4. Add the magical word … YET If you hear your child say he/she can’t do something, encourage them to add “yet” at the end of the sentence. eg. “I can’t do a cartwheel, yet”
Just one word drastically changes the meaning of the phrase – and the outlook moving forward!
5. Praise effort over outcome. The key to instilling a growth mindset is teaching kids that their brains are like muscles that can be strengthened through hard work and persistence. To reinforce that as parents, it’s important to praise effort over outcome. For example, instead of praising your child for a seemingly permanent characteristic (“You are so smart”), praise the effort they put into it (“You worked really hard to solve that problem.”) The first is known as people praise; the second is process praise. Process praise promotes an internal sense of self-efficacy because it reinforces that successes are due to effort (which the child can control) rather than some fixed level of talent or skill.
6. Avoid labeling – Whether it’s a positive label (You are so smart!) or a negative one (He’s not very good at math), they both communicate a fixed mindset. Instead of motivating kids, labels like these can lead to limiting beliefs about themselves and others.
7. Replace negative self-talk with these phrases. Talk to your kids about their “inner voice” and the concept of self-talk, both positive and negative. Teach them to recognize unhelpful self-talk and replace it with positive alternatives. For example:
- This is too hard, I’ll never get it… This may take more time and effort.
- I can’t do Math… I am going to train my brain to do Math.
- I suck at basketball… I am not as good at basketball yet as I want to be.
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.
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.
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.
Pottery at DG is back!
New Dates: Weds Dec 1 – Dec 22
SANTA’S POTTERY WORKSHOP!
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!
WHEN: early dismissal Wednesday’s after school
New Time: 1:45-3:15 pm (1 1/2 hr. class length.)
WHERE: DG multipurpose portable
COST: $85 for 4 sessions.
REGISTRATION: contact pottery instructor Venetia Inglis (not the school office) at 604 649-4051 orVenetia.inglis@gmail.com
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.
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 29th: Pro-D Day – no school for students (teachers will be in & engaged in learning!)
Wednesday, December 1st, 6:30 pm: French Immersion Q & A for parents (via Zoom)
Thursday, December 2nd: Neufeld Farms Pick up, beginning at 5:00 pm
Thursday, December 2nd, 6:30 pm: French Immersion Q & A for parents (via Zoom)
Friday, December 3rd: Grade 7 Girls and Grade 7 Boys Safeteen presentations
Monday, December 6th: Virtual PAC Meeting (via Zoom) – 7:30 pm
Thursday, December 9th: First Term Report cards available online
Friday, December 10th: Grade 6 Girls and Grade 6 Boys Safeteen presentations
Monday, December 13th: “Caring for our Community and Hope for the Holidays” week begins
Tuesday, December 14th: Christmas Concert video sent home to families
Friday, December 17th: Fresh Slice Special Lunch day
Friday, December 17th: Wear your “festive wear” (Red/Green/Santa hat, etc…) day
Friday, December 17th: Last day of school before Winter Break
Other dates and events are listed on our school calendar on our website: https://dg.deltasd.bc.ca/events-calendar/