Happy Friday, DPE!

This afternoon, our school community came together in an inspiring display of spirit and solidarity for the Terry Fox Run. Our students truly shone—demonstrating leadership, compassion, and a shared commitment to Terry’s legacy and the fight against cancer. Watching students running with the flag and others taking part in their first run was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we move forward together. We are still collecting “Toonies for Terry” next week.

Looking ahead, on Thursday, September 25 — it’s our Meet the Teacher Family BBQ! Join us from 4:30 to 6 PM for an evening of connection and community. From 4:30 to 5 PM, classroom teachers will be outside their classroom doors for introductions. Then at 5 PM, staff will gather with families on the primary blacktop to enjoy the BBQ together (Hot Dogs and a consession stand will be on the primary blacktop). This is a great opportunity to meet other families and say hello to your child’s teacher — just a friendly reminder that this event is for introductions, not individual progress discussions.

On Friday, September 26, students will participate in an assembly of remembrance, reflection, and reconciliation as we observe Orange Shirt Day. This important day honours the experiences of Indigenous children and families impacted by residential schools and reinforces our collective belief that "Every Child Matters."

We encourage families to continue these meaningful conversations at home and to consider wearing orange on Friday and again on September 30 to show support and solidarity. Assembly starts at 9:30 am. All are welcome. 

Have a fantastic Weekend, everyone!
NEW INFORMATION

Student Information Forms - are due back on Monday. If you have not received the online email for consents from the Langley Schools, please be patient. They will be coming to you soon. 

Student Athletic Fee - New this year. 

We will be charging a one-time athletic fee of $20 for students participating in Cross-country, Volleyball, or Basketball. This fee helps cover the cost of maintaining and replacing jerseys, as well as funding the end-of-season pizza party. Once your child has been added to a roster, you will be able to make a payment on School Cash Online. 

Cross Country Practices begin on Monday! - Please be prepared to practice from 2:30 - 3:00 pm on Monday. 

Looking for Volleyball Coaches - Our grade 6/7 volleyball season is about to start!! If you would like to volunteer to support a team, please contact Kim Cline (kcline@sd35.bc.ca). We need help with the following:

• coaching or assisting with coaching
• distribution/collection of jerseys
• communicating re:schedules and game
• coordinating parent drivers

BOOK SALE FUNDRAISER

The DPE library team will be running a fundraiser in a few weeks and would very much appreciate help advertising and to find volunteers. We’ll be selling books that were discarded from the library. We have somewhere between 1500 and 2000 books to sell. Books will be sold  for $1 each. CASH ONLY. We will have limited change, so please bring small bills and/or coins. Funds raised will go towards adding new titles to our library. Anyone interested in volunteering can email gmerrell@sd35.bc.ca

 The book sale will take place on:

Wednesday, September 24 from 2:30-3:30

Thursday, September 25 from 2:30-5:00 (some overlap with of Meet the Teacher Night)

Friday, September 26 from 2:30-3:30

PAC NEWS 

Hot Lunch Distribution sign-up is now open!!!

We’re excited to kick off another round of Hot Lunch! Volunteers play such an important role in making this program run smoothly, and we’d love your help. Please use the link to sign up for the days you’re available to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44ADAE2DA0FCC43-58728824-dpehot

The PAC is excited to once again host a concession at the DPE Welcome Back BBQ! We’re looking for a few volunteers to help us run it. If you’re available, please sign up using the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44ADAE2DA0FCC43-58711929-welcome

HOT LUNCH INFORMATION

The DPE PAC Executive is proud to offer hot lunches from a variety of local vendors as a major fundraising initiative for the 2025-2026 school year. We will continue to use the Munch-a-Lunch website for hot lunch ordering and payments. This online ordering system is fast and easy to use. Payments can be made online using your credit card, or, if necessary, a cheque can be dropped off at the school office (cheques should be made payable to Dorothy Peacock PAC).

Regular notifications and reminders will be posted on social media, as well as in the school newsletter to let families know of opening and closing dates for each lunch or treat day. You will have the ability to order for all dates within each ordering session at once. Sessions will be as follows:

Term 1 - October 3rd - December 12th, 2025

• Ordering opens: September 15th, 2025
• First cut off: September 24th, 2025

Term 2 - January 23rd - March 12th, 2026

• Ordering opens: January 5th, 2026
• First cut off: January 14th, 2026

Term 3 - April 10th - June 12th, 2026

• Ordering opens: March 16th, 2026
• First cut off: April 1st, 2026

If you choose to order for all dates at once, payment is due in FULL for each ordering session, by midnight, 10 days prior to the first hot lunch date. i.e: First hot lunch is October 3rd. Payment for all lunches between October 3rd and December 12th is due on September 2th. If you wish, you still have the ability to order and pay for each lunch date individually, prior to the cut off date.

New families: www.munchalunch.com/schools/dorothypeacock and click on “Register Here”

Returning families: www.munchalunch.com/schools/dorothypeacock and click on “Login Here”

Please remember to update your child(ren)’s division the first time you login!

Please keep in mind the following guidelines to keep our hot lunch running smoothly!

1. Late orders cannot be accepted and unpaid orders cannot be fulfilled.

2. For those with allergy concerns, please refer to the allergy information of the restaurants and brand name snacks on the menu.

3. If you need to make changes to your order during the open dates of the order session, you can do this through your Munch a Lunch account.

4. If a child is unexpectedly absent on the day of hot lunch and you have not contacted the school by 10:00am (to inform us that you will pick-up their lunch), their lunch will be donated to a staff member. No REFUNDS will be issued.5. Please contact Heather Rodland at dpehotlunchco@gmail.com with questions regarding hot lunch.

Lastly, in order for our hot lunch program to run smoothly, we need volunteers to help with the distribution of lunches. It is a 20 minute commitment, once every 2-3 weeks. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact dpepacvolunteers@gmail.com. THANK YOU!

GRADE 7 COMMITTEE

Apple Fundraiser. The Grade 7 Farewell Committee has begun fundraising for the special day in June. Back by popular demand is the Fresh Apple Fundraiser by Sun-Oka. Orders are open from now until Monday, October 6th, 2025.  Delivery will be October 17. ORDER HERE

First Committee Meeting of the Year will be: October 7 at 6 PM in the library. 

FROM THE DISTRICT

Emergency Procedures in Schools - Schools follow emergency procedures and practice drills throughout the year to ensure students, staff, and any visitors at our sites are safe when unexpected incidents happen. The District encourages families to become familiar with emergency procedures to help you and your child be prepared. You will find the District’s Emergency Procedures poster in schools and on the website here.

Community Volunteers in Emergencies  - Emergencies can happen unexpectedly due to weather events (e.g., earthquake or flooding) or unforeseen situations in the community. The health and safety of students, staff, and families is the District’s priority. The District, together with schools, follow emergency procedures to respond to incidents as well as prevent them from happening. As stated in the provincial Emergency Management Planning Guide for Schools, Districts and Authorities, staff have a legal “duty of care,” meaning that they “must ensure that students are cared for until such time as they can be safely reunited with their parents.” Depending on the situation, the school may be caring for students for many days. 

In these circumstances, schools may rely on members of the community to assist with emergency responses. Administrators may send a request to parents/guardians to help volunteer with first aid, facilities and maintenance, safety and security, and general labour. Adults with special skills in health care, policing, and engineering would be an asset in an emergency. No action is needed from families at this time as the purpose is to keep families informed.

Choice Program Applications Open Soon for French Immersion. - Did you know there are two options for families looking for French Immersion for their students? Early Immersion starts in Kindergarten and goes to grade 12; the Late Immersion program begins in grade 6. The online registration window opens October 6 and closes October 20, 2025. To learn about French Immersion, there is an online information meeting on October 1^stat 6 pm. This features a short presentation about the program and the benefits of learning an additional language, with time for questions.

Here is the link for the online meeting:

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 248 048 850 522 9

Passcode: P9rc9J9X

More information can also found on the District website: https://www.sd35.bc.ca/programs-initiatives/programs-of-choice/immersion-programs/

 All inquiries can be emailed to languages@sd35.bc.ca.

FROM LAST WEEK

Medical Alerts: Each September, we identify or confirm any students with life-threatening medical situations so that we can provide a safe environment for all.  Even if you completed forms or paperwork last year, these must be resubmitted.  For some children, the severity of their needs changes, medication doses have been altered due to growth spurts, or new issues arrive.  Our staff consults this documentation carefully.  Proper maintenance of this information is critical to the well-being of our students.  Please visit the office this week or next to complete these documents.  

ICBC Back to School Awareness

“With the start of the school season, we’re asking drivers to avoid distractions and watch for children, especially near schools, parks and residential areas,” said Leanne Cassap, local ICBC road safety coordinator. “We encourage parents and caregivers to give their children a refresher on road safety and practice their route to and from school if they’ll be walking or cycling.” Please see the attached info sheet for parents and caregivers.

Teach your child to be a safe pedestrian. Good habits start at home. https://www.icbc.com/road-safety/teaching/road-safety-for-your-kids.

LEAP Outdoor Education – Parent Information Session September 24, 2025

- Parent Information Session on Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Imagine your child’s classroom in the open air! Join us on Wednesday, September 24^th at 5:30pm at Fort Langley Elementary for our LEAP (Langley Environmental Awareness Program) Information Session. This meeting is for families interested in kindergarten enrolment for the 2026-2027 school year, as well as any current grade 1-7 students who might want a change and an opportunity to learn in the great outdoors for the 2025-2026 school year. For more about the outdoor education program and to watch our new stunning promotional video please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdXcrUJSzfI.

September Health Messaging – Fraser Health

Fraser Health’s Healthy Back-to-School Guide has information on back-to-school anxiety, nutrition, safe travel to and from school, sleep and immunizations.

Fraser Health School Health Web Resource has answers to the most frequently asked health related questions from parents, teachers and school administrators.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Talk with Me, Play with Me, Learn with Me

Talk with Me, Play with Me, Learn with Me is a fun and engaging Langley Literacy Network program designed for Kindergarten students and their caregivers. The program will run Saturday mornings from 10-11am, October 4 - November 22, 2025 in the Family Place portable on the grounds of Shortreed Community Elementary. It is an opportunity to read, play, learn, and connect. Each week, families will explore new books and activities that support early literacy and learning. Plus, every participating family will take home eight new books to build their home library!  Registration is required, and space is limited - sign up today at:

https://langleyliteracynetwork.com/talk-with-me-play-with-me-learn-with-me/

Reading Buddies Program 

Reading Buddies is an initiative that pairs different grade-level students for community reading time, outside of school hours. A Grade 10, 11 or 12 student buddies up with a Grade 2, 3 or 4 student to practice reading. The program will begin in October 2025 and take place in libraries across Langley. To register for the program visit:

https://langleyliteracynetwork.com/reading-buddies/. 

Please note applying for the program does not guarantee a spot in the program. The number of Little Buddies we can serve depends on the number of Big Buddies that sign up. 

Langley Music Programs Fundraiser with partner, Thank you for the Music Society

Please share with your school community as appropriate. CLICK HERE for all the details and to request your tickets for October 24 

Vancouver Giants – October 24, 2025, tickets are $25. Funds raised will support music programs at Langley Schools.

AROUND THE GLOBE

SD35 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Calendar. Please click HERE for a printer-friendly version.