Families of Douglas Park,

It was an exciting week at the school with students moving into their “forever classes.” There were lots of games and team-building activities taking place around the school as kids spent time getting to  know their new classmates and teachers. It has been awesome watching how quickly our students are settling into their new learning cohorts and how comfortable they are becoming with the teachers and staff in their classrooms. Helping kids feel at home in their new classrooms is important for nurturing a safe, caring, and supportive learning environment. We would also like to take a moment to thank all of our Douglas Park families for the support you have shown over the last week. We appreciate the positivity and encouragement you have shown to our students as they’ve navigated the transition to their new classes. Working together we can teach our kids to be strong, capable, and resilient learners.

On Friday, we ended our first full week with a “Welcome Back” assembly. It was amazing having the whole school together for the first time this year. There was lots of excitement and energy in the gym as we reflected on a great first week in our new classes, watched a slideshow of some of the awesome learning that’s been taking place at Douglas Park, and identified goals for the upcoming school year. As part of our assembly, we discussed what makes Douglas Park the best school community. We talked about how Douglas Park is a special place because of all the people who belong to our community. We also talked about how Douglas Park Dragons work hard every day to do their best as learners and to be safe, kind, and respectful. As part of their commitment to working hard and making Douglas Park a welcoming and positive school, every student is printing their name on a welcome sign that will be hung at the front office. We know that when people enter Douglas Park, we are saying “Welcome to OUR school.”

Welcome Back BBQ, Meet the Teacher, and PAC Fair – This Thursday (September 18th), we will be hosting our Welcome Back BBQ and Meet the Teacher event. The goal of the event is to bring our school community together to celebrate the start of the school year and provide families with an opportunity to meet their child’s new classroom teacher. Our BBQ will take place at the front of the school from 4:30 to 5:15 pm. There will be free hotdogs, chips, and drinks, for all students and family members. There is limited seating on benches, so feel free to bring camping chairs if you’d like to eat and hangout for a bit. From 5:15 – 6:00 pm we will be inviting families into classrooms for a casual open house where students can introduce their family members to their new classroom teacher. At the same time, students can tour their families around their new classroom and show them where they will be spending the year learning. Our Welcome Back BBQ and Meet the Teacher event is always a great time of connection and building community, so we would like to encourage as many of our families as possible to attend. Our school PAC will also be hosting a fun fair on the back field as part of our Welcome Back BBQ. There will be bouncy castles, treats, and other fun activities, so be sure to check it out! The PAC Fair will be open from 4:00 – 6:50 pm, with a small break from 5:15 – 5:30 pm.

Looking forward to another awesome week at school!

Mr. Touzeau

Proud Principal

As always, we want to acknowledge that the Langley School District works, learns and plays on the unceded ancestral lands of the Matsqui, Kwantlen, Katzie and Semiahmoo First Nations

Good Things to Talk About

Reflecting on Summer - Ms. Egmore’s class worked on a fun writing and art project. The students shared some of their favourite summer memories and thought of lots of special details to go with them. After that, they wrote about their memories and made cool sunglasses with pictures showing the reflections of their favourite summer moments. It was a great way to remember all the fun we had in summer! 

Spelling Bracelets - Ms. Yoon’s class had lots of fun making bracelets while practising their spelling! The students spelled the word “first” and then used the letters to create their bracelets. This activity is great because it helps students practise spelling, build their fine motor skills as they thread and design the bracelets, and have fun being creative with something they made themselves.

Exploring Sunflowers - Ms. Treleaven’s class had a fun time exploring sunflowers! The students worked in small groups to investigate the sunflowers and learn all about how they grow and what makes them special. This hands-on activity was exciting because students got to see and touch real flowers while asking questions and making discoveries. It also inspired some creative writing in the classroom, which made learning about sunflowers even more fun!

Summer Brainstorming - Mr. Lee’s class was very excited to show off their awesome writing! The students learned how to use brainstorming to get ideas for their stories. They wrote about their favourite thing from summer, starting with a class brainstorm to share ideas together. Then each student did their own writing and added fantastic artwork to go with their stories. It was a fun way to practise writing and be creative at the same time.

Class Friendship Bracelets - Ms. Shaw’s class had a fun activity making class friendship bracelets! Using different colours, students learned about all the special qualities that make a good friend, like kindness, respect, caring, and celebrating each other. This activity is a great way for students to learn how to be good friends while also helping everyone feel connected as a new class.

Self-Portraits - Ms. Bhambi’s class had fun drawing self-portraits this week! When students draw self-portraits, they get to think about what makes them special and notice all the details that make them unique. This activity is great because it helps students celebrate themselves, be proud of who they are, and share a little bit about themselves with others

Literacy Assessments - Mr. Boehmer’s class was busy this week with lots of fun literacy activities! To help guide reading and writing lessons, students take a Words Their Way spelling inventory. This assessment helps teachers see which spelling patterns and skills each student knows and which ones they are still learning. It’s really valuable because it allows teachers to give the right support and activities for each student so they can keep improving their reading and writing skills.

Zones of Regulation - Ms. Regier’s class had a great lesson about the Zones of Regulation and feelings. Students learned that the zones are different colours that help us understand how we are feeling — like happy, sad, mad, or calm. Learning about the zones is really helpful because it teaches kids how to notice their feelings and choose good ways to deal with them. This helps students work, play, and get along with others even better at school.

The Power of Yet - Ms. Di Sabatino’s class had an awesome lesson about the Power of Yet. The Power of Yet means that even if you can’t do something right now, it doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to do it — it just means you can’t do it yet! This is great for kids because it helps everyone remember to keep trying, practicing, and learning new things. After the lesson, the students thought about things they can’t do yet and set goals for what they want to work on in the future.

Math Games - Ms. Datema’s class played a really fun math game! In the game, students worked to find different sets of numbers that add up to 11. This game is awesome because it helps kids practice their adding skills, think carefully about numbers, and find more than one way to make the same answer. Plus, it makes learning math feel like playing a game, which keeps everyone excited and having fun!

School Spirit Day - We had an awesome School Spirit Day on Friday to celebrate our amazing school! During the day, we had our very first assembly of the year. Everyone came together to talk about how wonderful our school is and about the amazing students who are part of it. We shared ideas about all the different ways we can work together to make our school the best place it can be. It was so exciting to see how happy and proud the kids were to cheer for their school and show their spirit.

The Week Ahead

Thursday

• Welcome Back BBQ from 4:30 – 5:15 pm
• Meet the Teacher Open House from 5:15 – 6:00 pm
• PAC Fair from 4:00 – 6:50 pm

Friday

• School Spirit Day - Pirate Day (Ahoy! Dress Like Pirates)

Month at a Glance

September 18th – Meet the Teacher BBQ from 4:30 – 6:00 pm

September 22nd – Student Picture Day

September 25th – Fire Drill at 10:00 am

September 26th – Orange Shirt Day Assembly

September 29th - School Improvement Day (Students Not in Attendance)

September 30th – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (School Closed)

October 3rd - Inclusion Langley Family Support Group

October 7th - Fire Drill

October 10th - Terry Fox Run

October 13th - Thanksgiving

October 16th - Earthquake Drill

PAC News

Message from the PAC – We are looking for parents to join our Parent Advisory Council (PAC). The purpose of the PAC is to organize activities and events and to encourage parent involvement in the school. PAC meetings are the place to bring ideas for creating social events for fundraising or simply to bring the community together. Meetings are held once a month and you are welcome to bring your little ones to our meetings. Some examples of what the PAC does are:

• Movie Nights
• Hot Lunch
• Popcorn Day
• Chess Tournament

Please join us, we’d love to have some new PAC members and we look forward to meeting you. Upcoming meetings are in the school newsletter!

Upcoming PAC Events

• Welcome Back BBQ on September 18th

Next Meeting Time

• TBA

Messages from the PAC

If you want to help us organize or assist with any event, please shoot us an email at pacdouglaspark@gmail.com.

– Douglas Park PAC

Updates and Reminders

Parent Consent Request - Each year, Langley Schools asks families to complete a set of parent consent forms for their child. These consent forms are required by our schools to ensure the health, safety, and security of all students. Langley Schools uses a secure web form to collect this information. Beginning mid-September, please watch for an email request (subject Parent Consent Request) that contains one link for you to submit consents for all children in your family attending any Langley School. If your email address or contact information has changed, please call your school to correct it in our files. If you have not received an email regarding Parent Consent Request by the end of the month or have any questions/concerns, please contact your school administrator.

School Supplies – If you have not yet purchased your school supplies, they are still available for purchase directly from School Start. To order, families can go directly to: https://schoolstart.ca/

Breakfast Program – The breakfast program is open Monday – Friday from 7:30 – 8:27 AM. It is located in the Boys & Girls Club Portable. The program is FREE for all Douglas Park students. It is run by volunteers and supported through donations. You do not need to register for this program. Parents/guardians are welcome to join their child(ren). For more information about the breakfast program, please contact the school office.

Strong Start – Douglas Park Strong Start hours are 8:30 - 11:30 am with a first come first served limit of 20 children. To register for the 2025/2026 Strong Start year, please bring a birth certificate to be copied. A registration form can be filled out at your first visit.

School Health Resources - 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.

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/

Student Accident Insurance - The District is offering two options for a voluntary student accident insurance plans for students. This plan is voluntary, but provides significant benefits for accident insurance coverage for families. Please note, enrolment in the program can be done online only, through one of the following options: 

Insure My Kids

OR

Study Insured

Back to School Health Tips (from Fraser Health) - Health, safety, and wellness continue to be a priority in our schools. To help support our students and families, we are sharing important information from our community partner Fraser Health about various topics to keep our students healthy and safe as they return to school. Please see below for helpful reminders to support your child.

Tips for a healthy back to school season - As children head back to school, parents face the familiar challenge of managing busy schedules, school routines and inevitably, health concerns. Help set the stage for a healthy school year with Fraser Health’s Healthy Back to School Guide.

Fostering healthy routines for sleep, mealtimes and physical activity can support your child’s health and wellness. Learn more at Fraser Health’s School Healthand Children and Youth pages. Staying healthy during the school year isn’t just about routines - it’s also about protecting children from illnesses that can spread quickly in classrooms. An important preventable illness to be aware of right now is measles, which has been increasing globally, including here in Canada. Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose and red, inflamed eyes, followed by a rash. The rash usually starts on the face and neck and spreads to the chest, arms and legs.  

Get vaccinated against measles - Immunization is the best way to prevent measles infection. Please check that you (if born in or after 1970) and your children have received at least two doses of a measles-containing vaccine. Find out how to check your immunization records here. Measles-containing vaccines are available at many pharmacy locations, physician offices and at all public health units. If your children have symptoms of measles, please keep them home. If you or your child needs urgent care for something like a high fever, please inform your health care provider before you visit so they can take steps to prevent the spread of measles. Wear a mask and avoid using public transportation. 

Need general health advice? Fast care for busy families with Fraser Health Virtual Care - Our Fraser Health Virtual Care registered nurses and dietitians have access to your personal health record and provide convenient, fast health advice and information for busy families. With options for phone or web chat consultations, families receive medical advice from nurses with emergency experience, saving time and, in many cases, avoiding unnecessary visits to clinics or emergency departments. Nurses can connect you directly with a health care provider at an Urgent and Primary Care Centre for various health needs, including questions about measles-like symptoms.  

How to reach Fraser Health Virtual Care  

1.    Dial 1-800-314-0999. For an interpreter, say your language in English.  

2.    For web chat, go to fraserhealth.ca/virtualcare and click the blue chat bubble in the right corner to start.  

Available 10am to 10pm, seven days a week including statutory holidays (after hours Call 8-1-1). Learn more about Fraser Health Virtual Care, other care options and more at: Fraserhealth.ca/VirtualCare  

Inclusion Langley Family Support Group – We are excited to be hosting a family support group organized by Inclusion Langley. The group will be meeting once a month in the SWIS portable and exploring various topics for supporting families who care for children aged birth to 12 years old with support needs. If you are interested in joining this group, please see the attached poster for more details:

Langley Family Support Group at Douglas Park 2025:2026.pd

Stalew Pow Wow – Everyone is welcome to attend this immersive, 3 day cultural experience that is taking place from September 12 – 14 at the Langley Events Centre. Please see the event poster below for more details:

Parent Code of Conduct - The Langley School District is committed to fostering safe and caring schools that promote mutual respect, cooperation, social responsibility, and support optimal learning. Trauma Informed Practices and Procedures promote the creation and maintenance of safe, inclusive, equitable, welcoming, and nurturing school environments. Families play an important role in helping students achieve success as well as helping create a compassionate learning community. Just as students are expected to follow the District’s Student Code of Conduct, there is an expectation for parents/guardians to uphold the District’s Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct. The District’s Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct can be viewed on the District’s website here.

Communicating With Your School - Schools and families continue to work together to ensure success for students. If you have an issue or concern but don’t know who to speak with, the District encourages you to read these helpful Communicating with your School guidelines for parents/guardians found on our District website here. As an additional reference, review this one-page resource here. 

LEAP (Outdoor Education) - 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.

Attendance – If your child is going to be away or late please be sure to call the office and leave a message @ 604-533-4491 or email Ms. Langford @  klangford@sd35.bc.ca.

FaceBook – Be sure to follow us on Facebook for updated information

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Douglasparkcommunityelementary

Bell Schedule

8:42 – Warning Bell

8:47 – Instruction Begins

10:10-10:25 – Recess

11:47-12:20 – Lunch

2:30 – Dismissal

School Calendar 2025/26 – Please click the link below to access our school calendar for the year. It provides general dates about when the school is open and closed.

Douglas Park School Calendar 2025:26.pdf