Families of Douglas Park,

We hope you are having a great weekend!

This past week at Douglas Park was short but packed with activities, exciting learning, and student-inclusive conferences. As we get closer to the end of our first term, it’s inspiring to see the amazing growth our students have made through their hard work and effort. Our Kindergarten students are learning new routines and exploring the exciting world of elementary school, while our older students are strengthening their reading, writing, and math skills and finding creative ways to share their ideas and connect with others. Across all grades, classrooms are filled with curiosity, energy, and a love of learning that shows in everything our students do. We are so proud of their dedication, teamwork, and the enthusiasm they bring to school each day!

We are also grateful to all the families who were able to participate in the student-inclusive conferences this week. We hope you had the chance to see the hard work and dedication your children have been putting into their learning. These conferences provide a great opportunity for students to reflect on their progress, celebrate their achievements, and share their successes. They also allow students, teachers, and families to set meaningful goals together for the rest of the year. Your involvement and support play a crucial role in helping students reach their full potential. If you have any questions about your child’s conference or would like to discuss anything further, please don’t hesitate to contact their classroom teacher. Together, we can continue to support their growth and success!

As we turn over another page on the calendar and prepare for an exciting December at Douglas Park, we want to share a few important dates with you. Please make special note of the following dates that are included in our school calendar:

Saturday, December 6th – Rotary Breakfast with Santa at Douglas Park from 9:00 – 10:30 am – The Rotary Club will be hosting a breakfast at the school and all Douglas Park families are welcome to attend. There will be good food, crafts for kids, and an opportunity to take a picture with Santa!

Thursday, December 11th – Christmas Concert from 12:30 – 2:30 pm – We will be hosting our annual Christmas Concert at the school featuring musical performances from all classes. All families are welcome to attend, 

Thursday, Decemeber 11^th – Community Sing-Along from 6:00 – 7:00 pm – Interested in singing some Christmas songs? We have the perfect event for you! Join us in the gym for a reading of the class Christmas story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and sing along to some of our favourite holiday tunes. It’s a fun, casual get-together open to anyone who wants to join.

Wednesday, December 17th – Pancake Breakfast for Students – During the school day, students will be provided with a delicious pancake breakfast and will have an opportunity to take a class picture with Santa!

Thursday, December 18th – School Stockings – During the afternoon, members of the Langley Fire Department and Langley RCMP will be joining members of CLA handing out stocking to students. Each student will be provided with a stocking full of fun toys and treats.

Friday, December 19th – Last Day Before Winter Break – It’s amazing how quickly Winter Break is approaching! We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Monday, January 5th, refreshed and ready for a new year of learning.

Looking forward to another awesome week at Douglas Park!

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

Awesome Writing - Ms. Regier’s students have been working really hard on improving their writing! They have been learning how to add more details and make their sentences stronger. Using the “W’s” approach, students practiced adding details by thinking about questions like when, where, who, and what. For example, they might add details about the time of day, like “in the morning,” to make their writing more interesting and clear. It’s been great to see the students growing as writers and putting so much effort into their work!

Fun with Math - Ms. Baratto’s class was having a lot of fun during their math centers! Math centers are small, hands-on learning areas where students get to practice important math skills. During their rotations, students worked on identifying numbers, representing numbers in different ways, and writing numbers. These centers are a great way for students to build a strong foundation in numbers and develop number sense, which helps them understand math more easily as they continue learning. It was awesome to see everyone engaged, practicing their skills, and enjoying math!

Tales for Tails - A big thank you to Kayla from the Langley Literacy Network for donating picture books to our “Tales for Tails” students! We really appreciate your generous support in helping our students enjoy reading. The students had a purrfect time reading with the kittens and loved every minute of it! 

Class Elf - Mrs. Evans’ class was so excited when their class elf arrived! They celebrated by decorating the classroom, enjoying some candy canes, and writing letters to Santa. This is such a fun activity because it makes the classroom feel festive and helps students get excited about learning. When writing their letters, students focused on practicing their writing skills, organizing their ideas, and sharing kind messages or special things they are thankful for. 

Creative Writing - Mr. Lee’s class had a fun creative writing activity where they wrote about whether they think the beach or the mountains is better! Since we are lucky to have both nearby, students were able to make lots of connections and come up with many examples to support their ideas. After a group discussion, students used a sentence starter, the words from the word bank, and the ideas they had shared to write complete sentences for their writing. 

Fun with Patterns - Ms. Bronwyn’s class has been learning all about patterns. The students had a lot of fun creating colourful patterns using stickers. They are learning how patterns repeat, how to recognize them, and how to make their own. The students were very proud of their creations, and it was awesome to see how much fun they had while learning! 

Visiting the Local Library - Ms. Bhambi’s class enjoyed a walking field trip to the public library. Students learned about different kinds of books, discovered all the things you can borrow with a free library card, and took part in a fun scavenger hunt. This field trip was great for kids because it helped them explore new books, learn how to use the library, and get excited about reading. Everyone had a wonderful time discovering what the library has to offer!

Pyjama Day - On Friday, we celebrated Pyjama Day at Douglas Park! It was a fun day because everyone got to come to school feeling cozy and relaxed while showing off their favourite pyjamas. Spirit days like this help everyone feel connected and remind us that school is a place where we can learn and have fun together. It was great to see so many students joining in and having a fun time! 

Letters to Santa - Ms. Treleaven’s class is getting excited for the Christmas season. The students have been learning how to write letters and practiced by writing their own letters to Santa. Learning to write letters is an important skill because it helps students organize their ideas, use clear sentences, and communicate their thoughts in a meaningful way. The kids had so much fun writing their letters and were excited to share what they wished for and what they’ve been doing this year!

Guided Writing - Ms. Khammountry’s class has been working really hard during their guided writing time. During guided writing, students meet in small groups with the teacher to learn new writing skills, get feedback, and practice together. When they aren’t in a group, students work on their own writing to build confidence and try out the strategies they’ve learned. It’s been awesome to see everyone growing as young writers and becoming more confident in their ideas and writing skills!

Shape People - Check out these awesome shape people that Ms. Shaw’s class has been creating! Students have been learning all about shapes and used their new skills to design their very own shape characters. This activity helps kids understand how shapes fit together, build fine motor skills, and use their creativity in a fun and meaningful way. The kids had so much fun, and they were incredibly proud and excited to show off their creative shape people!

Fine Motor Olympics - Ms. Olafson’s students have been having an awesome time participating in Fine Motor Olympics. This fun series of activities helps kindergarten students strengthen important skills like cutting, drawing, building, and using small tools—all through playful, hands-on challenges. These activities support early learning by building coordination, focus, and confidence, and the kids have been having so much fun practicing their skills in creative and exciting ways.

Reading Link Challenge - Douglas Park students are already buzzing with excitement for this year’s Reading Link Challenge. They had their first official meeting this week, where they were introduced to the challenge, the books, and their teams. The Reading Link Challenge is a fun, team-based program that encourages students to dive into great books and work together to answer questions about what they’ve read. The challenge is an awesome way to build reading comprehension, teamwork, and a genuine love of reading. A big thank you to Ms. King for organizing the Reading Link Challenge at Douglas Park! 

Simple Machines - After learning about simple machines, Mr. Boehmer’s class has been exploring how ramps help make work easier by reducing the force needed to move objects and affecting how things travel depending on their height and length. Students then took on a fun design challenge to build a ramp for a small car, giving them the chance to experiment with ideas like friction, speed, and stability while testing and improving their designs. It was a hands-on way for students to apply their learning and see these science concepts come to life. 

The Week Ahead

Monday

• TeamUp Basketball Club at 6:00 pm

Friday

• School Spirit Day - Wear Your Favourite Winter Sweater
• Inclusion Langley Family Support Group at 9:30 am

Saturday

• Rotary Breakfast with Santa in the School Gym from 9:00 - 10:30 am
• TeamUp Soccer Program at 10:30 am

Month at a Glance

December 5th - School Spirit Day - Wear Your Favourite Winter Sweater

December 5th - Inclusion Langley Family Support Group

December 6th - Rotary Breakfast with Santa at Douglas Park

December 11th - School Christmas Concert from 12:30 - 2:30 pm

December 11th - Christmas Family Sing-Along at 6:00 pm

December 17th - Student Breakfast with Santa

December 18th - Stockings Give-Away

December 19th - Last Day before Winter Break

December 22nd - January 2nd - Winter Break

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

• TBD

Next Meeting Time

• January 7, 2026 at 9:00 am

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

Rotary Breakfast with Santa - We are excited to be hosting a Breakfast with Santa at Douglas Park on Saturday, December 6th from 9:00 - 10:30 am. For more information, please see the poster below:

Slippery Playground Equipment – As winter approaches, please be aware that playground equipment and the surrounding wooden borders can become very slippery in cool, wet conditions. On frosty mornings, please be extra careful to prevent slips and falls.

Winter Health (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 Winter Health. Please see below for helpful reminders to support your child.

Keep Your Child Healthy During Winter - As the chilly winter season approaches, there are things you can do to help keep your children healthy and well.  

Get Ready For Winter At Home And In The Community - Winter can bring extreme weather and it's important to have plans to be safe during cold weather, storms and power outages, including staying warm, having a carbon monoxide detector and planning for emergencies. Learn about programs that can support your family: 

·        Get ready for winter: Snow and cold safety for you and your home - Fraser Health Authority

·        Indoor air quality - Fraser Health Authority

Bundle Up For The Cold - Dressing appropriately for cold weather keeps your child comfortable and protected. Wearing multiple layers is a great way to trap body heat and provide insulation against the cold. Keep a warm hat, gloves, scarves and warm, waterproof boots handy. Remind your child to wear these items before heading outside to play or going to school. Learn about hypothermia and frostbite as children can be more susceptible. 

Protect Against Winter Illnesses - Winter brings an increased risk of colds and flu. Ensure your child receives their annual flu vaccine and talk to a health care provider about any additional vaccines that may be recommended. Teach your child good respiratory etiquette such as regular hand washing, covering their coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick. If they are sick and cannot stay away from others, masks can help to reduce the risk of spreading illness. Learn more about masks here.

Keep Their Bodies Moving - It is important to keep your child active during winter as regular physical activity is important for good health. Outdoor activities such as skating, sledding and going for walks as a family are all great ways to keep active. On colder days, indoor play and activities such as dancing, yoga or sports are great ways to promote movement. Look for drop-in programs at local community centres or indoor sports facilities. If you play on frozen lakes or ponds, be sure that the ice has been tested for strength and safety. Learn more on the Lifesaving Society's website. 

Find more tips for a healthy winter on Fraser Health’s Winter Health page.  

Hot Lunch Program – Here’s the December menu for families interested in participating in the school’s hot lunch program:

Information About School Status During Inclement Weather - Snow closures and power outages are an annual occurrence in Langley School District. So, where do you go to get information about the status of schools during periods of inclement weather? If you are able to access the internet via computer or smartphone, current information about Langley schools can be accessed on all school websites or www.sd35.bc.ca. Updates are also posted to X (formerly Twitter) @LangleySchools and Facebook at www.facebook.com/langleyschooldistrict. If you don't have internet connectivity but your phone is working, call a relative or friend in an area that has not been affected by the storm and ask them to check the district website for you. Local radio stations are also informed of school status in Langley. Tune in to CKWX 1130AM, CKNW 980AM, Country Radio 107.1FM, Pulse 107.7 or CBC 690AM or 88.1FM for updates. Please note that Langley District schools are all considered 'open' until a decision to close is required. Decisions on school closures are usually made by 6:30am. As always, it is a parent's decision whether to send their child to school based on safety and individual circumstances. If you feel it is unsafe for you or your child to travel to or attend an open school for any reason, please keep your child home and report an absence to the school.

Privacy Reminder: Recording Devices in Schools - To protect the privacy and security of all students, staff, and visitors, the Langley School District reminds parents and students that digital recording devices, such as Meta Glasses and AngelSense Trackers, are not permitted at school for staff, students, nor members of the community. If parents have concerns about safety and supervision, please refer to our robust district planning (Student Success Plans, Plans of Supervision), and supervision schedules. If parents still have concerns about supervision, please reach out to your Director for guidance. This policy is in place to ensure compliance with the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the District’s procedures for responsible information management.

Parking Lot Safety Reminder - Thank you for helping us keep our students safe! A quick reminder that our parking lot is for staff only. The front area is a drop-off/pick-up zone—please stay in your car so traffic can keep flowing smoothly. If you need to park, street parking is available along 205 Street by the back field. Adding a couple of extra minutes to your commute helps ensure a safe and efficient experience for everyone. We appreciate your continued support in putting safety first!

Nut Aware Policy - At our school, the safety of all students is a top priority. While we cannot guarantee a completely nut-free environment, we are a nut-aware school. This means we ask families to avoid sending peanut or tree-nut products (such as peanut butter, Nutella, or almond snacks) to school, as even small traces can cause serious allergic reactions. Any food brought to school for sharing, such as for birthdays or classroom celebrations, must be store-bought with a clear list of ingredients so we can ensure it is safe for all students with allergies. Food from restaurants (such as Tim Hortons) is also allowed as long as ingredients can be confirmed. Please check with your child’s teacher before bringing in treats so we can make sure everyone is included safely. Students are reminded not to share food and to wash their hands after eating to help reduce the risk of accidental exposure. Families of children with life-threatening allergies are asked to provide the school with the necessary medical forms and prescribed EpiPens each year. Staff are trained to recognize and respond to allergic reactions, and emergency procedures are in place. By working together, we can help keep our school community safe and welcoming for everyone.

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.

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

December 2025 Langley Family Support Group Meeting

📅 When: Friday, December 5, 2025 | 9:30–11:30 AM 

📍 Where: SWIS Portable, Douglas Park Community School | 5409 – 206 Street, Langley

🗂️ Topic: Accessing Supports for the Holiday Season

☕ Additional Information: 

• Light refreshments will be served.
• Childminding is available — please register early so we can plan staff and space appropriately.

How to Register:

To register or learn more, please contact:

Lydia Kang, Family Support Coordinator

📞 604-996-5244 | ✉️ familysupport@inclusionlangley.com

(When registering, please let me know if you require childminding.)

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.

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