Families of Douglas Park, 

We had another awesome week at school as we started the first week of February. Students have been busy taking part in many fun and engaging learning activities while continuing to build their skills and competencies. One highlight has been the hands-on learning happening throughout the school, from literacy centres where students explore letters, words, and story writing, to small-group math lessons where they work with numbers, equations, and different ways to show quantities. In science, students are learning about everything from rocks and animals to body systems by exploring, asking questions, and making discoveries. It is always exciting to see students so engaged and enthusiastic about their learning.

This week also brought lots of fun and play-based learning. Several classes took part in Global Play Day, an international event that celebrates the importance of play for learning, growth, and well-being. Students engaged in a variety of activities—from board games and puzzles to imaginative and cooperative play—practicing teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity while having a great time. To wrap up the week, our school joined in the excitement of the Winter Olympics in Italy. Students learned about the Olympic Games, created their own Olympic torches, and participated in a fun relay around the school to celebrate the opening ceremony. It was fantastic to see everyone moving, cheering, and taking part in these special events together.

We are so grateful for our amazing school community. Our students bring curiosity, effort, and enthusiasm to everything they do. Our staff bring energy, creativity, and dedication to supporting every child’s learning and growth. And our families encourage, support, and help make our school a safe and positive place for all. Thank you for helping make every week at Douglas Park such a memorable and inspiring one!

Important Reminder: This week is a shortened week for students. Please note these important dates from our school calendar:

• Monday, February 9: Professional Development Day — (No School for Students)
• Friday, February 13: Design and Assessment Day — (No School for Students)

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

Learning About Rocks - Ms. Bhambi’s class has been having fun learning about rocks and how they change in the rock cycle. The students are discovering igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. They really enjoyed exploring a rock collection with magnifying glasses, looking closely to identify different kinds of rocks and the special features that make each rock unique.

Global Play Day - Ms. Millington’s class had lots of fun celebrating Global Play Day. The students learned the rules for different games and practiced good sportsmanship. They discovered that it is okay to win and okay to lose, and that playing together, trying their best, and having fun are what really matter. Throughout the day, everyone enjoyed taking turns, cheering for their friends, and learning how to be kind and fair while playing.

Learning About Adaptations - Ms. MacKay’s class has been having lots of fun learning about Arctic animals. This week, the students learned how animals survive in the cold Arctic. They explored how blubber helps animals stay warm by comparing putting their hands in cold water with and without extra “blubber.” This fun experiment helped students understand how Arctic animals stay warm in icy places.

Practicing Kindness - Ms. Olafson’s class has been learning all about kindness. Earlier this week, the students put kindness into action by painting kindness hearts and writing kind messages. They shared their hearts at the local park to help spread kindness to others. This was a great activity because it helped students practice being caring, work together, and learn how their kind actions can make other people feel happy and included.

Vicky the Verb - Ms. Lee’s class worked hard and had lots of fun learning about verbs. The students enjoyed a fun lesson with their classroom teacher and their ELL teacher, Ms. Hailee Lee. They learned that verbs are action words, acted out different verbs, and worked together to brainstorm verbs to describe a superhero named Vicki the Verb!

Olympic Spirit - Mrs. Evans’ class had lots of fun learning about the Winter Olympics. To celebrate the start of the Olympics, the students made their own Olympic torches. Then they had a special Olympic parade around the school, spreading the Olympic spirit and sharing their excitement with everyone!

Subtracting with Word Problems - Mr. Lee’s students are learning how to solve subtraction story problems. The lesson started with a question that had more than one answer, which helped students think and share their ideas. Students came to the front of the class to show and explain their own subtraction stories. They then practiced solving word problems by drawing pictures and writing matching math equations. After that, students had fun creating their own subtraction story problems using classroom materials.

Winter Art and Super Sentences - Ms. Shaw’s class has been having lots of fun learning about winter through art and writing. The students enjoyed exploring watercolor paints and using white glue to add texture while creating mittens and toques. They also learned about super sentences by adding important details to their writing. Each student wrote a super sentence about what they love about winter. It was awesome to see the students having fun, working hard, and feeling proud of their work.

SWIS Clubs - We are very lucky to have the school district SWIS team working with our school. They help families feel welcome and find support at school and in the community. They help with many great programs at our school, like an after-school reading club and a Wednesday lunchtime club. During the lunchtime club, students have fun together playing games like musical chairs and other activities. These clubs help students make friends, feel connected, and be part of our school community.

Learning About Spiders - Ms. Egmore’s class had a fun and exciting chance to learn about tarantulas. The students observed real tarantulas, made careful observations, and asked great questions. They learned new facts about tarantulas, including that tarantulas have an exoskeleton, which is a hard outer covering that protects their bodies. What a cool learning experience!

Fun with Shapes and Numbers - During math centres, Ms. Lengle’s class had lots of fun exploring numbers and shapes. Students enjoyed playing shape bingo and practiced naming and identifying different shapes. They also worked with their teacher on proper letter formation and practiced counting, identifying quantities, and matching them to numbers. It was awesome to see the kids learning math in such a fun, play-based way.

Black History Month - As part of their learning during Black History Month, Ms. Di Sabatino’s class has been learning about famous Black Canadians. Students have been researching people like Viola Desmond and Willie O’Ree and learning about their lives and achievements. They are learning how these people helped make Canada a better place and why their stories are important to remember.

Fun with Literacy - During literacy centres this week, Ms. Regier’s class had lots of fun with new books and activities. Students enjoyed colouring pictures by sight words by reading the word and matching it to the correct colour. They also explored new books at the teacher table and practiced helpful reading strategies. While working with Miss Lee, students built their vocabulary by learning, sorting, and using new words. It was awesome to see the kids having so much fun and taking part in such rich literacy lessons. 

The Week Ahead

Monday

• Professional Development Day (No School for Students)

Tuesday

• Grade 5 Basketball Away Game at Nicomekl (Team 1)

Wednesday

• Grade 5 Basketball Practice at Lunch
• School Choir Practice from 2:45 - 3:30 pm

Thursday

• TeamUp Basketball from 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Friday

• Design and Assessment Day (No School for Students)

Month at a Glance

February 9th - Professional Development Day (Students Do Not Attend School)

February 13^th – Design and Assessment Day and Learning Update Prep (Students Do Not Attend)

February 16^th – Family Day (School Closed)

February 17^th – Lunar New Year

February 17th - Kindergarten Dental Screening

February 19th - Venechuk Farms - Agri Kids Program

February 19^th – Lockdown Drill at 9:55 am

February 20th - PAC Hot Lunch (Pizza)

February 20th - School Spirit Day - Backwards Day

February 23rd - 27th - Diversity and Respect Week

February 25th - Pink Shirt Day

March 3rd - School Assembly - Quincy Mack: Be An All Star

March 4th - Student Inclusive Conferences (Early Dismissal at 12:30 pm)

March 5th - Student Inclusive Conferences (No School for Students)

March 6th - School Spirit Day - PJ Day

March 6th - Reading Link Challenge

March 9th - Fire Drill

March 13th - Venechuk Farms - Agri Kids Program

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

• Hot Lunch (Pizza) - February 20, 2026
• School Assembly (Paid by PAC) - March 3, 2026

Next Meeting Time

• TBD

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

Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society Clothing Drive for Kids - From February 9 - 20, the LFVAS is collecting clothing for kids. If you have any clothing to donate and would like to take part, please see the information in the poster below:

HD Stafford Parent Information Night (Save the Date) - HD Stafford Middle School (HDSMS) is excited to invite you to their Parent Information Night!

Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026
Who can attend: Families of Grade 5 students (parents, guardians, siblings—all are welcome!)

Time: 6:00 pm

This event is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the transition to middle school and what to expect next year. We will send out more detailed information closer to the date, but we wanted to give you a heads-up so you can save the date.

This Month in the Arts: February 2026 - Below please find a link to the February “This Month in the Arts” poster which showcases the many different Arts Education productions and events that are happening around the District in February for staff, students, parents and community members! This month, there are TWO productions of Newsies: The Broadway Musical. The month of February will also see evenings of Dance, Jazz music, and three of the District's Musicals. Lots to enjoy!

This Month in the Arts February.pdf

Langley Fine Arts School Open House – Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - Are you looking for a program that encourages secondary students to EXPLORE, CREATE, and INSPIRE? Langley Fine Arts is inviting families to an open house to learn more about secondary programming streams including Dance, Drama, Music, Visual Arts, Photography, and Writing. This unique, publicly funded, K-12 fine arts school located in historic Fort Langley, combines provincial curriculum with high-level courses that develop aesthetic intelligence in student artists. Administrators and staff will share information, lead tours, and answer questions. Join us on Tuesday, February 10^th anytime between 9:30am and 2:30pm. Our address is 9096 Trattle Street (Fort Langley) and check in will be at the main entrance (on Trattle Street). For more information about LFAS, visit the school website: https://www.sd35.bc.ca/lfas

TeamUp Basketball for Grade 4 and 5 Students - TeamUp is excited to offer a free basketball program for Grade 4 and 5 students at Douglas Park on Thursdays. Registration forms were sent home earlier this week. If you did not receive one and would like to register your child, please have them ask Ms. Di Sabatino for a registration form. Please see the poster below for more details:

Middle School Registration Reminder - Middle school registration has moved to an online system. Families of current Grade 5 students who attend a feeder school (such Douglas Park) do NOT need to complete online registration for Stafford, as their child will transition automatically. 

Slippery Playground Equipment – During the winter months, 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.

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

Child and Youth Mental 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 Child and Youth Mental Health. Please see below for helpful reminders to support your child.

Support Your Child’s Mental Health - Positive mental health allows us to enjoy our lives and can help children and youth weather the normal ups and downs of life. It plays a critical role in the healthy development of children and youth, supporting their ability to build healthy relationships and succeed in school.

How Can Parents Support Positive Mental Health? - Parents can foster positive mental health through strong and caring relationships with their children. 

• Self-care – focus on doing something for yourself, even if just for a few minutes.
• Build routines – consistent schedules, such as meal, sleep and play times help children feel safe.
• Connect – talk and listen to their feelings and experiences.
• Be active together – take a walk and build physical activity into family time.
• Take notice – encourage and praise the positive behaviours and choices your children make.
• Keep learning – encourage your child to learn from both positive and negative experiences.
• Be present, not perfect – give your time, your encouragement and your presence.

Get more information about positive mental health for children and youth here.

Sometimes parents aren’t sure how to talk about mental health. Learn more about tips for how to talk to your child or teen about mental health.

 Family transitions like separation and divorce can be tough and can impact mental health. To learn more and access practical resources visit FamiliesChange.ca. 

 Need help? Find out services, programs and resources for your child and/or youth on Fraser Health’s Child and youth mental health page. 

 Remember, you can get fast and reliable health advice from registered nurses with emergency experience who have access to your child’s personal health record. Contact them via phone at 1-800-314-0999 or web chat. Learn more at Fraserhealth.ca/VirtualCare. 

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

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