Good Things and the Week Ahead - January 5 - 9
Families of Douglas Park,
We hope you have had a wonderful Winter Break and we cannot wait to see you back at school tomorrow!
As we begin the new year back at school, we will be focusing on our school goals of literacy and connection. These goals are important for building the competence and confidence of our kids and the strength of our community. We want our students to see themselves as readers and writers and to feel the joy and belonging that comes from being connected to a caring community. As staff at Douglas Park we are committed to supporting literacy development and building connections with students. We are also committed to supporting and encouraging you. Please know that we care deeply about our school community and are grateful for you. If you have any questions on how to best support your child’s learning, please reach out to their classroom teacher.
We are very excited about the new year and are eager to see all of the awesome things that 2026 will bring for our school community! As we get ready to return to school we know that our students learn best in a positive and encouraging environment. Let’s continue to work together to provide a hopeful and supportive school community for our kids.
Special Note: The weather forecast for the next few weeks shows cooler days with a possible mix of rain and snow. Please make sure children come to school dressed warmly and prepared for the cold. Be careful when walking to school, as some sidewalks may be icy. While we work hard to salt the walkways around the school, there may still be a few slippery spots. Stay safe and bundle up!
Looking forward to another great week (and year) 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
Skating with Buddies - Ms. Shaw’s students had a great time on their skating field trip with their big buddies from Ms. Egmore’s class. They enjoyed skating together, helping each other, and cheering each other on. It was a fun day full of laughter, teamwork, and new skating experiences.
Breakfast with Santa - We had an awesome time at our Breakfast with Santa! One by one, classes came to the gym to enjoy yummy food like pancakes and sausages, oranges, and milk. After eating together, each class got a special chance to meet Santa and take a picture with him. It was a magical morning full of fun and smiles!
Gingerbread Day - Ms. Olafson’s class had a lot of fun on Gingerbread Day! The students enjoyed all kinds of gingerbread activities, like gingerbread art, gingerbread writing, and decorating gingerbread cookies. It was a special day where everyone got to be creative and have fun together.
Creative Writing - Ms. Di Sabatino’s class had a lot of fun with a creative activity about reindeer. Each student imagined having their very own reindeer, drew it, and designed the place where it would live. They also wrote about their reindeer, describing it and the special place it would live.
Gingerbread House Art - Ms. MacKay’s class had lots of fun making gingerbread house art. The students started by painting their gingerbread houses, then used colourful candy cut-outs to decorate them. They worked hard and felt proud showing off their finished gingerbread houses.
Holiday Candle Arrangements - Ms. Treleaven’s class had lots of fun making holiday candle arrangements. The students used cedar branches and holly to build their designs. This activity helped students use their creativity, try new ideas, and practice working carefully with their hands. Everyone felt proud of their finished arrangements and enjoyed seeing how each one was special and unique.
Reindeer Portraits - Ms. Evans’ class had lots of fun creating reindeer portraits. Each student started by drawing a reindeer and then added special details to make their reindeer unique. The students enjoyed painting their reindeer with watercolour paints. This was a great activity because it helped students use their creativity, practice drawing and painting skills, and feel proud of their own special artwork.
Drawing the Grinch - Ms. Baratto’s class had lots of fun doing a guided drawing of the Grinch! Students followed along step by step to learn how to draw him, and then used paints to colour in their pictures. This was a great activity because it helped students practice listening, following directions, and being creative. It was awesome to see how proud the kids were of their artwork!
The Week Ahead
Monday
- School Re-Opens
Wednesday
- PAC Meeting at 9:00 am in Staff Room
- Earthquake Drill at 9:50 am
Month at a Glance
January 5th - School Re-Opens
January 7th - PAC Meeting at 9:00 am in the Staff Room
January 7th - Earthquake Drill
January 16th - School Spirit Day - School Colours or Dragon Gear
January 16th - Inclusion Langley Family Support Group at 9:30 am
January 30th - School Spirit Day - Summer in Winter Day (Dress Like It's Summer)
February 9th - Professional Development Day (Students Do Not Attend School)
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
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.
Hot Lunch Program – Here’s the January menu for families interested in participating in the school’s hot lunch program:
Building Better Tech Habits Workshop from Media Smarts for Families - MediaSmarts has launched a new, free, self-guided workshop to help families develop healthier technology and screen-time habits. Building Better Tech Habits provides practical, research-informed strategies for managing family screen use and addressing common digital challenges at all ages. The workshop can be accessed 24/7 via the link below and completed any time, making it easy to fit into busy schedules.
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 –11 AM, January 17th, 2026, to March 7th, 2026, at Raphael House in the City of Langley. 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/
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.
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.