Families of Douglas Park, 

We hope you have had an awesome Spring Break and we are looking forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday. We can’t wait to reconnect with our students and school families! 

It’s hard to believe but we are now entering the final term of the school year at Douglas Park. The final term is a great time for students to continue to build on their academic growth from the first two terms of the school year and further develop their literacy and numeracy skills. We look forward to supporting our kids and celebrating all of the learning they will accomplish in Term 3. The final term is also full of exciting school events, including track and field, Sports Day, Beach Day, and other fun activities for our school community. These last months of the school year are busy but are also lots of fun! We are going to have an awesome Term 3 at Douglas Park! 

As you get ready for this week and returning to regular school schedules, please remember that transitions can be challenging for kids. In this first week after Spring Break you will likely notice that your child is a little more tired or emotional after a day of learning at school. Here are a couple strategies for supporting your child with their transition back to school: 

• Establish Routines: Routines and schedules have a big impact on kids. During the holidays, regular routines and schedules are changed, and making the adjustment back to school routines and schedules can be difficult. It is important to re-establish routines around waking-up and getting ready for school so that kids do not feel rushed and have time to prepare for their day of learning. It is also important to re-establish after-school schedules such as home reading time and bedtime routines so that kids get a good night of sleep to support their learning development and growth.

• Maintain Positivity: When kids are tired, they can feel overwhelmed and negative. Encouraging your child to share positive things about their day helps support their mental health and helps them feel more encouraged about school and learning. Daily practices that can help foster positivity with your child include asking them about what the BEST part of their day was or have them list things that they are thankful for from their day. 

Looking forward to another great 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

Carving with Soapstone - Ms. Egmore’s class had an awesome opportunity to take part in Lynn Heyes’ “Carving a Soapstone Kulik” workshop. During this hands-on experience, students learned how to carve their very own traditional seal oil lamp, complete with a small hole to hold a tea light candle. As they worked carefully on their creations, students discovered the importance of patience, focus, and following directions. Beyond carving techniques, the workshop also encouraged creativity, listening skills, and an appreciation for the artistry and tradition behind the Kulik.

Reading and Writing About Spring - As Spring approaches, students in Mr. Lee’s class listened to the story Spring Fever and discussed the many exciting things about the spring season. After brainstorming a variety of ideas, each student selected their top two reasons for why they enjoy spring. This activity encouraged students to think creatively while learning more about the changes and joys that come with the arrival of spring.

Agri Kids and Farmer Blake - We were excited to welcome Farmer Blake back to Douglas Park for another fun Agri Kids learning session! Agri Kids is a program where students learn about farming, food, and where our fruits and vegetables come from. This time, we had lots of fun learning all about cucumbers—how they grow and how we can eat them. The students were also very excited to bring a cucumber home to share with their families!

St. Patrick's Day Fun - Ms. Treleaven’s class had lots of fun getting ready for St. Patrick’s Day! They made their own bingo cards and then played a fun game of St. Patrick’s Day bingo together. Each card was filled with different St. Patrick’s Day pictures, like leprechauns, clovers, and pots of gold, and students enjoyed spotting the pictures and cheering each other on as they played!

Young Entrepreneur Fair - We are so proud of our awesome Grade 5 students who took part in the Young Entrepreneur Fair at our school! At this fun event, students created their own small businesses by coming up with ideas, designing and making products, and selling them to others. Along the way, they practiced important skills like planning, problem-solving, using math to handle money, and talking with customers. It was a great experience that helped build their confidence and creativity, and we loved seeing all of their hard work and ideas come to life! 

Awesome End to a Great Season - An awesome season with an amazing group of kids came to an end on Monday as our Grade 5 basketball team finished their season with a fun Play Day tournament at Aldergrove Community Secondary School. Our team played five different mini games and did an awesome job. It was so impressive to see how much they developed as basketball players throughout the season. We are so proud of them and grateful for such a great season filled with growth, teamwork, and lots of fun together as a team.

Cultural Tea Party - An awesome season with an amazing group of kids came to an end on Monday as our Grade 5 basketball team finished their season with a fun Play Day tournament at Aldergrove Community Secondary School. Our team played five different mini games and did an awesome job. It was so impressive to see how much they developed as basketball players throughout the season. We are so proud of them and grateful for such a great season filled with growth, teamwork, and lots of fun together as a team.

Leprechaun Art - With St. Patrick’s Day coming soon, Mrs. Evans’ class created some fun leprechaun art. First, the students painted a bright background with a colourful rainbow. Then they designed and cut out a pot of gold. Finally, they followed a guided drawing to create their own leprechaun and added special details to make each one unique.

The Week Ahead

Monday

• School Re-Opens

Wednesday

• School Choir Practice at 2:45 pm
• TeamUp Soccer from 6:00 - 7:30 pm on the Back Field

Friday

• Good Friday (School Closed)

Month at a Glance

March 30th - School Re-Opens

April 3rd - Good Friday (School Closed)

April 6th - Easter Monday (School Closed)

April 9th - Fire Drill at 10:00 am

April 10th - Venechuk Farms Agri Kids

April 14th - Lockdown Drill at 9:55 am

April 17th - School Spirit Day: Dress Like a Book Character Day

April 22nd - Earth Day

May 1st - School Spirit Day: Moustache Day

May 4th - School Spirit Day: Star Wars Day

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

• 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

TeamUp Soccer  - TeamUp is excited to offer a free soccer program for Douglas Park students every Wednesday from 6:00–7:30 pm on the back field. Registration forms were sent home before Spring Break. If you didn’t receive one and would like to sign your child up, they can ask Ms. Di Sabatino for a form, or you can register in person at the field, where TeamUp staff will have extras available. Please see the poster below for more details:

Douglas Park Just Be Four (JB4) Preschool (Registration Open for September 2026) -Langley School District operates a licenced 4 year old preschool program at Douglas Park Elementary.  Registration is now open for September 2026-2027. Classes operate on Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays or Tuesdays/Thursdays from 12:45-3:15. Please complete the contact form below and our staff will connect with you regarding securing a space for your child.  Please contact Charlene Redekop at credekop@sd35.bc.ca for further information.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=rvqr_Ar4dE-2p7oVwqS7JIz2vmItILtGrl0qa8negQtUN1JaVkNWN1MxMTVOUTNBR0pIUTNPWFAyQS4u

Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL) Reading Advisor - FVRL Reading Advisor is a free resource for everyone living or studying in communities served by FVRL, including Langley. The Reading Advisor service offers personalized book recommendations for readers of all ages, making it an excellent support for students and staff across the Langley School District. All that is required is to fill out a short form about your reading interests, and trained library staff respond with a customized reading list based on genre, themes, age level, and preferred formats (print, eBook, audiobook, graphic novel, etc.) This is ideal for boosting reading engagement, supporting diverse learning needs, and possibly helping teachers quickly discover high‑quality texts for classroom use. This free community resource extends the capacity of school libraries and connects learners with a broader range of inclusive and accessible materials and would be a great resource to share with students and other staff to help them find some new great reads for over spring break. Happy Reading!

https://www.fvrl.bc.ca/my-reading-adviser 

Spring Health Information (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 spring health for school-aged children and youth. Please see below for helpful reminders to support your child.

Spring Health for Kids - The spring season is approaching which means warmer weather and more outdoor activities. It’s also an opportunity to foster new healthy habits for our children. Here are five practical tips for school-aged kids to make the most of this season.

Get Active - Warmer weather makes spring the perfect time to get outside and play. Take a walk around your neighbourhood or head to a local park or hiking trail. You can also stay active close to home with jump rope or hopscotch in your neighbourhood.

Think Fresh - Springtime often brings up images of fresh fruits and vegetables. Now is a great time to teach children about where food comes from by helping them to start their own home garden. You don’t need a large space to get started. Any bright space indoors or outdoors can be used to grow fresh food. For tips, check out this resource about gardening with kids. 

Be Sun Safe - Sunburns are possible, even in spring. Use a sunscreen that has Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 or more. When possible, schedule outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon and early evening. If you and your children are out in the sun during mid-day hours, wear long sleeves, loose-fitting long pants and a hat.  

Be Prepared for Extreme Weather - Spring weather can be very unpredictable and can bring heavy rains or heat. Make sure you and your family are ready for possible flooding, heat and indoor air quality issues. Plan for summer heat by preparing your home early. Find tips on Window safety for childrenas well as information and resources, including programs to help, at Fraser Health’s Before a heat event page.

Practice Road Safety - Biking is a great way to exercise and spend quality time with your family. Remember to keep safety top of mind. Protect their heads with a well-fitted helmet and teach them the rules of the road, such as the hand signals for stop, right and left-hand turns. Check out our Fraser Health’s Bike safety for children page.  

For tips on all of this and more, check out Fraser Health’s Spring health guide. 

Budget Consultation 2026-2027 - Want to have your say on the District’s budget for 2026-2027? The Langley School District is inviting students, staff, parents/guardians, and all members of the public to take part in its Budget Consultation 2026-2027 by completing this 5-minute survey here or providing feedback by email to budgetconsultation@sd35.bc.ca. All survey and email submissions will be accepted until March 31, 2026. The data gathered will help provide our District Leadership Team and Board of Education with information needed to make decisions impacting education. The District is sharing videos and an infographic located on our webpage which may be helpful to you. For more information as well as translated versions of the survey, please visit our District webpage here.

 International Student Program Homestay Families - Embark on a rewarding journey of cultural exchange! The District is seeking homestay families to host International Student Program (ISP) students for the 2026-2027 school year and beyond. There are many benefits including learning a new culture, sharing your family traditions, and developing life-long friendships. Homestay families are provided $1200 per month to offset costs. Start your journey here: Students & Homestay

Homestay Families Poster.pdf

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.

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. 

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

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.

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