Good Things and the Week Ahead - May 11 - 15
Families of Douglas Park,
There are so many things that are awesome about working at Douglas Park, but one of the best is seeing students excited about what they are learning. When I visit classrooms, I get lots of opportunities to see the great things students are working on and learning at school. Students will often come up and proudly share what they are doing — whether it’s a journal entry, a new math concept, a beautiful art project, or something they are exploring in science. Walking into classrooms where students are engaged in their learning is something we truly love to see.
This past week felt like a week full of exciting transitions. On Tuesday, we welcomed many new families into our school for our Welcome to Kindergarten event, and on Thursday, our Grade 5 students visited H.D. Stafford. Two very different milestones, but both representing important moments as one group of students prepares to begin their elementary school journey while another gets ready to step into middle school.
At Welcome to Kindergarten, it was incredible to feel the warm and welcoming environment our school community (including our families) works so hard to create. It was special watching new families walk into our school feeling safe, supported, and excited for the journey ahead. One of the reminders we shared with families is that we cannot promise the school journey will always be perfect, but we can promise that we will be here to walk alongside them through it all. While our Welcome to Kindergarten team did an amazing job organizing the evening, the event itself is built on the foundation of a school culture that every community member contributes to each day — a culture rooted in belonging, kindness, hard work, and care for one another.
That same culture was strongly felt again when our Grade 5 students visited Stafford. It was awesome watching our students respectfully enter the school, listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and represent Douglas Park so well. One of the most meaningful moments of the day came when a school counsellor from Stafford paused during a meeting and shared, “I have to tell you, the students that come to Stafford from Douglas Park love school.” What a special thing to hear. There is not much more meaningful than knowing our school community has helped create a genuine love of learning for our kids.
As I’ve been reflecting on this school year and all of the awesome things that have happened, I keep coming back to the importance of slowing down and appreciating the special moments along the way. This is something we’ve been working on throughout the year, and as we head into the final stretch, it feels even more important. School days — and life in general — can feel really busy. It’s easy to get caught up in everything going on and sometimes miss the special moments happening around us. As we head into the final weeks of the school year, we want to keep making time to notice and celebrate those moments. Whether it’s students learning something new in class, showing kindness to a friend, or laughing together on the playground, there is so much good happening around us every day if we slow down enough to see it.
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
Hatching Chicks - Ms. Lengle’s and Ms. MacKay’s classes were so excited to welcome chicks into their classrooms! Over the past two weeks, students eagerly watched the eggs in the incubator, checking in each day and getting more excited with every little movement they noticed. Earlier this week, the students were thrilled to finally see the chicks hatch! Since then, they have loved observing the chicks as they grow, move around, rest, and begin exploring their new environment. This hands-on experience has been a wonderful way for students to learn more about life cycles, growth, and caring for living things while also building curiosity, patience, and excitement for learning.
Exploring Addition - Ms. Regier’s class has been working hard on building their addition skills by learning how to use place value to solve addition equations. Students were given two-digit numbers and used tens and ones to help create and solve different addition problems. Breaking numbers apart in this way helps students better understand how numbers work and builds strong mental math and problem-solving skills. It has been awesome to see students using different strategies, explaining their thinking, and growing their confidence in math!
Outdoor Learning and a Picnic - Mr. Lee’s class enjoyed a walking field trip to Dinosaur Park to make the most of the beautiful sunny weather! Along the way, students explored the park’s trails, learned more about the surrounding community, and enjoyed spending time outdoors with their classmates. The class also stopped for a picnic lunch and a special popsicle treat that everyone loved. It was an awesome afternoon filled with fresh air, exploration, outdoor learning, and lots of fun together!
Visiting HD Stafford - Our Grade 5 students had an awesome visit to H.D. Stafford Middle School where they learned all about middle school life and the exciting opportunities waiting for them next year. Students explored the school during a scavenger hunt with Grade 7 leaders, saw many familiar faces from former Douglas Park students, and ended the visit with a fun pizza party in the library. They also each received a Skyhawks T-shirt to take home! While it will be hard saying goodbye to this amazing group of Grade 5 students, it has been so exciting seeing them ready for their next adventure into middle school.
Track and Field Practice - It was another fun week of Track and Field practice for our Grade 3, 4, and 5 classes! Students have been working hard as they continue practicing a variety of events and building their skills each day. From running and jumping to throwing events, it has been awesome to see so much determination, teamwork, encouragement, and school spirit out on the field. Keep up the amazing work, dragons!
Reading in the Garden - Ms. Olafson’s class took advantage of the beautiful sunshine by bringing their reading time outside! Students headed into the courtyard to enjoy some peaceful reading beside their growing potato plants, “Spuds in Tubs.” It was a wonderful way to combine fresh air, outdoor learning, and a love of reading while checking in on the exciting progress happening in the garden!
Excited About Spring Learning - Ms. Lengle’s class has been excitedly exploring all things spring! Students have been learning about the butterfly life cycle and discovering how butterflies grow and change through each stage. They have also been making observations about the changes they notice in the environment around them, including the warmer weather, blooming flowers, and signs of new life all around our school grounds. Along with their spring learning, students have been getting creative by making beautiful cherry blossom art inspired by the season. It has been fun watching the students connect their learning to the world around them.
Welcome to Kindergarten - We had an awesome Welcome to Kindergarten event as we welcomed many new students and families to Douglas Park for next year! It was great meeting so many kids and their families as they spent time learning about school life, having fun at different activity stations, and practicing important school skills. We are so excited to welcome these future dragons as they begin their school journey with us in September!
Fun with Measurement - Ms. Treleaven’s class had lots of fun learning about measurement! The students explored non-standard measurement, which means measuring things using items like cubes instead of rulers. They used cubes to measure different objects around the classroom and counted how many cubes long each item was. It was a great hands-on way to learn and made math fun and easy to understand!
May the Fourth Be With You - We kicked off the week with a fun spirit day—Star Wars Day on May 4th! It was awesome seeing students and staff show their spirit with Star Wars clothing, creative costumes, and even some favourite stuffies joining in on the fun. Thanks to everyone who helped make the day so enjoyable—May the 4th be with you!
Learning About Ecosystems - Ms. Bhambi’s class has been learning all about ecosystems and exploring the different parts that help ecosystems work and stay balanced. Students have been researching a variety of ecosystems and learning about the plants, animals, habitats, and environmental conditions that make each one unique. Through their learning, students have been discovering how living things depend on one another and how changes in an ecosystem can affect the plants and animals within it.
Agri Kids - We were excited to welcome Venechuk Farms back to Douglas Park this week for another Agri Kids program! During the presentation, students learned all about bell peppers and rutabagas, including how they are grown, harvested, and used in different foods. Students enjoyed asking questions and learning more about healthy eating, farming, and where our food comes from. It was wonderful to see so much curiosity and excitement as students connected their classroom learning to real-world agriculture!
Sunshine and Baby Chicks - Excited about the chicks that hatched in their classroom earlier this week, Ms. Yoon’s class took their chicks outside to enjoy some time on the grass and in the sunshine! Students carefully made a circle and watched with excitement as the chicks explored, ran around, and chirped their way through the middle of the group. The students loved observing the chicks’ movements and behaviours up close while learning more about how living things grow and explore their environment.
Red Dress Day - This week, Ms. Shaw’s class learned about Red Dress Day and the importance of kindness, caring for others, and making sure everyone feels safe, valued, and included in our communities. We are proud of the thoughtful conversations students had as they continued learning about empathy and respect. Students also created beautiful Red Dress Day artwork, and they were very proud to share their meaningful creations.
The Week Ahead
Monday
- Fire Drill at 10:00 am
Tuesday
- Lunch Time Hockey for Grade 4s
- PAC AGM at 5:00 pm in the Library
Wednesday
- Choir Practice at 2:45 pm
- TeamUp Soccer from 6:00 - 7:30 pm on Back Field
Thursday
- TeamUp Basketball from 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Friday
- Professional Development Day (No School for Students)
Month at a Glance
May 11th - Fire Drill at 10:00 am
May 12th - PAC AGM at 5:00 pm
May 15th - Professional Development Day
May 18th - Victoria Day (School Closed)
May 25th - May 29th - Operation Waterproof for Grade 5 Students
May 27th - Regional Track Meet
June 2nd - Class Pictures
June 10th - Earthquake Drill
June 13th - Langley Community Days
June 16th - Beach Day
June 23rd - Grade 5 Farewell Ceremony at 12:30 pm
June 24th - Sports Day
June 25th - Last Day of School (Dismissal at 11:30 am)
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
- PAC AGM - May 12th at 5:00 pm in the Library
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
Support Our Library with Excel Martial Arts! - We’re excited to partner with Excel Martial Arts to support the Douglas Park library. For just $20, families can purchase a Promotional Activity Card that includes:
• One month of martial arts training in June
• A free Excel Martial Arts T-shirt
Best of all, 100% of proceeds go directly to our school library!
Only 50 passes are available. When purchasing, please include either:
• The name of a Douglas Park student to receive the pass, or
• “Student” if you would like staff to choose a student on your behalf.
Purchase online: https://sd35.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/87036/111/False/True
Cash payments (exact change only) may also be sent to the school.
Thank you for supporting our students and school library!
Langley City - Pro-D Day Camp (5-12yrs) May 15th - Are you looking for something for your child to do on the upcoming Pro-D? Langley City is excited to host a Pro-D Camp at Nicomekl. The Daycamp is an action-packed day that will keep even the most busy kids entertained. Daycamp includes crafts, sports, themes, adventure, science, and much more. We encourage participation and hope that you will try new things at camp. Children must be in Kindergarten to register for camp.
http://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/langleycityrecconnect/Activity_Search/44390
Camp runs 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM for $45.00
Communication Partner Summer Session - The Langley School District is offering a very unique learning opportunity this summer. The Communication Partner Summer Learning Session gives kids a fun chance to learn how to be great communication partners while helping a friend from their school. Through games, hands‑on activities, and trying out cool communication tools, they can grow their confidence and learn new ways to connect with others. Families also get time at the end of the day to meet with staff and learn how everyone works together to support all kinds of communicators.
Location: Douglas Park Community School - 5409 206th St.
Dates: July 6-17, 2026
Time: Monday- Friday 9:00 am - 12:30pm.
Please see the link below for information about how to enroll your child.
CPSLS-CP parent letter (DPCS).pdf
6thAnnual I.D.E.A. Summit – May 12th at the Langley Events Centre - Come see entrepreneurship and creativity in action at the I.D.E.A. Summit! I.D.E.A. stands for Innovation, Design, Entrepreneurship and Altruism. Students across the District will be participating and competing throughout the day in the Market Showcases, Thinkology and Design Challenges, Pitch Challenges, and the I.D.E.A Summit Finale. The finishers will be awarded prizes which have been generously donated by the local business community. Join us at the Langley Events Centre (Building B-Fieldhouse) located at 7888 200th Street in Langley on May 12, 2026.
Showcase: 9:15am – 1pm
Showcase Pitches & Awards: 1:30 pm - 3 pm
Please note the venue is closed to the public from 11:20 am – 12Noon for lunch. For more information and to view the schedule, click here.
French Immersion Registration - If you are interested in registering your child for Late French Immersion (Starting in Grade 6), please see the poster below.
Community Schools Update: New Resource for Families - We’re excited to launch our new Facebook group, Douglas Park Community Connection—a dedicated space for sharing local community services, programs, and events for families.
Resources are organized in the “Guides” section, making it easy to:
- Search by topic (e.g., summer camps, food security, health services)
- Access important, ongoing community supports in one place
This is a growing hub and will be updated regularly with new opportunities. If you know of a helpful community resource, please contact klangford@sd35.bc.ca.
Join here: https://tinyurl.com/facebookDPCommunityConnection
Langley Flag Football – Now in Langley! - A great new opportunity for kids ages 4–16 to get active and have fun every Friday evening at Josette Dandurand.
This program is:
- Co-ed and non-contact
- For beginners to experienced players
- No travel, no cuts, and NFL-style teams/jerseys
- Focused on fun and learning the game
Financial support is available—fees can be waived and cleats provided if needed so every child can participate.
Questions: LangleyFlag@gmail.com
Learn more: https://www.langleyflag.ca/
This Month in the Arts - May 2026 - This May, our schools light up the stage and gallery with musicals, plays, art shows, writing, dance, and music galore! From musical theatre favourites to student creativity, come and celebrate the arts.
Youth Vaping 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 youth vaping for school-aged children and youth. Please see below for helpful guidelines and resources to support your child.
Vaping is popular among youth. Daily or near-daily use can increase the risk of mental and physical health harm.
In 2023, 26 per cent of youth in grades seven through 12 in British Columbia reported having vaped. The most common age that B.C. youth first tried vaping was 13.
How to support youth to prevent, delay or reduce vaping
It is important to be supportive and recognize that setbacks may happen. You can help by being a positive role model and offering guidance in the following ways:
· Have open conversations about vaping. Listen to your child’s beliefs and offer accurate information to help them understand the risks involved.
· Practice refusal skills with your child by discussing ways they can say no to vaping, especially in situations that feel uncomfortable to them.
· Be honest about your own use of tobacco, cannabis or vaping products. Share any health impacts or challenges you’ve experienced.
· If you vape, avoid vaping around children to limit their exposure to second-hand vapour. Consider quitting or reducing vaping to improve your own health. For help, contact Quit Now, a provincially funded nicotine cessation program.
· Store vapour products securely and out of reach of children and youth.
· Tip sheet for parents: Talking with your teen about vaping
Learn more about vaping products here.
For more information about child and youth substance use, including services, programs and resources available for children and youth, visit Fraser Health's website.
School Community Coordinator - We are excited to share that Ms. Langford, a valued member of our team at Douglas Park Community School, has moved into a new role as School Community Coordinator. We are thrilled to see her step into this position and continue supporting our school community in new and meaningful ways. Please see the poster below for more details!
Reminder for Families: Electric Scooters - Electric scooters are not allowed on school property. In British Columbia, riders must be at least 16 years old and wear a helmet, and electric kick scooters cannot be used on sidewalks or public roads. The school will not be storing electric scooters for students, to help encourage following these safety rules. We ask that families talk with their children to make sure they understand and follow the age and safety requirements.
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
How To Register:
To register or for more information, please contact:
Nellie Slater, Family Support Coordinator with Inclusion Langley Society
Phone: 604-996-5244 | Email: familysupport@inclusionlangley.com
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.
The Mane Event - Saturday, May 23, 2026 - If you’re looking for something a little different this spring, The Mane Event is worth a spot on your calendar. Hosted at Thunderbird Show Park, this Kentucky Derby-inspired afternoon brings together community and world-class show jumping, all in support of Langley students. It’s a chance to step away from the everyday and experience something elevated, social, and meaningful. All proceeds support programs that help remove barriers for students, ensuring they have access to the opportunities they deserve.
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
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
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 DPCAttendance@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.