Families of Douglas Park,

It’s hard to believe that we are now in the last few days of May and that June is right around the corner! As we enter the last month of the school year our students continue to work hard, building their proficiency with various skills and concepts. We are proud of all of the growth that our students have made this year! We are also excited to see how much fun our students are having as they learn at school. While it is important for our kids to learn foundational literacy and numeracy skills, we also want them to enjoy learning and see the value of what they are learning so that they are encouraged to be lifelong learners. Whether it is playing math games, learning to code, exploring local ecosystems, or watching ducklings hatch in the classroom, our kids have fun at school and we have fun learning with them.

Last week, the Douglas Park PAC hosted their first Freezie Friday of the year for our school community! The weather was perfect with warm sunshine, and the freezies brought big smiles to students’ faces. We want to say a huge THANK YOU to the PAC and all of their volunteers who have helped organize events for our school throughout the year. Their hard work helps enrich the school experience for our kids. Our students are lucky to be part of a community where so many people care about them and work hard to make their school experience so special. Thank you PAC — we are so grateful for all of your hard work!

Next week, the Douglas Park Track and Field Team will be taking part in a regional track meet at McLeod Athletic Park. During the past month, our athletes have been working hard and training for this event. The track meet is the final event of the school year for our athletics program at Douglas Park. It has been an incredible year of sports that included teams competing in district events for soccer, cross country racing, basketball, and track and field. We are very proud of all of our athletes and the hard work that they put into training so that they could compete at their highest level. We also want to show our gratitude to the coaches who volunteered their time to facilitate practices, organize events, and coordinate transportation for our students. This year was awesome and we are excited to further build on our successes in athletics next year!

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

Brick Connections - On Wednesday, Ms. Mackenzie’s class and Ms. Knight’s class had a special visit from Brick Connections, who led a hands-on lesson about Braille. The students took on a “secret message” challenge where they had to use only their sense of touch to figure out hidden patterns. They felt different raised dot codes, tried to remember them, and then used a code sheet to match each pattern to letters. It was a fun and engaging activity that really challenged their thinking and problem-solving skills. The students showed great focus, curiosity, and teamwork as they worked together to crack the code and solve the message! 

Learning About Living Things - Ms. Lengle’s class has been excitedly learning all about life cycles and living things as they watch their ducks hatch and their butterflies emerge from their cocoons. It has been wonderful to see the students making careful observations and sharing their curiosity and wonder about the world around them. Experiences like this help spark excitement for learning and encourage young learners to keep asking questions, exploring, and discovering new things every day.

Releasing Butterflies - Ms. MacKay’s class has been so excited to watch their caterpillars transform into butterflies! The students have been learning all about the butterfly life cycle and making many curious observations along the way. Earlier this week, the class had the special opportunity to release their butterflies into the pollinator garden at the front of our school. It was a memorable moment for the students as they said goodbye to their beloved butterflies and watched them begin their new journey in nature.

Track and Field - Our Grade 3/4/5 track and field team has been hard at work preparing for next week’s regional track meet at McLeod Athletic Park! Students have been practicing their running form and pacing, building their throwing skills for ball throw, and working on their timing and takeoff for long jump. It has been wonderful to see our Dragons encouraging one another, showing perseverance, and giving their best effort at every practice. We are very proud of all of their hard work and know they will not only do their best at the track meet, but also continue to be amazing role models by supporting and cheering on their teammates throughout the day. 

Learning About Ducks - Ms. Millington’s class had so much fun learning with their classroom ducks, Fry, Sonic, and Fluffy! The students learned all about the life cycle of a duck and were excited to watch the ducklings hatch right in their classroom. They also visited a duck pond to observe ducks in nature and learn even more about how they live and grow. Mrs. Baratto even stopped by to visit the classroom ducks and watch them swimming together! This week was a special one, as it was their last week with the ducklings before they returned to the farm.

Oh, Canada! - Ms. Treleaven’s class has been learning all about Canada! The students are exploring the provinces, learning fun facts about our country, and discovering the important role the RCMP plays in keeping communities safe. It was so exciting to hear students proudly sharing what they have learned, including the fact that Canada is the second largest country in the world by land size. Their excitement and curiosity made it clear just how much they are enjoying their learning! 

Choir Performance - Our school choir has been practising very hard over the past several months and this week they had the exciting opportunity to take their performance on the road to Harrison Landing. This was such a special experience for our students, as it gave them the chance to share their talents while connecting with seniors in our local community. Music has a wonderful way of bringing people together, and our students were proud to bring joy, energy, and smiles to the residents through their performance. Opportunities like this help students build confidence, empathy, and a stronger sense of community, while also creating meaningful connections across generations. Thank you to Ms. Leonard, Ms. Hawkins, and Ms. Bella for all your hard work supporting our choir this year!

Awesome People, Awesome Community - We have so many awesome people who are part of our school community and who work hard every day to support kids. One of those people is Mr. Du Hoi from our custodial team. This week, Mr. Du Hoi stopped by Ms. Olafson’s class to check out some of the student learning. The students were having fun with a frog pond learning centre Ms. Olafson created and were very excited to share their learning and tell Mr. Du Hoi all about it. We are so grateful for Mr. Du Hoi and the rest of our amazing custodial team, including Ms. Manjit and Ms. Queena, who work so hard to keep our school clean and all of us healthy.

Learning at the Pond - Mrs. Evans’ and Ms. Treleaven’s classes enjoyed a walk to the local duck pond where students took time to observe the seasonal changes and the animals living in the area. They noticed details in the water, plants, and surrounding environment, and spent time watching ducks and other wildlife in their natural habitat. When they returned to class, students were inspired by what they had seen and incorporated the animals and scenes from their walk into their artwork. It was awesome to see their observations come to life through their creative work. We love seeing students so engaged in learning and making connections to what they observe in our beautiful community.

Field Trips to the Zoo - What a week of field trips at Douglas Park! Throughout the week, several classes visited the Greater Vancouver Zoo, including Mr. Lee’s, Ms. Regier’s, Ms. Shaw’s, Ms. Yoon’s, Ms. Di Sabatino’s, and Ms. Lee’s classes. Students had an awesome time learning outside of the classroom while exploring a wide variety of animals and habitats. They learned about animal adaptations, life cycles, food chains, and how different animals survive in their environments. It was a great opportunity for students to make real-world connections to their classroom learning and to deepen their curiosity about the natural world. One especially proud moment came at the end of one of the trips when a bus driver commented on how impressed he was with our students. He shared that he wishes all the students he drives were like the Douglas Park Dragons.

Duckling Writers - What a week of field trips at Douglas Park! Throughout the week, several classes visited the Greater Vancouver Zoo, including Mr. Lee’s, Ms. Regier’s, Ms. Shaw’s, Ms. Yoon’s, Ms. Di Sabatino’s, and Ms. Lee’s classes. Students had an awesome time learning outside of the classroom while exploring a wide variety of animals and habitats. They learned about animal adaptations, life cycles, food chains, and how different animals survive in their environments. It was a great opportunity for students to make real-world connections to their classroom learning and to deepen their curiosity about the natural world. One especially proud moment came at the end of one of the trips when a bus driver commented on how impressed he was with our students. He shared that he wishes all the students he drives were like the Douglas Park Dragons.

The Week Ahead

Monday

• Operation Waterproof for Grade 5 Students

Tuesday

• Lunch Time Hockey for Grade 4s and 5s
• Operation Waterproof for Grade 5 Student

Wednesday

• Regional Track and Field Meet at McLeod Athletic Park
• Choir Practice at 2:45 pm
• TeamUp Soccer from 6:00 - 7:30 pm on Back Field

Thursday

• Operation Waterproof for Grade 5 Students
• TeamUp Basketball from 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Friday

• Lunch Time Hockey for Grade 3s
• Operation Waterproof for Grade 5 Students
• Inclusion Langley Family Support group from 1:00 - 3:00 pm
• PAC Freezie Friday at 2:30 pm (See Poster Below in PAC News)

Month at a Glance

May 25th - May 29th - Operation Waterproof for Grade 5 Students

May 27th - Regional Track Meet

June 2nd - Class Pictures

June 9th - Talent Show

June 10th - Earthquake Drill

June 13th - Langley Community Days

June 16th - Beach Day

June 18th - LSS Grad Walk

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

• Freezie Friday

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

Summer Session - Summer Learning registration for elementary, middle, and high school remains open to all applicants. Registrations in available classes are processed in the order received (“first-come, first-served basis). If families have not yet registered, please use the following link to register online:

https://sd35summer.registerbc.ca

Registration closes on the following dates for all applicants:
Elementary/Middle: Wednesday, June 3^rd

Secondary: Wednesday, June 17^th

Free Youth Football Camp - We are excited to share a FREE Youth Football Camp for students in Grades 2–5, running June 29–July 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the HD Stafford grass field. This fun, inclusive camp is open to students of all skill levels and focuses on building confidence, teamwork, skills, and connections in a supportive environment. Participants will receive a camp T-shirt, snacks, and drinks each day, and the week will conclude with a BBQ celebration on the final day. Registration details can be found on the camp poster, which includes a QR code.

Summer Reading Club - We are excited to share that the Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL) Summer Reading Club is back for another summer of reading, learning, and fun! This free program encourages students of all ages to stay engaged with reading over the summer in a fun and flexible way. Whether children are reading independently, with family, or listening to stories, every bit of reading counts. Participants can track their reading, set personal goals, and celebrate their progress along the way. The Summer Reading Club is a great way to help students maintain and strengthen their reading skills while enjoying books that spark their imagination and interests. Families can register through the Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL) website or at their local branch.

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!

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 206^th 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

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/

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.

Langley Family Support Group at Douglas Park 2025:2026.pd

This month’s meeting topic is “Discounts and Special Offers for Persons with Disabilities.”

Date and Time: Friday, May 29, 2026 | 1:00–3:00 pm
Location: SWIS Portable, Douglas Park Community School, 5409 206 Street, Langley

Additional Information:
• Light refreshments will be provided
• Childminding is available 

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.

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 

 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

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.

Douglas Park School Calendar 2025:26.pdf