Good Things and the Week Ahead - May 4 - 8
Families of Douglas Park,
It was another wonderful week at school, with the sun shining and students taking full advantage of the beautiful weather. From Track and Field practice to walking field trips and outdoor classroom lessons, there were plenty of memorable learning moments under the sun. Looking at the calendar, it’s hard to believe how quickly the school year is passing. It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming students back from Spring Break—now we’re already planning for the final two months of school.
As I’ve been reflecting on this school year and all of the awesome things that have happened, I am reminded about the importance of slowing down to see and appreciate every special moment. School days, and life in general, are busy. It’s easy to get swept up and overwhelmed by this busyness. Often the hustle and bustle causes us to lose track of what’s important and miss out on good moments around us. As we look ahead to the last eight weeks of the school year, we want to stay committed to seeing and celebrating all of these good moments. From new things that students are learning in class to special moments with friends on the playground, there are so many positive things around us and we just need to remember to slow down and appreciate them. As we do this, we want to share these moments with our students and help them see all of the good things around them. As a school community, we believe that it is important to encourage kids to be grateful, present, and positive.
There’s a great quote from author Dan Millman. He writes, “Life is a series of moments. The quality of attention and action that we bring to each moment determines the quality of our lives.” In the busyness of life, I hope we can all slow down, notice the good things, and appreciate each moment around us.
One way we will be celebrating student learning is through the May Informal Learning Update, which will be sent home with students on Friday. As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, this update will closely resemble the October Informal Learning Update and will focus primarily on learning competencies such as student engagement, organization, participation, and readiness to learn. If you have any questions about your child’s progress after reviewing the May Informal Learning Update, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s classroom teacher.
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
Poetry Recital - Mrs. Evans’ and Ms. Treleaven’s classes celebrated the end of their poetry unit with a special poetry recital! Families were invited to join, and each student had the opportunity to perform a poem they had written in front of their classmates and families. It was wonderful to see their confidence and creativity shine, and many students were excited to share even more of their work after the recital.
Learning About Caterpillars - Ms. Millington’s class has been having a great time watching their caterpillars grow and develop! Each day, students make careful observations and track what they see through drawings. They are excited to watch the caterpillars change as they move through the butterfly life cycle, building their understanding of how living things grow and change.
Waste Warriors Presentation - Ms. MacKay’s class enjoyed a Waste Warriors presentation from LEPS! Students learned about the importance of reducing waste, recycling properly, and taking care of the environment. Through engaging activities and discussion, they explored how their everyday choices can make a positive difference in their community and the planet.
Hundreds Chart Fun - Ms. Regier’s class has been learning about hundred charts in math! A hundred chart shows numbers from 1 to 100 and helps students see patterns and understand how numbers are organized. As they explored how the chart is put together, students took on a fun 100-piece puzzle challenge, helping them build number sense and see how the parts fit together. Great learning and teamwork all around!
Learning About Ducks - Ms. Shaw’s class has been observing the development of duck eggs and using their observational skills to record changes over time. Students have been practising looking closely, describing what they notice, and sharing their ideas with others. They are learning to be patient scientists as they track the changes each day, building their understanding of life cycles and how living things grow and develop. It’s been awesome to see their excitement and curiosity as they watch the eggs get closer to hatching!
Field Trip to Science World - Ms. Egmore’s and Ms. Bhambi’s classes had an awesome time on their field trip to Science World! Students explored a wide range of interactive exhibits, discovering hands-on ways to learn about science, technology, and the world around them. They especially enjoyed trying out the different stations, testing ideas, and seeing science in action. It was a fun and engaging day filled with exploration, discovery, and lots of excitement.
Mystery Eggs - Ms. Yoon’s class is excited about the eggs in their classroom as they watch them develop in the incubator. Students practised making predictions about what might hatch from their eggs and then wrote about their ideas. They are closely observing the changes each day and learning about life cycles, showing great curiosity and care as they wait for the eggs to hatch.
Arctic Animals - Mr. Boehmer’s class is excited to begin their new science unit on Arctic animals! Students are learning about how animals survive in such a cold environment, exploring adaptations like thick fur and blubber. As the unit continues, they’ll research different Arctic species and learn about the importance of protecting these unique ecosystems.
Properties of Materials - As part of Mr. Lee’s Properties of Materials unit, students have been building their skills as young scientists through a hands-on investigation into sinking and floating. They started by making predictions about which objects would sink or float, then took turns testing each one in water. Along the way, they recorded their observations in a table and used their results to figure out which materials tend to sink and which tend to float. This inquiry-based activity gave students a chance to practice predicting, observing, and clearly communicating their scientific thinking.
Learning in the Library - In the library with Ms. King, students have been exploring current events using kid-friendly sources like DOGO News. They’ve been engaging in group conversations, sharing their thoughts, asking questions, and learning from one another. This week, students were especially interested in learning about a marathon world record being broken, sparking great discussions and curiosity about events happening around the world.
Moustache Day - On Friday, we had a fun school spirit day—Moustache Day! Students and staff showed their school spirit by rocking all kinds of creative and silly moustaches. There were lots of laughs and smiles throughout the day, making it a memorable and fun way to come together as a school community.
The Week Ahead
Monday
- School Spirit Day - Star Wars Day (May the 4th)
Tuesday
- Welcome to Kindergarten Event
- Lunch Time Hockey for Grade 4s
Wednesday
- Choir Practice at 2:45 pm
- TeamUp Soccer from 6:00 - 7:30 pm on Back Field
Thursday
- Grade 5 Visit to HD Stafford from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
- TeamUp Basketball from 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Friday
- Venechuk Farms Agri Kids Program
- Gifts and Gathering at StrongStart
- Lunch Time Hockey for Grade 5s
- Informal Learning Updates Sent Home
Month at a Glance
May 4th - School Spirit Day: Star Wars Day
May 5th - Welcome to Kindergarten Event
May 7th - Grade 5 Visit to HD Stafford
May 8th - Informal Learning Update Sent Home
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
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
Read-A-Thon - It’s time for the Douglas Park Community School Read-A-Thon! Kicking off on Monday, May 4, 2026, this exciting event encourages our students to build a love of reading while working toward a shared goal. Families are invited to activate their child’s Read-A-Thon account—it’s quick, easy, and takes less than five minutes. This account allows you to track reading progress and share your child’s efforts with friends and family. Thank you for your support in helping make this a fun and meaningful experience for all of our readers!
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
Informal Learning Updates - During the week of May 4, your child will receive a paper record of the second informal learning update as part of the requirements within the Ministry of Education and Childcare's Reporting Order. This informal Learning Update serves as a record of communication, which can include (but is not limited to) past email communication, meeting, digital student portfolio or written communication, to serve as an update to families on student learning progress since the Term 2 Formal Learning Update. Parents/Caregivers will be able to see the method of communication indicated at the top of the paper informal Learning Update. If you have further questions on your child's learning progress, please contact your child's classroom teacher.
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.