Families of Douglas Park,

Last week was a special one at Douglas Park as we took time to learn, reflect, and recognize the importance of peace. We honoured both National Aboriginal Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, remembering the brave individuals — including Indigenous veterans — who helped protect the freedoms we enjoy in Canada today.

Our Remembrance Day assembly was a meaningful moment for our school. Our student presenters spoke with confidence and care, two students shared powerful poems, and we observed the Last Post and a wreath-laying ceremony to honour those who served. One Grade 1 class shared thoughtful ideas about what peace means to them, and our Grade 2 students finished the assembly with a beautiful peace song that filled the gym with hope. We are so proud of our students for the respect, kindness, and maturity they showed during this important time of remembrance.

We also began our School-Wide Write, a literacy activity our whole school takes part in twice a year. Each student writes and draws about the same topic, giving teachers a snapshot of writing skills across all grades. Teachers review student work using the BC Performance Standards, which helps us monitor literacy development, celebrate growth, and identify next steps for learning. This process allows us to tailor instruction to support each student’s writing journey and ensure every learner continues to build strong literacy skills. It’s a wonderful way to see how far students have come — and to set meaningful goals for where they will go next.

If you’d like to hear more about the School-Wide Write, you’ll have an opportunity during our upcoming Student-Inclusive Conferences. If you haven’t signed up yet, please check your email for the link or contact your child’s teacher — we’re looking forward to celebrating student progress together and setting new learning goals for the months ahead.

Looking forward to another awesome 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

Field Trip to the Ice Rink - Mr. Lee’s and Ms. Regier’s classes had an awesome trip to the local skating rink! Students practiced balance and coordination while gaining confidence and resilience. For many of our Grade 1s, it was their very first time on the ice—making the day extra special and full of excitement for everyone!

Pumpkin Investigation - With Halloween behind us, Ms. Shaw’s class put some of their leftover pumpkins to good use in a fun science exploration. The students measured their pumpkins, counted the lines, and even explored the seeds inside. They had a great time investigating and discovering all the little details each pumpkin had to offer! 

Remembrance Day Wreathes - Mrs. Evans’ class created some amazing poppy art to decorate their class wreath! Students recycled egg cartons and carefully shaped them into poppies before painting them in bright, bold colours. The finished poppies look beautiful and make a meaningful addition to their wreath.

Poems and Art - Check out this wonderful Remembrance Day art from Ms. Egmore’s class! Students have been learning about the importance of Remembrance Day, why we observe it, and the meaningful symbols connected to it — including the poppy. They also learned the poem In Flanders Fields. Using all of this learning, they created these beautiful and thoughtful pieces to honour and remember those who served.

Fun Math Games - Ms. Treleaven’s class learned a fun new math game called Addition War! In this game, students flip over two playing cards, add the numbers together, and compare the totals — the player with the higher sum wins the round and keeps the cards. Addition War is an awesome way for students to build their addition skills, develop number fluency, and practice quick mental math in an exciting, hands-on way. It’s also a simple and fun game that families can play at home to help strengthen addition skills together!

Solving Word Problems - Ms. Mackenzie’s class has been having fun working with math word problems! Learning to solve word problems is an important skill because it helps students understand how addition and subtraction are used in real-life situations. By applying their math strategies to everyday scenarios, students build strong problem-solving skills and learn to think carefully about what a question is asking. It’s a meaningful way for students to connect their math learning to the world around them! 

Hands-On Math - Ms. Datema’s class has been busy exploring addition and subtraction using a variety of strategies to deepen their understanding. One strategy they’ve been practicing is using base-10 blocks, which help students clearly see how numbers are built and broken apart. By moving and grouping the blocks, students can visualize the steps in addition and subtraction, making abstract concepts more concrete. This hands-on approach is especially helpful when solving questions that involve regrouping, as students can physically trade blocks to represent exchanging tens and ones, building a strong foundation for future math learning.

Five Little Pumpkins - Ms. MacKay’s class has been having a great time practicing the poem “Five Little Pumpkins.” After learning to recite it together as a class, the students began performing it as a reader’s theatre using picture cards to bring the poem to life. It’s awesome to see their enthusiasm as they act out the parts, build confidence, and have fun with reading!

UFLI in Kindergarten - During their literacy centers, Ms. Baratto’s class began working on small group UFLI lessons. In these lessons, kindergarten students practice important early reading skills like identifying letter sounds, blending sounds to make words, and recognizing high-frequency “heart words.” Working in small groups allows each child to receive more personalized attention and support, helping them build confidence and strengthen their foundational literacy skills. It’s a fun and engaging way for students to grow as young readers and writers! 

Carving Soapstone - Ms. Di Sabatino’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.

Worry Worms - Our kindergarten classes had a fun surprise today! The Crochet Club from Langley Secondary School has been hard at work creating something special just for them—worry worms! A worry worm is a small, crocheted creature that students can keep in their pocket or backpack. Whenever they feel nervous or worried, they can hold or look at their worry worm to find a bit of comfort and reassurance. Each worry worm even came with a sweet little poem to remind students that it’s okay to feel worried sometimes, and that those feelings will pass. Two members of the Crochet Club, along with their sponsor teacher, Tanya Pogorzelski, visited our kindergarten students to personally present the worry worms. We’re so thankful to the amazing students from Langley Secondary School’s Crochet Club for their kindness, creativity, and thoughtfulness in making these special gifts for our kindergarten students!

The Week Ahead

Monday

• Design and Assessment Day (No School for Students)

Tuesday

• Remembrance Day (School Closed)

Thursday

• World Kindness Day

Month at a Glance

November 10th - Design and Assessment Day (Student Not in Attendance)

November 11th - Remembrance Day 

November 17th - 21st - Book Fair

November 19th - PAC Meeting at 9:00 am

November 21st - PAC Hot Lunch

November 21st - Lockdown Drill at 9:55 am

November 26th - Student Inclusive Conferences (Students Do Not Attend School)

November 27th - Student Inclusive Conferences (Early Dismissal at 12:30 pm)

December 5th - Inclusion Langley Family Support Group

December 6th - Rotary Breakfast with Santa at Douglas Park

December 11th - School Christmas Concert from 12:30 - 2:30 pm

December 11th - Christmas Family Sing-Along

December 17th - Student Breakfast with Santa

December 18th - Stockings Give-Away

December 19th - Last Day before Winter Break

December 22nd - January 2nd - Winter Break

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

• Hot Lunch - November 21, 2025

Next Meeting Time

• November 19, 2025 at 9:00 am in the Staff Room

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

November Health Messaging – Fraser Health  - As part of its health promotion for students and families, our community partner Fraser Health is sharing important information on various topics. The theme for November is Dental, Hearing, and Vision Health. Please share the following information below in your next newsletter or communication to families. This information has been shared on the District’s social media channels.

Dental, Hearing, and Vision Health (from Fraser Health) - Health, safety, and wellness continue to be a priority in our schools. To help support our students and families, we are sharing important information from our community partner Fraser Health about Dental, Hearing, and Vision Health. Please see below for helpful reminders to support your child.

Make Dental, Hearing and Vision Checks Part of a Healthy Routine - It’s important for your child to have regular eye exams and routine dental checkups. This can help find issues early and lead to better outcomes. It is also important to recognize any hearing loss early as this is essential for speech and language development.   

Dental - Tooth decay and other oral health concerns are the most common preventable chronic diseases in children. Establishing good oral hygiene habits early and ensuring regular dental checkups are essential for your child’s oral health. To find a local dentist who is accepting new patients, visit the BC Dental Association's Find a Dentist database. If your family is experiencing financial challenges and doesn’t have extended health coverage, there are programs available to help make dental care more accessible. You can also reach out to the dental program at your local public health unit at Dental Care - Fraser Health to learn about community resources and support. 

Vision - BC Doctors of Optometry (BCDO) recommends children receive their first eye exam when they are six to nine months old, with a follow up exam at least once between the ages of two and five, and then yearly once they enter school. You can find an optometrist accepting new patients near you on BCDO's website. In BC, one basic eye exam per year is free up to the age of 18. Some optometrists may charge a user fee of about $35-50 per visit, so be sure to ask about any fees before you make an appointment. Find more information on BCDO’s Children’s Resources page.

Hearing - Good hearing is essential for speech and language development and plays an important part in a child's social and emotional growth. It is important to recognize hearing loss early and seek out testing and treatment if needed. Fraser Health’s Public Health community audiologists provide free hearing services for children from birth to 19 years of age. If you have a concern about your child's hearing, referrals can be made by a parent or caregiver, a health care provider or education professional to your local public health audiology (hearing) clinic. Find more information on child health screenings and how to access free vision, hearing and dental exams on Fraser Health’s website.

Youth Clinics - Let your teen know about our youth clinics. Located throughout the Fraser Health region, these clinics offer free and confidential sexual health care to youth, with age eligibility varying by site and service. Learn more about the services available at youth clinics here.

Road and Pedestrian Safety - With less daylight hours and as we enter the season of wind, rain, and ice, we are sharing an important reminder from our community partner ICBC to students, staff, and families to help keep our community safe. Drivers should be alert, focus on the road, watch for pedestrians, especially at intersections and transit stops, and always be ready to stop. Pedestrians and travelers on bikes or scooters should be careful at intersections, always use designated crosswalks, remove headphones and devices, and be aware of your surroundings. For more tips read this resource Kids Pedestrian Safety or visit ICBC’s webpage here.

Information About School Status During Inclement Weather - Snow closures and power outages are an annual occurrence in Langley School District. So, where do you go to get information about the status of schools during periods of inclement weather? If you are able to access the internet via computer or smartphone, current information about Langley schools can be accessed on all school websites or www.sd35.bc.ca. Updates are also posted to X (formerly Twitter) @LangleySchools and Facebook at www.facebook.com/langleyschooldistrict. If you don't have internet connectivity but your phone is working, call a relative or friend in an area that has not been affected by the storm and ask them to check the district website for you. Local radio stations are also informed of school status in Langley. Tune in to CKWX 1130AM, CKNW 980AM, Country Radio 107.1FM, Pulse 107.7 or CBC 690AM or 88.1FM for updates. Please note that Langley District schools are all considered 'open' until a decision to close is required. Decisions on school closures are usually made by 6:30am. As always, it is a parent's decision whether to send their child to school based on safety and individual circumstances. If you feel it is unsafe for you or your child to travel to or attend an open school for any reason, please keep your child home and report an absence to the school.

Privacy Reminder: Recording Devices in Schools - To protect the privacy and security of all students, staff, and visitors, the Langley School District reminds parents and students that digital recording devices, such as Meta Glasses and AngelSense Trackers, are not permitted at school for staff, students, nor members of the community. If parents have concerns about safety and supervision, please refer to our robust district planning (Student Success Plans, Plans of Supervision), and supervision schedules. If parents still have concerns about supervision, please reach out to your Director for guidance. This policy is in place to ensure compliance with the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the District’s procedures for responsible information management.

Parking Lot Safety Reminder - Thank you for helping us keep our students safe! A quick reminder that our parking lot is for staff only. The front area is a drop-off/pick-up zone—please stay in your car so traffic can keep flowing smoothly. If you need to park, street parking is available along 205 Street by the back field. Adding a couple of extra minutes to your commute helps ensure a safe and efficient experience for everyone. We appreciate your continued support in putting safety first!

Nut Aware Policy - At our school, the safety of all students is a top priority. While we cannot guarantee a completely nut-free environment, we are a nut-aware school. This means we ask families to avoid sending peanut or tree-nut products (such as peanut butter, Nutella, or almond snacks) to school, as even small traces can cause serious allergic reactions. Any food brought to school for sharing, such as for birthdays or classroom celebrations, must be store-bought with a clear list of ingredients so we can ensure it is safe for all students with allergies. Food from restaurants (such as Tim Hortons) is also allowed as long as ingredients can be confirmed. Please check with your child’s teacher before bringing in treats so we can make sure everyone is included safely. Students are reminded not to share food and to wash their hands after eating to help reduce the risk of accidental exposure. Families of children with life-threatening allergies are asked to provide the school with the necessary medical forms and prescribed EpiPens each year. Staff are trained to recognize and respond to allergic reactions, and emergency procedures are in place. By working together, we can help keep our school community safe and welcoming for everyone.

Breakfast Program – The breakfast program is open Monday – Friday from 7:30 – 8:27 AM. It is located in the Boys & Girls Club Portable. The program is FREE for all Douglas Park students. It is run by volunteers and supported through donations. You do not need to register for this program. Parents/guardians are welcome to join their child(ren). For more information about the breakfast program, please contact the school office.

Strong Start – Douglas Park Strong Start hours are 8:30 - 11:30 am with a first come first served limit of 20 children. To register for the 2025/2026 Strong Start year, please bring a birth certificate to be copied. A registration form can be filled out at your first visit.

Inclusion Langley Family Support Group – We are excited to be hosting a family support group organized by Inclusion Langley. The group will be meeting once a month in the SWIS portable and exploring various topics for supporting families who care for children aged birth to 12 years old with support needs. If you are interested in joining this group, please see the attached poster for more details:

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

Parent Code of Conduct - The Langley School District is committed to fostering safe and caring schools that promote mutual respect, cooperation, social responsibility, and support optimal learning. Trauma Informed Practices and Procedures promote the creation and maintenance of safe, inclusive, equitable, welcoming, and nurturing school environments. Families play an important role in helping students achieve success as well as helping create a compassionate learning community. Just as students are expected to follow the District’s Student Code of Conduct, there is an expectation for parents/guardians to uphold the District’s Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct. The District’s Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct can be viewed on the District’s website here.

Attendance – If your child is going to be away or late please be sure to call the office and leave a message @ 604-533-4491 or email Ms. Langford @  klangford@sd35.bc.ca.

FaceBook – Be sure to follow us on Facebook for updated information

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Douglasparkcommunityelementary

Bell Schedule

8:42 – Warning Bell

8:47 – Instruction Begins

10:10-10:25 – Recess

11:47-12:20 – Lunch

2:30 – Dismissal

School Calendar 2025/26 – Please click the link below to access our school calendar for the year. It provides general dates about when the school is open and closed.

Douglas Park School Calendar 2025:26.pdf