Families of Douglas Park,

It was another great week of learning at the school. It’s always inspiring to visit classrooms and see our kids working hard on their schoolwork. It’s also amazing to see the rich learning activities that are being created for our students by school staff. Whether it’s hands-on literacy lessons that have students building new words with magnetic letters, fun class games that promote vocabulary development, or math routines that help students develop their proficiency with new math concepts, our students are working hard and having fun with awesome learning activities. We are very proud of how hard our students work every day to do their best. Thank you for all the ways you support your kids and encourage them to do their best. We are grateful for an amazing school community that works together to nurture resiliency, perseverance, and a joy of learning.

Last week we also celebrated World Kindness Day. Kindness is such an important part of our school community—it helps create a positive and caring environment for everyone. While it’s wonderful to have a special day to reflect on it, kindness isn’t something we celebrate just once a year. It’s something we focus on every day. It’s amazing to see the many ways students show kindness, whether it’s small acts like helping a friend during recess or lunch, volunteering to tidy up the classroom, or being a “big buddy” to younger students. A perfect example of this recently has been with a new family who moved here from another country. At first, it was challenging for the children to make friends, but day by day, our students reached out — inviting them to play, asking them to sit with them at lunch, and welcoming them into our school community. Now, when you see them outside, it’s hard to believe they were ever new—they’ve become a fully welcomed part of the friend group.

Life isn’t always perfect, and we all go through hard times, but kindness creates a foundation for healing, for friendships, for joy, and for a strong, positive community. When we focus on kindness, we begin to see the goodness in the world around us, and it reminds us that every small act can make a difference.

Thank you for helping nurture a community where kindness, perseverance, and a love of learning flourish every day.

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

Skating Field Trip - Ms. Bhambi’s and Ms. Egmore’s classes had an awesome field trip to the local skating rink. Students had a great time skating, trying new skills, and enjoying the winter activity together. Experiences like this help students build confidence and teamwork while having fun. The day was filled with laughter, fun challenges, and moments of joy shared with friends.

Building Math Skills - Ms. Shaw’s class had lots of fun with their math centres this week! Students used the centres to practise the skills they’ve been learning in class. From exploring different patterns to representing numbers in a variety of ways, they are building strong number sense and growing their confidence in math. 

Keeping Our Community Clean - Each week, different classes help us take care of our school grounds by picking up litter around the field and playground. This is a wonderful learning opportunity for students, as it teaches them responsibility, teamwork, and the importance of caring for their community and the environment. A big thank you to Ms. Evans’ class for taking on this job this week and helping keep our school grounds clean and welcoming for everyone.

Fun with Colour and Water - Ms. Bronwyn’s class had a wonderful time learning with colour and water this week. Students explored different colours and painted beautiful rainbows. They also completed a “walking water” experiment using coloured water and tissue paper, which allowed the water to slowly travel from one jar to another. This experiment helps students see how absorption and capillary action work, introducing early science concepts in a fun, hands-on way. Through these activities, students learn to make predictions, observe changes, and talk about what they notice—all while enjoying the magic of colour.

Fire Prevention Contest - Congratulations to Ms. Di Sabatino’s class! One of their classmates was selected as the winner of the Langley City Fire Prevention Tip Contest during Fire Prevention Week. Captain Bob Perry from the Langley City Fire Department visited the class to present the prize to the student. The excitement didn’t stop there—every student received a smoke detector and a gift bag from the fire department, making it a memorable experience for the whole class. 

Fun with French - Ms. Egmore’s class has been working hard on their French, learning new words and phrases and finding fun ways to show what they’ve learned. As a challenge, students are creating menus for a French restaurant. They are collaborating to make their menus as authentic as possible, using French vocabulary along with symbols and images that represent French culture. It’s a creative way for students to practise language skills while working together.

Field Trip to the Local Library - Ms. Khammountry’s and Ms. Mackenzie’s classes enjoyed a fun field trip to the local library. Students learned how the library is organized, how to find books, and how to use a library card. They also had time to explore books and hear stories. It was a valuable trip that helped students build independence and encouraged a love of reading. 

World Kindness Day - This Thursday was World Kindness Day, and Ms. Evans’ class celebrated by reading the book What Does It Mean to Be Kind? The story explores simple, everyday ways we can show kindness to others and reminds students that even small actions can make a big difference. As their own act of kindness, students created “kind hearts” and wrote thoughtful, positive messages on them. They then placed these hearts around the school to spread kindness and brighten the day for others.

Fun with Centres - During centres, the students in Ms. Olafson’s class have so much fun playing and learning together. Centres are an important part of kindergarten because they give children opportunities to explore, create, practice social skills, and build independence through hands-on activities. These experiences support early literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, and collaboration in a way that feels exciting and meaningful for young learners. And of course, it’s always entertaining to watch how confidently they “take orders” and “serve customers” in the dramatic play centre—clearly we’re witnessing some future Starbucks employees in training!

Morning Mystery Message - Ms. Lee’s class starts their day with a mystery message that students work together to solve. The message offers a hint about what they’ll be learning, adding a little excitement to their morning routine. Mystery messages are a fun way to spark curiosity and get students thinking right away. They encourage teamwork, build problem-solving skills, and help students practise reading and critical thinking—all while making learning feel like a game. 

Goal-Setting - Mr. Lee’s class has been learning all about goal-setting as they prepare for Term Two. Together, students brainstormed ideas about what they’d like to improve on next term, and then each student illustrated their personal goal through writing and drawing. Goal-setting is such an important skill for children because it helps them think about their learning, take ownership of their growth, and develop confidence as they work toward something meaningful. It also teaches perseverance and helps students reflect on their successes along the way.

Fun with Numbers - Ms. Baratto’s class has been having an awesome time learning and practising their numbers. During numeracy centres, students rotate through a variety of hands-on activities that help them build confidence with number skills. Whether they’re creating numbers with Play-Doh, showing numbers on ten frames, or playing math games that challenge them to recognise numbers up to 20, there are lots of smiles and excitement as they learn and have fun with numbers.

Developing Reading Comprehension - Ms. Bhambi’s class has been working hard on strengthening their reading comprehension skills. This week, students explored a paragraph about ice-skating that connected perfectly to their recent field trip. After reading, they worked together to answer a variety of questions that helped build vocabulary, deepen understanding, and practice key Grade 4 comprehension strategies. Students also used a Know–Wonder–Learn approach, reflecting on what they already knew about ice-skating, what they were curious about, and what new information they learned after reading the passage. It was a fun and meaningful way to connect their learning to real-life experiences.

Fun with Big Buddies - Ms. Yoon’s class is getting into the Christmas spirit with their big buddies from Ms. Di Sabatino’s class. Together, they worked on a fun project creating stained-glass-style ornaments using tissue paper and laminating sheets. The buddies enjoyed decorating their ornaments side by side, and everyone loved seeing their colourful creations come to life. It was a special way for students to share creativity and have fun together.

The Week Ahead

Monday

• Scholastic Book Fair (Monday - Friday)
• TeamUp Grade 5 Basketball Club at 6:00 pm

Wednesday

• PAC Meeting at 9:00 am

Friday

• Lockdown Drill at 9:50 am
• PAC Hot Lunch

Month at a Glance

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