Families of Douglas Park,

We hope that you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

This week, in addition to their regular classroom activities, our students engaged in a focused exploration of gratitude and thankfulness. It was inspiring to see the different ways in which they embraced this important life lesson. Some classes read heartwarming stories about gratitude, while others reflected on what they were thankful for by writing thoughtful journal entries. Many students used their creativity to design gratitude-themed art, showcasing the people, places, and experiences they hold dear. The variety of activities made it clear that gratitude can be expressed in so many meaningful ways.

As we approach the Thanksgiving season, it’s natural for gratitude to come to the forefront of our minds. However, this week has served as a powerful reminder that gratitude is not something to think about only during the holidays. It’s a practice that can—and should—be integrated into our daily lives. Developing the habit of appreciating the little things, and taking the time to acknowledge them, is something we strive to nurture in our school community. Not only is it a positive character trait, but it’s also essential to overall well-being. Studies show that practicing gratitude regularly is linked to better mental health, increased happiness, and greater resilience.

At school, we are committed to continuing this practice with our students, encouraging them to reflect daily on what they are thankful for. Whether it’s recognizing a kind friend, appreciating the support of family, or simply enjoying the beauty of nature, the act of recognizing the good in our lives helps build a more positive mindset. We encourage you to join us in this practice at home with your children. Taking even a few moments each day to pause and reflect together can be a powerful way to bond and help cultivate a shared sense of gratitude. You might find it useful to ask your children during dinner or before bed, “What are you thankful for today?”

In a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, gratitude offers a grounding perspective. By practicing it daily, we’re reminded of what truly matters most, and we create space for joy and connection. We hope that by working together—both at school and at home—we can help our children develop this important skill, leading to happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

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

Learning About Terry Fox - As part of their learning about Terry Fox, students in Ms. Di Sabatino’s class—and several other classes—created special Terry Fox shoes. They designed and decorated their shoes and added messages about what they’ve learned from Terry’s story and his incredible character. This project was a great way for students to reflect on Terry’s courage, determination, and kindness while learning the importance of perseverance and making a difference in their community.

Learning with Little Buddies - Ms. Egmore’s class took their little buddies on a fun walking field trip to the duck pond to explore the sights and sounds of fall. Together, they used clipboards to record what they saw, heard, smelled, and touched as they explored nature. It was such a great hands-on way for students to learn about the season while observing the world around them with their buddies! 

Pumpkin Art - Ms. MacKay’s class has been getting into the Halloween spirit! The students used paint and cut-out shapes to design and decorate their own pumpkins for the classroom bulletin board. They had so much fun getting creative, and their pumpkins turned out amazing—each one unique and full of personality. What a fun way to celebrate the season!

Terry Fox Assembly and Run - On Friday, we held our Terry Fox Assembly and Run, and the students were amazing! During the assembly, two of our Grade 5 leaders did an amazing job leading the event and reminding everyone why we do the Terry Fox Run—to honour Terry’s courage, hope, and determination to make a difference. The run helps us keep Terry’s dream alive by supporting cancer research and showing that every small effort can make a big impact. After the assembly, everyone headed outside and ran for ten minutes for Terry. It was an inspiring morning filled with energy, teamwork, and school spirit!

Stone Soup - On Friday, Ms. Evans’ and Ms. Treleaven’s classes spent the day learning about thankfulness through the story Stone Soup. In the story, a group of travelers arrives in a village where no one wants to share their food. The travelers begin boiling a pot of water with just a stone, sparking curiosity among the villagers. One by one, everyone decides to contribute a small ingredient, and together they create a delicious soup that everyone can share. The story teaches the value of kindness, generosity, and working together. As part of their learning, students made their own “stone soup,” with each child bringing an ingredient to add to the pot. They also spent time writing about the many things they’re thankful for in their own lives.

Alphabet Jive - One way that Ms. Baratto’s class practices their letters and sounds is with a fun Alphabet Jive at the end of the day! The students read through the letters and sounds while making playful connections to different words and names — including the names of everyone in their class. It’s awesome to see how much fun they have while learning and how excited they get to show what they know about letters and sounds!

Mid-Autumn Festival - Mr. Lee’s class learned all about the Mid-Autumn Festival, a special day that celebrates the fullest and brightest moon of the year. After watching a story about the festival, the students discussed the foods and traditions that people enjoy on this day, including the legend of the rising Super Moon Baby. They also created their own beautiful Chinese lanterns—a classic Mid-Autumn tradition!

Best Part of Me - Ms. Lee’s class worked on an awesome writing project called The Best Part of Me. After reading the book The Best Part of Me by Wendy Ewald—a collection of stories and photos where children share what they love most about themselves—the students reflected on their own favourite parts and wrote about why they are special. They also took photos to go along with their writing. This project was a wonderful way for students to celebrate self-confidence, positive self-image, and the things that make each of them unique!

Fun with Numbers - Ms. Bronwyn’s class has been learning all about numbers and practising different ways to represent and identify them. The students played a fun Halloween-themed math game called Roll and Cover! In the game, they rolled a die, identified the number, and then found and coloured the matching numeral on their game sheet. It was such an engaging and playful way to practice number recognition.

Fun at the Farm - Ms. Bhambi’s, Mr. Boehmer’s, Ms. Di Sabatino’s, and Ms. Egmore’s classes went on an awesome field trip to Stable Harvest Farm! The students learned all about how potatoes grow, explored the cornfields, and even got to watch a totem being carved. It was such a fun, hands-on experience where the kids learned about farming, local traditions, and the importance of caring for the land.

Cross Country - Our cross-country team had their second race of the season, and all of the kids did an amazing job! It was awesome to see them working hard, challenging themselves, and trying to beat their times from last week. The kids had so much fun cheering each other on and enjoying the excitement of racing together—it’s such a great way to stay active, build teamwork, and have fun outside. We’re so proud of all our Douglas Park Dragons for giving it their best and showing such great school spirit! 

Making Patterns - Ms. Shaw’s class has been learning all about patterns! The students had so much fun using different shapes and colours to create their own patterns and then practiced identifying the pattern rules. Learning about patterns helps kids develop their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills—and it’s extra fun because they get to be creative while exploring how patterns repeat and change.

Learning About Thankfulness - In the lead-up to Thanksgiving, Ms. Yoon’s class has been learning about gratitude and reflecting on the things they’re most thankful for. The students were so proud and excited to share their ideas and created these awesome place settings to celebrate thankfulness and the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Grade 4/5 Soccer Team - Our Grade 4/5 Soccer Team had their first game of the season, and it was AWESOME! The sun was shining, the kids played their hearts out, and we had lots of fans cheering from the sidelines. The team faced off against Nicomekl and came away with an amazing win! Way to go, Dragons! A HUGE thank you to our coaches for supporting our players and encouraging them to work hard and do their best. A special shoutout to Coach Boehmer and Coach Solano who had a dream to build a Grade 5 soccer league and created this amazing opportunity for our kids. 

The Week Ahead

Monday

• Thanksgiving (No School)

Tuesday

• Grade 4/5 Soccer Game (Team B)

Wednesday

• Cross Country Race at Aldergrove Regional Park

Thursday

• Earthquake Drill at 10:00 am

Month at a Glance

October 13th - Thanksgiving

October 16th - Earthquake Drill

October 20th - Diwali

October 22nd - PAC Meeting at 9:00 am

October 23rd - Scarecrow Day

October 23rd - Informal Learning Updates Sent Home

October 24th - Provincial Pro-D Day (Students Not in Attendance)

October 27th - Douglas Park Pumpkin Patch

October 31st - Halloween Parade at 9:00 am

November 3rd - Photo Re-Take Day

November 4th - Fire Drill at 10:00 am

November 7th - Inclusion Langley Family Support Group

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

November 11th - Remembrance Day 

November 17th - 21st - Book Fair

November 21st - PAC Hot Lunch

November 21st - Lockdown Drill at 9:55 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

• Halloween Decorating - October 22, 2025
• Hot Lunch - November 21, 2025

Next Meeting Time

• October 22, 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

Halloween Pumpkin Patch - On October 27th, our back field will once again be transformed into the Douglas Park Pumpkin Patch! This special tradition is always a highlight of the fall season. Each class will visit the patch, where every student will have the chance to pick their own small pumpkin to take home. We’re so grateful to Venechuk Farms for partnering with us again this year and providing the pumpkins at a great price. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate autumn together as a school community!

Halloween Costumes - We’re excited to celebrate Halloween with a costume parade at 9:15 a.m. on Friday, October 31st! Students will have the chance to show off their creative costumes as we parade through the school and spread some festive fun. Students are welcome to come to school in costume, but please remember a few important guidelines to help make the day fun and safe for everyone:

• Costumes should be school-appropriate (no scary, gory, or violent themes).
• Please leave toy weapons and masks at home — we want everyone to be easily recognizable and comfortable.
• Make sure costumes are easy to move and learn in, as students will still take part in regular school activities.

We can’t wait to celebrate this fun tradition together with lots of smiles, laughter, and Halloween spirit!

Mimele Program with Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society - We’re happy to share that Elder Rita, the Early Childhood Development Facilitator from the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society, is offering the Mimele Program at Shortreed and Blacklock schools four mornings a week. This wonderful program supports young children and families through cultural learning, connection, and early development activities. Check out the attached poster for more details about this great community opportunity:

Byelection Day (October 25) - On Saturday, October 25^th, many school gyms across the District will be used as Township of Langley Byelection polling stations from 8am – 8pm. As guided by Section 81 of the Election Act “accommodation in a school that is the property of a board of school trustees under the School Act must be made available by the board for use as a voting place.” Please take note of extra pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the area of these sites on this day. The District appreciates the support and cooperation from families and members of our community. The District is encouraging everyone who is eligible to do their civic duty and vote.  For a list of school sites being used, visit the District website here.

October 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 October is Respiratory Season and Fall Immunizations. Please share the following information below in your next newsletter or communication to families. This information will be shared on the District’s social media channels.

Keep your children free from respiratory illnesses this winter - As the weather gets colder and we spend more time indoors, we’re more likely to get sick with things like colds, flu or COVID-19 because these illnesses spread more easily in enclosed spaces. Everyone should take these steps to protect themselves and limit the spread of respiratory illnesses: 

• Get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19 if you are eligible. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water is not available. 
• Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, mouth and nose. 
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow. 
• If you have flu-like symptoms, stay home and away from people at higher risk of serious illness. If you are sick and cannot stay away from others, wear a mask. Learn more about masks here.

Vaccinations for respiratory illness - Vaccinations prepare our immune system to recognize and respond to viruses. When children get immunized, they are less likely to get sick or pass along illness to others and better able to focus on learning, playing and doing the activities they love. Register your children with the Get Vaccinated system so you can be reminded to get flu or COVID-19 vaccinations when they are due. Seasonal respiratory vaccinations are available from pharmacies, public health units and some primary care providers.  

School-aged immunizations - As children get older, the protection from some infant immunizations can wear off. To set young people up for long-term health and well-being, vaccines are offered routinely in kindergarten, grade 6 and grade 9 with catch-up opportunities in other grades. Getting your child vaccinated on schedule is one of the best ways to protect their health. All routine school-aged immunizations are free in British Columbia. If your child is not up-to-date with their vaccines, please make an appointment with a public health unit, family doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacy. If your child’s record shows their vaccines are not current, but they did get vaccines from a health care provider outside of public health: 

• Contact the health care provider who immunized your child and ask for a copy of the immunization record. 
• Report these immunizations to Public Health online at: http://www.fraserhealth.ca/immunizationform 

Learn more about school-aged immunizations, including how to access your child’s records, here: Children and youth immunizations – Fraser Health Authority

Photo Re-Take Day - Photo Re-Take Day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3rd. If your child missed the original photo day or would like a re-take, this will be their chance to have their picture taken.

Programs of Choice – Deadline to Register is Monday, October 20^{th -} Langley School District offers a rich diversity of programs that are designed to meet the specific needs and interests of students. Programs include Fine Arts, French Immersion, Fundamental, Langley Environmental Awareness Program (outdoor education), Montessori, and UConnect. Registration for Kindergarten entry (for most programs) begins on Monday, October 6^th at 12 noon, and closes on Monday, October 20^th at 12 noon. For UConnect, please contact the school directly. For more information and instructions to register your child, visit our District website here and review our FAQ choice programs resource here.

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