Families of Douglas Park,

It was a busy and exciting week at Douglas Park! We had a few big school events, including the Great ShakeDown earthquake drill and our final cross-country race of the season at Aldergrove Regional Park.

During the Great ShakeDown, students did an amazing job practising how to stay safe during an earthquake. Everyone took the drill seriously and followed directions carefully. It was great to see how calm, focused, and prepared our students were. Our cross-country team also wrapped up an incredible season this week. The students worked so hard all fall, training regularly and pushing themselves to improve their personal times at each race. Their effort, determination, and positive attitude really stood out. The final meet at Aldergrove was a great celebration of their hard work, full of cheering, encouragement, and school spirit. It was wonderful to see students supporting each other and so many families and staff out to celebrate their achievements. Congratulations to all of our runners on an amazing season.

On Thursday, students will be bringing home an informal learning update completed by their classroom teacher. This update focuses on how students are adjusting to classroom routines and expectations. While it’s not a report on academic progress, the areas highlighted play an important role in supporting student success at school. Teachers will revisit the informal learning update again in May to share how students have grown in these same areas. It will also be part of the discussion during our student-inclusive conferences at the end of November. We’re so proud of all our students. It’s been wonderful to see their growth and enthusiasm during these first seven weeks of school. If you have any questions about your child’s informal learning update, please reach out to their classroom teacher.

 The next two weeks are shaping up to be action-packed with lots of school activities. Here are some of the highlights:

Monday, October 20^th – Diwali

Thursday, October 23rd – Scarecrow Day (Dress Like a Scarecrow)

Friday, October 24th – Provincial Pro-D Day

Monday, October 27th – School Pumpkin Patch (Every Student Will Receive a Pumpkin)

Friday, October 31st – School Halloween Parade at 9:15 am

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

Buddy Class Leaf Art - Ms. Egmore’s class had a fantastic time joining their little buddies in Ms. Shaw’s class for some outdoor art fun! The students explored the sights and colors of fall, collecting leaves, sticks, and rocks. They used these natural materials to create their own art, making leaf people and imaginative leaf creatures. Along the way, they also had lots of fun playing in the leaves, enjoying the fresh air and the season together.

Fun with Patterns - Ms. Treleaven’s class has been learning all about increasing patterns in math! An increasing pattern is a sequence that grows or changes in a regular way, such as adding more blocks or shapes each time. Learning about these patterns helps Grade 2 students recognize number relationships and prepare for addition, multiplication, and problem-solving skills later on. The students had a great time creating and extending their own increasing patterns on whiteboards.

Five Senses in Fall - Ms. Di Sabatino’s class had a fun and engaging lesson exploring the seasons using their five senses! Students learned how they can observe the world around them through sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Together, they brainstormed all the different ways they experience the fall season—like seeing pumpkins, feeling the crisp autumn air, hearing leaves crunch under their feet, and smelling delicious turkey dinners or pumpkin spice lattes. Students also documented their fall observations through drawings and writing, showing how their senses help them notice and enjoy all the special things about this time of year.

Pumpkin Art - Mr. Boehmer’s class had an awesome time creating pumpkin art! The students started by drawing the outlines of their pumpkins with white glue, and once it dried, they used pastels to add colour and bring their pumpkins to life. This hands-on project gave the students a chance to explore texture, colour, and their creativity. The kids had so much fun making their pumpkins and showing off their unique designs.

Reading in the Sunshine - With all the sunshine we’ve been enjoying, Ms. Khammountry’s class decided to take their quiet reading time outdoors. The students loved soaking up the sun while getting lost in their books. It was a perfect way to enjoy the fresh air, relax, and dive into stories at the same time, making reading even more fun.

10 Frames and Pumpkin Seeds - Ms. Bronwyn’s class had a fun and festive math lesson using pumpkin seeds! The students were learning about 10 frames, which are tools that help show numbers in an organized way, making it easier to understand addition, subtraction, and number relationships. To celebrate the Halloween season, students used pumpkin seeds to create different numbers on their 10 frames.

Learning with Mr. Grill - Mr. Grill, our school counsellor, has been visiting classrooms to teach lessons about leadership, confidence, problem-solving, and other important social-emotional skills. Earlier this week, he spent time with Ms. Treleaven’s class learning all about self-confidence. The students talked about what makes each of them special and why it’s important to believe in themselves. Building self-confidence helps students feel proud of who they are, try new things, and keep going even when something feels challenging.

Learning About Communities - Ms. Evans’ class had an awesome lesson about communities with their student teacher, Ms. Millington! They began by reading Maybe Something Beautiful, a story about how art and teamwork can transform a neighbourhood and bring people together. After the story, the class had a great discussion about what makes a community special and all the beautiful things they notice in their own. Students then had the chance to draw and write about what they love most about their community, celebrating the people and places that make it feel like home. 

Cross Country Season - A huge congratulations to this year’s Cross Country team on wrapping up an amazing season! The team completed their final race this past Wednesday, finishing strong after an incredible few weeks of running. Our Dragons took part in three races this year, with several students even qualifying for the finals! We’re so proud of everyone for their hard work, dedication, and great team spirit. It’s been awesome watching students improve their times, cheer each other on, and have so much fun along the way. A big thank-you to our volunteer coaches and drivers for making this season possible—and for helping create such a positive and memorable experience for our runners. Go Dragons! 

Learning About Button Blankets - Ms. Shaw’s class had an awesome visit with Krystal Delong, who taught them all about button blankets and their special meanings. The students learned how these beautiful blankets are used to share stories and celebrate culture. After learning together, the Grade 1 students had the chance to make their own mini button blankets. The kids had lots of fun and were so proud of the blankets they created. 

The Week Ahead

Tuesday

• Grade 5 Soccer Home Game

Wednesday

• PAC Meeting at 9:00 am

Thursday

• Scarecrow Day (Dress Like a Scarecrow)
• Informal Learning Updates Sent Home

Friday

• Provincial Pro-D Day (Students Do Not Attend)

Month at a Glance

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

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.

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.

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

Please find our November 2025 meeting details below:

📅 When: Friday, November 7, 2025 | 9:30–11:30 AM
📍 Where: SWIS Portable, Douglas Park Community School | 5409 – 206 Street, Langley
🗂️ Topic: Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) Services
☕ Additional Information: Light refreshments will be served. Childminding is available — please register early so we can plan staff and space appropriately.

How to Register:
To register or learn more, please contact:
Lydia Kang, Family Support Coordinator
📞 604-996-5244 | ✉️ familysupport@inclusionlangley.com
(When registering, please let me know if you require childminding.)

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