Good Things and the Week Ahead - September 14 - 18
Families of Douglas Park,
It was an awesome first week back at school! There was lots of excitement and smiles as students returned to their classrooms for a week of building connections and taking part in fun learning activities. We were also thrilled to welcome our new Kindergarten students and their families as they started their exciting journey into the world of school. It’s just great having the Douglas Park community back together!
Following an amazing first week, I want to take a moment to thank the Douglas Park staff for all of their hard work with setting up classrooms/offices and welcoming our students and families back to school. I also want to say thank you to our Douglas Park families for the positive energy and excitement they brought to the school this week. Our school is a community that works together. Through hard work and positivity I believe we can best support and nurture our kids, further building on the successes of our school.
As we kick-off the school year at Douglas Park, we want to share our school vision with you. We are a community school, which means we believe in the importance, value, and positive impact that a community of people can have on supporting the development of kids. We have an incredible school community that focuses on spreading kindness, sharing gratitude, and celebrating special moments and successes together. We believe that a healthy school community is essential for supporting the social-emotional and academic growth of our kids.
Therefore our vision involves working together to:
- Help kids know that they are loved and that they belong
- Teach expectations that create a safe, kind, and respectful school environment
- Inspire kids to work hard and reach their full potential as learners
- Maintain a school community that builds hope and joy, shares gratitude, and celebrates growth
This upcoming week will be another transition for staff and kids as we move students into their “forever classes.” On Monday, we ask families to drop-off and pick-up their children at the same classroom as last week. During the day, students will be moved into their “forever classes” to meet their new teacher and classmates. Before the end of the day, they will return to the classroom that they have been attending for the past week so that there is no confusion for pick-up. When you pick-up your child, they will have a piece of paper with their new teacher’s name and new room number. On Tuesday morning, students can officially be picked up and dropped off at their new classroom.
Transitions can be tricky for everyone and often take a little time to get used to. Over my 16 years of back-to-school transitions, I’ve noticed some common patterns with students. One of the hardest parts can be saying goodbye to a previous teacher and classmates, and this can sometimes shape how students first feel about their new class placement. The good news is that, after a few weeks, most students begin to feel comfortable, settled, and excited about their new class.
During this time, what students need most is lots of encouragement from both teachers and families. Please take a moment to celebrate the positives with your child and remind them that adjusting to a new class takes time and is a normal part of the process. We also want to reassure you that a lot of thought and care goes into class placements. Teachers spend time considering each child’s needs and interests and work hard to find a placement where they can thrive with their new teacher and classmates.
We are very grateful to have such an amazing school community that works together to encourage and support our students! ❤️
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
Summer Memories with Play-Doh - Ms. Shaw’s class had a fun writing activity all about their summer! Students began by using Play-Doh to create objects that represented their summer experiences. Afterward, they drew pictures and wrote about their summer memories. Once their work was complete, the students took part in a “gallery walk,” exploring the classroom and reading about one another’s summers.
Flashlight Reading - Flashlights + books = a pretty awesome way to read! Ms. Yoon’s class had some fun switching things up with flashlight reading. The kids got cozy, grabbed their books, and settled in for some focused reading time. It’s amazing how something as simple as a flashlight can make reading feel like a whole new adventure!
Fun with Pastels - Mr. Lee’s class got creative with oil pastels on black construction paper, and the results are awesome! Students explored different natural landscapes by first sketching their ideas and then bringing them to life with vibrant colours using shading and blending techniques. They experimented with layering different colours to create depth, texture, and some beautiful visual effects. It was amazing to see their creativity shine and each landscape turn into its own unique masterpiece!
Field Trip to the Library - Ms. Olafson’s class had an awesome time on a walking field trip to the Langley City Library with Ms. King! Our Dragons explored the library, learned how to find books, discovered fun resources the library has to offer, and enjoyed listening to a story together. It was a great way to build a love of reading while getting out into our community and exploring one of the amazing places right here in Langley City!
Sharing Who We Are - As they get ready to move into their new classes next week, Ms. Lee’s class took some time to write about themselves and share a little bit about who they are. It was a great opportunity for our Dragons to think about their interests, strengths, and what makes them unique so they can introduce themselves to their new teacher.
Math Colouring Fun - Ms. Di Sabatino’s class was warming up their math brains with a fun math colouring activity! Students solved different equations and then used their answers to find the corresponding colours. It was a great way to practise their math skills while adding a little creativity and fun to the learning!
Summer Writing - Ms. Carter’s class has been spending their first week back at school with Ms. Loewen! They’ve been working on some pretty awesome writing, starting with a brainstorm and filling the pages with ideas about their summers. It was amazing to see how much they wrote, and even more wonderful to see how proud they are of their writing and all the effort they’re putting into it.
Awesome Custodial Team - A HUGE thank you to Mr. Du Hoi, Ms. Manjit, and Ms. Queenie, our amazing custodial team, for all their hard work over the summer preparing our school for the new year. Thanks to their dedication, the school is sparkling clean and ready to welcome our students. We truly couldn't do it without you!
The Week Ahead
Monday
- Students Move to New Classrooms
Tuesday
- PAC Meeting at 5:30 pm in the School Library
Friday
- School Spirit Day (Wear School T-Shirts/Colours)
- Welcome Back Assembly at 10:45 am
Month at a Glance
September 14th – Students Move to New Classrooms
September 15th – PAC Meeting at 5:30 pm in the School Library
September 18th – School Spirit Day (Wear School T-Shirts / Colours - Blue and White)
September 18th – Welcome Back Assembly
September 21st – Student Picture Day
September 24th – Fire Drill at 10:00 am
September 24th – Meet the Teacher BBQ from 4:30 – 6:00 pm
September 25th - School Improvement Day (Students Not in Attendance)
September 29th – Orange Shirt Day Assembly
September 30th – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (School Closed)
October 6th – Fire Drill at 10:00 am
October 12th - Thanksgiving (School Closed)
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
- Welcome Back BBQ on September 24th
Next Meeting Time
- PAC Meeting on September 15, 2026 at 5:30 pm in the School 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
School Supplies – If you have not yet purchased your school supplies, they are still available for purchase directly from School Start. To order, families can go directly to: https://schoolstart.ca/
Breakfast Program – Our breakfast program will be starting up on Monday, September 14th. 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. For more information about the breakfast program, please contact our school community coordinator, Ms. Langford (klangford@sd35.bc.ca).
Parent Consent Forms on MyEdBC - Each year, Langley Schools asks families to complete a set of parent consent forms for their child. These consent forms are required by our schools to ensure the health, safety, and security of all students. Beginning in this school year, Langley Schools will be using the MyEdBC parent portal to collect this information. During the second week of school, please watch for an email from the MyEdBC system notifying families to log in to the MyEdBC parent portal to complete the online consent forms. A set of consent forms will need to be completed for each child attending a Langley school. It is advised to access MyEdBC and complete the parent consent forms using a desktop or laptop as the process requires the full site version (which is not mobile-friendly). For step-by-step instructions, please read here. More information can be found on the District website here. If your email address or contact information has changed, please call your school to correct it in our files. If you have not received an email regarding consent forms by the end of September or have any questions/concerns, please contact your school administrator.
Strong Start – Douglas Park Strong Start will resume on Monday, September 21st. Hours are 8:30 - 11:30 am with a first come first served limit of 20 children. To register for the 2026/2027 Strong Start year, please bring a birth certificate to be copied. A registration form can be filled out at your first visit.
Douglas Park Family Info Sessions - This year, we are excited to introduce our monthly Family Info Sessions. Hosted by Ms. Langford and members of our school team, these sessions provide an opportunity for families to connect with one another and learn about school tools and community resources. Below you will find a poster that includes upcoming dates and session topics. We look forward to seeing you there!
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 about our next upcoming gathering.
Student Accident Insurance - The District is pleased to offer families access to two voluntary student accident insurance options for the 2026/2027 school year. Although enrollment is optional, these plans can provide additional accident-related coverage and benefits beyond those available through standard health care programs. Please note that enrollment is completed online directly through the provider. Families may choose either of the following options:
OR
Back to School 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 back to school health. Please see below for helpful reminders to support your child.
Tips for Parents for a Healthy Back to School Season - As children head back to school, parents face the familiar challenge of managing busy schedules, school routines and inevitably, health concerns. Help set the stage for a healthy school year with Fraser Health’s Healthy Back to School Guide. The guide provides information on a variety of ways to keep children healthy during a school year. For instance, fostering healthy routines for sleep, mealtimes and physical activity can greatly support your child’s health and wellness.
Staying healthy during the school year is also about protecting children from illnesses that can spread quickly in classrooms. It is important to make sure children wash their hands properly, and to keep them home if they are feeling unwell.
Another way to protect your child’s health is to ensure their immunizations are up to date. Vaccines help prevent several serious illnesses and infectious diseases, for example, measles. Please check that you (if born in or after 1970) and your children have received at least two doses of a measles-containing vaccine. Find out how to check your immunization records here. Vaccines are available at many pharmacy locations, physician offices, and at all public health units. If you are new to B.C. or Canada, provide your immunization records to public health at fraserhealth.ca/immunizationform.
Need fast access to health advice? Call Fraser Health Virtual Care - Our Fraser Health Virtual Care registered nurses and dietitians can provide convenient, fast health advice and information for busy families. With options for phone or web chat consultations, families receive medical advice from nurses with emergency experience. It can save you time and may help you avoid having to visit a clinic or emergency department. Nurses can also connect you with an Urgent and Primary Care Centre, if needed.
How to reach Fraser Health Virtual Care
1. Dial 1-800-314-0999. For an interpreter, say your language in English.
2. For web chat, go to fraserhealth.ca/virtualcare and click the blue chat bubble in the right corner to start.
Available 10am to 10pm every day, including statutory holidays. After hours, call 8-1-1.
Learn more about Fraser Health Virtual Care, other care options and more at: Fraserhealth.ca/VirtualCare
E-Scooter and E-Bike Guidelines for Langley Schools - To help ensure student safety and comply with district regulations, the Langley School District has updated its guidelines regarding e-scooters and e-bikes on school property. Effective September 2026, e-scooters and e-dirt bikes will not be permitted on any Langley school site, including elementary, middle, and secondary schools. E-pedal bikes remain permitted at secondary schools, provided students meet the legal age requirements: light e-bikes for students aged 14 to 15 and standard e-bikes for students aged 16 and older. Adults may use e-pedal bikes at all school sites. Families are encouraged to review these guidelines with their children and make alternative transportation arrangements if needed. Thank you for your support in helping maintain safe school environments for all students.
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.
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. Jack @ jjack@sd35.bc.ca.
FaceBook – Be sure to follow us on Facebook for updated information
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Douglasparkcommunityelementary
Bell Schedule
8:40 – Warning Bell
8:45 – Instruction Begins
10:05 -10:20 – Recess
11:47-12:20 – Lunch
2:32 – Dismissal
School Calendar 2026/27 – 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.