Bears' Beat - November 30, 2025
Information
Who loves hockey?
We are so grateful to have been drawing students' names to receive Vancouver Giants hockey tickets this season. We can do so thanks to Mr. Grewal from Waypoint Insurance in Langley, who donated 4 seats to every game. When a student is drawn, Mr. Oliver reaches out to parents to confirm interest and availability before giving the tickets to the student or re-drawing. So far, kids have reported having a great time!
Spirit Wear
It took a while (sorry) but we are ready to roll out a spirit wear order just in time for Christmas! The ordering deadline for this first round of orders is Wednesday, December 3. We know that's quick, but it's the only way we can even hope to have the product before the break! Ordering can be done here. If you are not in a rush, don't worry for now; we will do another run in the new year. This will be our special, commemorative, first-year-only product, with wə t̕ɑtəɬ tə spəpéʔeθ - Original Bears with the logo. You can order here and use this handy Gildan Sizing Chart
Spirit Weeks
We have two weeks of spirit days planned out for the last two weeks before the holiday. We aimed for festive but easy and participation is completely optional, of course.
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.
Slip, Slide and Away
And speaking of inclement weather, please be careful on your journeys to school over the next few weeks. We are working now to learn our own unique micro-climate in terms of black ice and slippery walks. We have already noted that the playground rubber gets surprisingly slippery, even when the concrete and blacktop offer adequate grip. School administration salt walkways as required, though we still don't know where the 'hot spots' are (or should those be 'cold spots'?). In winter, we should never walk with the expectation that every step is as grippy as it would be in May. Stay safe, Bears!
Building Better Tech Habits
MediaSmarts has launched a new, free, self-guided workshop to help families develop healthier technology and screen-time habits. Building Better Tech Habits provides practical, research-informed strategies for managing family screen use and addressing common digital challenges at all ages. The workshop can be accessed 24/7 via the link below and completed any time, making it easy to fit into busy schedules.
Keep Your Child Healthy During Winter (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 Winter Health. Please see below for helpful reminders to support your child.
Get Ready For Winter At Home And In The Community
Winter can bring extreme weather and it's important to have plans to be safe during cold weather, storms and power outages, including staying warm, having a carbon monoxide detector and planning for emergencies. Learn about programs that can support your family:
· Get ready for winter: Snow and cold safety for you and your home - Fraser Health Authority
· Indoor air quality - Fraser Health Authority
Bundle Up For The Cold
Dressing appropriately for cold weather keeps your child comfortable and protected. Wearing multiple layers is a great way to trap body heat and provide insulation against the cold.
Keep a warm hat, gloves, scarves and warm, waterproof boots handy. Remind your child to wear these items before heading outside to play or going to school.
Learn about hypothermia and frostbite as children can be more susceptible.
Protect Against Winter Illnesses
Winter brings an increased risk of colds and flu. Ensure your child receives their annual flu vaccine and talk to a health care provider about any additional vaccines that may be recommended. Teach your child good respiratory etiquette such as regular hand washing, covering their coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick. If they are sick and cannot stay away from others, masks can help to reduce the risk of spreading illness. Learn more about masks here.
Keep Their Bodies Moving
It is important to keep your child active during winter as regular physical activity is important for good health. Outdoor activities such as skating, sledding and going for walks as a family are all great ways to keep active. On colder days, indoor play and activities such as dancing, yoga or sports are great ways to promote movement. Look for drop-in programs at local community centres or indoor sports facilities.
If you play on frozen lakes or ponds, be sure that the ice has been tested for strength and safety. Learn more on the Lifesaving Society's website.
Find more tips for a healthy winter on Fraser Health’s Winter Health page.
Holiday Hampers for our community
The Josette Dandurand team are asking for your help! We would like to assemble some food & care hampers for members of our community who need some assistance this holiday season. To avoid an overstock of some items and an understock of others, we are asking families who are able and willing to donate to send items in by December 10. A list of requests by division is in the graphic below (but you can ignore the December 2 date).
Early Start or Late Return for Winter Break?
If your student(s) is going to be starting winter break sooner than the last day of school, Dec 19, 2025, or returning after school re-opens January 5th 2026, it is very important to let the office and your student’s teachers know. If a child is marked absent, but the office has not received an email or a telephone call from the parent advising of the absence/tardiness, a phone call home will be made to ensure the child is safe. Please email our attendance email with the name(s) of your student(s) and what dates they will be away from school.
Extended Absences:
If you are planning an extended absence please fill out the following form and email to our attendance email address
Moving/Withdrawing
Parents are asked to inform the school as soon as possible if/when they know that their children will be leaving our school or not returning in the fall. Please complete our withdraw form and return it to the office.
PAC Place
Quote of the Week
Something to read (or watch)
- I stumbled across this article the other day: 'So Your Kid Wants to Quit Soccer (or Piano, or Swim Class). Should You Let Them?' It made me think about a few times over the years that my own kids wanted to quit something, and then on times my students have wanted to quit something. The article contains a reminder that '...we never quit on a bad day.'
- I re-saw this video last week. And this time, it made me think of my own kids (and maybe myself) and of our lost and found.
Calendar Dates to Remember
Wednesday, December 3
Inaugural Spirit Wear Orders Due
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (UN)
Friday, December 5
PAC Fun Lunch
PAC Treat Day (after school) - Hot Chocolate & Bake Sale
Monday, December 8
Spirit/Theme Day - Sweater Weather (wear your coziest sweater)
Tuesday, December 9
Spirit/Theme Day - Toasty Tuesday (toques & scarves)
Wednesday, December 10
Spirit/Theme Day - Candycane Lane (wear red & white)
Holiday Hamper donations deadline
Thursday, December 11
Spirit/Theme Day - 'Candlelight Reading' (bring a flashlight and favourite book)
Friday, December 12
Spirit/Theme Day - Feeling Frosty (wear white or snowpeople)
Sunday, December 14
First night of Hannukah
Monday, December 15
Spirit/Theme Day - Merry Grinchmas (green or grinchwear)
Tuesday, December 16
Spirit/Theme Day - Timber Tuesday (plaid flannel)
Wednesday, December 17
Spirit/Theme Day - Merry & Bright (bright holiday colours)
Thursday, December 18
Spirit/Theme Day - Twinkle Toes (holiday socks)
Friday, December 19
Spirit/Theme Day - PJ Day
Pancake breakfast! Yay, syrup!
Lost & Found Cleanout
Last day of school before winter break
Sunday, December 21
Winter Solstice
Thursday, December 25
Christmas
Friday, December 26
Kwanzaa begins