It's not every year we'll do a special Bears' Beat this weekend, as we like to take a break, but there are some things this year that just can't wait!

Pancake Breakfast Success!

We send out a huge thanks to the parents and staff who worked together to put on a fantastic pancake breakfast for every student. Mr. Brenner and a team of parents were masters at the griddle, keeping pancakes flying into the gym (not literally, thank goodness); another set of parents kept the plates topped up, the syrup flowing and the tables clean in between groups. We even had a special guest visit, to great excitement indeed! These events are always nervous ones, as so much could go wrong, but our team were unflappable! Great job, parents, and thank you for all you do! It was a magical first-ever pancake breakfast for the Bears! I think the review below, provided by one of our students who uses technology as their voice sums it all up perfectly:

Merry Christmas

Christmas is coming! Christmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, whom Christians hail as the son of God. Families will gather to celebrate his birth, and to enjoy time together, with traditional meals, singing, and religious gatherings. Traditionally, Christians have observed the season of Christmastide, or the twelve days of Christmas (hence the carol), though in modern times, December 25th has become the big day, though decorations and music start to appear shortly after Hallowe'en.

Also part of Christmas in much of the world is a visit from Santa Claus who, in addition to delivering gifts to all the 'good' boys and girls, manages multiple wardrobe and livestock changes as the swaps the more religious outfit of Saint Nicholas for the red suit we see in North America, and Australia's white boomers (kangaroos) for reindeer.

We wish all Bears and their families who celebrate Christmas in any form a very merry holiday full of laughter and love.

Happy Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture that is celebrated from December 26 to January 1 each year since 1966. The celebration is based on African harvest festivals from several regions in the continent. Each day of Kwanzaa is connected with one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or the Nguzo Saba. These guide the way adherents organize their lives and community. We wish all members of our community who observe the celebration a very happy Kwanzaa. (source: wikipedia)

The No Screen Challenge!

As I walked the school visiting classes this morning, I shared my personal challenge with all of the students: sometime over the break, do a 24-hour screen-free day. Lots of the kids were, as you can imagine, unimpressed. But one of the grade 1 students gave the best answer: 'That'll be great and easy! I'll just read all day!' Awesome!

Kindergarten (and other new students in September 2026) Registration 2026-2027

Kindergarten registration across the Langley School District runs January 5 – February 17, 2026.

If your child will be five years old by December 31, 2026, you will be able to register your child online. Instructions and information about required documents is available on the District website and catchment school websites. For information, please visit the District website here. A shortcut to the registration system is here, with the system going live on January 5. Note: If you are already a student at Josette Dandurand, you do not need to do anything; you are already registered. If you have an older student, and a new kindergarten student starting next fall, you DO need to register.

If there are families in your network who are not yet in the school system, please share this information with them.

Early Learning in Langley

Speaking of kindergarten next year, did you know there are a variety of programs that support early learners (pre-K) in Langley? You can find information here.

Calendar

Monday, January 5

First Day of School in 2026

September 2026 registration begins

Thursday, January 8

Willoughby Slope Catchment Change Information Session - 6:30 at Yorkson Creek Middle School