Information

Ramadan begins this week

Tuesday is when Ramadan is expected to begin. Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and begins with the first crescent of the new moon is seen (hence the 'expected' beginning). During the month, Muslims who observe Ramadan will fast from sunrise to sunset, refraining from eating and drinking until the post-sunset iftar, a meal that families traditionally enjoy together. 

Since the Muslim calendar is lunar, Ramadan 'moves' through the months from year to year. This means that in polar regions, the times a person must fast can be very long. In 2014, when Ramadan fell in the northern hemisphere's summer, Muslims in Iceland had to fast for 22 hours, while their counterparts in Australia fasted for 11. An observing astronaut in orbit, where there is no sunset or sunrise, would follow the times in the last time zone they were in on earth. (source: Wikipedia)

Ramadan concludes when the next new crescent moon is sighted (29-30 days after it began). To all of the Josette Dandurand families who oberve, we wish you a blessed Ramadan.

Lunar New Year

Tuesday marks Lunar New Year (sometimes called 'Chinese New Year' though its observation goes far beyond Chinese culture. Lunar New Year observances can actually be found in the Islamic, Hebrew, Buddhist, Hindu, and many east Asian calendars, where 'Chinese New Year' is an official festival in China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. 

In traditional celebrations, families will gather to enjoy traditionally significant foods, hand out red envelopes (usually containing money) for good luck, exchange gifts, and enjoy fireworks. 

In the southeast Asian calendars, this year is the Year of the Horse, the seventh year of the twelve-year lunar cycle. People born in the year of the horse are thought to be characterized by confidence, independence, intelligence, and a love for activity. Horses thrive on physical and mental challenges and have the ability to motivate themselves and others.

To everyone in the Bears community who observes this celebration, we wish you a Happy New Year!

Kindergarten Orientations from Settlement Workers in Schools

The SWIS program at the Langley School District is offering a number of Kindergarten Orientations for people who may be newly arrived in Canada and who need some support around the transition into Kindergarten in September. A list of planned events is here:

Information About School Status During Inclement Weather (repeat)

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 730AM, 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.

Quotes of the Week

Something to read (or watch)

Have you heard of Postmodern Jukebox? They put a time-shifted spin on hit music through the past few decades, transporting familiar songs into a totally different style. Their archive takes songs from the past 50 years and remakes them in some pretty neat ways. The originals are admittedly western in origin, as are the remakes, but I find them fascinating just the same. The 80s hair metal and 90s grunge source material also draws me in, as songs I should know well are unrecognizable for the first many bars.

Here's a 'what if Billie Eilish was in the 60s?' example. 

Calendar Dates to Remember

Monday, February 16

Family Day Holiday - school closed

Tuesday, February 17

Registration for 2026-27 school year closes

Boys' Basketball practice - 8:00-8:45

Lunar New Year

Beginning of Ramadan

Girls' Basketball Practice - 2:45-3:30

Wednesday, February 18

Ready, Set, Learn - for pre-school aged kids and parents - 12:30 in Room 123

Friday, February 20

PAC Fun Lunch

PAC Treat Day (Krispy Kreme after school)

Wednesday, February 25

Pink Shirt Day

Wednesday, March 4

Student Inclusive Conferences - students dismissed at 12:33

Thursday, March 5 

Student-Inclusive Conferences - ONLY students with scheduled appointments attend