Hello Peter Ewart Families,

As we wrap up another incredible year, December brings a season of reflection, celebration, and gratitude. This month, we look forward to sharing the many achievements of our students and staff, highlighting upcoming events, and spreading a little cheer. Thank you for being an essential part of our school community, your support and involvement make all the difference.

From Our School:

Cards For Seniors:

It was wonderful to see the effort and care our students put into writing cards for seniors! This week, every student at Peter Ewart Middle School has written a heartfelt card to brighten the day of a senior in our community. As a school, we are proud to share that we will be sending out an incredible 1,050 cards!

Winter Concert:

 What an incredible evening of music at our Winter Concert on Wednesday! Our talented band, choir, and jazz band filled the gym with cheer and outstanding performances that truly showcased their hard work and dedication. A huge thank you to our amazing music teachers Ms. Joo, Mr. Mills, and Ms. Williams for their guidance and passion in preparing our students for such a memorable event. The concert was a wonderful reminder of the creativity and community spirit that make Peter Ewart Middle School so special!

Upcoming Spirit Days:

We’re excited to celebrate school spirit this December with a series of fun Spirit Days! These special days are a great way for students and staff to show their creativity and enthusiasm while building a sense of community. Mark your calendars, let’s make these days memorable! Thank you for joining in and helping spread the Peter Ewart pride!

Dec. 11 Pajama Day and PAC Pancake Breakfast (Wear pajamas)

Dec 12 House Team Colours Day and Pep Rally (Wear your house team colour)

Dec. 15 Mad For Plaid Monday (Wear Plaid)

Dec. 16 Tacky/Tasteful Tuesday (Wear holiday sweaters and hats)

Dec. 17 Winter Wonderland Wednesday (Wear white/blue and snowman accessories)

Dec. 18 Theatre Thursday (Dress like or show off your favourite holiday movie character)

Dec. 19 Funky/Festive Friday (Show off your favourite holiday socks and cheerful outfits)

Book Fair

 A big thank you to Mrs. Welford for hosting our annual Scholastic Book Fair in the Learning Commons! This event is always a highlight for our school community, and it wouldn’t be possible without her hard work and dedication. The Scholastic Book Fair not only brings the joy of reading to our students but also helps support literacy initiatives throughout the year. We appreciate everyone who visited and contributed to making this year’s fair such a success!

Grade 8 Course Planning for RE Mountain Secondary

R.E. Mountain Secondary counsellors and admin will be coming to Peter Ewart on Jan. 7th to begin course planning with our grade 8s. Topics will include talking about what it is like to be a grade 9 student at R.E. Mountain Secondary as well as the course selection options available to all students.  This is for students only and will be done in assembly style.

From the District:

Information About School Status During Inclement Weather

Snow closures and power outages are an annual occurrence in the 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. 

Winter 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 Winter Health. Please see below for helpful reminders to support your child.

Keep Your Child Healthy During Winter

As the chilly winter season approaches, there are things you can do to help keep your children healthy and well.  

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.  

Upcoming Dates:

Dec 12 House Team Colours Day and Pep Rally (Wear your house team colour)

Dec. 15 Mad For Plaid Monday (Wear Plaid)

Dec. 16 Tacky/Tasteful Tuesday (Wear holiday sweaters and hats)

Dec. 17 Winter Wonderland Wednesday (Wear white/blue and snowman accessories)

Dec. 18 Theatre Thursday (Dress like or show off your favourite holiday movie character)

Dec. 19 Funky/Festive Friday (Show off your favourite holiday socks and cheerful outfits)

Dec. 19 Last day before Winter Break

Jan. 5 School Re-opens after Winter Break

Stephanie Labby

Principal

Peter Ewart Middle School

7755 202A Street

Langley, BC

V2Y 1W4

778-726-4815