Families of Shortreed, 

We hope your child enjoyed their first week in their 2025-2026 classrooms and has had a chance to connect with new classmates and teachers. 

Our kindergarten students have been learning the new routines and gradually increasing their time at school, and will start the full days this week. Thank you to everyone (families and staff) who have helped them build up to full days in kindergarten.

A reminder that we have school photos on Wednesday morning, and our Back to School BBQ and Meet the Teacher takes place on Thursday (BBQ 5-6; Meet the Teacher 6-7). The riders for Cops For Cancer will be pulling through our area on Wednesday afternoon and stopping by the school around 1:45. We encourage you to donate to the Tour de Valley Campaign here. (note this is separate from our Terry Fox Fundraising efforts in October).

Grade 4/5 Cross-Country Team will be starting up this week. Mr. Wejr will be coming around to the grade 4/5 classrooms to talk to the students about it. If your child would like to be on the team, they need to come to the practices and be able to jog/run 2km. For those students who are interested, more info will come home on Monday/Tuesday. The first practice is on Thursday at lunch. Go Eagles!

At Shortreed, we are honoured to work, learn, and play on the unceded ancestral and traditional lands of the Máthxwi First Nation. We share this to not only acknowledge the lands but also to share our dedication to learning on our journey of truth and reconciliation. This weekend, I had the opportunity to attend my first Pow-wow at the Langley Events Centre to watch some of the stɑl̓əw̓ Pow-wow . The sights and sounds of the event completely blew me away. The incredibly beautiful regalia of the dancers and drummers, the proud and passionate steps of the dancers, and the powerful sounds of the drummers left me in awe. On my way home, I could not help but think about the potlatch ban that basically prohibited ANY gatherings of Indigenous Peoples until the 50s. Events like this were banned for close to 70 years, and it took several years to bring them back. I am once again reminded of the strength, resilience, and pride in Indigenous People of BC. Although I was not there to witness, I even saw photos of some of our current and former students walking with their families in the grand entrance and dancing in their regalia in the centre of the arena. It made me so honoured to know and be the principal of these students. If you missed it this year, I strongly encourage you to attend next year's event!  

The Week Ahead

• Monday - full day for kindergarten students
• Wednesday - Photo Day (am); Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley 1:45
• Thursday - Gr. 4/5 XC Practice 12:00; Welcome Back BBQ and Meet the Teacher Night (5-7pm)

Upcoming Dates and Events:

• Monday, September 22 - PAC School-wide (FREE) Popcorn Day
• Tuesday, September 23 - PAC Meeting 6:30pm
• Wednesday, September 24 - Gr. 4/5 XC Practice 12:00
• Friday, September 26 - Gr. 4/5 XC Practice 12:00; School Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirts)
• Monday, September 29 - School Improvement Day (no school for students)
• Tuesday, September 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - school closed
• Wednesday, October 1 - Gr. 4/5 XC Meet #1 3:30
• Thursday, October 2 - Gr. 4/5 XC Practice 12:00
• Sunday, October 5 - World Teachers/Educators Day
• Monday, October 6 - Gr. 4/5 XC Practice 12:00
• Wednesday, October 8 - PAC Hot Lunch - Subway; Gr. 4/5 XC Meet #2 3:30
• Friday, October 10 - Terry Fox Run at 1:30
• Monday, October 13 - Thanksgiving (schools closed)
• Wednesday, October 15 - Gr. 4/5 XC Meet #3 3:30
• Thursday, October 16 - PAC Meeting 6:30

You can see our digital calendar here. We encourage you to add our school calendar to your phone/device by clicking here. 

Information and Reminders:

• Parent Consent Request 

  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. Langley Schools uses a secure web form to collect this information. Beginning mid-September, please watch for an email request (subject Parent Consent Request) that contains one link for you to submit consents for all children in your family attending any Langley School. 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 Parent Consent Request by the end of the month or have any questions/concerns, please contact your school administrator.
  

• Fraser Health’s Healthy Back-to-School Guide has information on back-to-school anxiety, nutrition, safe travel to and from school, sleep and immunizations.
• Fraser Health School Health Web Resource has answers to the most frequently asked health-related questions from parents, teachers and school administrators.
  
• ICBC Back to School Awareness

  “With the start of the school season, we’re asking drivers to avoid distractions and watch for children, especially near schools, parks and residential areas,” said Leanne Cassap, local ICBC road safety coordinator. “We encourage parents and caregivers to give their children a refresher on road safety and practice their route to and from school if they’ll be walking or cycling.” Please see the attached info sheet for parents and caregivers.

   

  Teach your child to be a safe pedestrian. Good habits start at home. https://www.icbc.com/road-safety/teaching/road-safety-for-your-kids.
  

• Student Accident Insurance: The District is offering two options for a voluntary student accident insurance plans for students. This plan is voluntary, but provides significant benefits for accident insurance coverage for families.

  Please note, enrolment in the program can be done online only, through one of the following options:

  Insure My Kids OR Study Insured

  Corresponding digital support materials for above service providers can be accessed via following links:

   Insure My Kids: Insure My Kids - School Resources

  Study Insured: Study Insured - Support Material
  

• Communicating With Your School 

  Schools and families continue to work together to ensure success for students. If you have an issue or concern but don’t know who to speak with, the District encourages you to read these helpful Communicating with your School guidelines for parents/guardians found on our District website here. As an additional reference, review this one-page resource here. 

• Our Shortreed Breakfast Program starts Monday, September 8, from 8:20 to 8:35 and runs each school day. This is free for any students registered, and they must come each day they are in school. To register, click here. 
• We know that illnesses occur and absences can happen. If your child is going to be absent, arriving late, away or leaving early due to an appointment, please notify the school of your child’s absence by doing either of the following:
  • E-mail SCEAttendance@sd35.bc.ca or call 604-856-4167 and follow the prompts for the attendance line, and leave a message with information including:
    • Student First Name and Last Name
    • Grade
    • Division
    • Length of Absence
    • Reason (illness, late, appointment, vacation)

  • Please be aware that if your child is often late, they will be missing significant lessons, as much of the literacy and math instruction happens first thing in the morning. If your child is ill (flu-like symptoms), please keep them home until they are no longer contagious and can participate in regular school activities. Homework will be provided upon request. Please avoid long absences due to holidays as this seriously jeopardizes your child’s achievement. Homework may not be provided as assignments based on lessons your child misses can be more confusing than helpful. If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, please let the school know as this could affect enrollment. 

  • We STRIVE for FIVE absences or less at Shortreed. We know that children will get sick but it's important to minimize absences. 

• 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.

  
  
• A reminder that juice boxes are not permitted at the school. Please send your child with a refillable water bottle each day. 
• There is no parking or pickup/drop-offs in our school parking lot. Please park along 28th Ave or 273rd Street. The Catholic Church allows us to park there for pickup and drop-off. Do not block the driveways of any residences. 

Community Events

To read about some fantastic family opportunities across Langley, check out the Community Bulletin Board.

Upcoming Community Program

Multi-Sport & More

Tuesdays

Oct 6-Dec 8 (no class nov 10)

4-5:30pm

Grades 2-5

$25/student

At Parkside Elementary
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/xploresportz-multi-sport-and-more-grade-2-5-fall-aldergrove-tickets-1657437693759?aff=oddtdtcreator

If cost is a barrier to participating, please reach out to Stephanie Eby.

Family Smart September Event: 
Emotion Regulation:

Big feelings can be tough for kids and parents. Join us to learn practical ways to support emotional regulation with Registered Clinical Counsellor, Nicole Allen.

Join us online. It's free. - September 18, 23, or 24.