Families of Shortreed,

We hope you had a lovely week with all that spring sunshine! To all our families celebrating the spring harvest festival this week, Happy Vaisakhi! 

This week is a fairly "quiet" week for school-wide events, but Gr. 3-5 Track and Field running practices continue on Thursday after school from 2:45-3:15 and Friday at lunchtime. We had an awesome turnout last week! Thank you to Coach Jess (a Shortreed parent) and Ms. Hlady for the help with this.

For those interested in Langley Schools Summer Session Programs, registration opens on April 22, and the elementary sessions run 9am-12pm July 6-24. You can find more information here. 

Talent Show auditions were happening in classes last week, and we loved seeing all the kids practicing in and around the school. Congratulations to all those students who will be performing at Shortreed's Got Talent on Friday, April 24! 

Donations for our Spring Everything for a Dollar Sale can be brought in this week and any time until April 30. The Dollar Sale happens on May 1 - please see below in the PAC section for more information. 

If you have a child registered for kindergarten for 2026, please save the date for our 2026 Kindergarten Welcome Event happening on the afternoon of May 13. Please watch your inbox for more information. This will also be an early dismissal for our current kindergarten students so we can host the event. 

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 not only to acknowledge the lands but also to express our dedication to learning on our journey of truth and reconciliation. With the warmer Spring weather upon us, I am reminded of the importance of getting outside... and even taking our shoes off and walking in the soft grass to help ground ourselves, especially when times seem busier than ever. The relationship with the land has been a core practice for Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial; I encourage you to get outside and walk, hike, spend time near the trees, explore and play. You can also read up on more ideas for being outside in the Information section below. 

The Week Ahead

• Monday, April 13 - Donations accepted for PAC Dollar Sale (through to the sale)
• Thursday, April 16 - Gr. 3-5 Track (Running) practice. 2:45-3:15. 
• Friday, April 17 - Gr. 3-5 Track (Running) practice 12:00-12:25

Upcoming Dates and Events:

• Monday, April 20 - Gr. 3-5 Track (Running) practice 12:00-12:25
• Wednesday, April 22 - PAC Treat Day - Timbits; Gr. 3-5 Track (Running) practice 12:00-12:25
• Thursday, April 23 - Gr. 3-5 Track (Running) practice 2:45-3:15
• Friday, April 24 - Shortreed's Got Talent!
• Monday, April 27 - Gr. 3-5 Track (Running) practice 12:00-12:25
• Tuesday, April 28 - Spirit Day - Career Day(wear something that represents a future career!)
• Wednesday, April 29 - Elementary Principals Meeting in gym - 9-12
• Thursday, April 30-May 1 - Church Parking lot closed all day due to an event
• Friday, May 1 - PAC Dollar Sale 1:00-6:00
• Monday, May 4 - Spirit Day - Star Wars Day; Gr. 2 Trip to Zoo
• Tuesday, May 5 - Gr. 5 Trip to Orpheum
• Wednesday, May 6 - PAC Hot Lunch; Club Wednesday #1 1:20-2:20
• Thursday, May 7 - Class/Group Photos
• Friday, May 8 - Shortreed Grade 3-5 Track Meet (9:00-12:00)
• Monday, May 11 - Gr. 1 field trip
• Wednesday, May 13 - Kindergarten Welcome Event 12:45-4:00 by appointment (current K students dismissed at 11:30)
• Thursday, May 14 - PAC Meeting 6:30
• Friday, May 15 - Pro-D Day (no school for students)

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:

• Summer Session 2026 – Elementary/Middle/Secondary

  Are you looking for skill-building or new learning opportunities for your child to keep them engaged during the summer? The District offers a variety of courses as part of Summer Session. Online registration begins on Wednesday, April 22^nd for Elementary (Grades 1 to 5), Monday, April 27^th for Middle (Grades 6 to 8), and Wednesday, April 29^th for Secondary (Grades 9 to 12) at 11:30am each day for Langley School District students. For important dates, times, and courses available to Grade 1-12 students, please visit our webpage here. 

• April Fraser Health Message: Physical Activity Outdoors 

  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 the importance of physical activity outdoors. Please see below for helpful reminders to support your child.

   

  Get Outside and Play

  Physical activity is a necessary requirement for optimal health. Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence helps to develop cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength, supports positive social connections and improves mental well-being.  

   

  There are many benefits to unstructured play. These benefits are even greater when engaging in physical activity outdoors. When children and youth spend time outside, they: 

  1. Sit less, move more and play longer - key to cardiovascular health and fitness. 
  2. Have healthier eyes - spending more time outside reduces nearsightedness risks. 
  3. Sleep better - sunlight helps regulate sleep hormones and sleep patterns. 
  4. Enjoy improved mood - physical activity can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
  5. Feel more connected to nature - appreciation of the environment and being in nature can support healthy and balanced emotions.
  
  

  Planning active outings doesn’t have to be challenging or costly. Here are some fun ideas you can try: 

  • Try a new activity – check out geocaching or attend a local explorer day with NatureKidsBC. 
  • Unplug and connect – ideas to decrease recreational screen time. 
  • Go for a scavenger hunt – try this nature scavenger hunt. 
  • Go for a walk or hike – try these 10 hikes to take your kids on this summer. 
  • Play in a forest or park – try a new regional park every day for a week.  
  • Explore a local stream  – check these beautiful watershed walks in the region. Learn about water safety for children. 
  • Swim at the pool, waterpark or beach – check beach safety conditions first or stay cool at a local spray park.
  • Ride a bike or scooter – explore the Hope Bike Park or check out these rides along Boundary Bay, Pitt Meadows or Vedder Greenway. Learn more about cycling safety on Fraser Health’s website. 
  • Visit farms, fish hatcheries and bird sanctuaries – try this local family fun guide for unique ideas.  
  
  

  Find more ideas to keep your kids active through the year on Fraser Health’s Keeping children active page.

• Electric Kick Scooters - Important Reminder

  As more students use electric kick scooters to come to school, and the weather improves into the Spring, the District would like to inform schools on some basic safety.

  1. What is an electric kick scooter? Electric kick scooters have a simple design and are very much the same scooters that children have used for decades… they require the rider to stand on a narrow platform with one foot and then kick or push off with the other. The difference now is that these kick scooters are electric, they no longer need the rider to push off, and they go at much faster speeds.
  2. In BC, you must be at least 16 years of age and be wearing a helmet to operate an Electric kick scooter, within certain parameters, as per below and in the links. 
  3. Electric kick scooters cannot be ridden on public roads, except if the municipality is conducting a pilot. The Township is in the pilot, but the City is not. For more information, please click on the link: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/cycling/personal-mobility-devices/scooter 
  4. Operators cannot ride an electric kick scooter on sidewalks or in crosswalks, except if a sign or traffic control device allows.  
  5. Please refer to the link below for a full list of safety rules for operators. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/cycling/electric-kick-scooter-rules  
• Our Shortreed Breakfast Program runs each school day from 8:20-8:35. 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 miss significant lessons, as much of the literacy and math instruction takes place at the beginning of the day. 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 can seriously jeopardize your child’s academic achievement. Homework may not be provided as assignments based on lessons your child missed, as it can be more confusing than helpful. If you will be away for an extended period, please notify the school, as this may impact enrollment.

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

• 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. 

PAC News

Have any questions? Email us at shortreedpac@gmail.com. 

Join our Shortreed PAC Facebook Group too!

Community Events

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

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Home Alone at Shortreed

Friday, May 15

9am-1pm

Ages 10+ yrs

$40

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1985772643432?aff=oddtdtcreator

Reach out if you have any questions or if finances are a barrier to participating.

Stephanie Eby 

Community School Coordinator

seby@sd35.bc.ca or 604.862.5943

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McHappy Day and the Langley School District Foundation

On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, McDonald’s Langley locations will celebrate McHappy Day, raising funds to support families and children in our community. Proceeds will be split between three local charities, including the Langley School District Foundation!

This year, the goal is to raise $28,000. Your support will help fund Out-of-School Programs for Langley students.

Volunteers Needed!

Volunteers will help create a fun and welcoming atmosphere while supporting fundraising efforts.

Volunteer activities may include:

Greeting guests in the lobby

Helping with games or activities for families

Collecting donations in the drive-thru donation bucket

Encouraging guests to support McHappy Day fundraising

No experience is needed — just bring your energy, enthusiasm, and community spirit!

Volunteer Times

Volunteers are needed throughout the day from: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM. You are welcome to volunteer for as little as 1 hour or longer. We welcome:

Individuals, Families, Students completing volunteer hours, Community groups. School groups such as band, cheer teams, and dance teams

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Talk with Me, Play with Me, Learn with Me

Talk with Me, Play with Me, Learn with Me is a fun and engaging Langley Literacy Network program designed for Kindergarten students and their caregivers. The program will run Saturday mornings from 10–11am, April 4^th to May 23^rd at the Donna Gabriel Robins Elementary School Welcome Centre. It is an opportunity to read, play, learn, and connect. Each week, families will explore new books and activities that support early literacy and learning. Plus, every participating family will take home eight new books to build their home library! 

Registration is required, and space is limited. Sign up today at

https://langleyliteracynetwork.com/talk-with-me-play-with-me-learn-with-me/

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Parkside Just Be Four (JB4) Preschool - Registration Open for September 2026

Langley School District operates a licenced 4 year old preschool program at Parkside Centennial Elementary.  Registration is now open for September 2026-2027.

Classes operate on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 12:45 - 3:15.

Please complete the contact form here, and our staff will contact you to secure a space for your child.  Please contact Charlene Redekop at credekop@sd35.bc.ca for further information.

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Gifts and Gatherings is a 90-minute program from 8:30am - 10am hosted weekly at one of the Langley Strong Start sites. Any family member or caregiver is welcome to participate along with children ages 0-5 years. Families will explore activities that emphasize indigenous perspectives, highlighting the many interconnected gifts of land, people and animals. Experiences may include: art, sensory exploration, story-time, table top activities and more.  During each session, participants will receive a gift that will allow families to continue to explore their learning at home. The program is intended to build connections between families and the school and to support children in their transition into Kindergarten. Please see the flyer at the link below with locations and dates.

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Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL) Reading Advisor 

FVRL Reading Advisor is a free resource for everyone living or studying in communities served by FVRL, including Langley. The Reading Advisor service offers personalized book recommendations for readers of all ages, making it an excellent support for students and staff across the Langley School District. All that is required is to fill out a short form about your reading interests, and trained library staff respond with a customized reading list based on genre, themes, age level, and preferred formats (print, eBook, audiobook, graphic novel, etc.) This is ideal for boosting reading engagement, supporting diverse learning needs, and possibly helping teachers quickly discover high‑quality texts for classroom use. This free community resource extends the capacity of school libraries and connects learners with a broader range of inclusive and accessible materials and would be a great resource to share with students and other staff to help them find some new great reads for over spring break. Happy Reading!

https://www.fvrl.bc.ca/my-reading-adviser

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FamilySmart presents “InTheKnow” events this March and April, and we’d love to see you!  All our events are free, and parents/caregivers can register for the date that works best using the link below:

https://familysmart.ca/online-events/

Emotion Regulation Part 2: Deepening Our Understanding

Our kids’ big emotions don’t always make sense. This is the second video conversation to understand why some kids cope more easily than others, how to determine what our child needs during those hard moments, and some strategies that can help.

Tuesday, April 21, 12:00 pm

Wednesday, April 29, 6:30 pm

Supporting Our Kids With Substance Misuse

As parents and caring adults, the way we talk about and understand substance use can deeply influence the young people in our lives. Learn some evidence-informed approaches that can help us with communication, boundaries, and relationships.

Thursday, April 16, 6:30 pm

Thursday, April 23, 6:30 pm

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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 here and completed any time, making it easy to fit into busy schedules.

Aldergrove Family Resources