Families of Shortreed, 

We hope you have had a lovely week and enjoyed this warm, sunny weekend. To all those who celebrated, we hope you had a fantastic Vaisakhi! 

The kids are excited for our 2026 Shortreed's Got Talent that takes place on Friday at 12:50! Parents and caregivers of performers at the event are invited to attend. Congratulations to our grade 4 students who rocked the house in the "Grade 4 Pre-Talent Show Talent Show".

Grade 3-5 Track Practices continue this week, with running skills sessions on Monday and Wednesday at lunch, and on Thursday after school from 2:45-3:00. 

A reminder that our Spring PAC Everything For A Dollar Sale is coming up next Friday, May 1, from 1:00-6:00 in the Shortreed Gym! We are accepting donations until the event, so if you have done any spring cleaning and decluttering and want to donate household items, electronics, toys, tools, various types of equipment, books, clothing and shoes... and anything that still works and is in decent condition that you don't need, please drop it by the school!

There are only a few days left for our PAC Hanging Basket Fundraiser (from Clearview Nursery... with beautiful baskets!) and we still need to sell a minimum of 11 more baskets to make our minimum order. Orders are due this Thursday, April 23rd. You can order here. 

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. Over the weekend, I had the chance to spend some time in Kelowna. One of my favourite spots to visit is Rotary Marsh (near Tugboat Beach), as my family loves to just slow down and take in the smells of the blooming flowers (the Oregon Grape smells so lovely at this time of the year) and listen to all the beautiful ducks and songbirds. On the way home, we stopped for a walk at the stunning Cheam Wetlands (on the ancestral lands of the Xwchí:yò:m (Cheam) First Nation) and observed more wildlife (and even got to see a beaver!). If you have never visited here, take the time to stop by (near Bridal Falls). The encouragement to slow down and be close to nature has been a teaching I have learned from Indigenous friends, colleagues, and educators and I hope you get the chance to do it too. The more we embrace nature, the more we take care of it... an important thing to remember this week (Earth Day) and beyond! 

The Week Ahead

• Monday, April 20 - Gr. 3-5 Track (Running) practice 12:00-12:25
• Tuesday, April 21 - Gr. 4 Swim Program
• Wednesday, April 22 - PAC Treat Day - Timbits; Gr. 3-5 Track (Running) practice 12:00-12:25; Earth Day!
• Thursday, April 23 - Gr. 3-5 Track (Running) practice 2:45-3:15
• Friday, April 24 - Shortreed's Got Talent 12:50

Upcoming Dates and Events:

• Monday, April 27 - Gr. 3-5 Track (Running) practice 12:00-12:25
• Tuesday, April 28 - Gr. 4 Swim Program; Spirit Day - Career Day(wear something that represents a future career!); Gr. 3-5 Long Jump Practice 2:45-3:15. 
• 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. 4 Swim Program, 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
• Tuesday, May 12 - Gr. 4 Swim Program
• 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)
• Monday, May 18 - Victoria Day (schools closed)
• Wednesday, May 20 - PAC Treat Day (TCBY); Club Wednesday #2
• Friday, May 22 - Spirit Day - Anything But a Backpack Day; PAC Fun Fair!!!

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. 

• 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 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