Families of Shortreed, 

We hope you have been enjoying this stunning January weather! It sure helps to motivate the kids (and us!) to get outside. 

It is an exciting day tomorrow for our Grade 5 Basketball team as they play in their first-ever game! They will be travelling to Blacklock Fine Arts Elementary after school. They also practice on Tuesday and Friday at 7:45 this week. 

We are getting closer to the start of our Club Wednesdays for term 2, with the Clubs running each Wednesday in February. This week, students can pick a club to join on Wednesday afternoons from 1:20-2:20. 

Our Spirit Wear Orders have arrived, and Ms. Coghill and Mrs. Parsons sorted through them. A few items are on backorder, but the vast majority are here and will be distributed this week. 

A reminder that the Pacific Sport Explore Sportz Program starts Monday in our gym! You can see more info below and register here. 

A reminder that kindergarten registration across the Langley School District started last week and runs until February 17, 2026.  If your child will be five years old by December 31, 2026, you will be able to register your child online. Instructions and information about required documents is available on the District website and catchment school websites. For information, please visit this webpage here.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Crazy Hair/Headwear Day. The kids and staff had such a fun time showing their hats, headwear, and crazy "do's". Be sure to check out our social media for more photos!

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. I know I spoke of these beautiful lands last week, but I want to share again. This weekend, my family and I went to the Aldergrove Bowl and spent the afternoon walking, observing, and exploring. The view of the farmland is stunning, the beautiful cedar trees leave you in awe, and the sounds of the birds help you to slow down and smile. As recommended by Melissa Epp, an educator, former Shortreed parent, and Máthxwi leader, I spent some time near the cedar trees to get closer to nature and become more grounded. I thought about all the ways these incredible trees have been used by Sto;lo people for 1000s of years. We also stopped to take in the massive rock called Meqsel (meaning "nose") and thought about how this rock has been in Máthxwi stories for so many years. I hope you get a chance to take in these beautiful lands, which the people of Máthxwi First Nation have been stewards of since time immemorial. 

The Week Ahead

• Monday, January 26 - Gr. 5 Basketball game at Blacklock 3:00
• Tuesday, January 27 - Gr. 5 Basketball 7:45-8:45
• Wednesday, January 28 - PAC Popcorn Day; Gr. 3 Basketball 2:45-4:15
• Friday, January 30 - Gr. 5 Basketball 7:45-8:45

Upcoming Dates and Events:

• Monday, February 2 - Gr. 5 Basketball hosts Simonds/U-Connect 3:00
• Tuesday, February 3 - Gr. 5 Basketball 7:45-8:45; Jack Thomas Drumming assembly 1:15
• Wednesday, February 4 - Club Wednesday Session #1; Gr. 3 Basketball 2:45-4:15
• Thursday, February 5 - PAC Hot Chocolate Activity
• Friday, February 6 - Gr. 5 Basketball 7:45-8:45
• Monday, February 9 - Pro-D Day (no school for students)
• Wednesday, February 11 - Gr. 5 Basketball game at Parkside 3:00; PAC Hot Lunch Day KFC, Club Wednesday Session #2
• Thursday, February 12 - Spirit Day - Red/White/Pink Day!; Gr. 3 basketball 2:45-4:15; PAC Meeting 6:30
• Friday, February 13 - Design/Assessment Day (no school for students)
• Monday, February 16 - Family Day - schools closed
• Tuesday, February 17 - Lunar New Year; Gr. 5 Basketball practice at 7:45 and game vs Douglas Park 3:00
• Wednesday, February 18 - Gr. 3 Basketball 2:45-4:15; Club Wednesday Session #3
• Friday, February 20 - Earthquake Drill 10:00; Gr. 5 Basketball practice at 7:45; Shortreed Lunar New Year Lion Dance
• Monday-Friday, February 23-27 - Diversity and Respect Week in Langley Schools
• Monday, February 25 - Gr. 5 Basketball vs Nicomekl (home game) 3:00
• Tuesday, February 26 - Gr. 5 Basketball practice 7:45-8:45
• Wednesday, February 25 - Club Wednesday Session #4; Pink Shirt Day; Gr. 5 Basketball at Uplands Elementary 3:00
• Friday, February 27 - Gr. 5 Basketball practice 7:45-8:45

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:

• Sewer Vapour Testing in Aldergrove – January 26-30, 2026

  Please note that the Township of Langley will be conducting vapour testing as part of its maintenance of sewers. As a resident in Aldergrove, you may have already received a letter informing you of this work which will take place next week. Our school does not expect to be impacted by this work. Out of an abundance of caution, staff will be monitoring any students that may have existing respiratory or related medical concerns.

• LEAP (Outdoor Education): Parent Information Session - January 28^th

  Imagine your child’s classroom in the open air! Join us on Wednesday, January 28th at 5:30pm at Fort Langley Elementary for our LEAP (Langley Environmental Awareness Program) Information Session. This meeting is for families interested in enrolment for the 2026-2027 school year with a student in grades 1-6 that might want a change and an opportunity to learn in the great outdoors. For more about the outdoor education program and to watch our new stunning promotional video please visit: https://youtu.be/PdXcrUJSzfI

• Information About School Status During Inclement Weather

  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 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.

• 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

Thank you to everyone who came out to our January PAC Meeting. You can read the minutes here.

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.

The Langley School District Foundation is partnering with the Vancouver Giants to raise money for Langley students! The game is Friday, February 6th, at 7pm against the Spokane Chiefs!

Join the Langley School District Foundation at this great family night out! Partial proceeds of ticket sales plus the 50/50 from this game goes towards supporting the Langley School District Foundation’s work supporting the students and schools of Langley.

Register here for BBBS After-School Mentoring

January 26 @ 4:00 pm - March 11 @ 5:30 pm$30

Prepare for an enriching experience with PacificSport Fraser Valley’s Multi-Sport winter program! This program is tailored for young adventurers eager to explore different sports. Our program offers a variety of different sports unveiling new activities throughout the program. Our Multi-Sport and More Programs fosters a holistic development, prioritizing fun, Inclusivity, and personal growth within a nurturing, non-competitive atmosphere.

This winter program is a great way to introduce your child to sports in a friendly, safe, and fun environment. Our facilitators are qualified coaches and deliver top-notch experiences.

When: January 26 – March 11

From: 4:00-5:30pm (every MONDAY)

Where: Shortreed Elementary School

Address: 2733028 Avenue, Langley Township, BC V4W 3K1

Who: Ages 6-10

maximum 20 participants

Cost: $30

Please reach out to Teagan at tjohnstone@pacificsport.com if you have any questions!

Registration Deadline – January 26th CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

https://www.aldergroveminorbaseball.com/

FamilySmart presents two “InTheKnow” events this January, 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/

Connecting with Our Kids When Anxiety Leads to Social Isolation:

When kids spend a lot of time alone because of their anxiety, it can be frustrating and challenging for parents. Learn some strategies that can help us connect with our kids when they are socially isolated.

Supporting Safety at Home When Your Child Has a Mental Health Crisis:

When your child or youth has had a mental health crisis, knowing how to keep them safe can be overwhelming. Our concerns can include suicidal thoughts, self-harming, aggression or any situation where you or your child is concerned about their safety. Learn about some ways that can help us plan to keep them safe at home.

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.

Healthy Minds BC has provided preventive and early intervention tools and resources to support the mental health of neurodiverse students. Parent Resources can be found here. 

Aldergrove Family Resources