Families of Shortreed, 

We had a fantastic week last week with hundreds of students biking, scootering, and rollerblading to school as part of our 2026 Bike/Roll To School Week. The week culminated with our 2026 Wheels Parade on Friday. The weather wasn't too bad up until the start of the parade... and then the skies opened up and poured rain for almost exactly the amount of time it took to complete our parade. This didn't stop our Eagles, though, as they proudly wheeled their way through our route with excited smiles on their face, often riding some wonderfully decorated wheels! Thank you to everyone who participated in the Wheels Parade and Bike To School Week, and everyone who was able to come out and cheer us on. We will share our numbers and prize winners on Monday. Thank you to Cranky's Bike Shop for their generous donation of multiple prizes! 

Our PAC Volunteers treated every class to some delicious sundaes on Thursday. Students were able to choose their toppings and then head outside to enjoy their yummy treat. Thank you to our volunteers, and a special thank you to FreshCo Aldergrove, who generously donated the ice cream! 

We had our final Club Wednesday session of this term and this year. The buzz of students learning and creating in areas of curiosity, passion, and interest spread throughout the school and outside on the courts and in the field. We hope your child(ren) enjoyed Club Wednesdays again this term! A shout-out to all our staff for their extra efforts in making this happen, and a special thank you to Gail Macklin, Devon Maxwell, Mr. Troy, and Mike from Wild Education for volunteering their time to help with the sessions!

Our grade 5s continued their Operation Waterproof swimming safety program at the Aldergrove Community Centre pool. Students are placed in groups based on their ability and then taught basic water safety skills. At the end, they will be given a recommended level for families who want to register for lessons this summer.  

This week, we have a couple of important annual events happening at the school! On Tuesday, we are having our 2026 Diversity Day: Proud to be ME day. As was emailed on Friday:

We want our students to share a bit about themselves and what they are proud of. On Tuesday, June 9, we would like all our students and staff to wear something that represents who they are, including their traditions, cultures, strengths, interests, and/or identity. Encourage your child to wear

• Traditional clothing/regalia that is important to your family
• Sports jerseys/uniforms/attire that show their passion and strengths for taekwondo, dance, hockey, soccer, baseball, cheer, etc.
• colours and attire that represent and support who they are
• clothing/costume with their favourite character (Minecraft, Paw Patrol, Mario Bros, Disney, Superheroes, etc)
• anything else that shares they are "Proud to be ME"

Each child has been creating their own flag/banner with words and drawings about themselves - family, cultures and traditions, strengths, interests, etc. At 11:30, we will have a parade so everyone can see each other and what they share (similar to our Halloween Parade)! At the parade's end, we will all meet on the field in a giant circle for our Shortreed Chant! 

At Shortreed, we work hard to ensure that every child has a chance to feel like they BELONG. This is an important moment for them to share why they are "Proud to be ME!"

Friday is our 2026 Sports Day! Students are encouraged to dress in their House Team Colours and will spend the morning having fun by going through 22 active stations. We hope you can come and cheer on the kids! Here is the schedule:

8:50      Attendance in class. 
9:00      Assemble on field at stations (station number and division number are the same) 

9:05     Stations (6-7 minutes each station – 11 stations before recess) 
10:20     Recess in classrooms (freezies) 
10:40      Assemble on Field and continue 
10:45-11:55    Stations (6-7 minutes each station – 11 remaining stations) 
11:55      Clean-up for Lunch. Bring back original station materials to gym.

12:00-12:30     Play time 

12:30-1:00        Lunch in classroom (PAC Hot Lunch)

1:15-1:35       Grade 5 Tug of War (Div 1 vs Div 2, Div 1 vs 3, Div 2 vs 3, Top 2 in championship). Class winner then goes against the Shortreed Super Staff team.

         

Sports Day happens RAIN OR SHINE!  

Our grade 5s walk over to BGMS for their official grade 5 morning on Monday. They will learn more about BGMS and get to have some fun in various activities led by Grade 8 WEB leaders. 

With the end of the year quickly approaching, please take a moment to check your School Cash Online account for any amounts owing (for field trips, agenda, etc). 

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. As I enter my final month serving as principal of Shortreed, I am reflecting a lot. One of the things I am so proud of is the relationship we have built with the people of Máthxwi on these Máthxwi lands. We have learned so much about the people, history, traditions, and the importance of these beautiful lands. As I not only work, but also live on these lands, and when I say this, I have a much better understanding of what this means. We still have a long way to go, but I am so thankful for the care, patience, and teachings of the people of Máthxwi as these will continue on through staff, students, and families for many years to come.

The Week Ahead

• Monday, June 8 - Gr. 5's visit BGMS
• Tuesday, June 9 - Proud to be Me Day - Parade TBA
• Wednesday, June 10 - Gr. 4 Field Trip
• Thursday, June 11 - Gr. 5 Open House at BGMS 6:00, PAC Meeting 6:30
• Friday, June 12 - Sports Day!; PAC Hot Lunch Pizza; SD35 Aboriginal Spring Gathering 4:30 (Aldergrove park)

Upcoming Dates and Events:

• Monday, June 15 - KIUAN Dance Performance 1:05
• Wednesday, June 17 - Grade 5s at Waterslides; ACSS Grad Walk 1:10-1:30
• Friday, June 19 - School National Indigenous Peoples Day
• Sunday, June 21 - National Indigenous Peoples Day, Father's Day
• Monday, June 22 - Grade 5 Farewell 1:00-3:00 
• Wednesday, June 24 - Final Assembly 1:05
• Thursday, June 25 - Final Day of School; Dismissal at 11:30; Report Cards sent home

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 Health Information (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 summer health for school-aged children and youth. Please see below for helpful reminders to support your child.

   

  Keeping Kids Healthy and Safe this Summer – Tips for Parents

  Summer is a time for fun and relaxation. Below are some tips to help your kids stay active, healthy and safe during the summer months.  

   

  Sun Protection  

  Help avoid sunburns by applying a sunscreen with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 or more at least 20 minutes before heading outside. Avoid the hot sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. if you can. Seek places with lots of shade, such as parks with big trees. Take an umbrella to the beach and cover up with sunglasses that protect against UV rays, a wide brimmed hat, long sleeves and loose-fitting long pants. 

   

  Heat and Smoke Preparedness 

  With increased likelihood of hot temperatures, remember to keep children cool inside and outside. Watch the media for heat and smoke events. The WeatherCAN app can help.  

   

  Sustained indoor temperatures over 31°C can be unsafe. If there is no source of cool air, don’t rely on fans alone during very hot weather. Relocate to a cool, shady outdoor space, or head to a library, mall or community cooling centre. Make sure you and your family know the signs and symptoms of heat illness and how to get help. Learn more on the Sun and heat safety page.

   

  Summer can also bring smoke from wildfires. Learn about the health impacts of smoke and change outdoor plans if needed. Find out how to be ready for smoke and know about the air quality in your community at Fraser Heath’s Wildfire smoke page and in this postcard.

   

  Eat Well, Stay Active and Hydrate 

  Encourage your children to drink water regularly. Build the habit of always carrying a water bottle with them wherever they go.

   

  Healthy, active outdoor play is one of the best ways to improve physical and mental health. If your children are involved in sports, learn about heat precautions that can be taken during practice. If your children love the water check out these tips on water safety.

   

  Local farmers’ markets and u-pick farms are fun outdoor activities where you can enjoy seasonal produce. Did you know that over half of the blueberries harvested in B.C. are sold frozen in your local grocery store? Enjoy these nutrient-dense berries as fresh or frozen, with yogurts and in smoothies.

   

  Find more summer health tips in Fraser Health’s Healthy summer guide. 

• Transportation Registration 2026-2027

  Transportation registration for 2026-2027 is open. Please note the instructions to register are different for each category of rider. To help in our planning and creation of bus routes, registrations must be submitted by May 4^th for eligible riders and June 9^th for courtesy riders. The District cannot guarantee approval after the deadline. New and existing riders can find more information on our Transportation Registration webpage here.

• 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

Our final PAC meeting of the year is Thursday at 6:30. 

We would like to welcome our New PAC Executive Team for the 2026/2027 Year:

President: Jodi Stiglic
Vice President & Hot Lunch Coordinator: Kyla Des Mazes
Treasurer: Krista Shuryn
Secretary & DPAC Rep: Susan Ngo
Communications Coordinator: Kaelin Nelson 
Fundraising & MAL: Ashley Buzzard, Tasha Mash
Members At Large: Jen Cooksley, Paula Halvorson, Ben Lanteigne
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator: Jodi Stiglic, Tasha Mash
Scholarship Coordinator: Ashley Buzzard
Constitution & Bylaws Committee: Jodi Stiglic, Susan Ngo, Paula Halvorson
Spooky Gym: Ashley Buzzard
Fun Fair Coordinator: Jen Cooksley

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.

Creative Arts --> Aug 10-14 at Shortreed! 

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Vancouver Football Club and partners hosting FIFA Watch Parties

Our community partner Vancouver Football Club is inviting the Langley community to take part in upcoming FIFA watch parties hosted by the Township of Langley in the Stadium at the Langley Events Centre. There is no cost to attend these events.

Please see the attached flyer for details. All attendees at the watch party on June 12^th will receive a free ticket to VFC’s June 14^th match; and an additional message from VFC: Any Students or Faculty unable to join us June 12 may request their complimentary ticket HERE. 

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Opportunities in and around Aldergrove. Please contact Stephanie Eby at SEby@sd35.bc.ca for more info. 

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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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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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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