Families of Shortreed, 

We hope you enjoyed that beautiful fall sunshine this past weekend (and all that playoff baseball)!

Today is World Teachers Day! At Shortreed, we celebrate ALL our educators and the incredible work they do for our students and community. We know we have one of the most dedicated staffs around... who work tirelessly to have a positive impact on the lives of every child at our school. I am so proud to serve as principal and get to work alongside this amazing team of educators. Thank you to all the educators at Shortreed who help make our school a wonderful place!

This week is Terry Fox Week at Shortreed, and we are trying to match our total from last year of over $2000!!! We would be delighted if you could consider donating to this amazing cause. There are three ways to donate:

1. Donate online on the Terry Fox Run website https://schools.terryfox.ca/100401 (tax receipts available)
2. Donate through School Cash Online (link coming in a few days)
3. Bring in cash to the school. 

Our Terry Fox Run will take place on Friday at 1:30. We will meet in the gym around 1:15 and then head out on the run at 1:35. We always appreciate the incredible support we receive from our families during our Terry Fox Run. I will send out a separate email where you can sign up to supervise and encourage us along key points of the route (through the Bertrand Creek neighbourhood). Please watch for the email. 

Our Grade 5 soccer team has its first game of the season on Tuesday, as they host the James Hill Seawolves! Come out on the back field and cheer them on after school! Grade 4/5 Cross-Country has their 2nd meet of the season on Wednesday. Good luck to our Eagles athletes!

Proofs and order information for school photos were sent home last week. Please ensure you place your order before October 24. If you need a retake on October 28, follow the instructions on the forms. If your child missed their photo, no problem, they will be automatically registered for a retake. 

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. (Before I share some important words with parents/caregivers this week, I want to remind our families that the following information is not shared with our students and is meant for parents/caregivers/educators; at school, we share through children's stories and focus on things at an age-appropriate level.) One of the words we used leading up to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was "Believe". We used this word intentionally as for MANY years, the stories of survivors were silenced or tossed aside by those with power and control. Stories were not shared because they were too difficult to tell. Now, these traumatic stories have been confirmed not only by survivors but also by churches, teachers, and individuals who worked in these schools. We know that children were ripped away from their families and communities (and often sent far away); we know they were not allowed to speak their language, practice their culture, or talk to their siblings; we know that the food was minimal and awful, and nutritional testing (or malnutrition) was done in some schools; we know that when students returned from from the schools, they struggled to connect with families and their communities; and we know that many suffered horrific abuse and over 4100 (documented) children died in residential schools. These are facts. When survivors have the courage to share their stories, we must listen. They are called survivors because of their strength and determination. Honour the survivors... listen and believe. 

Good Things to Talk About

Our Grade 4/5 Cross-Country team ran in their first meet last week at Aldergrove Bowl. They ran so hard and finished well against a strong field of runners from around Langley (public and private schools). We had a number of students place in the top 20, but special congratulations to Lucas Mc, Abel F, and Braxton C, who placed in the Top 10 and qualified for the Championships on Oct 22. Thank you to Ms. Wright (parent volunteer), Ms. Kaur, Ms. Coghill, Ms. Johnstone, Mr. Nicolato, and Ms. Rossnagel for their help this year!

The Shortreed Eagles Grade 5 Soccer Team had their first practice last week and are excited to play their first game this week at home vs James Hill. Thank you to Mostat, Ms. Bailey (parent volunteer), and Mrs. Sidhu for volunteering to coach!

We had a special guest presenter in our kindergarten classes on Friday. Katie, a pediatric nurse in Langley, came to teach the students about some safety and healthy life skills. Katie read a story to them, taught them about when to go to an adult for an emergency (and who the safe adults are), and how to put a Band-Aid on. Students even had the opportunity to practice applying Band-Aids to their stuffed animals! Thank you to Ms. McLeod for organizing this.

The Week Ahead

• Sunday, October 5 - World Teachers Day
• Monday, October 6 - Gr. 4/5 XC Practice 12:00, Gr. 5 Soccer practice 2:45; PAC Chip sale after school
• Tuesday, October 7 - Gr. 5 Soccer vs James Hill (home) 3:00
• Wednesday, October 8 - PAC Hot Lunch - Subway; Gr. 4/5 XC Meet #2 3:30
• Friday, October 10 - Terry Fox Run at 1:35 (assembly before that)

Upcoming Dates and Events:

• Monday, October 13 - Thanksgiving (schools closed)
• Tuesday, October 14 - Gr. 5 Soccer at Blacklock 3:00
• Wednesday, October 15 - Gr. 4/5 XC Meet #3 3:30
• Thursday, October 16 - PAC Meeting 6:30
• Monday, October 20 - Gr. 5 Soccer practice 2:45
• Tuesday, October 21 - Gr. 5 Soccer at Douglas Park 3:00
• Wednesday, October 22 - PAC Treat Day (Cob's Bread), Cross-Country Championships 3:30
• Thursday, October 23 - Informal Learning Updates sent home
• Friday, October 24 - Pro-D Day (no school for students)
• Monday, October 27 - Kindergarten Trip to the Pumpkin Patch; Gr. 5 Soccer practice 2:45
• Tuesday, October 28 - Photo Retakes
• Friday, October 31 - Haunted Gymnasium, Halloween Costume Parade 1:30 (caregivers welcome to attend). 
• Monday, November 3 - Gr. 5 Soccer Practice 2:45
• Tuesday, November 4 - Lockdown Drill 10:00, Quincy Mack Assembly 1:15, Gr. 5 Soccer Home Game vs Uplands 3:00
• Wednesday, November 5 - PAC Hot Lunch (Panago)
• Thursday, November 6 - No Stone Left Alone (Gr. 5) 10:30
• Friday, November 7 - Remembrance Day Assembly 11:00
• Saturday, November 8 - Indigenous Veterans Day
• Monday, November 10 - Design/Assessment Day - no school for students
• Tuesday, November 11 - Remembrance Day - schools closed
• Thursday, November 13 - 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:

• 
• Programs of Choice – Deadline to Register is Monday, October 20^th

  Langley School District offers a rich diversity of programs that are designed to meet the specific needs and interests of students. Programs include Fine Arts, French Immersion, Fundamental, Langley Environmental Awareness Program (outdoor education), Montessori, and UConnect. Registration for Kindergarten entry (for most programs) begins on Monday, October 6^th at 12 noon, and closes on Monday, October 20^th at 12 noon. For UConnect, please contact the school directly. For more information and instructions to register your child, visit our District website here and review our FAQ choice programs resource here.

• Student in Distress and School Safety

  Health and safety are a priority in the Langley School District. Our schools follow procedures to help keep students, staff, and the community safe. Depending on the situation, communication to parents/caregivers is needed to keep families informed about incidents in our school, such as during lockdowns, hold & secures, and room clears, or in the event of a student in distress. Sometimes these situations may not be emergencies but events that require a school response. It is important to note that the decision to send communications to families is dependent on a variety of factors including the nature of what happened, who has witnessed or was directly impacted by what happened, as well as student and staff privacy. Communication is unique and dependent on the specific situation; there are times when a student is in distress, yet the situation may or may not require a message or letter to families. In addition to communication with parents/caregivers, teachers and staff may debrief with students after an incident that may have upset them. In some cases, the school counsellor may offer support to students in need. As always, we want families to let us know if your child requires support. If you have any questions or concerns about communication related to situations or emergencies, please reach out 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.
    

• 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. 

PAC News

Chip Sale ($1) after school on Monday, October 6

Hot Lunch Orders can be made now. Go to www.munchalunch.com/schools/shortreed/ to order. 

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.

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.

FamilySmart - FamilySmart services are free with no waitlists, and we serve parents and caregivers experiencing mental health or substance use challenges with their children or youth. This includes talking and collaborating, offering possible resources, helping parents navigate community resources, and sharing monthly events. 

October Events:  

ADHD – The Real Deal

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: It’s More Than Overwashing Your Hands

Join us online. It's free.