Posted: January 6, 2019

Information

• Welcome back, WLE, and happy new year! We hope you had a fantastic break and are excited to continue learning with us at West Langley.
• Basketball season is coming! We will have open gym times for grade 6&7 girls (Wednesday) and grade 6&7boys (Thursday) after school this week. Final team configurations are yet to be determined, so if you are even a little bit interested, make sure you come out!
• On February 9 there will be a parent social at Jimy Mac’s supporting the grade 7 Camp program. For tickets & details, contact your favourite grade 7! More information will be coming soon 
• Pink Shirt Day is in February. We are planning an order of t-shirts that reverse last year’s pink-on-black colours. Watch for an email from the School Cash Online with ordering details. Orders will be due by the end of this week to ensure supply.
• Langley School District Kindergarten Registration Opens Monday, January 21, 2019All children who will be five years old by December 31, 2019 (children born in 2014) are eligible for the Kindergarten program beginning September 3, 2019.Registration opens Monday, January 21, 2019 and will be open until noon Monday, April 1, 2019. All registration takes place at neighbourhood schools and is not available at the School Board Office. Registration is not available during spring break (March 18 to March 29).The following documents are required at the time of registration:
  • Student Proof of Age (Birth Certificate or Passport).
  • Parents Proof of Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status (Canadian Birth Certificate, Canadian Citizenship Card, Canadian Passport, Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS/Status Card), Permanent Resident card, Refugee documents from Immigration Canada), and
  • Parents Proof of residence (BC Driver’s License, utility bill or Mortgage Papers, Property Tax Notice,  Subject-free purchase agreement (move in date within 6 months)).
  • If able, please bring your vaccination records (optional).

  For more information and registration times please contact your catchment school.

• Information About School Status During Inclement WeatherSnow 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 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 radiostations 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.
• My Tween and Me is a program for parents and kids aged 7-12. It is designed to help strengthen their relationship as they move into the preteen years, and will help ‘open the lines of communication to discuss current issues like drugs, alcohol and social media.’ The program will take place at Yorkson Creek Middle School, and will run Wednesdays from January 16 to March 6, from 6-8 pm, with kids attending every second session. Cost is $50 for 1 parent and 1 child, and space is limited. Click the flyer for a full-sized image. The registration link is here.

PAC Happenings

Quote of the Week

Interesting Reading & Viewing

• As a parent of a child with Down Syndrome, I was hooked by the picture on this article, but it makes an interesting point regarding the term ‘special needs’ and the negative outcomes its use can have. Certainly, this is a complicated issue, and one that I think communities need to keep talking about. He’s Not Special, He’s My Brother.
• I’ve shared about the importance of curiosity before. This article reinforces that, but also suggests the importance of our seeding some information so that kids’ curiosity is most beneficial to their learning. That’s critical at school and outside of it.
• Mrs. Gorseth found this and shared it with me, and I thought it would be nice to share with all of you.
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Calendar of Events

Monday January 7

• Welcome back, Mrs. Bartholet & Ms. Fuller.

Tuesday January 9

Wednesday January 10

• Grade 6/7 Girls’ Basketball open gym 2:45-4:00

Thursday January 11

• Grade 6/7 Boys’ basketball open gym 2:45-4:00

Friday January 12

Beyond

• January 14 – Early Dismissal at 1:15 for Staff Collaboration
• January 18 – Movie Afternoon