Week of December 4

Dear Heath Families,

Our first day of the Breakfast Club was on Friday and it was a success! All the students that joined us had cereal, yogurt, toast, and fruit. A couple of days during the week, we will be serving a hot breakfast. The Breakfast Club will run every morning during the week from 8:10-8:50am. Once students have finished their breakfast, they will go out and join their classmates in line up.

Our deadline for the program was last week so we are not able to accept any new students for the remaining weeks of December. However, during mid-December we will send out another permission form if you are looking to have your children enrolled for January. This program is open to all families.

Heath’s New Mascot

Thank you to all the families that have cast their vote towards our new mascot. The survey will be closed Monday morning, and the new mascot will be revealed by the end of the week. If you haven’t already done so, please vote through the link below.

https://forms.gle/vwj1BFUwybrdErir7

Child Care Survey from the Ministry of Education and Child Care

The Ministry of Education and Child Care is conducting a parent survey to better understand the regional and provincial demand for school age child care. While it is known there is unmet demand for school-aged child care, there is no current provincial or regional data quantifying the demand. Your participation will help the Province plan for future school-aged child care expansions.

This survey is intended for all parents, regardless of the type of child care you currently use or even if you are not using any child care at all. If you have not already completed the child care survey, please click on the following link and complete the survey. The survey is available in 18 different languages.

https://www.awinfosys.com/surveyfull3/minofed/main/SchoolAgeParents.asp?SchoolNumber=758

Feeding Futures Family Survey

The Delta School District will be receiving Feeding Futures government funding which aims to tackle student hunger by ensuring that all children have access to healthy meals and snacks at school and reducing the challenges of rising food costs for families who need it most. It is much  appreciated if you could complete the following survey by Wednesday, Dec. 6 to help us assess the areas of greatest need within our school district.

https://forms.gle/51yiQqoCzzobf2zE6

Fall Cold/Flu Season

We are officially in the heart of cold/flu season. To keep our school as healthy as possible for students and staff, the best defence we have is for people to stay home when not well and stay home until all symptoms have disappeared.  Please make sure to call the school and record an absence for each day your child will not be attending. The school’s number is (604) 596-1508 (available 24 hours a day) or email at heath.elem@deltaschools.ca.

Please remember to leave your child’s first and last name, the division and/or teacher and the reason for the absence.

Community Information

ERASE Learning Sessions

In partnership with The Ministry of Education and Childcare’s erase strategy, due to high demand, they are offering an additional “Social Media Awareness” Family Session on December 5^th at 6:30pm.  This 60 minute session will be held virtually via zoom.

To register for this session please click on the link below.

Family Session: Establishing Safe, Caring, & Respectful Digital Communities Tickets, Tue, Dec 5, 2023 at 6:30 PM | Eventbrite

STUDENTS WILL LEARN:

• Digital media habits, oversharing, and digital addiction
• The permanence of online posts/activity
• The significance of your digital tattoo in how others perceive you (e.g., sports teams, college admissions, and potential employers)
• The importance of caring for peers both online and offline
• Geo-locational settings and the dangers of social media and cell phone misuse
• The social and legal consequences of cyberbullying behaviour as well as possession and distribution of intimate images (sexting and sextortion)
• An anonymous student reporting tool that can help you and your friends stay safe both online and offline

Deltassist Christmas Program: Information and Registration 2023

The Deltassist Christmas Program supports low-income Delta families, individuals and seniors who need additional support during the holiday season with grocery gift cards and a toy depot. For eligibility criteria and information on how to register with Deltassist Christmas Program. Click on the following link.

https://deltassist.com/community/deltassist-christmas-programs-information-and-registration

Surrey Christmas Bureau Program: Information and Registration 2023

The Surrey Christmas Bureau supports low-income families in Surrey who need support during the holidays by providing food hampers and toys for children. For eligibility criteria and information on how to register with the Surrey Christmas  Bureau.  Click on the following link.

https://christmasbureau.com/

PAC News

SAVE THE DATE!! Heath’s PAC Annual Bottle Drive is on January 13, 2024. Save all your empties from the holiday season and help donate to the PAC.

Our PAC will be present at our Christmas Concert on Thursday, Dec. 21^st. Please bring a food bank donation for your entry into the school.

A table will be set up to sell tickets for a 50/50 draw. Half of the proceeds from the sale of the tickets will go to the school, the other half will go to the winner. Tickets will sell for: 3 tickets for $5.00 and 7 tickets for $10.00.

Join the new PAC Facebook page to find out about school events.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/560598425983089/?ref=share&mibextid=NS MWBT

PAC Hot Lunch

PAC Hot Lunch dates are available to be ordered on their website: http://munchalunch.com/login

Please keep in mind that each order will close the Wednesday the week before the date of the hot lunch. All orders must be paid in full in order to be processed.

The PAC is also in need of volunteers to help with the next hot lunch on Thursday, November 23. Please email  heath.elementary.pac@gmail.com if you are able to come to the school and help at lunch.

December 21 – Hot Lunch (Cobbs). Orders close Wednesday, Dec. 13

January 25 – Hot Lunch (Subway). Orders close Wednesday, Jan. 17

February 22 – Hot Lunch (Fresh Slice Pizza).  Orders close Wednesday, February 14

School Calendar

Week of November 28

Dear Heath Families,

I hope you had a restful weekend and enjoyed the weather we are lucky to be having lately. It has been noted that there are many students arriving to school late in the mornings. We are asking that families leave home a few minutes earlier to arrive by our first bell at 8:55am. Not only does a student who is consistently arriving late to school establish bad punctuality habits, their tardiness also disrupts the learning of other students in their classes. The school district code of conduct indicates that students are to attend school regularly and punctually.

Students can take steps to ensure they fulfill this obligation by:

1) Making their lunch the night before

2) Ensuring homework is complete and packed in their backpacks the night before

3) Selecting clothing to wear the night before to reduce decision times in the morning

4) Setting an alarm to wake up early enough to ensure they arrive on time

5) Planning for enough time to walk from home or from a drop-off spot near the school

Breakfast Club Program

Our Breakfast Club will begin this Friday at 8:10-8:50am. In order to provide enough food for the students that attend, please make sure you have handed in the signed permission form sent home by Tuesday, November 28. We will not be able to accommodate walk-ins on Friday.

Child Care Survey from the Ministry of Education and Child Care

The Ministry of Education and Child Care is conducting a parent survey to better understand the regional and provincial demand for school age child care. While it is known there is unmet demand for school-aged child care, there is no current provincial or regional data quantifying the demand. Your participation will help the Province plan for future school-aged child care expansions.

This survey is intended for all parents, regardless of the type of child care you currently use or even if you are not using any child care at all. If you have not already completed the child care survey, please click on the following link and complete the survey. The survey is available in 18 different languages.

https://www.awinfosys.com/surveyfull3/minofed/main/SchoolAgeParents.asp?SchoolNumber=758

Feeding Futures Family Survey

The Delta School District will be receiving Feeding Futures government funding which aims to tackle student hunger by ensuring that all children have access to healthy meals and snacks at school and reducing the challenges of rising food costs for families who need it most. It is much  appreciated if you could complete the following survey by Wednesday, Dec. 6 to help us assess the areas of greatest need within our school district.

https://forms.gle/51yiQqoCzzobf2zE6

Fall Cold/Flu Season

We are officially in the heart of cold/flu season. To keep our school as healthy as possible for students and staff, the best defence we have is for people to stay home when not well and stay home until all symptoms have disappeared.  Please make sure to call the school and record an absence for each day your child will not be attending. The school’s number is (604) 596-1508 (available 24 hours a day) or email at heath.elem@deltaschools.ca.

Please remember to leave your child’s first and last name, the division and/or teacher and the reason for the absence.

Community Information

ERASE Learning Sessions

Parenting is hard, and the rapid rise of technology and social media use in the lives of their kids makes it harder. There is a session tomorrow and another on November 30, from ERASE that is extremely helpful to families that focuses on: Establishing Safe, Caring, & Respectful Digital Communities. These online sessions are best suited for families and youth aged 10 and above.

November 28, 2023 7:00pm – 8:00pm https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/732343096917?aff=oddtdtcreator

November 30, 2023 6:30pm -7:30pm https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/732346587357?aff=oddtdtcreator

In partnership with The Ministry of Education and Childcare’s erase strategy, due to high demand, they are offering an additional “Social Media Awareness” Family Session on December 5^th at 6:30pm.  This 60 minute session will be held virtually via zoom.

To register for this session please click on the link below.

Family Session: Establishing Safe, Caring, & Respectful Digital Communities Tickets, Tue, Dec 5, 2023 at 6:30 PM | Eventbrite

STUDENTS WILL LEARN:

• Digital media habits, oversharing, and digital addiction
• The permanence of online posts/activity
• The significance of your digital tattoo in how others perceive you (e.g., sports teams, college admissions, and potential employers)
• The importance of caring for peers both online and offline
• Geo-locational settings and the dangers of social media and cell phone misuse
• The social and legal consequences of cyberbullying behaviour as well as possession and distribution of intimate images (sexting and sextortion)
• An anonymous student reporting tool that can help you and your friends stay safe both online and offline

Deltassist Christmas Program: Information and Registration 2023

The Deltassist Christmas Program supports low-income Delta families, individuals and seniors who need additional support during the holiday season with grocery gift cards and a toy depot. For eligibility criteria and information on how to register with Deltassist Christmas Program. Click on the following link.

https://deltassist.com/community/deltassist-christmas-programs-information-and-registration

Surrey Christmas Bureau Program: Information and Registration 2023

The Surrey Christmas Bureau supports low-income families in Surrey who need support during the holidays by providing food hampers and toys for children. For eligibility criteria and information on how to register with the Surrey Christmas  Bureau.  Click on the following link.

https://christmasbureau.com/

PAC News

SAVE THE DATE!! Heath’s PAC Annual Bottle Drive is on January 13, 2024. Save all your empties from the holiday season and help donate to the PAC.

Join the new PAC Facebook page to find out about school events.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/560598425983089/?ref=share&mibextid=NS MWBT

PAC Hot Lunch

PAC has updated the Munch a Lunch website and it is now open to select from lunch dates in October through to January. Please keep in mind that each order will close the Wednesday the week before the date of the hot lunch. All orders must be paid in full in order to be processed.

New to Heath? Parents can register at http://munchalunch.com/schools/heath

Returning parents can login at http://munchalunch.com/login

The PAC is also in need of volunteers to help with the next hot lunch on Thursday, November 23. Please email  heath.elementary.pac@gmail.com if you are able to come to the school and help at lunch.

December 21 – Hot Lunch (Cobbs). Orders close Wednesday, Dec. 13

January 25 – Hot Lunch (Subway). Orders close Wednesday, Jan. 17

February 22 – Hot Lunch (Fresh Slice Pizza).  Orders close Wednesday, February 14

School Calendar

Week of November 20

Dear Heath Families,

On Thursday, Nov. 23, the first, formal, written report card for the current school year will be available for viewing on Parent Connect.  This is an exciting time for children and parents, a time to offer encouragement and support as well as a time to review set goals made during the 3-Way Conferences.  After reading all the reports, I am pleased to see all the learning that has occurred during the first term and believe that all our students will have a successful second term. I am thankful for the positive partnership with us in helping your child to succeed at school.  If you have questions about how you can further support your child in their learning, contact their classroom teacher.  Together we can make a difference.

Feeding Futures Family Survey

The Delta School District will be receiving Feeding Futures government funding which aims to tackle student hunger by ensuring that all children have access to healthy meals and snacks at school and reducing the challenges of rising food costs for families who need it most. It is much  appreciated if you could complete the following survey by Wednesday, Dec. 6 to help us assess the areas of greatest need within our school district.

https://forms.gle/51yiQqoCzzobf2zE6

Breakfast Club

Starting Friday, December 1, we will begin our Breakfast Club program, which will operate every morning before school starts from 8:10am-8:50am, in the Gym. A permission form and email went home last week. Please remember to return it to your child’s teacher or the office by Tuesday, Nov. 28 to help us better prepare for Friday, Dec.1.

Christmas Concert Update

Mr. T and the rest of our staff are busy planning for the Christmas concert in December. We have had to change the date of the concert from Tuesday, December 19 to Thursday, December 21^st. Please make note of this change. More details about the Christmas concert will be coming.

Fall Cold/Flu Season

We are officially in the heart of cold/flu season. To keep our school as healthy as possible for students and staff, the best defence we have is for people to stay home when not well and stay home until all symptoms have disappeared.  Please make sure to call the school and record an absence for each day your child will not be attending. The school’s number is (604) 596-1508 (available 24 hours a day) or email at heath.elem@deltaschools.ca.

Please remember to leave your child’s first and last name, the division and/or teacher and the reason for the absence.

Community Information

ERASE Learning Sessions

Parenting is hard, and the rapid rise of technology and social media use in the lives of their kids makes it harder. The last two sessions from ERASE are extremely helpful for families by focusing on establishing safe, caring, and respectful digital communities. These online sessions are best suited for families and youth aged 10 and above.

Family Session: Establishing Safe, Caring, & Respectful Digital Communities – Everyone Welcome!

Details: Recommended for Parents/Caregivers/Grandparents and youth aged 10 and up as a way to facilitate the conversation of safe and caring use of technology at home and in the community. This session covers all things digital, from how to be a good digital citizen, the criminal consequences of cyberbullying, and how to report and receive support in cases of sexting/sextortion. Some of the most prominent concerns currently surrounding use of social media platforms, smartphones, and artificial intelligence will be discussed.

STUDENTS WILL LEARN:

• Digital media habits, oversharing, and digital addiction
• The permanence of online posts/activity
• The significance of your digital tattoo in how others perceive you (e.g., sports teams, college admissions, and potential employers)
• The importance of caring for peers both online and offline
• Geo-locational settings and the dangers of social media and cell phone misuse
• The social and legal consequences of cyberbullying behaviour as well as possession and distribution of intimate images (sexting and sextortion)
• An anonymous student reporting tool that can help you and your friends stay safe both online and offline

Schedule:

November 28, 2023 7:00pm – 8:00pm https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/732343096917?aff=oddtdtcreator

November 30, 2023 6:30pm -7:30pm https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/732346587357?aff=oddtdtcreator

Delta Libraries

Kids! What do pens, paper, keys and toothpaste have in common? Ancient Egyptians invented them! Discover Why Ancient Egypt Matters on Monday, November 27, from 11 am – 12 pm at the George Mackie Library. Presenter Jeff Narver will discuss how Ancient Egyptians were just like us covering topics such as pets, games, food, sports, and school, and will include information about pyramids, temple construction, gods and mummification. See attached poster.

PAC News

Please join us for the next PAC meeting on Wednesday, November 22 in the Heath Staff room at 6:00 pm.

Join the new PAC Facebook page to find out about school events.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/560598425983089/?ref=share&mibextid=NS MWBT

PAC Hot Lunch

PAC has updated the Munch a Lunch website and it is now open to select from lunch dates in October through to January. Please keep in mind that each order will close the Wednesday the week before the date of the hot lunch. All orders must be paid in full in order to be processed.

New to Heath? Parents can register at http://munchalunch.com/schools/heath

Returning parents can login at http://munchalunch.com/login

The PAC is also in need of volunteers to help with the next hot lunch on Thursday, November 23. Please email  heath.elementary.pac@gmail.com if you are able to come to the school and help at lunch.

December 21 – Hot Lunch (Cobbs). Orders close Wednesday, Dec. 13

January 25 – Hot Lunch (Subway). Orders close Wednesday, Jan. 17

February 22 – Hot Lunch (Fresh Slice Pizza).  Orders close Wednesday, February 14

School Calendar

Week of November 14

Dear Heath Families,

Our school participated in a very moving Remembrance Day Assembly on Thursday last week. We had beautiful songs performed by different classes and a special performance from our school choir. We also had each division place a wreath on display. I’m pleased to say that our school did a wonderful job of paying respect to soldiers past and present. Thank you to all the parents that attended the assembly, it was great to have you with us as we recognized the importance of Remembrance Day.

Fall Cold/Flu Season

The cold/flu season is upon us, and at school, we are doing everything possible to keep Heath Elementary a healthy place to work and learn. All our students are receiving lots of reminders to wash their hands frequently, to cough into their elbows and to try and keep their work areas clean.

If your child(ren) is sick or exhibiting any of the symptoms of the flu or a cold, it is extremely important that you keep them home until all symptoms have disappeared. Please make sure to call the school (available 24 hours a day) at (604) 596-1508. Leave your name, your child’s name and division number or teacher name.

Community Information

ERASE Learning Sessions- *Extremely Helpful for Families!*

Three virtual ERASE learning sessions for families and children will be held on November 8, 28, and 30,focusing on establishing safe, caring, and respectful digital communities. These online sessions are best suited for families and youth aged 10 and above.

Family Session: Establishing Safe, Caring, & Respectful Digital Communities – Everyone Welcome!

Details: Recommended for Parents/Caregivers/Grandparents and youth aged 10 and up as a way to facilitate the conversation of safe and caring use of technology at home and in the community. This session covers all things digital, from how to be a good digital citizen, the criminal consequences of cyberbullying, and how to report and receive support in cases of sexting/sextortion. Some of the most prominent concerns currently surrounding use of social media platforms, smartphones, and artificial intelligence will be discussed.

STUDENTS WILL LEARN:

• Digital media habits, oversharing, and digital addiction
• The permanence of online posts/activity
• The significance of your digital tattoo in how others perceive you (e.g., sports teams, college admissions, and potential employers)
• The importance of caring for peers both online and offline
• Geo-locational settings and the dangers of social media and cell phone misuse
• The social and legal consequences of cyberbullying behaviour as well as possession and distribution of intimate images (sexting and sextortion)
• An anonymous student reporting tool that can help you and your friends stay safe both online and offline

Schedule:

November 28, 2023 7:00pm – 8:00pm https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/732343096917?aff=oddtdtcreator

November 30, 2023 6:30pm -7:30pm https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/732346587357?aff=oddtdtcreator

Delta Libraries

A variety of fun and educational events take place at our local libraries every month. Visit the

Events Page at www.fvrl.ca to find free programs, such as Games Night, Book Clubs and more!

There are programs for everyone.

PAC News

Please join us for the next PAC meeting on Wednesday, November 22 in the Heath Staff room at 6:00 pm.

Join the new PAC Facebook page to find out about school events.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/560598425983089/?ref=share&mibextid=NS MWBT

PAC Hot Lunch

PAC has updated the Munch a Lunch website and it is now open to select from lunch dates in October through to January. Please keep in mind that each order will close the Wednesday the week before the date of the hot lunch. All orders must be paid in full in order to be processed.

New to Heath? Parents can register at http://munchalunch.com/schools/heath

Returning parents can login at http://munchalunch.com/login

If you would like to volunteer an hour of your day once or twice a month please email  heath.elementary.pac@gmail.com

November 23 – Hot Lunch (Whitespot). Orders close Wednesday, Nov.15

December 21 – Hot Lunch (Cobbs). Orders close Wednesday, Dec. 13

School Calendar

Week of November 5

Dear Heath Families,

The staff at Heath are wishing all families a Happy Diwali! We hope this year’s Diwali illuminates your heart and homes with friendship and togetherness.

 Remembrance Day

On Remembrance Day we honour those who sacrificed their lives so that we can live as we do today in Canada. By remembering, we pay tribute to all the men and women that served to defend our values and freedoms. We also honour those who continue to serve our country today.  On Thursday, November 9^th Heath will be holding a Remembrance Day Assembly in the gym. Some classes have signed up to present poems, songs, and a candlelight ceremony to help us all better understand and appreciate Remembrance Day and its significance. We will also have a wreath laying ceremony complete with two minutes of silence. Throughout the week, we will be accepting donations for the Poppy Campaign. Students who would like to donate can give the contribution to their teacher. Donations can also be made online to The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command Poppy Trust Fund. https://www.legion.ca/donations

District News

Hosting International Students

Delta School District International Programs needs more homestay families for international students coming to Delta School District for February 2024. They will arrive from all over the world and have a strong desire to be in Delta. They are also looking ahead to September 2024 and short-term Summer 2024 Programs for younger students.

For many of the younger students who enroll in the Summer Programs, it is their first time travelling without their parents. They are seeking caring homes wanting to show these students how beautiful summers are in the Lower Mainland. They come for 3-week programs. The first two weeks are full days at school and the third week consists of mornings in the classroom and afternoons on outings with our staff. Hosting a student comes with a reimbursement of $1,100 per month for expenses. Multiple students from different nationalities can be hosted in one home.

International students are looking for a family connection and being a part of a family during their stay in Delta. Their school year study periods range from 3 months to half a school year, to a full school year, to multiple years. If you are interested in hosting, please reach out to homestay@godelta.ca. If you are not able to host but know of a family who can, please send them our way. There are referral bonuses available for referring families.

Be sure to check out our YouTube Channel with testimonials from current homestay families.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&list=PLDT30tf-KfjvFjJx79R3KlNtO1cF_DOC-

For more information, reach out to homestay@godelta.ca

Community Information

ERASE Learning Sessions- *Extremely Helpful for Families!*

Three virtual ERASE learning sessions for families and children will be held on November 8, 28, and 30,focusing on establishing safe, caring, and respectful digital communities. These online sessions are best suited for families and youth aged 10 and above.

Family Session: Establishing Safe, Caring, & Respectful Digital Communities – Everyone Welcome!

Details: Recommended for Parents/Caregivers/Grandparents and youth aged 10 and up as a way to facilitate the conversation of safe and caring use of technology at home and in the community. This session covers all things digital, from how to be a good digital citizen, the criminal consequences of cyberbullying, and how to report and receive support in cases of sexting/sextortion. Some of the most prominent concerns currently surrounding use of social media platforms, smartphones, and artificial intelligence will be discussed.

STUDENTS WILL LEARN:

• Digital media habits, oversharing, and digital addiction
• The permanence of online posts/activity
• The significance of your digital tattoo in how others perceive you (e.g., sports teams, college admissions, and potential employers)
• The importance of caring for peers both online and offline
• Geo-locational settings and the dangers of social media and cell phone misuse
• The social and legal consequences of cyberbullying behaviour as well as possession and distribution of intimate images (sexting and sextortion)
• An anonymous student reporting tool that can help you and your friends stay safe both online and offline

Schedule:

November 8, 2023 6:30pm – 7:30pm https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/732334942527?aff=oddtdtcreator

November 28, 2023 7:00pm – 8:00pm https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/732343096917?aff=oddtdtcreator

November 30, 2023 6:30pm -7:30pm https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/732346587357?aff=oddtdtcreator

Delta Libraries

A variety of fun and educational events take place at our local libraries every month. Visit the Events Page at https://www.fvrl.bc.ca/# to find free programs, such as Games Night, Book Clubs and more!

There are programs for everyone.

PAC News

Please join the new PAC Facebook page to find out about school events.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/560598425983089/?ref=share&mibextid=NS MWBT

PAC Hot Lunch

PAC has updated the Munch a Lunch website and it is now open to select from four lunch dates in October through to January. Please keep in mind that each order will close the Wednesday the week before the date of the hot lunch. All orders must be paid in full in order to be processed.

New to Heath? Parents can register at http://munchalunch.com/schools/heath

Returning parents can login at http://munchalunch.com/login

If you would like to volunteer an hour of your day once or twice a month please email  heath.elementary.pac@gmail.com

November 23 – Hot Lunch (Whitespot). Orders close Wednesday, Nov.15

December 21 – Hot Lunch (Cobbs). Orders close Wednesday, Dec. 13

School Calendar

Week of October 29th

Dear Heath Families,

I hope everyone is enjoying the crisp and dry fall days. Due to medical reasons, I will be away from the school until Thursday, November 9^th. In the meantime, Ms. Ericka Brugge, one of our Grade 6/7 teachers will be Teacher in Charge. Please do not hesitate to reach out to her at the office if in need.

Everyone at Heath is looking forward to our 3-Way Conferences on Wednesday, Nov.1^st and Thursday, Nov. 2^nd. Please remember that it is early dismissal on both days so arrangements will need to be made for early pick up on both days.

Appointments to meet with your child’s teacher are open and available for you to book.
To book your conference time please sign in to Parent Connect. Once you are in your account you will see the heading for 3-Way Conferences, click there to book your time slot.

To access Parent Connect and book appointment(s), please visit: https://cimsweb.deltasd.bc.ca/schoolconnect/parentsignone.aspx

We do have translators available for families that require English language assistance. Please notify your child’s teacher as soon as possible so arrangements can be made

Halloween

Heath will be having a student Halloween Parade on Tuesday, Oct. 31^st at 9:30am. Students will walk through the gym to showcase their costumes along with our school-wide Thriller Dance. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend our festivities.  Each class will proceed to the gym, while remaining with their teacher.

Students are encouraged to wear their costumes being mindful NOT to include replica weapons or anything too scary or gory.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Musqueam Day and the Guerin decision

Every year, Musqueam acknowledges November 1 as Musqueam Day.

The day recognizes the landmark 1984 Supreme Court of Canada Guerin decision. The case was led by Musqueam’s then chief, Delbert Guerin, and fundamentally changed Canadian law by challenging the:

• legal enforceability of the Crown’s obligations to Aboriginal people in Canada
• fiduciary duty owed to Indigenous peoples in Canada
• nature of Indigenous title in Canada
• the Crown’s duty to consult with Indigenous peoples

Spirit Day  

Our first Heath Spirit Day will be on Wednesday, Nov.1. Pajama Day! Please allow your children to wear appropriate pajamas, slippers and/or robes to school.

Community Information

ERASE Learning Sessions- *Extremely Helpful for Families!*

Three virtual ERASE learning sessions for families and children will be held on November 8, 28, and 30,focusing on establishing safe, caring, and respectful digital communities. These online sessions are best suited for families and youth aged 10 and above.

Family Session: Establishing Safe, Caring, & Respectful Digital Communities – Everyone Welcome!

Details: Recommended for Parents/Caregivers/Grandparents and youth aged 10 and up as a way to facilitate the conversation of safe and caring use of technology at home and in the community. This session covers all things digital, from how to be a good digital citizen, the criminal consequences of cyberbullying, and how to report and receive support in cases of sexting/sextortion. Some of the most prominent concerns currently surrounding use of social media platforms, smartphones, and artificial intelligence will be discussed.

STUDENTS WILL LEARN:

• Digital media habits, oversharing, and digital addiction
• The permanence of online posts/activity
• The significance of your digital tattoo in how others perceive you (e.g., sports teams, college admissions, and potential employers)
• The importance of caring for peers both online and offline
• Geo-locational settings and the dangers of social media and cell phone misuse
• The social and legal consequences of cyberbullying behaviour as well as possession and distribution of intimate images (sexting and sextortion)
• An anonymous student reporting tool that can help you and your friends stay safe both online and offline

Schedule:

November 8, 2023 6:30pm – 7:30pm https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/732334942527?aff=oddtdtcreator

November 28, 2023 7:00pm – 8:00pm https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/732343096917?aff=oddtdtcreator

November 30, 2023 6:30pm -7:30pm https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/732346587357?aff=oddtdtcreator

Career Corner

Highlights include:

• Junior Fire Camp Academy applications close Nov 17, 2023
• Career Related Articles: including the School-Work Skills Gap
• Grade 9 – Take our Kids to Work Day!

November Career Corner

PAC News

Please join the new PAC Facebook page to find out about school events.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/560598425983089/?ref=share&mibextid=NS MWBT

PAC Hot Lunch

PAC has updated the Munch a Lunch website and it is now open to select from four lunch dates in October through to January. Please keep in mind that each order will close the Wednesday the week before the date of the hot lunch. All orders must be paid in full in order to be processed.

New to Heath? Parents can register at http://munchalunch.com/schools/heath

Returning parents can login at http://munchalunch.com/login

If you would like to volunteer an hour of your day once or twice a month please email  heath.elementary.pac@gmail.com

November 23 – Hot Lunch (Whitespot). Orders close Wednesday, Nov.15

December 21 – Hot Lunch (Cobbs). Orders close Wednesday, Dec. 13

School Calendar

Week of October 23^rd

Dear Heath Families,

We have exciting news to share! Your child(ren) may have come home and shared that we were very fortunate to have Nathan Wilson, Kaanáx Kuwóox̱’, visit us last week. We are in the process of looking at changing our mascot to one that is more connected to land we are living on. Nathan Wilson shared many stories and understandings of the Indigenous ways of knowing as we discussed the animals around us. Our students had many thoughtful contributions to our quest.

Halloween

We will once again be following a long-standing tradition, the annual Heath Halloween Costume Parade.

The parade will be inside the gym along with our school-wide Thriller Dance.  Parents and guardians are welcome to attend our festivities.  Each class will proceed to the gym, while remaining with their teacher.

Our parade will be held on Tuesday, October 31^st at 9:30am.  Students are welcome to bring their costumes to school.  However, please keep in mind that teachers are not able to help students change into their costumes and students should therefore bring or wear a costume only if they are able to independently change in or out of it if they choose.

Many classes have also planned some fun Halloween activities to celebrate.  These activities might include games and/or watching a movie.  Please check with your child’s teacher if candy/treats can be brought to school to share with their friends and classmates.  If you would like to send a treat specifically for your child to enjoy during their class activity, please feel free to do so.

Halloween Safety

We encourage all students to celebrate Halloween safely with the following hints and tips:

1. Practice costume safety: Make sure all costumes, wigs and accessories are fire resistant. Make sure the costume is comfortable and doesn’t pose a tripping hazard for your child.
2. For costumes worn to school:

• Please ensure your child’s face is visible at all times. Masks and any other items that prevent students from being identified will not be permitted at school.
• Costumes must not include weapons, replica weapons or objects that can be mistaken as such.
• Costumes must not contain any words or images that could be offensive to others.
• Students must dress in a manner that is appropriate for and respects the learning environment of the school.

3. If using makeup, choose non-toxic cosmetic products and test on a small area first to see if any irritation occurs. Many kids have sensitive skin.
4. Give kids a refresher on traffic safety.
5. Increase your child’s visibility – use reflective tape or give them flashlights or glow sticks to carry to ensure they are visible to motorists.
6. Encourage kids to stay together and have them stick to familiar, well-lit areas.
7. Reiterate that they should never enter a stranger’s house or accept a ride from someone they don’t know.
8. Inspect your child’s candy before they indulge and make sure to remove any treats that aren’t age appropriate (e.g., gum or jawbreakers) or that contain food items they are allergic to.

For additional helpful hints, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/home-safety/halloween-safety.html

Spirit Day

Our first Heath Spirit Day will be on Wednesday, Nov.1. Pajama Day! Please allow your children to wear appropriate pajamas, slippers and/or robes to school.

Chess Players

News from Delta Continuing Education

Presented by Delta School District’s Continuing Education program.

Early Childhood Educator Assistant Certificate – Part-time

Open to all community members

This program meets the needs of those wanting to obtain an ECE Assistant Certificate while ensuring that they receive a thorough grounding in Early Childhood Education principles.  Program Start Date:  January 2024

More information:   https://deltalearns.ca/eceprogram/

 Presented by Delta School District’s Continuing Education program as a Red Cross First Aid Training Partner.

First Aid for Opioid Poisoning Emergencies

Open to educators and community members

Become knowledgeable and confident in how to respond to an opioid poisoning emergency, including how to administer nasal naloxone.  Taught on-line, there is no cost for this course.   Duration:  approximately 60 minutes, completed at your own pace.

More information:   https://ce.deltasd.bc.ca/workplace-skills-and-first-aid/first-aid/first-aid-for-opioid-poisoning-emergencies/

PAC News

Please join the new PAC Facebook page to find out about school events.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/560598425983089/?ref=share&mibextid=NS MWBT

PAC Hot Lunch

PAC has updated the Munch a Lunch website and it is now open to select from four lunch dates in October through to January. Please keep in mind that each order will close the Wednesday the week before the date of the hot lunch. All orders must be paid in full in order to be processed.

New to Heath? Parents can register at http://munchalunch.com/schools/heath

Returning parents can login at http://munchalunch.com/login

If you would like to volunteer an hour of your day once or twice a month please email  heath.elementary.pac@gmail.com

October 26 – Hot Lunch (Fresh Slice Pizza). Orders closed Wednesday, Oct. 18

November 23 – Hot Lunch (Whitespot). Orders close Wednesday, Nov.15

December 21 – Hot Lunch (Cobbs). Orders close Wednesday, Dec. 13

School Calendar

Week of October 16th

Dear Heath Families,

While last week’s weather was beautiful with the early morning crispness and the afternoon sunshine, I feel we are coming into the cooler, rainy season. Please make sure your child(ren) are dressed for playing in rainy weather every day.

Home Conferences

Everyone has been working hard these last few weeks and I’m excited to see what our students are bringing home to share with you over the next couple of days. Our Home Conferences are set to take place on Monday through to Thursday this week. Parents will receive work that your child has completed or will complete with you. Please give yourself approximately 30 minutes over the week to complete the activities and review all the hard work that was sent home. By going over the package sent home, it will help to create a better understanding of what your child is accomplishing at school, and it will be a preparation for rich discussion at the three way conferences on November 1st and 2nd.

District News

Oct 20 Play Day

Community Schools Partnership is hosting a Play Day on Friday, October 20th at Seaquam Secondary School. The camp will run from 9am to 3pm and include Halloween-themed games, crafts and other activities! If you’re interested in registering or getting more information, please see the PDF Registration Form.

PlayDay Reg Form (Oct 20 2023)

In the link below, you will find a registration form for the program. Community school would like to emphasize that parents/guardians must register and pay online through Continuing Education (https://cimsweb.deltasd.bc.ca/publicconnect/DECourse.aspx).

PAC News

Please join the new PAC Facebook page to find out about school events.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/560598425983089/?ref=share&mibextid=NS MWBT

PAC Hot Lunch

PAC has updated the Munch a Lunch website and it is now open to select from four lunch dates in October through to January. Please keep in mind that each order will close the Wednesday the week before the date of the hot lunch. All orders must be paid in full in order to be processed.

New to Heath? Parents can register at http://munchalunch.com/schools/heath

Returning parents can login at http://munchalunch.com/login

If you would like to volunteer an hour of your day once or twice a month please email  heath.elementary.pac@gmail.com

October 26 – Hot Lunch (Fresh Slice Pizza). Orders close Wednesday, Oct. 18

November 23 – Hot Lunch (Whitest). Orders close Wednesday, Nov.15

December 21 – Hot Lunch (Cobbs). Orders close Wednesday, Dec. 13

School Calendar

Week of October 10th

I hope everyone enjoyed a long weekend with family and friends. 

New Intercom System at Front Door

We are very excited to inform you that we recently had a new intercom system installed at the front of the school.  When you are visiting, please ring the buzzer at the side of the front doors and we can let you in.

Dress for the Weather

We are approaching the time of year when it is cooler and can be very rainy. Just a reminder to make sure your children come to school dressed appropriately for playing outside at recess and lunchtime (e.g. boots, jacket, hat, gloves, etc.), and perhaps also pack an extra pair of socks and pants into their backpacks for really rainy days! In the case of extremely poor weather, a decision will be made by staff to designate the recess and/or lunch hour as an “in day”, which means that students are to stay inside and play quietly in their classrooms rather than venture outdoors. We refrain from doing this unless absolutely necessary, as the children need the opportunity to get out in the fresh air and be physically active before heading back into the classroom (and besides, rain is just a fact of life of our West Coast climate).

PAC News

PAC has a new Facebook Page!

A PAC Facebook page. “Heath Elementary PAC”, has been created and will go live to advertise PAC and school events. As this page is created for “Information Only”, any questions can be emailed directly to the PAC’s gmail account.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/560598425983089/?ref=share&mibextid=NS MWBT

PAC Hot Lunch

Families are once again able to order Hot Lunches, organized by our PAC. Please see below for a list of upcoming dates and vendors for Hot Lunches. All orders will close the Wednesday before the Hot Lunch delivery date. Hot Lunch orders are available at https://munchalunch.com/schools/heath/. Please make sure that your child is connected to the appropriate teacher/division before placing your orders. If you would like to volunteer an hour of your day once or twice a month please email  heath.elementary.pac@gmail.com

Hot Lunch Dates

October 26 – Hot Lunch (Fresh Slice Pizza). Orders close Wednesday, Oct. 18.

November 23 – Hot Lunch (Whitest). Orders close Wednesday, Nov.15

December 21 – Hot Lunch (Cobbs). Orders close Wednesday, Dec. 13

School Calendar

Week of October 3^rd

Thanksgiving

Canadian Thanksgiving will be held on Monday, October 9^th. Thanksgiving is a time for celebrating all the blessings of the past year and giving thanks to those who have helped us along the way.

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”—William Arthur Ward

On behalf of the staff at Heath Elementary, we wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving! We hope this weekend finds you with moments of gratitude and togetherness with family and friends. We all have so much to be thankful for.

World Teachers’ Day October 5

World Teachers’ Day is held annually on October 5^th to celebrate all teachers around the globe. The theme for 2023 is, “The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage”. Please join us in saying a huge, “Thank You!” to all the teachers at Heath who work so hard to inspire, guide and educate our students and make our school a great place to be.

New Intercom System at Front Door

We are very excited to inform you that we recently had a new intercom system installed at the front of the school.  When you are visiting, please ring the buzzer at the side of the front doors and we can let you in.

Student Photo Day 

Will take place on Tuesday, October 3^rd.  Here is some information from our photographer to help make sure the experience is successful for everyone. https://darbyphotos.com/tips-for-successful-portrait-session/

Dress for the Weather

We are approaching the time of year when it is cooler and can be very rainy. Just a reminder to make sure your children come to school dressed appropriately for playing outside at recess and lunchtime (e.g. boots, jacket, hat, gloves, etc.), and perhaps also pack an extra pair of socks and pants into their backpacks for really rainy days! In the case of extremely poor weather, a decision will be made by staff to designate the recess and/or lunch hour as an “in day”, which means that students are to stay inside and play quietly in their classrooms rather than venture outdoors. We refrain from doing this unless absolutely necessary, as the children need the opportunity to get out in the fresh air and be physically active before heading back into the classroom (and besides, rain is just a fact of life of our West Coast climate).

PAC News

Happy October Heath Families!

We are asking parents to please take a look at your munchalunch account and make sure that your child is connected to the appropriate teacher/division. You can do this by going to the munchalunch website and finding the “My Family” tab and clicking on “My Children”. https://munchalunch.com/schools/heath/

From there you can edit and confirm the appropriate teacher.

We are in need of volunteers to help with hot lunches! If you would like to volunteer an hour of your day once or twice a month please email  heath.elementary.pac@gmail.com

Diverse and Inclusive Delta Survey

The City of Delta is conducting a survey to better understand the unique needs and experiences of newcomer and racialized residents residing in Delta. If you are an immigrant or racialized community member who lives, works, plays in Delta, please take a survey. This survey will run for six weeks starting September 25, 2023, and should not take more than 15 minutes to complete. By participating in this survey you will have the option to be entered into a draw to win one of the five $50 gift cards to local businesses by entering your email and phone number. All information will be kept confidential.

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, Noor Bajaj at nbajaj@delta.ca(External link).

Access survey here: https://letstalk.delta.ca/inclusivedelta

School Calendar

Week of September 25, 2023

 Dear Heath Families,

It was fantastic to see so many families at our Open House on Thursday last week! We had a great turnout, and many parents were interested in joining our amazing PAC.

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day

September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a federal statutory holiday which gives the public a chance to recognize and commemorate the intergenerational harm that residential schools have caused to Indigenous families and communities, and to honour those who have been affected by this injustice.

September 30th is also Orange Shirt Day.

“The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. A discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation. A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected. Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on.”

(Orange Shirt Day https://orangeshirtday.org/ )

Orange Shirt Day invites Canadians to wear orange shirts on September 30th each year to honour survivors of Residential Schools, their families, and their communities.

As the school will be closed on this day, we will be acknowledging both days on Friday, September 29th.  Staff and students are encouraged to wear orange in remembrance and respect to the Indigenous children who were sent away to residential schools in Canada.

We are encouraging everyone to wear something orange on Friday and we will be holding an assembly.

Student Absences

It is very important to call the school when your child is absent. Our safe arrival program relies on knowing which students will be not attending EACH day they are absent.

When you need to record an absence, please call the main office number at 604-596-1508 and listen to the prompt that will lead you to the absence voicemail. This is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can leave an absence message any time.

Please remember to leave your child’s first AND last name, the division and/or teacher and the reason for the absence. Please indicate whether this absence is an illness-related absence.

We know that many parents choose to directly email the Teachers, but the office still needs to be called in the event that the Teacher is absent and does not let the office know.

Thank you for helping us keep our students safe!

Fraser Health: Welcome to Kindergarten

Please find a ‘Welcome to Kindergarten’ Brochure by clicking on the weblink.

Welcome to Kindergarten                                     Welcome to Kindergarten- Punjabi

News from Delta Continuing Education

Presented by Delta Police, Delta Fire & Emergency Services, the Corporation of Delta, and Delta School District’s Continuing Education program.

Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP)

Open to all community members

The Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program prepares you for a minimum of 72 hours following a disaster and teaches neighbours how to plan as a team to respond effectively during a disaster.

Delta Manor Education Centre (Ladner)

PD149              Wednesdays, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

6 sessions         Starts September 27                Fee: $20*

REGISTER:  http://connect37.deltasd.bc.ca

Delta Teaching Assistant Certificate Program 

Open to all community members

The Delta Teaching Assistant Certificate Program provides training needed to work as an Education Assistant, a valuable member of a team in the implementation of inclusive learning opportunities in K-12 schools. The intensive part-time program is offered over 10 months, through evening and Saturday classes and 6 weeks of full-time practicum experience.

Detailed information:  https://deltalearns.ca/dtac/

APPLICATION DEADLINE for January 2024 is September 30, 2023. 

Presented by Delta School District’s Continuing Education program.

Early Childhood Educator Assistant Certificate – Part-time

Open to all community members

This program meets the needs of those wanting to obtain an ECE Assistant Certificate while ensuring that they receive a thorough grounding in Early Childhood Education principles.  Program Start Date:  January 2024

More information:   https://deltalearns.ca/eceprogram/ 

Presented by Delta School District’s Continuing Education program as a Red Cross First Aid Training Partner.

First Aid for Opioid Poisoning Emergencies

Open to educators and community members

Become knowledgeable and confident in how to respond to an opioid poisoning emergency, including how to administer nasal naloxone.  Taught on-line, there is no cost for this course.   Duration:  approximately 60 minutes, completed at your own pace.

More information:   https://ce.deltasd.bc.ca/workplace-skills-and-first-aid/first-aid/first-aid-for-opioid-poisoning-emergencies/

PAC News

Please join us for the first PAC meeting on Wednesday, October 4 in the Heath Staff room at 6:30 pm.

School Calendar

September 18, 2023

 Dear Heath Families,

We had a terrific first full week of school which ended with our first assembly of the year to commemorate Terry Fox. Our students pushed themselves during the run and everyone had a great time.

Road Safety

Pick up times can be busy and we have limited parking around the school. Due to this, we encourage families to walk to and from school if possible. To help us continue to keep our students and staff safe during pick up and drop off time, parents can do the following:

• Keep our staff parking lot and front of the school clear of parent vehicles.
• Park only in the designated spots.
• The quick drop off/pick-up area is not for parking, please do not leave your vehicle
• Make sure your children are walking on designated walking paths while near the staff parking lot and not cutting through
• Follow all road signs to ensure you are parked safely and legally

Walk Your Wheels On The Playground – For the safety of everyone, please remind your children they must walk their bikes, scooters, skateboards etc when on the school grounds.

Stay Home When Sick

The COVID/cold/flu season has begun now that we are all together. To keep our school as healthy as possible for students and staff, the best defence we have is for people to stay home when not well.  All staff and students should check themselves for signs and symptoms of illness each day prior to arriving at school. Please remember to call the school and record an absence for each day your child will not be attending. Please remember to leave your child’s first and last name, the division and/or teacher and the reason for the absence.

Welcome Back Open House

Heath will be hosting a Welcome Back open house for the school community this Thursday from 5:00 – 6:00 pm. Please enter through the front doors and proceed to your child’s classroom. Intermediate families will spend a portion of the time in the classroom and then be a part of a presentation in the Multipurpose Room. We will have our multicultural worker, Ms. Dhaliwal, at the school to assist with any families in need.

Parent Connect – Permission is Required for Every Student

Even if you think you have already completed these steps, please log on and double-check …

Please log onto Parent Connect:

https:// web.deltasd.bc.ca//content/resources/for parents/parentconnect

Use your email account (this is the easiest way to get in) and password (if you have forgotten your password click on “forgot my password” and your password will be emailed to you). You must allow for ‘Pop Ups’ on your computer. You can then access all your children at the school. You will need to do this for each of your children attending Heath.

Please make sure all family demographics are up to date so that in the case of an emergency, the school can be in contact.  Any changes can be made by calling or bringing new information to the school office.

To add Emergency Release information, click on the light blue button “Emergency/Out of Prov/Other Contacts.”

Click on the “Select” button on the left side of the screen and add contact on the right side of the screen. Add no more than 3 names using type ER-Emergency Release and add 1 name using type OP-Out Of Province Contact.

Once you have completed your changes/additions to your child’s Emergency Release information click on the “Bulletin” tab on the screen and give your consent/permission to ALL of the following:

• Demographic Information up-to-date
• Emergency Release Information up-to-date
• Mac Computer Permission form
• Photographs/Video/Website Consent (in addition to returning the signed consent form)
• GAFE Permission – (Google Apps for Education)
• Walking Field Trip
• Outside Media Consent form

These show on two screens, once you have SAVED the first three the other one will show. Repeat for all children attending Chalmers.

When you log on to Parent Connect, please read the rules about outside media in schools. If you do NOT want your child involved with outside media activities, please print off the form to fill out.

Please take a few minutes to complete all these important forms as soon as possible. If you are having difficulty, please join us at the Open House for assistance. Make sure to check the accuracy of the email address you have given to the office as this will help with the process.

District Info

Diversecity Community Resources Society Bond to Literacy Program @ Hellings Elementary

Free program on Fridays from September 15 – December 4, 2023 from 12-2 pm for parents with children aged 3-5 years. An opportunity to work on skills to help your child get ready for Kindergarten with reading and motor skills. There will be Punjabi and Arabic support. Please see attachment (Bond to Literacy Program Flyer – Cohort 2.jpg) and consider sharing this flier with your parent community.

Strong Start

All district StrongStart (https://www.deltasd.bc.ca/programs/strong-start/)programs for children not yet in Kindergarten and their caregivers re-opened for families on Sept. 13. StrongStart facilitators were helping with Kindergarten welcome events at their school this week and are excited to be welcoming new and returning families to the program. No advance registration is required. Programs run 9-12 at Port Guichon, Heath, Chalmers, Jarvis, Hellings and McCloskey (MC also has an afternoon program from 1-4pm). Families are welcome to attend anytime during program hours but we always recommend that if families are attending for the first time that the drop in during the first half which is usually open play time.  BGC operates a similar program, Family Resource Centres (https://www.bgcbc.ca/counselling-support-services/early-years-services/), at Gibson Elementary and the Ladner ECD Hub. The Francophone school district operates the only Tsawwassen StrongStart (https://boisjoli.csf.bc.ca/services-petite-enfance/petite-enfance/garderie-et-pre-scolaire/)at Ecole du Bois-Joli.

POPARD 1-hour Family School Liaison workshops (FREE) – designed for parents & families of students with ASD, but school staff may also attend

• Sept 19 (330-430pm) or Sept 21 (12-1pm) Understanding the Individual Education Plan
• Sept 26 (330-430pm) or Sept 28 (12-1pm) Sharing an Autism Diagnosis and the Importance of Self-Advocacy

POPARD training events (and registration links) are posted on our website at https://autismoutreach.ca/upcoming-training-dates/ (we suggest bookmarking this page so it’s easier to find in the future).

Separation Anxiety Parent Resources

Materials to help parents with first time entry into school and return to school. Highlighting a topic or two in your newsletters can help parents with how to help their children. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1apP_EJZADq0yRpbsD-p81bDT8IjWTisI/view

Family Smart Workshop Series

October – December. Please see below website for more information, on topics, dates, times and registration information.

https://familysmart.ca/events/?utm_source=FamilySmart+Primary+List&utm_campaign=920d47b99c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_03_20_10_19_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-615bdb5c19-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

Day of Play

Community Schools Partnership is hosting a Play Day on Friday, September 22nd at North Delta Secondary School. The camp will run from 9am to 3pm and include Fall-themed games, crafts and other activities! If you’re interested in registering or getting more information, please see the PDF Registration Form or register through Continuing Education at (https://cimsweb.deltasd.bc.ca/publicconnect/DECourse.aspx)

PlayDay Reg Form (Sept 22 2023)

Science World

On Friday, September 22, admission to Science World is free for the Tech-Up Showcase. This event focuses on making STEAM subjects – science, technology, engineering, art & design, and math – accessible to everyone, regardless of your experience level. Please see the link for more information https://www.scienceworld.ca/event/tech-up-showcase/

School Calendar

September 11, 2023

Dear Heath Families:

Once again, I would like to welcome everyone to a new school year at Heath Elementary. I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer and that the first week of school was smooth.  A warm welcome is extended to our new families, both those in kindergarten and those with older children. We hope your children are settling into the school and that new friendships are already starting to form.  It has been wonderful to hear and feel the energy that is created when our classrooms and playgrounds are filled with the excited sounds of children playing and learning together.  Our students all seem to be enjoying being back at school and working with their teachers and friends.

All staff have been busy preparing for the new school year and are excited as we look forward to meeting and working with you on the learning adventure that lies ahead.

With students now in their permanent classes, we’d like to thank all of you for the patience you showed during the past week.  Students and parents are anxious to find out which teacher(s) their child will work with, and teachers are anxious to meet their students and begin teaching.  With that behind us now, I’m expecting the routines and procedures of the school year to be up and fully running in the days ahead.

I am truly looking forward to a great school year!

New Staff at Heath

While many of our staff are returning from last year, there are a number of new faces joining the team at Heath. Please join me in extending a welcome to the following new staff members:

• A. Yeung (Grade 6/7 Teacher)
• K. Stone (Kindergarten Teacher will job-share with Ms. Kaba)
• E. Sandberg (Grade 5/6 Teacher covering for Ms. Pahlad while on maternity leave)
• H. Savery (Learning Support Teacher)
• D. Sandhu (Child Youth Care Worker, CYCW)

School Organization

We start the year with 265 students spread into 11 divisions.  Staff are excited to get underway with a year filled with inspiring educational experiences, and we look forward to working together with you so we can have your children be the best that they can be!!

Terry Fox Run

The annual Terry Fox run will be held this Friday September 15^th @ 2:15 p.m.  As we have done in years past, we are encouraging students to bring in a “Toonie for Terry”.  Each toonie donated will get a draw ticket for a chance to win a Terry Fox T-shirt. If giving is feasible, we would like to continue to support cancer research and add to the legacy of Terry Fox.

Welcome Back Open House

Heath will be hosting a Welcome Back open house for the school community Thursday, Sept. 21st  from 5:00 – 6:00pm. Students and parents can see their new classroom meet their teachers. More information will follow soon.

Walk Your Wheels On The Playground – For the safety of everyone, please remind your children they must walk their bikes, scooters, skateboards etc when on the school grounds.

Communicable Disease Prevention:

The District Communicable Disease Plan is now posted on the District webpage here:

https://www.deltasd.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/DSD-Communicable-Disease-Prevention-Plan-September-6-2022.pdf

Health Check and Awareness

The formal COVID-19 Daily Health Check criteria and process that we have been following through the pandemic will no longer be used.  However, all staff and students should check themselves for signs and symptoms of illness each day prior to arriving at school.    Common symptoms of communicable disease include:

• fever or chills.
• stuffy or runny nose.
• sore throat.
• muscle or body aches.

This information is available on our District webpage here:  https://www.deltasd.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Sept-2022-Daily-Health-Check.pdf

Hand hygiene:  As we’ve learned over the past couple of years, frequent hand washing is an important part of our prevention strategy.   Encourage all staff and students to wash their hands frequently.   Hand sanitizer solution will continue to be provided to all schools and classrooms.

Cleaning and Disinfecting:    Frequently touched surfaces in schools will continue to be cleaned every day.   Supplies of disinfectant solution will also be distributed to each school for cleaning and disinfecting other items and surfaces as needed.

Snack, Lunch and Water Bottles

Please ensure that your child packs a snack, lunch, and water bottle daily, as access to our school building is still limited (i.e.please do not drop off lunch for your child at the office).

This year, we will have students pack out what was packed in their lunch.  That is, we will ask that whatever comes in your child’s lunch bag goes home in their lunch bag, including empty juice boxes and food wrappers. In this way, we will create far less garbage at school, and you will have a better idea of what your child is finishing for lunch.

Indoor Running Shoes

Our gym floor becomes very slippery and unsafe for students as a result of wearing outdoor shoes while participating in gym activities. We are asking, if possible, that all students Grades K-7 are provided with indoor shoes that are kept at school for indoor activities to help maintain a clean and safe environment.

Student Planners

Student planners will be distributed to students in grades 1-7, at a cost of $8.00 each.  Please have your child bring their payment to their classroom teacher so that they may get their planners as soon as possible.

School Supply List

Our school supplies list for the 2023-2024 school year can be found at the links below.   Now that classes are settled, teachers would appreciate school supplies being sent to school.

Supplies

Dressing for the Weather

Our students will be heading outside for recess and lunch throughout the school year. Please ensure that your child is dressed for the weather to go out to play. Please expect that kids will go out for recess and lunch, unless there is extreme weather.

School-Wide Medical Alert

Several of our students have life-threatening allergies to eggs, peanuts, nuts (cashews, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, Brazil nuts, pecans, macadamias), and sesame seeds. Exposure to even tiny amounts of nut particles – residue on a desk, a book, a door handle, a computer keyboard, or a drinking fountain – may be enough to trigger a reaction. Please help us create a safe environment for them by keeping foods containing eggs, nuts, peanuts, and sesame seeds at home. Several companies are now making nut-free snacks and we encourage you to look for these new products when shopping. Other names for peanuts and other nuts include: arachide, arachis oil, beer nuts, goober nuts, goober peas, ground nuts, kernels, mandelonas, nut meals, valencias, anacardium nuts, calisson, marzipan, pinion, Queensland nut (macadamia). Label reading is the key to sending safe, egg-free and nut-free foods to school. Please do your part to ensure our school environment is a safe one for all our students. THANK YOU!!

Administration of Medication

Schools are required to maintain a safe procedure for dispensing medications. We would like to have information regarding medication administration within the first two weeks of school. If your child is required to take medication at school, please request a Request for Administration of Medication at School form from the office. These forms must be completed each year and are required to be signed by your physician.

Parent Connect

Updating Family Information Using the Parent Connect System

The Delta School District’s Parent Connect program is a piece of online software that provides parents with the ability to update personal family information and monitor your child’s school records and attendance.

The following forms are posted to Parent Connect for you to review and authorize (mandatory annually):

1. Google Apps for Education (for grades 4-7 only)
2. Family Demographic Information
3. Emergency Release Information
4. Outside Media In Schools
5. Personal Information Consent
6. Walking Field Trips

If you have forgotten your password, just click on the “forgot my password” icon and you will receive your password via e-mail. Instructions on accessing and navigating Parent Connect can be found on our school website under the Parent Community tab and at this link:

Parent Connect Information

Please contact the school office if you have any questions regarding the use of the Parent Connect program.

Dress Guidelines

As you are likely aware, Heath Elementary is no longer following the traditional school model.  As a result, school uniforms are no longer required.  We are instead following a general dress guidelines for students.  The guidelines will follow these general elements:

• consider the weather and dress appropriately including proper outerwear. Students should be prepared for any kind of outdoor activity, including emergency evacuations.  Please plan wisely.
• Ensure that clothing is respectful of self and others.
• Cleanliness and hygiene are important.
• Dress in a manner which reflects purpose and propriety

To be more specific, we want to maintain an age-appropriate dress guideline for all grades, respectful of the learning environment.

Helpful Suggestions for a Successful School Year

Here are some suggestions that will be helpful in establishing school routines and will make this year the most successful one yet for your child!

Read Together – Children who read at home with their parents are more successful in school. Show your children that you view reading as an important activity by keeping lots of reading material around the house and set aside time each evening for reading. Also, model reading yourself.

Establish A Daily Family Routine – Set a specific quiet time and place every day for homework or general reading. While you should be actively involved in your child’s homework routine, let them do the actual work. Other helpful routines involve assigning responsibilities for household chores, being firm about times to get up and go to bed (most children require about 10 hours of sleep per night) and have dinner together whenever possible. Don’t forget about the importance of a healthy breakfast and lunch to ensure your child has the energy needed to make it through the day productively.

Talk Together – Find some time each day to ask your child about school. Ask specific questions that will require explanations. Not only will this provide you with an overview of what your child is learning each day but explaining their learning to you will heighten their understanding of their lessons.

Home-School Relationship – The importance of a strong home-school relationship cannot be overstated. Get to know your child’s teacher(s) and what they expect. Let them know you will reinforce the importance of schoolwork at home and keep them informed of important things happening in your family that may be affecting your child at school. Make sure your child knows that you are interested in their school. This will send the message that what they are doing is important.

Have High, But Realistic Goals – Make sure you set goals with your child that are achievable, but not too easy for their age, maturity, and ability. Don’t forget to celebrate when these goals are achieved.

PAC News

The Heath PAC is an opportunity for parents and guardians to partner with their child’s school and contribute to the school community. The PAC is created for parents to have a voice in matters affecting the school including programs, policies, activities, and the overall community. PACs also enhance the school experience through events and fundraising for resources such as field trips, guest speakers, music, technology and library and gym equipment beyond district and provincial funding.

Stay up to date with all the PAC information by joining the PAC’s Facebook page here https://he.deltasd.bc.ca/parent-community/pac/ .

To contact a PAC member please email  heath.elementary.pac@gmail.com

Looking forward to a great year!

School Calendar