Posted: February 11, 2024

Families of Shortreed,
We hope you had a great week and weekend (sorry, Niners fans!). I loved seeing and hearing the excitement with Club Wednesday last week… especially as kids left the school and shared about it with their parents/caregivers.
I also loved seeing our students and staff embrace Lunar New Year this past week. For those who celebrated Lunar New Year this weekend, we hope you had a wonderful time!
- Chúc mừng năm mới – Vietnamese Lunar New Year
- Gōngxǐ fācái or Kung Hei Fat Choi – Chinese Lunar New Year
- Saehae Bok Mani Badeuseyo – Korean Lunar New Year
This week is Valentine’s Day (a time to be extra caring and kind) and Have a Heart Day (a time to reflect, discuss, and push for equity in ALL schools in Canada). We also have a Pro-D Day on Friday, so most Shortreed staff will gather at RE Mountain Secondary for a day of learning. Next Monday is Family Day, so there will be no school that day. A reminder that, at Shortreed, to help maintain a more inclusive community, we place more emphasis on Family Day (and less emphasis on Mother’s and Father’s Days later in the year). We hope you have a lovely time with your family next weekend!
A reminder that Spirit Wear orders can be made through School Cash Online (please check your emails). To view more details of the options, please click here.
As always, we want to acknowledge that we do our important work to ensure every child belongs on the unceded ancestral territories of the Màthxwi (Matsqui) First Nation. We acknowledge this to honour the land and the people and share our commitment to learning. As I write this letter, I am watching the opening ceremonies of the All Native Basketball Tournament (In Prince Rupert). It has become a tradition for me to watch these ceremonies (while I write the newsletter), and I am always so moved by the shared drumming, dancing, and powerful words. It is a reminder to me of how resilient Indigenous People have been and how, even through horrific attempts to remove their culture (through residential schools, potlatch laws, 60s scoop, etc), the culture and traditions remain strong. I am so thankful to see the culture of the Màthxwi People proud and present in students in our school.. and we are honoured to nurture the gifts on this land.
This week’s Good Things will feature a few of the classes that were missed last week as well as some of the school-wide events.
Good Things to Talk About
The Lion Dance Returns! A group of dedicated students participated in the Lion Dance through our hallways and classrooms on Friday to honour and celebrate Lunar New Year. Our kids absolutely love seeing this, and you can feel the excitement throughout our building. Thank you to Ms. Choi and our ELL team for leading and organizing this!
A Lunar New Year Feast – There is a tradition at Shortreed in which many of the Vietnamese families in our community cook and prepare lunch for our staff. We are incredibly honoured and grateful for this each year. We absolutely loved the delicious food this year and want to make sure the families know how much it is appreciated!
Korean Lunar New Year – Ms. Choi spent some time with a student in Mrs. Datema’s class (also from Korea) to proudly teach the class about Lunar New Year celebrations, beliefs, and traditions from Korea.
Valentine’s for Seniors – Mrs. Kirk has continued the tradition of asking our classes to make Valentine’s cards for local seniors. Classes who chose to participate wrote some kind words and designed beautiful cards. Mostat’s class created cute ladybugs and bees to be shared with some important members of the Aldergrove community.
Big Improvement – Our grade 5 Eagles’ basketball team showed some awesome improvements this past week in their game against one of the teams from Langley Fundamental Elementary. It was LFES’ first game so it was great to see the teams competing with each other in such a healthy manner. The team hosts Douglas Park on Monday and travels to Nicomekl on Tuesday.
Full Hearts and Tummies – One of the most important roles that our Aboriginal Support Worker, Ms. Elson, has is to create the conditions for Indigenous students to feel a sense of belonging and pride in the culture and ancestry at school. Last week, Ms. Elson and a student in Ms. Cheema’s class proudly shared some traditions and teachings as they read a story to the class and then made delicious bannock for the class to enjoy.
Club Wednesdays are On! Our staff and a few community volunteers offered 24 different clubs for our students to either focus on a strength or explore an interest/talent. I am so proud of this tradition and love seeing the excitement of our students (and staff) during the clubs.
The Year of the Dragon – With this year being the Year of the Dragon, students in Ms. Johnson’s class learned about Lunar New Year and then made their own colourful dragons.
Introducing Instruments – Mrs. Muller has introduced the recorder to some of our intermediate classes to help students learn to read music and (for most of the students) play their first musical instrument. The recorder is a cost-efficient way to dip their toes into this new world of music.
Making a Wish – Ms. Fournier’s class read The Wishing Tree by Roseanne Thong, a story focused on family and gratitude during Lunar New Year. The students then made their own heartfelt wishes to hang on the tree. Please stop by the class and take a look at the bulletin board and all their wishes.
Little Explorers – Miss Petersen’s class headed to the forest for fun exploration! We are so thankful to have this small piece of land for our kids to explore in nature safely. Earlier in the week, students made their own snowflakes out of loose parts (and they each had to have six sides)… we loved seeing the colourful creativity they showed.
The Week Ahead
Monday – Blueberry orders due; BC Lions Energy Assembly; Gr. 5 Basketball vs Douglas Park 3:00
Tuesday – Gr. 5 Basketball practice 7:45 and game at Nicomekl 3:00
Wednesday – Have a Heart Day; Valentine’s Day; Club Wednesday #2 1:15
Friday – Pro-D Day (no school for students)
Month at a Glance
Monday, Feb 19 – Family Day – schools closed
Tuesday, Feb 20 – Gr. 5 Basketball at Parkside 3:00
Wednesday, Feb 21 – Club Wednesday 1:15, PAC Treat Day
Thursday, Feb 22 – Spirit Day – Crazy Headwear Day
Friday, Feb 23 – Lockdown Drill 1:00
Monday, Feb 26 – Design and Assessment Day (no school for students)
Tuesday, Feb 27 – Gr. 5 Basketball at Simonds 3:00; Respect and Diversity Week
Wednesday, Feb 28 – Club Wednesday 1:15; Pink Shirt Day
Friday, March 1 – Aboriginal Program Spring Into Wellness Family Gathering at HD Stafford 5:00
Monday, March 4 – Gr. 6 Basketball vs Uplands 3:00
Wednesday, March 6 – Early dismissal at 12:33 for SIC
Thursday, March 7 – SIC Day/Evening – students do not attend class so conferences can occur.
Friday, March 8 – Hot lunch/treat day (Cobs)
Monday, March 11 – Jump Rope For Heart Week (in PE classes); Gr. 5 Basketball Scrimmage
Wednesday, March 13 – Gr. 5 Basketball Playday at ACSS 3:00; Last day for SIC
Friday, March 15 – Spirit Day – Mismatched Socks Day; last day before Spring Break
Click this link to download a list of the important dates in the district for 2023-2024.
PAC Info
PAC Meeting minutes from Feb 9 meeting are here.
Hot Lunch orders for Spring and Summer are now open at munchalunch.com! Lunch options include Chopped Leaf, Tim Bits, Brick Alley Bistro and more! Hot lunch is a fundraiser for the PAC to keep fun things going at the school! Some purchase prices on food has gone up and PAC has done our best to keep prices as low as we can.
- Returning Parents: Sign in at munchalunch.com/login
- New Families: Visit munchalunch.com/schools/Shortreed and click on the “Register Here” button and follow the instructions. Once your account has been created you can add your child(ren) to your account. You will need their teacher and division #.
Information and Reminders
- Please note that we have had a significant increase in students requesting snacks at school. The snacks given out at our Eagles Nest are designed to be for students who cannot afford snacks, have forgotten snacks, or, on the odd day, may need a bit more food. Students in these situations are welcome to use the snacks program. We also have a fruit and veggie program that is also available.
- Our breakfast program is up and running! Please register by clicking this link.
- Friday Dance Sessions! Does your grade 2-5 child love to move? Come to the gym at 7:45 on the last and first Fridays of the month to learn Bhangra, line dance, and other forms of dance!
” I dance to bring meaning, to bring possibility, and to bring inspiration to others. I dance because it makes me whole, so would you like to try some dance moves with me on Friday mornings!” - If you are in need of boots and/or a coat, please check out our free Boot and Coat exchange near the office and gym. If you cannot find something there, please contact Mr. Wejr.
Attendance/Absence – 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 emailing SCEAttendance@sd35.bc.ca or calling 604-856-4167.
- Our school parking lot is closed between 8:15-9:00 and 2:00-2:45 (other than daycare, buses, and vehicles for people with a disability). The church across the street graciously allows us to use their parking lot for pick-up and drop-off so please park there or along 28th Ave. Do not park in the “no parking” (coned) areas along the yellow curbs. No u-turns.
- West Coast Recess – As we have done over the past few years, every day is an outside day at Shortreed. Unless there is a severe rainstorm (or snowstorm), we will be heading outside. Please make sure your child has a coat to wear outside. We have a good selection of coats in our FREE Coat Exchange near the office, so come by and check them out.
- Not Feeling Well? If your child has cold or flu-like symptoms, please keep them home until they have improved and they are well enough to attend school. This will help keep our staff and students as healthy as possible.
Community Events and Information
Check out events and activities around Langley by clicking on the Community Bulletin Board.



Langley Thunder Box Lacrosse registration is now open for the 2024 season. More info at https://www.langleythunder.ca/.