Posted: May 4, 2025

Families of Shortreed,

May The 4th Be With You! We hope you had a lovely weekend and enjoyed some of the sunshine.

This week is Education Week, “it’s a time to celebrate the importance of education and recognize the contributions of educators and support staff.” We are so thankful for the ongoing, incredible dedication and care of Shortreed staff to have a positive impact on the life of every Shortreed student.

Our grade 3-5 track meet is on Friday from 9-12. Not only is this a fun event for our kids with some healthy competitions, but it is also one of the ways we use to determine who moves on to the 2025 Regional Track Meet on May 22. The 400m and 800m races will occur on Monday and Tuesday (respectively) at 12:00.

Talent Show forms are due tomorrow (Monday), and PAC hot lunch is on Wednesday. Informal Learning Updates (Term 3) are sent home on Friday.

As always, we want to acknowledge that we do our important work to ensure every child belongs on the unceded ancestral and traditional lands of the Màthxwi (Matsqui) First Nation. We acknowledge this to honour the land and the people and share our commitment to learning on our journey for Truth and Reconciliation. Tomorrow (May 5) is Red Dress Day and an important day of learning and reflection for all of us. It is a day to learning about the inequities, biases, and discriminatory practices that have caused so many Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2 Spirited People to be missing with fewer resources used and less media exposure given to aid in the determination of their whereabouts. Jaime Black shares on her Red Dress Project website that she “hopes to draw attention to the gendered and racialized nature of violent crimes against Aboriginal women and to evoke a presence through the marking of absence.” At Shortreed, some of our grade 5s learn about this in an age-appropriate manner, while staff members learn more about MMIWG2S through books, articles, and videos. We learn this to ensure that we all work to create change in how Indigenous women are treated and how we work to lessen the number of MMIWG2S in Canada. We hope you can join us in learning and working to create positive change on Red Dress Day 2025. 

Our grade 5s visited the stunning Orpheum Theatre with Mrs. Muller and their teachers to watch the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. They learned how songs are made for soundtracks and had a chance to listen to some music from the VSO with a focus on soundtracks. What an opportunity for our kids!

Our grade 4s had a chance to visit the National Historic Site of Fort Langley last week. They visited and learned about daily life in the 1800s, as well as some Indigenous stories and teachings from a Kwantlen Elder.

Club Wednesdays is back! We had our term 2 CW’s this past week as students had a chance to explore areas of interest, strength, and curiosity. Thank you to staff for their extra efforts in making this happen for our students again this term!

Mr. Wejr and Mrs. Tarasoff answered the challenge of their nomination from Mr. Powell (BGMS) in the USC Speak Your Mind Ice Bucket Challenge. A few students dumped buckets of cold water on their heads before they nominated Mrs. Wilk and Ms. Kidd from Parkside to accept the challenge. Be sure to check out the video on social media.

Today is May the 4th and Star Wars Day, but Shortreed students participated on Friday. Students brought their lightsabers and staff, and students wore their Star Wars gear to have some fun. Ms. Gostelow’s students wore Yoda ears to celebrate the day.

Classes have been practicing for the track meet this week in events like sprints, long jump, and shot put. Students have also been training during lunch times with our track coaches.

The Week Ahead

Monday – Talent Show forms due; National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (stated in calendar so that adults can be aware and learn more)
Wednesday – PAC Hot Lunch (McDonald’s); Club Wednesday Day 2
Friday – Shortreed Gr. 3-5 Track Meet 9-12; Informal Learning Updates sent home

Month at a Glance:

Tuesday, May 13 – PAC Meeting (AGM) 7:00
Wednesday, May 14 – Kindergarten Welcome Event 12:45-4 (early dismissal for current K’s)
Thursday, May 15 – BGMS Grade 6 Band performs 1:00
Friday, May 16 – Pro-D Day (no school for students)
Monday, May 19 – Victoria Day (schools closed)
Tuesday, May 20 – Quinn Beasley assembly 1:00
Wednesday, May 21 – PAC Treat Day (TCBY); Club Wednesday #3
Thursday, May 22 – Grade 3-5 Regional Track Meet at McLeod Stadium
Friday, May 23 – PAC Fun Fair 3:30-7:30
Wednesday, May 28 – Club Wednesday #4
Thursday, May 29 – Agri-Kids
Friday, May 30 – Shortreed’s Got Talent 12:45
Mon-Fri, June 2-6 – Bike/Roll to School Week
Monday, June 2 – Grade 5s visit BGMS
Wednesday, June 4 – PAC Popcorn Day, Fire Drill 11:00
Friday, June 6 – PAC Meeting 9am; KIUAN Dance Performance 1:15

Information and Reminders

• Youth Vaping Information (from Fraser Health) 

  Health, safety, and wellness continue to be a priority in our schools. To help support our students and families, we are sharing important information from our community partner Fraser Health about youth vaping. Please see below for helpful reminders to support your child. Vaping is popular among youth. Daily or near-daily use can increase the risk of mental and physical health harm.

  In 2023, 26 per cent of youth in grades seven-12 in British Columbia reported having vaped. The most commonly reported age B.C. youth tried their first vape was 13.

  How to Support Youth to Prevent, Delay or Reduce Vaping

  Be supportive and expect that there may be setbacks. Here are some ways you can be a role model and offer support:

  • Have open conversations about vaping. Try to understand their beliefs and see where you can offer facts that may help them better understand the risks.
  • If you use tobacco, cannabis or vaping products yourself, be honest with your child about the risks and any regrets, difficulties and health effects resulting from your experience.
  • Talk with your child about ways they might be able to refuse vaping in a way that makes them comfortable.
  • If you vape, try quitting or reducing vaping for your own health and the health of your children. If you want to quit smoking or vaping, contact Quit Now for supports.
  • If you vape, do not vape around your children to avoid exposing them to second-hand vapour.
  • Keep vapour products out of reach of children and youth.
  • Tip sheet for parents: Talking with your teen about vaping

  Learn more about vaping products:  Youth and Vaping – Fraser Health Authority

  More information about child and youth substance use, including services, programs and resources available for children and youth:  Substance use in children and youth – Fraser Health Authority

• Summer Sessions at Parkside! If you are interested in some free summer sessions for your child this summer, please go to https://www.sd35.bc.ca/schools/summer-session/ to register.

• Strive for FIVE Days (or Less) – Attendance is crucial to your child’s learning as it helps with academics, social-emotional well-being, and peer connections. We understand children get sick, but please send them to school as many days as possible and strive for FIVE or fewer!

• 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 and state the following information:

  • Student First Name and Last Name
  • Grade
  • Division
  • Length of Absence
  • Reason (illness, late, appointment, vacation)
• If your family needs support for breakfast before school, our breakfast program runs from 8:20-8:35 each day. Students must register and come every school day.
• 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.
• Please bring inside shoes for your child. This helps to keep our school clean and dry. If you need some help with shoes, check out our FREE Shoe and Boot Exchange at the office.

PAC Info

2025 – 2026 PAC Executive Team nominations is open! ​

Community Events and Information

Click here to check out the Langley School District’s community bulletin board.

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Parkside – JB4 (Just Be Four) Preschool Program Registration Information

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For families seeking help to support their teens’ transition into adulthood, especially those with neurodiverse teens.

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Free Swim Lesson Opportunity for Students – Inspired Swim’s Making Waves Program

The Langley School District Foundation is excited to announce a new partnership with Inspired Swim, a leading provider of private swim instruction. This initiative is designed to make water safety education more accessible to families in our district. 

Through Inspired Swim’s Making Waves Program, Inspired Swim will provide free swim lessons to students who may not otherwise have access. 

Parents can apply for free lessons using the form linked here: [Apply Here] 

Thank you for helping make water safety accessible to all children in our community! 

 For more details, visit www.inspiredswim.com or contact zach@inspiredswim.com

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International Student Program Homestay Families

Embark on a rewarding journey of cultural exchange! The District is seeking homestay families to host International Student Program (ISP) students for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond. There are many benefits including learning a new culture, sharing your family traditions, and developing life-long friendships. Homestay families are provided $1200 per month to offset costs. Start your journey here: https://www.studyinlangley.com/student-life/