Principal’s Message - Douglas Park Community School

A number of weeks ago we changed the schedule for our outside recess and lunch times due to a substantial number of behaviour issues on the playground and field. Currently half the school is outside for recess between 10:00-10:15 and the other half is outside from 10:20-10:35. At lunch the first group is outside from 12:05-12:20 and the second group is outside from 12:25-12:40. Each group eats lunch while the other is outside. Staff on supervision have noted that this has made a significant difference in the frequency and severity of behaviour problems.

At this point we plan to continue with this plan.

Monthly Assemblies

At the end of each month we will have a school assembly. This is an opportunity to recognize students who demonstrate the behaviour and values that we are promoting in our building (i.e.: self-control, kindness, compassion, perseverance). Our assemblies will also include a slideshow, sharing the great things our students have been doing during the past month. Parents are welcome and encouraged to join us for this monthly assembly.

Remembrance Day Assembly

We will be holding our Remembrance Day assembly on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 10:45. We invite all parents to join us for this important assembly.

Pokemon and Toys

Many students have been bringing Pokemon cards and other small toys to school. Recently this has led to many issues with unfair trades and students’ belongings going missing. At this time, Pokemon cards and other toys are no longer allowed at school. If students have these items to use after school they must remain in their backpacks during the school day (unless they are part of scheduled sharing time in the classroom). We appreciate the support of families in helping their child(ren) follow this expectation.

Lost & Found

There are a number of items in our lost & found – please stop by to check if any items belong to your child. Our lost & found is located just outside the office in the library hallway.

Langley DPAC

DPAC News Subscription Now Available http://langleydpac.ca/contact/

WHAT IS ANXIETY AND HOW DO WE HELP?

A Workshop for Parents and Caregivers November 15th, 2017 from 6pm to 8pm Yorkson Creek Middle School Please register at: Anxiety Workshop Registration This presentation aims to assist people in understanding the root causes of anxiety and anxiety-based coping behavior. Using a good deal of humor and real-life stories, Ted’s goal is to make science of anxiety accessible and relatable. He also wants to make it applicable, so that attendees should not only leave the presentation with more knowledge, but with more concrete tools to put that knowledge into action. Ted Leavitt is a registered clinical counsellor and program manager of Langley Youth and Family Services. He specializes in aggressive behavior, anxiety, addictive behavior, and ADHD, among other issues. Focusing on psychoeducation, Ted’s approach is all about increasing understanding of the underlying biological machinery that drives behavior and emotion instead of focusing on temporary solutions. Armed with this knowledge and awareness, expectations fall in line with capacity, and real progress can begin. @counselorted | connectivitycounselling.com

September 19, 2017
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Dear families,

It has been a pleasure getting to know the community of Douglas Park. During the past 2 weeks teachers have been working with their classes to teach and practice routines and expectations. Students are settling into their new classes and we are looking forward to a year of fun and learning.

As always, please feel free to drop by the office to share any concerns or questions or to just say “hi”; communication between home and school is vital to student success and I welcome your input.

For school updates check the website at: https://douglaspark.sd35.bc.ca/ and follow us on Twitter @DCPEDragons.

Mrs. D Wilk,

Principal

We are still in the midst of hiring a Grade 3/4 teacher and hope to have someone in the position by next week. Below is the current list of our staff:

Division 1 Grade 5 Ms. Younger

Division 2 Grade 4/5 Ms. Watkins

Division 3 Grade 4/5 Mr. Marazzi

Division 4 Grade 3/4 TBD

Division 5 Grade 3 Mr. Shaver

Division 6 Grade 2 Ms. Datema

Division 7 Grade 2 Mrs. Treleaven

Division 8 Grade 1 Ms. McFarland

Division 9 Grade 1 Ms. Evans

Division 10 Kindergarten Ms. Goulet

Division 11 Kindergarten Ms. Bowkett

Division 12 Kindergarten Mrs. Manhas

Vice Principal Mr. Dorland

Learning Commons Mrs. Jones

Resource Mrs. Pabla

Counsellor Ms. Rushka

PE Mrs. Peterson

ELL Teacher Mrs. Scovell

ELL Teacher Ms. Li

Instructional Coach Ms. Johnson

Aboriginal Support Worker Ms. Mucullough

Youth Care Worker Ms. Allen

SEA Ms. Birkhiem

SEA Ms. Buchanan

SEA Ms. Burns

SEA Ms. Callard

SEA Ms. Haak

SEA Ms. Hayes

SEA Ms. Hysert

SEA Mrs Kilvert

SEA Ms. Neufeld

SEA Mrs. Sutherland

Library Tech Ms. Haire

Multicultural Worker Ms. Devadas

SWIS Ms. Alhamdoni

SWIS Ms. Kavanagh

SWIS Ms. Naji

Community Coordinator Mr. Hendy

Custodian Ms. Vidal

Custodian Ms. Howard

Meet the Teacher – Monday, September 25, 2017

Please join us for BBQ dinner from 5:00-6:00. Teachers will then be available in their classrooms from 6:00-7:00 for a “Meet and Greet”. We hope you will drop in to touch base and meet your child’s teacher.

Volunteers

If you, or someone you know, would like to support the school, there are many opportunities through the Parent Advisory Council (PAC), the Breakfast Club ,and the Read to Me program. Not only is this help much needed, your volunteering at school lets your child know just how important school is to you.

SAVE THE DATE

Mon, Sept 18 Breakfast Program Opens
Where: Boys & Girls Club portable
Time: opens at 7:30 – 8:25
Students can enjoy a FREE nutritious breakfast – registration is not required

Wed, Sept209 Practice Fire Drill

Fri, Sept 22 Terry Fox Run

Dismissal – 11:40 – School Improvement Afternoon

Mon, Sept 25 Meet the Teacher (BBQ-5:00; classroom visit 6:00-7:00)

Fri, Sept 29 Orange Shirt Day – wear an orange shirt to school, if you have, to honour the children who attended residential schools in Canada

PAC Meeting – Parents please consider supporting our school through our Parent Advisory Council. The first meeting of the year will be on Friday, September 29 at 8:45 at the school.

Mon, Oct 2 Picture Day – come to school wearing a smile as it is Picture Day; notices will go home later this month which are to be filled out and returned with your child on Picture Day

Fri, Oct 6 No School – Curriculum Implementation Day

IMPORTANT ALLERGY NOTICE

No LATEX products are permitted on the premises (balloons, toys, balls, elastic bands, bandaids, etc.) due to a life-threatening allergy of one of our students. Also, please note that if you are bringing food items to your classroom for sharing, all food items MUST NOT CONTAIN NUTS as several students are allergic if ingested.

VERIFICAITON FORMS

Verification forms have been sent home. Please update your information and send back to the school If you would like to receive weekly e-mail with calendar events, please include a current email and Douglas Days will be sent directly to you. If you wish, the calendar is now updated and will continue to be updated with school-wide events. Please check out the calendar at:

LOST AND FOUND ITEMS

Check the lost and found rack for anything that may be yours and take home. You will find the rack in the hallway outside the office.

CLOTHING ROOM

Many thanks for all of the donations and to all who helped with their time and energy to support our efforts to provide good clothing and footwear for our children. The clothing room has served its purpose and is now closed. Please see the list below of local options to further support your efforts in caring for your child.

A huge thank you to Mrs. Collette MacDougall for all of her help with the Clothing Room!

Value Village – 20501 56th Ave

Penny Pincher Thrift Shop – 20560 Fraser Hwy

Army & Navy – Langley Mall – 5501 204 St #100

The Bay – Willowbrook Mall

Sears – Willowbrook Mall

Walmart – 20202 66 Ave

Carter’s – 20202 66 Ave

OshKosh B’Gosh – 20202 66 Ave

CODE OF CONDUCT/DRESS GUIDELINES

Please find the District Code of Conduct and Dress Guidelines located on the website. It is helpful to review these with your child so that we can work together to support their learning.

DONATIONS

Thank you to the Douglas Park Community for all the donations that have come pouring in over the past few weeks. If you have a donation to contribute to the school, please come during the designated drop off time on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. If you would like an alternate time, please contact the school Principal to arrange a drop off time.

DPAC GENERAL MEETING – SEPTEMBER 21

In recognition and support of Langley’s Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement, the DPAC is pleased to open the year with a traditional Aboriginal Drumming and Blanket Exercise acknowledging the traditional territories of Kwantlen, Katzie, Matsqui and Semiahmoo First Nations. Please join us for this special event.

DPAC General Meetings are held in the Boardroom at the Langley School Board Office (4875 222 Street) beginning at 7pm and are open to ALL parents. Please see our website for more details: www.langleydpac.ca

SCHOOLS OF CHOICE

Families applying for first year entry into any choice program for September 2018 will need to apply online. The online application system opens at 12:00PM (noon) Monday, October 2, 2017 and closes 12:00PM (noon), Monday, October 16, 2017.

On December 8, 2015, the Board of Education adopted changes to Policy 5084 (Application to Enter Choice Programs). Important information outlining these changes may be found here, underPrograms & Initiatives, Programs of Choice.

These programs include:

Early French Immersion (Kindergarten – Belmont, James Kennedy)
Late French Immersion (Grade 6 – Alex Hope, Noel Booth, Betty Gilbert)
Montessori (Kindergarten – Uplands)
Fine Arts (Kindergarten – Langley Fine Arts)
Fundamental (Kindergarten – Coghlan, Langley Fundamental Elementary)
U-Connect (Kindergarten – Simonds)
Outdoor Education (K-3 – Fort Langley)

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

Please check the School District Community Bulletin Board at: https://www.sd35.bc.ca/news-events/community-bulletin-board/

for information about events happening in Langley.

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September 8, 2017
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Dear Parents/Guardians,

It has been a busy, but positive first week at Douglas Park. It has been a pleasure to start getting to know the students and some of the families. We are looking forward to a great year!

Please read this message from the district regarding class placements:

The District appreciates your understanding while District staff and school-based administrators work to create permanent classes. The complexity of changes in enrolment and staffing placements has resulted in delays in some of our elementary class placements. Staff are working to ensure students are placed in appropriate classes by Monday, September 11, 2017.

On Monday morning, please bring your child(ren) to the room they were during the first week of school. For Monday, you will also pick them up from this room.

We will move into our permanent classes later in the morning and students will come home with information about their teacher and classroom so that you will know where to drop off and pick up starting on Tuesday morning.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we start up a new school year!

Mrs. Diana Wilk
Principal, Douglas Park Community School

September 1, 2017
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Hello,

Welcome back to our staff, students and families and a warm welcome to our new families to the Douglas Park community. I am very excited to be joining the Douglas Park community and look forward to getting to know all the students and families over the next week or so.

I have worked as a teacher and administrator in the Langley School District for over 25 years and I am passionate about creating school communities where everyone belongs and learns together. I live in Langley with my husband, two teenagers and our pet dog, Lila.

I look forward to working with all of you to have a positive school year – please feel free to drop into the office to share any concerns, ask any questions or to introduce yourself!

We are looking forward to a successful first week back to school!

Mrs. Diana Wilk
Principal, Douglas Park Community School

First Day of School
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Our first day of school is Tuesday, September 5. School starts at 8:40. Returning students will meet at the back of the school on the blacktop and gather in grade groups (teachers will have signs to indicate where to meet). Students will then be led into the gym for a brief assembly and then move into grade groups for the remainder of the week. We will dismiss from the blacktop area at 10:10.

All new students and families please come through the front door and meet in the library to meet with Mr. Dorland, our new vice principal. After a short talk he will take the new students into the gym for the assembly. Following the assembly he will take the new students for a tour of the school. New students will be dismissed with all returning students at 10:10 at the blacktop.

Students will come home on Tuesday with information on where to go for drop off and pick up for the rest of the week until class lists are finalized.

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