Brackendale Elementary

Just a few things that you might want or need to know before we return to the school office on August 26th, 2019:

• The School Office is closed from July 5th through August 26th, 2019.  The school will not accept student registrations during this period.  Registration will re-open on Monday, August 26th at 8:30am.  Forms and other registration information are available here.
• Tuesday, September 3
  • 8:50am – 10:00am – School reopens with a Welcome Ceremony for students in Grades 1-6
• Kindergarten Gradual Entry for the 2019-2020 School Year
  • Tuesday, September 3 – Non-instructional day for Kindergarten students
  • Wednesday, September 4 – Small group learning for approximately 1 hour
  • Thursday, September 5 – Larger group learning for approximately 2 hours
  • Friday, September 6 – – Larger group learning for approximately 1 hour
  • Monday, September 9 – Whole group learning for the morning
  • Tuesday, September 10 – Whole group learning for the morning
  • Wednesday, September 11 – Whole group learning – all day Kindergarten begins!
  • In the last week of August, you will receive your child’s individual schedule with precise dates and times for their gradual entry.
• Bell Schedule for September 2019 – June 2020
  • 8:50am – Warning Bell
  • 8:55am – School Begins
  • 10:45am – Recess (15 minutes)
  • 11:00am – Classes Resume
  • 12:10pm – Lunch (students go outdoors)
  • 12:45pm – Warning Bell (students return to each lunch)
  • 1:05pm – Classes Resume
  • 3:00pm – Dismissal
• Student Supplies – find information about the new process here

Brackendale Elementary is part of an amazing community!  We see examples of connection with the greater community every day – here are just a few:

• A warm thank you to the BC Ambulance Service and particularly Brackendale parents Gillian Naish and Kim Rousseau for the recent visit by an ambulance and crew – the students were very excited to get to see how an ambulance works and to hear about your jobs.
• Amy Reid from Helping Hands was pleased to accept a cheque from Kai , Ruan and Miller for the money they raised with the Science Fair earlier this year. Helping Hands Society will put the funds toward furnishings and supplies for their new building.
• Ms. Mah and students Cam, Ruan, Miller and Gautam (Rohan was unable to attend) met with the manager of the Squamish Adventure Centre this week to present copies of their Wildfire Safety brochures and the infographics they created as part of their Wildfire Inquiry Project.
• The Cartoon Club, sponsored by Ms. Mah, produced a number of cartoon booklets to be given to the Squamish Hospital for children to read in their waiting room.
• Dorian created and sold original artwork in support of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
• The Grade 6 parents and students created and installed this year’s stepping stones.

New for 2019-2020

This year, to make families’ lives easier, reduce our environmental impact and save you some money, parents/guardians have the option of purchasing school supplies through the school at a reduced cost of $50 per student.  All the supplies your child will need for the year will then be ordered by classroom teachers.

By reducing and reusing resources, we can reduce our environmental impact and pass cost savings on to families.  If you have participated in the PAC school supply program, you will realize an average savings of  $7.50/child on the standard school supply pack. Here are two payment options:

Pay through the School Fees Online system. You will receive an automatic receipt via email.

https://sd48seatosky.schoolcashonline.com/

Pay by cash or cheque at the school office ($50 per student).  The office provides receipts upon request.

You may still choose to purchase school supplies on your own.  Please refer to the School Supplies Lists on our website https://sd48brackendale.org/supply-lists/ .

Our Kindergarten Orientation for little ones joining us in September takes place on Tuesday, June 11^th from 3:30 – 4:30pm.  If someone in your house is turning 5 in 2019 we hope you will bring them to this fun introduction to Brackendale Elementary.

Brackendale Choir has had another amazing year! To thank them, there will be a cake party on Wednesday, June 12 at noon.  Ms. Moo will have gluten-free cookies available. If your child has other dietary restrictions, please send them with a suitable treat so that they can share the celebration in the music room!

Where would we be without our wonderful volunteers?  We celebrate all our volunteers with our annual Volunteer Tea on Thursday, June 13 from 2:00 – 3:00pm. Your contributions to our school family are very much appreciated.

Field trip of the week:  Alice Lake on Friday, June 14 from 9:00am – 1:30pm for Mrs. Stroh, Mr. Fieldhouse, Mrs. Webb and Mrs. Fieldhouse’s classes.

Thank you to all who participated in our Bike to School Week – we had well over 200 riders over the week who rode an estimated 3366 km’s!  That’s about 2/3 of our student population!  We also had great staff support with 10 riders, several of whom rode 4 or 5 of the days this week.  Great job, Brackendale!

All of the classes (and some students from other schools) were able to experience Mr. Grantham’s grade 5/6 class musical CANADA.HOCKEY.HEROES over the week – what an amazing job the students did in writing, staging and performing this wonderful show!  Many thanks to Mr. Grantham, Ms Murakami, Ms. Saenger and everyone who helped to make the show a great success.

Our students competed this week in the District Track and Field Meet and the 2nd District Mountain Bike race – it’s a busy time of year and we appreciate all the parent and staff support it takes to make these exciting experiences happen.

Next week is Soccer Week in Gym at Brackendale – thanks so much to the PAC for providing this opportunity.

Friday, June 7^th is Sports Day!  Activities will take place through the morning and family members are welcome to come and watch.  Colour teams are assigned by class – this year’s colours are:

• Red – Wong and Lum/Ahmelich
• Blue – Webb and Johnston
• Yellow – S. Fieldhouse and Smith
• Green – Johnson and Zigar
• Orange- Borsoff and Fanzega
• Purple – J. Fieldhouse and Stroh
• White & Black – Jorgensen and Grantham

Next Week is Bike to School Week!  Ride your bike, scooter, take the bus or walk to school and be counted (don’t forget your helmet!)

Our school panorama photo (postponed due to weather today) is rescheduled for Monday, May 27^th at 9:30am.

District Track and Field Meet – May 28 and 29 from 3:30 – 6pm.  Students in Grades 4 – 6 sign up in the front hall.  We are in need of parent volunteers – please contact the office if you can help.

Mr. Grantham’s grade 5/6 class presents their musical CANADA.HOCKEY.HEROES.

How are the three words Canada, hockey and heroes all linked? The names Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky might come to mind, but our class is going to explore a little further and find who the real heroes are in our country. You might be surprised as to what is revealed.

If you like hockey, Canada or heroes, come to be entertained by our singing, dancing and acting. We guarantee you will leave our show inspired.

Wednesday, May 29^th 11:00 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.

Thursday, May 30^th 12:40 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Brackendale Elementary Gym

Friday is Hot Lunch day for those who ordered.

Our school panorama photo (postponed due to weather last month) is rescheduled for Friday, May 24^th at 9:30am.

District Track and Field Meet – May 28 and 29 from 3:30 – 6pm.  Students in Grades 4 – 6 sign up in the front hall.  We are in need of parent volunteers – please contact the office if you can help.

Don Ross Grade 6 Family BBQ – Wednesday, May 29^th from 5-7pm – next year’s Grade 7’s and their families are welcome to attend this informal gathering.

This is a very busy time at Brackendale Elementary – please make sure you include these important events in your calendar:

• May 23 Bike Rodeo – bring your bike and helmet
• May 24 Panorama Photo – 9:30am
• May 24 Beach Party Dance at noon
• May 27 – 31 Bike to School Week
• May 28 Track and Field Meet – Don Ross Middle School 3-6pm – Gr 4 – 6
• May 29 Hockey.Heroes performance – 11:00am and 1:15pm
• May 29 Track and Field Meet – Don Ross Middle School 3-6pm – Gr 4 – 6
• May 30 Hockey.Heroes performance – Noon & 7:00pm
• May 31 Hot Lunch
• June 3 – 7 Soccer Week presented by SYSA and the PAC
• June 7 Sports Day (am)
• June 13 Volunteer Tea – 2pm – RSVP to the office