Absence Reporting:

To enhance our existing absence-checking procedure, we are introducing a new, more efficient student absence reporting system called SafeArrival. This new system will reduce the time it takes to verify student attendance, make it easy for you to report your child’s absence and easy for staff to respond to unexplained student absences.


With SafeArrival, you are asked to report your child’s absence in advance using any of these 3 convenient methods:


1) Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or from the links at https://www.sd33.bc.ca/safe-arrival ). The first time you use the app, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence.


2) Use the SafeArrival website, https://www.sd33.bc.ca/safe-arrival. The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence.


3) Call the toll-free number 1-833-698-6567 to report an absence using the automated phone system.


These options are available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. Future absences can be reported at any time.

Parking Lot Safety Reminders


•    Please Do Not park in staff designated parking spots, please use visitor parking or park on side streets. 

•    Do Not park and leave your vehicle in the drop off / pick up lane.

•    Have child(ren) exit the car as quickly as possible from the curbside of the car.  

•    Please Do Not hold up traffic in the drop off zone by having extended good-byes etc. 

•    Do Not drop off or pick up before your car has reached the designated zone.

•    Please use the crosswalks.

Strong Start

Open Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 8:30-11:30am.  

To register:  https://sd33.bc.ca/registration

 

Student Fees

Statements have been sent out to families that have not paid their student fees.  Please pay as soon as possible. Please contact the office if you need to set up a payment plan.  Thank you!

Neufeld Farms Fundraiser is now open:

https://app.neufeldfarms.ca/fundraising/2024-strathcona-elementary-6ea19cf762/ref/em

All About “K” Event  - Flyer Attached

This event is open to all families who have children entering Kindergarten for September 2025 in the Chilliwack School District. Although we are hosting the events at Robertson & Vedder Elementary, your child can be registered at any Chilliwack Elementary School. 
Please join us at one of our 2 events happening at Robertson Elementary and Vedder Elementary. Join us for snacks, crafts, activities, help with K registration and a time to ask general questions about Kindergarten.  All About K – sign up here.

Vedder Elementary: Monday November 25th 11:45am-1:30pm
Robertson Elementary: Friday November 29th 11:45am-1:30pm
 

If you are not registered for Kindergarten yet, we can help! Please bring the following items with you:

  1. a valid email address

  2. photo or scan showing proof of child's age and citizenship (birth certificate, passport...)

  3. photo or scan showing proof of residency (utility bill with your name...)

  4. photo or scan showing parent's proof of citizenship (I.D., passport...)

  5. immigration and employment information if a temporary resident in BC


*Younger siblings are welcome to join, please note that guardians are required to supervise their children at this event.

Sockvember

During November, grade 4 and 5 students are leading a service-learning project called Sockvember. Sockvember invites you to donate new unused socks, toiletries, and essential items to support our local homeless community through the colder months. Donations can be brought to school and dropped off in the library. The collected items will be donated to Ruth and Naiomi's outreach teams.

Needed items:

  • Socks

  • Toothbrushes

  • Underwear

  • Wipes

  • Menstrual products

  • Body wash

  • Lotion

  • Shampoo

  • Deodorant

 

Upcoming Reminders:

November 25

  • Neufeld Farms Fundraiser Orders are Due Today.

November 26

  • PAC Meeting @ 7:00pm (Multi-Purpose Room) 

    • All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. 

November 29

  • Spirit Day – Beach Theme

  • Popcorn Day 

    • For students that pre-ordered.

    • If you did not pre-order and would like to order for the remainer of this session (Nov. to Jan. 10), you can stop by the office to pick-up a pre-order envelope.  We will not be collecting orders each popcorn week in the classroom. 

December 2

  • Spirit Day – Red & Green Day

  • Food Drive Starts

  • Neufeld Farms Fundraiser pick-up @ 2:30pm

December 6

  • Spirit Day – Christmas Hats

December 6

Flags at Half Mast

Our flags will be at Half Mast starting on Friday morning and until Monday morning for the following reason:

  • Friday, December 6 – Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women

December 10

  • Christmas Concert Dress Rehearsal

December 11

  • Christmas Concert 

    • Concerts will be at 1pm & 6pm 

      • More details to follow regarding tickets

December 12

  • Hot Lunch – Sin Amen

December 13

  • Spirit Day – Christmas Sweaters

  • Popcorn Day 

    • For students that pre-ordered.

    • If you did not pre-order and would like to order for the remainer of this session (Dec. to Jan. 10), you can stop by the office to pick-up a pre-order envelope.  We will not be collecting orders each popcorn week in the classroom. 

  • Report Cards Home

December 16 

  • Lost & Found on Display  

    • Please stop by and check the Lost and Found before Christmas Break.  All items have been set-up on tables by the Multi-Purpose Room for easy viewing.  Items can be claimed from the tables. All remaining items will be packed up at 2:30pm on Friday, December 20, and donated to charity. 

December 17

  • Annual Student Pancake Breakfast

December 18

  • Annual Christmas Sale 

    • All students will have the opportunity to shop for someone special to them. 

      • Item’s will be sold for $1.00

December 20

  • Spirit Day – PJ Day

  • Last Day of Classes before Christmas Breakfast 

    • Last chance to check Lost & Found!

**** Reminder:

  • The school does not provide cutlery to students.  Please either pack lunch items that don’t require cutlery or send cutlery from home with their lunch.  Thank you!

  • Strathcona equipment (hockey sticks, balls, holla hoops etc) is not available for after school use.  We have this in place to reduce equipment loss and damage. 

    Thank you for your support.

Kindergarten?

Do you have a child that will be turning 5 years old before December 31, 2024?  Please register at: https://sd33.vivosforms.com/Home 

Playground Supervision:

Starts at 8:09am, please do not send your child(ren) prior to this time unless they are supervised by an adult or going to Breakfast Club.

Indoor Shoes: 

All students are required to have clean indoor shoes to wear while inside their classroom & gym.  This is especially important since the wet weather has arrived.

Outdoor Attire:

Please ensure that your child has appropriate outerwear for the Winter weather. Students will go out for play periods, even when it’s raining, snowing, windy or chilly. Please make sure your child arrives to school with a warm jacket and proper footwear (particularly boots on rainy & snowy days), and on colder days remember to send mitts and toques as well. The school will only have inside play periods when it rains or snows heavily, is too icy out or we are experiencing extreme cold temperatures. Getting fresh air and some physical activity is an important part of their day…rain or shine!

             

Reminder to all Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,

Our school grounds are an Idle Free Zone.  Please turn your vehicles off while waiting for your child(ren) in the parking lot and pick-up lane.  Concerns have also been brought forward regarding vehicles on neighbouring streets being left running unattended while dropping students off.  For the safety of students, we ask that you turn your vehicles off while leaving your vehicle unattended.    Thank you for your cooperation.