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!
Please continue reading below the “Upcoming Reminders” sections for information on Upcoming Clubs and Events.
Library – One School, One Book
Please complete the below link regarding One School, One Book. As an incentive, completed surveys will have their name automatically enter into a draw to win one of five books.
Free Parent/Caregiver Workshops
See attached flyers for more information.
What age level are the workshops targeting?
Parents with Children of any age can take these courses! Anger CPR and Emotional Adaptability are great for everyone. Parents with kids at all levels would benefit. Circle of Security is truly attachment based, and the philosophy throughout the program is “it's never too late” and “you didn’t know what you didn’t know, before you knew it.” So really, all levels can register!
Circle of Security
Dates: Wednesdays – April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & May 14, 21, 28
9:30am-11:30am at Neighborhood Learning Center – 46361 Yale Rd.
A research and relationship-based program that takes much of the guess work out of being a caregiver; improving confidence in recognizing your child's emotional, relational needs; and providing information to help interpret your child's behaviours. Child-minding provided
Emotional Adaptability
Dates: Wednesdays – April 16, 23, 30
6:00pm – 8:00pm at Chilliwack Community Services #100 – 46187 Yale Rd.
When we mix our emotions with the experience of others, with updated wisdom about our past stories, and upgraded skills, we become more comfortable and more confident with emotional complexity. In this workshop we explore and re-establish friendly relations with our kids and our big emotions: Joy, Fear, Sadness, Anger, Shame, and Curiosity. Child-minding provided.
Anger CPR
Dates: Wednesdays – May 21, 28 & June 4
6:00pm – 8:00pm at Chilliwack Community Services #100 – 46187 Yale Rd.
Gain awareness of the emotional roots to anger, the difference between anger and aggression, and the steps that take us from frustrated to furious or adaptation. Discover useable ideas about taming tantrums and minimizing meltdowns, yours, and your child’s. Child-minding provided.
FamilySmart is excited to share our newest "In the Know" online workshop Explosive Behaviour in Teens: Strategies to Empower Families!
Please see attached jpg and pdf. We would truly appreciate you sharing these events on your social media to connect your families who may benefit from this topic and our support.
Whether you are currently caring for teens, teens-to-be or their parents/caregivers, explosive behaviours are a common struggle. Discover with us as therapist Kirk Shields-Priddy from the Fraser Health START Program explains some causes of explosive behaviour and strategies that support parents and teens. Register on our EVENTS page.
March 5 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
March 11 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
March 12 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
March 25 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Coming up next in April...Parenting When Anxiety Shows Up As Anger.
Weekly Reminders: March 31 – April 4
Monday, March 31
Schools Re-open
World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraiser is Over
Please send in your money & any remaining chocolate bars
Little Mountain Greenhouse Fundraiser Starts
Orders Due: Monday, April 14th
Order Pick-up: May 1st from 2:00-3:00pm
Information attached
Popcorn Order Forms for April to June will be sent home this week.
Order forms are due April 17
Tuesday, April 1
Chilliwack Middle School Presentation for Grade 5 Students
Chilliwack Student Garden Program – Registration Opens
Register online using the electronic application form on the website: https://chilliwackstudents.wixsite.com/home
Thursday, April 3
Class & Team Photo Day
Friday, April 4
Popcorn Day
For students that pre-ordered
Upcoming Reminders:
April 7
Summer Learning Registration Opens @ 7:00am
April 9
CMS – Grade 5 Parent Night (6:00pm @ CMS)
April 11
Spirit Day – Wacky Hair Day
April 17
Hot Lunch – McDonald’s
Popcorn Orders are Due
April 18
Good Friday (All Schools are Closed)
April 21
Easter Monday (All Schools are Closed)
April 22
CMS Gym Blast Field Trip – Grade 5’s
April 24
Popcorn Day
For students that pre-ordered.
If you did not pre-order and would like to order for the remainer of this session (April-June), 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.
Neufeld Farms Fundraiser Starts
Orders Due: May 12
Order Pick-up: May 21 @ 2:30pm
April 25
Non-Instructional Day (All Schools are Closed)
April 28
Our flags will be at Half Mast for the following reason:
Worker’s Mourning Day
April 29
PAC Meeting @ 7:00pm
All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.
May 1
Little Mountain Greenhouse Order
Pick-up 2:00-3:00pm
May 2
Popcorn Day
For students that pre-ordered.
If you did not pre-order and would like to order for the remainer of this session (April-June), 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.
Milk days are:
April 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th, May 7th, 14th
Hot Lunch days:
March 13th ~ Shandhar Hut
April 17th ~ McDonalds
Returning Parents:
https://munchalunch.com/login
New Parents:
https://munchalunch.com/schools/Strathcona
PAC On-going Bottle Drive
To help raise funds for new technology for our students the Strathcona PAC has opened an account at the Return-it Express bottle depot. If you are wanting to donate your returns to our technology fund, all you need to do is bag your returnables into a blue or clear plastic bag (please avoid pull string top bags as they get caught in the machines) and drop off at the express window at ANY Return-it depot and give them the schools phone number. 604-792-9301.
This account will be open indefinitely, and all funds raised will go back to our students. This is also a great way to have your out-of-town family help support your student as well. This account (phone number) can be given at any Return-it express center throughout BC!!
Don’t have time to drop off your holiday empties? Let us do it! We will have some PAC volunteers at the front of the school both before and after school on January 6th and 7th, standing ready to collect your bags of returnables. Again, all donations will go directly to our technology fund to help go towards the purchase of a classroom set of iPads.
**** 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.