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.
One school, One Book
Knighthood for Beginners - Audio Link
https://library.mrclister.org/
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 10-14
Sunday, March 9
Spring Forward 1 Hour – Daylight Savings Ends
March 10-14
Lost & Found on Display
Please check the lost & found items before leaving for Spring Break. All remaining items at 2:30pm on Friday, March 14, will be packed up and donated to charity.
Wednesday, March 12
World’s Finest Chocolate Sale Ends Today
Please return money and any unsold bars.
Thursday, March 13
Hot Lunch – Shandhar Hut
Summer Learning Catalogue Published
Registration Opens on April 7, 2025 @ 7:00am
Friday, March 14
Spirit Day – Green Day
Upcoming Reminders:
March 17 – March 28
Spring Break
March 31
Schools Reopen
Little Mountain Greenhouse Fundraiser Starts
April 3
Class Photo Day
April 4
Popcorn Day
For students that pre-ordered.
April 7
Summer Learning Registration Opens @ 7:00am
April 9
CMS – Gr. 5 Parent Night at 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
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.