Student Safety Alert – Early Arrivals
Parents,
Please note, we have had an increase in unhoused individuals being on school grounds in the morning. Our Custodial Staff does complete a site check each morning to ensure the safety our students.
Please do not allow your children to come to school prior to 8:10am unless there are coming to attend breakfast club which opens at 8:10am. Supervision does not start until 8:10am. Thank you!
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.
MUNCHALUNCH.....
If you are new this year to Strathcona, you will have to create an account using the link provided for new parents (which is also posted on the school website).
If you have any issues, questions, or would like to help out on those days, please feel free to contact Tammy at strathconahotlunches@gmail.com
Paper order forms can be picked up at the office.
Milk days are:
October 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th
November 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th
December 3rd, 10th and 17th
Hot Lunch days:
October 16th ~ Fresh Slice
November 6th ~ Safeway
December 4th ~ SinAmen
Returning Parents:
https://munchalunch.com/login
New Parents:
https://munchalunch.com/schools/Strathcona
Attachments:
· - Chilliwack Family Resource Fair - October 15 (Flyer Attached)
Diwali Celebration
Dear Strathcona families, we will be celebrating Diwali as a school this year on Friday, October 17th, 2025. We encourage students, who have and would like to dress up in traditional clothing on this day. Families are welcome to send a snack and/or sweets for their child's class to share. If you have any ideas and would like to contribute to our celebration, please send an email to anuradha_ramlu@sd33.bc.ca or touch base with your child's classroom teacher.
Action Required!
Field Trip Form
· Please sign into your child’s Quickpay Account SD33 QUICKPAY and complete the online permission form for “Walking Field Trips”. Without this form being completed, your child will not be able to attend community-based field trips with their class, for walking trips like, but not limited to, Fairfield Island Park.
School Fees
· Student Fees have now been added to your child’s Quickpay Account and Statements were emailed out on Wednesday through Student Quickpay.
· All student fees are to be paid online using the Quickpay Portal SD33 QUICKPAY, if you are not able to make your payment via the Quickpay Portal, please contact me at sheryl_picco@sd33.bc.ca to make other arrangements.
· Payments were due October 1, 2025. If needed, please contact the office regarding payment plan options.
PAC News:
· The Community Values Coupon Book Fundraiser has started.
o Each family will receive one book to sell or purchase at the cost of $35.00.
o If you do not wish to sell or purchase the book, please return it to the school on Monday.
o Please note: Families are responsible for submitting the $35.00 for the purchase of the book or returning the book in a sellable condition.
o Books can be previewed at: ABBOTSFORD-CHILLIWACK-MISSION-2025-2026
Weekly Reminders: October 13 – October 17
Monday, October 13
· Thanksgiving (All Schools are Closed)
Tuesday, October 14
· Community Values Coupon Book
o Fundraiser ended on Tuesday, October 7th
o Please return money $35 or unsold book today
§ Invoices will be sent home for any books not returned
§ Prizes will not be distributed to students until all books are accounted for
Wednesday, October 15
· Popcorn Orders are Due by 2:30pm
· Chilliwack Family Resource Fair (flyer attached)
o 5:00-8:00pm
o Chilliwack Secondary / NLC (46363 Yale Road)
Thursday, October 16
· Hot Lunch (Fresh Slice Pizza)
· Photo retake booking cutoff
o If your child missed the first photo day or need a retake
o Click Here to sign up.
Friday, October 17
· Diwali Celebration
· Popcorn Day (for students that pre-ordered)
Upcoming Reminders:
October 20 (New Date)
· Student Photo Retake Day
October 21 (New Date)
· PAC Meeting @ 7:00pm (MPR)
o All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.
October 23
· Early Dismissal @ 11:24am
· Home Alone Course 11:45-3:45pm – Multi-Purpose Room (for students that registered)
October 24
· Non-Instructional Day – All Schools are Closed
October 31
· Spirit Day – Costumes or Orange & Black Day
November 3
· Non-Instructional Day (All Schools are Closed)
November 5
· Be An All-Star Presentation 1:00-2:00pm
November 6
· Hot Lunch - Safeway
November 7
· Remembrance Day Assembly 10:00am – Parents are welcome to attend
o Do you have a family member that has served?
§ Would you like to supply a photo and write up for your family member to be acknowledge during our Remembrance Day Assembly? Please submit to Mr. Kotanko at michael_kotanko@sd33.bc.ca by Friday, October 31st.
· Popcorn Day
o For students that pre-ordered.
o If you did not pre-order and would like to order for the remainder of this session (Nov.-Jan.), 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.
November 10
· Non-Instructional Day (All Schools are Closed)
November 11
· Remembrance Day (All Schools are Closed)
November 14
· Neufeld Farms Fundraiser Starts
o Orders Due – Dec. 1st at midnight
o Order Pick-up – Dec. 11th at 2:30pm
November 21
· Popcorn Day
o For students that pre-ordered.
o If you did not pre-order and would like to order for the remainder of this session (Nov.-Jan.), 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 1
· Neufeld Farms Fundraiser Closes
· Deck the Halls
· Spirit Day – Red & Green Day
Strong Start
Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 8:30-11:30am.
To register: https://sd33.bc.ca/registration
Lice Checks
It’s that time of year! We’ve had some cases of lice in a few classrooms. Please do regular lice checks. If you find lice, please treat your child before having them return to school and notify the office or classroom teacher. Once treated, your child can return. Please be sure to continue with the nit picking so new lice don’t continue to hatch and retreat on day 10.
Moving?
We are starting to work on classroom configurations for next year. If your child will not be returning to Strathcona in September, please let the office know as soon as possible, either by replying to this email or calling the office at 604-792-9301. Thank you!
Kindergarten?
Do you have a child that will be turning 5 years old before December 31, 2025? 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.