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:


•    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.

Parking Lot Safety Reminders

  1. Please only park in designated parking areas when dropping off and picking up students.

  2. School Staff parking spots are not available to be used for pick-up and drop off, even if they are available when you arrive. We have district level staff who use these parking spots at all times throughout the day.

  3. Please enter from the East end of the parking lot and exit from the West end of the parking lot only.

  4. Please always use Crosswalks!

Staffing Update

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Bestwick to our staff for the school year.  She will be teaching our Division 7, Grade 1/2 split.  Ms. Bestwick has been teaching this class since opening day. 

Weekly Reminders: September 16-20

Monday, September 16

  • Kindergarten Full Days Start

  • Terry Fox Coin Drive – Nickels

  • Popcorn Sales Open Today – Send $1.00 for Popcorn on Friday

Tuesday, September 17

  • Terry Fox Coin Drive – Dimes

  • Popcorn Sales Open Today – Send $1.00 for Popcorn on Friday

Wednesday, September 18

  • Terry Fox Coin Drive – Quarters

  • Popcorn Sales Close Today at 9:00am – Send $1.00 for Popcorn on Friday

  • Open House 5-6:30pm 

    • Teacher Meet & Greet Gr. 1 – 5 (5:00-5:30pm)

    • BBQ by Donation (5:30-6:30pm)

Thursday, September 19

  • Terry Fox Coin Drive - Loonies

Friday, September 20

  • Spirit Day – Wear Red

  • Popcorn Day (By Pre-Order Monday-Wednesday Only)

  • Terry Fox Coin Drive – Toonies

  • Terry Fox Assembly 10am 

  • Terry Fox Run 1:00pm

  • Munchalunch Hot Lunch Ordering Closes @ 3pm – paper orders and @ midnight for online orders – No exceptions!

 

Munchalunch (Hot Lunch Ordering)

The Munchalunch ordering session for October, November & December will be opening next week and will close on Friday, September 20.    Watch for updates on the “Strathcona PAC Group” Facebook page.

If you are new 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: strathconahotlunches@gmail.com😊

Returning Parents:

https://munchalunch.com/login

New Parents:

https://munchalunch.com/schools/Strathcona

 

Upcoming dates:

 

September 23

  • Bus Evacuation Drill Gr. 1-5 @ 9:00am

September 24

September 27

  • Non-Instructional Day – All Schools are Closed

September 30

  • National Day for Truth & Reconciliation – All Schools are Closed

October 4

  • Popcorn Day

October 7

  • Mountain West Family Photos  (watch for more information)

October 8

  • Mountain West Family Photos (watch for more information)

October 10 

  • Hot Lunch – Fresh Slice Pizza

October 14

  • Thanksgiving – All Schools are Closed

October 17

  • Popcorn Day

October 18

  • Early Dismissal 11:24am

October 22

  • Photo Retakes

October 25

  • Non-Instructional Day – All Schools are Closed

October 29

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

    • All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. 

October 31

  • Spirit Day – Costumes 

    • Please no costumes with weapons, gore or masks.

    • Students must be able to move and use the washroom independently in their costumes. 

    • Classroom teachers will provide specific information regarding Hallowe’en celebrations in their classroom. 

**** 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.