Thunder News Flash – March 5, 2022

The Public Health Officer in BC, Dr. Henry, has set March 15th as the next date for reviewing the Public Health Orders related to COVID-19.  If there are changes that affect schools, in conjunction with the BCCDC and the Ministry of Education, the Guidelines for K-12 Schools would then be updated.  As such, our school’s Communicable Disease Plan will be revised at that time.  In the meantime, it is still very important to do the following: 

• complete a daily health check with your child – click here to see the most up-to-date information regarding this
• monitor your children regularly for symptoms of illness – if they are sick, they should stay home.  Please click here for information about testing for COVID-19
• follow all of the provincial restrictions that are currently in place – please click here for the latest information
• ensure your children are wearing a mask when they enter the school each morning, unless exempt
• seek reputable sources of information about COVID-19, such as the BCCDC, including how to protect yourself, your family and your community, and what to do if you suspect you have the virus by clicking here

With Spring Break coming soon, it is also important to know that entry guidelines to Canada after travel have been revised, and the latest information can be found by clicking here.

Please click here to read a very important newsletter from Dr. Zbar, the Medical Health Officer for Fraser Health, regarding childhood vaccinations.

Our drop off/pick up procedures are well established and going fairly smoothly, although a few reminders are needed:

• if you have someone new dropping off or picking up your children, please let them know what the procedures are at the school – we have had some people pulling out to pass or coming into the lot the wrong way as it is their first time picking up or dropping off, and they are simply unaware of the procedures
• if you are using the drop off or pick up lane, parents should not be getting out of their vehicle – if your child needs extra assistance we have a very large parking lot, with lots of empty spaces every morning and afternoon.  Parents are encouraged to park if your child needs that additional help
• please pull up as far as you can in the drop off/pick up lane – please do not stop your vehicle across from the Church doors, unless there is a line of vehicles stopped in front of you
• as always, please be patient and kind to those in front of you

The Income Tax Receipts for tuition paid during the 2021 calendar year were mailed home to families on February 28th.  Please note that these are used as a charitable donation for income tax purposes, and not as tuition.

We have done some early spring cleaning in the Library, and have a number of books that have been removed from circulation.  On Tuesday, March 8th we will have the books available for sale after school, by donation.  If you or your child are interested, they will be on tables in the main hallway of the school for you to have a look.

Our next early dismissal day for our monthly staff meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 9th.  As always, the students should bring a snack and lunch to school that day, and they will be dismissed at 12:55pm.

Irish music has been flowing from the Gym as Mrs. Ni Lorcain teaches the students Irish dancing.  To celebrate this learning, and the great saint, St. Patrick, we will be celebrating all things Irish on Thursday, March 10th.  This will be a dress down day for all students who can display a “touch of the Irish” – dress in green, or be really creative and come as a leprechaun, or even dress as St. Patrick!  Each class will be recorded, and a video shared with the parents in the class after Spring Break.  Let’s make this a great day!!

The next Work Bee will take place at the school today, Saturday, March 5th from 9:00am – 2:00pm.  This is a great way for parents to accumulate 5 hours towards their Parent Participation commitment.  Please complete a daily health check before coming to the Work Bee, and stay home if you are feeling unwell.  Please also ensure that you are wearing a mask when you arrive at the school, and that you bring gloves for both inside and outside work, as well as any small, cordless gardening tools you are able to bring.  Your work around the school, both inside and outside, is much appreciated.

We would like to freshen up the inside entrance area of our school with a fresh coat of paint, and it would be ideal if this could take place over Spring Break.  We need help with removing pictures from the walls, filling holes, moving furniture, painting, and then putting everything back in place.  If you are in need of Parent Participation hours, are available during Spring Break, and this sounds like something you are able to do, please email the school by clicking here.  Your assistance with this would be most appreciated.

Spring Break will take place from March 14th – 25th, with the last day of school being Friday, March 11th.  This will be a full day of school.  School will then reopen on Monday, March 28th.

The return of our Re-Registration Packages was very successful last week.  Please note that your child’s completed Re-Registration Package needs to be returned to the school no later than March 10th in order to pay the reduced registration fee, and guarantee their spot in the school for next year.  

We would like to introduce our biggest fundraiser of the year:  Zumbation 2022, which will be held on Friday, May 6th!

This year we will once again have a Prize Raffle for the Zumbathon Prizes.  Students earn 1 raffle ticket for every $10 that they personally raise in pledges.  The students can then use these raffle tickets to put into the prize raffle of their choice. 

The PFA has already started asking many businesses to donate prizes.  We are also asking the school families and businesses if they would consider donating a new item or cash to purchase a prize, so that we have a variety of prizes for all ages and interests.  If you are interested in donating a prize, please contact Nicola Humphreys by clicking here.  Thank you for your consideration!

We look forward to sharing more information about Zumbathon with you after Spring Break, including what specific project we will be raising funds for this year!