Thunder News Flash – October 31-November 4

Hot Lunch order forms went home on October 27th with the oldest or only child in your family.  Please note that the forms must be returned with payment on Friday, November 4th by 2:40pm.  Unfortunately no late orders can be accepted.

As you know, on Monday, October 31st we will be allowing students to come to school dressed in their Halloween costumes.  We are looking for students to come to school dressed in creative costumes, or costumes that highlight a hero, career, fairy tale character, etc.  Students may not be dressed in costumes that are scary, violent, or show any kind of blood or gore, and masks are not allowed.  In the afternoon the students will be watching Monsters, Inc., which is a “G” rated Disney movie that Focus on the Family states has many positive elements.  The students will also be provided with a small treat to enjoy with the movie.  However, please note that students may not include Halloween candy and chocolates in their lunch or recess snack after Halloween – save these for a special treat at home! 

After Halloween, students and parents are encouraged to sort through the candy that they have collected, and donate the extras to NightShift Ministries.  We will be collecting this extra candy at the school from November 1st – 4th in each classroom.  NightShift Ministries gives this candy to the homeless in the Whalley area of Surrey.  Your donations will be much appreciated!

It has come to our attention that things can be very chaotic in the parent parking lot, and the drop off/pick up lane before and after school.  Many parents are coming in through the exit gate, which is causing problems as cars are trying to leave.  Please note that traffic flows in one direction only through the lot – enter the lot through the west gate and drive east through the lot.  If you are using the drop off/pick lane either in the morning or afternoon you may not park your vehicle and get out to meet your child.  Please remain in your vehicle, and watch the traffic as it moves through this lane.  If the car or cars in front of you leave the lane, please pull your vehicle up as far as you can as sometimes the line up of traffic backs up into the regular lot and blocks cars that are trying to leave.  If you often have friends or relatives drop off or pick up your children, please make sure that you tell them about the rules and routines of our parking lot.  

On Thursday, November 24th we will have our first term Parent/Teacher Interviews from 1:00pm – 8:00pm.  Please be advised that there is no school that day for students, and these interviews are for the parents and teachers only.  This week a form for you to select a time period for your interview(s) will be coming home with your oldest or only child.  You are not picking an exact time, but a general time frame that will work best for you.  These forms must be returned as soon as possible as interviews will be scheduled on a “first come first served” basis, and the earlier that you return your form the more likely you will be scheduled in the time frame that you have chosen.  If you do not request a time period for your interview(s), you will be placed into the slots that are still available.  

We will be holding a special meeting on Wednesday, November 2nd starting at 6:30pm in the school gym to discuss how we will be Communicating Student Learning to parents during the 2016-2017 school year.  We have created a new template for reporting, and have made several key changes – if you would like to be involved in an open discussion regarding important topics such as assessment, letter grades, the purpose of reporting, and much more, please join us.  This will be a meeting for parents only, and one that you certainly won’t want to miss!   

Here are some important dates for you to keep in mind for November:

• Friday, November 11th – Remembrance Day – no school
• Thursday, November 24th – Parent/Teacher Interviews 1:00pm – 8:00pm – no school for students
• Friday, November 25th – No school for students
• Monday, November 28th – Professional Day – No school for students

Please continue to check the school calendar on the website for more important information and dates as the calendar is updated regularly.

As we get closer to winter we want to remind you of the radio and TV stations to tune into if the school has to be closed because of inclement weather.  Please listen to Star FM 98.3 or CKNW 980 AM, or watch Global News.  Please do not call the school.  Also, please check our website for updates on school closures.  This is also a good time to remember that as the weather is getting colder please make sure your children are dressed suitably for outside recess – hats, mitts and boots, and a good winter jacket!