Hello ESQE Families!
We’re so excited to kick off another school year together at École Squamish Elementary! It’s wonderful to welcome our returning students back and extend a warm greeting to the new families joining our school community. We’re looking forward to a year filled with learning, discovery, and many chances for our students to shine.
Staying connected helps make our school community strong—be sure to mark important dates on your calendar, keep an eye on our Friday updates, and check out our monthly newsletters for news and celebrations.
Thank you to everyone who has already sent in start-up forms—this support makes the beginning of the year run so smoothly. If you haven’t had the chance yet, please also double-check that your contact information is current in MyEd. This includes any family member or friend you would like to list as a backup contact who is able to pick up your child. For safety reasons, we can only release students to the individuals listed—if a name is not provided, we are unable to send your child home with them.
A quick reminder: there will be no school on Monday, September 29 for a district Professional Development Day, and no school on Tuesday, September 30 as we observe National Truth and Reconciliation Day. We will see everyone back here on Wednesday!
Scroll down to see all that’s happening at ESQE this September—we can’t wait to share the learning and fun ahead!
Sincerely
Sarah Hain
ESQE Principal
Important - Code of Conduct Update!
As part of our Code of Conduct review, we are updating our guidelines to include expectations around personal digital devices. Students are not permitted to use any personal device—including smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, or similar electronics—during school hours (8:53 a.m.–3:03 p.m.).
We recognize that some students bring these devices to school to stay connected with family before or after the school day. However, during instructional time, they must remain turned off and stored in backpacks.
If a student has difficulty following this expectation, staff will connect with families and the device may be held in the office for the remainder of the school day or ask that they remain at home.
We ask that families take time to review this updated information at home and discuss the importance of responsible technology use. Thank you for supporting us as we work together to guide students in navigating both the opportunities and challenges that technology brings.
Upcoming Events!
Sept 29th - Professional Development Day (School Closed to students)
Sept 30th - Truth and Reconciliation Day (School Closed)
Oct 2nd Cross Country Race at Spring Creek
Oct 3rd PAC Hot Lunch (No Squamish Meal Program)
Oct 9th Cross Country Race Signal Hill
Oct 9th Halloween Costume Swap (SQE Gym 3:00pm)
Oct 10th PAC Soup Day
Oct 13th Thanksgiving Monday (School Closed)
Oct 14th PAC Meeting 6:30pm SQE Library
Oct 14th - 16th Book Fair
Oct 15th Teacher Conferences 2:03 Dismissal
Oct 16th Teacher Conferences Day 2 - 2:03 Dismissal
Oct 17th PAC Hot Lunch (No Squamish Meal Program)
Oct 23th Cross Country Race Brackendale
Oct 24th Professional Development Day (School closed to students)
Oct 29th Photo Retake Day
Oct 31st Halloween Parade
SQE Parking Lot
We ask that families use designated parking spots only, not to parking along sides or in front of other vehicles. To help ease congestion, we encourage families to walk, bike, or carpool whenever possible.
Squamish Meal Program
Thank you to everyone who has been so patient as we start of a new Squamish Meal Program at SQE. If you are interested in joining, please email to be added to our waitlist. Remember - if you signed up in September, you are signed up for the year!
Government funding helps, but we rely on family and community contributions to bridge the gap and keep the program sustainable. We suggest $120 per month, per student. Please contribute what you can! Click here to donate.
All contributions made will support the meal program as a whole. We operate on the principal that everyone is welcome and that nobody will be turned away for financial reasons. Please contact [email protected] to be added to our waitlist.
SQE Breakfast program
Did you know that we offer a free breakfast program. From 8:40-8:55 students can come to the library, through the back door, and have a small breakfast. No sign up required! We offer cereal, fruit, and granola bars.
Cross Country Season Has Begun!
We are excited to announce that Cross-Country season is underway and open to students in Grades 3-6. Practices will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays during long recess, with races scheduled on Thursdays. Please note that bus transportation is not available for the Garibaldi Highlands or Brackendale races, so families will need to arrange their own transportation. Permission slips will be sent out for each race, and the permission for the Garibaldi Highlands race is due back to the coaches.
Race Schedule
- Oct 9th Nairn Falls Campground (Pemberton)
- Oct 15th Spring Creek Elementary
- Oct 23rd Brackendale Elementary School
Coaches: Mrs. Morris, Mme. Paquette, Mrs. West, and Mrs. Duncan
Celebrating SQE!
Sept 30th is National Truth & Reconciliation Day. Truth & Reconciliation day is a day to honour survivors of residential schools, as well as those who did not return home. We wear orange shirts as a commitment to take action and promote healing. We were fortunate enough to have 2 members of the Squamish Nation, Jasmin and Lannie come and share their knowledge and their beautiful dancing. Students also had a chance to learn some of the dances. Students also had a chance to learn beading! Our Squamish Elementary Drum group is up and running, lead by staff and Squamish Nation Member, Jaime.
In addition to some amazing parachute games, Ms. Popowich, our PE teacher, taught our students 3 Indigenous games, "Push Back" from the Inuit Nation, "Line Tag" from the Blackfoot Nation, and Tatanka Tatanka, from the Dakoda Nation.
Squamish Elementary came together on Thursday September 25th for our annual Terry Fox Run. Terry is a symbol of dedication, determination, and perseverance. We are so proud of the students, and their effort in running multiple laps in honour of Terry Fox. Big thank you to Mme. Hryhirchuk and her class for organizing this event!!
Students got their hands dirty this month! All of our classes are participating in Farm Lessons with our SquamishCAN partners this fall. This is an opportunity to learn about growing our own local produce and sustainability! If you haven't had a chance to check out the farm, get your kiddo to show you!
PAC News!
We had an awesome turn out to our first PAC meeting of the year, we love parent involvement!
ESQE PAC is excited to announce that we will be offering our Growing Smiles Fundraiser again this year. Orders are due by November 6th for a November 21st delivery. You'll have your orders in time to start decorating or gifting! We thank all our families for your support with all of our fundraisers.https://sqe.growingsmilesfundraising.com/home#place_order_now
We have a few things coming up! Volunteers are always needed, please email [email protected] if you are interested in lending a hand!
Oct 3rd PAC Hot Lunch (No Squamish Meal Program)
Oct 9th Halloween Swap after school!
Oct 10th PAC Soup Day
Oct 14th PAC Meeting 6:30pm SQE Library
Oct 17th PAC Hot Lunch (No Squamish Meal Program)
Check out the fun our students had at the Welcome Back BBQ & the annual PAC Pancake Breakfast!
