October 2024

Happy Thursday ESQE Families!

I cannot believe we are almost at Halloween and then it is November already! We are getting into some great routines and learning so much about our students! Don't forget that it is a professional development day for staff tomorrow so there is no school for students.

We hope everyone has a great weekend and we look forward to some Halloween fun next week!

Please see more information below on Halloween at ESQE and Halloween Safety.

Sarah Hain

Upcoming Dates

Oct 25th Professional Development Day -no school for students
Oct 31st Halloween Parade.
Nov 1st Lost and Found donation day
Nov 1st PAC Diwali Food Sample! Volunteers welcome!
Nov 4th Science World Presentations at SQE
Nov 6th Collaboration Day - Early Dismissal 12:03pm
Nov 8th Hot Lunch
Nov 11th Remembrance Day - School Closed
Nov 12th PAC Meeting 6:30pm
Nov 13th Individual Photo Re-take Day
Nov 18th Professional Development Day - school closed
Nov 20th Fire Drill
Nov 22nd Hot Lunch
Nov 22nd Spirit Day
Nov 29th Writing Day

Important message for our bus riders

Students registered to take the bus to and from school, MUST take use their assigned bus so we can account for all students.
Students are not permitted to swap to a different bus to get to a friend's house, this needs to be arranged at another time.
We also need families to call or email ahead of the day should the plan for their child to take the bus change.

Organizing Playdates

We love that students are wanting to connect with one another after school, however we are unable to support organizing these at the office. Playdates need to be organized between families at another time.

Halloween Safety & Success at ESQE

On October 31st children are invited to wear their Halloween costumes at school. Please connect with your classroom teacher on specific activities for the day.

Notes for the whole school on successful Halloween fun!

With respect to Halloween costumes, we ask that all accessories such as swords, wands, or brooms remain at home. Anything that resembles a weapon should stay at home.

If a full facemask is part of a costume, please have a conversation with your child on when it is appropriate to wear the mask. (i.e. when it does not interfere with learning activities, in hallways when not part of a Halloween activity so that the child is recognizable, throughout the school)

Please be respectful of the age range at our school when it comes to scary costumes, we want it to be fun for everyone, so no scary masks.

Consider costumes that are going to be comfortable for a day at school and pack other clothes to change into, should the costume become uncomfortable or too hot to wear. Rain or shine they go outside.

Important Note: We believe that student conduct shall meet the needs of individuals in a way that works for them, for the school, and promotes a climate of respect as defined by the B.C. Human Rights Code. Therefore, costumes must not display any statement, sign, symbol, emblem or other representation that shows intolerance, indicates discrimination, or an intention to discriminate on the basis of an individuals or a groups race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, family status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, gender identity or expression, dress, or other perceived differences.

For those of you who participate in Halloween, thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Halloween Safety

Halloween will be here before we know it! We want to make sure everyone stays safe on Halloween. Check out this link for some suggestions! Click Here

It may be dark out, so make sure you are visible! Using reflective tape, flashlights, or glow sticks can help keep you safe.
Walk with an adult and stay with your group
Have a safe adult check your trick or treat haul before enjoying!
Finally, one reminder from WildSafe BC, please bring carved pumpkins indoors at night and minimize the number of house that these animals attractants are available as snacks for our furry neighbors.

Feeding Futures Pilot Program:

As many families may already know, our school is piloting a pay-what-you-can twice weekly lunch program as part of the Feeding Futures Program on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tuesday's lunch will alternate between sushi and teriyaki rice bowls and Thursday's lunch will be a variety of wraps, salads, cheesy pockets and bowls for the fall session.

Orders will continue to be accepted on rolling basis, with weekly deadline of Thursday at 12pm for the following week.

Parents with existing Munch a Lunch accounts can log in here: https://munchalunch.com/login

*If you already have an existing account for ordering PAC hot lunches, you will be able to log in and use that account to place orders for "Feeding Futures Lunch Pilot".

New parents can sign up here: https://munchalunch/schools/squamish

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Sickness

Tis the season for cold and flu! We need to work together to keep our school healthy!

If your child is sick, we ask that you please keep them home. This helps prevent the spread of germs to other students and our staff. We will need to send a child home if they come to school sick. Thank you for understanding.

Travelling?

If you are travelling for an extended period of time, please notify the office of your child's absence. An extended absence beyond 6 weeks may result in your child being de-registered from the school as we can't hold spots for a significant amount of time for holiday purposes.

Professional Development Day
On Oct 25th our teachers are going to be busy bees! We have several teachers heading to Victoria to participate in the PITA Intermediate Conference, attending the BCPTA Inspiring Engagement for Learning Conference, and the BCTLA Library conference. We have others going to the Cheakamus Center to focus on outdoor learning, and others attending Self Regulation workshops, and Assessment/Intervention workshops.

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Celebrating ESQE
Congratulations to all students who participated on the Cross country team! Our season wrapped up at Brackendale Elementary where the last race was held. The weather was beautiful and the students made Squamish Elementary proud. Please make sure your child returns their jersey to their coaches, as they are needed for other school sporting events.

Mrs. West and Ms. Crighton are taking full advantage of the beautiful fall days we have had this month. They visited Lavendel Farms, and each student picked out their own pumpkin! jhk

We have a generation of voters coming our way! Our intermediate classes learned all about the provincial election, did their research, and held their own election at school, proudly being able to make an informed decision on which party they feel should be voted in.

Ms. Keller and Ms. Stewarts grade 4/5 class has been busy this month with their morning runs, getting to know Mme. Hryhirchuks class, and exploring fungi in the forest!

PAC Update

1. Elf Workshop - Collection has begun!
We are now collecting items for our annual Elf Workshop. Please donate new or gently used gift items to the marked bins in the front foyer. We are always looking for good teenage/mom/dad gifts. If you are new to the school, we will have more communication coming out about the Elf Workshop closer to the date. We are also looking for volunteers to help us run the workshop, so please reach out to our mail if you'd be interested in helping out. [email protected]

2. Purdy's Chocolate Fundraiser is now live
Our annual Purdy's Chocolate fundraiser is now live until the end of November. This is your chance to get free shipping on ethically sourced Canadian-made chocolates and stock up on gift ideas early! Deliveries will come right to the school. Visit fundraising.purdys.com and select "Support a Campaign". Type 62500 in the Customer Number section, then add your name and email to create your own account that is connected to the school. Proceeds go towards our playground upgrade, Spring Carnival and marketing for the Sea to Sky Artisan Market.

3. Save the date! Sea to Sky Artisan Market: November 9th
Our annual market returns Saturday, November 9th from 10am to 4pm right here at our school! Come check out the incredible handmade goods of artisans from Pemberton, Whistler, and Squamish, and support our very wn grade 5 & 6 student vendors! We will even have a giant inflatable snow globe for you to get inside and snap a family photo to send off in time for the holidays!

4. Celebrating Diwali - Friday Nov 1st
PAC is excited to celebrate the diverse cultures at our school through Cultural Food Samplings this year! On Friday November 1st, students of our school will get a chance to try some mini samosas in honour of Diwali. This is a FREE food event to foster cultural connections and give our students a chance to sample food they may not have tried before. If you'd like to come help distribute the samosas that day, please email pac at [email protected]. If you'd like to lead a cultural food day, please come to our PAC meeting on Tuesday November 12that 6:30pm.