Posted: May 7, 2023
Week of May 8th, 2023
Happy Sunday Skyhawks Parents & Guardians!
The FORCE was strong with HD Stafford this past week! Not only did we celebrate May the Fourth with a flash mob Star Wars band tribute (thank you Mr. Foerster!) but our past week was more action packed that a blazing lightsaber duel! We hosted our Grade 5 parents and future Skyhawks on Wednesday Night complete with a Q&A time, school tour, and over 300 in attendance! All our Rugby teams continue to dominate in all divisions, meanwhile our Skyhawk Speakout / Slam Poetry Finals took place on May 4th and left the audience in awe – and some teachers with tears of joy! The week ended with one of our favourite events of the year – The HDSMS Track Meet – and despite the wind, rain, and cold – nothing could dampen the spirits of our students who competed and staff who made everything come together so incredibly smoothly. It was truly a beautiful picture of what a strong team can do!
This week is highlighted by Grade 5 visits from Blacklock & Nicomekl and one of the highlights of Middle School – Grade 7 Camp!
Here’s the SCOOP!
THE WEEK AHEAD AT HD STAFFORD
ATHLETICS SCHEDULE
PICTURES FROM LAST WEEK!
NEW INFORMATION TO SHARE:
THANKATEACHER WEEK – Virtual Card!
#Thankateacher week! Help spread a thank you to a teacher this week with a note of praise, a GIF, a photo, or a video! Let’s fill up the virtual card with our words of appreciation. Deadline is Monday, May 8th, 11pm to contribute.
Virtual Thank you card for the teachers
TRANSPORTATION – REGISTRATION FOR 2023-2024 DEADLINE IS MAY 15th
Transportation registration for 2023-24 is now open. Please note the instructions to register are different for each category of rider. To help in our planning and creation of bus routes, registrations must be submitted by May 15 (eligible riders) and June 18 (courtesy riders). The District cannot guarantee approval after the deadline. New and existing riders can find more information on our Transportation Registration webpage HERE.
HD Stafford SPA:TH Club
The HDSMS SPA:TH club is an after school program that aims to support indigenous youth’s self esteem, sense of belonging and school success by providing homework supports, cultural teachings, positive peer relationships and fun activities! Plus – there are SNACKS!
Community Room Homework Club on Wednesdays! Let your Kiddos know!
- Homework club started on September 28 and will run from 3-4 on Wednesdays in the Community Room. Students will receive academic support and build positive relationships. The first half of homework club we will work on homework and from 3:30 to 4:00 we’ll change gears and do fun activities together! We’re looking forward to seeing you there! A huge thank you to Langley Church (Youth unlimited) for their support. See Mrs. Sandher if you would like to join any after-school activities.
- The Breakfast Program Students can enjoy light breakfast items between 8:00-8:30. Students will enter through the exterior doors of the Community Room, and when the bell rings they will line up with their classes. The breakfast program is for all kiddos!
- LUNCH PROGRAM: The lunch program is for families who need extra support. Please contact Mrs. Sandher, our Community Coordinator, at Ksandher@sd35.bc.ca, if your child needs clothing, food, and/or other support.
FORMS, FEES, & LOCKERS
Lockers have now been distributed to all classes and students, however we are hoping to finish collecting school fees and online permission forms as soon as possible. If you can please do the following:
- Pay your school fees using the SchoolCashOnline link here.
- Complete the Online permission forms that also on your SchoolCashOnline account.
STAFFORD ATHLETICS & AFTER SCHOOL EVENTS
🏐🏀⚽🎾🏸🎯🏐🏀⚽🎾🏸🎯
REMINDERS
SKYHAWKS ONLINE STORE IS LIVE!
We are very excited to roll out the new online Skyhawks Apparel Store to all staff, students and our Stafford community!
STAYING CONNECTED:
- HDSMS will continue to work towards being a completely paperless school when it comes to communication with parents. In order to stay informed, please be sure you use at least one of the following on-line methods:
- Email: send your information to tdick@sd35.bc.ca or alyon@sd35.bc.ca to ensure you are on our parent email list.
- Attendance: If your child is going to be away from school – you can email hdsattendance@sd35.bc.ca to report the absence.
- Twitter: Follow our feed at twitter.com/HDSMSskyhawks
- Instagram: Follow us at instagram.com/HDSMSskyhawks
- Website: Stay up-to-date at sd35.bc.ca
PAC NEWS:
#Thankateacher week! Help spread a thank you to a teacher this week with a note of praise, a GIF, a photo, or a video! Let’s fill up the virtual card with our words of appreciation. Deadline is Monday, May 8th, 11pm to contribute.
Virtual Thank you card for the teachers
FUNDRAISER UPDATES
- STAY GOLD CUSTOM CAR SHOW
- Save the date! PAC adult concession volunteers for two hour shifts will be needed Sunday June 25th at the 5th Stay Gold Car Show at HDSMS.
- Adult volunteers are also needed, before, during and after the show. Signup before April 30th, and receive a FREE commemorative Stay Gold Car Show t-shirt. Those who sign up for 2 or more hours receive a free voucher for lunch on the day of the show.
Stay Gold volunteer signup
https://www.staygoldcustomcarshow.com/
Upcoming Popcorn Dates:
- Grade 6 – May 10
- Grade 7 – May 31
Upcoming Hawk’s Nest Dates:
- Grade 8 – May 24
- Grade 6 – June 7
Upcoming Hot Lunch Dates:
Munchalunch ordering for hot lunches – deadline is usually one week before.
- May 26th – Subway
- June 12th – Little Caesar’s
Upcoming PAC meetings:
6:30pm in the HD Stafford Library Commons room.
- Wednesday, May 10th
- Wednesday, June 7th AGM
- All positions will be available for voting at the AGM. Come out to the May PAC meeting to get a feel for the PAC vibe.
If you have any questions or if you are interested to volunteer at our PAC initiatives, please contact hdsmspac@gmail.com
Keep updated with PAC fundraisers and info through Facebook and Instagram at:
HDSMS Parent Group
HDStafford Middle School PAC
hdsms_pac
PAC GENERAL INFORMATION:
Our PAC works to help create effective partnerships between the school and parent community. Building the triangle of support between parent, school, and child will create powerful learning opportunities and ensure our children’s success.
Each and every parent or guardian is a member of our PAC. We encourage you to join us for the monthly meetings to participate in the building of PAC community and create learning opportunities for your child.
The 2022/23 HDSMS PAC EXECUTIVE:
| Name | Position | |
| GinaTwellmann | President | hdsmspresident@gmail.com |
| Alex Joehl | Vice President | hdsmsvicepresident@gmail.com |
| Carmen Phelan | Treasurer | hdsmstreasurer@gmail.com |
| Cathy Worrall | Secretary | hdsmspac@gmail.com |
| Chantale Hubbs | D-PAC Rep | hdsmsdpacrep@gmail.com |
| Solanlle Panguinao | Member at Large | hdsmsmal1@gmail.com |
| Cindy Chung | Member at Large | hdsmsmal2@gmail.com |
| Lisa Tatarniuk | Member at Large | hdsmsmal3@gmail.com |
| Cathy Worrall | Fundraising Coordinator | hdsmsfundraising@gmail.com |
| Cathy Worrall | Hot Lunch | hdsmshotlunch@gmail.com |
| Chantale Hubbs | Long Term Planning Committee | hdsmsltpc@gmail.com |
| Sarah Preston | Events Coordinator | hdsmsevents@gmail.com |
Please direct any general questions to hdsmspac@gmail.com
COMMUNITY SUPPORTS FOR PARENTS:
FROM THE DISTRICT:
L.E.A.P. (Langley Environmental Awareness Program) Academy
The Langley School District has made recent changes to L.E.A.P. (Langley Environmental Awareness Program), Fort Langley Elementary’s outdoor education program, which includes becoming an academy. Because of these changes, L.E.A.P. is now looking to expand to grade 5. If you have a student who is going into grade 2-5, we encourage you to explore this opportunity using our website: https://tinyurl.com/5n97k6pn . If you think your child could benefit from this experience and you want to learn more about the program, please complete this expression of interest form before May 1st:https://tinyurl.com/2svn5vrk.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
