December 12, 2021
Week of Dec. 12, 2021
It’s HERE – the final week before Christmas Holiday Break! This week is full of celebrations and “wrapping” up learning and activities. Term 1 has been absolutely fantastic here at HDSMS – full of laughing, learning, connections, creativity and new discoveries! Despite all the challenges set before us – we have been relentless in our pursuit to provide the best educational experience for our students! So now it is time to acknowledge that effort, celebrate and to rest!
Be sure to give yourself the gift of time this holiday season and I want to personally wish you all an amazing Christmas Holiday Break with families and friends!
Here’s the Scoop…
PICTURES FROM THE LAST WEEK:
TO CHECK OUT THE A QUICK BAND PERFORMANCE CLICK HERE
NEW INFORMATION TO SHARE:
Langley Christmas Bureau 2021
Help fulfill a Christmas wish this holiday season! The Langley Christmas Bureau is once again offering its services to Langley families. Learn how you can help provide a festive dinner or gifts for children in our community by clicking on the QR code on this poster here. If your family is in need of support this year, review the details in this poster here. This initiative is open to families with children from newborn to grade 12. For more information, please visit: langleychristmasbureau.com
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING OUR FANS!
With the Skyhawks Athletics Season back in full swing – we wanted to remind all parents that YOU ARE ALLOWED to come and watch your child’s games in our gym! A reminder that parents will be required to sign in, sanitize and wear a mask – but also CHEER REALLY LOUD!
HDSMS CLUBS & ACTIVITIES 2021-2022
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!
Information About School Status During Inclement Weather
Snow closures and power outages are an annual occurrence in Langley School District. So, where do you go to get information about the status of schools during periods of inclement weather? If you are able to access the internet via computer or smartphone, current information about Langley schools can be accessed on all school websites or www.sd35.bc.ca. Updates are also posted to Twitter @LangleySchools and Facebook at www.facebook.com/langleyschooldistrict. If you don’t have internet connectivity but your phone is working, call a relative or friend in an area that has not been affected by the storm and ask them to check the district website for you. Local radio stations are also informed of school status in Langley. Tune in to CKWX 1130AM, CKNW 980AM, Country Radio 107.1FM, Pulse 107.7 or CBC 690AM or 88.1FM for updates.
Please note that Langley District schools are all considered ‘open’ until a decision to close is required. Decisions on school closures are usually made by 6:30am. As always, it is a parent’s decision whether to send their child to school based on safety and individual circumstances. If you feel it is unsafe for you or your child to travel to or attend an open school for any reason, please keep your child home and report an absence to the school.
Possible Change of Clothes
Just a quick reminder that students do go outside for recess and lunch on most days, including those rainy days. A change of clothes that can be kept in the locker may help stop you having to come pick up your children or coming to drop off clothes.
SUPPORTS FOR PARENTS
Supports for Parents
PARKING REMINDER
Just a reminder that there is no stopping/parking on Grade Crescent in front of HD Stafford Middle School. In consideration of our community neighbours and for the safety of our students, please refrain from blocking driveways and crosswalks and jaywalking. Please have a conversation with your child(ren) of where an appropriate place to meet up after school could be. There is lots of available parking by City Park on 48th Ave which is just a short walk away for our students.
STUDENTS and MASKS
Please ensure that your children have their masks each day.
- Students MUST always have their masks on – in the classroom, including their workstation (even if physically distanced), working on bulletin boards, going to washroom, filling their water bottles up, going outside, in PE class inside, etc.
- Masks do not need to be worn when students are eating/drinking, or participating in high intensity activities outdoors (limited physical contact).
- In band, the mask can only come off when they are playing their instrument (brass/woodwind).
REMINDER TO FAMILIES ABOUT DAILY HEALTH CHECK FORM:
As we enter into enhanced safety measures the health and safety of your children continues to be our top priority. As we start this new year, we want to remind students and families to complete the Daily Health Check. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and doing your part to ensure our school community is healthy and safe.
The form is available in multiple languages on the District website here: https://bit.ly/2Mw0jo5
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
COMMUNITY ROOM
The community room supports building confidence in our Skyhawks
Afterschool Programming:
Mondays:
- Archery 3-5pm Small Gym, Everyone welcome. Please email Dsandquist@sd35.bc.ca to register.
Wednesdays:
- Kids’ Play Starting October 27th Multi-sport and mentorship program. Everyone is welcome. This program will be in the Community Room and Multi-purpose Room 3:00pm – 4:15pm. Sign up with Mr.Hendy Bhendy@sd35.bc.ca
- Archery 3-5pm Small Gym, Everyone welcome. Please email Dsandquist@sd35.bc.ca to register.
Fridays:
- After 3 with Taran!!!! 3:00pm – 5:00pm Students will be able to create arts and crafts as well as baking food and play board games.
- PUCKS 1:45pm – 4:00pm
- Archery 3:30 – 5:00
ATHLETICS UPDATE 🏐🏀⚽🎾🏸🎯🏐🏀⚽🎾🏸🎯
It was great seeing athletes in our gyms these past couple weeks! Here is the schedule for this week in HD Stafford Athletics!
Stafford Athletics Schedule this week:
Morning | Afternoon | |||
Large Gym | Small Gym | Large Gym | Small Gym | |
Mon | 7:30am G6 Volleyball Practice | 3:00pm Archery | ||
Tues | G8 Boys Basketball Practice Girls Basketball Skills | 5:00pm Archery | ||
Wed | G8 Boys Basketball Practice | |||
Thurs | 7:30am G7 VBALL Practice | Snowball Classic | 5:00pm Archery | |
Fri | 3:00pm Archery |
COMING UP THIS WEEK @ HDSMS:
DAY | EVENT | WHERE/WHO | WHEN |
MONDAY | School Spirit – PJ DAY | Everyone!!
| |
Secret Santa Week Starts! | |||
TUESDAY | School Spirit – Tinsel Tuesday | Everyone!!
| |
Intervention Meeting | Counselling Area | 9:30am | |
Toy Mountain Gift Exchange/Donation | Learning Commons | 3pm | |
WEDNESDAY | School Spirit – WinterWonderland | Everyone!!
| |
THURSDAY | School Spirit – Holiday Colours | Everyone!!
| |
SNOWBALL CLASSIC STAFF VOLLEYBALL GAME | Main Gym Afterschool – ALL ARE WELCOME! | ||
FRIDAY | Day 2
| ||
School Spirit – Ugly HolidaySweater | Everyone!! | ||
Last Day Before Winter Break! |
PLANNING AHEAD:
- January 4 – School re-opens after winter break (please note that this is TUESDAY)
- January 6 – Team Leader Meeting 7:15am
- January 7 – Day 1
- January 12 – School Based Team
- January 13 – Staff Meeting
- January 18 – Intervention Team Meeting
- January 21 – Day 1
- January 24 – Skills Ready
- January 25 – Skills Ready
- January 26 – School Based Team
- January 27 – LSS Grade 8 Parent Night 6:30-7:30pm
- January 28 – Day 2
- January 28 – Taste of LSS (Grade 8 Students)
- February 1 – Intervention Meeting
- February 1 – Team Leader Meeting – 3pm
- February 2 – BC Lions (Grade 8s)
- February 3 – Grade 8 Course Planning for LSS
- February 4 – Day 2
PAC NEWS:
NEW INFORMATION TO SHARE:
Next Hot lunch is Monday, December 13th! Order by Monday, December 6th. Please contact hdsmspac@gmail.com if you are able to volunteer on these days, 9-11:30am.
The next PAC meeting is on Wednesday, January 12th, 6:30pm in the HD Stafford Library. PAC meetings will alternate between zoom and in person meetings this year.
Pick up time for Purdy’s Orders are Thursday, Dec 9th, from 3-4 outside the school.
Anyone interested to volunteer at Willowbrook Mall for holiday gift wrapping to support Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Langley as a family or a group, go to: https://langley.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/holiday-gift-wrapping-sign-up/
Keep updated with PAC fundraisers and info through Facebook and Instagram at:
HDSMS Parent Group
HDStafford Middle School PAC
hdsms_pac
If you have any questions or if you are interested to volunteer at our PAC initiatives, please contact hdsmspac@gmail.com
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 meeting schedule for the year – Time: 6:30pm
Wednesday, January 12th, 2022, HD Stafford Library
Wednesday, February 9th, 2022, Zoom
Tuesday, April 5th, 2022, HD Stafford Library
Wednesday, May 4th, 2022, Zoom
Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 (AGM) HD Stafford Library
The 2021/22 HDSMS PAC EXECUTIVE:
Name | Position | |
Gina Twellmann | 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 Paguinao | Member at Large | hdsmsmal1@gmail.com |
Alexandra Harper | Member at Large | hdsmsmal2@gmail.com |
Lisa Tatarniuk | Member at Large | hdsmsmal3@gmail.com |
Gina Twellmann | Fundraising | hdsmsfundraising@gmail.com |
Cathy Worrall | Hot Lunch | hdsmshotlunch@gmail.com |
Chantale Hubbs | Long Term Planning Committee | hdsmsltpc@gmail.com |
LOVING LITERACY:
Favourite Books Display
Another simple way to grow the reading culture in your room is to create a display of the student’s fave books. Either display a colour copy of the cover, or have them do up a spine to create a mock bookshelf. And if their fave book changs through the year, they can just do up a new spine.
FROM THE LIBRARY LEARNING COMMONS:
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”- Dr. Suess.
MS. LOREE’S COUNSELLING CONNECTION:.
FROM THE DISTRICT:
Here are a few items from the Langley School District’s Community Bulletin Board. For more community events please visit https://www.s35.bc.ca/news-events/community-bulletin-board/
Summer Program Opportunity for Students Wanting to Learn French or Improve Their French Language (ages 13 and up)
Summer Program to Learn French in Quebec
The Explore Program (formerly the Summer Language Bursary Program) is an intensive French language program for students ages 13 and up, with any skill level in French. All meals, lodging and instructional fees are covered through the program. Secondary students can receive four French elective credits to put towards their Dogwood Diploma. Those interested in this opportunity must apply on the Explore website by February 15, 2022. Please contact Marc.Labelle@gov.bc.ca if you have any questions
Give Warmth 2021 – Langley New Coat Drive
Help Langley families in need to receive a NEW coat this winter. Needed: New coats only, in a range of sizes from XXS-XXL, for infants, children, youth and adults. Please consider giving to this drive so we can ensure our community is warm and dry this winter.
Coat Drive Drop-off Locations:
- December 11th from 11am – 2pm at St. Dunstan’s Anglican Church (3025 264 Street, Aldergrove)
- December 11th from 11am – 2pm at the Raphael Family Support Centre (20471 Douglas Crescent, Langley)
- December 12th from 1pm – 4pm at the Living Waters Church (9095 Glover Rd, Fort Langley)
Tax receipts will be issued for cash donations and are accepted through the LSDF.orgwebsite!
To learn more, visit https://lsdf.org/community-give-warmth-2021/
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: