Important Events

October 7-11        Walk & Roll to School Week
October 11           Harvest Day
October 14           Thanksgiving Holiday
October 16           PAC meeting at 6 pm
October 21            Interims go home this week
October 25            Pro D (classes not in session)
October 31            Halloween Parade and Dance
November 1         Photo Re-takes
November 4-7      Scholastic Book Fair
November 7          Remembrance Day Assembly 10:30 am
November 8          Pro D (classes not in session)
November 11        Remembrance Day Holiday

Harvest Day – October 11th

Harvest Day is a school tradition that is unique to our school.  On Harvest Day the students come to school dressed in “Harvest Wear” – plaid shirts, jeans, cowboy hats, boots, etc.  The students are encouraged to bring in their Veggie Creations (vegetables that come from the harvest).  All Veggie Creations are created at home with the help of family members.  On the morning of our Harvest Day celebration (Friday, October 11th) students are asked to bring in their Veggie Creations and place them on the tables in the common area in front of the gym.  Please take a look at the pictures below for inspiration.

Upcoming Events

September 27          Terry Fox Run (afternoon)
September 30           Pro D (classes not in session)
October 1                   Orange Shirt Day
October 2                   Early Dismissal at 1:27 pm
October 11                 Harvest Day
October 11                 Spirit Wear Orders are due
October 14                 Thanksgiving Holiday
October 23                 Interim Reports go home this week
October 25                 Pro D (classes not in session)
October 31                Halloween Parade 9:15 am
October 31                Halloween Dance for primary students 10:45 – 11:30 am

Learning Spotlight

Today the students of Division Five took time to explore the route that Terry Fox Ran. As a class, we examined the map, and asked questions, as well as made inferences about where Terry went. Some students’ comments, included:

• I wonder why he didn’t start in the West since he was from BC.
• I bet he started in St. John’s because it was the farthest east place he could start.
• How did he get across bodies of water?
• Approximately how much distance did he cover in a day?

One student noticed that there were larger round dots on some cities. Using our knowledge from the story we had read yesterday, students determined that these dots marked important parts on Terry’s journey, such as where he started, where he ended, and when he realized his cancer had returned.

Working collaboratively with a partner, each pair of students mapped out Terry’s route on paper and applied coding skills to program small robotic Ozobot’s to replicate Terry’s route.

Since Ozobot’s can be “finicky” at times, students had to demonstrate a great deal of perseverance, collaboration and ability to communicate well. Our success criteria for this project included these important skills.

It was impressive to see the class collaboration that occurred. Many student groups shared with others what they discovered worked and what didn’t. We reflected on how everyone benefits when we learn together.

Terry Fox Run

Our Terry Fox Run is this Friday afternoon.  We will have our Terry Fox assembly at 12:45 pm.  We show students a video and do a quick warm up in the gym, teachers then take their classes outside for the run.

If parents would like join their child(ren) on the run, please check in at the office and meet your child on the field.  Due to the amount of space required with 520 students and close to 45 adults warming up in the gym, we ask that parents not be in the gym for the Terry Fox assembly.

This year we have two routes.  The primary students (kindergarten – grade 3) will be running around our big field.  The intermediate students will be running a different route – teachers will have shared the route with the intermediate students prior to the run.

Please send a donation with your child to support the Terry Fox Foundation.

Click here for a short inspiring video about Terry Fox.

Orange Shirt Day-Every Child Matters

We are recognizing Orange Shirt day on Tuesday, October 1st.  We encourage all of our students to wear orange shirts on this day.

Orange shirt day grew out of Phyllis’ story of having her shiny new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, being taken away on her first day of school at St. Joseph Mission residential school.  This day has also become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.

Residential Schools had a profound effect on the culture and language of Indigenous people across Canada, and forever changed the lives of thousands of Indigenous children.  As the terrible legacy of these schools has become public, the Canadian Government offered an apology to Indigenous people for the forced cultural assimilation embodied in the residential school system.

Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for Indigenous people, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

Upcoming Events

September 20           Individual photo’s
September 27          Terry Fox Run (afternoon)
September 30           Pro D (classes not in session)
October 1                   Orange Shirt Day
October 2                   Early Dismissal at 1:27 pm
October 11                 Harvest Day
October 11                 Spirit Wear Orders are due
October 14                 Thanksgiving Holiday
October 23                 Interim Reports go home this week
October 25                 Pro D (classes not in session)
October 31                Halloween Parade 9:15 am
October 31                Halloween Dance for primary students 10:45 – 11:30 am

Litterless Lunches

As a school community we are promoting litterless lunches. A litterless lunch creates no waste.  We suggest children use reusable containers or possibly no containers at all to store and transport food.  Our goal is to reduce waste production and help reduce our impact on the Earth. By taking a litterless lunch, you produce 89% less waste when you avoid single-use, disposable containers and bags.

For those students who do not want to take containers outside at recess while they eat their snacks, teachers will allow students to eat snacks before or after recess.

Students will be bringing all plastic waste and packaging from their lunches back home (granola wrappers, plastic baggies).  We will continue to collect organics.  If you have any questions please contact Ms. Chohan.

Learning Commons

Sick Simon: Showing Learning with Loose Parts

Spirit Wear

We are excited to announce that the Pacific Heights Spirit Wear Sale officially launches today!  Your child(ren) will be coming home with an order form (a copy of which is also attached to this message in case you don’t receive a hard copy).  Simply fill out the form, and include your child’s name and division number, and send the form back to school along with payment (or a note that an e-transfer payment is being made to phhotlunchpayments@gmail.com) and your order will be placed.

Orders (and payments) are due by Friday, October 11

This is such a fun way to show your school spirit — and helps raise funds that will be invested back in school sports/recreation programs (we are planning to buy new jerseys with our awesome new logo).

We will have samples in various sizes available to try on tonight at Meet the Teacher Night from 6-7pm — come on by and meet the PAC Executive and check out the sizes and styles for our Spirit Wear!  We look forward to seeing you!

If you have any questions, please contact Hayley:  hayley.pacific.heights.pac@gmail.com.

Cross Country

We do have a Cross Country team this year!  Practises are Friday mornings at 8 am and Wednesday’s after school.

The meets are at Crescent Park on Tuesdays.  There will be more information coming home to parents this week.  If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Banbury and Ms. Panda at the school.

PAC WEBSITE REGISTRATION

Principal’s Message

We are eager and happy to be opening our  school doors one week from today for another fun year of learning.  We welcome both our returning and new families.

During this final week of summer, we will be continuing to work hard to get the school ready for the new school year. The summer has been a busy one with construction and new portables. We have three new portables on site – a total of 12 portables altogether. Construction is on schedule in the building of our addition.  Our addition will accomodate 12 classrooms and is scheduled to be completed by April 2020.

I am also excited to introduce our new vice principal, Jen Barker.  Ms. Barker is entering  her 22nd year in education. She has spent time in the Surrey School District as a numeracy helping teacher, as well as a faculty advisor at UBC.  When she is not teaching and learning, Ms. Barker enjoys spending time with her family and baking.

Both Ms. Barker and I are excited about this school year.  We look forward to sharing more happy moments with students.  Enjoy the remaining days of summer!

Sincerely,

Ms. Chohan
Principal

Important Dates

September 3          First Day of School 10:00 – 11:00 am
September 4          First Full day of school 8:30 am – 2:27 pm
September 19          Meet the Teacher 6 – 7 pm
September 18          PAC meeting at 6 pm
September 20          Student Photo’s (individual)
September 27          Terry Fox Run 1 pm
September 30          Pro D – classes not in session
October 2                  Early dismissal 1:27 pm

Kindergarten – Gradual Entry

The first weeks in September are directed towards ensuring that each child experiences the positive orientation essential for school success.  In order to make your  Kindergarten child’s transition from home to school as smooth as possible, there will be abbreviated class times for the first week of school (calendar has been emailed to all parents).  Gradual entry allows for each child’s personal introduction to the new learning environment.  It provides the teacher with opportunities essential to establishing positive relationships with each child and family, and allows the teacher to establish class routines and procedures.

All registered kindergarten students have received an email indicating the colour group the child is in.  On September 3rd, students will enter the class that corresponds to his/her assigned colour grouping.  We have signs and teachers assisting you if you need any help finding the classroom.  Please note that these groups are temporary and permanent classes will be formed by September 13, 2019.

We look forward to a wonderful and successful Kindergarten year!

Class Placements

The first week of school is a busy week as we are getting to know our students.  The students will be working in their grade groups, providing them the opportunity to work with different teachers and peers. These interactions will help teachers determine class placements and go over class/school routines.  We are thoughtful and deliberate as we review the educational and social emotional needs of each child as we make our class lists.  The most suitable placement your child based on the following criteria:

• Student intellectual, social and emotional development
• Learning styles and strengths of students
• Degree of independence
• Social compatibility
• Gender balance
• Maintaining appropriate teacher-student ratios

In the first week of school we are figuring out our class configurations as things change regarding enrolment numbers.  For this reason, we are unable to concretely answer which teacher is teaching which grade.  However, we can tell you that we currently have 23 divisions for September, and we can tell you which teachers are teaching primary classes  and which teachers are teaching intermediate classes:

Primary Teachers:
Ms. Andrews
Ms. Horvat
Ms. Tavares
Ms. Gill
Ms. Beare and Ms. Mckelvey
Ms. Rawlyns
Ms. Klassen
Ms. Duncan
Ms. Samra
Ms. Hall
Ms. Panda
Ms. Dubrovskaya
Ms. Polok
Ms. Beale

Intermediate Teachers:
Ms. Chamberlayne
Ms. Pather
Ms. Banbury
Ms. Champion
Ms. Barker
Mr. Litt
Mr. Henderson
Ms. Sandhu
Ms. Song

Teacher Librarian – Ms. Crosland
Music Teacher – Ms. Kerslake
Band Teacher – Ms. Hagen
Counsellor – Ms. Tillberg
IST – Ms. Bell and Ms. Temple
LST – Ms. Hart, Ms. Fadum, Ms. Dhaliwal
Child & Youth Care Worker – Ms. Belanger
French Teacher – Ms. Gardin

Parking Lot

Due to our school growth the entire parking lot is needed for our staff.  We require  at least 50 parking lot stalls to accommodate our staff.  Parent parking is only available along 26th Avenue.  The roundabout will be used as it was last year – as a student drop off and pick up.

In the morning parents are welcome to drop students off in the roundabout. The drop-off area is for stopping to let the children out of the car only. The driver should never get out of the car. When pulling up at the drop-off area, drive as far ahead as possible to allow cars behind to pull up as well.

Our school parking lot is a busy place and so we ask that parents keep an open mind and consider alternative means for their child(ren) to get to school – walking in a group, carpooling, a different drop-off location.  Also, please slow down and ensure student safety comes first when driving on the streets near the school

EduPac and Student Agendas

If you ordered school supplies through EduPac then your child will receive the supplies once classes have been set.  All supply lists are found on our school website.

All students in Grades 1-7 are expected to purchase a planner for $5.  The planner contains important information for parents.  The agendas will be distributed by classroom teachers next week.

Happy Retirement!

As many of you may already know, we have a couple of staff members who are happily retiring after very successful and fulfilling careers in teaching – Ms. Holmes, Ms. McIntyre, Ms. Powell, Ms. Ecclestone, and Ms. Gauthier.  All of these educators have been integral in creating the positive school culture at Pacific Heights.

Ms. Holmes has modelled kindness to all of us – never have I met such a kind soul.  You could always count on Ms. Holmes and her witty humour (best known for her puns) to lighten any situation.  Ms. Holmes taught our students much about sea critters and the importance of keeping our planet green.  One of the most challenging parts of teaching is getting students involved and excited for what they will learn about – Ms. Holmes never had this problem.  She would do the neat things in her class like dissecting a salmon or planting tomato seeds from Mars!

Ms. McIntyre and her team spirit attitude is what we appreciated most.  We will miss the flair she brought to our theme days.  She just knew how to get the students excited and would come to work with the best theme day costume of all!  We will miss the fantastic classroom plays she had her students put on – all the time and effort Grade 2’s spent making props, backdrops, and practising their lines.  The end product has always been amazing. We have so appreciated the sewing club that Ms. McIntyre started with Ms. Ecclestone.  Both these lovely ladies saw that some students were interested and voila – sewing club started!

Ms. Powell came to our school this September and we are sad to see her go.  In the short time she has been here, she worked her magic as a Teacher Librarian with great book recommendations ready for the readers that entered her library.  She built a sense of community in the library with the mosaic wall, and engaged students with activities like coding using Scratch Jr., and book tasting.  Teachers would ask Ms. Powell for a resource and end up with way more.  Ms. Powell shared her love of books and reading with us all.

Ms. Ecclestone is a TTOC at our school but one would never know that as she volunteered countless hours with the primary students working on arts and crafts.  I am certain every student in this school has an art project in his/her home that was made with Ms. Ecclestone.  She has always been a part of our primary wing by the Kindergarten classes ready to lend a hand and help a student.  As if being a TTOC and volunteer art teacher was not enough, Ms. Ecclestone also decided she wanted to give our community more – so she led the sewing club with Ms. McIntyre!

Ms. Gauthier has been an Education Assistant at our school for over 6 years.  She has demonstrated such compassion with all the students she worked with.  Ms. Gauthier was always there in the classroom helping out with the social issues that students were having and helping them problem solve. She worked well with all our teachers and had an approach where she could look at any situation and try to think outside the box.

Thank you to these wonderful educators for the time and commitment they invested in our learners.  You have made a lasting impression on the world through the lives of the students you have taught. Thank you and happy retirement.

 

Students have been busy practising their team cheers for Games Day this Friday, June 14th.  Students are encouraged to dress in their house team colours for Games Day.  Please ensure your child is dressed for the weather on Friday:

• sunscreen
• hat
• water bottle
• running shoes

Games Day Itinerary

There will be no parent parking in the roundabout or in the parent parking lot on this day.

We will have a primary rotation and an intermediate rotation on the field.

8:30 am     Bell and attendance
8:45 am     House Team Cheers in the round-a-bout
9:00 am    Bike Parade in the round-a-bout

**If you would like your child to participate in the Bike Parade, please have your child decorate his/her bike in their house colours.  Bike’s will be parked in the parent parking lot (by Ms. Beale’s portable). Once the parade ends, bikes are kept in the gym or in the parking lot.

9:15 am     Students rotate through stations(primary or intermediate rotation)
10:15 am  Recess Break – students will take their break at their station
10:30 am  Games Day Stations resume
11:40 am  Lunch – students go into class to eat
12:45 pm  Grade 7 Egg Toss on the grass field
1:15 pm    Running Races (pre-schoolers to Grade 7)
1:45 pm    Tug O’War
2:25 pm    Dismissal

Important Dates

June 7               Welcome to Kindergarten
June 14              Games Day
June  20              Theme Day: Tropical Thursday
June  20              PAC barbeque
June  25              Grade 7 Assembly 10:30 am
June  26              Year End Assembly
June  27              Last Day of School – Early Dismissal 1:27 pm

School Fees

Each school year, parents support their child(ren)’s formal learning experiences in a wide variety of ways.  We appreciate all that you do to ensure a successful year!

In addition to providing the school supplies itemized on a grade list, parents are periodically asked for monies to cover specific items and/or special events.  No student will be denied the opportunity to participate in any school activity due to the inability to pay.  Please contact the Principal should you require any financial assistance.

As we plan for the upcoming school year, we anticipate the following costs:

Student Planner:  We encourage all students in Grades 1-7 to purchase a School Planner at a cost of $5.00. Included in the planner is our school code of conduct, school calendar and school district information. We find this to be an excellent tool for facilitating home/school communication, as well as for developing our students’ organizational skills.  However, using our school planner is optional as a parent may purchase their own version.

Field Studies and Field Trips:  Classes often enjoy educational visits to community facilities which extend and enhance the curriculum.  While we use school monies or fundraise to cover the costs of such activities wherever possible, there are times when parents are asked to contribute towards the cost of the trip.  If you choose to have your child not participate in a field study, a suitable program will be provided at the school.

Please note:
*Kindergarten school fees will not exceed $45
*Grade 1-7 school fees will not exceed $60

Primary:
Optional field studies      $30.00 (maximum)

Intermediate:
Optional Field studies     $30. 00 (maximum)
Grade 7 Sweatshirt         $26.00 (purchase is optional)

Musical Instruments: Grade 7 students who take band either purchase or rent an instrument.  Costs vary depending on the instrument.

School Supplies
Parents have the option of purchasing their child’s school supplies on their own utilizing the grade supply list or for your convenience you may wish to purchase supplies as a package through EduPac.  Payment is made directly to EduPac.  Costs for supplies vary based on grade.

**The school supply lists are found on our school website

2019/20 Calendar Dates

*these dates are also on our school website

September    3        Schools Open
September    19       Meet the Teacher & Terry Fox Run
September    20       Individual Photo Day
September    27       Terry Fox Run
September    30       Non-Instructional Day

October    2         Early Dismissal 1:27 pm
October    11        Harvest Day
October    14        Thanksgiving Holiday
October    23        Interim Reports go home
October    25        Non-Instructional Day
October    31        Halloween Parade and Primary Dance

November    1       Photo Re-takes
November    7       Remembrance Day Assembly
November    8       Non-Instructional Day
November  13       Remembrance Day Holiday

December    11      CSL Reports go home
December    13      Winter Breakfast
December    17      Early Dismissal 1:27 pm
December    18      Winter Concert – even divisions (afternoon)
December    19      Winter Concert – odd divisions (afternoon)
December    20      Last Day of Classes before Winter Break

January       6       School Back in Session
January    20-21      Maker Faire Intermediate
January    27-28      Maker Faire Primary

February    3           Canada-thon Testing Week
February    12         Canada-thon Game Show (Intermediates)
February    17         Family Day Holiday
February    21         Non-Instructional Day

March    9           CSL Reports go home
March    11         Early Dismissal 1:27 pm
March    13         Last Day before Spring Break
March    30         School Back in Session

April      5         Non-Instructional Day
April      7        Talent Show – primary audience
April      7        Talent Show – intermediate and parent audience
April      9        Class and Panorama Pictures
April      10        Good Friday Holiday
April      13        Easter Monday Holiday

May       1         Non-Instructional Day
May       18        Victoria Day Holiday
May       25        Non-Instructional Day

June      4          Welcome to Kindergarten
June      12        Games Day
June      19        Games Day Rainout
June      23        Grade 7 Assembly
June      24        Year End Assembly
June      25        Early Dismissal 1:27 pm

Note: Not all Calendar events re listed.  Some scheduled events are subject to change.

Bell Schedule for 2019-20

*this information is also on our school website

8:30 am         Welcome Bell
8:35 am         Classes in Session

10:15 am       Recess
10:30 am       Classes in Session

11:42 am        Lunch (students play outside)
12:12 pm        Lunch (eating inside)
12:27 pm        Classes in Session

2:27 pm         Dismissal Bell

Important Dates:

May 22            PAC meeting at 6 pm in the library
May 23            Track&Field Mini Meet (pm)
May 23            Earthquake Drill (students dismissed from field)
May 27            Pro D – Classes not in session
May 30            District Track Meet at Bear Creek Park
June 7            Welcome to Kindergarten
June 14           Games Day
June 20           PAC BBQ
June 20           Theme Day: Tropical Thursday
June 25           Grade 7 Assembly @ 10:30 am
June 26           Year End Assembly @ 10:30 am
June 27           Last Day of School- Early dismissal at 1:27 pm

Track & Field

The Pacific Heights Track&Field team will be participating in a mini meet tomorrow at the South Surrey Athletic Park.  The meet give our athletes an opportunity to participate in many events against some tough competition!  We ask that each participant be ready for all types of weather – bring water, appropriate clothing, sunscreen, hat, etc.  If your child is participating in this mini meet he/she would have received a permission form yesterday.

Parent Drivers will meet in the gym at 11:45 am so we can organize the rides to be at the South Surrey Athletic Park by 12:30 pm.

The rescheduling of this meet happens to fall on the same day as our Earthquake Drill.  This means that the participants of the mini meet will not be present for our Earthquake Drill.

Earthquake Drill

A reminder that our Earthquake Drill is tomorrow.  Your child(ren) will only be released to you and to anyone that you designate on the Emergency Contact Card.When a person comes to pick up your child, they will have to identify themselves and your child will have to confirm their identity.

Please read the previous blog post (May 1, 2019) for additional information.

Welcome to Kindergarten

Our Welcome to Kindergarten session will be on Friday, June 7th at 9 am.  This session is for the students who have already registered for September 2019.  The students who have registered will have receive an email indicating the colour group they are assigned for this day.  

During Welcome to Kindergarten the students will get to visit all Kindergarten classrooms.  Please take note of your child’s colour as it will help you find the appropriate starting point.  You will be entering through the outside classroom doors at the Kindergarten end of the building (closest to 26th Ave.).  We will have student leaders helping you navigate on that morning.

 

Track & Field Mini Meet Cancelled

Due to the weather, the mini meet that was scheduled for this afternoon has been cancelled.

Important Dates

May 3                Pro D – classes not in session
May 6                Grade 4&5 Biking Workshops
May 9                Grade 4&5 Biking Workshops
May 10              We Walk for Water
May 13-15        Grade 6&7 go camping
May 13-31        Tennis lessons in the gym (4 lessons for each class)
May 16             Theme Day: Crazy Hair Day
May 10              We Walk for Water
May 20              Victoria Day Holiday – Classes not in session
May 23              Earthquake Drill (students dismissed from field)
May 27              Pro D – Classes not in session
May 30              District Track Meet at Bear Creek Park

We Walk for Water

On Friday, May 10th the Student Leadership Team will be holding a We Walk for Water event.  This is to raise awareness and a positive change on global water issues. Classes will sign up to walk around our big field carrying water jugs.  This is to give our students an idea of what children around the world have to do on a daily basis instead of going to school.   Children in countries like India, cannot go to school because they need to fetch water for the family from a water source that is far from home (sometimes more than 10 km away) and most times the water source is contaminated.

We ask that students donate $1 on May 10th for our We Walk for Water event. 

Facts and Stats:

Water is a basic human right, yet more than 840 million people do not have a basic drinking water service. More than 260 million people, mostly young girls, have the daily task of collecting water from distant sources—time that could be spent in school or earning a livelihood. By cutting the time and distance to fetch water in half, girls’ school attendance increases by 12 percent. Poor sanitation and contaminated water can lead to diseases like cholera, hepatitis A and typhoid. But with access to clean water, families are able to send their girls to school, watch their crops flourish and improve their personal health

Every day women and children around the world spend 200 million hours fetching water from the only sources available—distant and often polluted lakes, rivers or streams.

Learn more:

 

Earthquake Drill

We will be having an Earthquake Drill on Thursday, May 23th at 1 pm.  Children and all staff will evacuate the school and wait outside on the big field until a designate on the Emergency Contact Card comes to pick up your child.  Parents will be able to pick up their children anytime after 1:30pm during the drill.

Teachers will be sending home the Emergency Contact Cards for parents to fill out or to edit this week.  These cards will be placed in the classroom emergency backpack. If an emergency should happen while you are out of the neighbourhood, school staff will remain with your child(ren) for as long as necessary. Your child(ren) will only be released to you and to anyone that you designate on the Emergency Contact Card. It is best if the adults on the list live nearby and can walk to school to pick up your child in your absence. The purpose of this is both to reunite you as soon as possible, and to keep your child safe. When a person comes to pick up your child, they will have to identify themselves and your child will have to confirm their identity.

Prior to the drill we will be discussing with the students why we are practising and what is going to happen.These are the steps we will carry out:

1.  An “alarm” will sound over the P.A. system (a series of earthquake sounds)
2. Students will be directed to get under a heavy object (desk, chair, table, etc.), crouch and protect their heads. Students will be directed to stay away from windows and glass.
3. Once the “rumblings” have stopped, students will count to 60, and then evacuate the building (as they do in a fire drill) and assemble on the big field.
4. Teachers will take roll call of their division and then drop students off into last name groupings on the field.  However, our Kindergarten students will be grouped with their siblings and will remain with the Kindergarten teachers. Students will be wearing their Emergency Contact Cards around their necks (on a lanyard)
5. At this point parents/guardians will arrive at the school to pick up their children.  We will have parents line up and allow them into the field to pick up their children. For those parents who are waiting in line, we will also have teachers being “runners” taking down names and bringing children to the designated adult.  Since children are organized into last name groupings, a parent has to go to one section to collect his/her children.  The adult(s) in charge of the children will ask the  adult to identify him/herself and then the check to see if the adult is listed on the child’s Emergency Contact card.  The parent takes his/her child and hands the lanyard to the staff member in charge.

We had this Earthquake Drill last year and it ran smoothly. The important thing to remember is that we need to be patient.  We are aware that in a real earthquake there are many factors and our plan may have to drastically change.  The purpose of the drill is to have our students understand the basics of :

• drop, cover, hold
• staying with an adult during an emergency (it is safe)
• where to evacuate and how to stay together in a group
• to follow teacher directions until an adult picks them up.

Please arrange to have yourself (parent/guardian) or one of the adults on your child’s Emergency Contact Card be able to come and pick up your child(ren) between 1:30 – 2:25 pm.  Just as in an emergency, teachers will remain with your child(ren) for as long as necessary.

Here a list of questions that parents had last year:

Questions and Answers:

1.  If the parent/guardian is NOT listed on the Emergency Contact Card, but comes to pick up their child, will the child be released to the parent?  The answer is YES.  The individuals listed on your the Emergency Contact Card should be the adults who would  be able to come to the school and pick up your child.  If the legal guardian is not listed on the Emergency Contact Card but comes to pick up his/her child, the school will allow the parent to take their child because the parent is listed as the legal guardian on the official contact information at the office.
2. I have not arranged to have anyone pick up my child for the Earthquake Drill as my child usually walks home by himself at the end of the day.  When will my child be allowed to go home if no one comes to pick him or her up?  At 2:45 pm, we will conclude our Earthquake Drill.  The students that are left on the field will go to their teachers (also on the field) and then head back to their classrooms.  Teachers will then follow the regular dismissal procedure they have all year.  So that means, the intermediate students will be dismissed from class and the primary students will follow the protocol teachers have set (K’s and 1’s are dismissed to an adult).
3. Where do we go to pick up our child(ren) from the field?  You will line up in the parent parking lot by Ms. Beale’s portable.  Please remember this is a practise drill and that will require patience.
4. The drill starts at 1 pm but we are to pick up the students at 1:30 pm?  Yes that is correct.  This is because if this were a real drill, we would need time to get the students safely on the field before we released them to adults.  Moreover, it would take a minimum of 15-20 minutes for adults to get out of their homes safely and come to the school if there were a natural disaster like an earthquake.

If no one has come to pick your child by 2:45 pm, we will then call the parent/guardian first, and if we are unable to get a hold of the parent, we then go down the Emergency Card Contact list for pick up.  If your child is picked up by a day care provider, we will release your child to the daycare at the 2:27 pm dismissal bell.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Chohan.