Beyond The Desk

Tomorrow is our much-anticipated field trip for the Grade 4 and Grade 4/5 classes, and we are very much looking forward to a fun and meaningful day together! We will be visiting the Fraser River Discovery Centre and the Vancouver Circus for a day filled with learning, exploration, and activity.

We will be leaving the school promptly at 8:15 a.m. and expect to return at approximately 3:15 p.m., depending on traffic. Students should arrive no later than 8:00 a.m. Please help your child arrive at school on time so that we can get everyone organized and head out as scheduled.

As you prepare for tomorrow, please make sure your child comes with:

• comfortable clothing suitable for physical activity

• their Knight Shirt

• a water bottle

• a well-packed lunch

Students are also welcome to bring a book or another quiet activity for the bus ride. Please remember that electronics should stay at home.

Thank you for your help in getting your child ready for the day. We are excited to share this experience together and are looking forward to a wonderful field trip!

Barring any difficulties with weather, we are still set to go on our fieldtrip on Tuesday.

As I have had some cancellations, I still have some parent spots open if anyone is interested in coming with us on that day.

Please let me know by emailing or sending a note in your child’s planner.

Pink Shirt Day

You may have heard that Pink Shirt Day is coming up and wondered what on earth is going on — especially if your child came home talking about “wearing pink” at school.

On February 25, students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 will be participating in Pink Shirt Day. Pink Shirt Day is held annually across British Columbia (and across Canada) to raise awareness about bullying and to encourage students to be part of creating a school culture where everyone feels safe, included, and respected.

What will students be doing at school?

Along with wearing pink, students will be participating in discussions connected to:

• what bullying is (and what it isn’t)

• how to respond safely when they see bullying

• how to include others and use kind words

• where to go for help at school

The main message we want students to take away is simple: everyone belongs, and we each have a role in making school a place where others feel welcome.

Wearing pink (optional)

Students are encouraged to wear pink as a sign of solidarity against bullying, but it is completely optional. If your child would like to participate, they have a few options:

• Students may wear any shirt from home that has at least 50% pink on it.

• Students may wear a Pink Shirt Day shirt they may have purchased previously.

• Students who do not wish to wear pink may wear their usual uniform on that day.

A quick encouragement for home

If it fits for your family, this can be a great day to ask your child a simple question like:

• “What does kindness look like at recess?”

• “What could you do if you saw someone being left out?”

• “Who is an adult at school you could talk to if something felt wrong?”

Thanks for supporting this important day. We’re looking forward to seeing our school community stand together to promote kindness, respect, and belonging.

Math Mayhem

Our favourite math time of the year is coming!

Join us for an exciting Math Mayhem event on March 3rd from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, where families can enjoy a night filled with fun math games hosted by our amazing Grade 10-12 students! This is a fantastic opportunity to win awesome prizes while fostering a love for math in a lively atmosphere. We encourage families to participate together, as it’s guaranteed to be a blast for everyone! Please remember that an adult must accompany students and cannot be dropped off unattended at this event.

Brrrr! It’s chilly out there this morning! A quick reminder as we move through our chilly (and sometimes wildly unpredictable!) cold weather: please make sure your child is coming to school dressed appropriately for being outside.

We go outside for recess and lunch play every day, and students will be outdoors unless the temperature (including wind chill) drops below -10°C. Fresh air and movement are such an important part of the school day—but it’s only enjoyable when everyone is warm and comfortable.

What “weather-ready” looks like

Here are a few helpful items to send on colder days:

• Warm jacket (winter coat when needed)

• Hat / toque

• Gloves or mittens

• Warm footwear

• Layers (a hoodie or sweater under a coat makes a big difference)

A couple quick tips

• If your child often forgets items, it can help to label hats and gloves.

Thanks so much for your support with this! Being dressed for the weather helps recess stay fun, safe, and comfortable for everyone.

A quick reminder that our 100th Day of School is coming up this Thursday (as mentioned in our previous update).

Students are invited to come to school dressed up as their vision of themselves at 100 years old.  We encourage creativity and imagination! Whether it’s gray hair, glasses, a cane, or a cardigan, there are so many fun ways to bring this idea to life. Need some inspiration? Check out Pinterest for adorable costume ideas or visit a local thrift store to find great items at an affordable price.

To make the day even more festive, we will be gathering as an elementary department to show our costumes to everyone and to participate in some group exercises. This will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone to admire the creative efforts of their classmates!

If your child prefers not to dress up, no problem! They can come to school in their uniform as usual.

Also, after the long weekend, we will be doing Valentine’s cards on Tuesday. If your child would like to bring Valentine’s cards to share, they are welcome to bring them on Tuesday. Please ensure that every student receives one if your child is handing out cards.

To help with this, students will be bringing home a class list of names tomorrow so they can address their cards more easily.

Thanks so much for your support!

Welcome to our first week of February!

Thank you again for your patience with my absences. Last week I was in Victoria working on the creation of the math section of the Grade 4 FSA’s. It is great professional development for me and the school. It was also nice to have a little more down time after having been back for two full days. This should be the last major time away until the end of April where I will be back in Victoria.

Time is passing so quickly. It’s hard to believe that we have almost hit 100 days of school already. Speaking of which……

Celebrating 100 Days of School! February 12th

Mark your calendars for a very special day! On February 12th, we will celebrate our 100th day of school!  Students are invited to come to school dressed up as their vision of themselves at 100 years old.  We encourage creativity and imagination! Whether it’s gray hair, glasses, a cane, or a cardigan, there are so many fun ways to bring this idea to life. Need some inspiration? Check out Pinterest for adorable costume ideas or visit a local thrift store to find great items at an affordable price.

To make the day even more festive, we will be gathering as an elementary department to show our costumes to everyone and to participate in some group exercises. This will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone to admire the creative efforts of their classmates!

If your child prefers not to dress up, no problem! They can come to school in their uniform as usual.

We can’t wait to see everyone’s amazing costumes and celebrate this milestone together. Let’s make it a day to remember!

Moon Quiz

You might have seen a note in your child’s planner about an up coming Moon Quiz. More info including a study guide will come home tomorrow. Students have been learning about the different moon phases, why we have moon phases and why the moon appears to change shape in the night sky. The quiz will involve being able to name the different phases and place them in the correct order along with their explanation of why the moon appears to change shape. An example explanation may be:

“The Moon looks like it changes shape, but it’s really the same round Moon the whole time.

Here’s what’s happening. The Sun shines on the Moon, like a flashlight. Half of the Moon is always lit up by the Sun. As the Moon moves around Earth, we see different amounts of the lit half from where we are standing on Earth. So the “shapes” we see are really just the bright part of the Moon showing more or less. Imagine you have a ball and a lamp. If you hold the ball slightly above your head and turn yourself around, the lamp shines on smaller and smaller parts of the moon that you see. The Moon doesn’t change shape—the part we can see lit up changes because the Moon is moving around Earth.”

To see an illustration of this, you can check out this link:
https://contrib.pbslearningmedia.org/WGBH/buac19/buac19-int-moonphaseint/index.html

Here is the study guide for you to reference. A paper copy will also be coming home.

Hello Grade 4 Families,

A quick (and slightly last-minute!) update for you: tomorrow is Jersey Day for all staff and students. I’ll be honest—this one snuck up on me too, and I only realized it was happening tomorrow for all staff and students.… so I wanted to make sure families heard about it in time!

👕 What Students Can Wear

Students are invited to wear:

• a sports jersey (hockey, soccer, basketball, football—anything works!)

• a team shirt or athletic top if they don’t have a jersey

• school-appropriate clothing that still allows them to learn and move comfortably

✅ If You Don’t Have a Jersey

No worries at all—this is completely optional. Students who don’t have a jersey (or prefer not to participate) can come in regular uniform as usual.

We’re looking forward to a fun spirit day and seeing all the different teams represented tomorrow!

Thanks for your flexibility with the short notice, and I appreciate your support as we roll with a busy season of school events.

We have a fun (and busy!) stretch ahead at Highroad with several exciting events and opportunities coming up soon. Before I jump into the updates, I just want to say thank you. I am so grateful for the kindness, encouragement, and support from everyone. Thank you for your prayers and understanding during my recent absence—it truly meant a lot to me. I am looking forward to coming back though I will still be trying to trying to take care of myself as I transition back into the class. I am so thankful to be part of such a caring school community.

Here’s a quick roundup so you have everything in one place!

High School Missions Trip — Philippines 2026

Our High School missions team is preparing for their upcoming trip to the Philippines, and our school is partnering with Clean Water International to help bring clean water to students at Mt. Apo School.

Here are a few ways families can support:

💧 Cups of Water Fundraiser

• Every $10 helps turn a “dirty cup” of water into clean water and moves the team closer to their goal.

• Donations of $20 or more are eligible for a tax-deductible receipt.

• There is a display set up beside the school office, so feel free to stop by and check it out.

  help needed Philippines 26

🧸 Smalls & Stuffies Donation

The team will also be collecting new or gently used toys and stuffed animals to bless children in low-income communities.

• Please bring items to the bins in the foyer.

  help needed Philippines 26

🙏 Prayer Support

Please keep the missions team in your prayers—for safety, unity, joy, and that they would represent Jesus well and make an eternal impact.

🍰 Missions Dessert Night — Tomorrow Night!

Missions Dessert Night is happening tomorrow: January 26th at 6:30pm.
This is a great way to support our missions team while enjoying a fun evening together!

Tickets: Please purchase online or at the school office.

🎭 Aladdin Jr. Performance — Tickets Selling Fast!

Our theatre production of Aladdin Jr. is coming up soon, and it’s always a highlight of the year!

Performance Dates:

• Thursday, February 26th

• Friday, February 27th

• Saturday, February 28th

🎟️ Tickets are selling quickly, so don’t miss out!

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⛸️ Skating This Friday — Important Reminders!

Our next skating date is coming up this Friday.

Please remember:

• Students may wear play clothes (no uniform needed)

• Helmets are required ✅

• If your child already paid for skate rentals earlier, they do NOT need to pay again

Thank you for helping your child come prepared so they can enjoy the day safely!

💯 100th Day of School Celebration — February 12th!

Celebrating 100 Days of School!

Mark your calendars for a very special day! On February 12th, we will celebrate our 100th day of school!  Students are invited to come to school dressed up as their vision of themselves at 100 years old.  We encourage creativity and imagination! Whether it’s gray hair, glasses, a cane, or a cardigan, there are so many fun ways to bring this idea to life. Need some inspiration? Check out Pinterest for adorable costume ideas or visit a local thrift store to find great items at an affordable price.

To make the day even more festive, we will be gathering as an elementary department to show our costumes to everyone and to participate in some group exercises. This will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone to admire the creative efforts of their classmates!

If your child prefers not to dress up, no problem! They can come to school in their uniform as usual.

We can’t wait to see everyone’s amazing costumes and celebrate this milestone together. Let’s make it a day to remember!

Thanks again for your ongoing support, Grade 4 families. It’s going to be a great few weeks ahead!

Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas break and that it was restful, refreshing, and full of good time together as a family. It has been so nice to see the students again and get back into our classroom routines.

New Learning Underway

We have jumped into several new learning items this week. One exciting highlight is that we are beginning our new novel study on Frindle. Students will be building comprehension skills, responding to reading, and discussing characters, themes, and big ideas as we move through the story together.

In Math, we are continuing to finish up our unit on adding and subtracting 3- and 4-digit numbers. We’ll keep practicing accuracy, using strategies, and explaining our thinking clearly. We are nearing the end of our intensive study of the multiplication facts and will soon be diving headfirst into some programs to reinforce and solidify the multiplication facts. Please continue to work on the multiplication facts at home with your child. We are finishing up with the 4, 7, and 8 times tables.

Important Email Sent Home

I sent home an email today with an important update. If you did not receive it, please check your spam/junk folder, as it may have been filtered there. If you still can’t locate it, feel free to reach out and I’ll make sure you receive the information.

Memory Verses – New Day

A quick schedule change: Memory Verses are now on Tuesdays. Thank you for helping students adjust to the new routine.

Skating This Friday – Important Reminders

We are skating this Friday, and we’re looking forward to it! A few key reminders:

• Helmets are required. There are no helmets available at the rink, and if a student does not bring a helmet, they will not be allowed to skate. Please make sure your child has a helmet on Friday.

• Students are welcome to wear casual clothes on Friday.

• We will be leaving the school at 8:50 AM and returning at 10:50 AM.

• If you are able to help with tying skates, we would love the support—please meet us at the rec center.

Missions Dessert Evening Fundraiser

A heads-up for families: our Missions Team is hosting a Missions Dessert Evening fundraiser on January 26. We wanted to make sure it’s on your radar.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support at home. We’re off to a great start, and I’m excited for the learning ahead!

I hope you have all remained safe from the flood waters. We were fine at our house as the waters were close but didn’t quite reach our house. With the highway closed, I was worried about being able to make it in. We will see if the highway remains open!

As we enter our final days before Christmas break, there are several exciting activities and important reminders to share. Thank you for taking a moment to read through the updates below so your child is prepared for a joyful and successful week.

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❤️ M.I.T.S. Campaign – Highroad Helps @ Christmas

Our school-wide M.I.T.S. campaign continues this week as we focus on sharing kindness and care with our community. Students are invited to give in one of the following ways:

M – Money
Donations for the local food bank can be given at the school office or placed into our collection kettle.

I – Items
Students may bring personal care items, gently used winter wear, or non-perishable food items. Donation bins are located in the school foyer.

T – Time
Students can show service by giving their time—helping at school, church, or in the community. If your child participates, feel free to send a photo to Mrs. Kennedy or Mrs. Lade to add to our celebration wall of kindness.

Your generosity is truly making a difference in the lives of families this season. Thank you!

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🎄 Christmas Sweater Week

All week long, students may wear Christmas sweaters or other festive, school-appropriate holiday apparel instead of their uniforms. They may also choose to wear their regular uniform if they wish.

Holiday colours such as red, green, white, gold, and silver are all welcome. Let’s enjoy a cheerful, comfortable week together!

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🎶 Christmas Concert Dress – Grades 4–6

Our Christmas Concert is coming up quickly! Students in Grades 4–6 may dress in the following for the performance:

Students may wear:

• Christmas caroler style (sweater, pants, toque, scarf)

• Their best Christmas outfit

• Christmas sweaters

• Christmas colours: red, green, white, gold, silver

Please avoid:

• Shorts

• Sweatpants

• Tops with large logos

Special Note:
Grade 4 students participating in Mrs. Pavel’s play will wear play attire.

We are excited to celebrate the season together and to showcase all of the students’ hard work!

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⛸️ Skating Dates – January

Skating days are scheduled very soon after we return from Christmas break. Permission forms have come home already —thank you for returning them promptly!

Skating Dates for Grades 2/3, 3, and 4:

• Friday, January 16 – 9:30 AM

• Friday, January 30 – 9:30 AM

Please mark your calendars!

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🎉 Christmas Party – Wednesday

This Wednesday we will enjoy our classroom Christmas Party in the afternoon.
Please send nut-free snacks to share with the class.
A reminder that our classroom is nut-free, including products like Nutella. Thank you for helping keep all students safe.

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📚 Curriculum Still in Full Swing

Even with the exciting Christmas activities, we continue to move forward with important learning—especially in Science and Math. Please ensure your child is at school each day unless they are ill.

A special reminder that Thursday is critical: we will have several practices and our full concert dress rehearsal that day.

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🎤 Friday Concert & Early Dismissal

On Friday, students will be dismissed immediately after the Christmas Concert.
Thank you for arranging timely pickup so we can begin our break smoothly.

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As always, thank you for your support during this joyful and busy time of year. Please reach out if you have any questions. Wishing you all a wonderful final week before Christmas! 🎄