Newsletter #2 - October 7, 2026

October 7, 2026

Hello Highland Park Huskies!

It has been very rewarding interacting with such happy children about being back at school and their class placement. As always, please contact your child’s classroom teacher or myself, Shelly Cull, principal if you need support in any way regarding any aspect of Highland Park Elementary. We are here to help and can only do so if we are made aware of a problem to help solve.  We like to solve problems sooner than later, so if something is on your mind, please reach out.  It helps us to better understand each other and find solutions. 

On that note, if you need help understanding a problem your child experienced at school, again, please reach out.  Conflict is inevitable in group settings, especially among students who are learning to get their needs met in peaceful ways.  Your encouraging comments at home in this regard is also appreciated to help your child grow.  Parents often have one side from their child.  School staff are able to investigate all perspectives so a fuller picture of what actually happened and can be understood.  Ask your child if they reported the incident and to who.  Ask your child if they tried any of the PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES?  The best way to make an impact with the development of appropriate interactions among young students is to report it in the moment or as soon after as possible.  CLICK HERE to access our CODE OF CONDUCT.  For more information on how to address concerns with your school, CLICK HERE.

To help ensure the safety of our school community, CLICK HERE to read the FAIR NOTICE letter to learn about the duty to report potential violence and/or threat making behaviour.

PHOTO DAY: Individual school photos are happening on Wednesday, October 14.

COLDER/WETTER WEATHER IS HERE: The weather is getting colder and wetter so I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you to ensure your children have what they need in their backpacks for all kinds of weather conditions.  We value the importance of fresh air and outside time but staying warm and dry is a must so we can keep our priority on learning during our learning times.  Thank you very much.  In addition to water resistant outdoor gear (ie. puddle pants, gloves, warm winter jacket, rain jacket, toque, snow pants, etc.), ensuring your children have extra clothing in their back packs including dry socks and pants is important. As it gets colder as we approach winter, water resistant gloves are important and even an extra pair.  Thank you for your attention to this.  As we head into the months ahead, please know that we consider many aspects of the weather before calling an inside day.  During the winter, typically if the temperature is colder than -14, we will keep students inside. 

HUSKY STRONG: We had our first school wide assembly on Wednesday, September 9.  We revisited what it means to be HUSKY STRONG.  We developed a list of possible words, using what we have learned from previous assemblies, starting with S, T, R, O, N, G – Stay SAFE, TAKE care of each other, RESPECT everyone, OWN our actions, NEVER give up, and GROW with GOALS. We reviewed the importance of our actions and words.  We also watched a video called “20 things we should say more often.”  CLICK HERE to view the video.  Doing what’s expected with our actions and words helps create a safe, caring and welcoming school and classroom learning environment for all. One student from each class will be recognized for demonstrating HUSKY STRONG behaviours related to RESPONSIBILITY by and DOING WHAT’S EXPECTED at our next assembly on Friday, October 9.  It’s the HUSKY WAY! WHOO – AH! On October 9, our focus will be shifting to GROWING with GOALS in preparation of the upcoming student/family/teacher conferences scheduled on Monday, October 26.

SCHOOL GOALS:  HPE parents are invited to attend an information session on Thursday, Nov. 26 from 6 pm - 7 pm to learn more about our school learning plan, goals and progress. This meeting is for parents only. CLICK HERE to learn more about progress throughout the district towards our District's Strategic Plan. Our school goals continue to include the following:

1.      To improve in the area of literacy, in particular the specific writing area of style and conventions, for greater impact.

2.      To improve student numeracy skills – we will have specific goals for each grade level.

Grade K – Subitizing to ten (essential for number sense - how amounts are composed of smaller parts without counting and “how many more to ten”).

Grade 1 – Addition and Subtraction to 20 - doubles facts (automatic) and near doubles strategy.

Grade 2 – Subtraction to 100 – decomposition and compensation strategies.

Grade 3 – Subtraction to 1000 – decomposition and compensation strategies.

Grade 4 – Multiplication of 2 or 3 digit numbers by 1- digit number using area model and distributive property strategies.

Grade 5 - Multiplication of up to 3 digits by 3 digits using area model and distributive property strategies AND Division of up to 3 digits (dividend) by 1 digit (divisor) using repeated subtraction and decomposition strategies.

3.      To improve students’ sense of belonging – focusing on feeling welcome, safe and connected through positive student to student interactions. (Social Awareness and Responsibility)

4.      To improve students’ sense of well-being – focusing on self monitoring and assessing skills related to perseverance, resiliency, and greater responsibility/ownership for their choices. (Personal Awareness and Responsibility)

5.      To develop students’ competencies to be successful in a career path of their choice – focusing on the engagement of students in goal-setting and self-assessment opportunities.

DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE A WATER BOTTLE AND INSIDE SHOES?: Please remember to send your child to school with a water bottle and inside shoes.  Inside shoes are important for safety while inside the school and they also help to keep our school clean.  They are also very important for gym time.  We are finding that our floors are getting marked up with black scuff marks from black soles.  Please consider choosing white soles to help keep our floors scuff free.

FSA – FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT 2026: Ms. Mac and Mrs. Cull with teacher support have been busy administering the FSA to our grade 4 students at HPE. Each year, students in grades 4, 7, 10 and 12 participate in a provincial assessment called Foundational Skills Assessment (developed by the Ministry of Education and Child Care) that takes a look at students’ learning in the areas of Numeracy and Literacy. CLICK HERE for a very informative brochure for parents on the FSA, what it is, why it’s important and how the results are used. For even more information, CLICK HERE to access the Ministry of Education and Child Care website or HERE to access info on the SD83 website.  As previously communicated, the assessment process will occur from September 28 – November 6^th.  Students are required to complete a variety of tasks in a booklet and online to assess their skills with comprehension in Literacy and problem solving in Numeracy.  This assessment is marked and scored by SD83 teachers, Principals and Vice Principals.  Results are used by SD83 and our school staff to measure progress in Literacy and Numeracy and set direction for the coming years. Results are viewed as a grade cohort and individually to show growth in areas outlined in our School Learning Plan.  The student booklet containing individual student results is sent home to parents in December.  If you would like to view sample questions or even help your child prepare for the assessment, CLICK HERE to access sample assessments for each grade level and topic assessed.  All students in grades 4 and 7 must write the FSA to ensure our data accurately reflects our population as these results guide our improvement planning and efforts.  We work hard to ensure that students have the time they need to ensure they can demonstrate a complete understanding to the best of their ability.  Principals can identify students eligible for exemption from one or both components of the FSA, in accordance with specified criteria exemptions. 

SPIRIT DAYS for 2026 – 2027: While theses are also in our school calendar, CLICK HERE to review a list of our HPE Spirit Days.  Please include these in your family calendar and show your HUSKY STRONG SPIRIT.  It’s the HUSKY WAY – WHOO – AH!!

WINTER CONCERT DATE – Thursday, December 3, 2026: Please save the date in your family calendars for our 2026 Winter Concert which will be taking place during the school year.  More information about the different concert times for specific grade levels will be announced once planned. 

COMMUNICATING STUDENT LEARING: Please have a look at the dates below outlining our structure for communicating student learning for the 2026 20207 school year.  Please take note that the Student/Teacher/Family Conference Day on Monday, October 26 is not a regular day of school.  Students only attend school during their scheduled conference time with their family.  A link to sign up for the Oct. 26 Conference Day will be forthcoming.  Stay tuned.

Most of our teachers have opted for student-led conferences as the Informal Learning Update provided in the Spring on Thursday, April 29 – PLEASE SAVE THE DATE in your family CALENDARS.  If your child’s classroom teacher chooses to do something different, you will be notified by your child’s classroom teacher.  If you wish to read information on Communicating Student Learning from the Ministry of Education and Child Care, CLICK HERE and HERE for information on the recent changes.

COSTUME PARADE: On Friday, October 30 in the morning HPE will be having a costume parade for our students and staff starting at 8:20 am. Students are also welcome to participate by wearing fall colours if costumes are not preferred. Accessories can get lost, misplaced or broken at school.  You may wish to keep these items at home so they can be available for use on October 31^st.  Please CLICK HERE to review the rules in place when choosing a costume appropriate for school.  This will help ensure safety and belonging remain a priority at our school.

1. NO weapons or weapon like items or accessories – if it’s meant to harm others, it’s a weapon, please leave it at home. Weapon or weapon like items are not allowed on school property at any time. Even if fake.
2. Masks are allowed in classroom spaces ONLY. Please leave masks off while outside or in common spaces like the hallways and washrooms. This is to ensure students are identifiable and feel safe.
3. Keep the gore to a minimum and content appropriate for a k- 5 elementary school setting. Blood splatters, gore and very scary costumes can be too frightening for some children.
4. Be respectful of our existing dress code in SD83. Choose a costume that does not limit your participation in school activities, including participating in gym, recess and lunch. Ensure your costume choice does not degrade, denigrate, incite hatred, prejudice or discriminate based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical status, physical or mental disability, sex or sexual orientation and gender identity or expression (prohibited grounds set out in the BC Human Rights Code).

UPDATE FROM HPE PAC: Please CLICK HERE to access meeting minutes from the previous school year.  You can also access the Principal’s Report that was shared at our most recent meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22.  PAC meetings generally fall on the third Tuesday of each month at 2:30 pm in the library.  Our next meetings are: October 20, November 17, December 15, January 19, February 16, April 20, May 18, and June 15.  Babysitting is provided for parents who attend the meeting.  A big thank you to our fabulous PAC for hosting our Welcome Back to School Event and for the generous support to our students and teachers with a recent donation for each division. Did you know our PAC has an e-transfer option now with highlandpark.armstrong.pac@gmail.com.

CLICK HERE to access information from SOUPER MEALS (including menu, ingredient list, registration and volunteer sign up) regarding the 2026 – 2027 hot lunch.

Delivery for the Davison Orchard Apple Fundraiser for PAC is on Friday, October 16 between 1:30 and 2:30 pm.

Scholastic Book Fair – Confirmed for November 23 – 27. A big thank you our PAC, in particular Emily Huxter.  Volunteers are needed. Students will have an opportunity to view and purchase items in their assigned library times.  More information on the hours of operation will be coming home soon. 

PAC fundraiser with Snowcap – CLICK HERE to access the order form and related information on our website.

In addition to our school website, information items related to our school PAC can be found on the Highland Park Elementary PAC Facebook Page.

MEALS PROGRAM: Our Breakfast Room is open each day from 7:30 am until the 8:00 am bell.  This is an inclusive program available for all students.  We ask that parents at the school do not enter the breakfast room unless you are there in the official capacity as an approved parent volunteer.  We have a variety of options at the office for students requesting a top up to their lunch. Also, in an effort to support families experiencing hardship we have a variety of churches in our area who volunteer to make brown bag lunches for students.  If you wish to take part in the brown bag lunch program coordinated through the Glad Tidings Church, contact Shelly Cull or Ms. Tammie Turner at the office.  It’s important that our students have full bellies to support them in their learning. 

MEDICATION: Medication for students can only be kept at the office and administered by office personnel or designate.  In order for us to administer medication to your child, please ensure you have the appropriate permission forms completed at the office.  We do not provide medication to suppress symptoms of illness at school.  We encourage students to stay home until they are well enough to participate in all aspects of their learning, including recess and lunch.

PLEASE REPORT YOUR CHILD’S ABSENCES: As part of our safe arrival practice, we will contact you if we do not hear from you regarding your child’s absence.  It is imperative that all students are accounted for each day as soon as possible.  If your child will not be in attendance, please contact Ms. Tammie Turner by email hpe@sd83.bc.ca or phone 250-546-8723 (leave a message if no one picks up) to report your child’s absence and reason for their absence.   Thank you for your assistance in helping us ensure all students are accounted for each day. The time it takes to track down this information can take away time from other important tasks in our office.  We thank you for making the reporting of student absences an ongoing priority throughout the year.

ALL VISITORS MUST REPORT TO THE OFFICE: If you are entering our school building or grounds during the school day for any reason (other than drop off and pick up), it is important that you check in at the office.  We ask that you use the main entrance near the office.  Our office staff are happy to assist you with finding your child, delivering a message and/or belongings.  Guests who wish to enter the school beyond the office will need to sign in and out.  This will help us to ensure that guests are in the building for a specific purpose and meet all the requirements of our SD83 volunteer policy. 

VOLUNTEER POLICY: Parent volunteers are an important part of our school.  Parents and caregivers are critical in helping create positive school experiences for our students.  SD83 has requirements in place to ensure that schools in SD83 are safe and secure spaces for our students.  CLICK HERE to access Policy 240 Volunteers In Schools.  Please contact our office by email at hpe@sd83.bc.ca to request the specific link to the criminal record check for SD83.  The return time can take up to 3 weeks, so we encourage you to start this process sooner rather than later if you have a desire to volunteer at some point this school year.  There is also a VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION FORM that will need to be completed.  If you have questions about becoming an approved volunteer or the registration process, please contact Shelly Cull or Ms. Tammie Turner at the office.  

USE OF PRIVATE VEHICLES: In order to drive children other than your own for any SD83 related event (fieldtrips, sporting events, etc.), it is important that the office have on file a copy of your driver’s license, recent driver’s abstract, vehicle registration and updated insurance and a checklist completed on the condition of your vehicle as per SD83 Policy 8050 and related regulations.  All trips, vehicles and drivers must be approved by the Principal.  Teachers will be responsible for assigning students to approved volunteers and their vehicles for each field trip.  In addition to these requirements, a specific criminal record check must be completed with SD83 for all adults in the vehicle.  Please contact our office by email at hpe@sd83.bc.ca to request the specific link to the criminal record check for SD83.  The return time can take up to 3 weeks, so we encourage you to start this process sooner rather than later if you plan on volunteering at some point this school year.  If you have questions please contact Shelly Cull or Ms. Tammie Turner at the office.  

SCHOOL FEES AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIP:  Please CLICK HERE to access our 2026-2027 fee structure.  School fees were due to the office by Friday, October 2.  CLICK HERE to access SD83 Policy 370 School Fees and Financial Hardship.  Contact Shelly Cull, principal if you need support with school fees or field trip fees. 

HPE STAFF AND STUDENTS REMEMBER: On Tuesday, November 10 we welcome Mr. Shawn Coady to our school to lead our 2026 School Remembrance Day Assembly at 10 am.  He plans to engage students and staff in an informative assembly about why we remember, the symbols of remembrance and Canada’s contributions and efforts in both past and present peace keeping initiatives.  A reminder that National Indigenous Veterans Day on Sunday, November 8 as well.

REMEMBRANCE DAY YOUTH CONTESTS: Please CLICK HERE to read more information about a poster contest for students in grades k – 12, a literacy contest for students in grade 4 – 12 and a video contest for students in grades 7 – 12.  The due date for all poster and literary entries and accompanying parental consent form is due to our office prior to November 15, 2026. We will ensure they get to the Legion for judging.  Thank you.

UPCOMING DATES: CLICK HERE to access the school calendar on our website for an ongoing view of what’s coming up.