Newsletter #6 - March 5, 2026
Newsletter #6 - Thursday, March 5, 2026
Hello Highland Park Huskies!
We are beginning to experience warmer air and dryer fields here at Highland Park. The daffodils are poking up out of the ground in the garden outside of the school, which is a sure sign that spring is well on its way. We have lots of exciting events happening in the near future and I encourage you to continue to reference our CALENDAR on the HPE website to stay up to date with our happenings. Spring Break is rapidly approaching, please note that the last day of school before the break is Friday, March 13. Our first day back at school is Monday, March 30. We wish all our students and their families the opportunity to rest, recharge, get some fresh air and enjoy some much needed time off. We are looking forward to hearing about our students’ adventures when we return. As always, please reach out to Mrs. Cull by phone at 250 – 546 - 8723 or by email at scull@sd83.bc.ca with questions or concerns related to any aspect of Highland Park Elementary.
HUSKY STRONG: At our last assembly on Wednesday, March 4, we recognized one student from each class who demonstrated safe behaviours to contribute to others’ sense of belonging. More specifically, with the focus on kindness, anti-bullying and PINK SHIRT DAY, those who demonstrated UPSTANDER behaviours. Being an UPSTANDER was the focus of the February 4th assembly. A new topic relating to Personal and Social Responsibility was introduced at the March 4 assembly, more specifically OWNING OUR ACTIONS. This connects to the Circle of Courage quadrant of Independence and the “O” in what is means to be HUSKY STRONG. We look forward to recognizing one student in each classroom who can show HUSKY STRONG behaviours by OWNING their ACTIONS at our upcoming assembly on Wednesday, April 1. For more information about our School Learning Plan, CLICK HERE. For more information about our Code of Conduct, CLICK HERE. For more information about our assembly dates and topics, CLICK HERE.
INSIDE SHOES: Please ensure your child has inside shoes and that these fit for the remainder of the school year. Kids grow and we are noticing that students have mentioned that their inside shoes no longer fit. Thank you for ensuring you child has a pair of inside shoes that fit well and are meant for use in the gym – crocks are not a safe choice for PE. Please ensure that non-marking shoes are purchased so black streaks are not left on our floor each day. Thank you for your attention with this important rule for safety and school cleanliness.
DAY LIGHT SAVINGS: Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to sleep on Saturday, March 7. Day Light Saving starts Sunday, March 8. CLICK HERE to read more information about the new permanent Day Light Savings Time from the Attorney General.
HOT LUNCH: Now open for ordering until Tuesday, March 10. PAC will NOT be accepting late orders. CLICK HERE for information on how to order.
HPE TALENT SHOW: For those who will be performing, there is only a few days left to practice! We are looking forward to watching some of our very talented students perform. The talent show will take place on Monday March 9 in the Gym after recess.
PAC - EASTER CHOCOLATE FUNDRAISER: Open for ordering until Tuesday, March 10. Chocolate will be delivered March 31 just in time for Easter. CLICK HERE for more information on how to order.
SKATING: Our last week of skating will take place March 9 – 13. Please check the CALENDAR or communication from your child’s classroom teacher for dates and times.
PAC MEETING: There is no PAC meeting this month. Our next PAC meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 8 at 2:30 in the library. CLICK HERE to access the Highland Park PAC Facebook Page.
WELCOME BACK MRS. SANDBERG!: We are excited to be welcoming Mrs. Sandberg back on Monday, March 9. We would like to thank Ms. Stratton for filling in during her absence. It was such a pleasure having her join our HPE family even if it was for a brief time! You will be missed, Ms. Stratton and we hope you will accept our on-call requests in other classrooms so we can see you again.
COMMUNICATING STUDENT LEARNING: Term Two Written Learning Updates will be available for families to access online on Tuesday, March 10. Hard copies will be sent home with students on Wednesday, March 11. Please be sure to review your child’s progress and goals with them and celebrate their learning journey! A reminder that our next Communicating Student Learning will occur on Thursday, April 30. This is our second informal learning update and the format is teacher choice. Teachers in Divisions 2 – 14 will be hosting Student Led Conferences. Students in Division 1 will be receiving a written summary from the teacher. More information about Student Led Conferences will be available in April.
ROOTS OF EMPATHY: Ms. Fassbender’s grade 2 class has been learning about empathy with the Roots of Empathy program. Baby Lennox and his mom have been visiting the classroom regularly with the facilitator. The students have been observing the rapid changes and growth that babies undergo, as well as how they express their feelings through these stages.
CAREER FAIR: On February 12, we had a big day at HPE learning from 18 volunteers about their career. CLICK HERE to read all about it in a recent post on our website. Career Education is one of our goal areas in our HPE School Learning Plan and identified as a priority in our SD83 Strategic Plan.
ART FAIR: If you didn’t get a chance to see art work displayed at Picadilly Mall the week of February 9 – 13, CLICK HERE to view a video posted on the SD83 Facebook page. CLICK HERE to view a post on the SD83 website.
500 WORDS PERFORMANCE: On Wednesday March 11 we will be enjoying a performance by Green Thumb Theatre. It is heartwarming and imaginative story, by James Norris that explores themes of friendship, creativity, collaboration, literacy and learning differences. CLICK HERE to read more from their website.
SPIRIT DAY: Friday, March 13 is GREEN AND GOLD DAY AND/OR PJ DAY. We can’t wait to see students in their Irish attire and/or PJ’s for this fun last day before Spring Break! CLICK HERE for a list of Spirit Day Events for the remainder of the year.
RENOVATIONS: All students on the far side of the school (attached to the long hallway) will be reminded to bring all their items home on the last day of school before Spring Break. This is to ensure that our lockers are emptied as new cubbies will be installed on that side of the school, including new floor in the hallway. We are very excited to expand our new/refreshed look (since the flood) to the other side of the school. This change will affect students in Ms. Kalf, Ms. Myhre, Ms. Sandberg, Ms. Johnson, Ms. Ricard, Ms. MacDonald and Ms. Bergman, Mr. Byrnes, Mr. Benge, and Mr. Vallance’s classes. If you have a child in these classes, please send a reusable bag to help your child get these items home. Some lockers are very full.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES and SCHOOL SUPPLY FEE: Highland Park Elementary will be transitioning to standardized school supplies for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. CLICK HERE to read the post on our website. This means that we will be charging families the board-approved fee of $45 per student. Our PAC and staff feel that this will help to save our busy families time and money. This change will ensure students have consistent supplies that are of good quality and that are readily available based on each classroom teacher’s supply needs. The items will be ordered in bulk and ready for student use at the start of September.
VISION SCREENING FOR KINDERGARTEN AND GRADE 3: Tuesday, April 14 the Armstrong and Enderby Lions Club will be providing a vision screening process called “Your Vision is Our Vision” for students in Kindergarten and Grade 3. If you have a student(s) in either of those grades, more information has been sent home, please check your child’s backpack or with your child(s) teacher if you have not received the handout. Parents have been asked to return the form if they do not want this service. Or alternatively, please contact Ms. Turner at our office, 250 – 546 – 8723.
GLOW GALLERY: Preparation has begun for our Second Annual Glow Gallery. Teachers and students have been working hard preparing art for this beautiful display that should be in place at the end of April. The theme for this year is “Enchanted Forest”.
CHESS CLUB: Mr. Benge will be hosting a chess tournament for the students (grade 3 – 5) who have been attending chess club at lunch time. This will be happening during class time on the morning of Tuesday, March 10. Good luck to all our chess club participants.
SEWING CLUB: Ms. MacDonald will be continuing her sewing club for interested students in grade 4 and 5 which typicaly takes place on Thursdays at lunchtime.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Kindergarten registration remains open for students who will be starting Kindergarten next fall. We currently have over 40 registrations for kindergarten next year. If you or someone you know has a child that will attend kindergarten in the fall, please ensure registration has been completed by visiting our office. Please CLICK HERE for more information on Kindergarten Registration.
SAFETY PROCEDURES IN SCHOOL: As always, the safety of our students remain the number one concern of our School District 83 and our staff. Following the tragic events that have taken place in Tumbler Ridge this past month, School District 83 is reminding staff, students, parents and caregivers to review the safety procedures and protocol that we have in place. Please CLICK HERE to view the February 13th letter send to families by School District 83. CLICK HERE to access the letter sent to families throughout the province by Minister Beare.
NEWS FROM SD83: CLICK HERE to access the February Strategic Focus outlining the happenings from around the district related to our district priorities. Some of the artwork from our HPE students is featured in the section about the Art Fair. CLICK HERE to access the February 1, 2026 Board Meeting Highlights.
