{"id":178,"date":"2025-10-03T16:45:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T23:45:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/kerrisdalenewsletter\/?p=178"},"modified":"2025-10-03T16:52:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T23:52:25","slug":"october-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/kerrisdalenewsletter\/2025\/10\/03\/october-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"October Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

KERRISDALE HAPPENINGS<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

October is a vibrant time at school, filled with learning, leadership, and community spirit. As students settle into their routines, we\u2019re proud to see so many stepping up to take on meaningful roles\u2014from our dedicated safety patrol ensuring everyone\u2019s well-being, to student council members representing their peers with thoughtfulness and enthusiasm. Our library monitors help keep our learning spaces organized and welcoming, while clubs and activities offer students exciting opportunities to explore interests, build friendships, and grow as leaders. We\u2019re grateful for the support of our families and look forward to a month of continued growth, connection, and celebration.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are excited to be starting our extra-curricular sports programs with our Cross Country team and our Soccer teams. Thank you to our staff coaches and parent volunteers. Volleyball is just around the corner as well. Good luck in your seasons!<\/p>\n

Thanksgiving Day – Monday, October 13<\/strong> – school is not in session<\/p>\n

Professional Development Day – Friday, October 24<\/strong> – school is not in session for students<\/p>\n

COLD & FLU SEASON<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

As cold and flu season begins, we\u2019d like to remind families of the health and safety protocols we have in place to help keep our school community well. Handwashing remains a regular part of our daily routine for all students. We continue to be a mask-friendly school, where both staff and students are welcome to choose whether or not to wear a mask. We sincerely thank families for keeping children at home when they are feeling unwell. If a student develops symptoms during the school day, we will contact home and ask that a family member come to pick them up.\"\"<\/p>\n

Some resources can be found through the following websites:<\/p>\n

The VSB Health and Safety collaborates with\u00a0Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCHA)<\/a>\u00a0staff and medical health officers to manage communicable diseases efficiently.<\/p>\n

The District\u2019s\u00a0Communicable Disease Prevention Plan<\/a>\u00a0(V12-Jun. 13, 2024) aligns with the latest Ministry of Education and Child Care and BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) guidelines.<\/p>\n

On Friday, we conducted our school\u2019s first fire drill of the year. We\u2019ll have several more throughout the year, including earthquake and lockdown drills, which are essential for reviewing and practicing our safety and preparedness procedures. This is also a great reminder to discuss and plan for emergencies at home. Do you have an escape route and a designated meeting spot in case of a fire? Is your earthquake kit and supplies ready? Our first earthquake drill is on\u00a0Thursday, October 17<\/strong>, as part of the\u00a0Great BC Shake Out<\/em>. There are many excellent\u00a0online resources<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0available to help your family ensure you are well-prepared.<\/p>\n

GOAL SETTING CONFERENCES<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

We look forward to seeing you at our\u00a0Goal Setting Conferences<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0on\u00a0Wednesday, Oct. 15 & Thursday, Oct. 16.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 Reminder that it is early dismissal on these days.\u00a0\u00a0Students are to be picked up at 2:00 PM.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 You will be receiving an email from your child\u2019s classroom teacher explaining how to sign up for these conferences.<\/p>\n

NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

We hope that families take the opportunity on September 30th to reflect on what you can do to acknowledge and work towards Truth and Reconciliation while honouring the lives lost to residential schools in Canada.\u00a0 Huge thank you to Mme Larose and her students for leading us in an assembly on Friday and for all the students, staff and parents for wearing orange. We will continue this work daily at Kerrisdale as this is not just one day of remembrance but every day as we are working towards Truth and Reconciliation.<\/p>\n

TERRY FOX RUN<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

In the lead-up to this day, our students have engaged in meaningful activities including class-wide discussions, storytelling, video reflections, school-wide announcements, and fundraising efforts for cancer research. We realize some were disappointed that our run was cancelled but classes will still be participating in a run, some with their buddy classes. These moments have allowed students to connect deeply with Terry\u2019s journey, his courage, and the impact he continues to have on generations of Canadians. We really appreciate all the families who have donated to Terry Fox this year. We raised a total of $1190<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

DIVERSITY<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

October is arriving already this week, and with it comes a powerful opportunity to reflect on social justice and celebrate the many communities that shape our country.<\/p>\n

Throughout October, Canadians observe several heritage and inclusion months. Canadian Islamic History Month highlights the contributions of Muslim Canadians to our society, from science and art to civic leadership. Community Inclusion Month reminds us of the importance of creating spaces where people of all abilities feel valued and included. German Heritage Month celebrates the cultural traditions and historical impact of German Canadians. Latinx Heritage Month honours the vibrant cultures, histories, and achievements of Latin American communities across the country. 2SLGBTQIA+ History Month recognizes the resilience and rights of queer and trans communities, with National Coming Out Day on October 11 offering a moment to support those who choose to share their identity. Women\u2019s History Month celebrates the achievements of women throughout Canadian history and encourages continued advocacy for gender equity.<\/p>\n

October 1 marked National Seniors Day, a time to appreciate the wisdom and contributions of older adults. That evening, people of Jewish faith began observing Yom Kippur, a day dedicated to reflection and renewal. On October 2, many Hindu families celebrated Dussehra, a festival symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Sikh communities will mark the Installation of the Guru Granth Sahib on October 20, commemorating the day the scripture was established as the eternal Guru. That same day, Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas will be celebrated, bringing light, joy, and spiritual reflection to Hindu and Sikh homes.<\/p>\n

October also includes important days of awareness and advocacy. World Mental Health Day on October 10 reminds us to care for our emotional well-being and support others with compassion. October 11 is the International Day of the Girl, a time to uplift the voices and rights of girls around the world. Persons Day on October 18 commemorates the historic legal recognition of women as \u201cpersons\u201d in Canada, a milestone in the fight for equality.<\/p>\n

As we move through October, let\u2019s take time to learn from one another, honour our differences, and build a school community rooted in respect, inclusion, and understanding.<\/p>\n

INDIVIDUAL PICTURE DAY<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"Individual photo day is on\u00a0Friday, October 17<\/strong>\u00a0and retakes will be taken on\u00a0Friday,<\/strong>\u00a0November 14<\/strong>.\u00a0 We will be using\u00a0Edge Imaging <\/em><\/strong>again this year.\u00a0 All orders are done online and delivered to the school if ordered within the time frame.\u00a0 More information will be communicated home shortly.<\/p>\n

LIBRARY<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Library Parent Volunteers Needed!<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer at Kerrisdale, our librarian is looking for 2 parent volunteers that can do weekly shifts on Wednesdays from 1-3 pm. If you are interested, please email Mme. Bonilla at abonillagomez@vsb.bc.ca<\/p>\n

Thank you for helping our library to run smoothly!<\/p>\n

REGULAR CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION CLINIC<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Our school immunization clinic is on\u00a0Tuesday, November 25<\/strong>. Families will receive a letter from our school nurse indicating if your child needs their regular childhood immunizations as well as a permission form closer to the date. Please make sure that this form is returned to the school office before the clinic date.<\/p>\n

HEALTHY SNACKS & LUNCHES<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

At school, we\u2019re working hard to help students build healthy habits, and a big part of that includes learning about\"\" nutrition and making safe choices. One important reminder we would like you to talk to your child about is snack trading. While it may seem harmless, trading food can pose serious risks\u2014especially for students with allergies, where even a small bite of the wrong item can lead to a severe reaction. Additionally, families pack lunches and snacks with care to meet their child\u2019s specific needs, and trading can result in children eating something that isn\u2019t right for them. It can also unintentionally lead to hurt feelings or conflicts if some students feel left out or if their food isn\u2019t accepted by others. We appreciate your support in helping us create a safe and inclusive environment for all students.<\/p>\n

We understand that families may experience different financial circumstances at various times, even here in Kerrisdale. That\u2019s why we want to remind you that our school participates in the District Hot Lunch Program, which provides meals for students who may need support. If you\u2019d like more information, please don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to our Vice-Principal, M. Oli. Additionally, our PAC-run Hot Lunch Program continues to be a major fundraiser for the school, and we\u2019re incredibly grateful to all the families who take part and support our community through this initiative.<\/p>\n

SCHOOL SAFETY PATROL<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Our student safety patrol is an essential part of our school community, working diligently each day to ensure the\u00a0safety of everyone on and around school grounds. These students take on a leadership role with pride, helping their peers cross the street safely, guiding younger students, and promoting respectful behaviour. They are there to keep everyone<\/em> safe\u2014including pedestrians and drivers\u2014and it is crucial that all members of our community listen to them and obey their signs and signals. Their presence is not only a symbol of responsibility but also a reminder that safety is a shared commitment. We are proud to honour their dedication and thank them for the important work they do.<\/p>\n

TRAFFIC REMINDERS<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The traffic around Kerrisdale is a significant concern to school staff, parents and the larger community.\u00a0 Please take careful note of the no-stopping areas in and around the school.\u00a0 We strongly encourage parents\/guardians to drop off their children away from the school and walk a block or two to school or else leave the car at home and walk as a family.\u00a0 This will allow the students to create independence by walking to school themselves and build some healthy habits.<\/p>\n

When school is in session, a\u00a030 km\/h school zone speed limit<\/strong>\u00a0is in effect\u00a0from\u00a08:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every school day<\/strong>, unless otherwise posted.<\/p>\n

HERE ARE A FEW REMINDERS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Plan ahead and be alert. Driving routes with less traffic in the summer may now face congestion, so give yourself extra time to get to your destination.\u00a0 Take your time and don\u2019t rush \u2013 especially through intersections.\u00a0 Look for children especially near or around crosswalks and intersections.<\/li>\n
  2. The staff parking lot is for\u00a0staff only<\/strong>,<\/strong> there is no dropping-off or picking-up of students.<\/li>\n
  3. Always yield to pedestrians (it\u2019s the law).<\/li>\n
  4. Never <\/strong>make a U-Turn or back-up in the lane or in driveways, this is very dangerous and could lead to someone getting seriously hurt. Drive around the block instead.<\/li>\n
  5. When dropping off children in a School Zone, stop and allow them to exit onto the sidewalk side of the car.\u00a0Never allow a child to cross mid-block<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  6. If a vehicle is stopped in front of you or in the lane next to you, they may be yielding for a pedestrian, so be prepared to stop.<\/li>\n
  7. Always watch for pedestrians when you\u2019re backing up. Before you get into your vehicle, make it a habit to walk around your vehicle to ensure no small children are behind it.\u00a0 And remember, children will notice your driving behaviour, so set an example and drive smart.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Parents and guardians dropping-off and picking-up their children are very often seen committing a few traffic offences.\u00a0\u00a0Please be advised that the City of Vancouver parking enforcement and VPD traffic authority regularly visits the streets around Kerrisdale Elementary to issue tickets and fines.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    School Zones<\/strong><\/p>\n

    As Vancouver\u2019s school population grows, so do the traffic and parking problems around schools. For the safety of children, and to avoid traffic congestion, motorists dropping off or picking up students should pay attention to the following restrictions.<\/p>\n

    All the following rules are enforced under Street and Traffic Bylaw 2849.\u00a0 Please visit the City of Vancouver\u00a0website<\/strong><\/a><\/span>\u00a0for more information.<\/p>\n

    No Parking<\/strong><\/p>\n