Earlier this week, the school hosted a committee of representatives from independent schools across Canada. This thirteen member committee met virtually with members of every constituent group in the school, students, staff, parents and guardians, alumnae, and the Board of Governors. Their purpose was to assess the School’s practices in relation to a set of standards and “indicators of effective practice” established by the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) organization, of which CHS is a member.

From Sunday, November 21 to Wednesday, November 24, many virtual sessions were held. Their introduction to the School came through students who led them on a virtual tour of the campus. The committee members noted the pride in the school demonstrated by these students who were both knowledgeable of the School and open about sharing their experiences and perspectives. Then, individuals or groups participated in a busy schedule of zoom meetings during which everyone did their best to make the School come alive.

Upon conclusion, the visiting committee chairs, Karen Jurjevich, Head of School Branksome Hall, and Helen Pereira-Raso, Head of School Holy Trinity School, met with Carolyn Kirkwood, Chair of the Board of Governors, and myself to summarize their overall observations. Although the full report will not be available until the new year, the School was complimented on being well-prepared and on the open and welcoming reception they received from everyone they met. We anticipate that the accreditation findings will assist the School as we proceed with the important task of developing a new strategic plan for the school, and, when these findings are released to the School, they will be communicated to the full community.

Regarding the strategic plan, I would value having input from every parent and guardian. If you have not done so already, I invite you to complete the 20-minute survey, and share your experience and perspective. The survey closes at 4:00 pm on Friday, December 3, 2021.

In closing, I want to thank the many individuals (staff, students, parents, alumnae, board members) who met with this committee to provide details on the programs offered at the school, provide context regarding the structures and traditions at the School, or describe their experiences at the school. Finally, together with the committee, I am deeply appreciative of the efforts of Chris McKenzie, Coordinator of Educational Technology, Risk Manager, who coordinated all aspects of this accreditation from organizing the multiple sources of input to the School’s “self-study” report provided to the committee in advance, to his resourceful management of the accreditation visit, and everything in between.

Holiday & Vacation Calendar

In support of the School’s focus on Social and Emotional Learning this year, we are looking closely at the School’s calendar. Student well-being can be impacted by both interruptions to learning when a five day week becomes a three or four day week, as well as when the scheduling of breaks does not provide timely or sustained time to fully recharge.

In general, the holiday and vacation calendar for the next school year is available to families by the first week of December; however, in order to fully consider implications to calendar changes, more time is needed this year. We aim to have it available before the winter break knowing families use this holiday to anticipate the next one.

Students and Masks

As you likely noticed, the School pushes out many images of campus life. The aim is to connect with our broader community and to show you all the amazing experiences that are present on campus every day. In these images, the majority of students wear a mask as required. Some images will also include students who are not wearing a mask and we realize this may raise questions or concerns.

Students in Senior Kindergarten to Grade 12 are required to wear a mask whenever indoors. There are exceptions for all students and these include when engaged in high-intensity physical activities, playing a musical instrument, eating or drinking. We also have students who require a mask exemption. At CHS, the students with mask exemptions do wear a mask as much as possible; however, they are permitted to remove their mask when required. The School supports the needs of the few students who have mask exemption according to the K-12 COVID-10 Planning Resource: Mask Exemptions from the Ministry of Education.

Vaccination of Children, 5 to 11 years, Begins on November 29

Earlier this week, the Provincial Health Officer, Dr Bonnie Henry, announced the launch of a campaign to vaccinate children 5 to 11 years against COVID-19. This campaign will begin on November 29, and families are urged to register their children now. The province will be using community clinics as primary locations for immunizations. Families with multiple siblings and other eligible individuals can be booked at the same clinic at the same time on the same day. Staff will be specifically trained to support children who have special needs or a fear of needles including the creation of private spaces. Parents can register their children (over 5 years of age) on the “Get Vaccinated” website, or by calling 1-833-838-2323. Families will be notified when they can book an appointment. For more information on this topic, view the press conference (Tuesday, November 23), or review COVID-19 Vaccines for Children 5 to 11 on the provincial website.

Union Gospel Mission Hamper Drive

This year, UGM is asking for donations to stock items in their ‘hamper store,’ a marketplace where families can access the resources they need over the holidays. You can donate a range of items, from baby supplies, to winter gear for kids, and gifts. The deadline to participate in the UGM Hamper Drive is Tuesday, November 30. If you would like to participate, please visit the Gifts of Hope website where you can browse items and find a step-by-step guide. Please consider participating and making a family’s holiday season a little brighter.

Downtown Eastside Women's Centre Drive

Junior School classes are collecting items to support the work of the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre. Each form class will have a box for donations and collections are open from November 22-30. Items sought for donation include:

• Grade 1 - toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Grade 2 - nut-free chocolate
• Grade 3 - travel-size shampoo, conditioner, soap or body wash
• Grade 4 - travel-size body or hand lotion
• Grade 5 - unopened makeup or skincare
• Grade 6 & 7 - new or very gently used warm hats, scarves, mittens, gloves or socks

Gift Acceptance Policy

Crofton House parents and students often thank CHS employees for their contributions through gifts. To help avoid a real, potential or perceived conflict of interest for the employee and the School, CHS employees can only accept gifts as outlined in the Gift Acceptance Policy, section 3.3 of the CHS Employee Handbook. If you are giving a gift to an employee, we would ask that you ensure it is reasonable in nature and does not exceed $125 at a time or $500 from one family within an academic year. Please note that employees are not able to accept cash. Please understand that if an employee refuses or returns a gift, it is simply that they are following the School's policy. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Robinson, Director, Human Resources.

Get Involved with the CHS Annual Golf Classic

The Golf Committee, Silent Auction and Wine Committees are looking for a few new volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved with the CHS Annual Golf Classic, please contact the Advancement Department at events@croftonhouse.ca.

The CHS Annual Golf Classic is usually scheduled at the end of May. Stay tuned for more information closer to the date.

Inclement Weather Notice

As we enter a time of inclement weather, please be reminded of our policies around school closure in the Parent-Student Handbook “Health and Safety” section under “School Closure Procedures” (page 53). Please note: the day following a school closure, school should be assumed to be open unless you receive a communication stating otherwise. If you need to update your contact information, please contact the Office Administrator for the ECE, Junior School, or Senior School.

Last chance to order pies from The Pie Hole

The deadline to order in support of this year's Winter Bazaar and KidSafe is Tuesday, November 30, for pickup on Tuesday, December 14. Scrumptious sweet and savoury flavours to choose from including best-sellers, chicken pot pie and raspberry cream crumble. Stock up for easy weeknight meals as we head into the busy holiday season.

Admissions and Financial Assistance Application Deadlines

If you know families who are thinking about applying to Crofton House, please encourage them to visit our website for more information about the application process and financial assistance available. The following deadlines are fast approaching:

• December 1, 2021 - Financial Assistance application deadline
• January 3, 2022 - Grade 6 application deadline
• January 3, 2022 - Grades 1-5, and 7 non-intake years application deadline
• March 28, 2022 - Grade 9-12 non-intake years application deadline

Along with moulding sculptures from their own imagination, Senior Kindergarten students have been crafting beautiful clay snowflakes, complete with personalised patterns. We can’t wait to see the finished results.

Nothing quite beats the excitement of the race to the middle at the start of a game of benchball. These Grade 1 students are already lightning quick off the blocks!

How many different types of trees can be found in the woods on campus? Grade 3 students were busy trying to answer that question last week as part of their studies on biodiversity.

Grade 7 students invented a new game in gym class recently that somehow mixed kickball with sprinting in a bleep test. Kudos to the students for keeping up the breakneck pace!

Rainbow week in the Junior School was a beautiful combination of colour, community and creativity. From accessories to pyjamas and potting plants to quizzes, there was plenty to spark joy and excitement all week long. Thank you to all the staff and Grade 7 students for their hard work.

Grade 10 students have been finding out first hand the challenges and rewards that come with trying to plan, script, direct and shoot your own digital short.

Students in the Outdoor Education 11 class spent two days on a wilderness first aid course recently. Not only did they get some hands-on training in fundamentals of first aid, but they also had the chance to act out some scenarios in the woods, simulating the experience of caring for injuries in the backcountry.

These Fitness & Conditioning students in Grade 11 and 12 discovered just how complex human physiology is. But with the help of a skeleton called Jack and an array of materials, they simulated muscles and ligaments and recreated how our limbs move.

The school welcomed Irshad Manji back to the campus to spend a day with Grade 12 students, exploring the theme of moral courage as part of the Ivy Compass program.

This isn’t your average gingerbread house! Students in Grades 11 and 12 have spent almost a month designing, baking, constructing and decorating this beautiful gingerbread village, complete with ice skating penguins!

Senior School students were treated to some lunchtime entertainment when the Stage Band put on a performance in the foyer, drawing a sizable crowd and plenty of applause.

Senior School Athletics-at-a-Glance

In light of the recent severe weather events and the state of emergency currently in place, the BC School Sports Board of Directors have made the decision to postpone the Volleyball Championships and delay the start of winter season inter-school competition. The intent of these changes is to support the needs of the province where they are greatest by reducing travel and fuel consumption.

When championships resume, Crofton House will be the host school of the AAA Varsity Girls BC Provincial Volleyball Championship. In hosting such a prestigious event, there is a lot of work, effort and preparation leading up to such a significant event for our young athletes that creates lasting memories for all.

CHS is very excited and confident, even with the change of dates, that we will still put on a "great show" and that all qualified teams will make every effort to attend. Thus, allowing our young athletes to finish off their season, as well as, for some, their highschool years.

This is CHS's 3rd time hosting the volleyball BC's, which makes it a total of 6 BC provincial championships (including field hockey, soccer & tennis) in the last 10 years.

#falconsneverquit

Sold Out and Full of Spirit!

That's a wrap for this year's Winter Bazaar! With the generous support of our Crofton House community, the Online Winter Bazaar has sold out! And in the best spirit of giving, all proceeds go to KidsSafe, a worthy and local cause. Great work by everyone on the Bazaar team is much appreciated, with special thanks to the CHS Bazaar Support Staff and Chairs Angela Haer and Rachael Leihl.

New Pilot Program! CHS Parents Book Club: Fun and Social!

The PA is exploring a new idea and would love your input! Are you interested in joining a book club with other CHS parents, to explore fiction novels in a fun social setting? If so, please let us know! To indicate your interest and begin a discussion about what this club could look like, email Katherine Grant at: WGWW@croftonhouse.ca.

Calling all Grade 9 Families!

Have you been receiving emails from your Class Parents? If not, please ensure you do get their friendly notes and invitations to class events by taking the following steps!

• Email classparent9@croftonhouse.ca and let them know you want to be included in fun socials sponsored by the PA.
• Make sure your contact list includes classparent9@croftonhouse.ca
• Check your spam folder for that same email address. You'll be glad you did!

Log into the My CHS portal to access the full school calendar.

Whole School

December 17 - Carol Service
December 18 - First Day of Winter Break

Junior School

November 29 - Term 2 Junior School Activities begin
December 4 - Tours for 20-21 and 21-22 New to CHS Junior School Families
December 16 - ECE Kids for Kids Winter Market

Senior School

December 7 - Senior School Orchestra & Choir Concert