About this Newsletter

Returning families will be familiar with ECalls, the School’s bi-weekly email newsletter. For new families, you will be interested in knowing more about this communication!

ECalls delivers important information and notifications of upcoming events and activities. It also includes a digest of recent school life through blog posts, photos, videos and event recaps. It is a vital link between the School and parents. The newsletter will arrive in your inbox of the email account we have on file for you. You can expect to see it every two weeks on a Thursday. The next edition will be sent on Thursday, September 11.

Newsletters will also be prominently displayed on the My CHS parent portal for easier access to past issues and important information, as well as on the Newsletters page in My CHS.

Calendar Highlights

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

Whole School

September 3 - First Day of School
September 5 - Whole School Opening Assembly (Livestream)
September 5 - Parents’ Auxiliary (PA) Welcome Back Celebration
September 15 - Individual Photo Day - #1 Uniform

Junior School

September 2 - Junior and Senior Kindergarten Parent Orientation
September 2 - Grade 6 Orientation
September 3 - Junior School Families Welcome Back Coffee
September 12 - Parent Lunch Supervision Information Sessions
September 12 - Grade 6 Student Led Family Tour
September 15 - Parent Assembly
September 17 - Grade 1-5 Curriculum Evening
September 19 - Grade 6 Coffee & Conversation with JS Director
September 24 - ECE Curriculum Evening
September 25 - Grade 6 Immunization Clinic
September 25 - Grade 6-7 Curriculum Evening
September 26 - Grade 1 Coffee & Conversation with JS Director

Senior School

September 2 - Senior School New Student Orientation
September 2 - New to CHS Senior School Parent Discovery Event
September 10 - Global Experiential Trips Night
September 16 - Grade 12 Career Education & Post Secondary Presentation (Virtual)
September 18 - Curriculum Night
September 22 - New to Crofton House Grade 8 Parent Coffee Morning
September 24 - Grade 11 Career Education & Post-Secondary Presentation (Virtual)

Parents' Auxiliary (PA)

September 10 - Welcome Receptions (Grade 6, Senior Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten)
September 11 - Welcome Reception (Grade 8)
September 16 - Senior School Class Parent Orientation
September 17 - Community Book Club
September 18 - Junior School Class Parent Orientation

Notices - Action Items

Welcome Back Celebration

Kick off the new school year with a bang at the PA’s Welcome Back Celebration on Friday, September 5, from 3:30-5:00 pm in the Nancy Chan Courtyard and Manrell Hall! Reconnect with friends, meet new families, and enjoy an afternoon filled with fun games and yummy treats. Students, siblings, parents and staff are all invited—we can't wait to see you there!

Notices - For Information

Introducing Sarah Nikkel, Director, Advancement

We are excited to welcome Sarah Nikkel, Director, Advancement. Her extensive experience in educational advancement positions her exceptionally well to further our advancement initiatives, deepen alumnae engagement efforts, and lead our Advancement Department in close collaboration with Kara McDonald, Deputy Head, Community Engagement and Partnerships. Learn more about Sarah in this week's community email.

Whole School Opening Assembly Livestream

We invite all families to join the livestream of the Whole School Opening Assembly on Friday, September 5 at 9:00 am. At that time, you can view the livestream online. A recording will be shared in the Thursday, September 11 edition of ECalls.

Honouring Excellence in Math Teaching!

Please join us in celebrating Ms Abdulla, Teacher, Mathematics, Senior School, who has been honoured as one of just 29 teachers across the United States and Canada to receive the Edyth May Sliffe Award! Learn more about the award, and read about CHS results at various math competitions last year in the following blog post.

Student Safety During Drop-Off and Pick-Up 

There are three important safety notes to bring to the attention of parents/guardians related to drop-off and pick-up times: 

• The crosswalk at 42nd Avenue and Blenheim Street is where students must cross Blenheim Street. 
• Junior School families, please arrive only at your scheduled pick-up time or the established pick-up time for after-school programs (see pick-up schedule), to avoid congestion in the roundabout. 
• There is no parking or waiting on West 41st Avenue at Balaclava Street at drop-off and pick-up times, as it obstructs visibility and access for other vehicles. 

Learn more about traffic safety and being a respectful neighbour.

Event Parking Reminder

As the school year begins, so too do the various community events hosted on campus. Please be reminded that the safety and respect for all in our community are paramount. Drive safely and leave yourself enough travel and parking time.

Unless otherwise noted in school communications, guests may park for up to three hours on streets adjacent to the School. When parking in these areas, please be a respectful neighbour and adhere to the posted parking regulations. As roads are narrow, extra caution is required to ensure traffic circulation is not hindered and driveways remain open.

Summer Campus Refreshes

Whether gearing up for Physical and Health Education class, heading to Kent Field for practice, or finding a favourite spot to gather with friends, students will all discover something new when they return to Crofton House in September! Read more.

Another Year of Marvellous Menus with SAGE Dining

With balanced, nutrient-rich menus, locally and sustainably sourced ingredients, and a focus on food and wellness education, the SAGE Dining team looks forward to serving our community again this year! Learn more about the SAGE Dining program here.

Have you downloaded the "Touch of SAGE" app? View daily menus and ingredients, create a custom allergen profile, plan meals and provide feedback all in one place on your mobile device.

FISA Mental Health Minutes

The Ministry of Education and Child Care, together with BC Children’s Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre, has released a new guide for families: Language Matters! Understanding Mental Health and Substance Use. This resource helps parents, guardians, and caregivers in building a shared understanding of mental health and substance use in school communities. It includes clear explanations, practical strategies, and guidance for families and schools to support the well-being of children and youth.

Student Experience

Senior School Crofton Falcons Fall Tryouts

Senior School parents, fall tryouts for Crofton Falcons volleyball, field hockey and cross country in the Senior School begin Tuesday, September 3. Students must sign up through the link sent to their inbox.

Go Falcons Go!

CHS Parents' Auxiliary

CHS Parents’ Auxiliary – Join the Fun!

Welcome back, CHS parents! A special greeting goes out to the new families joining our Crofton House community - we’re so glad you’re here.

At Crofton House, the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary (PA) is all about building an inclusive and engaged school community. We host a variety of exciting social events and programs to help parents and families connect, and we’d love for you to join us.

For those interested in getting involved, volunteer opportunities will be shared in event emails and right here in the PA section of ECalls, so keep an eye out. And if you have special skills or talents you’d like to share, please please let us know!

Back by Popular Demand! It’s time to Dink and Rally! 🏓

The PA is serving up another round of fun! Parents and guardians are invited to the CHS “PB & Jam” Parent Pickleball Socials. All skill levels are welcome.

We are thrilled to announce that these pickleball socials will continue for the entire 2025-2026 school year, pending gym availability. Sign up to join us for some "kitchen"-side chats and light-hearted net play. If your preferred date is full, keep checking back for cancellations.

CHS Community Book Club - Celebrating Canada

Mark your calendars! The next book club meeting is on Wednesday, September 17, from 9:30 to 10:30 am in Nocente Fireplace Lounge. This meeting’s theme is “Made in Canada” — bring a fiction or nonfiction book, either written by a Canadian author or set in Canada, to share with the group.

Parents, guardians and alumnae are welcome. No pre-registration is required—feel free to drop in. Tea/Coffee and light refreshment will be provided.

Note: The evening book club has been on hiatus for the past year due to low interest. If you are interested in an evening book club next year, we’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to auxiliary@croftonhouse.ca.

Another Wonderful Used Uniform Sale

The PA’s Used Uniform Sale was a huge success once again! Thank you to everyone who made it possible - from event chairs Ai Lin Tiah and Cara Yu, to our amazing parent volunteers, and all who donated uniform pieces. Your efforts not only support sustainability but also the school’s community partners through the Winter Bazaar.

Did you miss it? There will be a few more chances to grab a deal this year. The next sale will be at the Winter Bazaar.

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