Partnerships are at the heart of our approach to service learning and social responsibility. Community partnerships benefit both sides and provide the School with a meaningful and effective way to connect with others. Throughout the strategic planning consultations we undertook in 2021-2022, students, staff, parents/guardians and alumnae stressed the benefits of forging and maintaining meaningful connections, locally and globally.
Through our partnership with KidSafe, CHS has positively impacted the lives of children in our local community. A partnership that began in 2017 has become an integral part of our school experience. Again in 2022-2023, all proceeds from the Winter Bazaar (Saturday, November 19) will be directed toward the vital programs provided through KidSafe.
Another of our community partners, Women Leaders of Tomorrow (WLOT), has opened avenues for the School to positively impact the lives of others far from Vancouver. WLOT invests in the youth of Afghanistan to rebuild the country and give women and girls access to education. Last spring, with the support of our WLOT partner, CHS was able to announce an intention to support girls from Afghanistan. After a summer of establishing host families for the students, securing visas to study in Canada, and making travel arrangements, I am pleased to announce two students from Afghanistan are attending their first classes at Crofton House this week.
Closer to home, the term “partner” is one we often ascribe to the relationship between parents/guardians and the School. In particular, the School’s partnership with the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary (PA) is active and rewarding. PA events, such as the Whole Girl, Whole World speaker series, capture the mutual benefit that arises from a partnership. A shared interest in being current on topics related to girls and education brings our community together each year. Securing Julie Lythcott-Haims as this year’s speaker brings a leading international voice to our campus, and I encourage everyone to join us on Thursday, October 6, at 7:00 pm.
Test of the School’s Special Alert Communication Protocol
The School uses a third-party system, Regroup, to send special alerts to members of the community in an emergency. Most commonly, this is to announce a school closure due to inclement weather. On Monday, September 26, at 4:00 pm, the School will test the special alert communication protocol with all parents. A “TEST” message will be sent via email, text and voice message to the contact information listed in MySchool. The message will make it clear that it is a “test” message only. If you do not receive either the email, text or voice message, please check the contact information listed in the Student Information Portal, MySchool, and contact either Colleen Smee, Junior School (csmee@croftonhouse.ca) or Patrice Banting, Senior School (pbanting@croftonhouse.ca) to update your details.
School Photo Day - Monday, September 26
Please be reminded that Monday, September 26, is School Photo Day. Photographers from Artona will be on site all day to capture professional portraits of students from JK to Grade 12. Students are expected to wear their full #1 Uniform for the day and ensure they follow all uniform guidelines as noted in the Parent-Student Handbook.
Whole Girl, Whole World: New York Times Bestselling Author Julie Lythcott-Haims
An important community event at Crofton House, the Whole Girl, Whole World speaker series, is an opportunity for parents to engage with internationally-renowned experts and discuss the ways we can support the development of CHS students. The event takes place on Thursday, October 6, at 7:00 pm and we encourage parents to attend the event. Tickets are available online.
This year’s speaker, Julie Lythcott-Haims, served as dean of freshman and undergraduate advising at Stanford University and was the recipient of the 2021 Dinkelspiel Award for contributions to undergraduate education. She has published three books, including New York Times best-seller How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success. Julie will share her insights on the ‘overparenting trap’ and give practical advice for how parents can help guide students through the teen years and transitional periods and still ensure they have the independence to learn and grow individually.
Over-programming: What is it and how can we support students?
Throughout CHS, social and emotional learning (SEL) continues to be a priority as we encourage our students to explore and learn about their self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. This work extends beyond the classroom. Find out more about over-programming, the impacts it can have and what support you can provide in our blog post.
Immunization Clinics
Public health authorities visit schools each year to immunize students. There are two clinics at Crofton House School scheduled for this year: Thursday, September 29, and Wednesday, March 29. For the fall clinic, nurses will be immunizing Grades 6 and 9 with routine childhood vaccines. The spring clinic will include Senior Kindergarten, Grade 6 and 9. School clinics are only one way for school-age children and teens to be vaccinated; speak with your family physician or contact our local health authority for more information.
Kent Field Lighting Project
The School is applying to the City of Vancouver for a permit to install four light stands to the perimeter of Kent Field. Adding lighting will increase the playable time for CHS athletes on the field, particularly during the winter months. An informational open house for neighbours and parents/guardians will be held on September 28, 2022. Learn more.
Uniform Shop Hours in September
The Uniform Shop is open to Senior School students in September, Thursday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. At this time, there is no drop-in time for Junior School students or parents. Parents are encouraged to use the online order form when possible; however, they can make an appointment to visit the Uniform Shop by calling the store at 604 263 3255 ext. 4020.
For parents wishing to donate used uniform items, we kindly ask that items are deposited in the Used Uniform drop-off box in the receiving area at 5711 Balaclava Street. Please do not leave items outside of the Uniform Shop entrance.
Run for the Cure CHS Team
The CIBC Run for the Cure returns as a full, in-person event at Concorde Community Park in Vancouver this year. Run for the Cure takes place Sunday, October 2 and is an opportunity to come together as a community to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians affected by breast cancer. Whether you would like to participate in person or donate to help the CHS Junior School Team reach their goal, visit the fundraising page, view the event PDF or check out the FAQ for more information.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On Friday, September 30, the School will close in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In June 2021, the Government of Canada passed Bill C-5 to name September 30 as a federal statutory day. It is observed as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This directly responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #80 which calls upon the federal government, in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, “to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour survivors, their families and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
During Truth and Reconciliation week leading up to September 30, students will be engaged learning and activities in support of Action #80. The School publishes resources and a list of events for the community to join. Everyone is encouraged to wear an orange shirt on September 29.
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:
- Staff who are in place to assist with Junior School drop-off are witnessing students attempting to cross mid-block where moving vehicles are unable to see them or stop in time. The crosswalk at 42nd Avenue and Blenheim Street is where students must cross Blenheim Street.
- Afternoon congestion on Blenheim Street is being caused by families arriving in the roundabout too early for after-school pick up or the established pick-up time for after-school programs (see pick-up schedule). Parents/guardians are respectfully asked to only arrive at school in time for pick-up.
- Vehicles waiting on West 41st Avenue at Balaclava Street are in a no-parking zone at both drop-off and pick-up times. They hinder visibility for vehicles trying to access West 41st Avenue from Balaclava.
Please review the Traffic Safety information on the My CHS Community Portal for full details.
Junior Kindergarten students brought brightness and colour to their classroom as they painted backgrounds for their family pictures.
Grade 2 students put their problem solving skills to the test in the gym as they tried to navigate their teams across the hall using only two hoops as lillypads.
Students across the Junior School have been meeting their buddies for the first time. Grade 7 students are connecting with Grade 3 students and building new relationships in the student community.
Just how much do we have in common with each other? Grade 6 students have been getting to know each other by exploring what they are passionate about. From bunnies to rollerskating, sushi to reading, the students had to work quickly to find who else might share the same interests.
The school year has barely started, and already our intrepid Grade 8 students have been up to Camp Summit in Squamish, BC for their first outdoor education camp. A little drizzle didn’t dampen their spirits as they experienced gravity-defying crate towers, back-country cooking and adventurous nature hikes.
Thanks to Activities Galore, the Senior School has been buzzing with energy this week. The week-long fair invites students to explore the dozens of clubs and activities available for them to join.
This year’s Student Executive held their first assembly, drawing an abundance of cheers and laughter from the audience in Manrell Hall. The event culminated in the confirmation of the official name for this year’s graduating class - MVP23.
Joining the Junior School as Program Coordinator, Athletics, Robyn Pendleton is an experienced teacher, coach, school counsellor and high-performance athlete. We had the opportunity to speak with her at the start of this new school year, learning more about her athletic passions and the positive impact she hopes to have on student sporting life. Find out more in our blog post.
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