Thank you to everyone who participated in our Communications Review last spring. Your feedback was invaluable in helping us enhance our communications to better meet our community’s needs.

This bi-weekly email newsletter is one of our important communication tools, containing school updates, upcoming events, and a digest of recent school life, including blog posts, photos, videos, and event recaps. It’s a key connection between the School and parents and guardians, and it contains information that is not communicated in other places.

For returning readers, you will see changes to the newsletter reflecting the feedback we received. Key updates include shifting the delivery date to every second Thursday (from every second Friday), moving important dates to the top, separating action items from information items, and providing more concise text with links to our website (MyCHS portal) for additional details. You will need to log on the My CHS parent portal to read these details.

Newsletters will be prominently displayed on the My CHS parent portal for easier access to past issues and important information. We will also be restructuring the portal based on your feedback—stay tuned!

You can expect to see the next newsletter on Thursday, September 26. If you have any feedback, please let us know.

The Communications Team
communications@croftonhouse.ca

Calendar Highlights

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

Whole School

September 16 - School Photo Day - #1 Uniform
September 26 - VCH Immunization Clinic (Grade 6 and 9)
September 27 - Orange Shirt Day
September 30 - National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (School Closed)

Junior School

September 13 - Lunchtime Parent Supervision Information Sessions
September 18 - Grade 1-5 Curriculum Evening
September 19 - Parents’ Auxiliary Junior School & ECE Class Parent Orientation
September 20 - Grade 6 Coffee Morning with JS Director
September 25 - JK-SK Curriculum Evening
September 26 - Grade 1 Coffee & Conversation with JS Director
September 26 - Grade 6-7 Curriculum Evening
September 27 - Grade 5 Coffee & Conversation with JS Director
October 1-4 - Grade 7 OE Trip to Camp Fircom
October 4 - Grade 2-3 Coffee & Conversation with JS Director
October 7 - Grade 1-7 Parent Assembly
October 7 - Lunchtime Parent Supervision Information Session

Senior School

September 17 - Parents’ Auxiliary Senior School Class Parent Orientation
September 19 - Curriculum Night
September 23 - New to Crofton House Grade 8 Parent Coffee Morning
September 23 - Virtual: Grade 11 Career Education & Post-Secondary Presentation
September 24-27 - Ivy 10 Camp
September 25 - Virtual: Grade 12 Career Education & Post Secondary Presentation
October 1 - Parent Session on Well-being
October 1 - Grade 8 Housewarming
October 1 - Virtual: Grade 10 Career Education & Post-Secondary Presentation
October 8 - Virtual: Grade 8/9 Career Education & Post-Secondary Presentation

Message from the Head of School

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! I hope you all had a wonderful summer, whether you chose to rest and relax, visit far-off places or embrace adventure closer to home.

It was so wonderful to welcome everyone back on campus last week: there is nothing like the energy that our students bring with them, and I know I speak on behalf of my colleagues when I say that we have missed their presence on campus! Every September, I am amazed by how many parents share with me that their daughter “could not wait” to get back to school. I take this as a sign of the sense of belonging that is so fundamental to the identity of our school.

Read more.

Notices - Action Items

Test of the School’s Special Alert Communication Protocol

On Wednesday, September 18, at 3:45 pm, the School will test the special alert communication protocol with all parents. A clear "TEST” message will be sent via email, text and voice message to the contact information listed in MySchool. If you do not receive either the email, text or voice message, please check the contact information listed in the Student Information Portal, MySchool. Learn more.

School Photo Day - Monday, September 16

Please be reminded that Monday, September 16, is School Photo Day. Students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 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. Learn more.

Immunization Clinics

There are two clinics for routine childhood vaccines at Crofton House School scheduled for this academic year, the first of which is on Thursday, September 26 for Grades 6 and 9. School clinics are just 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. Learn more.

My CHS Community Portal - Your “Go-To” Resource

The My CHS Community Portal is a parent/guardian’s go-to resource. All parents/guardians are encouraged to visit this site at the start of the year to become familiar with the resources that are available to the community. Resources such as the Parent-Student Handbook, Purposeful Parenting resources, school policies, student health and safety procedures and forms, the holiday and vacation calendar, uniform order form, recordings of live-stream events and productions, guidance on how to raise and issue, and more. If there is a resource you are unable to find on MyCHS, please contact communications@croftonhouse.ca.

Notices - Information

Getting to Know Our New Deputy Head, Kara McDonald

One of the new faces on campus this year is Kara McDonald, Deputy Head, Partnerships and Community Engagement. Kara brings a wealth of experience as an educator and leader to this new role at CHS, most recently serving as the Deputy Head of York House School. Her expertise will be crucial in supporting the Meaningful Partnership strategy in Thriving in Possibility. Read more.

Student Vaccinations and Communicable Disease Guidelines

Last week, BC’s Public Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued a statement to ensure children in B.C. are up to date on all their vaccines as part of back-to-school. In preparation, parents, guardians and school staff are encouraged to review the Provincial Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings. Learn more.

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. During Truth and Reconciliation week leading up to September 30, students will be engaged in related learning and activities. Everyone is encouraged to wear an orange shirt on Friday, September 27, and the School will close on Monday, September 30, in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We will be sharing further resources and information from the week in the next edition of ECalls.

Event Recordings

A recording of the Whole School Opening Assembly from Friday, September 6 is now available on the My CHS Portal.

Uniform Shop Hours in September

The Uniform Shop is open to parents and Senior School students on Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (closed for lunch from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm) After-school drop-in for parents with Junior School students is from 2:00 pm to closing. For information on our online order form, booking an appointment, or donating used uniform items, visit the website.

Community Dining

Have you downloaded the "Touch of SAGE" app? Available on the Apple Store or Google Play. View daily menus and ingredients, create a custom allergen profile, plan meals, and provide feedback – all in one place.

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.

Traffic Safety and Being a Respectful Neighbour.

Student Experiences

From ECE to Senior School, we have had a fun, energetic and busy start to the 2024-2025 school year packed with assemblies, ceremonies, celebrations and settling back into classroom routines. View highlights.

Excitement is mounting as our Junior School cross-country runners and volleyball teams prepare for their upcoming season debuts. The Senior School Falcons have kicked off their year with tryouts and pre-season matches too. Find out more about all things Falcons for the start of the term, plus updates on upcoming games and tournaments on our blog.

Go Falcons Go!

CHS Parents' Auxiliary

Get Involved with the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary

The CHS Parents’ Auxiliary is all about creating an active, inclusive, and engaged community at Crofton House. The PA organizes a variety of exciting social events and programs, and we’d love for you to be part of the action – volunteer opportunities will be shared throughout the year in event emails and this PA section in ECalls, so keep your eyes peeled! In the meantime, if you have specific skills that you would like to contribute, we would love to hear from you.

Kicking Off the School Year Together at the Welcome Back BBQ!

Live music! Games! Popcorn, and a bouncy castle! The Crofton House community had a blast at the annual Welcome Back BBQ, marking the start of another exciting school year. Thank you to event chairs Shelly Chen, Charlotte Hsu and Melissa Lo, as well as the amazing team of parent volunteers and CHS staff, for creating a special afternoon of fun and connection for us all. Lastly, congratulations to Grade 12 parent Cindy Chow, the lucky winner of a meal at Bufala Pizzeria in Kerrisdale – enjoy your delicious prize!

Fantastic Turnout at the Used Uniform Sale

The PA’s Used Uniform Sale was a tremendous success once again! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the sale and made it all possible, including event chair Ai Lin Tiah, parent volunteers, and those who donated uniform pieces. All proceeds go to support the school’s charity partner through the Winter Bazaar.

CHS Community Book Club

The CHS Community Book Club is back for the 2024-2025 school year with more lively literary discussions. Open to all parents and alumnae, the Book Club’s first meeting will focus on the works of author Heather Terrell (who also writes under the pen name Marie Benedict). Join us with your choice of the author’s books on Wednesday, September 25 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the Nocente Family Fireplace Lounge – drop-in’s welcome!

In other Book Club news: the evening meeting is currently on pause. However, if there is interest in the community for an evening Book Club meeting we would like to hear from you – please email auxiliary@croftonhouse.ca.

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