Calendar Highlights

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

Whole School

October 19 - Photo Retake Day with Artona (Details below)
October 23 - Professional Development Day (No classes for students)
October 29 - CHS Annual General Meeting (Details below) (Register to attend)
October 30 - Halloween Celebrations
November 6 - Remembrance Day Assembly
November 9-10 - Mid-Term Break (School closed)
November 11 - Remembrance Day (School closed)
November 12-13 - Professional Development Days (No classes for students)

Junior School

October 13-16 - Grade 5 Outdoor Education - Sea to Sky
October 19 - Grade 6 ISEA Playday
October 21 - Grade 6/7 Parent-Teacher Conferences via Zoom (Grade 6-7 classes as regularly scheduled)
October 22 - JK-Grade 7 Parent-Teacher Conferences (No classes for Junior School students)
October 26 - Grade 7A ISEA Volleyball Championships at CHS
October 26 - Grade 7B ISEA Volleyball Championships at York House School
October 27 - Grade 5 ISEA Playday at St. John’s School
October 28 - Term 2 Registration for Co-Curricular/Program Plus Begins
October 29 - ECE Coffee & Conversation with JS Director
November 2 - JK-Grade 7 Parent Assembly & Post-Assembly Coffee Reception

Senior School

October 26 - Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences (No classes for Grades 8-12)
November 3 - Literacy 10 Assessment
November 4 - Take Our Kids to Work Day (Grade 9)
November 4 - Literacy 12 Assessment

Learning Together

October 22 - Grade 8/9 Personal Counsellor Coffee Morning (Details below)
October 27 - AI in Education with Dr Rebecca Winthrop (Details below) (RSVP)
October 29 - Grade 10-12 Personal Counsellor Coffee Morning (Details below)
November 3 - Junior School Learning Together: Middle School Matters 

Parents' Auxiliary (PA)

October 17 & 31 - Parent Pickleball
November 4 & 5 - Service Together - Fall (Details below)
November 28 - Crofton House Winter Bazaar
December 8 - Senior School Holiday Tea
December 17 - Junior School Holiday Tea

Learning Together Events

Artificial Intelligence in Education with Dr Rebecca Winthrop

As Crofton House continues on a path to work with Artificial Intelligence, we are delighted to welcome education expert, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution, and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, Dr Rebecca Winthrop on Tuesday, October 27, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. In this thought-provoking virtual presentation, we will explore how AI is reshaping student motivation, attention, and learning habits. Translation will be provided. RSVP here by Monday, October 19.

Senior School Coffee & Conversations: Strengths-Based Parenting

Senior School parents are invited to two upcoming, informal conversations with the Student Services Department to reflect on what it means to raise confident, capable young people in a high-achieving environment. Together, we will explore how a strengths-based approach can help you remain focused on your teen's character, interests, relationships, and well-being, rather than becoming overly preoccupied with performance or outcomes. No registration is required, simply drop in to join the discussion:

• Grade 8 & 9 parents: Thursday, October 22, from 8:30 am to 9:30 am in the Nocente Family Fireplace Lounge
• Grade 10-12 parents: Thursday, October 29, from 8:30 am to 9:20 am in the Nocente Family Fireplace Lounge

See all events.

Notices - Action Items

Photo Retake Day: Monday, October 19

Photo retakes will occur on Monday, October 19. Junior School retakes will be from 8:30 am to 11:00 am in the Junior School Atrium, and Senior School retakes will be from 8:20 am to 11:00 am in the Heritage Dining Room of the Old Residence. Students should be in their #1 Uniform for the photo.

Priority is given to those who have not yet had a photo taken. Any retakes will improve technical issues (e.g., eyeglass glare, poor posture/head tilt or eyes closed). The retake will replace the original photo taken earlier in the year (no choice between the two photos will be available).

CHS Annual General Meeting

Please be reminded that the Annual General Meeting of Crofton House School will be held on Thursday, October 29, at 6:00 pm. Parents and guardians and current members of the Board of Governors are able to register to attend. More details are available in the communication sent to families.

Join the 29th Annual CHS Golf Classic’s Golf Committee!

As we prepare for the 29th Annual CHS Golf Classic, we’re inviting members of our parent community to join the Golf Tournament Committee or one of its subcommittees! As a committee member, you’ll help shape one of CHS’s favourite traditions while connecting with other members of our community.

We’re looking for volunteers for the following committees:

• Golf Tournament Committee: Help bring our community's favourite tradition to life! Open for golfers and non-golfers alike.
• Silent Auction Committee: Help us curate a fun-filled shopping experience while raising funds for a great cause.
• Wine Committee: Whether you have a cellar full of treasures or simply appreciate great wine, this committee is for you. Help us curate an exceptional selection for the auction.

We’re especially hoping to welcome more Junior School parents to the Wine Committee and Senior School parents to the Silent Auction Committee to ensure strong representation and diverse perspectives across our community. If you enjoy collaboration, building community, and contributing to a meaningful cause, we would love to have you on board! Email golf@croftonhouse.ca to express your interest.

Junior School Term 2 Co-Curricular Registration

Junior School parents, please note that registration for Term 2 co-curricular activities, Program Plus, athletics, and extended care for Junior Kindergarten to Grade 7 will begin on Wednesday, October 28. Please watch for an email containing the registration links.

Upcoming Junior School Author Experiences & Book Sales

In November, the Junior School Learning Commons is excited to welcome two Canadian authors: Kirsten Pendreigh and Kenneth Oppel!

• Junior Kindergarten-Grade 4 Writer-in-Residence Kirsten Pendreigh: On Tuesday, November 3, and Thursday, November 5, Junior Kindergarten-Grade 4 students will work alongside Vancouver-based poet and children’s author Kirsten Pendreigh to make their writing come alive using onomatopoeia and other sensory details, find metaphors and similes for nonfiction writing, and learn to separate fact from fiction. JK-Grade 4 parents and guardians, if you are interested in purchasing one of Kirsten’s most recent books, please complete the order form by Friday, October 16, at 5:00 pm.
• Grade 5-7 Visiting Author Kenneth Oppel: On Friday, November 6, multi-award-winning, bestselling author Kenneth Oppel will work with Grades 5-7 students on the creative process, sources of inspiration for novels, developing themes in a piece of writing, and the importance of research. He will also share how he got his start as a published children’s writer at age 17! Grades 5-7 parents and guardians, if you are interested in purchasing one of Kenneth’s recent books, please complete the order form by Wednesday, October 21, at 5:00 pm.

Note that all book prices include GST.

Notices - For Your Information

Emergency Preparedness: Lockdown Drill on October 13

On Tuesday, October 13, we successfully conducted a Lockdown drill across campus. In a real emergency, the School will notify you via text and email and direct you to our website for additional information and updates on student pick-up. Please take a moment to update your emergency contacts in MySchool, including who is authorized to pick up your child, and verify your contact numbers.

Emergency Preparedness: Earthquake Drill on October 14 & The Great Shakeout

Yesterday, October 14, CHS also practiced an earthquake drill, including a full building evacuation. This drill came ahead of today’s Great Shakeout, the global annual earthquake preparedness event, in which many of our community members likely participated in their workplaces! You can also learn more about general earthquake preparedness in yesterday’s email.

Food Donations with Vancouver Food Runners

The Community Dining Program is designed to provide lunch to CHS students and staff. SAGE Dining monitors and adjusts the amount of food prepared based on how much is taken. But did you know that SAGE Dining and CHS donate extra lunch food to Vancouver Food Runners? When SAGE has excess food from the lunch menu that freezes and reheats well, staff package and freeze it for donation. Once there is enough to donate, Vancouver Food Runners volunteers pick up the frozen food and deliver it to the community organizations they partner with.

Preventing Colds, Flu & COVID Transmission

As we embrace the cooler months, we tend to see a rise in flu, colds, and COVID-19 incidences. Taking proactive steps can reduce the risk of infection within our school community. Please consider the following measures:

• Vaccination: Ensure all eligible family members are vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu,
• Hand Hygiene: Encourage regular handwashing and the use of hand sanitizers.
• Masking: As our Communicable Disease Guidelines articulate, wearing a mask is a personal choice that will be supported and respected.
• Symptom Monitoring: Please be diligent in monitoring your child's health. If they display any symptoms of illness, kindly keep them at home.
• Stay Home When Ill: One of the most critical actions is keeping your child at home when they are feeling unwell. This not only aids in their recovery but also prevents the spread of illnesses to others.

For further information, see the School’s Communicable Disease Prevention guideline document.

Portrait Sessions Are Still Open!

There is still time to book your 15-minute slot on Sunday, October 18, with our fabulous CHS parent photographers! These professional photos are perfect for holiday cards, gifts, or family keepsakes. Sign up here to reserve your spot.

Donation Reminder

It is time to tidy up and give back! We are accepting gently used books, toys, sporting and camping gear, accessories, and clothing (for women, school-age kids and teens). See a full list of accepted items.

Drop-offs take place two times a day, from 7:30 am to 9:00 am and 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm, at the Junior School roundabout and Balaclava Street Gate C on:

• Monday, October 19
• Monday, November 2
• Tuesday, November 17

Workshop Update

We are so excited to see so many of you ready to connect, create and make something beautiful together. Our parent workshops are now full but if you would like to be added to a waitlist, please email bazaarchairs@croftonhouse.ca. We will reach out if a spot opens up.

Save the date! We look forward to seeing you at this year’s Winter Bazaar on Saturday, November 28.

Student Experience

This issue's gallery includes photos of the Grade 9 Ivy Day, Grade 6 students meeting their Senior Kindergarten buddies, the Grade 5 Joint Design project, Engineering 12 students testing chair designs, Grade 11 Environmental Science students learning how to identify tree species, and the Grade 8 Housewarming assembly, as well as Crofton Falcons action from Grade 5 Volleyball, Grade 8 Blue Volleyball and Senior Field Hockey.

Listening, Learning & Understanding: Exploring Gender Equality in the Ivy 9 Day

On Wednesday, October 7, Ivy 9 Day invited students to reflect on why conversations about gender equality matter so deeply today. Together, students explored how to approach these topics with curiosity, empathy, and confidence. Read more.

Whether running in the Pumpkin Run, enjoying the waters surrounding Vancouver Rowing Club, or competing in volleyball's Spectrum Tournament in Victoria, there has been no shortage of actions for the Crofton Falcons the last two weeks! Read more on the blog.

Go Falcons Go!

CHS Parents' Auxiliary

Service Together: Senior School Parent Volunteers Needed

The PA is looking for Senior School parent volunteers to help out with the Service Together program. You will work side-by-side with Senior School students to create care packages filled with food and personal essentials to support those in need living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. This is a unique opportunity to give back to our community in partnership with the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre. Sign up now!

• Wednesday, November 4, 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm: Granola Bar Making in the Senior School’s Rix Foods Lab.
• Thursday, November 5, 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm: Christmas Gift Bag and Granola Bar Packaging in Manrell Hall.

CHS Community Book Club: A New Season of Reading

The next CHS Community Book Club on Wednesday, November 4, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am in the Archives Room (before the entrance to Manrell Hall, on the left-hand side). The book for this meeting is Whistler by Ann Patchett, which follows a woman whose seemingly ordinary life is disrupted by an unexpected encounter, prompting her to reflect on love, loss, and the choices that shape our lives. All CHS parents and alumnae are invited—free to drop in or sign up here.

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.

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