Warm greetings to new and returning families.
Thank you for engaging with the school early through the Back to School Resources. It eases the transition from summer activities to campus life. It allows us to respond to questions and concerns in time for the start of the year. Your prompt completion of the Student Information Forms, in particular, allows the School to alert staff to vital information, such as students with life-threatening health conditions.
Today, we invite the community to the Welcome Back BBQ, the first of many community events organized by the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary (PA). This year, we return to our usual practice of gathering face-to-face. Parents and guardians will attend curriculum nights in person, and the Whole Girl, Whole World speaker event returns to Manrell Hall with a live audience. How wonderful!
As we watched the restrictions related to COVID-19 being reduced, I began to look forward to reconnecting with returning families and getting to know those new to CHS. Thinking about those who are new to CHS, in reality, there are more than those joining us this year. For the past two years, new families have missed the opportunity to connect with the community and to be able to enjoy the incredible facilities that define this campus. With this in mind, I would like to invite those families who know what CHS can be - the enriching opportunities available to parents and guardians - to watch for those who have joined us over the past three years. Extend a helping hand or a warm invitation to come onto campus.
To stay informed about life on campus and events being organized both on and off campus by the PA, make it a habit to read “ECalls”, our biweekly newsletter and visit the My CHS Community Portal to find out more about the School and what is happening. Also, consider subscribing to our social media channels on Instagram (@crofton_house and @croftonfalcons) and Facebook.
The one message I want to leave with all families as the year begins is to be connected to the School. Reach out if you have a question or a concern. Don’t worry if you don’t know who to contact; contact someone, and we will figure it out. Similarly, reach out to extend a helping hand. The PA will review those who indicated an interest in volunteering through the Student Information forms, and yet, further opportunities will present during the year. Thank you for your continued support of the School; I wish everyone a successful year ahead.
About this Newsletter
Returning families will be familiar with ECalls, the bi-weekly email newsletter that delivers important notices, notification of upcoming events such as special evenings, parent-teacher conferences, and activities related to the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary. ECalls also includes a digest of the most recent blog posts, slideshows, videos and event recaps. It is a vital link between the school and parents.
For new families, you will be interested to know more about this communication. 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 Friday; however, when Friday is a school holiday, the date moves forward to Thursday of the same week. This is to ensure families have the information they need to begin a two week stretch. The next ECalls will arrive on Friday, September 23.
Receiving Crofton House School Emails
At the beginning of the year, all parents are added to the communication list. Should you choose to unsubscribe, please be advised that you will miss important messages from the School and the opportunity to stay connected to the CHS community. Please contact the Communications department for any issues related to receiving communications from the school at communications@croftonhouse.ca. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure they are viewing emails from the school in a timely manner, and to alert the School if they have an issue receiving them.
Whole Girl, Whole World: Julie Lythcott-Haims
Crofton House School and the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary are thrilled to welcome Julie Lythcott-Haims as this year’s Whole Girl, Whole World speaker on Thursday, October 6. Julie will speak with Junior and Senior School students during the day and in the evening parents and guardians are invited to join Julie in Manrell as she talks about her latest book.
Former dean of freshmen and undergraduate advising, and former associate vice provost for undergraduate education at Stanford University, Julie is an author, speaker, and activist focused on helping humans find their true north. She is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult. Her second book is the critically-acclaimed and award-winning prose poetry memoir Real American, which illustrates her experience as a Black and biracial person in white spaces. Her latest book, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult, has been called a “groundbreakingly frank” guide to adulthood.
Learn more about the event and speaker.
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.
Winter Bazaar - Donation Collection
The Winter Bazaar Committee will be collecting goods in the early fall (details to be announced). Please hold onto items that may be fit for donation such as:
- Gently Used Uniforms (skirts, shirts, sweaters, gym strips and any other school approved uniform pieces)
- Gently Used Kids and Young Adult books
- Gently Used Luxury Accessories (purses, wallets, scarves, belts, sunglasses and shoes)
The Winter Bazaar Committee is also currently looking for two photographers to volunteer their services at the Bazaar Portrait Studio on Saturday, November 19. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in doing this to help raise funds for KidSafe, please email: bazaarchairs@croftonhouse.ca.
Observations from Vancouver Police on Traffic Safety
Each day, over 900 students arrive for a day of learning. They arrive by foot, bike and public transit while others arrive by car. The streets on all sides of the School are busy and at times congested. It is essential for all families to review Traffic Safety information, particularly if your route includes the use of Blenheim Street.
This week, the School has engaged officers from Vancouver Police to supervise and provide feedback on traffic flow on Blenheim Street. The constable on duty has shared the following observations:
- Drivers, in general, observed the posted 30 km/hr limit; those traveling at 50 km/hr were given a verbal reminder from the constable.
- Drivers continue to stop on Blenheim Street and wait to enter the roundabout. This is a 'ticketable offense' and many were given a reminder of this infraction.
- Drivers heading north on Blenheim Street should pull over toward the right when entering the roundabout thereby permitting other traffic to pass on the left.
- Drivers continue to stop on the cross walk and must be cauious about keeping this open for pedestrians.
Late Start Wednesdays
The first “Late Start Wednesday” of the year is Wednesday, September 14. Parents/Guardians will find the drop-off schedule for this day included on the Junior School and Senior School schedules. Classes for all students begins at 9:20 am.
Community Dining
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.
School Policies
The MyCHS Community Portal is a parent/guardian’s go-to resource for all school policies including those related to enrolment (i.e. the CHS Code of Conduct), academics (i.e. Educational Resource Policy), and the community (i.e. Cash Payment Policy and the Financial Assistance Policy). Many of these policies are required by the Ministry of Education and Child Care.
View a recording of the Whole School Opening Assembly with addresses from the Head of School and Head Girl.
Grade 12 Students continued the tradition of welcoming the new school year with creative banners and cheers on 41st Avenue. A wonderful, high-energy way to start a new academic year.
Grade 6 and Grade 8 students returned to campus a day early for their orientation events, the perfect opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
Continuing tradition, Grade 7 students received their sashes in house colours ahead of the first Junior School Assembly of the year. These sashes represent the the role Grade 7 students have as leaders and role models within the Junior School community.
The Senior School community officially welcomed their new Student Executive in to their roles in a ceremony at the first Senior School assembly of the year. Stay tuned to a future newsletter issue to find out more.
Students, siblings, parents and staff joined togther to celebrate the start of the year at the CHS Parents' Auxiliary Welcome Back BBQ.
Tryouts for Senior School Field Hockey and Volleyball have taken place with dozens of students keen to participate in the respective programs this fall. A reminder that Cross Country does not have tryouts, but all students are welcome to the first practices next week, held on September 12, 13 and 16 from 7:00 am to 8:00 am. Please check the @croftonfalcons Instagram account for more information, or check the notice boards in the Athletics Centre.
Junior School athletics programs all commence from Monday, September 12 with Field Hockey, Volleyball and Cross Country.
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