We are into a new year! I hope everyone has transitioned smoothly into the routines that mark a school year. The Welcome Back Barbecue on Friday was a treat, and I want to thank everyone for being considerate of our neighbours when parking your cars. A significant community event, like the one organized by the Parents’ Auxiliary, can strain traffic flow and create street congestion. With everyone’s kind consideration, those who live around the school will see CHS as a respectful neighbour. They certainly let the School know when this is not the case. Let’s set a community aspirational goal for 2023-2024 to be the year when the phone is quiet on this issue.
There are a few other things at the top of my mind early in the year that I would greatly appreciate your support and attention to as we begin a new school year.
Despite our desire to move past the challenges of the past few years, we must remain vigilant regarding COVID-19, especially as cases are currently on the rise. Please continue to prioritize the health and safety of our community by keeping sick students at home and ensuring vaccination. While we anticipate updated guidelines, significant changes may not be imminent. Until then, please familiarize yourself with the existing guidelines.
An ongoing topic of discussion for staff and parents/guardians alike is traffic flow at pick-up and drop-off times. We invite the Vancouver Police onto our site often to observe and provide suggestions to improve the experience for everyone. Still, it's a fact - there will always be a high volume of traffic around the School before the start of the day and after class lets out. CHS facilities staff and Provident Security are on hand to direct traffic and to keep an eye out for students. I know the community appreciates what they do, and I am grateful for the respect parents/guardians demonstrate through patience and following their directions.
I want to emphasize the value of embracing uncertainty. I vividly recall my early days at CHS, filled with learning and the challenges of adapting to a new school, city, and country, especially during the pandemic. The kindness and support I received without asking were invaluable. As we welcome new families and staff this year, I'm confident our returning members will extend a helping hand and encouragement. Schools evolve, and there will be variations in experiences, leading to moments of uncertainty for everyone. It's important to remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you need help with whom to ask, contact someone you know, like your child's homeroom teacher or advisor, and they'll guide you to the right resource.
In closing, I encourage you to watch the recording of our 2023-2024 opening assembly, linked in this first edition of ECalls. Witnessing our students come together at this event symbolizes our commitment to placing them at the heart of everything we do at CHS. Our school is a special place for these young individuals to thrive, and every member of our staff recognizes the privilege of being a part of their journey. Thank you for sharing this year with us.
About this Newsletter
Returning families will be familiar with ECalls, the bi-weekly email newsletter that delivers important information and notification 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.
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. The next ECalls will arrive on Friday, September 29.
MyCHS Community Portal - Your “Go-To” Resource
The MyCHS 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 (introduced in 2022-2023), 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, at any time, there is a resource you are unable to find on MyCHS, please contact communications@croftonhouse.ca.
Updated Locking Mechanism on Pedestrian Gates D and J
Over the summer, the Balaclava Street (Gate D) and Blenheim Street (Gate J) pedestrian entrance gates had updated locking mechanisms installed. These mechanisms are designed to be opened by a key or a code. As in previous years, during regular school hours, School gates will be unlocked by Facilities staff first thing in the morning, and locked at the end of the day. During this time, you are welcome to enter the campus through the unlocked gates without the use of a code.
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 Tuesday, September 19, 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. If a change is needed, click on “My Contact Details - Edit”, make the necessary change and “Save”. If you require any assistance and contact Tamara Wojdylo, Database Administrator.
School Photo Day - Monday, September 25
Please be reminded that Monday, September 25, 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. Photographers from Artona will be on site all day to capture professional portraits of students. There is a second opportunity for photos on Monday, October 23.
Whole Girl, Whole World: Monique Gray Smith - Tickets Available
This year, Crofton House School, in collaboration with the CHS Parents’ Auxiliary, is excited to combine the start of Truth and Reconciliation Week with the highly anticipated Whole Girl, Whole World speaker event. Please join us Monday, September 25, 2023, as we welcome Monique Gray Smith.
Monique Gray Smith, an award-winning Cree and Lakota author, will lead us on a captivating exploration of the profound connection between Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and purposeful learning. This promises to be a truly remarkable evening that you won't want to miss. Mark your calendars and join us for this special event. Read the blog to learn more about Monique and the available books.
Purchase tickets and books
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 in related learning and activities. Everyone is encouraged to wear an orange shirt on Friday, September 29, and then, on Monday, October 2, the School will close in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Saturday, September 30).
Run for the Cure CHS Team
The CIBC Run for the Cure returns to Concord Community Park in Vancouver on Sunday, October 1, 2023. Run for the Cure is an opportunity to come together as a community to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians affected by breast cancer by walking or running 1 km or 5 km. Crofton House School has been supporting Run for the Cure for over 28 years.
Students and staff across the school are invited to make a donation online and wear pink civvies on Friday, September 22, 2023. Anyone keen to support the cause even more can sign up to run/walk for one of the CHS teams, doing their own fundraising in the process. Both of these options will aid the Junior School and Senior School in reaching their overall fundraising goals. For more information, please click the links below to donate or join a team.
Junior School - Click Here
Senior School - Click Here
Immunization Clinics
Public health authorities visit schools each year to immunize students. There are two clinics for routine childhood vaccines at Crofton House School scheduled for this school year:
- Thursday, September 28, 2023 - Grade 6 and 9
- Thursday, May 2, 2024 - Senior Kindergarten, Grade 1, 6, 7, 9 and 10
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.
Event Recordings
Recordings of the Whole School Opening Assembly from Friday, September 8, and the Senior School Major Trips Information Session from Wednesday, September 13, are now available on the MyCHS Portal.
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. After school drop-in for parents with Junior School students is from 2:00 pm to closing. Parents are encouraged to use the online order form when possible; however, you can also 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.
Community Dining
Have you downloaded the "Touch of SAGE" app? Available on the Apple Store app or Google Play. View daily menus and ingredients, create a custom allergen profile, plan meals, and provide
feedback – all in one place on your mobile device.
L'Shanah Tovah and G'mar Chatimah Tovah!
As we enter the fall season, Jewish families in our community will come together to celebrate Rosh Hashanah (evening on Friday, September 15 to Sunday, September 17) and Yom Kippur (evening of Sunday, September 24 to Monday, September 25). Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time for renewal, marked by the sweet taste of apples and honey, symbolizing hopes for a sweet year ahead. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, follows as a time for introspection, fasting, and seeking forgiveness. May these holy days bring blessings to our Jewish families and their loved ones. L'Shanah Tovah and G'mar Chatimah Tovah!
It’s been a busy couple of weeks since the start of term, packed with assemblies, ceremonies, celebrations and settling back into classroom life. Check out the highlights gallery here.
Junior School Athletics
Cross Country Team Hits the Ground Running - Our cross country team has been busy with a productive first week of practice and athletes starting strong with tremendous dedication. Coaches are focused on building athlete endurance and fine-tuning running techniques in preparation for the upcoming season. There is high Falcon energy and enthusiasm as the first meet is fast approaching. The team will be attending the Fraser Academy Relay at Jericho on Thursday, September 21.
Volleyball Squad is Ready to Serve - The team’s initial week of training has seen hard work honing skills, perfecting serves, spikes, and digs. The coaches are impressed with the team's commitment to improvement, and anticipation for upcoming games is palpable. The Grade 7's have finished tryouts, and the Grade 5 and 6 teams have finished their first week of practice. The Grade 5's will play their first game next week at Vancouver Talmud Torah and the Grade 7A team will travel to WPGA on Friday, September 22nd to participate in the Tiffany Li Memorial Volleyball Tournament.
Senior School Athletics
Our Falcons are already underway participating in practices and tournaments!
Senior and Varsity Field Hockey are representing CHS at the Friendship Cup in Duncan, BC this weekend.
Varsity Volleyball is representing CHS at the Thunderbird Volleyball Tournament this weekend at UBC.
The season kick off for our volleyball program is happening on Monday, September 18 in the Athletic Centre:
- Grade 8A/8B begin at 3:00 pm
- Junior Volleyball begin at 4:30 pm
- Varsity Volleyball begin at 6:00 pm
While our Cross Country athletes are preparing to participate in the Spirit Run - a community run on Sunday, September 24.
Come out and cheer on your Falcons.
Go Falcons Go!
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