Dear James McKinney Elementary School Families,

We hope this newsletter finds you well as we dive into the beautiful autumn season. Before we delve into the important updates and upcoming events, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) for their thoughtful treats in celebration of World Educators Day on October 5th. Your appreciation means the world to us, and we are truly grateful for your support.

Now, let's take a moment to highlight some key information and events for the month of October:

Thanksgiving in Canada (October 11):

Thanksgiving is an official statutory holiday in Canada, celebrated on the second Monday of October. While its origins are rooted in the celebration of the autumn harvest, it has evolved into a day for families to come together and give thanks for their well-being. We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Day of the Girl (October 11) and Persons Day (October 18):

October 11 marks the Day of the Girl, a day to celebrate and empower girls worldwide. On October 18, we observe Persons Day, commemorating the historic decision in 1929 that recognized women as "persons" under Canadian law. This pivotal decision paved the way for increased gender equality in Canada, although it did not include all women. To promote awareness and continued progress in gender equality, we invite you to learn more about these significant days.

Student Accident Insurance:

Please see the attached letter regarding student accident insurance.

Student Individual Photo Day (October 12):

Please mark your calendars for our individual photo day on October 12th. In case your child misses their photo day, we have scheduled a photo retake day on November 9th.

Parent-Teacher Conferences (October 18th and 19th):

Early dismissal is scheduled for October 18th and 19th, with students being dismissed at 1:45 p.m. Our teachers will reach out to you about signing up for Parent-Teacher Conferences, providing an opportunity to discuss your child's progress.

Parent Volunteers for Montessori PSA Day (October 20th):

We are seeking parent volunteers to support our Montessori PSA Day on October 20th. Your assistance in guiding visitors from other schools within our campus will be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Sunny (sunnysyh@hotmail.com).

Terry Fox Fundraiser Collection:

A heartfelt thank you to our community for contributing to the Terry Fox fundraiser. Together, we raised $1090.46 towards cancer research.

Weather News:

As the weather shifts with the arrival of fall, please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor recess and lunch. Additionally, as we navigate the changing seasons, we kindly ask that you keep unwell children at home until they are fully recovered to help maintain the health of our community.

Important Dates:

Up-to-date school calendar information can be found here: https://mckinney.sd38.bc.ca/node/5

Finally...

As we look forward to a well-deserved long weekend, we wish each and every one of you a wonderful time filled with joy, gratitude, and quality moments with your loved ones. Thank you for your ongoing support in creating a nurturing and enriching environment for our students.

Warm regards,

Gordon and Monika