Dear McKinney Elementary School Community,

We hope this newsletter finds you in good spirits as we prepare for a thrilling Halloween and several exciting events and initiatives. We begin by extending our heartfelt gratitude to the McKinney PAC for their outstanding efforts in organizing the school-wide pumpkin patch event on October 25th. The sense of community and joy it brought to our students was truly heartwarming.

Halloween Costumes

Tuesday is Halloween and we are looking forward to having some fun together.

Here are some guidelines to consider when selecting costumes that will be worn at school:

• Costumes that could be offensive or perpetuate a stereotype of someone’s culture, gender, heritage, or religion are not permitted. A resource to help better clarify this concern is the #IAmNotACostume Campaign which can be found at: http://www.lspirg.org/costumes
• Students need to be identifiable and visible to ensure safety. Masks, face coverings, or make-up that results in staff being unable to identify students should not be worn.
• Costumes that depict violence, alcohol or drugs are not appropriate. Fake weapons should not be brought to school.

Another important reminder for older students that attend schools with younger grades, it is everyone’s responsibility to create a safe environment for all students to set a good example and think about how costume choice may impact others in the building.

City of Richmond Halloween Events and Activities

Over 20 spook-tacular Halloween-inspired events and activities are now on through Tuesday, October 31 with the fang-tastic Halloween Fireworks Festival in Minoru Park on Halloween night. All the details about this year’s 20+ events can be found at richmond.ca/halloween.

Halloween Candies

McMath leadership students are collecting extra candy again this year. The candy becomes part of care packages for the GSM Street Team.

The GSM street teams continue our work on the downtown eastside. Last year they delivered more than 15,000 candy bags, several hundred pairs of socks, and other amenities to residents of the neighbourhood.  

If you wish to donate extra candy, there are bins in the office.

McKinney Spirit Wear

The McKinney PAC is doing a McKinney Spirit Wear sale.

Orders are due Friday, November 10, 2023.

All proceeds go towards new playground equipment. Delivery of items is estimated for December 2023. No refunds or exchanges. No late orders. Sample sizes available in front of the office starting the week of October 30, 2023. Accepting CASH or CHEQUE (payable to James McKinney PAC).

Please see the attached order form.

2023 Poppy Campaign

We will be collecting donations Cash online for this year’s Poppy Campaign which runs from October 27 until November 11. You are also welcome to make donations at the office counter too. All donations to the Poppy Fund are placed in trust to be used for the care and benevolent support of Veterans and their dependents.

Family Erase Sessions for Safe, Caring and Respectful Digital Communities

Three free virtual erase learning sessions for families will be held on November 8, 28, and 30, focusing on establishing safe, caring, and respectful digital communities. These sessions are best suited for families and youth aged 10 and above. Families may register with the links on the attached document.

2024-2025 Kindergarten Registration - November 1

Richmond School District 38 is excited to welcome Kindergarten registration applications for children born in 2019, turning 5 in 2024. These children will begin Kindergarten in September 2024. Online registration opens on November 1, 2023. Please visit our website www.sd38.bc.ca/kindergarten for more information about our online registration process, required documents, important dates, and FAQs.

We encourage families to complete their registration within the Priority 1 registration window, which spans from November to January, in order to maximize their chances of securing a spot at their catchment school. All registration applications received any time during the Priority 1 registration period will receive placement decisions by February 2, 2024.

Videos detailing Kindergarten registration have been made available on our District website, providing new parents with guidance on the registration process, English Language Learner (ELL) assessments, and District Program Options (Early French Immersion and Montessori). These videos are available in English and Mandarin. Please view the videos at www.sd38.bc.ca/kindergarten.

Finally, there will be a Kindergarten Information Evening for parents of students with disabilities and diverse abilities on Zoom held on November 8th from 6:30 – 7:30pm. A link to the Zoom is available on our District website www.sd38.bc.ca/kindergarten.

Finally...Thank you for being an essential part of the McKinney Elementary family. Together, we can make our school a place of learning, growth, and unity.

We're looking forward to a spook-tacular Halloween!