S C H O O L N E W S NEWSLETTER #3

École élémentaire James Gilmore Elementary School 8380 Elsmore Road, Richmond, B.C. V7C 2A1

Phone 604-668-6268 Fax 604-668-6134 Early Warning 604-668-6637 E-mail: Gilmore@.sd38.bc.ca Website:gilmore.sd38.bc.ca Twitter: @gilmoregriffins

Mr. Mark David Ms. Nichole Kusch Principal / Directeur Vice Principal / Directrice adjointe

S.D. #38

(Richmond)

October 28, 2016 Thank you to families for spending the time to communicate with the classroom teachers during conferences. The school-home communication is integral to the success of our children. This is a busy month for our staff as they begin to write our first term report cards. Term One Report Cards will go home on Thursday, December 15th. School Closure Update

Thank you to the many parents who sent feedback on Survey Monkey regarding

the impact of the possible closure of Dixon Elementary on the Gilmore community. As you may know, the trustees voted to end the closure process. Thus, Dixon will remain open next year. Below is the official Board announcement, which can also be found on the main page of the school district website (www.sd38.bc.ca ): The Richmond Board of Education has voted to terminate the current school closure process. The following motion was approved by the Richmond Board of Education: WHEREAS the Board of Education (Richmond) has undertaken an extensive public consultation process designed to inform the public about the declining enrollment and seismic mitigation challenges facing the school district; AND WHEREAS as part of the public consultation process the Board of Education (Richmond) sought input on possible school closures; AND WHEREAS the recent announcement by the Minister of Education that capacity targets will no longer be required for school districts to qualify for seismic remediation funding; AND WHEREAS the Provincial Government, through the three Richmond MLAs, has provided public assurance that seismic remediation funding is available for all schools in Richmond; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the current school closure process be terminated; AND FURTHER THAT staff be directed to update the Five Year Capital Plan to include all Richmond schools that require seismic remediation. “We Scare Hunger” Campaign

Student Leadership is collecting donations for the Food Bank until Thursday, November 3rd. Non-perishable food items can be

dropped off on the table in the front foyer.

Student Pick Up and Drop Off Parents are reminded that there is no pick up or drop off at crosswalks, entrances to the schoolyard, in the Staff Parking lot, or in neighbouring driveways. Please park and walk your children to the pathways. The Kelmore parking lot is a

good place to drop off your children. Halloween – October 31st

Here are a few reminders from our community partners regarding Halloween safety. Tips from the Richmond Fire Department for a “Safe and Happy Halloween”: • wear lightly coloured costumes or affix

reflective tape that can be seen by motorists • be sure you can see through your mask or only wear

make-up • be sure costumes are short enough to prevent

tripping • travel while there is still daylight and carry a flashlight • travel in groups, preferably with a parent or guardian • walk on sidewalks or along the curb, never on the

street • don’t eat treats until your parents have checked them District Parent Info Night

Parents are encouraged to attend one of

the upcoming Parent Information Nights for Early French Immersion (EFI) or Kindergarten Students with Special Needs for the 2017-2018 school year. No registration is required, and the meetings will be held at the following schools, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Wed. Nov 23 - General Currie Elementary School (EFI) 8220 General Currie Road

Thurs. Nov 24 - William Cook Elementary (K Special Needs) 8600 Cook Road

REMINDERS Please remember to call Early Warning (604)668-6637 if your child will be absent or late. You can leave a message on that line.

If you have not yet paid your chld’s school fees, please submit your payment as soon as possible.

Please ensure that your child’s student information verification sheet has been returned to the office.

KindergartenRegistrationApplications will beaccepted for Kindergartenregistration for the 2017-2018schoolyear.Parentsmayregisterattheircatchmentschool fromNovember 1st - 30th. After that date parentsmustgotoCentralRegistrationtoregistertheirchild.Remembrance Day

Our Remembrance Day assembly will be Thursday, November 10th at 10:45 a.m. Parents are most welcome to attend. Students will receive poppies on Tuesday morning: donations for the

Richmond Poppy Fund are much appreciated and help support veterans. Thank you. Green Team With the start of a new school year, the Green Team has been busy working on new and exciting ways to keep our school looking "green." One of the first big projects that the Green Team has been working on has been planting seeds in our school's garden beds. The students have learned all about weeding, how to prepare the soil and were able to plant a variety of seeds, including beets, lettuce, mustard, radishes, cilantro, and turnips. If you happen to take a walk through our garden, have a close look; the seeds are already starting to sprout! The Green Team has had a wonderful start to the new school year. With many projects already underway, we hope to make this a very "green" year at Gilmore! Volleyball Schedule

Many thanks to Ms. Oswald, Ms. Porter and Ms. Singh for volunteering their time to coach Gilmore’s intramural volleyball team. Here is the upcoming schedule:

Tues. Nov. 1st Dixon @ Gilmore

Tues. Nov. 8th École des Navigateurs @ Gilmore

Thurs. Nov. 10th Gilmore @ Grauer

Tues. Nov. 15th Gilmore @ Dixon

Wed. Nov. 16th City Centre Classic Tournament ( Location & Time T.B.A. )

Thurs. Nov. 24th Grauer @ Gilmore

Tues. Nov. 29th Gilmore @ École des Navigateurs

I m p o r t a n t D a t e s Return to Standard Time (clocks back) Sunday, November 6 Individual Student Photo Retakes Tuesday, November 8 Remembrance Day (Statutory Holiday) Friday, November 11 Curriculum Implementation Day (no school) Friday, November 18 Holiday Wish Fundraising Monday, November 28 - Thursday, December 15 Grade 6 Immunization #1 Wednesday, November 30 Term One Report Cards Sent Home Thursday, December 15 School Closes for Winter Vacation Friday, December 16 Winter Vacation Period (inclusive) December 19 through January 2 PAC CORNER The Card Project If you haven't already heard, Gilmore's major fundraiser is well underway! Your kids have already created and submitted their art to the Card Project. Once the samples have been released on line, we will be given a special code, so that we may order our kid's art on cards & note books, etc. A notice will be sent home during the week of November 7th with full details, so please watch for it! Attention all Grade 5 Student Families!!!

Our ski program will be starting in January!! If your child does not have proper ski wear, now is the time to start hunting! Your child will need a winter coat, ski pants, ski gloves, and goggles. If you have extra items that would fit Gr.

5 students which you are willing to share or give away, please bring them to school. The PAC will keep them until January, to be used by Gr. 5 students who need these articles. Thank you!! CANADA 150 YEARS Canada is turning 150 next July! Who would like to help throw the party? We are looking for some parents who enjoy research and planning this Gilmore community event. Please contact the school to join this new committee.

November 2016

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5

Standard Time 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 (Clocks Back)

Photo Retake Day

Outdoor Ed Meeting 6:30 pm

Remembrance Day Assembly 10:45 am

Remembrance Day (no school)

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Curriculum

Implementation Day (no school)

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 KBAM Theatre

Presentation Hot Lunch

27 28 29 30 Ho l i day W ish

PAC Meeting 7 pm

Grade 6 Immunization #1