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4452 -256th Street, Aldergrove, BC V4W 1J3 Phone: 604-856-8539 Fax: 604-856-4309

Principal: Cathy Gracie coghlan.sd35.bc.ca @coghlanfundamen Administrative Assistant: Naomi Laycock

Here at Coghlan, we have some long standing traditions and some additional activities planned

for the month of December that we hope you are able to be a part of over the next couple of

weeks. It makes me very proud to be in a place that puts such a strong emphasis on community.

We truly have staff and parents that work extremely hard to make Coghlan a wonderful place for

our children and all of the events and activites do not happen without a lot of behind the scene

work. This is true for our movie nights, fundraisers, fun family fair, fun food, choir fieldtrips,

building gingerbread houses, Christmas Crackers, Christmas performances, pancake breakfasts

and so much more. I am extremely appreciative of all of these efforts.

Unfortunately, as we all lead very busy lives and are trying to squeeze these school projects into

our work and family obligations, sometimes in the business or in sending information by text or

email people’s feelings get hurt or we might take a comment or statement the wrong way. I

know for the people that I have worked closely with, there is no intent to be mean or hurtful. If

you find yourself in a situation such as this, please don’t let these feelings fester or keep you

from attending school events. Talk to each other directly or bring the concerns to me if you

think it will help. I think it is important to keep in mind that we are all here for the children. As we get closer to the

Christmas holidays and even as we start the new year, please look upon each other with kindness and let’s keep working

together to make Coghlan a wonderful community for all of us.

Sincerely,

Cathy Gracie

Proud Principal

School Events and Calendar

Please find listed below various activities for the end of November and the month of December. Please feel free to join us in the various activities.

November/December 2017 Calendar

November 24 ................................................................................................................ Character Day November 24 ................................................................................................ Fun Food, Mucho Burrito November 27 ........................................................................................ Early dismissal at 11:16 am November 28…………………………………………………….…Active Beyond the Bell – first day 2:40 December 1 ..................................................................... 2 pm Assembly, featuring Divisions 5 and 6 December 1 .......................................................................................................... Fun Food (Nandos) December 2 ............................................Coghlan Christmas Craft Fair, 9 am to 3 pm. Bring a friend! December 4 – 15 ............................................................................................... Christmas Food Drive December 4 ..........................................................................9 am Art Starts performance of “Iskwew” December 5…………………………………………………………….6:30 pm – Parent Literacy Night #3 December 7 ................................................................................... Div #5 – LEPS presentation in AM December 7 ................................................................................... Div #6 - :LEPS presentation in PM December 8 …………………………………………………………….Grade 7 Hot Chocolate Sale 2:40

C O G H L A N FU N D A M E N T A L

E L E M E N T A R Y S C H O O L

The

Raccoon

Report

Principal’s Message

“A place of learning, a place of belonging” November 21, 2017, Newsletter # 4

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December 12 ………………………………………….Mrs. Brown’s Retirement Tea – Assembly 2:00pm December 13 ................................................. Milk and Cookies. Pre-order on the Fun Food website. December 14 .................................................... Coghlan Choir sings at Willowbrook Mall at 10:30 am December 15 ..................................................................................... 9 am Christmas cracker making December 15 .................................. 1:45 pm Divisions 5 to 10 – Decorating Graham Cracker Houses December 15 ………………………………………………………………..Ugley Christmas Sweater Day December 15…………………………………………………………….Grade 7 Hot Chocolate Sale 2:40 December 15 ....................................................... Report cards available for viewing on Parent Portal December 19 ............................................................................................Newsletter #5 issued online December 21 .......................................................... Christmas performance “dress rehearsal” at 9 am December 21 .................. Christmas Performances at 1:00 pm at Coghlan and 7:00pm at DW Poppy. December 22 .................................................................................................................... Flannel Day December 22 ......................................................... PAC sponsored Pancake Breakfast for All Grades Dec. 25 – Jan. 5 ................................................ Holidays (School re-opens on Monday, January 8th)

Student Absences (please call ‘the office’ each time) When your child is going to be absent for any reason please call the office (voice mail is on 24/7). Often parents write a (future) absence or late into their child’s agenda but the teacher may not be able to check each child’s agenda each day and so it gets missed. You can also email the teacher but keep in mind if the teacher is absent the office won’t know about your child’s absence and will then phone you. We are keeping your child’s safety as priority. Report Cards This year, and going forward, report cards will not be sent home in paper form but instead available online. First term reports card are issued December 15th on the Langley School District Family Portal on MyEdBC. The Family Portal gives parents access to check attendance, check that contact information is up to date, look at your child’s current and previous marks, student schedules, view report cards, and see term marks in progress – final marks are published to the Report Card. Parents will have received an email from MYEDBC with instructions on how to set up their account. If you have not already set this up, we encourage you to do so quickly. Parents will need to have an email account to be able to access the Parent Portal. If you need assistance with your Parent Portal:

- Go to the Coghlan school website: www.coghlan.sd35.bc.ca , click on Parent Community and MYEDBC info.

- Use the MYEDBC Assistance Form on that page to get assistance To view your child’s report card: Go to: www.myeducation.gov.bc.ca and log in with your username and password. Click on the “Pages” top tab and it is fairly easy to navigate from there. Please keep in mind that items in blue will give you more access to information when clicked on.

Important --- Payments for Field Trips Payments for field trips must ALL be paid for with Cash On Line: www.sd35.schoolcashonline.com. The School District does not wish the school offices to have cash or cheques for security purposes. Please respect the deadline for payment and pay before the deadline expires as there are accounting functions that must be completed, This will save a time-consuming phone call from the teacher or the office.

School Activities

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Changing E-mail Address? If you change your email address during the year– please send Mrs. Laycock an email to: nlaycock@sd35.bc.ca or give her a phone call to let her know your new email address. She will change your email on the website to ensure you continue to receive newsletters and other important school information.

Want to know what’s happening in future months? The Coghlan calendars on the website have been updated for the school year. So if you’re planning your schedule and want to know when the oratories, sports day, waterslides or pro-d days are just go onto our website: coghlan.sd35.bc.ca and look under “News and Events” then “Calendar”. It’s all there for the year

Keep current on school events with the

convenience of your cell phone!

Simply subscribe to the School Calendar and it will update the calendar on your cell phone and show all upcoming school events. An easy way to look up Pro-D Days, Early Dismissal Days, Hot Lunch Days and so much more at the convenience of your own cell phone!

Go to the Coghlan website: coghlan.sd35.bc.ca

Click on the header "News & Events"

Click on Calendar

Scroll down to the bottom and look to the far left side

Click on Subscribe to Calendar and click on Learn More

Click on the top link and in a few quick steps your cell phone calendar will be hooked up to the School Calendar!

Book Fair

Thanks to Brandi Reid and Michelle Kehler and all the volunteer parents for helping out at our

Book Fair. Total sales were $2,826.90 and we were able to supply our class libraries with

almost $1000 in new books. Thank you to all who supported this very successful event.

Volleyball

Our volleyball season is going very well. The students are improving their skills and have shown enthusiasm,

commitment and good sportsmanship. Congratulations to both our teams! Thank you to our volunteer coaches

Mrs. Kempf, Miss Keller, Mrs. Guild & Mrs. Hunter for their hard work and dedication to our students.

Basketball season begins in January.

Recycling at Coghlan:

Whenever possible, please send lunches and snacks in reusable containers labeled with your child's name or

initials. This will assist us in managing the amount of time and resources required to recycle items at school

and allow us to continue to put our time and effort into educational priorities. Anything we put into the blue

recycling bin must be clean and dry. That means that yogurt containers, etc. have to be rinsed out and dried

before they can be placed in the blue bin. This is especially challenging for the teachers and students in the

youngest grades and those in the portables. Students may be asked to take these items home to rinse out and

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recycle. Another challenge comes from plastic bags and prepackaged foods, such as granola bars, chip bags,

cheese and crackers, etc. They create a significant volume of garbage. Thank you in advance for your

cooperation and assistance!

Report Cards

Report cards will issued on the Parent Portal on Friday, December 15th. Students in Grade 4 through 7 will be

given a letter grade for each curricular area, while progress for students Grade 1 to 3 will be indicated by the

terms: exceeding, meeting, approaching, not yet meeting. Progress for kindergarten students will be indicated

by the terms: exceeding, fully meeting and approaching. Under each curricular title will be a list of learning

descriptors for the term. The comment section will provide more individual information. Students who receive

learning assistance or resource support will continue to receive separate reports for specific learning needs

addressed in their individual education plans (IEP). Please feel free to contact the school if you have questions

or concerns.

Achievement Awards

The achievement awards are presented in June, but the effort required to qualify for them must be consistent

all year. The Grade 4 to 7 teachers are keeping records that will be used to measure student achievement in a

variety of categories. Only one Coghlan Award will be given. The other awards will be given to any students

in grades 4 to 7 who meet the criteria. Please see the descriptions below of the categories and criteria for the

awards. We hope our students will be inspired to strive to be the best they can be all year long. Kindergarten

students will continue to receive Kindergarten completion certificates. Students in Grades 1, 2 and 3 will each

receive an achievement award in their classroom.

Intermediate Achievement Awards Categories 1. Academic

There are 6 academic courses: reading, writing, oral language, math, social studies and science.

In each of these courses a student has the potential to earn 4 points for an A, 3 points for a B, 2 points for a C+ or 1 point for a C

Any student in Grade 4 or 5 who has an average combined score of 18 or more for all three terms, and no less than 16 for any given term will receive a certificate.

Any student in Grade 6 or 7 who has an average combined score of 20 or more for all three terms, and no less than C+ for any of the academic courses will receive a certificate.

The top student in each intermediate grade will receive a medal 2. Sportsmanship

has consistently demonstrated the qualities of being a team player and leader

has consistently shown a positive attitude regardless of winning or losing

acknowledges the efforts of each player and encourages the best in everyone 3. Athletic

commitment to excellence in sports

displays a high level of athletic ability 4. Citizenship

Shows respect for themselves and those around them

demonstrates behaviour that considers the feelings and opinions of others

consistently shows kindness and helpfulness to other students and adults 5. Fine Arts

commitment to excellence in visual arts, dance, drama, or music

displays a high level of artistic and creative ability as evident in the process, exploration, performance, and reflection of the arts

has demonstrated an ongoing effort to participate in fine art activities within the school setting

has shown a positive attitude towards the arts

acknowledges the efforts of each artist/performer and encourages the best in everyone

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6. Effort

continually strives to produce his or her best work

comes prepared for school and completes homework on time

is always ready to learn 7. Most Improved

has shown a marked improvement over the year in a subject area(s) and/or in social responsibility 8. Coghlan Award

The student must consistently demonstrate those characteristics which Coghlan aims to encourage. These characteristics include: 1. Citizenship - The student must be regarded as dependable, and demonstrate respect for people,

property, and the law. 2. Attitude - The student is courteous, helpful and caring in his or her relationships with other students and

adults. 3. Academics - The student continually strives to the limits of his or her abilities, both in the classroom and

in the home, to achieve those personal, academic goals which his or her teachers believe are within reach of the student. (This in no way implies that the candidate must be academically superior.)

4. Service - The student readily and unselfishly helps others at home, at school and in the community to a degree that is judged exceptional for a young person of the candidate’s age.

5. Leadership - The student demonstrates an ability to work with and motivate others, has sound values, good judgment, a sense of fairness, and has earned the respect of his or her peers.

6. Sportsmanship - The student demonstrates an earnest attempt to do his or her best during athletic competitions, shows a respect for the rules of that competition, and in terms of priorities, places the success of the team above a need for personal advancement. (This criteria does not imply that the student must be an outstanding athlete.)

7. Involvement – Has enthusiastically participated in the various opportunities offered (e.g. spirit days, concerts, choir, sports). Demonstrated pride in their school.

Food Drive December 4 – December 15 Our annual Food Drive starts on Monday, December 4th. This year Kim Carbonneau, Miranda O’Krane and Amber Vaughn have agreed to help with the organization of this worthwhile community event. The Aldergrove Food Bank’s Wish List includes: Canned fish/meat (tuna, salmon, ham, turkey etc.), Healthy cereal (hot or cold), Meals in a tin (pork & beans, chili, stew), canned vegetables, canned fruit, wholegrain pasta/rice, peanut butter, canned & dry soups, mac & cheese, toiletries (shampoo, soap, razors). Donations will be collected in the classrooms and taken to the front foyer. House team points are awarded to students for their donations.

Graham Cracker Houses The students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be decorating graham cracker houses on Friday, December 15th at 1:45pm. Students are asked to bring candies to decorate their houses. Parent helpers are welcome for this fun event. Thank You to Mrs. Hebert and Mrs. O’Krane for making all the icing sugar! Christmas Concerts, Thursday December 21st

Coghlan Fundamental Elementary School will be holding its annual Christmas Concerts on Thursday, December 21st at 1:00 pm in the Coghlan Gym (this is especially for seniors and those who have challenges driving at night), and 7 pm at DW Poppy Secondary School (there are 400 seats available). Mrs. Neff has been working with the students to learn Christmas selections for voice, ukulele, recorder and chimes. The choir and the band will also be

performing. The students are excited about the opportunity to perform for you and it promises to be a great opportunity to get into the holiday spirit. We will not be charging to attend either performance.

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Fill the Free Store Campaign – A Me to We Club Initiative This week we are collecting donations of gently used household items, warm jackets, blankets, hats, gloves, scares and toileties. These items will be donated to the Free Store at the Langley Vineyard Church working with Kimz Angels, an amazing organization to works tirelessly to support people in need.

Active Beyond the Bell Program – Ready to Begin Nov 28, 2017

I am happy to announce that we are ready to get our Active Beyond the Bell Program started here at Coghlan as

of Tuesday, Nov 28th. This program is facilitated through the Township of Langley for Coghlan students from

Kindergarten – Grade 7. It will run every day afterschool (except early dismissal days) from 2:45pm – 4:45pm

in the gym.

The focus of the Active Beyond the Bell programs focus on fun physical activity and preparing your child to be

active and healthy for life.

Activities:

Gym & Sport: Being active for life starts with fundamental movement skills. Learn these skills and keep

moving while having fun playing a variety of sports and games

Health & Wellness:

Learn about the importance of good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle through fun, hands-on activities.

Outdoor Play:

We’ll take active play outdoors (weather permitting) as we participate in a variety of movement activities,

sports and games.

Program Information:

Monday-Friday 2:45-4:45pm (not offered on early dismissal days)

$10.75 per day

Flexible registration on daily basis

Scheduled payments available

Active Beyond the Bell does not run on statutory holidays, professional development days, or early

dismissal days.

School’s Out Day Camps for non-school days are available at Township community, cultural, and

recreation centres.

Parents who arrive after 4:45pm will be charged a late fee for each day they are late.

For more information, visit RecExpress.ca or contact a community cultural or recreation centre.

Parents as Partners

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Information About School Status During Inclement Weather Snow closures and power outages are an annual occurrence in Langley School District. So where do you go to get information about the status of schools during periods of inclement weather? If you have power in your home and an Internet connection, current information about Langley schools can be accessed at www.sd35.bc.ca. Click on the “School Status/Closures” QuickLink. If you don't have connectivity, but your phone is working, call a relative or friend in an area that has not been affected by the storm and ask them to check the district website for you. Current information is also posted on the Langley School District's Information Hotline at 604-532-1453. (Do not hang up if your call is not connected right away). Local radio stations are also informed of school status in Langley. Tune in to CKWX 1130 AM, CKNW 980 AM, Country Radio 107.1 FM or CBC 690 AM for updates. We will also post updates to Twitter @LangleySchools and Facebook www.Facebook.com/LangleySchoolDistrict. Healthy Kids Program (Dental and Optical Coverage) The BC Healthy Kids program helps middle and low income families with the costs of basic dental care and prescription eyewear for their children. Eligible clients include dependent children under 19 years of age who receive Medical Services Plan premium assistance through the Ministry of Health Services. Families who have been approved for MSP premium assistance will be signed up with the Program. Coverage begins at the start of the next month. No additional application form is needed to register. For information on how to apply for MSP, contact the Ministry of Health Services at 604-683-7151.

Beverage containers at Coghlan Have you ever wondered what happens to the refundable beverage containers that are sent to school or purchased for Fun Food days? They are collected and returned so that the refunds can be used to help support programs at Coghlan. If you are interested in donating your beverage containers from home to this cause, there are two ways you can do this.

1. Take them to the Aldergrove Encorp Return-it Depot and put them on our account (under the name Coghlan PAC).

2. Bring them to school and place them in the green recycling containers located in the main hallway (non-alcohol containers only, please).

Traffic Flow Thank you for your cooperation in using the parking lot and for maintaining a parallel parking pattern along

256th Street! There is a NO PARKING zone on each side of the exit. Please respect it! Please continue to keep the pick-up /drop-off loop moving. It is really helpful if you wait until you can see your child before pulling into the pick-up zone. Please move on as soon as possible. The pick-up zone begins after the crosswalk! It is critical children are visible when entering the crosswalk. Vehicles that pull over before the crosswalk prevent drivers from seeing children in the crosswalk. Please use the parking lot if you require extra time! Thank you!

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Reserved Parking Spot: Have you noticed the Reserved Parking Spot as you enter the school parking area? This spot was purchased as part of the silent auction at our Fun Family Fair in May. Thank you to the Wutke family for their generous donation. Get together with your carpool and get ready to put in a bid at this years fun family fair Reading Link Challenge for Grades 4 and 5 Coghlan is now part of the Fraser Valley Regional Library’s Reading Link Challenge! Get ready to join in the fun and participate in the sport of reading!! Coghlan teachers are forming teams of six kids in grades 4 and 5. A list of six books has been chosen by a team of librarians. The books are now at our school. Your child has until February to read as many of these books as he/she can. Get reading! The books are: Masterpiece by Elise Broach The Mask That Sang by Susan Currie Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt After Peaches by Michelle Mulder The Incredible Twisting Arm by Kate Egan Phineas L. MacGuire….Erupts! by Frances O’Roark Dowell After the books are read comes the best part – the challenges! Here’s how they work:

- Each team has a maximum of six members – they can’t have more. - During Challenges, all members of the team sit together. One of the members will act as “scribe” (write

down answers for the team) and one will act as “runner” (bring answers to the judge). Both the scribe and runner also help answer questions. Between rounds the scribe and runner may be changed.

- A library staff member or teacher runs the challenges. - Thirty questions will be read in three rounds of ten questions each. The teams have thirty seconds to

answer each question – this is longer than you think! There are four levels of Challenge: The first Challenge is held at Coghlan. Each team will compete with the other teams at our school to answer thirty questions about the books. The team that wins will go onto the second level of Challenge. The second Challenge is held at the public library. The winning team from each school in our district will compete at this Challenge to answer thirty different questions about the books. The team that wins this challenge will go onto the Community Challenge. At the Community Challenge, the winning teams from each of the participating libraries within the system meet to compete. There students will answer thirty more questions about the same books! You’ll know a lot about these books by then! The top three winning teams are presented with medals, and will then proceed to the fourth level of the Challenge. At the Grand Challenge, the top winning teams from the various libraries will meet to compete for the regional championship. The winning school is presented with the beautiful and bright Reading Link Challenge Trophy! Parents can help too!

- Read the books! - Encourage your child. - Help quiz your child about the details of the books. - Be an enthusiastic audience supporter of your child’s team - Help drive to Challenges.

If you have any questions about this Challenge contact your child’s teacher, Mrs. Durnin or Mrs. Gracie.

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Flu and Cold Season is upon us. If your child has the flu (fever, diarrhea, vomiting) or an infectious cold - we strongly recommend that your child be “Symptom Free” – for 48 hours/2 days before returning to school. While it is tempting to bring them back sooner, this will ensure that your child has his/her energy back to be able to fully focus in the classroom and avoid the spread of germs to other students and staff. Thank you for your consideration.

Hand Washing Hand washing prevents the spread of germs. Take a few minutes to review these steps with your family.

Wet your hands and apply plain soap (antibacterial soap promotes bacterial resistance).

Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds or the time it takes to sing a short song or rhyme.

Rinse your hands for 10 seconds to get all the germs off

Dry hands with a towel

For more information and games go to www.dobugsneeddrugs.org A Message from Your School Nurse www.fraserhealth.ca click on School Health Resources

Limiting Screen Time Too much screen time can interfere with activities such as being physically active, reading, doing homework, playing with friends, and spending time with family. Try the following tips to reduce screen time:

Set limits on screen time. Your children should spend no more than 2 hours a day watching TV, surfing the internet or playing video games.

Remove the TV or computer from your child’s bedroom. Children with TVs in their rooms spend almost 1½ hours more per day watching TV than kids without a set in their room.

Provide other options and alternatives. Watching TV can become a habit for your child. Provide other alternatives for them to spend their time, such as playing outside, learning a hobby or sport, or spending time with family and friends.

Be a role model. As a parent, set a good example for physical activity and screen time in moderation. If your kids see you following your own rules, they will be more likely to do the same.

Make physical activity a fun family routine. Do not rely on “active” video games to get children moving.

Canada’s Physical Activity Guide suggests at least 90 minutes of physical activity per day for children and youth. Yet, research studies show that more than half of Canadian children and youth are not active enough for optimal growth and development. For more information: http://www.actnowbc.ca/?section_copy_id=248&section_id=402

Eat Well…Be Active…Live Tobacco Free.

Health and Safety

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Community Corner

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November 2017

Hello to the BCSSA, all Swimmers, Parents, Coaches, and Directors

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak on the possibility of having a Swim Club in Aldergrove, B.C.

As some of you may be aware that Aldergrove is currently under construction for a new recreation center that includes a 6

lane 25-meter pool. This pool is supposed to be a Fina spec pool with a deep end and two diving boards. There will also be a

secondary shallower and warmer pool with a gradual entry. The 6-lane pool will be open year-round with a heated deck and a canopy

over the pool. The aquatic section also will include 3 tubes slides, lazy river, wave pool with a screen for movies, and a spray park

which is supposed to only be open seasonally. With the aquatic section, there will also be a new ice rink, walking track, and fitness

section. This complex is scheduled to be open in June 2018.

We have been working toward this goal as a community for about 5 years and had many struggles to overcome, as many in

our community state that Aldergrove has been promised a pool for almost 30 years. We had meetings, did surveys, had protests, talk

to councilors, involved in social media, were political, went to township meetings and committee groups, walked the town delivering

flyers, and many more activities that eventually found our way to the complex that is now being built. Aldergrove lies 15-18 kms

between Langley and Abbotsford. Even though Aldergrove is part of the Langley township, there have been many comments over the

years, even from Langley township residents, that are not even aware that Aldergrove is part of the township. Aldergrove has had a

lot of comments over the years from different people and sources calling us the “poor cousin of Langley”, or there seems to be a

reputation out there that portrays Aldergrove as a place that is not safe to be in or have your things in. For example, the Langley

Cruise in coming to Aldergrove and comments about getting hub cabs stolen are just one of the things we hear. I tell you this so that

there is some understanding in why I think that a Swim Club for Aldergrove is important.

Aldergrove needs an identity! They need to feel community spirit! This community needs more activities that are local with

a place that they can call their own! Aldergrove needs to feel pride! Can a swim club do this? Yes, I think it can! As a mother of

three children that swam with the Langley Flippers, Haney Neptunes and Abbotsford Whalers in swimming and water polo for 18

years, I can say that a swim club with all four aquatic sports is definitely needed here in Aldergrove. There is one high school, one

middle school and two elementary schools within walking distance to the new pool. This will be great for general swimming, lessons,

and fun activities. But this will also be amazing for the youth of this town to be able to walk to the pool for swimming, water polo,

synchro, or diving. This is an opportunity for kids, that may in another case where they would need to be driven to the pool, to be able

to learn a beginner level entry aquatic sport easier where they can walk there or have less distance to drive. Training and competing in

these sports as a beginner or someone who goes farther into higher levels of these sports, could lead to wonderful lifelong benefits.

Yes, we have issues in our town with vandalism and youth out and about doing things that can lead them astray just like any other

community, and yes, I do think that this can help alleviate this issue for some.

Travelling to Langley Flippers or Abbotsford Whalers seems like it is an easy task, but it is not. If anyone has tried to go

Fraser Highway either way from 3-7pm weekdays (especially Fridays in the summer ☹) you would know that the 15-20-minute

drive can be as long as 30-45 minutes and sometimes even more. This drive with the anxiety of the traffic can make the parents and

the swimmers not want to make the trek. Our family swam at both Langley and Abbotsford and the long drive was one of the things

our family talked about a lot. Aldergrove is a bedroom community and a lot of parents cannot get back home to get their kids in time

to make some of the practice times. We had a couple of our children doing swimming and water polo one right after another and that

was extremely hard on our family. We were too far away from home to take care of those in practice(dinner, etc.) which also left our

non-practicing children sitting there with nothing to do for hours. Then there are families with only one car or no car at all. Yes, we

do have a bus system but it is sporadic and to get to the Langley Flippers it takes about an hour and our children must transfer at the

Langley loop (which I would never have my young kids do this). It also takes about an hour by bus to Abbotsford. Many, many of

our residents need to leave Aldergrove for activities, shopping, and services. I know this happens in every community, but as I stated

before, this community for a very long time has needed things that can bring some sense of pride and community identity and it needs

to be easily accessible.

I am aware that there are some concerns about the possibility of an Aldergrove Swim Club. Let me address the ones

that I am aware of.

1. Less swimmers in other clubs because of an Aldergrove club.

- As we have been in three other clubs, we found it difficult to get to practices, not only because we had to plan our

schedules to get the kids there, but there was very few if any other kids from Aldergrove in the same swim club.

Also swimming practice times didn’t match with other families so that we couldn’t share driving with them. Our

kids missed a lot of practices for these reasons.

- I believe that there are some families that would join a swim club but only if it was local for convenience and

driving.

- It gives people a chance to choose what works best for their family for personalities/jobs/schools/other

activities/transportation especially at an entry level sport.

- People move to different communities, need different clubs.

- Over the years, is there that many swimmers in neighboring clubs that actually come from Aldergrove?

- There are 13,000 people in Aldergrove.

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- Langley over 140,000 people, lots of potential swimmers.

- Without an Aldergrove Club in existance, it is my understanding that Langley has had a steady increase in

swimmers for the last couple of years.

2. Some want more meets, some don’t.

- When my son started swimming, we were told we could go to as many or as few meets that we wanted to go to.

This gives families choices.

- This could give the region more competition.

3. There are already two swim clubs in Langley.

- I only know of one swim club in Langley that hosts all the aquatic sports.

4. Have a satellite of a Langley Swim Club.

- Again, it is the identity of Aldergrove that comes into question. Looking at the way Langley is laid out, the other

suburbs, Murrayville, Brookswood, Willoughby, Walnut Grove, and Fort Langley all are directly linked together.

You have to drive a fair distance from Murrayville before you reach the Aldergrove boundaries. Hence, one of the

terms used “Langley’s poor cousin”. We are not attached to the township physically like the other suburbs.

Therefore, the identity piece.

5. Proximately to other clubs.

Aldergrove to:

Al Anderson Pool – 14km

Centennial Pool – 12.5km

Al Anderson to :

Surrey Sports and Leisure – 9.2km

Centennial Pool (Abby Whalers) to :

Mission Leisure Center – 15.7km

As you can see, they all are relatively the same distance apart within 9-15kms.

Currently I have heard from a few members of our community that are very interested in an Aldergrove swim club, but I

don’t know exact numbers until we can move forward with this. The pool is scheduled to be completed in June of 2018 if they are on

time. This would only give us the opportunity to have winter maintenance session for next year and no summer swimming until the

summer of 2019. I am aware that there are obstacles in starting a swim club such as finances, coaching, and directors etc., but we are

not there yet and we need to start somewhere.

Aldergrove has worked so hard for a place of their own in this community where they can walk to, or is a short drive away

for their activities. If this is something that the community needs and wants and it is not able to move forward, then this is another

big blow to their spirit.

Sixteen years ago, our family was in Bear Creek Park. My then 4-year-old son heard some noise from the outdoor pool and

wanted us all to go over to look. There was a swim meet on and there we a lot of kids having fun on a beautiful sunny day. My son

then asked us if this is what his friend did where he had won all his medals. When we said yes, he said he wanted to join. That very

same summer we began our family’s journey of swim meets, healthy competition, fitness for life, lifelong friends, happy summer

memories, and great family bonding. This is what having their own swim club can give Aldergrove families the opportunity to

experience.

Thank you for your time and if you have any questions I am available to answer the best I can.

Joanne Nicolato

604-837-6559

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