Newsletter #4
Hello Highland Park Huskies,
This will be the last Newsletter of 2025. We have a lot happening at our school for the last five weeks before our Winter Break. Please review and ensure the information pertinent to your family gets into your personal calendars.
Our school has been buzzing with workers from Restoration Staff who are replacing flooring and walls from the flood we had in the summer, workers from SD83 Operations Staff who have helped with a minor flood on the other side of the school in Ms. Sandberg’s class and workers who are excavating and preparing for the concrete path that will be installed in the Spring. Big thank you to our neighbour DRAX for the $10,000 contribution to help get this project completed. The fence currently set up on the far side of the school will be moved to the back of the school, near the gym, to prep that area. Very soon, classes will be back in their usual outside line ups and coming in through their outside entrance doors.
Our students learned a lot from Ms. Shawn Coady at our Remembrance Day Assembly on Friday, November 7. CLICK HERE to read a summary and view photos from the Assembly.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you, our Highland Park Husky Community, for all your efforts to support the success of our school and the success of your children at our school. If you have questions, suggestions, or feedback about any aspect related to Highland Park Elementary School, please contact me sooner than later. The last day of school before the Winter Break is on Friday, December 19. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Warmest Regards,
Mrs. Cull 😊
Parking Lot Reminders: CLICK HERE for more information.
- Allow space for two lanes of traffic along the kiss and ride lane. One for Kiss and Ride and one for Through traffic. Imagine a center line and stick to one side of it. This ensures people behind you can access the Kiss and Ride Lane and pull up to the very end at all times.
- When using the kiss and ride lane for pick up or drop off, use your signal and pull up to the very end of the Kiss and Ride Lane and signal to enter back in the through lane. Be quick, stay in your vehicle, have children load and unload on the passenger side of the vehicle using the sidewalk, not from the Through lane. As vehicles in front of you exit the Kiss and Ride Lane, drive ahead in the Kiss and Ride Lane to maximize the space available.
- Turn right ONLY onto Wood Avenue during our busiest times (7:40 – 8:00 AM and 1:50 – 2:10 PM). Outside of these times, two vehicles can fit at the stop line if the vehicle turning left keeps to the very left of the line.
- Do not park in staff designated areas during our busy times (see picture below). This prevents the need to turn around and back up into congested areas. The road leading to the back of the daycare is for staff parking, accessible parking permit holders and daycare traffic ONLY.
- Use crosswalks only, especially with your children. Especially to cross the two lanes of traffic – the Kiss and Ride and Through Lane.
School Learning Plan Parent Meeting – Thursday, November 20, 7 – 8 pm: We hope you will join Ms. MacDonald and myself to learn more about the goals in our School Learning Plan for the 2025 – 2026 school year, as well as our progress and direction. CLICK HERE to access the most recent version. This meeting is for HPE parents only please. This invite was initially shared in our Newsletter 3 posted on October 27th with a reminder in our Highland Park Elementary Husky Highlight on November 6th. See you there! 😊
Purdy’s Fundraiser (PAC): Tomorrow (November 19) is the last day to order your chocolates for the holidays through the PAC’s Purdy’s Fundraiser. CLICK HERE to access the link to order. Please use campaign code 59491 to support the HPE PAC. Delivery will be sometime during the week of December 5th.
BE HUSKY STRONG! It’s the HUSKY WAY: At our next whole school assembly on Wednesday, December 3, we will be introducing our next school wide focus related to the T in S.T.R.O.N.G. T stands for “Taking care of each other.” We will be focusing on behaviours that show caring, including and helping, all part of the Circle of Courage quadrant, GENEROSITY. Students will be invited to write or draw a picture of one way they demonstrated CARING, INCLUDING and HELPING over the holidays and bring it to school on Monday, January 5. Students who chose to participate in this opportunity will be recognized at our assembly, when we return from the break, on Wednesday, January 7. CLICK HERE to access our Assembly Schedule and related topics for the 2025 – 2026 school year.
Website Changes: You may notice some changes coming soon to our website. We are transitioning to a new platform with a new look shortly.
Wheelchairs to support Physical Literacy: Every second year, schools in SD83 get an opportunity to utilize wheel chairs as part of their physical literacy programming. It’s our turn this school year and we are scheduled to have them in our gym on Monday, November 17 – December 8.
HPE Spirit Days: We are looking forward to seeing students arrive to school decked out on the following Spirit Days at HPE. CLICK HERE to access the days/events scheduled for students.
HPE Book Fair: We will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair in our library November 24 – November 28. This is a great opportunity to purchase books and encourage student literacy. A big thank you to our PAC, particularly Emily Huxter. Students will have an opportunity to view the Book Fair on Friday afternoon and then purchase items in their assigned library times on Monday and Tuesday and at a scheduled recess or lunch time. CLICK HERE for the schedule of when your child can attend outside of their library time. The book fair will also be open each day from 2 – 3 pm. Children must be accompanied by their guardian in order to visit the Book Fair during these after school times.
Knowledge Keeper, Laureen Felix visiting HPE: On November 26, 28 and December 1 and 2, we are excited to welcome Laureen Felix, SD83 Knowledge Keeper, to teach our students the Secwepemc Welcome Song with drumming. Here is a tentative schedule of when classes will be participating.
Bus Evacuation Drill: Students will be participating in our annual bus evacuation drill on Tuesday, Nov, 25. Please see the schedule below.
Christmas Tree Decorating for the Community Light Up: Many classes are scheduled to participate in decorating the community Christmas Tree on the morning of Thursday, November 27. Participating classes will be making a special ornament to hang on the community Christmas Tree. Stay tuned for more information from your child’s classroom teacher.
Operation Food Drive: Let the games begin! Starting Monday, December 1 to Friday, December 12, HPE students will demonstrate their generosity (related to our HUSKY STRONG focus areas of helping, caring and including) by collecting nonperishable items of food for the local food bank. Our generous PAC will be providing three pizza lunches for the classes who bring in the most items of perishable food donations in these three separate competitions. Food items will be counted each day and brought to Ms. MacDonald’s class for tracking. The three competition categories are:
Grade K/1 with Div 14, 13, 12, 11, 10
Grade 2/3/4 with Div. 9, 8, 7, 6, 5
Grade 4/5 with Div. 4, 3, 2, 1
Introduction to Lacrosse: We are excited to have Travis Mann, Natalie Greggory and team return to HPE for a second year to offer students an introduction to Lacrosse. The dates are Wed. Dec. 3 (part day), Monday, Dec. 8, and Wednesday, Dec. 10. For the most part, students will participate during the regularly scheduled PE block.
Grade 4/5 Silver Star Winter Recreation: On Tuesday, January 20, Friday, January 23rd and Tuesday, February 3rd the Grade 4 and 5 students will be skiing at Silver Star. All permissions and the online registration must be completed by Friday, December 12. Please check your email history for more information sent home on November 7 from Ms. MacDonald. A hard copy was sent home as follow-up on Wednesday, November 12. If you need help with the registration process, please contact Ms. MacDonald. Our hope is that all students in grade 4 and 5 will get the opportunity to learn to ski or snowboard. If you are experiencing hardship, please let us know so we can offer support. Many classes, K – 5, are participating in skating as well. Our school community is so lucky to have these recreation options close by.
Christmas Movie Days (PAC) –Tuesday, Dec 9 and Monday, December 15 are the confirmed dates. We have a proposed schedule below and teachers on coming up with some suggestions of movies with their students to help PAC make their decision.
Approved Volunteers Needed to support PAC with Soup Days: If you are an approved volunteer and have time to help serve our students soup on our Soup Days (every second Wednesday) please contact Shelly Cull 250-546-8723 or Julie DeBoer at 250-306-2614. Our next soup day is on Wednesday, November 26. To learn more about the Souper Meal Program throughout the district, CLICK HERE. To access the menu, CLICK HERE. Our ability to provide this program for our students depends on parent volunteers. Thank you. If you haven’t yet, please contact Tammie at the office (hpe@sd83.bc.ca) and request the link to complete the approved volunteer process.
Winter Concert: Our students are excited to perform for our HPE school community at our Winter Concert on Thursday, December 18. We ask that parents enter and exit the school using the outside entrance to the gym and follow our parking instructions. On this day only, parking is allowed from 8:15 am – 1:45 pm in the Kiss and Ride Lane and Bus Lane. It is important for regular pick up that you remove your vehicle if parked in the Kiss and Ride or Bus Lane by 1:45 pm. DO NOT park behind the school as that area is designated for Staff and Daycare traffic ONLY. Use crosswalks when making your way to the school from the parking lot. Park in designated parking spots only. More information will be shared soon on what students will be asked to wear as part of their performance. While at the school, please make an effort to look at the Lost and Found.
Communicating Student Learning: Written Learning Updates will be available for families online on Tuesday, December 16. Hard copies will be sent home on Wednesday, December 17. If you have questions about your child’s learning or progress, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.
News from SD83: CLICK HERE to read the October HIGHLIGHTS – Strategic Focus – Connecting our Priorities. CLICK HERE to read a report from the October 21 Board Meeting – posted Oct. 26. CLICK HERE to access Mindful Moments – SD83 Student Support Services. September focus – ANXIETY, October focus – MANAGING BIG EMOTIONS. Check back for the November edition.
See below for a list of important dates and upcoming events:
Monday, November 17
Wheelchairs arriving at HPE for physical Literacy lessons
Wednesday, November 19
PAC Hot Lunch - Subway
Purdy's Order deadline (PAC) - campaign 59491
Thursday, November 20
HUSKY STRONG SPIRIT DAY - Lumberjack Day
School Learning Plan Parent Session @HPE 7 pm - 8 pm - all HPE parents welcome (Library)
Friday, November 21
Legion Contests due to HPE office - CLICK HERE for more information
November 24 - November 28
Book Fair Week/Career Week
Tuesday, November 25
Bus Evacuation Drill (9:10 - 11:00)
Wednesday, November 26
PAC Hot Lunch - Mac and Cheese
Knowledge Keeper Visit - Laureen Felix
Thursday, November 27
Kalf's class to City Hall
Community Christmas Tree Decorating for Light Up (8:15 - 11:30)
Monday, December 1
Knowledge Keeper Visit - Laureen Felix
HPE Operation Food Drive Starts
Tuesday, December 2
Skating - Byrnes' class 8:30 - 9:30, Fassbender's class 1 - 1:45 pm
Knowledge Keeper Visit - Laureen Felix
Wednesday, December 3
Whole School Assembly 8:15 am
Introduction to Lacrosse - part day
PAC Hot Lunch - Askews
Thursday, December 4
Skating - Daughtry's class 8:30 - 9:30, Benge's class 1 - 1:45
Friday, December 5
HUSKY STRONG SPIRIT DAY - Christmas Sweater Day
Skating - Ricard/Coombs' class 8:30 - 9:45
Monday, December 8
Introduction to Lacrosse
Tuesday, December 9
Movie at Centennial (PAC) - more info to come
Wednesday, December 10
PAC Hot Lunch - Bacon and Corn Chowder
Introduction to Lacrosse
Friday, December 12
Silver Star Permission Forms and Online Registration due today - see email sent home from Ms. MacDonald on Friday, November 7
HPE Operation Food Drive Ends - today is the last day
Monday, December 15
Movie at Centennial (PAC) - more info to come
Tuesday, December 16
Written Learning Update #1 Available online
Breakfast with Santa - Kindergarten
Wednesday, December 17
PAC Hot Lunch - Jealous Pizza
Written Learning Update #1 - hard copy sent home
HUSKY STRONG SPIRIT DAY - WhoVille Day
Thursday, December 18
Winter Concert: 8:30 - Sandberg, Myhre, Johnson, Cooper, Terrell, 10:00 - Kalf, Fassbender, Ricard, Coombs, 12:30 - Daughtry, MacDonald/Bergman, Benge, Byrnes, Vallance
Friday, December 19
HUSKY STRONG SPIRIT DAY - PJ Day
Last Day of School before Winter Break
Monday, January 5
School Reopens today
Wednesday, January 7
Whole School Assembly 8:15 am
Tuesday, January 13
Skating - Byrnes' class 8:30 - 9:30, Kalf and Fassbender's classes 1:00 - 1:45
Wednesday, January 14
Skating - Cooper and Terrell's classes 8:30 - 9:45
PAC Meeting - 2:30 pm
Thursday, January 15
HUSKY STRONG SPIRIT DAY - Wacky Tourist Day
Lockdown Drill
Skating - Daughtry's class 8:30 - 9:30, Benge's class 1 - 1:45
Wednesday, January 16
Skating - Ricard and Coombs' classes 8:30 - 9;45
Tuesday, January 20
Winter Rec - Grade 4/5 to Silver Star
Friday, January 23
Winter Rec - Grade 4/5 to Silver Star
January 26 - February 2
Unplug and Play Week
Tuesday, January 27
Skating - Byrnes' class 8:30 - 9:30, Bergman/MacDonald's class 11:30 - 12:45, and Fassbender's class 1:00 - 1:45 pm
Wednesday, January 28
Skating - Cooper and Terrell's classes 8:30 - 9:45
Thursday, January 29
Skating- Daughtry and Kalf's class 8:30 - 9:30, Benge's class 1:00 - 1:45 pm
Friday, January 30
Skating - Ricard and Coombs' class 8:30 - 9:45 am
Tuesday, February 3
Winter Rec - Grade 4/5 to Silver Star
Wednesday, February 4
Whole School Assembly 8:15 am