September 12, 2025
Principal’s Message – September 12th
Dear École Herbert Spencer Community,
Our Kindergarten students have completed their gradual entry and will be full time as of Monday, September 15th. Teachers have done an amazing job connecting and welcoming families, helping students quickly learn school routines, explore play spaces and get to know the school and staff. They are well on their way!
Our Grade 1 -5 students have also continued to settle in to classroom routines this week. Leadership students have begun the coveted roles as Library and Lunch Monitors, play spaces are abound with activity and while hockey remains popular it seems soccer is reigning supreme for now. We have been very proud of how well students quickly organized their play in all our outdoor spaces and consistently demonstrate safe and respectful behaviour. Lacrosse fever continues to grip the school and city and we look forward to Game 6 of the Mann Cup this evening! Students have been chanting “Lets Go Bellies!” all day as they move through the hallways.
GO BELLIES!!!
We have several upcoming events around the corner, please note the Events Calendar near the bottom of every Principal’s Message and the details below:
September 24 – Orange Shirt Day
National Truth and Reconciliation Day is Tuesday, September 30th. School will be closed to observe this important day and our school will have Orange Shirt Day on September 24th. We will hold an assembly at 11AM where students will learn more about the significance of Orange Shirt Day and have the opportunity to observe and participate in a smudging ceremony.
September 25 – Terry Fox Run
Our annual Terry Fox Run will be held on the morning of September 25th. Unlike our other runs which we typically do around the school property, the Terry Fox Run takes us on a route through Queens Park. Its always a great event for building community, supporting an important cause and helping students and families appreciate and learn more about the incredible legacy that is Terry Fox and the impact that he has made for Cancer Research in Canada and around the world.
More details will come closer to the date and families are encouraged to join us along the route to cheer on our runners! We will be in need of volunteers on the day of the event as well to help supervise the route. If you are interested in volunteering please watch for further details about run start times and volunteer meet times closer to the day.
Families will also be provided a link to donate to the Terry Fox Foundation which has raised close to 1 billion dollars towards Cancer Research since its inception, supporting over 1300 innovative Cancer research projects.
September 25 – Open House!
Our doors are open to families from 5:30 – 6:30 PM on the evening of September 25 for a drop in meet the teacher and see the classroom event! Please be mindful that our Open House is an informal meet and greet event and we have scheduled individual one on one family Conferences for October 22nd and 23rd. We appreciate your patience as teachers get up and running with classrooms, get to know students better and participate in our annual Class Reviews the first week of October where our School Based Team (Administration, Resource Teachers, and Counsellor) meets with classroom teachers to further share and discuss information about individual student strengths and challenges.
Fun Lunches are Back!
Our amazing PAC runs Fun Lunches on Fridays every second week Please see the linked information here for more details and to order!
Grade 5 Graduation Hoodies!
We are getting out of the gate early with grade 5 Graduation Hoodies to ensure students get lots of wear in during their important final year at Herbert Spencer. Students are signing the logo as we speak and Youth and Adult sample sizes are available now in the office for families to try on. If you are uncertain of your child’s size please ensure you confirm by trying on a hoodie before placing your order online. Ordering Information will be provided directly to grade 5 families soon.
Fall After School Programs!
Sports of All Sorts, Soccer Shots, Brick Builders and STEM Builders (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Programs are available this Fall starting in late September and October. Please see the linked brochure below for more information and how to register. Please pay close attention to the Grade level offered for each individual program. These will fill up fast – don’t delay!
*Students will be dismissed directly to each program from their classrooms afterschool. Parents need to ensure that they are on time for pick up after the program is complete.
Information and Registration Here!
Grade 5 Active Living Passes!
Week in Review:
Important Upcoming Dates:
Sep 24 Orange Shirt Day
Sep 25 Meet the Teacher – Open House 5:30-6:30PM
Sep 25 Terry Fox Run
Sep 29 Pro D
Sep 30 Truth and Reconciliation Day
Community Happenings!
Burnaby New West Ringette
New Westminster Family Place – September Programs
Try Rugby!
Douglas College Fall Programs
Useful Links:
Calendar Dates:
Sep 24 Orange Shirt Day
Sep 25 Meet the Teacher – Open House 5:30-6:30PM
Sep 25 Terry Fox Run
Sep 29 Pro D
Sep 30 Truth and Reconciliation Day
Oct 3 Pizza Fun Lunch
Oct 9 Photo Day – Individual AND Class Photos
Oct 13 Thanksgiving
Oct 17 McDonald’s and Woomi Sushi Fun Lunch
Oct 22 Early Dismissal Conferences
Oct 23 Early Dismissal Conferences
Oct 24 Pro D (Provincial)
Oct 27 Paul Davis Speaker – Day sessions for students and night for parents (Cyber Safety)
Oct 28 Halloween Howl
Oct 30 Early Dismissal – Elementary Collaboration Day
Oct 31 Pizza Fun Lunch
Nov 6 Picture Retake Day
École Herbert Spencer Website
École Herbert Spencer Parent Advisory Council Website
École Herbert Spencer 2025-26 School Calendar
School Cash Online Information
Family Portal Instructions for Parents
My Ed BC Parent Portal instructions