September 24, 2026
Principal’s Message – September 24th
Dear École Herbert Spencer Community,
Tonight is our Family Open House! Doors open at 5:00PM – we hope you will be able to join us!
A reminder that tomorrow – Friday, September 25th – is a Professional Development Day and school will be closed to students.
As we enter the Fall months its time for the yearly reminder to please ensure your children are prepared for inclement weather. Warm jackets that shed water and waterproof shoes or boots will keep your child warm and happy at break times. We expect the rain to begin next week!
Please see the following highlights, reminders, calendar updates and information!
Upcoming Calendar Dates
Sep 29 Orange Shirt Day – Assembly @ 11AM
Sep 30 Truth and Reconciliation Day
Oct 2 Fun Lunch – McDonalds/Woomi Sushi – order by Sept 24th
Terry Fox Run!
Thanks to all that make this event so successful! We have raised $1375.00 so far and there is still time to donate! Donate Here!
Grade 5 Graduation Hoodies!
We’re ready! Our amazing PAC coordinators are set to go with this year’s Grad Hoodie. Please see the linked information on sizing and how to ORDER.
Sample Sizes are available in the office to try on – we ask that parents participate in this process to ensure the right size is ordered as once they are ordered they cannot be changed. Order Deadline is OCTOBER 7th at Midnight!
Herbert Spencer Library Update
Our District has moved to a New Data Information System to manage our Libraries circulation and unfortunately there has been a delay in updating student records. Students are unable to check out books until this is resolved. We expect that to be very soon! We appreciate your patience!
The Hub Bike Bus!
The HUB’s Bike Bus is coming for the first time to Herbert Spencer Elementary! Kids can join a fun, safe, and active ride to school, rain or shine, with HUB instructors and volunteers leading the way every Wednesday starting on September 23rd. Sign up your child today and indicate in the form if you are available to volunteer. You can get some inspiration here. Let’s get our students moving and riding together!
More Information Here! (Route, Schedule and Stops)
Please help us spread the word and make this season’s Bike Bus a success!
Fall After School Programs!
We have several after Fall school programs beginning at the end of September.
Brick Builders; Rise Arts, Stem Builders and the TACC Sampler Class. Please find more details and registration information here.
School Board Trustees All Candidates Meeting Hosted by DPAC – Streaming and Question Submission Information Here
Date: Monday, September 28
Location: NWSS Grand Commons
Doors open: 6:00 p.m.
Meeting begins: 6:30 p.m.
Hosted by: New Westminster DPAC
Website: https://www.nwdpac.ca
Facebook: https://fb.me/e/9Htz3xZDB
Fun Lunch Days
Fun Lunch Days are offered every other Friday – with the first held on October 2nd. Lunches are ordered on line through Munch-A-Lunch. Please pay close attention to the order deadlines and just a tip – you can order for all lunches at one time so you don’t need to remember deadlines and pay only one transaction fee through Munch-a-Lunch.
Schedule and Order details can be found Here
Public Health Nurse
The Role of the Public Health Nurse in Schools
Kindergarten Readiness
Immunizations – Province of British Columbia
Dental Resources for Families
Fraser Health has shared dental resources available to families for the 2026/27 school year. Families without private dental insurance may be eligible for free or reduced-cost dental care through several programs, including:
Healthy Kids Program: Basic dental services for eligible children under 19.
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP): Dental coverage for eligible families without access to private dental insurance.
UBC Dentistry: Free dental care program for children aged 12 and younger.
Fraser Health: Information on affordable dentistry options for children.
A Dental Referral Form is also available for families who may need additional support. Once submitted to the local health unit, a Fraser Health staff member will follow up.
Please see the linked dental resources and application forms for additional information.
My Ed Parent Portal
The MyEd BC Family Portal will open on Thursday, September 24th, 2026. Please see the linked instructions on how to access and navigate the MyEd BC Family Portal.
Feel free to reach out to the office should you need any further assistance @ spencer@sd40.bc.ca or 604-517-6030
Community Happenings!
Kinder Books – Storytelling and Art Workshop with Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley – September 26th @ 10:30 AM – Details Here!
FREE basketball training sessions at F.W. Howay Elementary – Details Here!
Useful Links:
École Herbert Spencer 2026 – 2027 School Calendar
École Herbert Spencer Website
École Herbert Spencer Parent Advisory Council Website
PAC Events Calendar
School Cash Online Information
Family Portal Instructions for Parents
My Ed BC Parent Portal instructions
District Threat Assessment Protocols
Upcoming Calendar Dates:
Sep 29 Orange Shirt Day – Assembly @ 11AM
Sep 30 Truth and Reconciliation Day
Oct 2 Fun Lunch – McDonalds/Woomi Sushi – order by Sept 24th
Oct 6 Elementary Collaboration Day – Early Dismissal @ 12:05PM
Oct 7 PAC Meeting
Oct 12 Thanksgiving – School is Closed
Oct 15 Photo Day – Individual AND Class Photos
Oct 16 Fun Lunch – Papa John’s Pizza – order by Oct 8th
Oct 21 Family Conferences – Early Dismissal @ 12:05PM – Scholastic Book Fair!
Oct 22 Family Conferences – Early Dismissal @ 12:05PM – Scholastic Book Fair!
Oct 23 Professional Development Day
Oct 29 Halloween Howl!
Oct 30 Fun Lunch – McDonalds/Woomi Sushi – order by Oct 22nd
Upcoming Fun Lunches:
Nov 13 Fun Lunch – Papa John’s Pizza – order by Nov 5
Nov 27 Fun Lunch – McDonalds/Woomi Sushi – order by Nov 19
Dec 11 Fun Lunch Papa John’s Pizza – order by Dec 3