December 4, 2024
Principal’s Message – December 5th
Dear Herbert Spencer School Community!
Please see the following important information, updates and reminders!
Report Cards
It has been a challenging week for staff with our recent network disruption. We appreciate your patience and understanding with communication and the delay of Report Cards as we worked to get back online. Report Cards will be completed and published to the Parent Portal on Friday, December 20th (Originally Friday, December 13th).
5 Days of Giving
Our 5 Days of Giving Event is next week from Monday, December 9th to Friday, December 13th. Students from Ms Bothwell’s Division 6 class have been organizing PA announcements, posters, and bulletin boards to promote the event and will be on hand in our foyer each morning to assist with collection. Ms Thomas has been reading stories and facilitating discussions in the library to help students better understand the challenges many individuals and families face in our community meeting their basic needs.
Please watch for daily reminders for the items being collected each day.
In addition to daily collections of items we will also open up the opportunity to donate through School Cash Online. This will remain open from now to December 19th.
All collections and donations will go to the New Westminster Purpose Society.
Drumming Presentations!
A reminder of our Drumming Presentations this week and next:
Students in Divisions 1 – 11 perform at 1:30PM tomorrow, Friday 6th.
Students in Divisions 12 – 23 perform at 1:30 PM on Friday, December 13th.
Please ensure you know your child’s Division Number so you arrive to the correct presentation!
*Students are asked to wear festive colours (Red and Green)!
**We ask that parents arrive to the Rear Gym Doors (adjacent to 6th Avenue) at 1:20 PM and limit their attendance to 1 family member for each performance, as we are not able to accommodate a greater number in our gymnasium.
PAC Holiday Cookie
The PAC has graciously offered to provide each student with a holiday cookie to help celebrate our final days of the term and the coming of the holiday season! Parents must order these cookies to ensure that children have permission to receive one and any allergy or dietary needs are considered. We will be unable to provide a cookie to a child that has not ordered so please ensure you do, so we don’t have any disappointed students that day!
Holiday Cookies will be distributed on Friday, December 20th at lunchtime. There will be a regular and gluten free option.
Order your holiday cookie on your School Cash Online Account
Hockey!
Our Hockey program continues to grow and so does our need for hockey sticks (adult ones too, as we can cut them down) and goalie equipment (Leg pads, masks, chest protectors, blockers and trappers)! We recently installed our locker room to organize all of our equipment. Students manage every aspect of the program now from start to finish which leaves adult supervisors to just enjoy the action, smiles and cheers! We are super proud of all the students for their participation and respectful play.
Message from the Library!
Please have ALL LIBRARY BOOKS returned to the library by Friday, December 13th!
Important Upcoming Calendar Dates
Friday, December 6th – Drumming Performance – Divisions 1 – 11 @ 1:30PM
Friday, December 13th – Drumming Performance – Divisions 12 – 23 @ 1:30PM
Friday, December 13th – Hyack Football in PE Classes
Friday, December 13th – Hot Dog Fun Lunch
Monday, December 16th – Forest Family Fun @ 1:30 PM (Wear your FAMILY COLOURS)
Friday, December 20th – First Report Cards Available on the Parent Portal
Friday, December 20th – Holiday Cookie Day from PAC! (Don’t forget to order!)
Dec 23 – Jan 3 Winter Break – School Closed
Community Happenings
New Westminster Schools Math Festival K- 5
Douglas Youth Winter Programs
International Education Homestay Program
Useful Links:
École Herbert Spencer Website
École Herbert Spencer 2024-25 Calendar
Fun Lunch Ordering Information
School Cash Online Information
Family Portal Instructions for Parents
Key Registration Dates for 2025-26 School Year
My Ed BC Parent Portal instructions