February 3, 2025
Principal’s Message – February 7th
Dear École Herbert Spencer Community!
Please see the following information, updates and reminders:
I wanted to share that Ms Simran Hare will begin her Maternity Leave on February 14th. Ms Hare will be sorely missed in our School Community, but she shall return, and we wish her all the best on this exciting next chapter for her family!
Ms Hare’s replacement while she is on Maternity Leave will be Erin Bannister. Ms Bannister was hired into our District Administration pool and comes from Qayqayt Elementary School where she was most recently a Resource Teacher. Erin brings an enthusiasm, energy and expertise that will be of great asset to our School Community!
I also need to communicate that I will be away from the school starting February 11th for a medical procedure. My return date is undetermined at present, but I am hopeful it will not be long.
In the interim the District will support the administration of the School with District Vice Principal for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Antiracism, Mr Ken Headley. Ken brings a wealth of administrative experience and knowledge and will ensure a smooth transition for staff, students, and our entire community.
And finally a huge thank you to all of you for preparing your children so well for the cold and snowy weather recently. Students have really enjoyed our snowball area, slipping and sliding on our lower field slope and inventing new games in our box areas, like snow soccer and hockey. Most importantly students have been comfortable, warm and dry and we appreciate your efforts to ensure this. Cold temperatures are expected to continue well into next week. Enjoy the sun and Super Bowl! Have a Great Weekend Everyone!
Division 6 and 16 Stop Motion Movies!
Grade 4 students in Division 6 and their little buddies in Grade 1/2 in Division 16 have been working on creating Stop Motion Videos in ADST (Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies).
Inspired by the storybook Snowmen at Night, students imagined what snowmen might get up to after dark. Using plasticine and other found materials, they designed scenes featuring snowmen playing hockey, sipping hot chocolate, and engaging in snowball fights. They then brought their ideas to life by filming short (but sweet!) stop-motion videos using iPads.
Check out a couple of the videos here Movie 1 / Movie 2 (Movies will Save to your Download Folder and can be viewed from there) and the linked photo collage capturing the process!
Upcoming Dates this Week:
Feb 13 Hot Dog Day
Feb 14 Professional Development Day – School is Closed
Feb 17 Family Day – School is Closed
Community Happenings!
Family Theatre Night! – Mamma Mia, NWSS – Details and Tickets Here
Hyack Football Spring Flag Football
New Westminster Ball Hockey Association
Newsletter
Try Ball Hockey Event on February 9th
Douglas College – Spring Break Camps – Information and Registration
Douglas College Hot Lunch Registration (for Spring Break Camps)
Calendar Dates:
Feb 13 Hot Dog Day
Feb 14 Professional Development Day – School is Closed
Feb 17 Family Day – School is Closed
Feb 24 Forest Family Fun (Wear your FAMILY COLOURS)
Feb 28 McDonalds/Sushi Day
Mar 14 Papa John’s Pizza and One Stop Doughnut Day
March 17 – 28 Spring Break – School is Closed
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