September 18, 2026
Principal’s Message – September 18th
Dear École Herbert Spencer Community,
Off to the races this week! We welcomed our Kindergartners gradually this week and they will be Full Time as of Monday, September 21st! Next week we have our Annual Terry Fox Run on Tuesday, September 22nd in the afternoon, and our Family Open House on September 24th from 5:00 – 6:00 PM. This is a drop in event to give families a chance to visit their child’s classroom and meet teachers. Main Entrance Doors will open at 5PM. We hope to see you there!
Please see the following highlights, reminders, calendar updates and information!
Kung Jaadee shared her book “I Am Connected” with Grade 2 and 3 students in our Library today! We will be featuring Kung Jaadee’s book in our upcoming Orange Shirt Day Assembly. For those interested Kinderbooks has an online book fair where the book can be purchased with a portion of the proceeds going to support our school library collection. Order Here.
Upcoming Calendar Dates
Sep 22 Canadian Parents for French AGM 6:00PM @ the New Westminster Public Library
Sep 22 Terry Fox Run @ 1:15PM – K/1 On Lower Playground; 2/3 Around School Perimeter; 4/5 Queens Park Route
Sep 24 Welcome/Family Open House 5:00-6:00PM
Sep 25 Pro D
Terry Fox Run!
Our Annual Terry Fox Run is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22nd in the afternoon. Our K-3 students will run at the school between 1:15 and 2:00 PM and our 4/5’s will run the Classic Queens Park Route beginning at 2:00PM. Parents are welcome to join us to cheer on our runners for the 4/5 run along First Street, through the Third Avenue Entrance to Queens Park Arena and back down the service road adjacent to the Turf field, to the beginning at the corner of 6th Avenue and First Street.
We are in need of some Parent Volunteers as well to help us supervise! If you are interested in joining us please let Mr Manville know directly at pmanville@sd40.bc.ca. Volunteers are asked to meet Mr Manville at the front of the school at 1:45PM on the big day to allow us time to discuss the route and get parents in place!
As always we welcome donations directly to the Terry Fox Foundation. Last year we set a new record! Donations can be made HERE or through the QR Code below:
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.
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
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
Important Calendars:
Kindergarten Gradual Intake Schedule
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 22 Canadian Parents for French AGM 6:00PM @ the New Westminster Public Library
Sep 22 Terry Fox Run @ 1:15PM – K/1 On Playground; 2/3 Around School Perimeter; 2:00PM 4/5 Queens Park Route
Sep 24 Welcome/Family Open House 5:00-6:00PM
Sep 25 Pro D
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