September 19, 2025
Principal’s Message – September 19th
Dear École Herbert Spencer Community,
Another week behind us and a busy one ahead. We have several events coming up this week – please see the details below.
I would also like to take this opportunity to say – THANK YOU. We have had a very smooth start up and we are so very impressed, certainly not surprised, with how quickly our students have settled in to classroom routines and expectations and more importantly how well they have demonstrated safe, responsible and respectful behaviour within our school community! So a HUGE Thank you, to you, our families, as we appreciate how hard you work to raise such an incredible group of human beings and we are privileged to spend each and every day with them.
Grade 5 Graduation Hoodies are LIVE!!
As promised the PAC has gotten an early jump on Grade 5 Grad Hoodies to ensure they get ample wear this year! Deadline to order is Friday, September 26th! Please see the linked ordering information here!
*Sample Size Hoodies are available in the office for families to try on to confirm their child’s size.
A Message from the Canadian Parents for French!
Canadian Parents for French – New Westminster (CPF-NW) welcomes all new and returning families to the 2025-2026 school year. CPF-NW is committed to advocating for and supporting French language learning (FLL) for all students in our school district through socio-cultural events, student, parent and staff supports, and much more!
A reminder of the following events next week:
September 24 – Orange Shirt Day – Please encourage your child to wear Orange in Recognition of Truth and Reconciliation
September 25 – Terry Fox Run – Grade 4/5 run through Queens Park @ 11:00AM (Please see run details below)
Our Terry Fox Run will take place as follows:
Our Kindergarten to Grade 3 students will participate in runs around the school and our lower playground throughout the morning on their own schedules. Grades 4 and 5 students will follow a route through Queens Park starting at 11:00AM. Parents are encouraged to join us along the route at 11:oo AM and help cheer on the Grade 4/5 runners! Basically the route is up First Street to Third Ave, Left into Queen’s Park and back to Sixth Avenue through the laneway that runs by the Arena, East Field, Tennis Courts, Spray Park and Centennial Lodge. We are in need of parent volunteers to help supervise the Queens Park route. If you are willing and able we ask that you please meet Mr Manville at the front of the school at 10:30 AM on Thursday, September 25. We will discuss the route in more detail and put parents in position for the run start at 11:00 AM!
Please consider supporting the Terry Fox Foundation. You can Make a Donation Here!
September 25 – Open House! – Doors Open at 5:30 PM
Fall Afterschool Programs!
Spaces remain in our Afterschool Programs! Please see the updated flyer here which indicates which programs still have space, and those that are full. We are eager to fill these programs to ensure that the programs run. Thanks so much!
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!
Hyack Homecoming Football Game!
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