Dear ESR Families,
It is the end of another busy week in this vibrant community which is ESR. I'm often told by visitors that there is a great 'vibe' in our building, and I agree! There is a current of energy that is always present and is a result of dedicated staff, enthusiastic students, a committed and hard-working PAC, supportive families, and of course our arts based philosophy. What a fantastic team!
Our Remembrance Day assembly took place yesterday and I was so proud of ESR students who were so respectful. Thank you to Divisions 1 & 5 for singing In Flanders Fields, to Division 14 for reciting Poppy Poppy, and to Division 2 who recited The Act of Remembrance. Thank you to Colin Forrest for playing Amazing Grace on the bagpipes, and to Mr. McGrath and Mr. Beckmann for playing their bagpipes and trumpet. It was a lovely tribute to those who have fought and died for freedom. On Monday, please take a moment to reflect with your children on the significance of Remembrance Day.
Please see the November calendar below that Miss Amy has created and which can be printed off:
November 2019 Calendar.pdf
Thank you once again for your support with our Hallowe'en Hunger Food Drive; we received 839 individual items and $120. 50 that was dropped off at our local food bank. Our next food drive will take place at the annual Christmas Concert on December 18th and 19th. Our PAC will be organizing raffle baskets for that evening and are accepting donations until December 16th. Here are some suggestions of items to donate: Gift basket raffle.png.pdf
The PAC is hosting our first ever Winter Chill Event! This fun-filled, family event sounds super exciting and I can't wait! On November 27th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm you can decorate a gingerbread man, enjoy a hot chocolate, and do some cool arts and crafts. Tickets are available on the hot lunch site. Unfortunately I can't show the flyer here, so please check it out here!Winter Chill.pdf
Ski season is here again, and once again students in Grades 4 and/or 5 can ski at various ski resorts in BC for only $29.00! We don't have enough flyers to send home with all Grade 4 and 5 students, so please check out this fantastic deal at www.snowpass.org where you can register your child. You will need a digital photo and proof of age to qualify. The pass is valid for two seasons and includes access to more than 124 ski areas!!
I would like to add a word this week about the importance of attendance at school. We know that children are most successful at school when they attend regularly. When new families come to our school, I always ask what it is about an arts based curriculum that appeals to them for their children. In addition, I explain that while attendance is important at all schools, it is critical at an arts school where artists in residence work with students to prepare for our Spring Celebration of Learning Through the Arts. For families who vacation during the school calendar months, an arts school may not be the best fit for their family. Our artists are booked to work with teachers and students from February until March, and students who miss extended amounts of school during those times miss out on the benefits of learning and embodying curricular concepts through drama, music, or movement. In addition, it can affect the extent to which students can participate in our Spring Celebration which is used by teachers for assessment when preparing report cards. This, in turn, can affect a student's grades. Please remember that teachers do not provide homework for students who are vacationing and will not assess any work completed by students while they are away.
Please make sure that your children are coming to school with clothing that will keep them warm and dry over the next few months. All students are required to have indoor shoes at school and are expected to change their footwear every time they go in and/or outside. As the days become wetter and slippery sidewalks necessitate the use of road salt, our floors become dangerously slippery and the finish is destroyed. Please help us keep our school clean and safe by making sure your son/daughter has appropriate indoor footwear.
Parking Lot News: There will be NO PARKING along the yellow line as you enter our parking lot. Beginning Monday, posts and cones will block that area so as not to permit space for vehicles.
I'm attaching the Empower Series poster to this week's news. Once again Mission Public Schools will deliver this informative sessions on how parents can support chidlrens' self-regulation and social and emotional development. Please see locations and times here: EMPOWER POSTER 2019-2020.pdf
Please check out the attached poster from 'Family Smart - In the Know'. In the Know provides expert speakers on topics important to families and/or those working to support the mental health of children and youth. On Thursday, November 14th, the session is "The ADHD Brain - A User's Guide". The topic presenter for this free workshop will be Dr. Don Duncan Clinical Director, Interior ADHD Clinic, Ministry of Children and Family Development. Please RSVP to the email address on the poster which you can access here: FamilySmart_InTheKnow_Poster_Mission_November-14-2019.pdf
The Mission Library Schedule of upcoming events can be found here: 
Fraser Valley Regional Libray Events.docx
Nuts and Nut Products - We have several students at ESR with life-threatening allergies to PEANUTS and TREE NUTS. Please, do not send any nuts to school, including Nutella and Peanut Butter. If your son/daughter eats any nut products before school, please have them wash their hands, face, and brush their teeth afterwards, and save those nut treats for after school. Bringing nut products to school can put a child's life at risk. Thank you for keeping our students safe and our school nut-free!
*Please note: If you are picking up your son/daughter early, please check in at the office and Miss Amy will call them to the lobby.*
* Please see the schedule below for next week:
November
Monday 11 Remembrance Day - students not in attendance
Tuesday 12 Handbell Ensemble 7:30 am
Band
Mountain Biking Club
Wednesday 13 Basketball Practice 7:15 am
Picture re-takes
Div. 2 & 5 Skating - these students will have their photos taken before they leave for skating
Thursday 7 Div. 4 Curling
Basketball ESR 1 at Albert McMahon
ESR 2 at Ecole Mission Central
ESR 3 at Windebank
Friday 8
Remember that you can subscribe to our school calendar which can help keep you up to date on events and activities. You can find the calendar on the main page of our school website.
From the Office
Changes in Bus drop off - If your son/daughter is to be dropped off at a different location, you must notify the bus garage, not the school office. Drivers can only operate on the information they have been provided with by our transportation office.
Early Pickup If you are coming to the school before usual dismissal, please park and come into the office. Miss Amy will page your son/daughter. It is unnecessary to call to let your children know you are in the parking lot - they will see you as you circle 'the loop' and will meet you.
School Cash Online. We are not accepting cash/cheques in the office. If you need help signing on to the cash online system, please stop by the office.
Absences. If your son/daughter will be away, please call and let Miss Amy know 604-826-2834
Afternoon Pickup Please arrange play dates and pickup location with your child before school. End of day is a very busy time in the office - it may not be possible to get pickup messages to all students, so please make sure your child knows in advance where to meet you at the end of the day.
PAC News
We are very grateful for our dedicated PAC here at ESR for all the hard work they do to benefit students. There are many ways you can become involved. If you are able to assist the PAC in any way - hot lunch, fundraising, etc., please contact them via email at esrichardspac@gmail.com If you have questions regarding any fundraisers, events, etc. that are sponsored by PAC please email them directly for a quicker response.
Thank you to those parents helping with hot lunch! We couldn't have hot lunches without volunteers, and we appreciate everyone who comes to help.
You can also check out the latest PAC news and events at https://www.facebook.com/groups/630266870328153/
General Information
Homestay Families Wanted
Mission Public Schools International Program is accepting applications for nurturing homestay fammilies who want to proide a caring home for our elementary age students. Please clink the link below to apply online or you can emil kim.hunter@mpsd.caif you have any questions.
http://www.studyinmission.ca/become-a-host-family.
