Principal’s Message

Dear Parents,
This week was another wonderful week at Maple Grove.  I had the pleasure of reading all 502 report cards, plus inserts, for each student in the school.  I must say, when you read about what’s going on around the building, on that scale, it’s quite remarkable.  The staff and students have been working hard and, while there’s always room for improvement, most students are thriving and engaged with their learning experience.  This makes me very happy.  Keep up the good work!  For those students who were pacing themselves, I reminded them at the assembly this week, that they need to exercise good decision-making skills and apply themselves to their studies.

On a fun note… the Sr boys and Girls Volleyball Teams took on the teachers at lunch today… the gym was packed with students cheering on all teams.  We played a round robin style tournament.  The Teachers won all their games… though there were several very close games.  Thanks to all the staff for helping, cheering on and playing.  Thanks also to the students for all their enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and for representing our school so well throughout the season.  Good work everyone!

As we head into the final week of school, and those, oh so thrilling last weeks before Christmas, I’m mindful of the frenetic pace of the Term and how this time of the year has an impact on families and our most vulnerable students.  With all the glitz and glamour of iThis, iThat, IWatch and iWant, it’s hard not to curl up and stay in bed on the weekends.  But, alas, this is indeed the season of giving.  And Maple Grove students and families have been giving generously.  I’m thrilled with all the sharing and caring that’s been buzzing around the school.  Thank you to all our families for brightening the Christmas of those less fortunate.  Volunteers parents, Patricia and Lillian  helps pack approximately 15 hampers for our sister school Nightingale and another Vancouver School (Tecumseh).  When you see the food, monetary donations, and toys that have been donated- it’s magical and heartwarming.

It’s late Friday evening, and this blog should have gone out hours earlier.  I can’t help but think how fortunate we are to have a school community like Maple Grove.   It’s truly a blessing.  Thank you to Ms. Lam for spending untold hours organizing the holiday hampers- also to Ms. Peters and Ms. Synder for their assistance.  Thank you also to the Global Citizenship club for helping to pull the event together.  Special thanks to London Drugs for contributing Rubbermaid bins this year to our families.  Thanks also to our amazing parent volunteers and to the staff who supported the event.  And, mostly, thank you to all of you for caring, and giving.

This coming week is another busy week at Maple Grove.  We have UBC visitors, the Magee Chamber Choir, Km Club Celebrations, Winter Concert practicing and, of course, the matinee and evening concert on Thursday- not to mention Report Cards on Friday (except for our grade 7 students who will receive their reports earlier due to Articulation timelines for mini school applications, etc)  Please enjoy the week at Maple Grove.  Be kind to one another.

May the joys and delights of this holiday season shine upon you and your family.  Peace Always, Mr. Evans

Holiday Concert is this Thursday, Dec 17th

Oops, we made an error with the day on the tickets – Make sure you come on the right day.  It’s THURSDAY.

All the ordered tickets have been given out.  If you would like extra tickets, please come to the office to purchase them.  We have a limited number to sell.

PAC Christmas Raffle Basket Campaign

Maple Grove families!

Just a last reminder to please bring any donations to your raffle basket coordinator for our new Christmas Raffle basket campaign.  All these wonderful baskets will be available to view in the showcase next week.  We will also try to get some photos into the blog next week.  Please come and have a look at all the exciting items up for grabs!  Tickets will be available at BOTH Winter concerts next Thursday and winners will be drawn after the evening show.  It will be CASH only.  One for $2 or 3 for $5.  Lots of prizes just in time for Christmas!!!  Feel free to contact Monica Tang at monicatang@gmail.com or Karrie Bogart@ckbogart@shaw.ca if you have any questions.

You can now pay in advance for Hot Lunch – We have an “Annual Option”

There are 109 instructional days from January 4th until the end of June and the cost is $4.75 per day.  If you would like to pay in advance for the remainder of the school year, the total is $517.75 per student.  If you’ve already paid for January, you can pay $422.75 for February to the end of June.  You can chose to pay in advance at the start of any month.  We will keep the website updated to let you know what the cost will be, depending on your start date.

Please be aware that we cannot accept post-dated cheques, nor can we issue refunds, regardless of the reason.  If you chose our new “Annual Option”, please make sure your envelope is clearly labelled “Annual Option” so that we can update our records accordingly.

 Holiday Hamper Helpers!

Wow!  What a huge job for only two parent volunteers; Patricia and Lillian, and Ms Lam and Division 14 students, and thanks to Division 2 for collecting the donations.