PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Good Morning Maple Grove (MG) families.  Happy Friday to all!  Today is Friday the 13th and it’s  supposed to be a micro moon this evening as well as a Harvest Moon.  So for the superstitious among us, hang in there and we hope you had a safe enjoyable day!  I’m reminded of one of my favourite songs, “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young.  It was recorded from September 1991 to February 1992 and released later that year in November 1992.  Many of the musicians also played on Neil Young’s 4th studio album, “Harvest” released 20 years earlier in February, 1972.

On to school business.  As the dust starts to settle after the second week, and the first full week in classes, I’d like to acknowledge the MG staff for working so diligently to make sure students get into the correct class and that all students are accounted for.  I’d also like to thank parents for being to understanding, flexible and accommodating while we sort out the little hiccups that happen in life and September start up.  However, all that being said, its been a smooth and relatively uneventful start up as we rolled into classes on the second day of school and things have been going along swimmingly.

Maple Grove is full at all grade levels.  We have about 500 students.  And while I think that may slip to about 495 by the ends of the month, we’re still very full and don’t have much room as our class composition and enrollment have risen to a robust level.

Please know, or be reminded, that our school blog (maplegroveschool.net) is the place to go for information, goings-on, and events.  Our Kindergarten students are now in-school full time and we’ve had our first school-wide assembly.   We’ve reviewed our school Code of Conduct and school song with all students.

I want to acknowledge our fantastic PAC for all their work in welcoming parents and in creating an atmosphere of inclusion and support for families.  We work very closely with our PAC and we have a wonderful collaborative relationship with them.  Please refer to the PAC Blog for information and details regarding PAC events and programs.

In coming weeks I will publish school organizations, staff lists, etc.  For now, please enjoy the school start-up with your child; continue to be positive with them about school; and know that we have your child’s best interests at heart.

For those of you interested in seismic updates, I’m told that the new school build is on schedule and that the contractor is happy with their progress.

Yours in Schooling,
Principal Evans

Meet our Vancouver Police Officer

Ben Wong-Moon our School Liaison Officer (SLO) is riding in the Cops for Cancer ride for Children’s Hospital.  Ben has been a super supporter of Maple Grove and is an all round wonderful person.  If you’re interested in supporting Ben, please visit the Cops for Cancer website.

Classroom Parent Requests

Parent Volunteers Needed!   We are still looking for Class Parents! If your child is in one if the following divisions and you are interested in helping out, please let us know or talk to you class teacher:
Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21 and 22.

We are also looking for leads for the following roles:

Halloween Event

KM Club

Grad Committee

If you are interested, contact us at themaplegrovepac@gmail.com

Traffic Congestion

We are defaulting to our historical recommendations to families… if you can walk to school, please do so.  We apologize to our families to the west as they will have to walk to Cypress street (about 100m past the opening in the fence they usually use) and access the north end of the school near our gym.  We further recommend to families that if you drive, park a block or two to the east of the school and walk along 45th or 47th to the the school.  Please use our south, north entrance or west entrance.  Please do not use the front entrance as there is NO WALKWAY for your child.  Delivery trucks use our “C” driveway all day and they are not expecting children to be walking on the driveway.

Also, please do not use the staff parking lot as a drop-off area.  Staff do their best to get to work on time and blocking them from parking in a timely manner is inconsiderate.  The CoV has installed new 3 minute parking signs all around Maple Grove.  We encourage you to consider parking around the perimeter of the building if you’re running short on time in the morning and not able to walk the block or two to reduce traffic.

School Cash Online

We are very pleased to report that over 75% of Maple Grove’s school fees have already been paid online.  Our parents are finding it a very efficient and easy way to deal with payments that are due to the school.  If you haven’t created an account as yet.  Please review the pink form in your child’s package and follow the prompts.  (Tip:  Always click on the box that says you don’t know your child’s student number, and use your child’s usual name – not their legal name if it is different.)  https:/vsb.schoolcashonline.com

After school Programming at Maple Grove

Before/ After School Daycare (YMCA)

Please contact the YMCA of Greater Vancouver for information on their out-of-school care programs.  We will publish registration information as it becomes available.  They are super busy and there is a huge demand for their services.

Maple Grove Pac Website (Click to enter)

September 16 – 19 – Book Fair

September 20th – Terry Fox Run

** September 23rd – Pro D Day – No school for Students **