Thank you to all parents/guardians who took time to meet with teachers to celebrate and discuss student success. If you have questions regarding your child’s progress, please ensure you connect with teachers and check PowerSchool frequently. Please note that we will be turning off the PowerSchool portal for grades/assessment after the Winter Break to allow teachers to complete report cards. 

I also want to extend a huge thank you to the Simon Fraser School Council for supporting our amazing staff during School Conferences by providing food on the Thursday evening. 

As we enter the colder, snowier part of the season, I would like to remind families to ensure that students are dressing appropriately for the weather. While we understand teenagers would like everyone to believe that they don’t own a jacket, the plummeting temperatures and transportation delays, put students at risk! Not wearing a jacket may be considered “cool,” frostbite on the other hand is not!  

Students are also reminded about safety outside during this weather, and more specifically snowballs. Please help support our message that “snow stays on the ground!”  

Lastly, a huge congratulations to all our basketballs teams. It was a wonderful season that witnessed three of our teams make it to finals. I cannot thank all our coaches, athletes, and supporters enough for their dedication. 

Reminder| Bus Expectations and Safety  

As road conditions get less ideal, it becomes even more critical that students are adhering to the safety expectations on their ride to and from school. Students need to remain seated at all times, facing forward and maintain a reasonable volume. We have also been informed by transportation regarding a few incidents of vandalism resulting in damage to bus seats. We ask that students treat their buses with respect and care to ensure they stay clean and safe for everyone.  

Reminder| Pick-Up Plants 

If you supported the West Coast Sailing fundraiser, please pick up your orders on Tuesday December 3rd between 2pm-5:30 pm. Orders may be collected in the main foyer. 

Inform| Winter Student Leadership Planning 

Our student leadership students are working hard to implement a variety of winter/holiday activities this coming month. Please note the following: 

• December 4-7: Candy Grams sold in the front foyer at lunch 
• December 6: Wear School Fits  
• • School hoodies, shirts, jerseys, or the color red 
• December 13: Twin/Triplet Day 
• • You and friend(s) match outfits for the day 
• December 16: Winter Sweater Celebrations  
• • Wear the coziest\tackiest winter sweaters (must be school appropriate) 
• December 17: Wear a Winter Hat 
• • Wear a hat, any size, any type (must be school appropriate) 
• December 18: Teacher\Student Swap 
• • Teachers dress as students and students dress as teachers         
• December 19: Winter Pajama Day  
• • Wear your Coziest winter pajamas (school dress code still applies) 
• December 20: Wish I was on Vacation Day  
• • Wear a Warm, Tropical, Beachy Outfit (must be school-appropriate!) 

Please note that on December 20, 2024, student leadership has planned cross-grade activities including a winter dance. If students are unable to participate in the dance, a few alternative activities will be offered. 

Invite| Winter Concert 

The Simon Fraser Winter Band Concert takes place on Wednesday, Dec 11^th, 2024. The concert is a celebration of our students’ musical achievements, featuring the Grade 7, Grade 8, and Grade 9 Concert Bands, along with our Jazz Band. 

The event begins at 6pm, doors open for families to get seats begins at 5pm. The concert will last approximately one hour. 

Student performers need to arrive at 5pm. For details on student performance requirements please see Ms. Andersson’s email. 

The Simon Fraser Music Parents’ Association will be running a bake sale during the concert. Bring cash if you are interested in purchasing some tasty treats. 

Update| Grade 9 Vaccinations 

Vaccination information is going home next week for our grade 9 students. Forms need to be returned by December 10^th. Vaccinations are scheduled for Thursday Jan 23, 2024 

Request| Holiday “Hampers” 

This time of year, can be full of peace and joy as we look forward to the Winter Break and the holiday season. It is also a time that can be difficult for some families for many varied reasons.  

If you are a family who could benefit from a Holiday Hamper this coming holiday season, please send a message to Principal Clark and let her know. Please know that this information will be kept confidential between families and the admin team. Teachers will also share names of families that they believe would benefit. As has been done in the past, the school will contact families to determine if they would like assistance.  

For the Holiday Hampers, we are accepting gift cards from any supermarket/store of your choice to help families in need this year. We will also accept cash donations so that we can purchase gift cards with those funds.  We are accepting donations from December 2^nd to December 13^th.   

Again, thank you so much for your continued support towards helping others in need. 

Request| Phone Calls 

The safety and security of students is our main priority at Simon Fraser School. We need the support of parents/guardians to ensure that students understand, prior to coming to school, how they will be going home and with whom. This is helpful for your child, so they do not need to wonder/worry about this during their school day. Predictability helps children feel secure. Without this in place, the volume of calls received during the school day about such matters quickly becomes unmanageable, and at the end of the day, it is not always possible to connect with a child for a last-minute change.  

Dates of Significance  

• December: Universal Human Rights Month (UN) 
• Dec. 2/24: International Day for Abolition of Slavery (UN) 
• Dec. 3/24: International Day of Persons with Disabilities 
• Dec. 4/24: International Volunteer Day (UN) 
• Dec. 6/24 National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women 
• Dec. 8/24: Bodhi Day 
• Dec. 10/24: Human Rights Day 
• Dec. 13/24: Salgirah Khushiali 
• Dec.11/24: Simon Fraser Winter Concert 
• Dec. 20/24: Last Day of Classes for Students Before Winter Break 
• Dec. 20/24 International Human Solidarity Day (UN) 
• Dec. 21/24: Winter Solstice 
• Dec. 21/24: Yule 
• Dec. 25/24: Christmas 
• Dec. 25^th to Jan. 6^th: Hanukkah 
• Dec. 26/24: Kwanzaa 
• Jan. 1/25: New Year’s Day 

 For your reference, the Simon Fraser School Instructional Calendar can be found here.