Dear Birchland Community,
Welcome to summer 2019! On behalf of the staff of Birchland we would like to thank you for your support of your children as young learners at Birchland during the past school year. We wish you and your family a happy summer.
Our Birchland school office will close following July 5 for the summer break. The office hours next week are not regular, we ask that you call ahead if you plan to drop by. The office will re-open on Monday, August 26.
If your family plans to relocate or move schools, please send an email with your details over the summer to Birchland@sd43.bc.ca to help us plan for student enrolment in September.
Opening day for the 2019 - 2020 school year is Tuesday, September 3, 2019. Students will attend from 8:55-9:40 AM and should return to last yearâs classroom. Attendance this day is very important for the school to confirm enrolment and staffing. If your child will attending Birchland School next year but will be absent on Tuesday, September 3, please let us know by completing an online absence report, by emailing the school at Birchland@sd43.bc.ca or by phoning the school at 604-941-3428, so that we can ensure your childâs space at Birchland.
September 3 will be a busy day in the Birchland office as we expect to receive many new registrations. We appreciate your patience as we work hard to get our school and classes up and running as quickly as possible.
The School Meals Program has been providing lunches for elementary students since 2008. Birchland Elementary is pleased to be part of this program. All food preparation will be done at Central Elementary school under the direction of trained elementary school meal co-ordinators. The meals will be delivered each morning to our school. Please click here for the menu on our website for the month of September. The meal program will be offering service beginning Monday, September 10. Orders, as well as payment, are due by Wednesday, September 4th @ 9 am. Please pay via School Cash OnLine. If you are unable to do so, please provide a cheque to the office. We are aware that for some of our families September can be a difficult month financially. We are able to support a reduced lunch program and ask that you contact the principal, if this is the case.
The first full day of school will be Wednesday September 4, for grades 1-5, from 8:55 AM â 2:50 PM. Students will need to bring a snack, lunch and a water bottle, and be dressed for active learning, both inside the school and out. Students will be in a variety of groups and will be actively learning about school routines, school goals, priorities and themselves as learners. Students can expect to interact with a number of different teachers in the first three days, Wednesday, Sept 4 â Friday, Sept 6.
For our kindergarten students for next year, please come to the library on Tuesday, Sept. 3 from 8:55 â 9:40 a.m. to indicate a day and approximate time for your âWelcome Conversationâ with your childâs teacher. You will not know your childâs teacher on the first day, that will be determined during the first week, and your confirmed time and date for the âWelcome Conversationâ will be communicated with you once the classes have been finalized. You will be receiving an email shortly outlining your childâs schedule for the first two weeks of school.
Depending on when we get the go ahead from the School District, students will be moved into their new classrooms on Monday, September 9. New school supplies are not needed at school until students are settled in their new classrooms. Pre-ordered school supplies from Creative Children will be into studentsâ classes once students are in their new divisions. Our school supplies lists are located on our website.
We hope this information helps you to prepare for that busy first week of September. But for now, letâs all enjoy the summer!
Warmly,
Elspeth Anjos
Principal, Birchland Elementary
