Coyote Creek News
December 21st
It seems hard to believe that around this time last year, we were in the midst of a major snowfall. So far it looks like the only issue we're dealing with weather wise is colder temperatures, so I'm hoping any snow happens during the winter break! Please take note of the procedures to follow for inclement weather added to this Newsletter.
On behalf of all the Staff at Coyote Creek, we wish all of our families a safe and enjoyable holiday break and we hope to see everyone back safe and sound on Monday January 8th, 2018.
December/January School Happenings
Zumba Dance all Week
No Cell Phones @ Recess and Lunch
Zumba Dance Presentation Friday Dec 22
Second Presentation - Div 1 to 15 @ 1:30 - 2:00 pm
Last Day of School for Students
First Day Back to School 2018
Batteries Wanted!!
December/January School Happenings
December 18 to 22nd.......................................................... Zumba Dance for all classes
Friday December 22nd.........................................................Last Day before Christmas Break
Friday December 22nd.........................................................Zumba Dance Presentation
Monday January 8th............................................................First Day Back for students
Friday January 18th...............................................................Early Dismissal @ 1:20
Weather Related Closures and Delayed Openings
Weather-related closures, class cancellations & delayed openings
In addition to educating children, schools are expected to provide safe, supervised environments. Any cancellation, closure or delayed school opening has a significant impact on tens of thousands of families. Most cannot arrange alternate childcare when classes are cancelled or schools are closed unexpectedly.
Consequently, schools will not routinely be closed due to snow or other weather conditions unless there is damage or other circumstances (e.g., power outage) at a particular school that makes it impossible to operate safely. No announcement will be made that schools are open; only cancellations, closures or delayed school openings will be announced.
The district supports individual and family decisions regarding safety. Student and staff safety are a priority of the school district. Parents/guardians have primary responsibility for their children's safe travel to school and staff members also decide if local conditions may be unsafe. If, for any reason, there are personal concerns about the ability to travel safely to school, other arrangements should be made. It is understood some students travel to school on routes that may be challenging on a snow day; therefore, no student will be penalized for lack of attendance because of such conditions. While schools are likely to be kept open, the decision to attend is the responsibility of each family. Parents can phone or email the school to notify staff a student won't be attending. Weather-related student absences will be excused.
Some schools may announce a delayed opening time. The delayed opening time will be announced on the district website and through the media. The delay would be to allow more time to address potential issues such as a power outage or staff access to the school.
The district will do its best to communicate the status of schools beginning at about 7 a.m., when possible. Weather, power, road and safety conditions can change substantially within a few hours, therefore assessments and decisions are made early in the morning so the information is more reliable.
Only closures or delayed school openings will be announced, otherwise, schools are open.
Busing
Regular and special needs school bus schedules may face significant changes or cancellation due to weather conditions. Changes/cancellations will be reported through the district website and news media.
Announcement of closures or delayed openings
In the event of class cancellations or delayed school openings, the Surrey School District will post information on its website at www.sd36.bc.ca and provide updates to the following radio stations. CKNW (980 AM) News 1130 (1130 AM) CBC Radio (690 AM) Red-FM (93.1 FM) Radio India (1600 AM) Radio Punjab (cable/satellite) Fairchild Radio (1470 AM) CHMB (AM 1320)
New Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy
Starting January 8th, students will be reminded to put away their devices at recess and lunch and are only allowed to use them in the classroom with the permission of their teacher.
After this week of gentle reminders, students using devices at recess and lunch will have them taken away by staff members and brought to the office where parents can come and pick them up after school.
I think as parents we can all agree in this day and age, our children get more than enough screen time and we're hoping to give them the opportunity to do other things at recess and lunch.
Surrey Food Bank and Hampers
Our school raised $1026.10 and 450 pounds of food during the Santa Photos. The funds and food were donated to the Surrey Food Bank and Christmas Hampers on behalf of Coyote Creek Elementary. Thank you everyone for their continued support toward this worthy cause and a very special THANK YOU to Santa, who makes time out of his busy schedule to take photos with our awesome students!!
Coyote Creek PAC
New Swings are almost ready
Here's an update on the installation of the new swings at Coyote Creek from the Installers.
"The installation is now complete at Coyote Creek. There is some remedial work required around the outside of the perimeter but cannot be performed at this time due to the snow/ice. Once we are able, this will be completed and we will advise that the School District can be notified for an inspection and eventual opening of the Swing Area.
Thanks for your patience."
Sounds like our swings funded by our school's PAC, will be ready soon in the new year!