Surrey Schools
14033 92nd Ave. V3V 0B7 Surrey, BC, Canada

This Friday (Jan. 15), Surrey Schools is showing its support for the inaugural Black Shirt Day, an effort by the Anti-Racism Coalition of Vancouver to encourage education and discussion around the history of racism and civil rights in Canada. Our district is committed to anti-racism initiatives, and schools across our district will utilize this opportunity to recognize injustices and promote racial inclusivity. Read more: https://www.surreyschools.ca/NewsE//Lists/Posts/Post....aspx (Image courtesy of ARC Vancouver)

No Name-Calling Week, a initiative to eliminate hurtful slurs, particularly as they affect LGBTQ2+ students, is next week (Jan. 18-22). "It's important to be aware of and sensitive to different words that people prefer, their pronouns, and different pieces of how language works in oppression," says Nicole Curtis, the district's inclusive practices helping teacher for SOGI (sexual orientation & gender identity) and anti-racism. "Words can be used to validate and invalidate oth...ers, like if you don't fit into a certain idea, you can be pushed out and marginalized." Read more about why words matter: https://www.surreyschools.ca/NewsE//Lists/Posts/Post.aspx GLSEN

Join in on the Online Youth Dance Battle hosted by North Surrey Secondary on Thursday (Jan. 14) at 7 p.m.!

The recent rash of deadly gang activity in the Lower Mainland has raised concern among parents around knowing the warning signs for youth considering or entering gang life. Teens from all backgrounds can get drawn to gang activity, says Rob Rai, Director of School & Community Connections with our district's Safe Schools department. Read what he has to say about common signs parents can watch for and what to do if a youth appears to be heading down a dangerous path: https://www.surreyschools.ca/NewsE//Lists/Posts/Post.aspx

Is your contact information up to date at your child's school? Make sure the office has your correct email address on file so you don't miss out on important information.

The next Surrey Board of Education meeting is this Wednesday (Nov. 18). You can find the agenda package & more information here: https://www.surreyschools.ca//BoardMeet/Pages/default.aspx

Old Yale Road Elementary principal Joe Leibovitch is reminded at least once a week just what extreme hunger looks like. A kid comes in, they can’t focus, they are tired. But one of the extreme things is, they’ll throw up. They are so hungry, their stomach is so upset, they’ll puke. But it’s just bile that comes up. It’s not unusual for us to see kids being sick like this because of hunger." We thank Vancouver Sun Children's Fund for the invaluable support provided to our sch...ools How to donate 1. ONLINE: Donate online with a credit card at http://vansunkidsfund.ca/donate/ 2. PHONE: To pay by credit card, call 604-605-2264.

Tune in and meet some Indigenous authors in Surrey Libraries' online series for children!

A Surrey teacher has penned a powerful novel inspired by her immigration to Canada: https://www.surreyschools.ca/NewsE//Lists/Posts/Post.aspx * The novel has mature themes and is intended for teen/adult readers.

Did you miss the November issue of ConnectED, our district newsletter for parents & guardians of students in the Surrey School District You can view past issues & subscribe here if you're not already receiving it: https://www.surreyschools.ca//connected/Pages/default.aspx

Join staff from our Welcome Centre for a workshop (via Zoom) about the B.C. school system for our Mandarin speaking community. Details below

This is a critical time: the second wave of COVID-19 is here. We all need to act now to make sure we can keep our business, hospitals, and schools open. People in BC know what to do and how to support others in our communities. Let's stand together again. www.gov.bc.ca/covid

Have a safe & wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! In the words of Dr. Henry, let’s make our celebrations large in thanks, large in gratitude, but small in size. The Center for Disease Control has some guidelines for safe get togethers: http://ow.ly/oDTT50BOMya... See you Tuesday!

What's the difference when a hold & secure or a lockdown or a shelter in place happens at a school? Learn what the different school emergency response notifications mean: https://www.surreyschools.ca/NewsE//Lists/Posts/Post.aspx

When Rosemary Heights Elementary shared a notification letter from Fraser Health about a fourth COVID-19 exposure earlier this week, parents, students and the school community knew exactly what they needed to do rally support for the invaluable staff at the school! https://www.surreyschools.ca/NewsE//Lists/Posts/Post.aspx "Our school has been getting a lot of attention because of the exposures we've had recently," says parent Miyoung Tereposky. "This school is so much ...more than just a school with COVID. The teachers and staff are a part of our village. They help raise our kids and we want them to know that it does not go unnoticed. We appreciate them showing up every day despite all of the anxiety they must be facing." "The response has been overwhelming," says principal David Dekerf. "This has been a difficult week for our entire school community, and it's just so amazing to see everyone come together like this."

Did you miss Tuesday evening's Parent Info Session Q&A with Superintendent Jordan Tinney? Watch it below to find out the answers to the most pressing parent questions relating to the district's health & safety procedures and the September restart. *Note: Captions are auto-generated by Facebook*

Attention youth! Join us for a FREE discussion about healthy relationships in a safe & confidential environment. Real Talk The Key to Healthy Relationships takes place this Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. (in collaboration with City of Surrey) and will address the different types of relationships, include reflection exercises & help youth learn how to assist others in need. Self-care kits available for pick-up. Registration is required.

Don't forget to tune in to our live Parent Information Session TONIGHT, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.! The live online event will be hosted by Superintendent Jordan Tinney and will address questions that were submitted by parents. To watch the event, tune in at 6 p.m. on Oct. 6 here: https://sd36.ca/Oct6infosn... . . (Note: Some users such as those using iOS devices may need to download Microsoft Teams to view. Teams can be downloaded free on desktop and mobile. Attendees will need to enable third-party cookies in their browsers to watch a live event). See more

Join Daniel To tomorrow at 2PM PDT on Facebook Live for "Don't Just Survive... Thrive! With Dr. Daniel To." The topic this week is the Role of Counsellors in Sc...hools. Daniel will be hosting a special guest, Selma Smith, who is a fellow District Principal of Surrey Schools. #facebooklive #stigmafree #stigmafreesociety #counsellors

While we value our teachers every day, World Teachers' Day (Oct. 5) is a time to acknowledge the vital role teachers play in educating, mentoring & nurturing students. This year highlights their leadership & integrity in times of uncertainty. Read more here: https://www.surreyschools.ca/NewsE//Lists/Posts/Post.aspx... Thank you, teachers!

Parents & guardians! A reminder to submit your question for the upcoming online Parent Information Session before Sunday, Oct. 4. The live online event will see Superintendent Jordan Tinney answer questions about the district's September restart plan and COVID-19 response. To submit your question head to: https://sd36.ca/Oct6frm ... The event will stream online Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 6pm and will be available here: https://sd36.ca/Oct6infosn

Time is running out to register for FREE virtual after-school programs for Surrey children & youth! Click the link below to see what's being offered

A PEI grandmother has written a children's book inspired by her granddaughter, a student at Surrey's Hazelgrove Elementary! Marlene Bryenton's book, Jaya's Magic Wheelchair, is about empathy and inclusion, as well as awareness of people with disabilities and the benefits of physiotherapy. 100 students at the school will be given copies, thanks to Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia! Jaya is a tremendous student and an inspiration to her Hazelgrove classmates, ...says Hazelgrove Elementary Principal Paul Marsden. We are excited to share her story through this book as a way to teach students about the importance of empathy and understanding for others. Read more about it here: https://www.surreyschools.ca/NewsE//Lists/Posts/Post.aspx

Extremely proud of our schools and students of all ages, who were so supportive and engaged with Orange Shirt Day and its significance today.

Semiahmoo Secondary rekindles its relationship with Semiahmoo First Nation -- beginning with co-designing a custom logo for Orange Shirt Day! Click below to read more about the partnership and learn more about Orange Shirt Day.