Hatzic Elementary School
Newsletter
December, 2014
Melinda Dempster
Principal
Tel 604-826-2481
[email protected]
Dear Hatzic Families,
Important December Dates:
December 3rd marks our first Parent, Teacher, Student
Conferences. While teachers work hard to create report
cards that fully reflect children’s learning it is by being
in the school that you will truly recognize all the
wonderful school experiences enjoyed at Hatzic
Elementary.
Dec 2nd
Dec 3rd
Dec 3rd
Dec 4th
Dec 5th
Dec 8th
Dec 11th
Dec 15th & 16th
Dec 15th
Dec 18th
Dec 19th
I will say that while reading through the first term report
cards this week I was not surprised to see the academic
progress that children are achieving. Moreover, in areas
where students need support individualized plans are in
place to ensure their success. As always, children do
best when all the adults in their life work together in
order to support them. If you are unable to attend the
school on December 3rd please know that our doors and
ears are always open and we welcome parents as crucial
members of our school community. We would always
rather meet sooner than later in regards to ensuring
student success.
When you visit the school I hope you stop for a moment
in the hallway by the office to look at our “Trees of
Happiness”. Our trees are where children make visible
the ways that doing for others makes us happy. Students
have been noting good deeds they have done at school
and at home that have made their heart happy on leaves
for the trees. After the Christmas Break the leaves will
come down and they will have an opportunity to write
what they have given others for Christmas that resulted
in happiness for themselves and others.
As we head into the Christmas month it is my hope that,
amid the fun and festivities, we remember to maintain
our primary focus at school is on learning.
Wishing you a happy and warm month ahead.
Melinda Dempster
Mission
Public Schools
Report Cards Distributed
Parent/Student/Teacher conferences
Playground meeting 6:30
Neufeld Farm orders arrive, 2:30
School Not in Session
Popcorn Sale
Eleni’s Hot Lunch
School Christmas Store
Evening with Santa, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Christmas Concert 1:00 & 7:00
Christmas Sing-a-Long 11:15 -12:15
Unexpected School Closure
As the air begins to chill, we are reminded that winter
will soon be here as will inclement weather conditions.
Please follow the School District website: www.mpsd.ca
for information pertaining to school closures: select the
tab across the top - “Schools”; then “Unscheduled
School Closures”
You may also register directly on that page to sign up
for Snow Closures Email List - A quick and easy
way for notification to be received directly!
Dressing For the Weather
Please remember as the weather constantly changes
students need an active break from stuffy classrooms and
will be expected to be outside at some point on most
days. Please ensure your child comes to
school wearing clothing for the outdoors.
Cotton hoodies are not useful in the rain. A
spare change of clothes at school may be
helpful on wet days.
Healthy Eating
Teachers will be encouraging parents to bring limiting
the (albeit yummy) sugary treats and asking that most
food brought for celebrations to be relatively healthy.
8465 Draper Road, Mission, BC V2V 5V6 | Phone: 604.826.2481 | Fax: 604.826.8331 | hatzicel.mpsd.ca
December 15th: An evening with Santa
Once again Hatzic Elementary will be visited by a very
special guest from 5-7pm. There will also be a
concession set up selling hot chocolate, hot cider, coffee
and popcorn. Photos will be taken by Raeleigh Good of
Lark Rise Horse House and will be on a first come first
served basis.
December 15th and 16th: School Christmas Store
Children will be able to get a little Christmas shopping
time on their own this year at our school store! This was
a fantastic experience for the children last year and they
were very excited to shop and buy gifts that they picked
on their own for friends and family.
We are in desperate need of new or gently used items for
our store. They can include toys, Christmas mugs,
soaps, coffee or tea, car washing supplies, Christmas
decorations just to name a few items! We are also
looking for wrapping paper, Christmas bags, ribbon,
bows and old Christmas Cards! Please drop off all
donations in the office.
Christmas Store Hours:
Monday December 15th & Tuesday December 16th
Lunch hour 12:15-12:55pm
Lunch hour 12:15-12:55pm
After School 2:30-3pm
Evening 5-7pm
We also need parent helpers during these times to wrap gifts
December 18th: Concert – 1:00 pm & 7:00 pm
We are thankful to our teachers for continuing to hold
evening concerts and would like to support them. If you
able to view the afternoon performance and can help
monitor a classroom for the evening performance it
would be appreciated. We are looking for 3 parents for
each class. Contact Mrs. Dempster for more
information.
Christmas Concert Seating
We are auctioning off reserved seating for our Christmas
performances this year. There will be boards set up
outside the office so bids can be placed on specific
seating. Auction will run until 3pm Tuesday Dec. 16th.
2
Christmas Concert Details
 There are many parents who, due to work schedules,
are only able to attend the evening concert. We have
limited space in the gym and so parents who have
attended the afternoon concert are respectfully asked
to leave the available seating for them. One great
way to do this is to help out chaperoning in the
classrooms – please see above.

After the concert students will be asked to remain in
their classroom where parents may pick them up.
This negates some confusion and potentially lost
parents.

If any parents are able to stay for a bit to help put
our decorations away it would be most appreciated.
Strong parents are especially invited.

Please be careful not to block driveways and leave
the road shoulders available for walking. Car
Pooling is recommended.
Lates
Please remember that arriving late to
school negatively impacts the learning
of everyone. If the morning should
happen to go badly and your child is
late to school, please have them report to the office, so
that Mrs. Hinnen doesn’t make a panicked phone call
home. Thanks for your cooperation.
Sports Corner
Congratulations to grade six students who faithfully
attended after school practices and had a great time
playing basketball. One of our three teams finished third
in the District playoffs and the other two teams had some
winning, and very close (nail-bitter) games. Thanks to
Mrs. Klatt, Mrs. Faber, Mr. Brown and Mrs. Quick.
Remembrance Day Assembly
Thank you to Parents and guests who were able to join
us for the Remembrance Day assembly. Thanks to Mrs.
Widdows for leading the music, Ms. O’Rourke and
students for the Aboriginal Honor Song, and also to Mr.
Gwyn and Mrs. Chapman for the students’ presentation
of, an Alphabet of Peace.
Rotary Music Festival
The Jr. and Sr. Intermediate choirs, led by Mrs.
Widdows and Mrs. Brown, sang beautifully at the
festival. Thanks to all who supported and attended. It
was a lovely night.