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Garibaldi Highlands Communicator 2025/2026 » December 22nd - January 5th 2025

December 22nd - January 5th 2025

Week at a glance

December 22nd to January 5th 2025

 

Congratulations to our Weekly PACK draw Winner Wesley Barr!

 

 

Playground Safety Reminder
We’ve noticed an increase in rock and pinecone throwing during outdoor play times. Throwing objects can cause injuries and is not a safe choice at school. We ask that families please take a moment to talk with their children about keeping hands—and found objects—safe and on the ground. Thank you for partnering with us to help keep everyone safe at school.

 

THE LEARNING GARDEN

🌿 We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new Garibaldi Highlands Learning Garden web page! 🌿 School staff, PAC, and Squamish CAN have been working tirelessly for years to get this project off the ground and finally all of that hard work is beginning to materialize into a concrete building timeline and budget.

 

This garden space will celebrate our school’s commitment to hands-on, outdoor learning and environmental stewardship. Visit the page to learn more about our garden’s purpose, see what’s growing, and find out how you can get involved. There’s also a spreadsheet outlining current tasks and needs — if there’s something you can help with, please email me at [email protected], and I’ll add your name to the list. 

 

Thank you to everyone who has already donated and volunteered time, products, or services. Together we can make this happen. 

 

Crisis Supports During Winter Break 

 

While the holiday season is a time for celebration, it can also be a time of year when people may feel lonely, stressed or triggered. Crisis supports and resources are available online, over the phone, and in person for youth and adults. 

Learn about mental health and substance use supports available during the holiday season on the erase mental health and substance use web page.  

 

Sunday December 21st

  • Winter Solstice: In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs when the sun travels along its southernmost path in the sky. The Winter Solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight in the whole year, making it the “shortest day” of the year. This marks the astronomical start of winter in the northern half of the globe. (International)
  • Yaldā / Chella: Celebrated on the longest and darkest night of the year, Yaldā or Chella refers to a traditional celebration of the sun and the warmth of life. As an ancient tradition which has been observed for some time, it has been adopted in numerous regions. Countries in which some or all of the population celebrate this festival include Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Iraq. (International)

Sunday December 14th-Monday December 22nd

  • Chanukah / Hanukkah Chanukah: the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday in celebrating the success of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire, and the liberating and rededication of Holy Temple in Jerusalem. (Judaism) 

Monday December 22nd-Friday January 2nd

  • Winter Break: School not in session!!

Wednesday December 24th

  • Christmas Eve: Christmas Eve is the evening before Christmas and is often observed with a long meal, usually with family, sometimes accompanied by other celebrations such as midnight mass. (Christianity)

Thursday December 25th

  • Christmas Day: A holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is recognized as a public holiday in many nations around the world and is also celebrated secularly by many non-Christians. (Christianity) 

Friday December 26th

  • Boxing Day: The day after Christmas Day was traditionally celebrated as the day tradesmen and servants would receive gifts from their employers. (International) 
  • Kwanzaa: Kwanzaa is an African-American cultural holiday that has been adopted around the world including in Canada to celebrate African family, community and culture. 

Saturday December 27th

  • Guru Gobind:  Singh Jayanti Honors the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th and last human Guru. Date varies based on the Hindu Bikrami and lunar calendars; also celebrated on January 6, 2025. (Sikhism) 

 

January is Tamil Heritage Month

Thursday January 1st

  • New Year’s Day: A day to celebrate the first day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar
  • Ochetookeskaw - Kissing Day – Hand Shaking Day (Métis) A Métis day of celebration. 

Sunday January 4th

  • World Braille Day: A day to celebrate Braille and what it means for the human rights of people who are blind or partially sighted

Monday January 5th

  • First Day back to school for 2026!

Tuesday January 6th

  • School Meal Program: Click here to learn more

Wednesday January 7th

  • School Meal Program: Click here to learn more

Thursday January 8th

 

Friday January 9th

  • PAC Executive Meeting 9am in the library: If you are interested in joining the EGHE PAC executive please email [email protected]
School Meal Program (SMP)

Please see the letter below regarding important changes to the School Meal Program for the upcoming school year (replacing the Feeding Futures Lunch Pilot).  Read the letter in full for all the details.

In order to register your child for the lunch program, please complete the form HERE. Paper forms are available at the school office, if you prefer. You can view the monthly menu HERE. Just a quick note: once students are signed up for the meal program, they’ll receive every meal on the schedule. We aren’t able to offer opt-outs for single meals.

If you are interested in making a donation to this program, please click HERE.

Please reach out to us if you have any questions about the School Meal Program. Contact our VP Nina Jakobsen ([email protected]) or [email protected]

 

SMP Parent Letter Page 1

SMP Parent Letter Page 2

Events

Parking and Dogs on School Property Protocols:

  • Please remember to adhere to our parking protocols to ensure a safe and organized drop-off and pick-up process for everyone.
  • We welcome dogs on school property but kindly request that they be kept on a leash at all times. This helps maintain a safe and respectful environment for all members of our school community.

Hello EGHE Families,

 

As a friendly reminder, the School District 48 (Sea to Sky) has policies in place to maintain a safe and healthy environment on school grounds, including specific guidelines about dogs on school property.

Under Policy 804, please keep the following in mind when bringing dogs to school sites:

  1. Leashing Requirements: All dogs on school property must be leashed, tethered, and under the control of a responsible person at all times. This helps ensure the safety of students, staff, and other community members.

  2. Clean-Up: If a dog defecates on school grounds, the person in control of the dog is required to clean up and dispose of the waste properly.

  3. Annual Review: Each school’s principal will meet with the Parent Advisory Council and staff yearly to review this policy and discuss any local guidelines that may be in place. Our current local guidelines are to maintain a safe distance from classroom lineups by keeping dogs off the asphalt in the courtyard past the yellow gate (as many children are fearful of dogs and many dogs on leash in a small area can become aggressive with one another). 

We appreciate your help in keeping our schools a safe and welcoming place for everyone (including our furry friends).

ndndnd

Best Walking Routes to EGHE