Happy June to all our Devon Gardens Community,

It’s hard to believe we are already here. There is so much happening this time of year and we hope you’ll take a moment to read up on all the wonderful things taking shape.

 

We are looking forward to welcoming our incoming Kindergarten students and their parents/guardians back on Wednesday, June 3rd.  Families will be arriving shortly after dismissal on Wednesday, June 3rd, and June 10th.

We are currently asking our current families to leave promptly at dismissal time and not hang around too long after school as our parent parking lot will be needed to allow new students and their parents a place to gain access to the school.

The new families may be a bit nervous coming for the first time, so please give them a friendly wave and say hello if you see them arriving just as you’re leaving.

While Pride has become synonymous with diversity, rainbows, and love, it was sparked from a much darker beginnings. Pride started as an uprising against police violence and injustice in June 1969 in New York City. Black and Brown trans women stood up to police violence. These acts of resistance, now known as the Stonewall uprising, led to the birth of Pride, Pride marches and the 2SLGBTQIA+ rights movement. Society has seen positive changes and improvements regarding the treatment and acceptance of members of this community, but there is still work to be done.   Attitudes and injustice still exist and all members of our school community, whether they identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ or not, are affected by homophobia and transphobia.  

We need to ensure schools are inclusive and safe for students/parents/staff of all sexual orientations and gender identities.  Someone’s gender does not limit their interests and opportunities, and their sexual orientation and how they understand and express their gender are welcomed without discrimination.

Happy Pride, Dragons!

Optional School Supplies Ordering through SchoolStart for 26/27

Dear DG Families:

We are excited to offer the opportunity to, once again, purchase your school supplies through School Start for the 2025-2026 school year.

The grade-specific lists are posted on the School Start website and you may order at any time.

The lists have a Starter Package (base package) as well as Additional Items Required. The additional items are required by each teacher; they include items such as pencil cases, sharpeners, and calculators. These products do not need to be purchased on a year-to-year basis if you already have them.

There are three ways to place your order:

1. You can place your order online at https://schoolstart.ca
2. You can place your order over the phone 1-800-580-1868
3. You can print and fill out the supply list and return via email to info@schoolstart.ca

The supplies will be packaged and delivered directly to your home. If you have a PO Box, please use your house address when ordering.

If ordering online, go directly to: https://schoolstart.ca/

Then please click on the following:

– Parents Shop Here

– Purchase School Supply Kits

– Select Province, then City, then School

– Click Here to Purchase

– Lastly, click on your child’s grade as of next year

If you have any questions, please contact School Start’s Customer Service Department: Email: info@schoolstart.ca  |  Phone: 1-800-580-1868

schoolstart

Lost and Found

There are quite a few items in our lost and found.  Please encourage your child to come and take a look for any items belonging to them (and/or come on by, yourselves, after school).

Unclaimed items will be taken to a donation centre before the end of the school year.

Keeping your Cool when it gets Hot!

While the sunny weather is a welcome change, the shift to warmer temperatures can make it harder for us to acclimatize.  Here are some ways to help your children beat the heat at school:

• When it’s hot we naturally want to wear less clothing.  However it’s important to avoid too much direct sun exposure on skin.  While it might seem counter intuitive, longer sleeves and pants are often a much better option as they help keep us cooler while protecting skin from the sun.   Choose loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, made from a breathable fabric.
• Sunglasses and a wide-brimmed, breathable hat are great to wear outside, on the playground
• Use a broad spectrum sunscreen that is SPF30 or higher.  Please be sure to apply sunscreen to your child in the morning.  If you are sending sunscreen to school with your child for them to reapply throughout the day, be sure to teach them to do this themselves, as school staff won’t be applying sunscreen to students.
• Keep long hair tied up or in braids to allow as much air as possible to evaporate sweat
• Ensure your child brings a reusable water bottle (even 2!).  Add some ice to help water stay cool
• Remind your child of the importance of staying hydrated, and to drink throughout the day (we have 3 water bottle refilling stations at school)
• Avoid packing sugary or carbonated drinks in your child’s lunch to help reduce dehydration – stick to water instead
• Raw fruits and vegetables help cool the body and keep kids hydrated
• Encourage your child to slow down/take a break when playing at recess and lunch, and to check in with their friends about how they are feeling in the heat
• Remind your child to seek help from one of the adults at school if they are feeling unwell

 

 

 

Another call out for Summer Volunteers! Your Help is Needed to Water our Garden Area!

You may have seen the Western Red Cedar tree and the planter boxes on the front grass area of the school.  This area is well-used as an outdoor learning space during the school year and both the tree and the garden boxes require regular watering.   While school is in session, teachers and students take care of this.  During the summer, though, we need your help to keep these areas watered.

We will put together a schedule of volunteers to take turns doing the watering so that it’s a manageable task (many hands make light work).  You will have access to water and a hose at the school, and we will show you exactly what needs to be done before the end of the school year.

If you are willing to help out with watering this summer (particularly if you live nearby!), please email Mr. Rodgers  

And, if you’ve helped with watering the garden in previous summers, you’re now an expert, so we’d love to have you on the team again this year!  

Not Returning Next Year?

We are beginning the process of planning for next school year.   If you are moving and are not planning to return to Devon Gardens in the fall, please make sure that you let our office know as soon as possible.

 

Please watch for an email to families, tomorrow, with the Zoom link.

At the June 1st meeting, the PAC will be holding their elections for the 2026-2027 Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Executive Committee. To view the Executive Officer positions available and their respective duties, refer to the PAC constitution.

 

Family Fun Night – UPDATE

Family Fun Night – Musical Cakes Event

We are urgently looking for volunteers to bake or donate nut-free baked goods, for the Musical Cakes event.  We are currently not able to run this event, as we have not received any commitment to providing baked goods.

Suggestions for nut-free baked goods: Donuts, cookies, cupcakes, cake pops, cake, brownies etc.
These can be homemade OR storebought.

Please email the PAC (pacdevongardens@gmail.com) if you can bake or donate items!

Family Fun Night – Silent Auctions

A reminder of our Silent Auction, which is ongoing until 11:59pm on Friday, June 5^th (Family Fun Night).  Help us reach our goal of $3,000.00!

All funds raised directly contributes to enhancing programs, resources and learning opportunities for Devon Gardens students.

Click the link below to see all the great prizes available for bidding!
32auctions.com/dgdragons

Family Fun Night – Tickets

The Wristband presale for Carnival games is now closed.
But don’t worry, you can still purchase your wristbands for unlimited carnival games, at the event!

Make sure to also purchase your tickets for the raffle and musical cakes!

Wristband – Carnival Games	Cost		Tickets	Cost
Adult (14+)	$10.00		Musical Cakes	3 for $2.00
Kids (13 and under)	$15.00		Raffle Baskets	12 for $10.00
			50/50 DG Raffle Board	$5.00 per square

Family Fun Night – Extension Cords needed. 

Do you have an extension cord (heavy duty, outdoor) that the PAC could borrow on Family Fun Night?   If yes, please email the PAC pacdevongardens@gmail.com

If you are lending your extension cord, please bring them to the school, by Thursday, and make sure they are clearly marked with your name, so we can get them back to you!

Family Fun Night – Volunteers Needed

 

 

More ways to get involved!

We are still looking for a few more volunteers to help make our event a success.
These are the positions we are looking to fill:

• Ticket sales
• Concession
• Take down

You can volunteer for as little as 30 minutes – we appreciate any commitment!

sign up here, or email the PAC at pacdevongardens@gmail.com.
Family Fun Night Volunteers

Litter-free at DG

This year, we will be putting out extra garbage cans.  Thank you, in  advance, for helping us keep our school grounds litter-free by using them

Make sure you are following the Devon Gardens Elementary PAC social media accounts to stay up to date on what to expect at this year’s Family Fun Night!

In The Community:

PAC Fundraisers ongoing throughout the year

For information about the following fundraisers, please click the logos.

Questions?  Send an email to pacdevongardens@gmail.com.

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Use code DevGardens26, $5 from each registration goes back to our school

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Use your personal Return-It account by clicking donate and looking up Devon Gardens Elementary

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Mention Devon Gardens Elementary at checkout, 10% of your purchase becomes credit for the school

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Use this link https://mabelslabels.ca/en-CA/fundraising/support to make a purchase and 20% of your purchase becomes goes back to our school

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Foster

Monday, June 1st – PAC Meeting 7pm (PAC Elections)

Friday, June 5th – Family Fun Night!

Friday, June 12th – Sports Day

Wednesday, June 17th – Grade 7 Leaving Ceremony

Thursday, June 25th – Students Last Day

Term 3 Reports go Live!

For other upcoming events, please refer to the calendar on the school website:

https://dg.deltasd335.upanupstage.com/news-events/monthly-calendar/