<p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: justify;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy Friday!</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: justify;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We have a couple of important reminders for events that are coming up:</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: justify;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Halloween</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: justify;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">a. Carved Pumpkin display: families are invited to carve a pumpkin and bring it to the school before 8 a.m. on October 30. Please put a battery-operated candle/tea light inside and clearly label the pumpkin with your name. Please pick up your pumpkin to bring home at the end of the day.</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: justify;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">b. Costume parade: 9 a.m. outside (weather permitting)</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: justify;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">c. Great Pumpkin roll off outside at 12:05 pm (weather permitting)</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: justify;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Reminder that costumes need to be school appropriate, culturally sensitive, not include weapons (including fake), and be tasteful so that they don’t scare or alarm our youngest students. Students need to be identifiable and visible to ensure safety. Face paint is welcome; full face masks should be left at home or only worn during the costume parade.&nbsp;Further information can also be </strong></b><a href="https://aes.sd83.bc.ca/news/celebrating-halloween-with-kindness-creativity" class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">found here.</strong></b></a></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: justify;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please have a conversation with your child if you want them to change out of their costume before recess/lunch in hopes of preserving it for the evening!</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On another note, Halloween can be really scary for those who have food allergies. </span><u><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-underline" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please ensure that any treats that are sent to school, or make their way into lunches, do not contain peanuts or nuts.</strong></b></u><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> We want all students and staff to be safe!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: justify;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Terry Fox Run: Our run this year raised $330.15 for cancer research! Thank you!</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: justify;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Come Read With Me: Interactive Parent/Guardian workshop for Kindergarten/Grade 1 families and students is October 29</strong></b><b><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong class="editor-text-bold">th</strong></sup></b><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> 12:15-1:45. Please return your rsvp slip or let the office know if you plan to attend. We want to be sure to have enough literacy take-home kits easily on hand for all! A huge thank you to PAC for covering the $10/family cost for this event – there is NO cost to participating families.</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: justify;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Photos: QR codes will go home with students and an email will be sent when the photos go “live” (likely early next week). If the QR code slip is misplaced/you didn’t get one, please feel free to contact Mountain West Studios at 1.888.644.4494 when photos are ready for viewing (this info will also be shared in the email).</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: justify;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">5. Lego Club: If any families have unused lego that they are willing to donate to the school to add to our collection, we would love any donations for our upcoming Lego Club. Thanks for considering.</strong></b></p>

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<div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 3fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/d47be51e-17a7-4fc3-a3f3-6625f15a13a7?fingerprint=ppb20261006213523" alt="HalloweenPumpkins" style="display:inline-block;max-width:100%"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Halloween is just around the corner and many schools throughout SD83 will be hosting activities, costume parades, and extra-curricular events for students to enjoy!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">While the District does not have an official policy regarding Halloween costumes, we ask that costumes are respectful, follow dress codes, and do not promote violence, sexism, racism, or appropriation of culture.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are some guidelines to consider when selecting costumes that will be worn at school:&nbsp;</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Students need to be identifiable and visible to ensure safety. Face paint is welcome; full face masks should be left at home or only worn during the costume parade.&nbsp;</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Costumes that are sexual in nature or employ questionable props are not appropriate for a school setting.&nbsp;</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Costumes that depict violence, drugs, or alcohol are not appropriate. Fake weapons should be left at home and saved for Halloween night.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Let’s choose fun and creative costumes that don’t imitate or stereotype races, cultures, genders, heritage, or religions. Costumes that may offend or reinforce harmful stereotypes are not allowed.&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If there is a chance your child will get uncomfortable in their costume during the day, you may wish to have them bring a change of clothes to put on later in the day.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for helping make Halloween at school a fun day for all.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy Halloween!&nbsp;</span></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>