Dear Families,

Photos will be put into a PowerPoint presentation and shared with our school community at our assembly. Thanks so much for your support. Please send your pictures to Ms. Purnell no later than November 2. 

Dear Families,

Halloween can be a fun and exciting time for many of our students. To ensure that celebrations at school are safe and enjoyable for everyone, we kindly ask for your support in helping children follow the District’s guidelines for costumes on Friday, October 31. Please check for any additional, school-specific information from your child’s school. Although the District does not have an official Halloween policy, we ask all families to follow these guidelines to help create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment:

· Students must be identifiable and visible at all times.

 · Masks are not permitted. Face makeup is allowed as long as the student remains easily recognizable

 · Scary clown costumes are not permitted.

 · Costumes that depict violence, alcohol, or drugs are not appropriate.

· Fake weapons of any kind are not allowed.

· Costumes should not be provocative, sexual in nature, or use inappropriate props.

· Costumes must allow students to move safely through the school and outdoor spaces.

· Can students easily get out of their costumes (when needing to use the washroom).

 Please keep in mind that even well-intentioned costumes can sometimes cause others to feel scared, upset, or excluded.

 Two guiding questions may help when choosing a costume to wear at school:

· Does the costume depict or perpetuate a stereotype or stigma associated with a particular race, culture, religion, or gender?

 · Could the costume be considered offensive to a particular race, ethnicity, religion, or gender?

We encourage students to choose costumes that are creative, fun, and celebrate imagination while ensuring that everyone feels safe and respected. Thank you for helping us make this Halloween a positive and inclusive experience for all students.

Sincerely,

Sooke School District

On Friday, November 6, we will be joining schools across Greater Victoria in recognizing Let’s Get Visible Day. Students and staff are encouraged to wear bright, reflective, or light-up outerwear and accessories to help raise awareness about the importance of being visible during darker morning commutes. As daylight hours get shorter, this is a timely reminder for everyone to consider how they can stay visible and safe while travelling to school. Please note: any light-up clothing or accessories must be turned off while inside the school. We ask families review this with their child ahead of time.

PAC Meeting: Tuesday, October 27, 9am in the library

Hot Lunch: Thursday, October 29 - Subway

Remembrance Day: Wednesday, November 11 – No school