Briar Hill School Families
“Listening is where love begins: listening to ourselves and then to our neighbours.” — Fred Rogers
The changing leaves and crisp fall mornings are a good reminder of how quickly the seasons move. As we settle into October, there is lots happening at Briar Hill.
Orange Shirt Day gave us an important opportunity to pause, reflect, listen, and continue our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. Grade teams explored poetry through 6-Room Poetry, using sensory details, ideas, and reflection to create meaningful pieces of writing. On October 1, we gathered as a whole school in a circle in the gym, where student representatives shared their poems with our community. It was a simple and meaningful opportunity to listen and learn together. See the Instagram post HERE.
We also held our first School Council & Foundation meeting. Thank you to everyone who joined us in-person and online as we voted in new council members, heard a principal update, and looked at the Foundation budget for the year ahead.
As the weather continues to change, a quick reminder: please label your child’s clothing and remind them to check the Lost & Found regularly. Cool mornings can quickly turn into warm recesses, so extra layers have a way of finding their way off!
Have a wonderful week and please never hesitate to reachout.
Nathan deBoer - Principal
📸 Picture Day — Monday, October 5!
Picture Day is this Monday! Students will have their individual and class photos taken throughout the day.
📅 Monday, October 5 — Individual & Class Photos
📅 Friday, October 23 — Photo Retake Day
🎃 The Pumpkin Parade
Students and families are invited to get creative and help fill our front pathway with pumpkins.
- 🎃 Oct. 26–27: Bring a decorated or carved, labelled pumpkin and place it along the front pathway.
- 👀 Oct. 28–29: Classes will have a chance to stroll through the Pumpkin Parade and check out the creations.
- 🏆 Oct. 30: Mr. deBoer will announce this year’s winners!
Categories: Scariest • Most Educational • Largest • Smallest • Silliest • The One I Want to Steal and Take Home 🎃
🎃 Halloween at Briar Hill
Many students have excitedly been telling me about their Halloween costumes! On Friday, October 30, students are invited to wear costumes for a school-wide costume parade. Kindergarten PM students will be invited to wear their costumes on Thursday, October 29.
A few costume guidelines:
- 🎃 School-appropriate: Costumes should be suitable for an elementary school setting.
- 👻 Keep it friendly: No gore, frightening imagery, or overly scary costumes.
- 🚫 No weapons: No real or toy weapons or weapon-like props.
- 😃 Faces visible: No full-face masks or anything that obscures vision or identity.
- 🏃 Ready for learning: Costumes should allow students to comfortably participate in regular school activities.
👕 Briar Hill Clothing Store Orders
A big thank you to the many families who placed an order through our Briar Hill Clothing Store!
Orders will arrive at the school in approximately 2–3 weeks. Once they arrive, we’ll send the clothing home with students and let families know when they have been handed out.
Thank you for your support of Briar Hill School! 🐝
🤝 Briar Hill School Council & Foundation
Stay connected and find ways to get involved:
- 📧 Sign up for Council & Foundation emails and updates
- 🍕 Order lunches and take part in fundraisers
- 🙋 Find volunteer opportunities and ways to support our school
- 🌐 Visit the Foundation website: briarhillfoundation.com
📱 Stay Connected
Instagram: @briarhillschool
School Website: Briar Hill School
Briar Hill Foundation Website: Briar Hill Foundation
📅 Important Dates
- Oct. 2: IPPs Sent Home — for students on an IPP
- Oct. 5: Picture Day — Individual & Class Photos
- Oct. 7: Grade 6 Immunizations
- Oct. 8: Healthy Hunger / Fun Lunch
- Oct. 12: No School — Thanksgiving
- Oct. 19: No School — PD Day
- Oct. 22: Pizza Lunch
- Oct. 23: Picture Retakes
- Oct. 30: BHS Halloween Celebration
- Oct. 30: Value Awards