SEPTEMBER 2025
Welcome to Preschool!
Here we are in September, getting our new routines in place! I sit at my desk and I hear the pitter-patter of little feet down the hallways and excited children yelling, “Teacher! Look! Teacher! Teacher!” Such excitement!!
If you want your child to stay excited about school, just remember to get involved! Take an interest in the art they bring home. Ask them open-ended questions at the end of the day, such as, “What are the names of some of your friends?”, “What is your favourite thing to do at school?” Avoid the questions that can be answered with “yes” or “no” so you can have a longer and more meaningful conversation!
Why Playdates & Outdoor Time Matter
Playdates give children valuable opportunities to build friendships, practice social skills, and learn how to share, cooperate, and solve problems together. Pair that with outdoor activities, and the benefits grow even more — fresh air, active play, and healthy movement all support strong bodies and healthy minds.
When you help your child connect with friends and spend time outside, you’re not just creating happy memories — you’re also building healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
On a personal note, I walk to work from 1st and Lonsdale — about 50 minutes each way. The fresh air, exercise, and time in nature keep me recharged and healthy. Try walking with your child whenever you can. You might be surprised by how far they can go — and you’ll be setting them up for healthy success in the future!
Check out what I saw on Monday morning…
The Preschool will be hosting many events this year where you and your family will be able to meet the rest of our little community.
The first and most important event will be our Welcome to St. Catherine’s Assembly and AGM on Wed., October 8th at 6:30pm. Mark your calendars NOW!
All families are expected to attend. We will be holding the event in-person and virtually so make sure the office knows if you will be attending in-person or online.
We are looking for BOARD MEMBERS so please think about getting involved. One hour meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month and we have maybe 6 or 7 meetings in the school year.
If you would like to be on our Board, please let the office know ASAP.
Year At a Glance
Please make sure you grab a copy of our Year at a Glance which is our Calendar of Events for the year. You got one in your package of forms on your child’s first day. Take a photo of it so you always have it on hand. Also, you can check on this website for more detailed information regarding school events and closures.
Mark the special events and closures on your calendar so you don’t forget!!
Upcoming School Closures
SEPTEMBER 30 - Truth & Reconciliation Day
OCTOBER 13 - Thanksgiving
NOVEMBER 11 - Remembrance Day
FUNDRAISING
As a non-profit preschool, fundraising plays a big role in helping us maintain our play yard and provide all the wonderful gross motor equipment the children enjoy both in the gym and outside.
Every August, we are lucky to have The Great Canadian Landscaping Company come out and refresh our play yard, keeping it safe, inviting, and beautiful. A big thank-you also goes to last year’s families, whose fundraising efforts made this possible — just look at our beautiful yard!
The children truly love it, and it makes such a difference in their daily play. That’s why, when our fundraisers pop up, we hope you’ll support the preschool in keeping this amazing yard for your children — and for future children — to enjoy.
This year’s fundraisers will include:
📚 Scholastic Books
🍫 Purdys Chocolates
🥟 Samosa Fundraiser
🍕 Pizza Night & Cake Walk
♻️ Return-It Recycling
🎨 The Card Project
Stay tuned — we’ll be sharing more details about each fundraiser in the next blog!
VACCINATIONS
Please make sure you have sent us a copy of your child’s vaccination dates. You can have your doctor or Vancouver Coastal Health email us a copy (stcpre@telus.net).
If you update your child’s vaccinations, please make sure you let us know.
Some families have opted not to vaccinate their children. Children who are not vaccinated are allowed to attend our preschool but if there is an outbreak in the community, those children will have to follow the policies and procedures set out by Licensing and Vancouver Coastal Health.
During an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) directs daycares and schools to exclude all unvaccinated children. VCH's policy considers children without up-to-date immunization records or proof of immunity to be unvaccinated and unprotected. This measure is taken to prevent the spread of the disease and protect the vulnerable.
Key aspects of the VCH protocol
Exclusion from facility: If a vaccine-preventable infectious disease occurs at a daycare or school, VCH will require unprotected children to stay home until it is safe to return. The duration of the quarantine can last for days or weeks, depending on the disease and its incubation period.
Disease reporting requirements: All child care facilities in British Columbia are legally required to keep a record of each child's immunization history and make this information available to VCH medical health officers. This allows public health officials to respond effectively during an outbreak.
Importance of immunization records: Parents must provide their child's immunization information to the daycare. VCH uses this data to contact families of unprotected children and recommend any missing immunizations.
Public health measures: VCH works with daycares during an outbreak to implement control measures and manage disease transmission. These protocols are based on guidance from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and include standard infection control procedures like enhanced cleaning and monitoring for symptoms.
Recent precedent: The exclusion protocol is not just a theoretical policy. For example, during a measles outbreak in 2010, VCH sent unvaccinated students home from Vancouver schools for a three-week quarantine period to contain the spread. A similar outbreak occurred in northeast B.C. in 2025, where the virus spread "like wildfire" among unvaccinated children, necessitating public health action.
Sickness Policy & Absences
This time of year always seems to be really bad for catching colds, fevers and tummy bugs and it is very important that we all do our part to stop the spread of germs.
If your child is going to be away:
Please call or email the office ASAP and let us know, the earlier, the better:
Is it due to Vacation or Home Day? Let us know ASAP the dates your child will be absent.
Is it due to illness? Then let us know the illness AND the symptoms as Licensing requires us to monitor and record all infectious illnesses at our preschool. We can then let you know when your child can return.
Should My Child Stay Home Today?
In the last 24 hours, if your child has had a fever, sore throat, tummy cramps, diarrhea or loose stool, persistent cough, has vomited or has taken any medicine to alleviate any of those symptoms, they should stay home.
If your child has low energy, is extra tired, is unusually upset or crying uncontrollably, has a persistent cough or is in pain due to an injury, or has an undiagnosed rash they should stay home.
Please let your teachers know when your family is going through stressful events such as moving, renovations, death in the family, divorce, new baby, etc. We do not need to know specifics, but letting us know that your child is going through “stuff” helps the teachers to create the safest space for your little one.
When Can My Child Return?
A child who has had a fever may return when they are 24 hours fever-free AND medicine-free.
A child who has had diarrhea or a loose stool, OR has vomited, can return 24 hours AFTER the last solid BM or they have kept food down for 24 hours.
A child who has had diarrhea or a loose stool, AND has vomited, can return 48 hours AFTER the last solid BM and they have kept food down for more than 24 hours.
PLEASE REMEMBER that you should never send your child to preschool on MEDICATIONS without prior consent from the preschool with the appropriate forms filled out and filed in the office.
✨ PARENT SOCIAL NIGHTS — LET’S BRING THEM BACK! ✨
We remember when we had amazing Parent Social Nights 🍔🍷 From Burger & Beer Nights to Wine Raffles, Silent Auctions, and even Parent Workshops with child experts — they were fun, inspiring, and a great way to connect.
Here’s the thing: these events only happen if parents step up to organize them. Staff can support, but it’s the parents who make the magic happen!
That means YOU can help bring back the after-school fun — whether by taking the lead, sharing ideas, or teaming up with others. Want adult-only evenings? Or family-friendly fun (like the BOBS & LOLO concert or the Magician show we hosted in the past)? It’s all possible — but only with parent organizers.
Community events, parades and other children’s events where we can get our preschool’s name out there in the community could be attended by our families as a group. Imagine, decorating bikes and riding in a parade to show off our amazing school!
We are more than just a school — we’re a community. And the more we get involved, the stronger our community becomes. 💛
👉 Are you ready to help bring Parent Social Nights back? Got an idea you’d love to see? Let us know!
RAINBOW ROOM FAMILIES
We are writing to share an update about Rainbow Room teacher Karen, who is currently on medical leave after fracturing her ankle. We are all wishing her a swift recovery and hope to have her back with us in about six weeks.
We would like to extend a special thank you to our team—Danielle, Marjan, and Monica—who have stepped up to increase their hours to help. We are also thrilled to have Susan rejoin us to provide extra support. Their teamwork and dedication are greatly appreciated.