AHE November 2026 Newsletter
Principal’s Message
As we head into November, our CARES focus shifts to A – Achievement! Achievement is about setting goals, putting in our best effort, accepting challenges, and recognizing the progress we make along the way.
Following our Goal Setting Conferences at the end of October, students will be putting their goals into action! Throughout the month, we will continue to focus on individual learning goals as well as curricular goals across all subject areas. We want students to take ownership of their learning, persevere when things get challenging, and recognize that growth happens one step at a time.
November will also be a month of remembrance and community connection. We will take time to recognize Remembrance Day and reflect on the importance of peace, gratitude, and remembering those who have served. Our Winter Clothing Swap will provide another opportunity to work towards our goal of stewardship, reduce waste, and support AHE families.
As we move into November, let’s remember that achievement isn’t just about the end result; it’s about the effort, growth, and learning that happen along the way.
Thanks to all AHE families for continuing to make our school such a caring and connected community!
Mrs. Mair
School Goals 2025-2026
Each spring, AHE staff take time to reflect on the year’s learning — looking closely at assessment data, student progress, classroom experiences, and the many observations gathered throughout the year. These conversations help us celebrate where students are thriving, recognize areas for growth, and shape our priorities for the year ahead.
Our school learning goals continue to focus on three important areas: Numeracy, Literacy, and Social-Emotional Learning. While these overarching goals provide consistency from year to year, the specific areas of focus within each goal evolve in response to our students, their strengths, and their learning needs.
This year, we are building on the successes of our previous work while refining our instructional approaches to support continued growth. Through collaboration, ongoing reflection, and thoughtful use of student learning data, we remain committed to creating meaningful learning opportunities that help every student develop as a confident thinker, capable communicator, and caring member of our school community.
School Spirit
There was no shortage of school spirit at AHE last month! From the PAC Pumpkin Pie Picnic and Book Fair to our Math Fair, Halloween Parade, and Grade 7 Haunted House, our school was buzzing with energy, participation, and community spirit.
We know that students’ sense of connection and belonging at school is an important contributor to their overall well-being and success. When students feel connected to their school, their peers, and the adults around them, they are more likely to feel engaged, confident, and ready to learn. Creating opportunities to come together, celebrate, have fun, and take pride in being part of AHE is an important part of building that connection.
A big part of making this happen is our student leadership group, made up of Grade 6 and 7 students. These students dedicate time to brainstorming, planning, and organizing activities that bring our school community together. Their ideas, enthusiasm, and willingness to take the lead help make AHE a fun and welcoming place to be. We are proud of the leadership they demonstrate and grateful to everyone who helps make these special moments possible!
Book Character Pumpkins
Our Book Character Pumpkins were a wonderful reminder that a love of reading can take shape in so many creative ways! One of our literacy goals at AHE is to nurture a lifelong love of reading by providing students with opportunities to connect with books, authors, and characters in meaningful and engaging ways. These entries certainly did not disappoint! We were so impressed by the creativity, imagination, and attention to detail that went into bringing favourite book characters to life. Thank you to all the students and families who participated and helped make reading a little more festive this fall!
Winter Clothing Swap
Our first Winter Clothing Swap is just around the corner! Families are welcome to start bringing in gently used, clean winter clothing beginning next week (November 2–6). Coats, snow pants, boots, mittens, hats, and other winter gear are all welcome. Donations can be dropped off at the front office.
The Clothing Swap will take place on Friday, November 13. Students will have an opportunity to visit the swap with their classes and choose 2–3 items that they can use this winter. It’s a wonderful way to make sure good-quality clothing gets a second life while helping families access the winter gear they need.
A big thank-you to our wonderful parent volunteers who put their time and energy into helping with this event. We appreciate your support in making this such a positive and meaningful opportunity for our AHE community!
C.A.R.E.S. CARDS
Throughout the year, CARES Cards are given to students who demonstrate our school values of Cooperation, Achievement, Respect, Enthusiasm, and Safety. This year, we have brought our CARES expectations together with the BC Core Competencies, helping students recognize and celebrate the important lifelong skills they demonstrate every day.
When students receive a CARES Card, their names are shared during our school announcements, and they are invited to come to the office for a special opportunity to Pay It Forward! Students choose to place their CARES Card in one of two containers representing our selected charities: Cops for Kids or the Illecillewaet Greenbelt Society.
Throughout the school year, events organized by our Student Leadership Crew will collect funds to support these two charities. At the end of the year, the funds raised will be divided between the charities based on the number of CARES Cards collected in each container. This means that every CARES Card represents not only a student making a positive difference in our school but also a choice to support a cause in our wider community!
Moonlight Madness Date Night
Our Student Leadership Crew is organizing a Date Night on Friday, November 27, from 5:30–8:30 p.m.! This event is open to AHE students only, at a cost of $10 per student.
Students can look forward to an evening of fun, games, and activities with their school friends while our families enjoy a little time to themselves during Moonlight Madness. Even better, all proceeds will go towards our two CARES charities: Cops for Kids and the Illecillewaet Greenbelt Society.
Keep an eye out for more information and sign-up details coming home soon!
Buddy Classes
At AHE, our buddy classes pair primary and intermediate students twice a month for special activities and buddy reading. These partnerships help younger students build confidence and skills, while older students develop leadership and mentorship abilities. Buddy time is a wonderful way for students across grade levels to connect, have fun, and support one another in our school community. This year we are focussing on using reading strategies to train our intermediate students as coaches during buddy reading. Our buddy classes are paired as follows:
Ms. Tedesco’s Kindergartens with Ms. Hall’s Grade 6
Ms. Butler/Mrs. Stewart’s Grade 1 with Mrs. Haworth’s Grade 4/5
Mrs. MacLeod/Mrs. Stewart’s Grade 1/2 with Ms.Johnson/Ms. Francis’ Grade 7
Mrs. Vickers/Mrs. Stewart’s Grade 2/3 with Mrs. Gadbois’ Grade 5
Ms. Poirier’s Grade 3 with Mrs. Gauer/Ms. Francis’ Grade 6/7
Zones of Regulation
Our Fall Buddy activities will focus on Self-Regulation! Students will work with their buddies to explore the Zones of Regulation, learning to recognize and understand their emotions, identify how they are feeling, and discover strategies to help them manage their feelings and energy levels. Through games, conversations, and shared activities, students will build self-awareness, develop strategies for navigating big feelings, and strengthen their ability to be ready to learn.
By learning together across grade levels, our students are also building connections, supporting one another, and developing a school wide language to support a positive environment.
Remembrance Day
Our Remembrance Day Assembly will take place on Tuesday, November 10th at 10:45 a.m., and parents and community members are warmly invited to attend. Together, our school community will honour those who have served our country, as well as those who continue to work for peace around the world. We extend our gratitude to our Student Leadership team for their role in this year’s assembly and for making a donation on behalf of all students to ensure that everyone has a poppy to wear and that a wreath will be laid at the Cenotaph on November 11th. Please note that there will be no school on Wednesday, November 11th, in observance of Remembrance Day.
School Sports
Cross Country Running
Our Cross Country Running season was a huge success. Each school hosted a running race and AHE was well-represented! AHE’s team showed impressive sportsmanship and teamwork. Thank you to all of our students who participated and represented AHE, and to Mrs. MacLeod, Ms. Johnson and Ms. Draboczi for coaching. Of course a big THANKS and to all of our parent volunteers!
Badminton
Badminton is always a popular sport at AHE. Grade 6 and 7 practices and playoffs have been taking place in P.E. classes and at recess and lunch under the guidance and coaching of Mr. Cadegan, Mrs. Vickers, and Mrs. Gadbois. Tournaments are upcoming and players are asked to arrange their own transportation to the appropriate locations.
The tournament schedule is as follows:
Thursday Nov 12 Singles (Grade 6’s @ AHE, Grade 7’s @ BVE)
Tuesday Nov 19 Doubles (Grade 6’s @ AHE, Grade 7’s @ BVE)
Thursday Nov 24 Gr. 6 Mixed Doubles @ CPE
Tuesday Nov 26 Gr. 7 Mixed Doubles @ CPE
Gymnastics
Our Kindergarten students are enjoying three exciting sessions at the Gymnastics Centre at BVE! These visits provide students with an opportunity to explore gymnastics in a fun, supportive environment while developing fundamental movement skills, balance, coordination, strength, and confidence. Throughout the year, each grade will have the chance to be introduced to a new sport, helping students discover new interests, build skills, and develop a lifelong appreciation for being active!
Haunted House
A huge thank-you to everyone who came out and helped make our Annual Grade 7 Haunted House such a success! Our Grade 7 students did an amazing job planning, organizing, and bringing their spooky vision to life. It was a fun-filled evening and a wonderful example of student leadership in action.
A special thank-you to Mrs. Gauer and Ms. Johnson, and our Grade 7 parents for supporting the event through baking, greeting visitors at the front door, and helping with the clean-up. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Together, our Grade 7 students raised an incredible $1,700 towards their year-end trip to Sunnybrae. What a fantastic accomplishment! Way to go, Grade 7!
PAC News
A huge thank you to Save On Foods for donating over 30 pies and whipped cream for our Thanksgiving Pie Day, and to our wonderful volunteers for making this special picnic lunch possible. The students loved it!
Our annual Scholastic Book Fair during student conferences was another success. Thank you to Jillan Casson for organizing and to everyone who helped set up, pack up, and run the fair. With our school families’ support, we raised over $2,200 in books for Arrow Heights!
Our Kawakubo hot lunch is on Wednesday November 25. Watch for order forms in planners soon! To volunteer for this lunch or any PAC event, email pacarrowheights@gmail.com.
Our Holiday Craft Fair returns December 11, so start brainstorming with the kids about what your family might contribute!
Finally, join us for our PAC meeting on Monday, November 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the AHE library. Child care is provided, and all parents, caregivers, and grandparents are welcome. We’d love to see you there!
Mabel’s Labels
Our PAC has an ongoing Mabel’s Labels Fundraiser! Perfect to label your water bottles, jackets, backpacks etc, to keep them out of the lost and found! Here is the link:
http://campaigns.mabelslabels.com/ (http://campaigns.mabelslabels.com/)
Numeracy News
Numeracy Problem of the Week
As part of our Numeracy Goal, we know that problem solving is at the heart of strong numeracy learning. When students tackle meaningful, real-life math challenges, they develop critical thinking, perseverance, and flexibility in using their computational skills.
One way we bring this to life is through our weekly Problem of the Week! A new challenge is posted in our front foyer each week, inviting students of all ages to give it a try, share their strategies, and work together. It’s a simple but meaningful way to build a community of curious, creative, and confident mathematicians. We love seeing students stop to consider a challenge, share their thinking, and get excited about math!
Numeracy Fair
A huge shout-out to Ms. Hall’s Grade 6 class, who did a fantastic job hosting AHE’s second Math Fair during Goal-Setting Conferences! Students took the time to learn the games, practise explaining the rules, and then confidently teach them to visiting families. Their leadership, teamwork, and enthusiasm made the afternoon a wonderful celebration of mathematical thinking.
A big thank-you to all the families who took time out of their busy schedules to stop by, play a few games, and support our young mathematicians.
Upcoming Dates:
Nov. 2 – Professional Development (No School)
Nov. 2-10 – Bring in clothes for Winter Clothing Swap
Nov. 5 – Hot Lunch – perogies and coleslaw
Nov. 9 – PAC Meeting 6:30
Nov. 10 – Remembrance Day Assembly 10:45
Nov. 11 – Remembrance Day – no school
Nov. 12 – Badminton Singles Tournament (gr. 6 & 7)
Nov. 13 – Winter Clothing Swap
Nov. 19 – Hot Lunch – spaghetti and meatballs
Nov. 19 – Badminton Doubles Tournament (gr. 6 & 7)
Nov. 24 – Badminton Mixed Doubles (gr. 6)
Nov. 25 – PAC Sushi lunch
Nov. 26 – Badminton Mixed Doubles (gr. 7)
Nov. 27 – Moonlight Madness Date Night
Dec. 1 – AHE Food Drive Starts
