Dear Graham Bruce Families,

As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to share my heartfelt gratitude with you. This time of year reminds us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the many blessings in our lives—and I feel incredibly thankful to be part of such a caring and committed school community.

Each day, our students arrive with curiosity, resilience, and a readiness to learn. They inspire us with their energy and determination, and they are the reason we do what we do. I’m deeply grateful to our Bruce families for their unwavering support and for helping to create a nurturing environment where our children can thrive.

I also want to acknowledge the incredible dedication of our teachers, support staff, district colleagues, and community partners. Your tireless efforts and compassion make a lasting difference in the lives of our students. Together, we embody the truth that it takes a village to raise a child.

Thank you to all families who attended the parent teacher conferences with their children and engaged in meaningful conversations with our teachers. These discussions are an important part of setting goals and supporting student growth. Please remember that our teachers are always available to answer your questions and offer strategies to help your child succeed.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and restful Thanksgiving.

Traffic—Safety and Requests 

During school days it is requested that parents/guardians respect the signs at the front of the school that state “No Parking, 8:00—5:00, Monday to Friday” and “No Stopping, 8:00—5:00, Monday to Friday”. As a reminder to all parents and caregivers, the following regulations are in force during school times (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday):

1. When school is in session, a 30-km/h school zone speed limit is in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every school day, unless otherwise posted. Also, remember that vehicles approaching from both directions must stop for school buses when their lights are flashing. 

2. Do not stop or park on the wrong side of the street to drop off your children. This is becoming an increasing problem and poses significant risk to our children. 

3. Always yield to pedestrians (it’s the law). Pedestrians should cross at corners. Jay Walking or crossing in the middle of the block is very dangerous. U-TURNS ARE ILLEGAL. 

4. When dropping off children in a school zone, stop and allow them to exit onto the sidewalk side of the car. Never double park and allow a child to cross mid-block. 

5. If a vehicle is stopped in front of you or in the lane next to you, they may be yielding for a pedestrian, so be prepared to stop. 

Thank you to those parents/guardians who comply with the rules of the road.

School Emergency Procedures

School emergency procedures are consistent with Vancouver Board of Education policies and guidelines and are reviewed regularly with staff and students. Each school year, we conduct 2 Earthquake drills, 6 Fire drills, and 2 Lockdown drills. Classroom teachers review the procedures with students regularly to ensure they keep themselves safe in case of a real emergency. The following terminology and procedures are used and explained when teaching students:

Evacuation Procedures:

• Emergency Evacuation: In case of an emergency requiring evacuation such as a fire or earthquake, staff and students are trained to assemble at the gravel field in the back. Visitors to the school should also evacuate the school.
• Provisions: The school has equipment and provisions to adequately care for children until their parents can pick them up. In such an emergency, parents are directed to carefully follow the instructions of staff to ensure the proper accounting and safe dismissal of children to their parents or emergency designates.
• Student Release: In case of a real emergency, we can anticipate that children and parents will be worried about their family members’ health and safety. The school has specific student release procedures in place to ensure that families are reunited as quickly and safely as possible, and to ensure accountability and tracking of each student’s safe release.

Earthquake Protocol:

• Drop, Cover, and Hold On: Use if an earthquake or explosion occurs or anytime a building or its materials shake and fall:
  • Drop: Get down on the ground/floor.
  • Cover: Take cover under heavy furniture or millwork.
  • Hold On: Hold on to the furniture/millwork as the shaking may cause even large items to move about.
  • Evacuate: After the shaking stops and possible falling debris settles, wait 60 seconds, then evacuate the building.

Lockdown Procedures:

• Announcement: “Lockdown, lockdown, lockdown” is announced over the school PA system in the unlikely event that there is a dangerous intruder in the school.
• Actions: All students gather in their classroom (or closest room), lock the doors, turn off lights, and remain quietly with their teacher until they are directed that it is safe to come out.
• Cell Phones: In the unlikely event of a lockdown situation, we will be turning off and collecting cell phones from students, as using them at such a time poses potential additional risks: we do not want phones to sound at times when quiet is essential. Additionally, texting, tweeting, etc., risks sending out inaccurate information that could hamper police efforts to resolve the incident. Parents are asked not to attempt to contact the school or their children directly.

Other Procedures:

• Hold & Secure: Use if there is a security concern in the neighborhood. Everyone is to come into the school and remain in the school; exterior doors are secured; exterior windows secured and blinds closed; no one may enter or exit the school.
• Shelter in Place: Use if an environmental hazard is in the vicinity of the school (including coyotes). Everyone is to come into the school and remain in the school; exterior doors are secured; exterior windows are closed and secured plus blinds/drapes closed; all ventilation systems may be turned off; the principal will monitor access to the school.
• Room Clear: Use to move students away from a hazard contained in one room/area. Students are directed to go directly to a previously agreed-upon alternate location.

Cross Country @Bruce

This fall, cross country is off to a fantastic start at Graham Bruce, with enthusiastic participation from students in grades 3–7. Thanks to the support of our families, runners will take part in three mini meets and one district meet at Trout Lake. Coaches Ms. LaTosky and Mrs. Truman are excited to be leading the team this year! Many thanks to our students and our amazing coaches for making this event happen at our school!

PAC Pumpkin Patch Event @Bruce

Date: Wednesday, October 22 during school hours

The Bruce PAC is excited to invite all students and families to the Pumpkin Patch Event on October 22! Our school field will be transformed into a sea of pumpkins, ready for our students to pick out during school and take home for some Halloween fun!

Pumpkin Pre-Order Details:

• Cost: $5 per pumpkin
• Pre-Order Deadline via School Cash: Tuesday, October 21st
• Pumpkin Picking Day: October 22 during school hours by students. Teachers will take their classes to the pumpkin patch. Students will choose and collect one or two pumpkins. Please send large plastic bags with your child for the pumpkins.
• Where: School Field

Upcoming Dates

Monday, October 13: Thanksgiving - School is closed

Tuesday, October 21: Lockdown Drill #1 

Wednesday, October 22: PAC-Led Pumpkin Patch

Friday, October 24: Professional Development Day - School closed for students

Friday, October 31: Halloween!