1. education
2. school

BUCKINGHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SCHOOL
6066 Buckingham Drive, Burnaby, B.C. V5E 2A4
Telephone: 604-664-8616
Fax: 604-664-8793
Website: http://buckingham.sd41.bc.ca
Principal: Mr. K. Gurney
Head Teacher: Mrs. L. Cramb
Secretary: Mrs. C. Geipel
The Buckingham Community is working together to create
a safe and nurturing environment that recognizes the
unique learning styles of each student. We are
encouraging social responsibility and life long learning.
Newsletter #12
Keep up to date by checking our website
frequently. Information includes: Newsletters,
Calendars, PAC news, School Growth Plan,
Annual Report.
March 27, 2015
“Mom? Dad? Can you bail me out?”
For the last few months, Ms. Geipel and I have noticed an increased flock of
students (mostly intermediate) entering the office to phone home for things like forgotten
gym strip, homework that’s been left on a counter at home, or to get a notice left on the
kitchen table.
Now, I appreciate how supportive and helpful our Buckingham parents are, but we
have reminded students of our school policy, and we thought it would be good to remind
parents as well.
In an attempt to teach responsibility, we do not allow students to call home for things such as
forgotten homework, as that is the student’s responsibility and does not pose a safety concern. There are
circumstances where we will bend that rule; for example, if a student forgot something that will impact a
large group of students, say a band instrument or something, then we will allow the call home. But other than
that, we will not be allowing students to call home for parents to bring items from home. As well, it’s totally
unfair to those students that don’t have a parent home during the day that can bail them out.
Now I should clarify that students will always be able to call home if they are feeling sick
or if there are any other emergencies. I say that because at least one student misconstrued this
rule to mean that they can never call home; but of course, that is not the case.
WORDS Writing Publication – CONGRATULATIONS!
As you know, one of our goals this year (and last) is Writing. As part of that, we
have entered student writing samples into the WORDS Writing Competition for the last 2
years.
Last year, we had 2 students that were selected out of the whole district to be
published in the anthology highlighting the best writers in Burnaby. This year, I’m happy
to announce that the following 5 Buckingham students have successfully been chosen
to be published this year:
 Vanesa A.
 Ryan L.
 Eshan B.
 Mabell M.
 Isobel C.
Way to go! And I want to thank all the students and staff for the over 100 submissions we received this
year and again congratulate the 12 students whose work was chosen by Buckingham staff for submission to
the competition:
 Vanesa A.
 Cathy W.
 Eshan B.
 Mabell M.
 Tiffany C.
 Kendra Y.
 Ryan L.
 Jemma S.
 Jacie R.
 Kathryn M.
 Isobel C.
 Samuel C.
Keep up the GREAT WRITING!
Kurt Gurney
Principal
Professional Day – Monday, April 27th – Students Do Not Attend
SUMMER SESSION 2015
A variety of Summer Session courses are available – Academic, Skill Development, Transition, Activity &
Enrichment, Byte Camp and ELL. Starting April 7th, full program brochures for both elementary and secondary
programs will be available on the district's website. Registration can be done - online (www.burnabycce.ca),
by telephone – 604-296-6902 or in person at Adult & Continuing Education, 5325 Kincaid Street.
Frequent Lates
We have been noticing a recent rise in the amount of lates each morning. On a couple
occasions, almost 10% of the school population has been tardy, and it’s becoming a
chronic problem.
The morning bell rings at 8:55 a.m. and classes begin at 9:00 a.m., so it’s very important
that students arrive on time so they do not miss important lessons and they learn the
important life skill of punctuality. Staff is also finding that the lates are interrupting morning
routines, announcements, and learning activities, which is not fair to others.
Having a 12-year old and 15-year old daughter, I fully understand how difficult mornings can be to get
everyone out the door on time, but we are asking for your support with this. Thanks so much.
Online Payments Update
A reminder that online payments are available for some of your children’s activities. If this payment method is
available, you will receive instructions on each notice. The school district has updated the methods for online
payments. There are now two options:
eCheque: An electronic version of a paper cheque used to make payments online. Anyone with a
chequing/savings account can pay by eCheque through School Cash Online. To pay with an eCheque,
simply enter your account number on the payment screen and click submit.
myWallet: An online wallet that can be loaded to hold funds and pay for your child’s fees on School Cash
Online. It can take up to 7 days from the date the funds are loaded for funds to become available.
For full instructions check out Buckingham School’s website. At the bottom of our page, see the links under
On-line Payments or visit https://burnaby.schoolcashonline.com
Lunch Lady Days
Unfortunately, the Lunch Lady days at Buckingham have been cancelled until further notice due to
unforeseen circumstances at the company. All paid lunches were received prior to Spring Break. If the
service resumes, new orders will be sent home.
BOOK FAIR
It’s here!!! Our beloved Book Fair will be held next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, March 31,
April 1 and 2 in the library. The notices went home earlier this week to whet your appetite for more reading.
You will see the posters on the school entrance doors and, most importantly, there is a sign up sheet posted
on the front hall bulletin board.
As with all our successful events, our book fair needs volunteers. Calling all Grade 6 and 7 students to let their
teachers know if they are available to help at this year’s fair. We also need parents to be present at the cash
desk. All shifts are half an hour in length. They are:
8:30 - 9:00, 12:20 - 1:00, 3:00 - 3:30. each day of the fair. I also require at least 3 people to help with closing
down the fair Thursday afternoon after 3:30.
Some enthusiastic parents have already signed up, and I thank them mightily. If you are unable to physically
sign up at the school, please either call me or leave me an e mail. I share an e mail with my husband, so
don’t be confused by the names! Thank you for helping to make this Book Fair yet another wonderful event!
Cheers,
Kellee Mulhern (coordinator)
604 522-6192
peter.mulhern@ufv.ca
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Popsicle Stick Bridge Contest
Presented by Burnaby Parks & Rec and Burnaby Public Library
and Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C. At Bonsor
Recreation Complex on Saturday, April 11
for school student groups. Register and pick up kits at Bob Prittie
Metrotown Branch Library between March 9 and April 2. For
more information see the poster on Buckingham’s community
board or email: bn@apeg.bc.ca
ROYAL SOCCER CLUB SUMMER PROGRAMS
The Royal Soccer Club is celebrating its 23rd annual summer
soccer day camps. Open to boys and girls aged 5 to 13, we offer
2 locations in Burnaby during July and August. Visit
www.royalsoccer.com for more details or to register or call 1-800427-0536.
ROYAL CITY YOUTH SOCCER CLUB (RCYSC)
RCYSC offers 2 spring programs for ages 4–17. Sessions run once
a week from mid-April to mid-June.
Details and Registration are available online at www.rcysc.com
April 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
1
BOOK FAIR
Thu
2
Pizza Day
Fri
Sat
3
4
GOOD FRIDAY
School Closed
BOOK FAIR
5
6
7
EASTER
Hot Dog Day
MONDAY
School Closed
8
9
Pizza Day
Report Cards
Go Home
10
11
Sun Chips Sale
Day
Gr. 4/5 Track
Meet
12
13
14
Gr. 6/7 Track
Meet
15
16
Pizza Day
17
18
22
23
Pizza Day
24
School Wide
Lice Check
25
PAC Meeting
6:30 pm
19
20
21
Hot Dog Day
May Pizza
Orders go
home
Gr. 4/5 Track
Meet
Gr. 6/7 Track
Meet
26
27
Professional
Day Students Do
Not Attend
28
May Pizza
Orders Due
9:00
29
30
Celebration of Class Photos
Learning
Assembly 2:00 Pizza Day