October 17, 2025
Parent-Teacher Night / Student-Led Conferences
Thank you to all the families who came out for our Parent-Teacher Night and Student-Led Conferences! We had a wonderful turnout. It was especially great to see so many students attending alongside their families — that always makes for a more meaningful and powerful experience.
Learning on the Land
This week, we’ve continued to spend more time on the land as we deepen our connection to the water — one of our school goals for the year.
Matthew and Laura took a group of students out on our first canoe adventure! Many of these older students already have great experience on the water and are excited to share their gifts with the rest of us (myself included).
Weekly Circles
We’d like to remind families that at the start of each week (typically Mondays), we host our Morning Circle at 10:15 a.m. We share a song and review our values together as a community.
On Fridays (or the final day of the week), we close our time together at 2:45 p.m. with another song and by honouring students who have lived by our values.
Families and community members are always welcome to join these gatherings.
Upcoming Professional Development Day
A reminder to families that Friday, October 24th is a Professional Development Day (Provincial Specialist Day).
Teachers across B.C. will be engaging in professional learning workshops — both in person and online. I’ll be spending my day expanding my understanding of early literacy.
Honouring Our Students
We’d like to lift up and honour the following students who have lived by our school values this week:
🌟 Wanáxws (Edward)
🌟 Chén̓chenstway (Renee)
🌟 Tímit (Emma J)
Way to go!
Thank You, Christine!
A very large thank-you to Christine, who has stepped in as our clerical for Gayle over the past three weeks. Christine helped ensure the school ran smoothly, and we deeply appreciate all her support.
Take care,
Cory Hartling
Principal
St’a7mes School
🚌 Bus Passes Required
Please be reminded that bus passes are required for students to ride the school bus to and from school.
If your child does not yet have a bus pass, please contact Gayle in the school office to arrange one:
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: 604‑892‑5904
🥗 School Meal Program – October Menu
Please find October’s menu attached, provided in partnership with the Squamish Climate Action Network.
We’re excited to continue offering healthy, locally inspired meals to our students. Thank you for your support of this program!
🍽 About the Program
Our School Meal Program ensures that students have access to nourishing lunches every day. While government funding helps cover part of the cost, we rely on family and community contributions to keep the program running and sustainable.
We suggest a contribution of $120 per month ($1,200 annually) per student, but please give what you can.
👉 [Donate to the program here] (insert donation link)
Every contribution directly supports the program. We operate on the principle that everyone is welcome — no student will ever be turned away due to financial reasons.
If you’d like to join the program, please contact your school office to be added to the waitlist.
🧦 Sock-tober with Squamish Helping Hands
This October, we’re teaming up with Squamish Helping Hands to collect socks and help keep our community warm, dry, and healthy.
A clean, dry pair of socks can:
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Prevent blisters and infections
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Provide warmth and comfort
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Offer dignity to those living without shelter
Each night in Canada, thousands of people experience homelessness.
Right here in Squamish, at least 125 individuals are living outdoors, in vehicles, or accessing emergency shelter.
🧺 Our Goal: 1,000 Pairs of Socks!
Let’s come together to collect 1,000 pairs of new socks for our neighbours in need.
🧦 Please drop off new socks at the Sta'7mes School office
📅 Throughout the month of October
Your donation brings care and dignity to someone who needs it most.
Thank you for your kindness and support.