Important Dates 

• November 11 – Remembrance Day  (All schools in the CBE observe Remembrance Day) 
• Fall Break – November 10 – 12 All CBE schools are closed. 
• November 20 – School Council Meeting 
• November 24 – Fun Lunch 
• November 27-28 – Conferences (Parent Teacher and Student Led Conferences. Face to Face and On-line) 
• November 24 – December 12  Possible dance residency. Dates to be finalized after fall break 

Have a great fall break – we will see everyone at school on November 13 

*  Please note, there will not be a weekly message sent out November 14 as the week will only be 2 days. Anticipate the next weekly message on November 21

Dear Chris Akkerman Families; 

As we approach Remembrance Day, we take time to honor and remember the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country. Their sacrifices have ensured that Canada remains strong and free.  

Explaining the significance of this day to children can be challenging. I find it helpful to have ongoing conversations about the importance of Remembrance Day throughout the year. For example, we proudly display Great Grandpa’s war medals in our library at home, which often sparks discussions with my children. These conversations are usually short and simple when they are younger, but as they grow older, I share more detailed stories and hard truths about the sacrifices made by those who went to war. I tell my children about relatives and friends who served, like my cousin who spent most of his adult life in the military, and their dad’s grandfather who served in the Second World War. He left his wife and two young daughters to serve in Germany, Italy, and France, missing the birth of his third daughter. He returned home wounded but was always regarded as a hero in our family.  

These personal stories help my children understand the sacrifices made by those who left their families and the comforts of home to fight for our freedom. It’s important to acknowledge that wars, though tragic, have sometimes been necessary to protect our way of life.  

Our soldiers, alongside those from other nations, fought to ensure that Canada remains a place where people can live freely and safely. I explain to my children that without these sacrifices, Canada might be a very different place today.  

We also attend Remembrance Day ceremonies, such as those at the Field of Crosses or the Military Museum. These events provide a powerful opportunity for our children to see the impact of this day and to understand that many others also remember and honor these sacrifices.  

This year, we will visit the Field of Crosses before Remembrance Day in the evening as all the crosses are lit by candles. These experiences help us to remember and express our gratitude to those who have given so much for our country.  

Sadly, war still exists, and I think my children need to know this reality. I let them know that there are Canadian soldiers in the line of fire today, on peacekeeping missions or in war-torn areas, risking their lives on behalf of our country.  

Let us never forget that the peace and freedom we enjoy today are thanks to those who came before us. We are grateful for their sacrifices and for the contributions of all our families and loved ones in our diverse community at Chris Akkerman School.  

Thank a veteran, a person in uniform, or a senior today, and let’s appreciate all they have done for our great country. I sincerely hope you and your family will take the time this Remembrance day to attend a ceremony, have a discussion, share a story and most importantly – always remember what others have done so we can live freely and safely in Canada. 

Dr Bettesworth 

Digital Safety Reminder: Age Restrictions on Popular Apps 

Increasingly we are having conversations with students regarding their screen time and the impacts it is having on their behaviour, social interactions, relationships, language, sleep habits etc. These conversations, here at CAS, occur with children in all grades, as young as kindergarten. There is not any class, any grade that has not been impacted by screen time. Screen time and digital platforms are increasingly harmful to our children and should be used with extreme caution.  As children increasingly engage with digital platforms, it's important for families to be aware of age restrictions designed to protect young users. Most social media apps—including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, YouTube, and Roblox—require users to be at least 13 years old to create an account, in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Despite these limits, many children aged 6–12 are active on these platforms, often by entering a false birthdate. Apps like Minecraft and YouTube Kids offer more age-appropriate experiences, but even these require parental guidance. Other popular apps among younger children include GoNoodle, CapCut, and Roblox, which, while engaging, may expose kids to chat features or user-generated content that isn’t always safe. We encourage parents to regularly check app settings, use parental controls, and have open conversations with their children about safe online behavior. 

Extended Absence 

Thank you to all of the families who are diligently coming in to the school to share documentation and ensure you have the proper forms filled out for your extended absence. Our students are so lucky to participate in such amazing adventures with family. There is exceptional learning to be had on these amazing trips. Please continue to call the office and book your time with Mr Murry for an extended absence.  

A Friendly Reminder About Lunch Containers 

We’ve noticed an increase in students bringing glass water bottles and containers to school. While we appreciate efforts to reduce waste, glass items can easily break and pose a safety risk. Just this past week, Ms. Baljit had to clean up broken glass multiple times. 

To help keep everyone safe, we kindly ask families to send lunches in plastic or other unbreakable, reusable containers. 

Also, please remember to label all items, including lunch containers. Unlabeled items often end up in our lost and found and may eventually be donated if not claimed. 

Thank you for helping us keep our school safe, environmental, and organized! 

Cold Weather Reminder: Dress for the Season 

As we return from fall break, colder temperatures are likely to be here to stay. Students will continue to spend time outdoors before school and during lunch recess, so it’s important that they come dressed for the weather. 

Please ensure your child is wearing: 

• A warm winter jacket 
• Snow pants 
• Mittens or gloves 
• A hat or toque 
• A scarf or neck warmer 
• Waterproof boots 

We also recommend dressing in layers to help kids stay warm and adjust to changing temperatures throughout the day. 

And don’t forget to label all clothing and gear—items without names often end up in our lost and found and may be donated if not claimed. 

Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and comfortable this winter!