Elmdale School
November 2025 Newsletter
Principal's Message
Dear Elmdale families,
There is a community partnership happening at Elmdale right now that we are very happy about. It is an intergenerational program called GrandPals and it's bringing together older adults in the community and our grade 4 students. Without the help of many stakeholders, this collaboration would not be possible.
The idea of the program is simple. Our students are matched up with a GrandPal and meet with them weekly over the course of 6 weeks. During that time, the students get to learn about their GrandPal's life with themes like home, family, learning, work, and travel. The capstone of the program is an assignment that students do to illustrate a story from their GrandPal's life. It is designed to be both a tribute and a gift of gratitude.
There are a number of benefits to the program. The community is strengthened as cross-generation relationships are developed. Through good questions and GrandPal story telling, the students are learning, having fun, and gaining wisdom. The students can grow as good listeners and storytellers. Older adults are shown that they still matter and that what they say is important.
Each stakeholder played a role to get this off the ground. Grade 4 teachers Mr. Martens and Mr. Thiessen facilitated lessons, arranged groups, and prepared their students. The events coordinator with Active Aging in Manitoba (55+) made contacts with GrandPals and provided oversight of the program. Division social workers liaised and provided support. And, of course, our GrandPals themselves decided to invest into the lives of our students.
This program could not happen without teamwork. Thanks everyone!
Warmly,
Anders Rempel
Principal, Elmdale School
Parent-Teacher Interviews are Almost Here
Parent-teacher interviews are coming up and the Parent Portal is open so that you can book:
Monday, November 10th - daytime appointments.
Thursday, November 13th - after school appointments.
If you have not already booked, please go to Parent Portal and make arrangements to meet with your child's/children's teacher.
Steinbach Community Christmas Wish List
November 17-21, we will be collecting the following items to help fill Christmas Hampers:
Cake mix
Canned fruit
Canned vegetables
Pancake mix
Cereal
Canned Corn
Canned meat
Items that we don't get regularly.
Formula
Baby wipes
During that week, students can bring them to class and then they will be picked up by Steinbach Community Christmas on November 21st.
Message from the PAC (Parent Advisory Council)
Time is really flying by! We have a PAC meeting in the library on November 17th at 6:30 pm. We hope to see you there. There will be no meeting in December due to the busyness of the season.
If you have any questions about PAC please email us: elmdaleparentcouncil@gmail.com
Rooted in community, together for Elmdale,
PAC
Hats Off to our September Princi-pals
Congratulations to our October Princi-pals for the positive difference they are making!
1/2J - Peter, Joy, and David
1M - Hailey, Bashtien, and Oliver
2E - Ayla, Malaysia, and Hannah
2RF - Addison, Keigan, Yael
3B - Shivarth, Stanley and Dominic
3R - Avi, Samarth, and Callia
4M - Hailey, Aubrey, and Bennett
4T - Symairah, Marvin, and Emmett
Christmas Concert - December 17th
- The venue is the Pat Porter ALC located at 10 Chrysler Gate
- Grades 1 and 2 students will participate (3s & 4s do spring show)
- All are welcome to attend
- Two performances - 2 pm and 6:30 pm
Mental Health Presentation for Grade 4s
Winnipeg-based author, speaker, and educator Jason Tyler Mclean will be visiting Elmdale School on Wednesday, November 12th to share his newest children’s book, Sol & Luna: The Courage to Fly — not The Monarch Butterfly Effect as previously mentioned.
This presentation will be for Grade 4 students only.
About the book:
Sol and Luna hatch side by side on the bright leaves of a milkweed garden in Winnipeg, Manitoba. From the very beginning, Sol is bold and eager to change, while Luna is cautious and afraid of what comes next. When the time comes to transform from caterpillars into the unknown of the chrysalis and then into butterflies, Sol takes the leap first, and Luna must find her own courage to do the same.
Together, they learn about life and take flight on the monarchs’ legendary migration, facing storms, predators, disappearing wildflowers, and lessons from other monarchs born in wild meadows and human gardens. With every challenge, Luna grows stronger, learning that true courage means flying even when fear remains.
Blending the miracles of biology, constant adventure, and an inspiring story of transformation, Sol & Luna: The Courage to Fly is a moving chapter book for ages 8–12 that celebrates friendship, courage, and the beauty of becoming who we are meant to be.
Home Reading Partnership
Boston Pizza coupons will be available for students who have met their monthly home reading goal. Home reading builds a child's literacy skills, promotes a lifelong love of reading, and strengthens family bonds. Thanks, BP, for your generosity.
Pizza Day
$2 cash/slice:
Cheese - November 13th, 27th
Pepperoni - November 6th, 20th
Daily Consitancy
We need your help in providing a consistent and successful school experience. Please try, as much as possible, to make consistent transportation arrangements for your child ahead of time. We understand that there are exceptions and that things do come up that are out of your control. That said, please be reminded that changes on short notice can cause undue stress, diminish academic performance, and be unnecessarily disruptive. Thank you for your understanding.
Attendance and After School Pick-Up Reminders
Please be reminded of the following:
- 9:00 am - the school day starts and students who are not in class will be marked late
- 3:40 pm - bus students load; walkers dismissed go straight home
- 3:45 pm - after the buses leave, families may collect their pick-up students at the fence
- 3:50 pm - late bus arrivals for final run
Elmdale's eNewsletter
Publisher: Anders Rempel
Email: elmdale@hsd.ca
Website: http://elmdale.hsd.ca/
Location: 160 Elmdale Street, Steinbach, MB, Canada
Phone: 204-326-3325
Instagram: @elmdalehsd