Please use this link for MyEdBC Assistance During the Summer Break

Dear Kindergarten Families,

As we begin preparing to welcome our newest learners in September, we are excited to share information about Kindergarten Gradual Entry for the 2026/27 school year.
This year, all elementary schools across the district will follow the same gradual entry schedule to provide consistency for families and students.

Gradual entry is an important part of helping children transition successfully into school. It allows students to:
· Get to know one another in smaller groupings
· Develop classroom and school routines
· Build up stamina for the length of the school day
· Adjust to being around many children and adults in a school setting
· Learn where important spaces are in the school and on the school grounds
· Practice independence skills during snack and lunch times
· Give teachers and specialized staff opportunities to learn about each child’s strengths, interests and needs so we can best support them

Kindergarten Gradual Entry Schedule 2026/27
Sooke Elementary Welcome to Kindergarten Event is on Thursday, September 10, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm. More information will be shared through school communications closer to the start of school including the group your child has been assigned to.

The Welcome to Kindergarten event is designed for students and their parents/caregivers to attend together. For the remainder of the gradual entry schedule, students will attend independently.
If your child has been registered for bus services and receives route information in late July, please note that our transportation system operates on regular routes only. As a result, your child’s pick-up and drop-off times on September 11, 14 and 15 will differ from their regular transportation schedule, which will begin on Wednesday, September 16. We kindly ask families to plan accordingly for these initial session dates. Transportation related questions should be directed to busing@sd62.bc.ca.

We know that starting kindergarten is an exciting milestone for children and families alike. Our gradual entry process is designed to help students feel comfortable, confident and successful as they begin their school journey.

We look forward to welcoming your child to our school community this September!

June 5, 2026

Lots of fun planned over the coming weeks! Thanks again for being a part of our school and watching closely our calendar of events and consider signing up to subscribe to our online calendar.

NEWS

Front Parking Lot Reminder

Just a reminder that our front parking lot is reserved for busses and staff vehicles.  We have had a few incidents recently where our buses have been unable to pull into their designation drop off point both in the morning and after school. Thank you for not occupying the designated drop off zones.

Sooke Before and After School Care!

Please see the attached announcement for parents of grade K-3 students next fall for Before and After School Care.

Online Sooke Stickleback Gear Order

ORDER HERE

Family Smart Parenting and Emotional Wellbeing Workshops for June to August, online and in person: Monthly Events – FamilySmart

Harmony Project Sooke

Year-End Concert on Tuesday, June 9th over at the Journey Middle School gym!

Both of our groups—Strings and Drumline—have been working their hearts out to prepare a fantastic, high-energy program. It is going to be an awesome night showcasing a wonderful mix of musical talent and rhythm.

We would absolutely love to see you there. Please feel free to bring along your family, friends, neighbors, or anyone else who might enjoy a great show!

You can also check out our invitation post on Facebook right here .

The Quick Details:

• Where: Journey Middle School (Gym)
• When: Tuesday, June 9th
• Doors Open: 6:15 PM
• Show Starts: 6:30 PM (runs about 70 minutes, no intermission)
• Admission: By donation at the door

We’d love to share this special evening with you!

P.S. We’re already planning for next year! If you know of any families or students who might want to join either our Drumline or Strings programs for the 2026-2027 season, could you do us a quick favor and share our New Student Registration Form? You can find the link right here. Thanks so much for helping us spread the word!

Attachments

COMMUNITY – Change Makers Festival – June 13

Free-and-Low-Cost-Summer-Programs-2026-May-31-FINAL

Soccer Jamboree 2025 Summer Family Market 2026

Year-end concert w icons 2026-06 sm

Year-end Harmony Project concert

COMMUNITY – Amber Academy Youth Arts Festival 2026

Coming Up:

June

(Please note divisions attending fieldtrips are not listed publicly, watch for permission and communication directly from your teachers for clarity.)

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May 15, 2026

NEWS

Reminder – No school Monday for Victoria Day!

Thank you to our PAC and all the families who supported the Glow Dance this week. The kids seemed to have a blast and connected to many of the oldies played that night.  A huge thanks to all the families that helped set up and take down as you made our custodian’s job so much easier.  These events really do bring the village together, thanks for your support!

Online Calendar

Just a helpful tip, you will find a  button under our online calendar.  Sync our calendar to you phone by clicking this helpful tab.  All dates for the new year, will be populated in this calendar over the summer.

 Sign-Up Process for the Paid Flourish Hot Lunch Program

To sign up, please visit:
https://flourishschoolfood.ca/signup

Once on the site, please select Sooke Elementary and enter the password:
FlourishingSooke  (please note the capitalization and that there are no spaces)

We encourage families to sign up for a prorated monthly subscription at $120/month. Depending on the month you begin, the cost works out to $6.80–$7.00 per meal.
Please note that we are unable to provide refunds for missed school days, though we can pause subscriptions or issue refunds for extended absences.

Families who choose the monthly subscription will be billed automatically each month. You only need to sign up once per school year.

Parents are welcome to cancel their subscription at any time by emailing Matthew at matthew@flourishschoolfood.ca. If a cancellation happens mid‑month, we can provide a prorated refund for any meals paid for but not received.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Matthew directly.

Student Code of Conduct

As a school within Sooke School District 62, we believe it is important to inform and reinforce the behaviors that support a safe, caring and inclusive environment for all.   Please be aware that our school procedures and responses are based on an understanding of this policy document.  Feel free to review and reach out with questions.

Online Sooke Stickleback Gear Order

ORDER HERE

Attachments (available online): Bus Driver Appreciation

Coming Up:

May

(Please note divisions attending fieldtrips are not listed publicly, watch for permission and communication directly from your teachers for clarity.)

18 Victoria Day no classes, Welcome Pen-áwen Moon (Moon of Camas Harvest)

19 Butterfly garden trip

Brother Rick visiting!

20 Grade 5 transition visit to Journey

Elder Bruce visiting!

22 Bus Driver Appreciation Day!

Filipino Fiesta

Brother Rick Visiting!

29 Track Meet

June

16 Beach DAY!

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