Dear Families,

It never ceases to amaze us how some days can feel so long, yet the school year flies by in the blink of an eye. It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming students back to Deer Run School for a new year of learning and growth.

This year has been another remarkable chapter in our school’s journey. As a staff, we’ve been deeply committed to fostering strong connections, building a sense of community, and supporting the development of each student’s reading skills.

Summer is a well-deserved time to pause, reflect, and celebrate all that we’ve accomplished together. While we are ready for a restful break, we’re already looking ahead with excitement to the possibilities that the new school year will bring.

We wish you all a wonderful summer break! Every summer has a story—we hope yours is filled with fun, adventure, and special moments.

With gratitude,
Shawna, Krista, and the entire Deer Run Team

Staffing Updates

As the school year ends, we must say “see you soon” to some wonderful staff members:

  • Anu Bala (Ms. A) joined us in October to support our Grade 1 class. What began as a short-term assignment turned into a full-year journey with us. Ms. A will be returning to the CBE casual roster to spend more time with her young family. We are so grateful for her warmth and dedication.
  • Mr. Jacob Roberts, Ms. Corrie MacRae, and one of our Bridges classes will be moving to Haultain Memorial School. While we’re sad to see them go, we know they’ll continue to collaborate with the DRS Bridges team.
  • Kennedy Campbell stepped in for Ms. Kathleen Ross in early May and will be moving on to Lake Bonavista School. Ms. Ross is focusing on her health and looks forward to returning to Deer Run for the 2025–2026 school year. We thank Ms. Campbell for her positive impact during her time with us.
  • Mrs. Lynda Friesen and Mr. Evan Hendricks will be joining the support team at Wilma Hansen School. It’s wonderful that our Grade 6 students heading there will be greeted by two familiar faces.
  • Shaunna Viney, one of our dedicated Education Assistants, will be moving to Mahogany School, where she’ll be supporting physical education programming—an exciting new chapter!
  • Last but certainly not least, please join us in congratulating Mrs. Aline Cornford, our beloved Library Assistant, on her retirement. Mrs. Cornford will deeply miss the students and her role here but is looking forward to traveling with her already-retired husband. We’re sure she’ll be back to visit—and volunteer!

With Thanks and Appreciation

Deer Run School thrives because of the incredible support from our community. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you:

  • To the family that donates fresh fruit weekly to the office fruit bowl—your generosity does not go unnoticed. Our students appreciate it, and by Friday, there’s rarely a piece of fruit left!
  • To the families who regularly donate granola bars to ensure students always have a snack when needed—thank you for your kindness.
  • To our Reading Grandparents, who come in weekly to read and connect with students—your presence makes such a difference.
  • To the countless volunteers who help in classrooms, attend field trips, show up for Sports Day (even in the rain!), pop popcorn, work the casino, and support events in big and small ways—thank you. We are so grateful.
  • Bottle Drives – Thank you to all the families who supported our Grade 6 initiatives by donating bottles throughout the year. Your generosity helped reduce Outdoor School fees for all students and made the Grade 6 year-end celebration even more special.
  • To all the families who supported our Read-A-Thon—thank you! While we celebrated the results at an assembly, we realized they weren’t shared widely: students raised just under $10,000, making this our most successful fundraiser to date!
  • To our dedicated School Council (Parent Council) members, who attend meetings and help guide school decisions—your time and leadership are invaluable. Thank you!

Wishing you a safe, sunny, and joy-filled summer. We can’t wait to welcome you back in the fall!

Warmly,
The Deer Run Team