Dear Parents and Guardians of Samuel Robertson Secondary School,
As Halloween approaches, we would like to address an important matter that affects both our school and the broader community.
Over the past several years, our school grounds have seen large gatherings of students on Halloween evening, not only from Samuel Robertson but also from schools across the district, as well as from Coquitlam and Mission. Unfortunately, these gatherings have resulted in significant issues, including vandalism, fights, and excessive amounts of garbage left behind. This behavior has had a negative impact on our school and the surrounding neighborhood.
We greatly value the strong relationship we have with our community’s first responders—RCMP, Fire Department, and Paramedic services—and appreciate the support they provide. However, we recognize that their attention is needed elsewhere, and we want to avoid having them divert resources to our school unnecessarily. To that end, we are taking steps at the school to manage our facilities and activities during the Halloween season to reduce the need for emergency callouts. But we can’t do this alone; your help is essential.
We urge all families to stay mindful of the activities their teenagers are involved in and to collaborate with them to ensure they celebrate Halloween safely and responsibly. Please have a direct conversation with your child about avoiding gatherings at SRT on Halloween night. We take pride in our school and believe our students should do the same, showing respect for their school and community.
We have been in close contact with the RCMP, Maple Ridge Parks, and local families, and additional attention will be focused on the school grounds on Halloween night. Our priority is ensuring the safety of both our school and the surrounding neighborhood.
Thank you for your continued support in encouraging our students to make positive choices. We wish all of our community families a safe and enjoyable Halloween season.
Sincerely,
Ken Elphick, Principal
Samuel Robertson Secondary School