Musings from Mrs. Simpson’s Desk

Finding a consistent form of communication in today’s technology rich environment can be a challenge. Newsletters, paper or electronic, are often too full of information. They also tend to share news that is old, rather than up to the minute. Twitter is a great way to share short tidbits of information, but lack the depth and detail of longer posts.

My plan for this year, in addition to using twitter, is to write a weekly blog to keep you up to date on the happenings in and around Adelaide Hoodless Elementary School. Let me know what you think!

The playground is done! Well, almost.  The playground painting will be completed on the November 2nd PA day.  It is so nice to see the children and our community enjoying the new play structure, turf berms, and shade structure. We are working hard with the students to help them understand how fortunate we are to have had this work done on our playground and how important it is for them to respect the equipment and the trees.

Mrs. H. Morrow is back as our Reading Specialist Teacher.  Mrs. Morrow works with teachers and students in FDK and Grade 1 to help us meet our goal to have as many students as possible reading at grade level by the end of grade 1. Mr. P. Zadvorny has joined us this year.  Mr. Zadvorny is our Elementary Student Success Teacher.  He works with students in grades 7 & 8 to support them in their learning as well as helping them with their transition to high school. Both Mrs. Morrow and Mr. Zadvorny work fulltime at Adelaide.

Our school population sits at 464, which is the highest it has been in years. We expanded by a grade 2/3 class at re-organization.  Currently, Ms. Wilson is teaching the class.  As of November 5th, Mrs. Woods-Claybourne will become the permanent teacher in the class.

Our EarlyOn Centre is a booming and happening place. Please consider dropping with your infant or toddler to visit and learn all about the wonderful things happening in our centre.

St. Peter’s Daycare has a few spots available in our school-age Before and After Program if you need child care. They can be contacted at 905-547-4791.

Progress reports will be sent home on Tuesday, October 30th.  Interviews will be held Thursday, November 1 in the evening and during the day Friday, November 2.

Family Literacy Night (FREE) for families of students in FDK-2 will is scheduled for November 6th from 6:00-7:00. We will share free or next to free literacy activities you can do at home with your child.

On December 5th, from 6:00-8:00 pm we will be offering a FREE Family Science Night in collaboration with Scientists in the Classroom. Caregivers and students will work together on a variety of different science activities.  More information to come in the upcoming weeks.

We are also planning a Family Fitness Night for February.

Thank you to everyone for respecting our safe entry procedures. Please ensure you arrive on time and your child is ready to enter the school at 8:50.  Our instructional day begins at this time.  The main playground doors are open and supervised until 9:00 am.  The front door is locked at 8:50. If you arrive after 8:50 but before 9:00, please use the playground doors.

If you enter through the front door at any point in the day, you MUST report directly to the office and sign-in.  Please do not let other people in as you enter.  We need to be sure everyone entering our school is part of our community and does not pose a risk to our students.

I have had a number of parents share with me their concerns with people smoking on the sidewalk outside of our school gates. Many of our students have asthma and are impacted by the second hand smoke.  Additionally, we regularly clean-up cigarette butts from the sidewalk, road, and new grass boulevard.  We are respectfully requesting that you refrain from smoking around the school. Also, please be reminded that pets are not permitted on school property.

Thanks for being such an amazing school community.  We are truly one of the best school in the HWDSB.