Balaclava School Update – Week of January 13 to 17

Welcome Back

It was wonderful to see students return to school this past week with an enthusiasm to get back into school routines. Many of our classes worked on some 2025 goal setting this week to return focus to academic, social and/or well being goals for each student. This is timely because in just a few weeks educators will be writing our term 1 report cards for all students, which will come home in mid-February. Thank you for helping your child return to a healthy school routine that maximizes their learning at school.

Grade 8 Progression Activities

The week ahead begins the process for our grade 8 students progressing to high school next year. This week, grade 8s will participate in an in-class discussion with Waterdown High School guidance staff about option sheets and high school questions (Monday) and sit for their graduation photo portraits (Wednesday). As well, parents/guardians of current grade 8 students are invited to attend an Information night at Waterdown District High School on Tuesday January 14th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for your chance to learn information about the progression process, high school overview, the grade 9 program, course selection process, pathways and to ask questions.

Cheddar Up Term 2 Orders

Balaclava’s Home and School provides a wonderful lunch service for our students here, and we are very thankful for their organizing and volunteering efforts! Many of our students love Pizza Days, Booster Juice Days, Sub Days, as well as the special food days at different points throughout the year. Orders that were placed in October will run until January 30th. Term 2 ordering (for food items February 3 to May 31st) opens up on Cheddar Up on Monday January 13th. If you are interested, don’t miss this chance to order for your child. For more details, please see the Home and School website:

Balaclava Home & School Association

Boys Senior Basketball Team

Good luck to our Boys Senior Basketball team as they begin their season this week with a game at Dalewood. Good luck, boys!

Checkers Club

With the new year, some new clubs and groups will be starting up. This week, Mrs. Cassidy starts the very popular checkers club for interested students in grades 3 to 8. This group will meet on Day 2s during second nutrition break.

Outdoor Reminder

It is important that all students come prepared every day to go outside for recesses and/or class time. While students may stay inside if it is below -15 (-20 windchill), we are usually otherwise outside. Please ensure your child (even those students in grades 7 and 8!) have coats, appropriate outdoor footwear, hats, mittens/gloves so they will be warm when outside. While some of our educators run certain clubs, practices or drop ins during nutrition breaks, there is no guarantee that they will occur on any given day, so come prepared for outdoor time every day!