Central Weekly Memo – Dec 19-23, 2022

Central Families,

Due to space limitations in the gym we have had to revise our Winter Concert plans on Thursday, December 22, 2022. Our apologies for any inconveniences that this may cause.

All 4 Kindergarten performances will be first from 1:30-2:00. Families with students in Kindergarten may enter the gym at 1:20 pm at the front doors and the performances will begin at 1:30. We ask that only 2 members per Kindergarten student attend the concert as we have a very limited space. When finished families will be asked to exit out the caretakers doors at the back of the gym.  If you wish to take your child home you will need to meet in the Kindergarten area and let the teacher know that you are taking your child as the kindergarten students will be outside after their performance. Some families may have students in Grades 1-5 so they may remain in the gym.

The gr 1-5 performances will then begin at around 2:10 and go until the end of the school day. These parents will enter from the front doors and then exit out the back caretaker doors at the end of the performance.  We will have chairs and benches set up as possible, but some may need to stand. Again we are asking that only 2 family members per family attend due to space limitations. We again, apologize for the change in plans. If there are any questions or concerns please contact the school at 905 522 9690.

A rehearsal concert will take place on that morning for students and staff only. As we begin to plan for our school outdoor  playground renovations we have been asked to give  input from our students, staff  and families.  During the Winter Concert we will have an area set up in the main hall and the back foyer of the gymnasium where families, students and staff can share their hopes and wishes for the playground renovations and upgrades. Please be sure to stop and add your wishes to the poster so that we can then review and present to our project manager for further consultation. The Lost & F0und Bin will also be set up in the main hallway for you to retrieve any lost items as anything left over the holidays will be donated to a local charity.

The students, staff PH Nurse and parent council at Central are excited about a project involving Hat and Mitten sharing.  Our plan is to collect donated (gently used) hats and mittens for kids and adults and hang them outdoors along the fence at Central (along Park St across from kindergarten area and along Bold street )with a sign saying kindness = sharing, and please help yourself or a friend  as helping others in need is what kindness is all about. Here is where your help would be appreciated if possible. If any of you have any gently used hats or mitts (especially in children’s sizes)that they are no longer needing, and willing to donate it would be greatly appreciated. You may drop your donations off to the school and they will be added to the donation box in Mr. Berrafati’s room (Rm 219).  The Health Action team will explain the fence to the students and parents at the winter assembly on Dec. 22. A special thank you to our PH Nurse , Ms Carlin, Mr. Berrafati, ESL Teacher and the Health Action Team for organizing this very kind project at Central!

Please be mindful of the ice and snow on the school grounds. We do our best to clear all walkways and entrances but there are often flash freezes that occur unexpectedly and areas that freeze over.  Be mindful of snow falling from the school rooftop as although we have had heaters installed there could be large chunks of snow or ice that fall in the area by the entrance that is sectioned off. Please let the office know if there are areas that need to be cleared or sanded. The sidewalks surrounding the school must be cleared by the City Of Hamilton so if there are any concerns about sidewalks please call 905 546 2489  Thank you

Central Upcoming Events

Tues Dec 20 – Engineering Challenge

Wed Dec 21 – Wed Dec 21 – Popcorn for sale during first Nutrition Break – $2.00 a bag (cash only please) Butter and Chess flavours will be available

Thu Dec 22 – Winter Concert for families ( 1:30-2pm – Kindergarten / 2:10 Grade 1-5 pm )

Fri Dec 23 – Last Day of School – Locker and Desk Clean Out 

Students return on Monday, January 9, 2023

The office has become very busy at the end of the day with last minute requests to pick up students early. This requires a lot of interruptions to classes and is demanding on the 2 of us in the office taking us away from our other responsibilities. We ask that families avoid picking up students early unless it is absolutely  necessary or you have entered properly in the safe school arrival app or phone system and informed teachers so that students can be sent to the office to wait for pick up. 

Please contact the school using SafeArrival   (click for more details) to report student absences or if you need to pick up your child from school early for an appointment

1. Go to the website go.schoolmessenger.ca or
2. Call the toll-free, interactive telephone system at 1-844-506-4350.
3. Download and install the free SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or from the links at go.schoolmessenger.ca).

Thank you to our office staff for their ongoing support with monitoring student attendance and calling families to ensure the safety of all of our students on a daily basis. This is a big job and takes up a lot of time in the morning and at the end of the day. Our school day begins at 8:45 am and our staff are supervising their students at this time and do need to get in to their classrooms to start teaching. Those arriving late must check in at the entrance and report to the office. A reminder that students are to be picked up at 3:05. We do have supervision on the playground until 3:20pm but please be sure to make arrangements to have your children picked up by this time.

NOTE: SUPERVISION IS NOT PROVIDED ON THE PLAY STRUCTRE BEFORE 8;45AM AND AFTER 3:05 PM. Parents/guardians are responsible for supervision on the play structure before and after the bell. Thank you. 

Fundraising Events At Central – to be continued into the 2023 year.

A reminder as the weather turns colder to ensure students dress appropriately for the weather and I encourage families to label all clothing to make it easier to retrieve if lost or misplaced. Thank you. 

Please support us to ensure student safety by exercising caution in our parking lot which becomes a very busy area during arrival and departure. As we have families that need to park in our Accessible Parking spots to drop off students please be sure to not park in these designated parking spots and do not block other vehicles in. If you are dropping off or picking up students please do not block the driveway (either park in a spot or drop off and then exit as soon as possible. Please drive in from Bay St. and make an immediate right turn and follow a circle around the parking lot as it is one way traffic only. Drop/pick up students, make sure that they get to the playground/to your vehicle safely and then circle around the parking lot to exit on Bay St..  Please avoid backing up as this creates a lot of congestion and can be unsafe as many students enter the school through the Bay St entrance. Dismissal is at 3:05pm so please be sure to be at the school to pick up your child or children on time. The alternate is to park on Park St. as there is a 10min drop off zone.

Please be sure to check your child’s backpack and agenda  for important letters regarding school events, field trips, documents needed etc..  Also look daily for memos sent home and read emails sent to you from the school to keep updated. Register on our school website at www.hwdsb.on.ca/central/ to ensure that you stay up-to-date and aware of upcoming events.

Students in grades 4 or 5 that have permission to walk home must have a letter signed by their parent/guardian indicating that they are able to walk home.

We also invite families to keep up with communications from HWDSB by subscribing to email updates by going to our school website at [email protected] or following HWDSB on social media. Please reach out to our school at 905 522-9690 if you have any questions.

Students and families with classroom concerns are encouraged to contact their student’s classroom teacher. School-wide concerns can be addressed by the principal. Addressing a Concern (PDF).

Sincerely,

Mr. G. Carey, Principal – Central Elementary School