welcome Back – Message from the Principals Desk

August 30th, 2024

Dear Parents and Guardians;

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year. We hope you all had an enjoyable summer and we are looking forward to having our wonderful community of learners and staff come together this school year. We know that the past few years have been challenging, and we are thrilled to see students, staff and families again. Each new year is a new opportunity for students to reach their full potential, make new connections and learn and grow with their school community. I am (Mrs. Nelson) excited as the new Principal to be part of this community and look forward to meeting you all.

A friendly reminder that the first day of school for our Grade 1 – 5 Students will be Tuesday, September 3, 2024. We are looking forward to welcoming students back!

Please find below some pieces of important information for the first day of school.

• Grade 1-5 Students begin school at 8:45am on Tuesday, September 3rd. The playground opens at 8:30am for students and staff will be outside to guide and support students to their teachers.  (NOTE: DUE TO RECENT CHANGES THEIR MAY BE A CHANGE IN YOUR CHILDS CLASS/TEACHER – PLEASE CHECK IN WITH A MEMBER OF STAFF)
• JK and new to FDK student orientations will take place throughout the day on September 3^rd. Please check your emails for your observation time from your child(ren)s teacher.
• All JK/SK students begin full time on September 4^th at 8:45am. Staff will be at the Kindergarten Area to support your child’s entry.
• All Grade 1-5 teachers will be out on the playground on or before 8:30 am on the first day of school with name signs. If you know your teacher’s name, please head over towards your teacher on the playground.
• The same signs will also be posted on pylons in the line-up area for classes. If you can’t find the teacher, find the sign on the pylon and stay in that area.
• If you don’t know your teacher name, please find a teacher on the playground, there will be staff with class lists helping out and directing you to the correct line-up.
• The entry bell will ring at 8:45 am. At this time, each teacher will bring their class into the classroom to begin getting to know their classroom community and environment.
• Dismissal will be at 3:05 pm. For those picking up students, please wait at the fenced area along the Kindergarten area and the playground main entrance where your student will come out the same door they entered through in the morning.
• Upon arrival Bus students will be walked to the back playground area for line ups. If the bus arrives after the bell, the students will be brought in through the front doors and escorted to classes by staff.
• All parents dropping FDK students off on September 4th are asked to drop off in the fenced in FDK area with staff any time between 8:30-8:45 am. For safety, we ask that the parents/guardian stay outside of the fenced in FDK area when dropping off.

PARKING

A reminder that our school parking lot is for staff only and the driveway will be closed off for traffic during school drop off and pick up to ensure all of our safety and access for our buses and walking students. Street parking is available around the building, please note that this can get very busy at drop off and pick up and we encourage all those students who are able to walk, bike/scooter etc. to do so. This will ease the congestion of the traffic in our area and keep everyone safe.

LATE ARRIVAL / ABSENCE – SCHOOL BEGINS AT 8:45am

If your child is late for school, please bring your child to the Main Doors next to the playground and they will be supported in getting to their classroom. If you know your child will be late or absent for the day please ensure that you put this into School Messenger that can be found on the board website or the App can be downloaded to your phone.

EARLY PICK UP

If you need to pick up your child from school early, we remind you to please allow some extra time for your child to arrive at the office. Students will be called down once you are here and it can take a few minutes for your child(ren) to gather there things and get to the office area. Please let your child(ren)s classroom teacher know if you will picking up early and the time so they can ensure that your child is ready.

WEBSITE

Please keep a check on our website for updates and important dates. Please ensure that you subscribe to our school website. Informed parents make great partners.

RIGHT TO DISCONNECT

Healthy work-life boundaries, including the ability for all employees to disconnect from work after hours, is an important part of maintaining one’s health and well-being. HWDSB has implemented a Right to Disconnect Procedure to support educators, administrators and other HWDSB staff. While all urgent communication will continue to be shared after hours, please note that families communicating with educators and administrators may receive a delay in response to all non-emergency inquiries received after hours.

ADDRESSING A CONCERN

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).

We know the return to school can be stressful but we are here to support every student’s back-to-school experience. Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing all our Grade 1 and 5 students on Tuesday, September 3rd and our Kindergarten students on Wednesday, September 4^th to welcome them into our safe, comfy & joyful school.

Mrs. T. Nelson

Principal