Welcome to 2024 at Gatestone!

August 28, 2024

 

Good afternoon Gatestone Families,

 

As the 2024-25 school year quickly approaches, we are excited to welcome students back to class on Tuesday, September 3, 2024!

 

Beginning the new school year can be a time of excitement, nervousness and energy for students, staff and families alike but the start of the school year at Gatestone is also a time of new beginnings filled with opportunities for all students to experience a sense of belonging, engage in dynamic learning and reach their full potential.  We are so excited to welcome so many new Gryphons to Gatestone!

 

To help Gatestone families prepare for their child(ren)’s return to the classroom, we would like to share the following information:

 

Monday, September 2

– Labour Day (no school)

 

Tuesday, September 3

– students new to kindergarten will be invited to a short visit with a parent/guardian/caregiver

– no school for returning Kindergarten Year 2/SK students

– 1st day of school for Grade 1-8 students: our educators will meet students on the back playground at 9:15am and support students with knowing their new teacher and their class.

 

Wednesday, September 4

– all students attend school

 

Thursday, September 12

– 5:00pm-6:30pm – Fall Open House

– More details to follow soon

 

Parking Lot

A reminder that, for student safety, our school parking lot is closed during entry and dismissal times.  We encourage families to walk with their children to and from school or set up a buddy system for older students rather than drive to limit congestion on Gatestone Dr. and improve safety for students traveling to and from school. At times when parents/caregivers need to drop their child off by vehicle, please park on the streets adjacent to the school (where it is permitted).  Please be sure to respect our neighbours by not blocking driveways. Also, a reminder that by-law does regular parking enforcement on the street in front of the school.

 

Playground Supervision

Student supervision on the playground begins at 9:00am.  Students should not be on our school yard before then. At the end of the day students being picked up, should be picked up at the 3:35pm dismissal bell.  Students walking home should leave property in a timely manner to make their way home.

 

SchoolMessenger

Gatestone and all HWDSB schools use SchoolMessenger to notify families about unexplained absences, as well as other important announcements.

Families can use the free SchoolMessenger app or website to choose how they wish to receive these messages. Please contact our office to provide current – or to change – your information.

 

Code of Conduct & Mobile Devices

HWDSB is committed to making each one of its schools a caring place that is safe for learning. Every student deserves to feel and be safe in a school, on the school grounds, on the school bus and at school events and activities.

Visit HWDSB’s Code of Conduct webpage to learn about these changes:

https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/blog/reducing-distractions-classrooms-schools/

To support reducing distractions for students, students must not use their personal electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, laptops and tablets) during the instructional day. Students are to have their devices stored out of view and powered off (or on silent mode) throughout the full school day, including nutrition breaks unless permitted by the educator.   Where possible, we encourage all students to leave their devices at home.

 

Transportation

Hamilton Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) provides students with safe and secure transportation for eligible students by HWSTS. This may take the form of traditional school buses, school purpose vans or Hamilton Street Railway transit.  For more information, visit HWDSB’s Transportation webpage (https://www.hamiltonschoolbus.ca/).

If your child qualifies for transportation, please remember to re-check information prior to sending your child(ren) to their assigned pickup location on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, as changes can occur.

 

Family Communication

Staying connected with your child(ren)’s schools, the Board and services matters.  HWDSB offers many ways for parents and caregivers to stay connected.  To learn how you can access the most up-to-date information, visit HWDSB’s Parent page (https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/parent/). We also invite families to keep up with HWDSB by subscribing to email updates or following HWDSB on social media.

 

Student Dress Guidelines

Starting in September 2024, HWDSB is sharing updated Student Dress Guidelines to help foster positive and inclusive learning environments. Developed with extensive student input and community consultation, these guidelines focus on equity, dignity, and well-being for every student. They can express themselves freely, without fear of bias or discrimination. Visit https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/student-dress-guidelines/ to learn more.

 

At Gatestone, we are committed to partnering with our families to ensure that your child(ren)’s school experience reflects HWDSB’s values – dignity, trust, compassion and joy. We are committed to ensuring your child(ren) are celebrated for who they are, experience safe and caring school environments and are supported to achieve their own academic success and positive learning outcomes.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out at [email protected] or 905-573-7731.

 

Sincerely,

Kristy Luker, Vice-Principal

Meagan Wilson, Principal