October & November Updates

Halloween at Helen Detwiler

October 31st will be designated as one of our “Special Event Days” at Helen Detwiler. Sweet treats are welcome. There will be Halloween related activities taking place during the school day for students that wish to participate. Wearing orange and black or fall colours is also an option. Students planning to wear costumes to school should review the following reminders: 

• Students should arrive to school wearing costumes to school as per prior year’s practice and be prepared to wear the costume for the duration of the day to avoid congestion in washroom due to students changing into costumes.  
• No weapons, no costume masks that might impede vision, no inappropriate images, etc.  
• No offensive or insensitive costumes.

• Cultural Appropriation and Costumes:
  • Is my costume making fun of a group of people, their culture, religion and/or belief systems? 
  • Does my costume reinforce jokes and stereotypes about certain groups, cultures, religions and/or belief systems? 
  • Am I altering my skin colour, facial/body features to make it like a particular race, ethnicity, or cultural group? 
  • Am I dressing up as a culture or borrowing from a religion that is not my own or is not part of my background? 

Comfy Clothes Day

November 1st will be Comfy Clothes Day. Students are welcome to come to school in their pajamas, most comfortable sweater, tracksuit or outfit.

Staffing Update

The board has finished the staffing process for permanent staff following reorganization and would like to provide you with an update of new education staff at Helen Detwiler as well as updates to our office administration staff:

• Ms. Beattie – Office Administrator
• Mrs. Smith – Office Assistant
• Mrs. Augustine – Teacher (class K4)
• Mrs. Akther – Designated Early Childhood Educator (class K4)
• Mrs. Trieu – Teacher (class 2A)
• Mrs. Labranche – Teacher (0.4 Prep Coverage)
• Ms. Sampson – Teacher (0.1 Prep Coverage)

Terry Fox Run Update

Thank you to everyone who supported our 2022 Terry Fox Run and Fundraising Campaign. Our event was a huge success!  We had so much fun running outside in the fresh air, and we not only beat this year’s $1500.00 fundraising goal, we also doubled our 2021 total.  That’s right! Our amazing school raised $2004.70 for cancer research in honour of Terry Fox and his legacy.  Thank you everyone, and congratulations!!!

-Ms. Stainton

School Council October and November Meetings

Our next school council meeting dates:

• Thursday, October 27th, 6:30 pm in our learning commons
• Wednesday, November 24th, 6:30 pm in our learning commons

Please visit our School Council page to view minutes from our September meeting.

November Pizza Days

Pizza Days have returned to Helen Detwiler. A reminder that all orders through School Cash Online for November Pizza Days must be placed by October 31, 2022.

Pizza Days are every Wednesday. Pepperoni or cheese only pizza is $2.00 a slice.

Remembrance Day Ceremony

On November 11th, Helen Detwiler will be honouring the many brave people who stood up for their beliefs and sacrificed their lives in service to our country. Our upcoming Remembrance Day ceremony will be held on Friday November 11th at 11:15 a.m. in the gymnasium. Parents and caregivers are welcome to join the ceremony.

Progress Reports

On November 18th, progress reports and kindergarten initial observations will be sent home. These are designed to show your child’s development of the learning skills/ work habits and the 4 Frames in kindergarten since the beginning of the school year, as well as his/her progress in the achievement of the curriculum expectations in the subjects indicated. Teachers have commented on your child’s demonstration of “strengths” and “next steps for growth and improvement”. This is an opportunity to sit with your child, celebrate their successes and reflect on next steps and goal setting.

School Photo Retake Day

School Photo Retake Day will be Wednesday, November 30th.  Please mark your calendars!