May 6 – News and Information

Hello Families

Spirit Day – A reminder of our Spirit Day tomorrow.  Our theme is Not All Heroes Wear Capes – Who are your heroes real or fictional? No explanations required.  Post your submission (e.g. My hero is…Wayne Gretzky, Hermione Granger, Iron Man, Theresa Tam) to your virtual classroom by photo or discussion, or on Twitter by tagging @MaryHopkins_K_5. If you would like to be part of the Mary Hopkins spirit day video that will be shared with our community, please send spirit day photos to [email protected] by Sunday, May 10.

September 2020 Planning – Although we are working off-site, our staff continues to work through transition timelines.  At this point of the year, we are processing new kindergarten registrations, beginning our staffing process, building our school organization and participating in transition meetings for September.

Part of our transition timeline includes class building. Every year parents ask how students are assigned to classes.  This is an in-depth and time-consuming process that we engage in each year.  The goal of this process is to make every attempt to balance each class, combined or straight, by gender, ability level and personalities to create a positive learning environment for all.  While staff are well informed about each student’s strengths and needs, we know that parents have additional information about their children that may benefit our decision making. If there is particular information regarding learning needs that you would like us to consider in placing your child, please advise the Principal ([email protected]) through email. This information will then be brought to our class building discussions.  Please do not request specific teachers as these requests will not be considered.

Please note that we will continue to have many classes with combined grades next year. This is a reality of our class size restraints, but it is also encouraged as a positive practice.  The teachers at Mary Hopkins are well equipped to provide the best learning opportunities for their students, in combined or straight grade classrooms.