Welcome Back – Info for Sept. 6th/7th

Welcome back, everyone!

I’m looking forward to a great year!  As you know, our first day of school is Tuesday, September 6th for all students EXCEPT for Kindergarten students.  On Tuesday, our Jr. Kindergarten students (and parents/guardians) have short meeting times with their teachers.  On Wednesday, September 7th, all Kindergarten students will attend school.

We have a few new teachers, but generally most of our teachers remain the same.  Mrs. Baggio, our previous Learning Resource Teacher, has moved on to a new position working at many schools across the board teaching students and teachers how to use technology to help students succeed.  Mrs. Blunsdon will be our new Learning Resource.  We also have 3 new classroom teachers.  Here is a complete list of our staff so far: Rockton Staff List 2022-23.pdf .   Our school is rapidly growing, and I would not be surprised if we have to have a re-organization in early October.

First Day Procedures

Parents are now able to check their child’s homeroom teacher in the Parent Portal.  Please login to find this information as it will help ease some anxiety for your child.  Please reassure children that we will have lots of staff on hand to help everyone find their teacher.  Buses arrive at approximately 8:45 to 9:15 am.  Teachers will be out on the playground locating their students as of 9:10.  Here is a map of the playground which will help children find their teachers: Homeroom Line Locations on Playground.pdf

I strongly encourage parents to have students ride the bus on the first day of school – even if the buses are delayed.  It is always a challenge to handle the large number of cars in the student drop off lane when buses are trying to get into the unloading zone.  Please log into the Transportation Portal to check your bus stop location and times.  I will provide the link, but remember that you have to create a new account this year using your child’s OEN number.  It can be found at the top of a recent report card.  Students new to Kindergarten will not have an OEN number yet.  Here is the link:  https://www.hamiltonschoolbus.ca/.  Once you know the route number of your bus, you can teach your child the animal name that goes with their bus (it is easier to remember).  Here is the list of animal names that go with each route.  Note that two of our buses have different route numbers in the a.m. and the p.m., but the animal name remains the same:  Bus Routes with Animal Names.pdf

When students get off the bus they will walk around the Kindergarten pen and into the playground.  Kindergarten students can be escorted by their parents/guardians/siblings into the Kindergarten pen.  They are welcome to visit with their friends until teachers are ready to take attendance.  The bell will ring at 9:15 and students will assemble and wait in their homeroom locations.  Teachers will escort students into their homerooms.

At the end of the day, please make sure that your child understands how they are to get home.  This is often a huge cause of anxiety for students (and Principals).  It is helpful if they learn the animal name of the bus they will ride home: Bus Routes with Animal Names.pdf

Please email the school with any questions or concerns that you have.

Enjoy your long weekend!

Paul Clemens

Principal