Virtual Kindergarten Orientation - Save the Date!
2021-06-02 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Toronto)
Welcome to the Rousseau Family!

We are thrilled and honoured that we will have the opportunity to teach your child. We are grateful for the trust that families place in us to care for their child and welcome you to join the beginning of this adventure by attending the Kindergarten Orientation via Microsoft Teams on June 2 at 6:30. Kindergarten families new to Rousseau should have received a link by email. At this virtual meeting you and your child will learn information about our Kindergarten program, meet the Kindergarten staff for next year (at this time, because we are still in the middle of staffing for 2021/2022) and have some fun singing!

Lots of information about Rousseau is available on our school website. If you have not yet done so, I strongly encourage you to subscribe. In doing so, you will receive notifications of new information to your inbox. The Rousseau School website calendar (Events webpage) is where you can find information about upcoming events.

YMCA Before and After School Program staff will be joining us to share information about their program.

Information on using Microsoft Teams can be found by clicking on this HWDSB Online resource.

HWDSB is offering remote learning for elementary students (Kindergarten to Grade 8) in 2021-22 as an option for families concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic as directed by the Ministry of Education. We appreciate that making this decision may be difficult for families given the current health situation in Ontario. Parents, guardians and caregivers can select elementary remote learning for 2021-22 on the Parent Portal. This form is now open until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, June 1. By default, students will be considered in-person learners unless this choice is selected. Please click HWDSB Parent Portal to log-in. More information can be found by clicking on the Elementary Remote Learning Information page. Please connect with our Office Administrator, Mrs. Todd if you would like support with the Parent Portal/ registration process.

If you have not yet done so and for your convenience please click 06 06 201E School Vaccine History (English) Nov 2019 (2) to view the Hamilton Public Health vaccination form. Please complete and submit to Public Health. This can also be done online through the website in the attachment.

We’re looking forward to meeting you!

Virtual Talent Show Submissions Due
2021-06-13
This is reminder that students wishing to participate in our virtual talent show need to please submit their audition video no later than Sunday, June 13th. Please refer to the information about how to film and upload your submission video previously given to you in a message emailed to any interested students by Ms. Fawcett. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Bennett bbennett@hwdsb.on.ca, and / or Ms. Fawcett mfawcett@hwdsb.on.ca. Thank you

Grade 6 Farewell Celebration
2021-06-23

School Council Meeting 6:30 pm
2021-09-22 18:30 - 20:30
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)
+1 647-749-9281,,784521718# Canada, Toronto

Phone Conference ID: 784 521 718#
Find a local number | Reset PIN

Terry Fox Run
2021-09-29
Donations are ON-LINE only (no cash or cheques please)! The donation link is www.terryfox.ca/RousseauPSAncaster

Cross Country Practice-Before School
2021-09-30 08:30 - 09:00
Students, please meet on the basketball court with masks on at 8:30 am.

Cross-country practice
2021-10-05 08:30 - 09:00, 2021-10-07 08:30 - 09:00, 2021-10-12 08:30 - 09:00

Cross Country practice - Oct. 12th at 8:30 a.m.
2021-10-12 08:30 - 09:00

School Picture Day - CANCELLED
2021-10-13
We will need to cancel picture day this year.

School Council Meeting Oct 13th 6:30 pm
2021-10-13

Friday, Nov. 19th - Pyjama Day!
2021-11-19 08:00 - 17:00
Pyjama Day is Friday! Wear your cozy p.j.’s to school for our first Spirit Day of the year!
Please wear your regular, safe shoes and leave your stuffies at home to wait for your return after school – Thank You!
Student Council

Rousseau Gift Drive - Dec. 6th to Dec. 13th
2021-12-05 00:00

Dec. 13th - Winter Theme Spirit Day
2021-12-05 08:00 - 17:00
Student council has created Spirit Days for the rest of the year! Students are invited to dress-up with a winter weather theme — something different than their regular daily cold weather clothing!
Ideas to consider could be anything related to: snow, snowflakes, snow-people, snowy climate animals (polar bear, Arctic/white hare, Arctic/white fox), s’mores, hot chocolate, ski goggles on your head, figure skating outfit, hockey* goalie mask or jersey; characters such as Elsa/Anna from Frozen, “Jack Frost”, “Mother nature” in winter….use your creativity!
*no bulky hockey padding or sticks
SAVE THE DATE: Friday, January 21st WHOLE-CLASS THEME DRESS-UP (Think “twin day”, but more inclusive —- the whole-class + staff member(s) all dressed similarly! Classes will discuss & plan this with their educators in January)

Mon., Dec. 13th - Winter Theme Spirit Day
2021-12-13 08:00 - 17:00
Show your love for all things snow & winter! A day to dress-up with a winter theme or in clothing for a winter activity!
Inspiration:
Snow & snowflakes, snow people
snowy climate animal (polar bear, penguin, Arctic fox)
s’mores & hot chocolate
Sports: ski goggles on your head, figure skating outfit, hockey* goalie mask or jersey
fictional characters like, “Elsa” & “Anna” from Frozen….. “Jack Frost”…..“Mother nature” in winter
….use your creativity!
*please leave bulky items like hockey padding or sticks at home

Fri., Feb. 18th - Beach Day (spirit day)
2022-02-16 08:00 - 17:00
Hello Rousseau Community,
This Friday, we’d like to welcome students to “Beach Day”, where the sun is always shining even if it isn’t! This Friday we say goodbye to winter and hello to the “hot summer sun” of our imaginations, as we dress in our summer clothes! (under our warm winter gear!)
Even though we want to have fun, students should still be protected from the freezing cold. So, still wear all your usual winter clothes for outside, but dress appropriately for the spirit day under your coats, snowpants and boots!
PLEASE DO WEAR THE FOLLOWING: (if you’d like to participate)

Regular boots for outside and your appropriate indoor shoes (no inappropriate shoes such as sandals, flip flops or open toed shoes)
Masks, as per usual
Bright summery clothing (maybe beach or flower patterns?)
Consider wearing optional accessories eg. Sunglasses, hats, flower leis, etc.

PLEASE LEAVE AT HOME:

swim wear
large props eg. Pool noodle, surf boards etc.

Hope students & staff are all able to celebrate this bright and beautiful day!
Sincerely,
Rousseau Student Council

March 11th - Clubs/Activities/Teams Spirit Day!
2022-03-11 08:00
Hey, Rousseau! Do you have a special hobby or activity that you do outside of school? This Friday, we have a clubs, activities, and sports related spirt day! You can wear a tshirt, sweatshirt/hoody or hat from a HOBBY that you enjoy:
Horseback riding….choir or theatre or art class…a sports team that you are part of (or that you like to cheer on!)…Scouts or Guides….a summer camp community that you are part of, etc.. You could even wear a shirt that represents something you collect (unicorns, Pokemon, etc) or something you love to watch (Paw Patrol, Stranger Things, etc.) Everyone is included!
[Please leave any accessories such as sports equipment at home – thank you!]
Let’s show our school spirit by sharing with each other all the things that we are interested in!
Rousseau Student Council
(written by Maeve & Ashton, Student Council Executive)

Silly Dress-up Day - Friday, April 1st
2022-04-01
April 1st (Friday) – Silly Dress-up Day
Be silly for April Fools’ Day! Students are invited to wear silly glasses, shirts or hats! Let’s have a truly fun “Fun Friday” and show our school spirit.
*Out of respect to the variety of cultures and traditions in our communities, this Spirit Day does not include hair. This Spirit Day also does not include hats or headwear that are misappropriated from marginalized people (Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour). Thank you!
Rousseau Student Council

Primary & Junior Choir - April 7th, Break 2
2022-04-07 13:35 - 13:55
Primary & Junior Choirs – April 7th
Mrs. Stinson & Mrs. Bishop (Primary Choir) and Ms Fawcett (Junior Choir) are looking forward to welcoming students to choir practices starting Thursday, April 7th! Choir practises will occur every Day 2 in Break 2.
Junior choir (grades 4, 5, 6) will meet in the gym, in mixed cohorts.
Primary Choir (grades 1, 2, 3) will meet in the library, in mixed cohorts.
Students will be invited on morning announcements to attend. Families can decide if choir is an option for their child at this time, and teachers will welcome students who arrive at rehearsals.
We are excited to be able to offer the option of extra-curricular music making at school!

Rousseau Virtual Book Fair (Scholastic)
2022-05-07 00:00 - 2022-05-21 00:00 | Online
The Book Fair is back! Our Book Fair will be virtual this year which means that families will use this link to make any purchases: https://virtualbookfairs.scholastic.ca/pages/5184091

Payment is also completed online, and purchases will be delivered to Rousseau. Items will then be delivered to classrooms. This link will be live from May 7th – May 21st, 2022. All purchases must be made during this 2-week period.

If you have any questions, please email Miss. Turco at aturco@hwdsb.on.ca. Happy reading!

SPIRIT DAY Friday, May 20th - Dress Like a Book or Movie Character
2022-05-13 08:00 - 17:00
Students & staff are invited to dress up as a favourite BOOK (or MOVIE) character! Show your love for all things literacy & media literacy!
Similar to Hallowe’en, students are reminded to consider cultural sensitivity, identity, and appropriation when choosing their character. In the same way, please leave any large accessories, gory details and/or “weapons” at home (magic wands are excepted). If you are aren’t sure, your classroom teacher can help guide you ahead of time.
Student Council

May 27th - Orange Button Day & Orange Shirts
2022-05-26 08:00 - 17:00
Families are reminded that students may wear the Orange Button they purchased from HWDSB to mark the one year anniversary of the confirmation of graves at the Kamloops Residential School on May 28th, 2022. Buttons were designed and initiated by the HWDSB Indigenous student group CC:ROSE (Cultivating Community: Reclaiming Our Spaces in Education)
Students may also choose to wear an orange shirt, if they wish.

Rousseau Track & Field Day JUNE 2nd - Grades 3-6
2022-06-02 | Rousseau School
REVISED: June 2nd @ Rousseau (due to inclement weather on June 1st)
Track & Field – Grades 3-6

June 8th @ 6:00-8:00 p.m. - THE EVOLUTION OF INCLUSION (Zoom)
2022-06-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Online (zoom)
Joint SEAC – June 8, 2022 (1)

HWDSB Track & Field Meet
2022-06-17
Grade 3-6 Rousseau students who will represent our school at the HWDSB Track & Field Meet will be selected by school staff after our own June 1st track & field event.

Terry Fox Run - Sept. 23rd, 2022
2022-09-23 14:45
Please donate at this link to the Terry Fox Foundation if you are able to. Thank you!
http://www.terryfox.ca/RousseauPSAncaster
Our Terry Fox Run will involve students and staff, and take place on September 23rd at Rousseau.

Sept. 26th - 30th - National Truth & Reconciliation Week
2022-09-26 09:15 - 2022-09-30 15:35
Classes at Rousseau might participate in lessons this week to help children understand the affects of the Canadian Indian Residential School system on Indigenous youth and their descendants. Sources may included read alouds appropriate to your child’s age. Please reach out to your child’s teacher with any questions.
If you plan to purchase orange shirts for your family, please consider an Indigenous-owned company or company that is donating it’s profits to Indigenous-led initiatives.
A list of suggested creators and suppliers can be found here.

September 30th - Orange Shirt Day (Canada's National Day for Truth & Reconciliation)
2022-09-30
“September 30th has been declared Orange Shirt Day annually, in recognition of the harm the residential school system did to children’s sense of self-esteem and well being, and as an affirmation of our commitment to ensure that everyone around us matters.” – Orange Shirt Society
On September 30th, we wear Orange Shirts, if able, to create awareness about the impacts of the Indian Residential Schools forced up Indigenous children from 1831 (Mohawk Institute in Brantford) to 1997 (Kivalliq Hall in Rankin Inlet). Orange Shirt Day – National Day for Truth & Reconciliation was inspired by the experiences of Phyllis Webstad, who attended the Williams Lake Residential School. Phyllis is Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band).
There were 139 Residential Schools during this time. Residential Schools were created to strip Indigenous children of their culture (language, customs, beliefs), which created trauma to children, their families and their communities. Too many children suffered abuse and neglect as well, and too many lost their lives as a result. Intergenerational trauma was created within Indigenous communities and exists today.
Families could consider supporting Indigenous orange shirt creators (and businesses who donate their orange shirt profits to Indigenous-led initiatives). Visit this link for suggestions.

Deadline for ordering Pizza: Oct. 31st
2022-10-31
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Pizza Day at Rousseau
Pizza Day will be starting up at Rousseau on Wed, Nov 2. The order will be placed for the following Wednesdays: Nov 2, Nov 9, Nov 16, Nov 23 and Nov 30. Parents/Guardians are invited to order pizza for their child/ren through School Cash Online by Mon, Oct 31. Families will be given the opportunity to order pizza for the next block of pizza days later in November.
We will be ordering our pizza from Dominos in Ancaster. Students may have cheese or pepperoni. Students will be given the option of ordering up to 3 slices. There is a gluten free option as well. Each slice will cost $2.00.
Orders will be processed via School Cash Online only. If you haven’t already done so, please click on the following link to sign up: https://hwdsb.schoolcashonline.com/
If there are any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Bennett (bbennett@hwdsb.on.ca)
Thank you,
Rousseau Staff
