SWL Community Weekly Time Lion Sept. 16-20

Community Update September 16-20 (1)

Upcoming Events

Photo Day Sept. 24

Terry Fox Event Sept. 27

Bus Safety Presentations Sept. 30

School Council Meeting Sept. 30

SWL Open House October 9 4:00PM – 5:30PM

Growing Together

Below is a link to Hamilton’s Growing Together document which includes various community support services for our SWL families interested.  Families also looking for a primary care doctor or nurse practitioner can register for the Escarpment Health Centre support in the link below.

https://www.escarpmenthealth.ca/upc

Growing Together Guide 2024

Safe School Procedures

SWL will be holding 6 Fire drills this year, 1 Evacuation drill, 1 Shelter in Place drill, 1 Hold and Secure drill, and 2 Lockdown drills.  Some of these drills will be announced prior to the drill occurring and shared with community, while others may be more spontaneous so we can help better prepare our students and staff in the event of an emergency.

This week, Monday, September 16, we will be practicing our first Lockdown drill. We appreciate the co-operation of our students and staff during the drill.

“Lockdown”:

• Defined by police as the restriction of movement during the time of a potentially serious violent threat or violent incident that would endanger the lives of students and staff
• Used only when there is a major incident or threat of serious violence within the school, or in relation to the school
• The threat is inside the school, or is on school property, and poses an immediate threat to the students and staff
• All movement within the school and into and out of the school is restricted exterior doors remain open to permit officers immediate entry. In a real lockdown situation, Police will notify the school when Lockdown has ended; and an administrator will then announce “all clear” to end the lockdown, as well as come to each room to open doors and confirm the response is over. Students and staff must not leave the rooms they are in until the door is unlocked for them.

You can also learn more about HWDSB’s secure schools’ protocol at https://hwdsb.info/secureschools

Fall Re-organization

Each fall, HWDSB reviews elementary student enrolment in schools, and reorganizes staffing and impacted classes if actual enrolment differs from spring projections. It is normal for student enrolment to fluctuate from spring projections. This year, our school enrolment is higher than the spring projections.  We will continue to monitor and if additions to classes occur, we will communicate with families throughout the process.  Enrolment numbers are being monitored closely as new registrations occur and/or student movement out of the school catchment.

Students Requiring a Medical Plan of Care

If your child requires a specific medial plan of care (i.e., Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Diabetic, Epilepsy, Special Medical Conditions) and you have not informed the office, please connect with the school as soon as possible so we can support and provide families with correct forms and processes.

Our office has sent home updated forms for families of students that currently have a medical plan of care at SWL.  Any updates or new information can be included in these forms.  If the plan has not changed a signature is all that is required.

Students requiring an epi-pen, must always have one on person and one stored at our main office.  The epi-pen can be handed to the office.   Students that require an inhaler should have on person at all times.  Extra inhalers can also be stored at our main office for support.

Administration of medications require parent/guardian permission and a doctor signature.

Awareness of Student Allergies

We want all children and those with a life-threatening allergy, to feel safe, supported and accepted at school.

Please be aware that there are students in our school that have severe life-threatening food allergies to nuts and eggs in our building.

This life-threatening allergy is likely to result in anaphylaxis, a sudden and severe allergic reaction that can be fatal.

We can all help foster a safe and inclusive environment by preventing such a dangerous and frightening situation at our school.  All staff know about this risk and have been instructed on the correct procedures regarding anaphylactic shock.

To help reduce risk, please help your children understand the seriousness of this allergy and encourage empathy for the child. Please do not send to school any lunches or snacks containing nut products.  In addition, students should not be sharing food and please do not send food for special events (e.g., student birthday, holiday party).  Educators may arrange alternate ways to celebrate while maintaining safety.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Volunteer Opportunities

SWL and HWDSB values and appreciates dedicated volunteers who share their time and talents in support of healthy, positive and flourishing school communities.  If you are interested in exploring volunteer opportunities like School Council at SWL, please connect with our main office for information about nominations and elections. Please see HWDSB’s Volunteers in Schools page for more information.

School Council

Every school in Ontario is required to have a School Council and work collaboratively with the Principal to improve student achievement and enhance accountability of the school with parents.  Information about School Councils can be found here:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/school-councils-guide-members

We welcome all parents/guardians willing to volunteer their time on our School Council for the 2024-2025 school year.  School Councils must hold an annual election to identify voting members which will occur at our first meeting.

Our 1^st School Council first meeting and elections is scheduled for Monday, September 30 at 6PM.  School Council forms are attached in this update for parents/guardians interested in joining our council this year.  All families are welcome! Families do not need to be on council to attend our meetings.  We encourage parent/guardian voice.  Meetings will occur in-person and virtually throughout the year to accommodate families’ schedules.  Please see our website, School Council Page, for further details about Council.

 

School Council Fundraising for Student Initiatives

Order Krispy Kreme Cash Online September

School Council will be fundraising in September to support a variety of student initiatives

(e.g., excursions, hands on instructional materials, inquiry learning).

Dear Families,

Thank you for supporting our fall fundraiser!

Doughnuts may be picked up in front of the gym from 9am-10am and 3-4pm, September 25, 26 and 27th. Please use the gym doors for entry. A council member will be there to assist you.

Friendly FYI, when reheated for approximately 8-10 seconds, doughnuts will taste fresh from the oven!

*FRESHNESS OF DOUGHNUTS CANNOT BE GUARANTEED AFTER FRIDAY*

Nutrition Team

Thank you to our parent volunteers for supporting our nutrition program funded through Tastebuds. Students receive healthy snacks (i.e., grain products, dairy products, and fruits & Vegetables) weekly.  Some of our food day fundraising also supports the program.