Important Updates from Tiffany Hills

It has been a busy and exciting start up to the school year.  So many new friends to meet, new teachers and new routines.  Here are updates:

Re-organization of our Classes:  As I have mentioned previously, our school has had a great number of new students register with us this year.  Our class sizes are very large and over the Ministry-allowed capacity.  For that reason, we will be adding two new classes to our school, and students will be moving to new classes in the coming weeks.  The new classes will begin on Monday September 30, 2019.  If your child will be one who is moving to a new room and/or teacher, you will receive a note sent home with your child indicating the room and teacher for the remainder of the school year.  As there are many changes to make within this process, I am unable to take specific class/teacher requests at this time.  Teachers, in collaboration with myself, will be making the best decisions possible, as few student moves as possible, and keep friends together.  This process will be complete with the least disruption to student learning as possible.  Thank your for your support and patience at this time.  We are very excited to see so much growth in our amazing and welcoming community.  I will communicate details of our new classes as they are known.

School Council:  Our first School Council meeting will be on Wednesday September 25th at 6:30 PM in Room 109.  Any parent is allowed to attend the monthly meetings; however, to be a voting member you will have to submit a signed “School Council Nomination Form” for this school year.  Returning members must also submit a form.  At the first meeting we will vote in the new executive members for this school year.

Nutrition Break:  So that students have more space to play and play safely, we have a “split recess” system for our Grades 1-8 students.  Students in Grades 1 and 2 on the first floor and the Intermediate students will eat their lunch first and then go outside after 20 minutes at both breaks in the day.  Students in Grades 2-6 on the second floor will go outside to play first, and then come inside to eat their lunch at both breaks in the day.  This will allow all students to run and play games safely with less student population outside at one time.

Bus Transportation:  We continue to have three large buses assigned to our school.  Within the next two weeks, I will be approving Courtesy Seat requests for two of the three buses.  The third bus, Route 6120 going home, will not have courtesy seats approved at this time, as it is a late pick-up bus until further notice.  I will be limiting the number of riders on this bus until such time as the bus company is able to ensure we have a regular on-time pick-up.

Entry Bell:  Please ensure that your child is on school property no earlier than 8:45 a.m and no later than the 9:00 a.m. bell.  Teachers on morning duty are not able to stand outside and let late students enter the school as they have a class waiting for them in the school.  If your child arrives after 9:00 a.m., please take them to the main entrance of the school to check in for a late slip at the office.  Thank you so much for making sure your child arrives at school on time each day ready to learn.

Parking and Safety Reminders:  Please see attached letter to all parents and guardians of the traffic and safety routines and laws for the streets surrounding our school.  With the added student population, there has also been a marked increase in congestion and traffic at entry and dismissal times.  It is critical that all drivers obey the laws and keep our students and families safe as they travel to and from school each day.  The letter was sent home with all students today.  Parking & Traffic Reminders Sept. 2019

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.