September Updates including School Rebalancing

Hello Westwood Community,

It is hard to believe that we are already in the last week of September!  What a tremendous beginning to the school year.  Our team has been working hard on getting to know your children and building community in each of our classes where we value and respect our own unique identities and lived experiences.  We are so excited about the year ahead.

Here are a few other updates to keep you connected to the school.

School Rebalancing 

Each fall, HWDSB reviews elementary student enrolment in schools, and reorganizes staffing if actual enrolment differs from spring projections. It is normal for student enrolment to fluctuate a little.  This year, Westwood did not have to do a school reorganization; however, we did need to rebalance classes in order to be in line with Ministry Requirements.  On Thursday, September 22nd, families that were impacted by the school balancing were contacted either by phone or by letter.  If you did not receive a letter or phone call, then your child’s class will be remaining the same.  Students are beginning in their new classrooms on Monday, September 26th, 2022.

Orange Shirt Day 

“At HWDSB, we respect the longstanding relationships with the local Indigenous communities, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Six Nations of the Grand River.

On Friday, September 30, 2022, we wear orange to honour the story of Phyllis Webstad, who in the early 1970s had her orange shirt taken away on her first day at the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School in British Columbia.”

Students will be engaging in age appropriate discussions within their classrooms about this day and why we wear orange.  We encourage our community to wear orange on this day, if possible.  As a school, we will also be providing students with orange stickers to wear on Friday, if they wish to participate.  The stickers are in the likeness of an orange t-shirt with the words, “Every Child Matters”.

School Council Startup 

On Thursday, October 6th, 2022, we will be holding our first school council meeting where our school council membership will be confirmed.  We will be holding both an in-person and virtual format for our school council this year.  If you are interested in applying for a seat on our council, please refer to the post on September 15th which outlines the details.  Forms are due by this Friday, September 30th @ 12:00pm.  If you need a hard copy of this form, please visit the main office and one will be provided.

Terry Fox Run

Our school participated in the Terry Fox Run on Friday, September 23rd.  It was such a great day to have our children move outdoors to support Terry Fox and his cause.  If you still wish to make a virtual donation to the Terry Fox donation, you can do so by clicking on the link that is found in the September 9th post.

Sports Update

We are so excited to begin some activities at Westwood.  To kick off the fall season, we have two teams starting up.  Our Westwood Swim Team and our Westwood Cross Country Team.

Our swim team will begin this Wednesday, September 28th. Students in Grade 3, 4 or 5 who have submitted their permission forms will be walking over to the Westmount Recreation Centre with our Westwood coaches, Mrs. Groves, Ms. Kawamoto and Mrs. Chand.  For further details, please refer to the information on the packages that were sent home.

Students interested in the cross country team have already been practicing here at the school during Nutrition Breaks.  The cross country run date is Wednesday, October 12th (rain date is October 17th).  Students will be notified if they were selected to participate at this event by Tuesday, October 4th.  The team has been supported by Ms. Kawamoto as the head coach and further supported by Mrs. Groves and Ms. Dunford.

Nutrition Program

Our nutrition program is in full swing!  Thank you to a great group of parent and student volunteers who work tirelessly every morning to provide balanced and nutritious snacks to our students at Westwood.  If you are interested in volunteering to support this wonderful program, please contact the main office.

School Bus Update

Thank you to all of the families that have submitted Courtesy Transportation request forms.  Please note that we are currently encountering a bus driver shortage and the bus route is still classified as an Open Route.  This means that there is no permanent assigned driver to the route as of yet and there are significant delays with after school pickup.  We are working closely with the transportation department regarding this issue.  As soon as a driver has been permanently assigned, we will begin to look at courtesy transportation requests.  Sorry about this delay.  r

Photo Day – Save the Date

Our school photo day will be taking place on Monday, November 14th. More details will be forthcoming closer to the date.

Westwood and Westview OPEN HOUSE – Save the Date

Our annual Open House will be taking place on Thursday, October 20th.  More details will be forthcoming.  We have decided to partner with Westview for our Open House so that you can visit both locations on the same evening.  We look forward to seeing you there!