Winona News -Sept 8

Upcoming Dates

Sept 13 – Fire Drill #1

Sept 20 – PA Day

Sept 25 – School Council AGM – 6:30 pm – School-age childminding available during meeting

Sept 26 – Pizza Days Begin

Sept 27 – Winona Terry Fox Day – Help us reach our goal of $2000 raised https://schools.terryfox.ca/69419

Sept 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day)

Welcome Winona families.  For those returning to Winona, you are already familiar with our weekly news bulletin.  Each week we will highlight any HWDSB or Winona news worth noting.  We will also include important dates and upcoming events.  This message is also duplicated on our school website for those who may miss the SchoolMessenger email.  For families interested in viewing our in-school announcement board from home, this can now be viewed on our school website.

Winona Lunch Days are Back – We are excited to offer families a weekly lunch program starting Thursday, September 26.  We will once again be alternating between Pizza and Pita Pit.  Orders will be delivered to your child’s class during the second nutrition break.  Lunch days can be purchased using SchoolCash Online, and looking for the Lunchbox icon.   Please reach out to the school if require support in order for your child to access this program.

School Bus Contact Information – This year all Winona bus route are serviced by Sharpe Bus Line.  You can contact Sharpe operators directly at 905-679- 0001. Families can also sign up for school bus notifications through the HWSTS parent portal found the website. https://www.hamiltonschoolbus.ca/index.aspx. HWSTS also posts known delays each day on this site.

Parking Lot Safety – With 930 students attending, we have a large amount of traffic that moves through our school each day. We request your continued support around student safety at drop-off and pick-up.  This a reminder that family vehicles are not allowed in the bus loading area. Take extra time and care when walking through the lot and crossing the driveway.  Use the main marked crosswalk that can be found by the side kindergarten entrance.  Do not cross between buses. Thank you again for your ongoing patience and support.

School Council – Our School Council is an active and key part of the school community.  We need your involvement to make the School Council a success.  It is a great group of people who care deeply about this school and its students.

School Councils must hold annual elections to identify voting members and positions such as School Council Chair. Elected members vote on School Council matters and represent the group’s ideas and advisory suggestions for the Principal. Please note that you do not have to be elected to the School Council to attend meetings. All meetings are open to all parents/guardians who wish to attend.

The School Council Nomination Form is posted at this link.  We would love to have you involved!  The first meeting of School Council will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20, 2024, in the Library.  Please be sure to hand in your self-nomination form by Friday, September 20th, if interested in an official role on the Winona School Council.

Fire Drills – The staff and students at Winona are expected to practice fire evacuation procedures six times annually (three times in the fall, and three times in the spring).  Before each drill, teachers will have age-appropriate discussions regarding the drill and what to expect.  Our first drill will take place this week on Friday, September 13.

Early Pick-Up – If you are picking your child up early from school, we ask that you send a note to the school in the morning.  This process is helpful as we wish to minimize interruptions to classes by calling students out during instructional time.

Student Absences – Student absences and lates are best reported through the SchoolMessenger app.  Alternatively, families can report absence directly to the Winona school office (905-643-4141) or the classroom teacher

Indoor/Outdoor Shoes – For safety reasons, students are expected to wear shoes at all times in the building.  Assist us in keeping the mud, dirt, water and salt outside by sending an additional pair of indoor-only shoes with your child each day.  At this time of year, rain can lead to some very wet conditions in our schoolyard.  With two outdoor breaks, it is also a good idea to leave items such as extra socks in your child’s backpack in the event they are needed.