August 26th, 2014
Hello and welcome back to the 2014/15 School Year! It’s always so exciting to start back fresh after a rejuvenating summer break. Please find below some news items and reminders:
Class Lists: Posted in the front windows of the school by 3 p.m. on Friday August 29th
Playground Supervision: Supervision is available on the playground from 8:40 a.m. until 8:55 a.m. and then again from 3:15-3:30 p.m. For the safety of your children, please ensure that they are not on school property before or after those times unless accompanied by an adult.
Entry Doors: Please bring all students to their designated entry doors in the morning and not to the office. Kindergartens will enter at the Primary Doors closest to the Creative Playground, Grades 1-3 will enter and exit at the middle doors closest to the home plate of the ball diamond, Grades 4 and 5 will enter at the doors by the sloped entrance in front of the stone sitting area, and grade 6’s will enter at the Junior Doors at the end of the school by the basketball nets.
Meet the Teacher/Curriculum Night will be held on Thursday September 4 from 5:30-6:30. Staff will do a brief overview of curriculum expectations followed by a brief time to ask questions and socialize.
School Council: The Smithson School Council is an advisory group that is a vital part of this school’s activities. The purpose of a School Council is, through the active participation of parents, to improve pupil achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education process to parents. In accordance with the provincial procedures and by-laws outlining of School Councils, an election for positions on the Smithson Public School Council, must be held within thirty days of the beginning of the school year.
Candidates are elected to Council first. Once the Council members have been elected through secret ballot, members indicate their preferred position and, in the event that more than one elected rep forwards their name for the same position, a secret ballot election is held. Elected positions are Chair, Treasurer, Communications Rep, Secretary, Community Rep/Volunteer Coordinator and Fundraising. The only positions requiring previous Council experience are for that of Chairs Those seeking the Chair positions must also commit to attending the bi-monthly meetings of the WRAPC (Waterloo Region Assembly of Public School Councils) of meetings and to share information from these meetings at monthly Smithson Council meetings.
The election for positions on the School Council will take place on Monday, Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the school library. Once the election has been concluded, the first meeting of the School Council will follow immediately. School Council meetings are held on the third Monday of each month (subject to change) at 6:30 p.m. in the Smithson Library. Under legislation, School Councils must meet at least four times per year. All are welcome to attend Council meetings-you do not have to have to be in an elected position to attend.
All parents/guardians of Smithson students are eligible to participate in the election process as candidates and/or as voters. All are encouraged to attend this very important first meeting.
Completed nomination forms are due at the Smithson Public School office by Monday September 15th. A list of candidates and a brief bio will be posted on the Smithson website prior to the election. http://smi.wrdsb..ca/ Nomination forms and position descriptions are also available on the School website at http://smi.wrdsb..ca/
Extended Day Program: We have a before and after daycare program run by the WRDSB for students in JK-Grade 2. For more information or to register go to www.beforeafter.wrdsb.ca or call 519-570-0003 ext. 4704.
School Day: We are pleased to be part of the “School Day,” Program. This program allows for all on-line payment of class trips, and pizza, booking of teacher interviews, completion of approved permission forms, viewing on-line of school calendar events etc., This offers at home convenience for parents as well as reduces the amount of paper that we use. If you are not already registered for School Day you will receive a Secure Match Key in order to attach a student to your registration. For those currently registered for School Day, please watch your email for current news and information.
Food: This year we will continue to offer Pizza from Ginos Pizza ($1.50 per slice) once per week as well as milk ($1.00 each) on a daily basis, and lunch options on Fridays. To sign your child (ren) up for these items please visit the following:
Pizza Days-Wednesdays beginning September 17th. $1.50 per slice and must be purchased in a ten week block. Pizza purchase on School Day will be available soon.
Milk: order through Remember Me at http://www.remembermeinc.com Daily milk is $1.00 per carton-choice of white or chocolate or Smoothies for $2.00.
Lunch Box: Every Friday starting September 19. A card with information will be arriving home with order instructions. There will be choice each week of one of Swiss Chalet, Pita Pit, Subway, and Boston Pizza (Pasta and Stromboli choice). You must order on line and by 3 p.m. on Saturday for the following Friday. Check out: lunchboxorders.com
Dogs: we have several students in the school who are petrified of dogs. Please do not bring your dogs onto the playground/school area when dropping off/picking up your children.
Security: Due to security reasons, please do not go down the school hallways if dropping off/picking up a child. If picking up a student for an appointment, please sign them out at the office and we will call the classroom and have the child sent to the front foyer. We will also be part of the Provincial “Safe Welcome Program,” whereby visitors to schools will be buzzed in through the main office doors as school doors will be locked during the day. Stay tuned for further information.
Bus Lanes: the front of the school is restricted to buses only. When dropping off/picking up a child please park in the parking lot and come into the school.
Planners: $7.00 each for grades 1-6. Please send the money in along with your child’s verification and standard release forms by September 8th.
Breakfast Club: will be starting within the next few weeks. All Smithson students are welcome to attend at no cost. The club runs from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and is staffed by wonderful volunteers who provide a variety of fresh and nutritious breakfast selections. Please complete and return the permission form should you wish your child to attend.
Volunteers: We are always looking for parent volunteers to assist in our wonderful school. We need caring adults to be part of our Strong Start Program, library, school trips, breakfast club etc. Please contact the school if you are interested!
Website: Again, in our effort to reduce our carbon footprint, information regarding the school will be available on our School website: http:// smi.wrdsb.ca
Staff Voicemail: call 519-570-8129. Staff extensions are also available on our school website.
New Staff: Please join me welcoming our new Smithson Staff:
Early Childhood Educators Ashley Wright
Juliann Martin
Arya Saiel
EA Rufus John
Kindergarten Fraser Hutton
Grade1/2 Beth Arnott
I look forward to an exciting school year at our great school. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions, concerns, or comments.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Graham, Principal, Smithson Public School
Categories: Principal's Message