Hello Parents/Guardians,

Here are this week’s updates:

Principal Message:
Congratulations to Ms. Karcher’s class for winning the first ice cream party through our School-Day challenge. If you require assistance signing up for School-Day, please contact the main office. I am excited to see our students using appropriate digital citizenship when using devices in school. I encourage parents to begin conversations on how their children are demonstrating positive, responsible behaviour when using devices.
~Andrea Michelutti

Planning for next year:
It is hard to believe that we will soon be making plans for the 2016-2017 school year. The placement of each child based on a combination of the following criteria:

-the academic level of the students
-each student’s learning skills
-the social/emotional levels of each student
-the relationship that exists between our students
-a balance of students in each classroom

This is a process that we take very seriously and it has a tremendous impact on the whole school year. We do our best to ensure that your child’s placement will best serve his/her learning needs. Parents may choose to submit in writing, characteristics of the child and any observation that they would like the school to keep in mind when developing classes. If you wish us to consider specific information about your child’s placement for September, we ask that you submit this in writing to Ms. Michelutti by May 20. Please understand that this is not an opportunity to request a specific teacher for your child. Since our staffing, organization and procedures for September are not completed at this time, we cannot guarantee placement of your child with a specific staff member. We ask that all families recognize that as a staff, we take class organizations very seriously and give it careful thought, reflection, and planning based on the best interests and needs of all students.

School Day Update:
We are pleased to share that 457 students are signed up for School Day. Since we’ve surpassed our expectations, we will now offer the first 600 students who sign up for School Day a freezie in May and the first 5 classes with a 100% participation rate will receive an ice cream sandwich. Please encourage your family and friends to sign up for School Day.

Fewer Distractions = More Learning:
We would like to ask for your assistance in helping us implement our “fewer Distractions = More Learning” policy at Jean Steckle P.S. In the interest of making the best possible learning environment for all of our students, we are asking parents to respect our policy of dropping off or picking up students at the office. Please refrain from walking them to class or picking them up from class. We feel that this is the best policy to promote learning for all students and makes for the most efficient transition into learning for our late arrivers. We are experiencing a large volume of students being late, please remember that students are expected to be at their entry doors at 8:30 a.m. to ensure they are able to enter the school with their classmates. Thank you for your joint effort in creating the best learning environment for all of our students.

Kindergarten Registration:

If you have a child who was born in 2012, they are eligible to start Junior Kindergarten in September 2016.

If you have a child who was born in 2011, they are eligible to start Senior Kindergarten in September 2016.

If you know of someone living in the Jean Steckle Public School area who has a child born in 2012 or 2011 please ask them to call us at 519-748-1919. It is important to register children in the spring to avoid having to reorganize classrooms in the fall.

This year, our Board has implemented online registration. The “Register for Kindergarten” link is available on the school website at http://jst.wrdsb.ca/. Please click the “Register for Kindergarten!” link along the left margin or follow this direct link http://www.wrdsb.ca/kindergarten/its-time-to-register/.

Registration forms are also available from the school office. Once online registration or a registration form has been completed, you will be required to come into the school with your child’s documentation. You will need to bring the following documents: Proof of Birth – You are required to bring one of the following documents: Canadian Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate, Statement of Live Birth, or Canadian Passport Proof of Address. You are required to bring one of the following documents: Lease/Rental Agreement, Real Estate Document, Driver’s License, Utility Bill (gas, hydro, water, etc.), Bank or Credit Card Statement. If you do not already have PROOF OF BIRTH for your child, you should be taking steps to get it. This documentation is required before children can start school.

Immunization information is to be submitted by parents either online through the Region of Waterloo Public Health website at https://e-immunization.regionofwaterloo.ca or by calling 519-575-4400 ext.13009.

Upcoming Events:
May 11 – Huron Heights Music Department concert
May 12 – Kindergarten information night from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
May 13 – Grade 4 to Grade 8 Track and Field (weather pending)
May 13 – Hot dog day
May 16 – Author Janet Wilson assembly for Grades 1 to 8
May 17 – Grade 7 Hep B Immunization #2, Grade 8 Hep B Immunization #3, and School Council at 6:00 p.m.
May 20 – Terry Fox run
May 23 – Victoria Day (the school will be closed for students)
May 25 – Divisional Track and Field Meet for Grade 7 and 8 students
May 26 – Arts Night (BBQ from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; School open from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
May 27 – Grade 2 students attending the Groundwater Festival
May 30 to June 1 – Grade 3 EQAO (Make up day June 8)
May 31 – Grade 8 High School Visits
June 2 to June 7 – Grade 6 EQAO (Make up day June 8)
June 2 – Family Fun Night
June 3 – Professional Activity Day (the school will be closed for students)
June 14 – Parent Council at 6:00 p.m.
June 28 – Grade 8 Graduation
June 30 – Professional Activity Day (the school will be closed for students)

Have a great week!

Categories: Learning · Weekly Update