May 12th, 2016

Hello Parents/Guardians,

Here are this week’s updates:

Principal Message:

This week the music program from Huron Heights performed and our students were an incredible audience. The talented students from Huron Heights had our students snapping and moving to the music. We are thankful for our partnership with our local high school.
~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 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.

Terry Fox Run:
On Friday, May 20, Jean Steckle Public School will be taking part in our very own Terry Fox Run. Students will have the wonderful opportunity to continue Terry Fox’s dream of bringing awareness to a disease that has such an impact on our society. It is our goal at Jean Steckle to teach students about this famous Canadian hero, while encouraging everyone to support Terry’s dream of having every Canadian donate one dollar for Cancer research. In doing so, we are asking students to take part in a challenge called “Toonies for Terry” for which we are asking each student to bring in a toonie or any loose change they are willing to donate to the Terry Fox Foundation. We will be speaking to students about Terry’s legacy, and are looking forward to this event continuing as a tradition at our school. Starting on Monday, May 16, Jean Steckle Student Council will be collecting donations from each classroom in the hopes of reaching our goal this year. We would like to thank you ahead of time for your support, and are grateful you are helping to contribute to Terry’s dream of finding a cure. All donations will go directly to the Terry Fox Foundation.

Arts Night:
The students and staff would like to invite our families to our Arts Night taking place on Thursday, May 26. The BBQ will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the cost is $5.00 for a hotdog or hamburger and a drink. The art galleries (located in the gymnasium, the kindergarten rooms, and the downstairs pod) will be open from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Kodaly Choir and a group showcasing the recorder program will take place at 6:30 p.m., and there will be a ukulele and bucket drumming performance at 7:00 p.m. These performances will take place in the gym.

Upcoming Events:

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 31 – Grade 8 High School Visits
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!