November 10th, 2017

Dear families,

As principal of Jean Steckle PS, I am honoured to work with thoughtful and caring students who were good citizens during our Remembrance Day Ceremony today. Our gymnasium was filled with beautiful artwork created by our students. Many parents joined our students from Grade 1 to Grade 8 as they participated in our Remembrance Day Ceremony by listening to songs, poems, and singing O’Canada. As a school community, we reflected on the freedoms we have as citizens in Canada. Our teacher, Mr. Coe shared his experience as being a member of our Canadian Armed Forces.

In the afternoon, our kindergarten students participated in their own Remembrance Day Ceremony where they reflected on freedom. A special thank you to all of our educators for focusing on the importance of acknowledging the courage and sacrifice of those who served their country.

Sincerely,
Andrea Michelutti – Principal

PD day on Friday, November 17

Friday, November 17, 2017, is a professional development day for Elementary and Secondary school staff. Students will not attend school, but Extended Day Programs will operate for enrolled students from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The focus for the PD Day will be School Improvement Planning in the morning. Teachers will participate in a whole-school activity reflecting our Strategic Plan and Operational Goals for Student Achievement and Well-Being, and School Improvement Planning. In the afternoon, Elementary Teachers will participate in Parent-Teacher interviews focused on progress reporting.

Food Drive

Our food drive begins on Monday and ending on Thursday. We are looking for the following items to support the Food Bank of Waterloo: canned meats and fish, canned pasta, canned soup, tomato sauces, canned stews and chili, canned fruit, dried beans, beans in sauce, rice and hot cereals. We appreciate your support as we help others in need.

Progress reports will be sent home on Monday, November 13

Progress Reports for students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 will be sent home on Monday afternoon with the students. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions about your child’s progress.

Fresh from the Farm volunteers

On November 29, our Fresh from the Farms orders will be delivered to the school. We are in need of volunteers to help package the bundles and to help distribute the items.

We need 7 volunteers to package the bundles from 11:45 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. We also need 1 volunteer for each of the following shifts: 2:50 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you can volunteers, please send a message via the Jean Steckle PS School Council page on Facebook or email andrea_michelutti@wrdsb.ca.

Please note that all orders must be picked up on November 29.

Indoor shoes

Our custodians need your help!!!! They are asking for all students to bring indoor/running shoes to school. It is important that students have non-scuffing running shoes especially when the students are in the gym. This year, the custodians have noticed an increase in the number of scuff marks on the gym floor which makes the floor look dirty. The only way to these scuff marks is to remove them by hand. Let’s work together to keep our school looking clean and tidy.

Lost and Found

We have many great items still left in our lost and found display. The items will be set up again on Monday afternoon after the pizza delivery. The school will be donating the remaining unclaimed items on Friday to local charities.

Kindergarten and Primary Popcorn

The members of the Student Council are excited to announce they will be offering Butter & Salt popcorn from the company From Farm to Table to our Kindergarten and Primary students ONE Wednesday a month. The money raised will be used to support initiatives supported by our Student Council.

Our Kindergarten and Primary Popcorn Dates are:
*November 22nd
*December 13th
*January 24th
*February 21st
*March 21st
*April 18th
*May 16th

If you would like to purchase popcorn, there are two options for popcorn payment:
School Day – You may purchase popcorn for ALL 7 popcorn dates for $7.00 by November 17, and your child will receive their popcorn each month. Look on School Day under “PRODUCTS”
School Day Payment is ONLY available until November 17th – after which point students can still purchase popcorn but will have to pay at school
OR

2. Send $1.00 with your child ON the popcorn date if they wish to purchase popcorn, which amounts to $7.00 if you purchase each month. *Please ensure money is labeled with student name and purpose for the money*

Fischer-Hallman/Huron Elementary Schools Boundary Study Meeting

YOU’RE INVITED TO PUBLIC MEETING #2 on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, beginning at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Jean Steckle Public School in the Gymnasium.

The goal of this study is to set the boundary for the new school and reduce enrolment at Jean Steckle Public School.

The purpose of the meetings is to share and gather feedback on the preferred school boundaries for the new Southwest Kitchener elementary school and Jean Steckle Public School and how changes will take place (transitions).

Please find Boundary Study Working Group materials at www.wrdsb.ca/planning or by contacting the Board’s Planning Department at 519-570-0003 ext. 4419. Comments related to the study can be submitted to boundaryfeedback@wrdsb.ca (please indicate “Fischer-Hallman/Huron” in the subject line). Please note changes are proposed for September 2018. The Board of Trustees will vote on the proposal in December 2017.

Upcoming dates

November 13 to November 20 – Food Drive
November 17 – PD Day
November 21 – Community Boundary Review meeting 7:00 p.m.
November 22 – School Council meeting 6:00 p.m.
November 23 – Picture retake day
November 24 – Twin Day
December 22 – PJ Day
December 25 to January 5 – Winter Break
January 26 – PD Day
February 9 – Canada DAy (in celebration of the start of the Olympics)
February 12 – Grade 7 immunization
February 19 – Family Day
March 12 to March 19 – March Break
March 30 – Good Friday
April 2 – Easter Monday
April 13 – PD Day
May 4 – PD Day
May 21 – Victoria Day
May 22 – Grade 7 immunization
June 1 – PD Day
June 29 – PD Day