September 20th, 2018
Dear families,
What an exciting week at Jean Steckle Public School! On Thursday, our students were part of an assembly where we celebrated our kind and caring students. Over 90 students received a certificate and a ribbon. We focused on being great members of the Steckle Sting Community, learned about our WITS and LEADS programs, honoured our clubs and sports teams, and had the ultimate Fortnite dance battle with the Sting side winning for the second time this year.
Don’t forget to wear your best smiles on Thursday, September 27 as we have our picture day.
Tomorrow, September 21 is our PD day where all educators will be working on our school improvement plan, participating in an important unLearn session, and completing health and safety training. The school will be closed.
Andrea Michelutti
Principal
Terry Fox – September 28
On Friday, September 28th, students in grades K-8 will be taking part in the annual Terry Fox School Run on our school grounds. (Rain/alternate date: Monday, October 1st). Students will be walking and running along a measured route, monitored by staff. Kindergarteners will have their run in the morning and Grades 1 through 8 will run in the afternoon.
Our school is proud to play an important role in keeping the legacy of Terry Fox going. Students will have the opportunity to discuss and reflect on the heroic efforts of Terry over the next week as well as raise much-needed funds for cancer research. Through our participation in the Terry Fox School Run, we hope to encourage leadership in our students and create positive agents of change in our wonderful school community.
Our school’s goal is to raise $1,000.00.
There are 2 ways of fundraising:
- Have your child bring in a loonie, toonie, spare change or anything you are able to send in to their classroom teacher.
- Donate online. It’s fast, easy and donors get a receipt immediately by email. Simply click: http://www.terryfox.ca/JeanStecklePSKitchener and this will take you directly to our school fundraising page on the Terry Fox Foundation website.
Any amount of donation is greatly appreciated and can be brought in on or before our school run day. We thank you in advance for helping in any way you can!
We are very excited to be a part of this year’s Terry Fox Run. This is our opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those who have suffered, are suffering, and will suffer because of cancer. We hope you will join us as our school community bands together in the fight against cancer. Thank you in advance for your support!
School Council Meeting – Wednesday, September 26 6:00 p.m.
Please join us for our first school council meeting on Wednesday night.
Agenda:
- Welcome and introductions
- Review of School Council role and membership
- Election of School Council positions (Chair, Treasurer, Secretary)
- Principal’s Report
- Vice-Principal’s Report
- Fundraising
- School Council Meeting Dates
Orange Shirt Day – September 28
On Friday, September 28, students are invited to wear an orange t-shirt to honour residential school survivors, those who did not survive, and their descendants. The origin of Orange Shirt Day is based on Phyllis Webstad’s story of entering an Indian Residential School in 1973 and having her new orange shirt removed from her and replaced with a school uniform. Her experience of having her orange shirt being taken from her is symbolic of all that was taken from Indigenous peoples as a result of Indian Residential Schools and is the reason we wear orange on September 28.
For well over a century, Indian Residential Schools were used as a tool to assimilate Indigenous peoples into the dominant Canadian culture. Established in 1892 by the Canadian government, in partnership with churches, Indigenous children were often moved long distances from their families and lived at the schools. Once at school, Indigenous children were forbidden to speak their languages nor practice their cultures and traditions. Living conditions for students in Indian Residential Schools were often harsh and there was often significant emotional, physical and sexual abuse of the students.
Upcoming events:
September 21 – PA Day
September 26 – School Council at 6:00 p.m.
September 27 – Picture Day
September 28 – Orange Shirt Day, Terry Fox Run, and our choir performs at the Kitchener Ranger game
October 19 – Wacky Sock Day
October 26 – PA Day
November 16 – PA Day
November 23 – Jersey Day
December 21 – PJ Day
January 24 – Super Hero Day
January 25 – PA Day
February 15 – Hat Day
March 22 – Dress like a teacher day
April 12 – PA Day
April 18 – Pay $1 to break a school rule
May 17 – Crazy hair day
May 31 – PA Day
June 27 – Canada day spirit day