Just a reminder that tomorrow – Friday January 24th, 2020 is a PD Day.

There will no school for students.  Extended Day is still running as per schedule.

Another busy week was had at St. Michael School!  A week that was filled with learning and always a little bit of fun!

CHARITY BINGO NIGHT

On Wednesday January 29th starting at 7:00pm, the Cambridge BINGO and Gaming Centre is hosting a Charity Bingo Night.  This is a great way to earn money for our school!  Our school will receive $10.00 for each charity member/friend that shows up to play BINGO that night!  All you have to do is mention that you are playing for St. Michael School.  The Bingo and Gaming Centre is located at 255 Elgin Street North.  Hope to see you there!

CLUBS/COMMITTEES AT ST. MICHAEL!

There are so many great things taking place during recess and lunch at school for your children to participate in.  Our staff works very hard and diligently to provide amazing experiences not only during instructional time but also during the break times as well.  Many of the clubs that are running right now are listed below:

• Volleyball
• Make a Change Committee
• PALS
• ECO Team
• Student Leadership Team
• Skills Canada
• Choir
• Dungeons and Dragons Club – new this year!
• Recycling Team
• DIY Club
• Landscaping Club

Encourage your child to get involved and help contribute to the amazing community of St. Michael’s School!

PERSONAL ITEMS AT SCHOOL – TECHNOLOGY PROTOCOL

Often after Christmas, students are excited about some of their new Christmas gifts and want to bring these
toys or technology items to school. We respect the cost of these items as well as safety precautions that need to be considered for some devices (i.e. content on electronic devices, cyber bullying, etc.).
Accordingly, we discourage students from bringing valuables (cell phones, digital cameras, MP3 Players, iPods, etc.) money or toys to school. Often these are lost, stolen or broken or can lead to problematic behaviour. Parental support in this area is required and greatly appreciated. Please monitor your child(ren)’s activity on the internet and the various social media sites The school does not assume responsibility for any loss or damage to valuable items. Please note also that cell phones should be left at home or turned off completely during school hours.

WINTER CLOTHING REMINDER

Please ensure that your child(ren) has dry running shoes to change into from their wet/muddy outdoor boots.
Children must not walk around the school in their socks due to health and safety concerns. Students are not to
wear their wet boots in class as this may cause a slippery hazard. In addition, if there ever was a fire drill or lockdown, an emergency, there may not be time to put on boots.  In addition, please check to ensure your child leaves home wearing warm winter clothing (hat, mitts, gloves, scarf, boots, and winter jacket). During the winter months, in order to play on the snow piles during recess times students will be required to wear snow pants and boots. This will keep the students dry and warm when playing in the snow.

VISITORS IN THE SCHOOL – INCLUDING PARENTS

St. Michael School has a Visitors’ Policy to ensure the safety of our students and staff. It is monitored and reviewed every year. The Visitors’ Policy has many purposes.

• To enhance the safety of the students, staff and volunteers at St. Michael, while maintaining a welcoming environment where parents are encouraged to participate in school life.
• To easily identify visitors, volunteers and parents in the school.
• To help teachers identify possible intruders in the school.
• To provide administration with the names of people in the school in case of an emergency.

Procedure:  Doors are locked for safety reasons at all times. All visitors must enter the school building through the front main doors and ring the buzzer.  Every visitor entering St. Michael School during school hours is required to sign-in at the Office and pick up a visitor’s tag to wear for the duration of their visit. Please remember to sign-out at the Office and return your visitor tag before you leave.  Under no circumstances should a parent enter the school through other doors.  If you do, you will be asked by staff to report to the main office.  All staff have been advised to ensure safety of all students in the building.  Please adhere to this very important safety policy to ensure we keep everyone safe and secure.

Thank you for your assistance.

PARKING REMINDER TO PARENTS

Another reminder that the front parking lot is for JK/SK Kiss and Drop Parents only.  These vehicles are identified by a tag that is clearly visible on the front dashboard of the car.  All parking for school drop off is located at the back of the school on Winterhalt Drive.  In addition, you are able to park on Concession street (clearly marked signs) to walk your child to school.  If you pull into the parking lot to walk your child to their destination, you will be asked to move your vehicle.  Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

STRIKE INFORMATION

Tuesday OECTA Job Action

Just a reminder that our school will be closed on Tuesday as our teachers’ association, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association, is holding a one day job action. Our Extended Day Program will be running, as usual, for those students who are registered with that program. All other students will be at home on Tuesday.

PD DAY

There is a PD Day scheduled this Friday, January 24th.  The school will be closed for students for the day.  All extended day services will continue to be open.

DATES TO REMEMBER

• Tues. Jan 21 – OECTA Strike Day (Schools Closed)
• Wed. Jan 22 – Carizon Worker on-site (AM)
• Wed. Jan 22 – Spirit Wear Day!
• Thurs. Jan 23 – Grade 5/6 to Safety Village
• Thurs. Jan 23 – Movie and Popcorn Lunch (Primary)
• Fri. Jan 24 – PD Day
• Wed. Jan 29 – Bell Let’s Talk Day! Wear BLUE!
• Wed. Jan 29 – Safety Village AM – Comiskey’s class
• Fri. Jan 31 – Hat Day!
• Fri. Jan 31 – Scientists in Schools – Primary
• Sun. Feb 2 – First Communion Parent Child Workshop (8:45am)

Attention all Angels!

The Make a Change team will be starting our Winter Movie and Popcorn lunches again this year. Starting this Friday, and every Friday in January, all primaries interested are welcome to join in room 103. The cost is $1.00 for entry and a cup of popcorn. Extra popcorn is available for .50.

New this year, junior students are welcome to attend in February, and intermediate students are welcome to join in March!

Important Update re: WCDSB Extended Day Programs on January 21

WCDSB Schools Closed on Tuesday, January 21, 2020

SPIRIT METER SUCCESS!

We have reached our next level in our school wide spirit meter and the whole school received a reward of a PJ Day!  They also were able to enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies for everyone!  Thank you to Mrs. Starr who helped make the hot chocolate and our Student Leadership Team for the deliveries!  Keep working hard Angels at showing your school spirit and collecting our Pom Poms!  Remember this months theme is Authenticity! Being yourself is the best reward we can ask for!

GRADE 8 PARENT NIGHT – THIS THURSDAY JAN 16TH!!

Calling all Grade 8 parents – there will be an information night at St. Benedict on Thursday January 16th starting at 6:30pm.  You and your child are invited.  You will hear about all of the amazing opportunities at St. Benedict and will get a chance to tour around the school.  It is a great event that you don’t want to miss!

SNOW SAFETY

Please remind your child(ren) that when they are at school, snow safety rules may be different than those you have at home.  We all want our students to enjoy the snow and have fun at recess times.  With our yard as full as it is, we do need to have some extra rules in order to help keep everyone safe.  The following is the list of snow rules we ask the students to respect and follow while they are at school.

1. The Climbers are always closed before and after school.
2. No throwing snow at anyone at ANYTIME.
3. Playing on the snow piles is only allowed under direct adult supervision and if you have snow pants – if there is pushing or rough play where a student can get injured, the piles WILL BE CLOSED.
4. The snow is for everyone – nobody owns it so it is for everyone to use.
5. If you see a snow fort, snowman or snow boulder – please do not destroy it. The maker is the breaker.
6. Please remember to brush and kick the snow off as you enter the school

COMMUNICATION POLICY

Parents are valued partners at St. Michael School and we appreciate the opportunity to be open to discuss your child’s education.  Communication with the school is an important and vital aspect of daily life and the W.C.D.S.B. has put the following procedures in place regarding school communication:

STEP 1:
· Speak to the individual (classroom teacher first)
· Issue resolved (if unresolved go to step 2)
STEP 2:
· Speak to the Principal (If you have not spoken to the classroom teacher, the Principal will ask you to do so)
· The Principal will involve the individual in the discussions
· The Principal may request, at any time in the process, that you put your concerns in writing
· The Principal may involve, at any time in the process, others who may be helpful in resolving the concern; support staff from the school board, employee group representatives, the local parish, community agencies
Step 3:
· You may contact the school board at any time. The school board will direct you to follow the process outlined above

We also ask that when you need to talk with school staff you call or e-mail to set up an appointment in advance. Our days are busy with supporting kids and other pre-booked meetings. It may not be possible to meet with school staff if you show up without an appointment.

Thank you for understanding.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION – CALLING ALL FUTURE ANGELS!

Registration is Open! Tell your Friends!

Parents can access the Online Registration form by clicking on the Register for School link on the WCDSB Homepage and then choosing either Kindergarten Registration, Elementary Registration or Secondary Registration. The link to Online Registration can be found on each page under the “Registration Options”

Children born in 2016 are eligible for Year 1 Kindergarten (JK).

Children born in 2015 are eligible for Year 2 Kindergarten (SK).

When registering your child to attend a Catholic elementary school you must be prepared to provide proof of the child’s date of birth and either the child’s Catholic baptismal certificate or the Catholic baptismal certificate of at least one parent or guardian.

If you are non-Catholic, but wish to explore a Catholic education for your child(ren), please review the WCDSB Admissions to Catholic Elementary Schools policy. Our secondary schools are open to students of all faiths.

A complete list of WCDSB schools that will offer the Extended Day Program in 2020-21 will be web-posted in April, 2020. Please call your school directly for information about the Extended Day Program. A complete list of WCDSB schools currently providing the program is available via this link: Extended Day Program.

Please call the office for any questions you may have.

Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) Labour Update

The Earth Angels ECO team is looking for your support in helping us to work towards our goal of reducing waste in the St. Michael’s School Community.  In Waterloo Region, plastic disposable cutlery (spoons, forks, knives) are not recyclable and these items end up in the landfill in large volumes. This year, our goal is to decrease the use of disposable plastic cutlery in our school. We plan to do this in 2 ways: 

1. Bring Your Own Cutlery (BYOC): Students are encouraged to bring reusable cutlery (spoon, fork) to use when eating their lunches on a daily basis and during large scale events, such as our Festive Feast and Pancake Tuesday. 
2. Spoon Lending Program: Students often come to school and have forgotten to bring a spoon or fork for items in their lunch (i.e. soups, yogourt, apple sauce). Rather than giving out disposable plastic cutlery, which has traditionally been the practice in many classrooms, we would like to lend children reusable spoons (i.e. hard plastic or metal) to use and return to be washed by our dedicated ECO team members.

Here is how you can help! 

• Cleaning out your cutlery drawer? We are looking for donations of gently loved, reusable spoons. Reusable plastic and metal spoons will be accepted with gratitude! Please send them with a note indicating that the items are to be donated (“Spoon Donation”). 
• Make an effort to support our cause by sending in reusable spoons for your child to use in their daily lunches.

Your continued support in our Eco Campaigns and initiatives are greatly appreciated! Thank-you for helping to keep our earth clean, safe and sustainable!!

St. Michael Earth Angels ECO Club