Stonybrook Middle School
Knightly News - January 2020
Ready to Learn Be Responsible Be Respectful Be Safe
CONGRATULATIONS!
to Mrs. Janet Giesbrecht!
Thank you to all who bought tickets for this draw - all monies raised have been put toward the next Activity Structure addition.
Christmas at SMS
Christmas Concert Highlights
SMS celebrated Christmas together with the school community on December 11th, with two concerts, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Thank you Grade 7 and 8 Concert Bands, Grade 5 Music Classes and Grade 7/8 Choir for your excellent performances. You definitely got us in the Christmas spirit! Thanks go to the following people, for all the hard work you put into the program:
Mr. Markus Goertzen, Band and Music Instructor
Ms. Holly Baetsen, Mrs. Elizabeth Klassen and Ms. Melissa Mathew
Grade 7/8 Choir Directors
Mrs. Lisa Desautels and her Drama students
for their drama vignettes in between musical presentations
Mrs. Annette Loewen and the Art Classes
for the decorations that were created and displayed in the foyer and gym
Your beautiful work added to the festive feeling
We love to showcase all the Arts in our school - music and band as well as the creative arts!
Thank you to all the students who put their best into their performance as well, and to our parents who support our students in these achievements.
Helping Hands
Some students had the opportunity to go to Southeast Helping Hands to help pack Christmas hampers. What a wonderful experience for them to see the process of how to fill hampers, what goes into a hamper, and to be aware that there are families in our community that have need of this service. Our community is fortunate to have so many helping hands, and we were excited to have been able to be a few of them!
Thank you for supporting our Book Fair!
The SMS Scholastic Book Fair was a great success - we sold a record amount of $4,026.05!! This will give our school many free books to add to our library. Thank you so much for your support! Thanks also to Mrs. Monkman, Mrs. King, and Mrs. Desautels and all the students who helped out at the Fair.
Tabs for Wheelchairs
Thank you for your support!
Important Dates to Remember
Saturday, January 18 Grade 5/6 Ball Hockey Tournament, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Tuesday, January 21 Basketball Season Starts
Saturday, January 25 "First Ever" Grade 7/8 Ball Hockey Tournament, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. All family, friends and fans are welcome to come and cheer on your favorite team/player!
Thursday, January 30 Winter Activity Day
Friday, January 31 Professional Development Day (No Classes)
Winter Activity Day information is going home the week of January 6-10. Students will be able to choose one activity option for that day, and pick up the waiver forms they need from their homeroom teacher or the office. Waiver forms will also be available to download from our website, sms.hsd.ca.
Sign Up Dates for Winter Activity Day:
Tuesday, January 14 Grade 5 & 6 Sign Up in the gym from 8:30-9:00
Wednesday, January 15 Grade 7 and 8 Sign Up in the gym from 8:30-9:00
Winter Activity Day letters that were sent home are also attached below.
February is I Love to Read Month!
There will be some exciting activities planned to celebrate reading!
Reminders
School Closures
Extreme Hazardous Weather
Schools will close when weather and road conditions in Hanover School Division are such that it is not advisable to transport students via school buses. If weather deteriorates after the school day has started, creating unsafe driving conditions that necessitate cancelling bus service for the return trip home, students will remain in school until other arrangements can be made. Buses will not be sent out early.
Extreme Cold Weather
Schools will be closed for cold weather reasons when it’s too cold for students to be exposed to the elements for even a short period of time.
The division will close for cold weather reasons when the temperature at the Environment Canada weather station in Kleefeld at 6:00 AM is at minus 35 degrees Celsius or colder OR is experiencing a wind chill of minus 45 degrees Celsius or colder.
Consideration to close schools may also be given if either the temperature or the wind chill significantly surpasses these levels, or there are other extenuating circumstances as determined by the Superintendent and Director of Transportation.
Parent Choice
If concerned about child safety during periods of extreme weather, parents/guardians may (at their discretion) choose to keep their children at home. Those choosing to exercise this option should inform the school on that day as per regular absence procedures.
Parent Notification
When schools are closed due to extreme weather, parents/guardians will receive an automated phone message between the hours of 6:00 am-8:00 am. Notice will be posted on www.HSD.ca and Twitter @HanoverSD.
Closure announcements are also distributed to local media outlets (AM 1250, Mix 96.7, CJOB, SteinbachOnline.com, and TheCarillon.com.
Keeping Our Students Safe
Please drop your child off on the south side of Lumber. Students running across the street and drivers stopping traffic increases the risk of accidents and injuries.
Encourage your child to use the cross walk when crossing Lumber Avenue, and to make use of our crossing guards when crossing Brandt Street or Barkman Avenue.
Please Dress Warm!
Recess Policy
To ensure student and staff safety, the students will be expected to move to the fenced areas of the school ground during morning and lunch recesses. Students should not be in the parking lot, bus loop or in the front of the school where there could be vehicle movement.
All students are expected to go outside for recess, unless parents make special arrangements through the school office.
Home Work Club
FREE for all students from Grade 1 to Grade 8 on a drop-in basis
Where: Pat Porter Active Living Centre, 10 Chrysler Gate, Steinbach
When: November to May, Every Monday, 4 pm - 6 pm
Sponsored by: SWIS (Settlement Workers in Schools)
For more information you can contact Rene at 204-408-0765 or Ina at 204-408-0805.
SWIS Homework Club at SMS
In partnership with Eastman Immigration, newcomer students to Stonybrook Middle School receive support from a Settlement Worker In School (SWIS), named Rene Schulz. Mr. Schulz is available to provide homework and language learning support to newcomer students on Tuesday afternoons from 4:00-5:00 in Homework Club. Homework Club meets in the library. This program is specifically intended for newcomer students to Canada. This is a great opportunity for students who are new to Canada to make new friendships and also receive individual support with their school work.
Parents, if you would like your child to participate in Homework Club, please be in contact with Mr. A.J. Neufeld for more information (aneufeld@hsd.ca).
SWIS Soccer Club
Open for all children from 8-14 years
Steinbach Arts Council Winter Programs
Enriching Our Quality of Life Through the Arts
> Visual Arts for Kids
> Visual Arts for Teens
> Kids in the Kitchen
Register online at http://www.steinbachartscouncil.ca/classes-lessons/
You are invited to join SAC to view the exhibit Julie Yatsko & EMBraCE (EastMan Broad Alliance for Cultural Enrichment). Julie Yatsko is a self-taught photographer, born and raised in Manitoba, who also loves to draw.
EMBraCE is a community organization that was founded and designed to support and empower the multicultural community here in southeastern Manitoba.
The Exhibit will open at the SAC Hall Gallery on Wednesday, January 8 and will run until February 28, 2020. Support local artists and celebrate with us! Toonie admission is appreciated.
Southeast Open Judged Exhibit - Calling Artists of All Ages
Submit your application for the 22nd Annual Southeast Open Judged Exhibit by February 7, 2020. Artwork must be submitted between February 7-21, 2020. There are two categories - Juvenile and Adult. There is a registration fee of $10 for adult entrants - no fee for students. Questions? Please call Visual Arts Coordinator at 204-346-1077 or email visualarts@steinbachartscouncil.ca.
Southeast Centre for Music
Lessons for every level! Instruction in piano, voice, strings, guitar, music theory, musical theatre, youth choir and more. Spaces are still available. Please contact David with your questions, 204-346-1077 or performingarts@steinbachartscouncil.ca.
Tiny Tunes (January 23-March 26) - the SCM is excited to offer a NEW family music class starting in January! Led by music therapist Beth Janzen, Tiny Tunes is an opportunity for families to engage in musical experiences together while kids aged 0-5 develop communication, socialization and motor skills. Any and all siblings and other family members are encouraged to attend. Classes begin January 23rd and run weekly on Thursdays from 9:00-9:45 until March 26th at the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre.
Giveosity Fundraiser
Only 2 months left to participate!
Here's your chance to support local arts programs, a student you know who takes classes at SAC, and win an Expedia "Travel Anywhere" gift card for $2500 or cash equivalent! Chances to win starting as low as $10. Text 'SAC' to 393939 or go to https://giveosity.com/sac for more information or to donate.
Stonybrook Middle School
Email: hfriesen@hsd.ca
Website: sms.hsd.ca
Location: 77 Lumber Avenue, Steinbach, MB, Canada
Phone: 204-326-6481
Twitter: @StonybrookHSD