Stonybrook Middle School
The Knightly News, October 2021
Ready to Learn - Be Responsible - Be Respectful - Be Safe!!
Greetings!
A Great Start
Hello to the marvelous parents and guardians of Stonybrook Middle School. We have had a great September. Our students are practicing kindness every day, and it shows. When we hear healthy shouting and laughter on the playground, we know that good things are happening. September is normally the month of work review and getting to know our students, and we begin to sink into new, and more difficult, work in October. We are confident that our students will face the next challenge with grace and courage. These kids are a credit to their caregivers!
Cell Phones
If your child has a cell phone, you will be aware of the cell phone contract we expect students to sign. Thanks for your support on this.
As you know, cell phones have become a bit of a rite of passage for children. For many children, having a cell phone becomes very important in their teenage years. It may be helpful (I hope it is) for parents who are considering taking this big step with their child to visit the Child Mind Website page entitled Should You Get Your Kid a Phone? The page provides some wonderful guidelines and conversation starters to ensure that cell phone ownership gets off on the right foot, and provides some great insights regarding setting of rules and boundaries. A great quote from the page is “ You’re training your kids to make good decisions over time, so that, eventually, when they leave you, you can trust they will make those good decisions on their own”. I love that line, partly because it neatly captures an important role for all parents, and partly because it also captures the work we do in middle school.
Volunteering in School
In an earlier email, we sent a note regarding volunteering. With the new volunteer requirements in place, we would like to encourage parents to get the paperwork completed and submitted to the school office by October 8. The process takes a long time, and we want to do what we can to avoid disappointment later.
As you have heard from our Superintendent, Ms. Shelley Amos, COVID protocols are changing, and we are working hard to ensure we are able to follow the protocols to do our part to keep everyone safe. There are a few things that parents can do to assist us.
Ensure your child brings a reusable cloth mask to school every day. (A water bottle is also a good idea - we have no water fountains, but we do have water bottle filling stations).
Be encouraging to your child. While we are all tiring of the restrictions, young people benefit from hearing from adults that things are going to be ok. Hang in there!
Communicate clearly to school when your child is sick. If your child is experiencing symptoms, please use the Online Screening Tool to determine your next steps.
When communicating with the school, clearly communicate about the illness. In all cases, children who are ill should remain at home, and in many cases, should be tested for COVID. When should we expect your child back at school? Should the school provide work for an isolation period?
Our goal at SMS is to create an environment that helps students learn. That includes our commitment to keeping students safe. Your support with helping us manage student illness/attendance is greatly appreciated.
Bring a Toonie for Terry!
We would like to raise money for the Terry Fox Foundation. Therefore we encourage students to bring a Toonie for Terry until October 8th. Students can give their Toonies to their Homeroom teachers or bring it to the office. Every year we have been able to donate anywhere from $200-$500 and we hope that we can keep up that tradition!
Thanks so much for your support to this very worthwhile cause.
Important Dates to Remember
Friday, October 8th to Monday, November 1st Rocco's Pizza Fundraiser
Monday, October 11th Thanksgiving Day (No Classes)Tuesday, October 12th Picture Day
October 12th-15th Interim Report to Parents
October 18th-21st Bus Safety Week
Friday, October 22nd MTS Professional Development Day (No Classes)
Wednesday, November 4th Picture Retake Day
Thursday, November 11th Remembrance Day (No Classes)
Friday, November 12th Professional Development Day (No Classes)
Thursday, November 18th End of Term 1
Monday, November 29th Administration Day (No Classes)
Fundraising for SMS!
Like Pizza?
Lifetouch Picture Day is Coming
October 12th, 2021
Students are photographed on Picture Day
Pictures are sent home with your child
(approximately 2 weeks after pictures are taken)
Review pictures and purchase on
Questions? Please contact Customer Service at 866-457-8212.
School Bus Safety Week October 18-21
Most school bus fatalities occur when children are outside the bus, and 75% of these fatalities involve children under the age of nine.
Make sure your children know and follow these rules:
1. Be on time.
2. Never run to or from the bus.
3. Stand back from the curb.
4. Don't push or shove.
5. Stay in your seat.
6. Don't yell or shout.
7. Always obey the driver.
8. Wait for the driver's signal before crossing.
9. Always cross at least ten feet in front of the bus.
10. Never crawl under a school bus.
Meet the bus - coordinate with other parents to ensure an adult is present at the bus stop every day, especially when children under the age of nine are present.
When dropping your children off at school, please drop them off on the right side of the road - please do not drop them off across from the school where they would have to cross the road. Also be mindful that the speed limit in school zones is 30 kms/hr.
The Pupil Transportation Unit has some other important safety tips on School Bus Safety.
http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/ptu/pdf/school_bus_safety_presentation.pdf
SMS Sports Card Club
Kick Off Event (Online)
Mr. Dewey (Grade 5 teacher) is the sponsor for the club. Anyone can sign up. Students can see Mr. Dewey before or after school if they have any questions.
Cross Country Wins!
Grade 7 Girls
Top Runners
Grade 8 Girls
School Nutrition Newsletter
Steinbach Arts Council
DANCE - THEATRE - MUSICAL THEATRE - POTTERY & CLAY - WATERCOLOR - MUSIC LESSONS
Students and Staff of Stonybrook Middle School Wish You A...
Stonybrook Middle School
Email: hfriesen@hsd.ca
Website: sms.hsd.ca
Location: 77 Lumber Avenue, Steinbach, MB, Canada
Phone: (204) 326-6481
Twitter: @StonybrookHSD