Stonybrook Middle School
The Knightly News, September 2018
WELCOME TO STONYBROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL, STUDENTS! We plan to have a great year!
On Friday, September 14th and Monday, September 17th, SMS will be hosting a two day Strong Connections event for all students. Half of each Grade 5-8 class will attend Friday while the other half attends Monday. Your child's Strong Connection date will be posted on the Parent Portal. It was also included in the letter sent out on August 29th, which informed you of your child's homeroom teacher. For those who do not subscribe to the Parent Portal, a letter will be sent home indicating which day your child will attend. Please contact your child’s homeroom teacher if there is a conflict.
These days are very important for teachers for the planning of each of their students, but they will also be meaningful to students who have the opportunity to make strong connections with their teachers. Students will have opportunities to be active throughout the day.
Student Pick Up
When picking up students at the end of the day, please be careful! Traffic is very
congested and student safety is a priority. Our school has set up crossing guard
stations at Mackenzie & Brandt and Reimer & Brandt, both mornings and afternoons, and we would like students to use those crossing points to cross the street. Be cautious when walking through the staff parking lot as well!
Address Changes
If your address or phone number changes over the school year (or has changed over the summer), please let us know.
If your email address has changed or you have acquired an email address, we would appreciate receiving that information. Email is an excellent form of communication between parent and teacher and we would like to keep you updated on the progress of your child.
Want to Contact Us?
Click on the Stonybrook website by viewing sms.hsd.ca and find email links to your child’s teacher to stay in touch.
Security!
Security cameras are installed both inside and outside of the school. These cameras help monitor many areas on the school grounds (ex. Bicycle racks). These cameras help make Stonybrook Middle School a safer school for your child.
We are looking forward to having a great year with your child!
Attendance Procedures
*Please phone in or send a note when your child is away from school for any reason at all. You may also enter attendance notes through the HSD's Parent Portal.
*Students need to sign out at the office when they leave school with your permission, even if they have given a note to their teacher. The adult picking the child up must come in to sign the child out of the office.
*If you wish to have your child picked up by another friend or relative for an occasion, you must make arrangements with the office prior to that pick up.
*If your child is absent from school and the office has not been notified, you may receive an automated telephone message asking you to contact the school with a reason your child is absent by phone call or note.
*You may email the office with attendance information, hfriesen@hsd.ca.
Parent Portal
This is an excellent way to keep in contact with the school! If you haven't already set up your Parent Portal Account, we would encourage you to do so! Parent Portal set up instructions are below.
What's Happening in September
Monday, September 10th First Note Night (Band Event)
Wednesday, September 12th Picture Day (a.m.)Friday, September 14th Strong Connections (Day 1)
Monday, September 17th Strong Connections (Day 2)
Thursday, September 20th Grade 7 Learning Trip to The Assiniboine Zoo
Friday, September 21st HSD Cross Country Run #1 (Abe's Hill)
Thursday, September 27th Terry Fox Run
Friday, September 28th Orange Shirt Day
School Starts at 9:00
School Dismissal is at 3:45
Lunch is at 12:21-1:20
Picture Day - September 12th!
Remember, Picture Day is coming on Wednesday, September 12th
Remember to smile and have fun!!
Upcoming Important Event!
A Friendly Reminder! Our Peak of the Market Sales fundraiser will begin on Monday,
October 1st and will run until Monday, October 15th. We are looking forward to supplying the town with vegetables! Information will be sent home regarding the fundraiser at the
beginning of October.
Lock Down Drills
Notification of several lock down drills will occur in September and October. These practice drills are done to prepare for events or times when a problem arises due to an intruder in the building. Homeroom teachers have prepared their students to reduce anxiety. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the school.
Interested in Volunteering at School?
SMS needs volunteers for different events and to meet legal obligations, each volunteer needs to complete a Child Abuse Registry check. Please call the school or send a note with your student if you are interested in helping at the school in some area—and advise us what you are interested in helping with! You can also email Mrs. Rebizant at rrebizant@hsd.ca to be placed on a list.
A Peanut/Nut and Scent Safe School!
SMS is a peanut/nut safe school, and as we have students who are allergic to nuts, we need your help. Please do not send any peanut and/or nut type products for lunch or snacks. If students should forget and bring those products, the teachers will place it in a Ziploc bag and ask the student to take it back home. We hope this does not cause a great inconvenience to you, and would appreciate your cooperation and understanding.
We would also appreciate if students would not wear perfume or strong smelling deodorants or lotions, as there are students/staff that have allergies to strong scents.
Students who have these allergies, please have your epi-pen on you at all times; and having a second epi-pen available at the school office is good practice.
Thank you for your cooperation!
SMS Staff List
Ms. Crystal Friesen - 5F
Mr. Trevor Neufeld - 5N
Mr. Mike Reimer - 5R
Mrs. Melissa Taylor - 5T
Mrs. Kristie Bouchard - 6B
Mr. Al Harder - 6H
Mrs. Tanya Kasdorf - 6K
Mrs. Sina Bateman - 6S
Mr. Erik Wiebe - 6W
Mrs. Katherine Heide - 7H
Ms. Janine Lavallee - 7J
Mrs. Alexa Klein - 7K
Mr. Anders Rempel - 7R
Mrs. Lisa Desautels - 8D
Mr. Markus Goertzen - 8G
Ms. Melissa Mathew - 8M
Ms. Robin Nemeth - 8N
Mrs. Krystin Dychko - 5-8 French Teacher
Mr. Glenn Hiebert - Resource Teacher
Mr. Lyle Koop - Guidance
Mrs. Annette Loewen - Art Teacher
Mrs. Brigit Krysko - Home Ecology Teacher
Mr. Tyler North - Industrial Arts Teacher
Mr. Al Thiessen - Phys Ed Teacher
Mr. AJ Neufeld - Vice-Principal
Mrs. Rita Rebizant - Principal
Activity Structure - hopefully coming May 2019!
Special Fundraising for Structure
As you see though, we have a way to go before we reach the amount needed. Therefore SMS together with PAC (Parent Advisory Council) have been doing some fundraising brain-storming and we have come up with some great fundraising ideas. We would appreciate if you would help us with purchasing product/tickets when they become available! The following is a list of fundraisers and dates for you to keep in mind:
October - Peak of the Market Fundraiser
November - Online Raffle
December - Chocolate Sales
January (until it is finished) - "Chase the Ace" at Smitty's
We are hopeful that through these fundraisers we can raise the remaining amount!
Extra hands are always needed when it comes to fundraising efforts. We keep our PAC very busy already! If you would be interested in helping us out in any of our fundraisers, please contact Mrs. Rebizant (rrebizant@hsd.ca) or Mr. AJ Neufeld (aneufeld@hsd.ca).
Another way you can contribute to building our play structure is making donations through Hanover School Division. Hanover School Division (HSD) is registered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a Qualified Donee (under the Income Tax Act). Donation amounts of $25.00 or greater will be eligible for official tax receipting.
For a sneak peak at the Play Structure Design - here it is!!
We Believe...
The staff and administration of SMS believe in the Middle School philosophy that creates an inviting, supportive and safe place, a joyful community that promotes in-depth learning and enhances students’ physical and emotional well-being. We believe in a healthy school environment where human relationships are paramount. We believe that interactions among staff members and between students should reflect democracy, fairness and mutual respect. We believe that SMS should promote a safe and supportive environment where students are encouraged to take intellectual risks, to be bold with their expectations and to explore new challenges. SMS believes that every student, no matter of creed, color or uniqueness, serves as a genuine part of the community and contributes based on individual strengths.
Adapted from “This We Believe: Successful Schools for Young Adolescents”, National Middle School Association
As we embrace this Middle Years philosophy, we are teaching our students what it means to be “Ready to Learn”, and what responsibility, respect and safety looks like throughout the school, classrooms and playground. Together we are creating life long learners and positive global citizens.
Religious Instruction Information
Stonybrook Middle School
Email: hfriesen@hsd.ca
Website: sms.hsd.ca
Location: 77 Lumber Avenue, Steinbach, MB, Canada
Phone: 204-326-6481
Twitter: @StonybrookHSD