Middle School Update

PREPARING FOR "BACK TO SCHOOL":

• Parent-Student Handbook: The Parent-Student Handbook is designed to inform parents and students on the school policies and guidelines and is available on our website (About>Parent-Student Handbook). Please take a look with your son.

• School supplies should be brought to school on Tuesday, August 29 (Grade 7) and Wednesday, August 30 (Grade 8). Please label your son’s pencil case and school supplies.

• Reminder of Summer Readings: All Grade 7&8 summer reading assignments should be completed before classes begin. There will be assignments based on the reading in the first two weeks of school. Books can be purchased online at your preferred retailer.

• Lockers and combination locks will be provided to each Middle School (MS) student for the school year. Students are encouraged to practice using a combination lock in advance and can view this instructional video for guidance. Time will be provided to master this new skill during the orientation days!

• Each student must have a reusable water bottle at school every day. There are no drinking fountains available; only water bottle refill stations. Please label your bottle!

• Middle School Daily Schedule shows the typical arrival and dismissal times for MS.

• Directory Information: If you have moved during the summer or if you have a new telephone number or email address at home or at work, please email the changes to Kelli Poulin (poulink@selwyn.ca). We also keep student cell phone numbers on file. It is extremely important that this information is accurate and that updates are reported throughout the school year.

• School Bus Service for 2023-2024: Selwyn House will be offering a bus service to these areas: Nun's Island, West Island/Ville St-Laurent, Laval/TMR, and South Shore. If you would like more information, or to register your child, please contact Ms. Jennifer Whitewick (whitewickj@selwyn.ca).

Action required! Grade 7&8 Jazz Band: If your son is interested in taking Jazz Band as his arts course for the year, please email Ms. Beech (beechv@selwyn.ca) so that we can put him on the correct class list. If he does not take Jazz Band, he will be included in the arts rotation in which each student takes four of the following courses over the two years of Middle School: debating, digital arts, drama, visual art, and music technology & audio production. Members of Jazz Band will learn band and jazz skills over the course of the year but each member must already be able to play an instrument before joining. All instruments are welcome.

SCHOOL UNIFORM:

• The Middle School uniform will be in effect for Grade 7&8 students in September. The Dress Code can be found online in our Parent Student Handbook.
  
• Uniform Shopping: We strongly encourage parents to shop on our online store. If required, Argyle Shop appointments can be booked for dates in August and September using the link on the Argyle Shop webpage. You can consult the buying guides for each grade, also posted on that webpage. Email Irina (kondratievai@selwyn.ca) with any questions.
  
• Labeling: Please make labeling your son’s clothing a priority, including physical education clothing, belts, ties and shoes. If a labeled item of clothing is discovered in the lost and found, it will be returned to your son!
  
• Save the Date! A Gryphon Sale (of gently used SHS uniform and apparel) will be hosted by the Parent Volunteer Association (PVA) the morning of Wednesday, September 6 in the Rossy Agora at Selwyn House. More details to follow! Gently used uniform donations are always welcome, and can be dropped off during school hours in the bins located just inside the front doors of the Lucas building (at reception).

SCHOOL LAPTOPS:

• All Grade 7&8 students use laptops provided by Selwyn House School (SHS) as part of the school laptop program. All parents and students are asked to review our Digital Responsibility Policy. If you have any questions, contact our Director of Technology, JP Trudeau (trudeaujp@selwyn.ca).
• Laptop Distribution: All Grade 7 and new Grade 8 students will be issued their laptops during the orientation days on August 29 and August 30.
  
• Students who attended Grade 7 at SHS last year will continue to use the same laptops and chargers and are asked to bring them to school on Wednesday, August 30.

• All Middle School students need to have access to a printer and internet at home. There is no provision for printing at school except in very special circumstances. If you encounter any difficulties in connecting to home internet and/or a printer, you may call the Tech Office (514-931-9481 x2273) or ask your son to visit the Tech Office at lunch or before or after school.

• Action required! For new SHS laptop users: Parents of students receiving a SHS school laptop for the first time (all Grade 7 students and new Grade 8 students) are required to sign and submit this online Laptop Rental Agreement before August 29.
  

PHYSICAL EDUCATION INFORMATION:

• Pre-Season Training: Cadet (Grade 8&9) Football camp started on Tuesday, August 15. See the schedule on our Athletics calendar for more information. Bantam (Grade 7&8) Soccer training begins on Monday, August 21. Click here for more details. Check our Athletics webpage for updates throughout the month!

• Phys. Ed. Class Selection for fall 2023 took place via Google Form in June 2023. Anyone interested in soccer can join that class, even if they aren’t able to take part in the pre-season training. Students will get their class schedules in the first week of school. At that time, there will be an opportunity to choose or change fall Phys. Ed. selections, if necessary, and as space permits.

• Action required! The ImPACT test is a baseline cognitive test that is important in helping to diagnose concussion and to manage the post-concussion return to academics and athletics. All students in Grade 7-11 are required to complete the test prior to September 1. The ImPACT test explanation and instructions are posted on the Athletics webpage.

Important Dates 2023-24: Please note the dates for the holidays and school closures on the Important Dates document.

After-School Homework Supervision for Grades 7&8: This program (we call “Focus”), will be held in a Middle School classroom from 2:50-5:50pm on Monday-Thursday afternoons and from 2:50-4:30pm on Fridays. Students can arrive and depart at any time during these hours. If your son has difficulty getting his homework done in a timely and conscientious manner, this is a way to offer him some support to begin the year properly. If you are interested in having your son participate, please contact Ms. Beech for more information (fees, etc.). Focus will begin on Thursday, September 7.

Message from the Parent Volunteer Association (PVA): Welcome Back Tea & Coffee for all Selwyn Parents! Once the boys have started school, please pop by to meet new parents and catch up with current ones in the west courtyard on Thursday, September 7 starting at 8:15 a.m. Tea, coffee, conversation, and some delicious baked goods will be served! All Selwyn House parents are welcome, and we hope to see you there. Look for us under the tent!

Community Service Opportunity: On Saturday, September 9 Selwyn House will be participating in the BDO Cedars CanSupport Dragon Boat Race. We are looking for students to paddle for Team Selwyn as we support the Cedars Cancer Centre and improve awareness about local cancer care services. Click here for more details and to paddle with us!