Ross Glen Road Runner Reporter
September 2021
Ross Glen School
Vision
“Fostering responsible citizenship through holistic development”
Mission
“As a professional learning community, we are committed to nurturing holistic development, promoting life-long learning and encouraging our students to become responsible citizens.”
Ross Glen School Goals
Goal #1: In what ways will deepening our understanding and implementation of research-based literacy practices impact student learning?
Goal #2: To what extent can our focus on the wellness of students and staff contribute to the overall sense of wellbeing at Ross Glen School?
Preparing for a Successful 2020-2021 School Year
Ross Glen Staff
TEACHING STAFF
Early Learning Program (ELP): Ms. Blyth
Kindergarten: Mrs. J. Johnson
Play and Learn: Mrs. L. Tumback
Grade 1: Mrs. M. Brudevold
Grade 1/2 combined: Mrs. K. Biech
Grade 2: Mrs. S. Boodhoo
Grade 3: Ms. K. Fuerst and Mrs. T. Pfeifer
Grade 4: Mrs. E. Gebhardt and Mr. M. Tschritter
Grade 5: Mrs. S. Mandel and Miss J. Roth
Grade 6: Mrs. S. Barnes and Miss A. McDougall
Literacy and Numeracy Support teacher: Mrs. Paynter
Classroom Support Teacher (CST): Mrs. H. Gust
FSLW: Nick Paquin
Success Coach: TBD
Vice-Principal: Miss A. Weisgerber
Principal: Ms. N. Mastel
SUPPORT STAFF
Educational Assistants: Mrs. Cottrell, Mrs. Neufeld, Miss Sulz, Mrs. Henders, Mrs. McNaughton, Mrs. Czember, Mrs. Seitz, and Mrs. Vargo
Administrative Assistant: Miss J. Foster
Library Clerk: Mrs. Woolridge
Custodial Staff: Mr. C. Vick, Mrs. Caceres and Mrs. L. Lewis
Teachers on leave:
Mrs. Campbell
Mrs. Ast
Masks
EDSBY
Bell Times
Doors unlock at 8:05am - students can enter the school and go directly to their classroom
Warning Bell: 8:15amInstructional block: 8:20-2:40
Grade 1-3 snack recess is from 9:45-10:00
Grade 4-6 snack recess is from 10:15-10:30
Grade 1-3 students eat from 11:45-12:08 and have recess from 12:08-12:30
Grade 4-6 students have recess from 11:45-12:08 and eat from 12:08-12:30
**microwaves are not available
Dismissal: 2:40pm
School Supplies
Parents are responsible for purchasing school supplies for their children this year. There is a list on our Ross Glen School website if you have not purchased these items yet:
http://rossglen.mhpsd.ca/news/what_s_new/2020_-_2021_school_supply_list
Please bring supplies on the first day of school labelled with your child’s name.
Chromebooks/Devices
Please understand that our staff are not experts in the various types of computers/devices and will do their best to troubleshoot issues, but some things are beyond our skills and knowledge.
Students in grades 1 and 2 will use school chromebooks during the school day and will not be taking them home.
Health Measures
Each day, before leaving home, staff and students must self-screen for symptoms of common cold, influenzas, COVID-19 and other infectious respiratory diseases.
The following health measures will be in place when classes begin on August 30th:
Students and staff are to use the daily checklist prior to leaving for school or work
Students and staff who present with COVID-19 symptoms are strongly recommended to stay at home until symptoms resolve
Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette routines will be followed
Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of high traffic/touch areas will continue
Enhanced ventilation in schools is being implemented, where required
Cohorts will continue in Kindergarten to Grade 6
No visitors, volunteers, or external partners in schools during drop-off, pick-up and during school days until further notice
The following are shifts in restrictions that will be implemented at the start of the year:
At the direction of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, schools will not be provided information regarding positive cases and, therefore, will not be able to inform families of close contact.
Additional health measures may be implemented at the direction of the regional Medical Officer of Health
Performance and sports activities may proceed.
Audience/fans must mask to attend.
Off-site activities will be allowed
Schools can be used for evening and weekend school activities
Regular SCHOOL ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
Students can enter the school, using their assigned door, at 8:05 (a bell will ring) and go directly to their classroom where the teacher will be to supervise. (Please refer to the email your child's teacher sent as they may be meeting the students at the morning meeting spot for the first week.)
Children who have lockers will not go to their lockers until their teacher permits them to go. This is to ensure we don't have too many students at the locker area at once.
Children attending the Before School program will be sent directly from the program to their classroom, one cohort at a time.
The warning bell will ring at 8:15. With the strict guidelines, due to COVID, it is very important that students arrive between 8:05 and 8:15. ALL doors (including the front ) will be locked shortly after the bell.
Late students will have to sign in at the office and we have to ensure physical distancing occurs in the office. This year, more than any other year, we need students to arrive on time, by 8:15. Doors will lock at 8:20 and the main door will lock at 8:25.
Instructional day is from 8:20 to 2:40. Recesses and lunches are staggered so we limit how many students are outside/moving in the school at a time.
If you are picking your child up throughout the day, for appointments or if they are sick etc., please call the office and we will have them wait in the office.
If you are dropping something off for your child, please call the school and someone will come to the door and we will ensure your child receives the item(s).
If you are picking up your child at the end of the day, please arrange a meeting spot that ensures physical distancing from other families and school cohorts.
Designated doors
Visitors in the school
Once permitted in the school all parents and visitors must sign in at the office. If an emergency situation arises, we can ensure all students, staff and visitors are accounted for whether we remain in the building or evacuate. When you sign in, we will provide you with a visitor pass so all adults and children know you have signed into the school.
Safety
ENGAGED COMMUNITY
September School Events
Mon. August 31- First day of school for students
Tues. Sept. 8th - School Council Meeting at 7pm (agenda and meeting link was sent to all families)
Fri. Sept. 17th - Professional Learning Day - no school for students
Thurs. Sept. 30th- Every Child Matters- Orange Shirt Day
K-6 New Curriculum Draft
Please review the document as it is important you are aware of what teachers are mandated to teach.
https://www.alberta.ca/curriculum-subject-areas.aspx
Once reviewed, please provide the government with your feedback.
Hot Lunch/Spirit Days
Thank you for understanding.
Payment due dates
Social Media
The "Ross Glen School" FB page is run by the school administrators. The main purpose of this page is to share the school activities/learning that takes place. We also use it to communicate reminders of various school events. If you have questions regarding the school, you can message through the Ross Glen School FB page, email the school admin (ashton.weisgerber@sd76.ab.ca or natosha.mastel@sd76.ab.ca) or call us at the school. We do our best to respond in a timely manner.
Some examples of how we use the FB page would be:
- school learning activities
- school specific information
- parent information nights
- emergency situations (power being out, construction in area, weather)
- Public School Division/School Board information
The "Ross Glen Parents" FB page is run by amazing parent volunteers. The main purpose of this page is to connect families.
So some of the things we would think are appropriate for the RG Parents page would be:
- confirming a spirit day theme
- confirming class specific information (field trip day, coordinating teacher gifts) with other parents
- advertising school council and parent association meetings
- reminders for school special events (special guests, hot lunch day, wear orange day etc)
- Lost/found/switched items
- School Council/Parent Association Fundraisers, information, deadlines, reminders
- Connecting RG families
- Finding volunteers for school community events
Ross Glen School Clothing Items
We are happy to announce we have a new line of Ross Glen clothing, and other items, available to our school community for purchase! We know school clothing, and other items, creates a sense of belonging, builds a feeling of community, and encourages school pride. We are excited to offer this to our students and school community!
This year, options will include masks, neck gaiters, mini hand sanitizer bottles, and fanny packs (to keep masks, and other items, safe while the students are enjoying playing at recess).
Sales will take place directly on our online store. Families are able to order and pay for their choices directly.
The link for ordering is https://www.teamfs.ca/store/c84/Ross_Glen_Elementary_School.html.
School Council
Thank you to our School Parent Council members for their hard work in supporting our school this year. Here is our School Council Executive for the start of the 2021-2022 school year:
Co-Chairs: Elizabeth Gebhardt and Jessie Ruckaber
Secretary: Megan Knodel
Treasurer: Nicole Nikiel
Our first meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 7th at 7pm. The agenda and meeting link was sent to all families.
School Council will be looking for one co-chair to join the council. If you are interested, you can nominate yourself or have someone nominate you.
Nomination form for Co-Chair position: https://forms.gle/5TteiEQR6baZScQH8
Casino
We are looking for volunteers for our Ross Glen Casino, which has been scheduled for October 2nd and 3rd. These funds support our students and their various activities, but we require many volunteers to make this casino happen. No previous casino experience is required.
Volunteer early to choose an early or late shift.
Shifts on Saturday are:
3pm - 9pm and 8:30-1:30am
Then a cash room supervisor is needed at 12:00am to close.
Shifts on Sunday are:
3-8pm and 7:30-12:30am
Then the cash room supervisor comes at 11:00pm to close.
Please email natosha.mastel@sd76.ab.ca or ashton.weisgerber@sd76.ab.ca if you are able to volunteer. If you are requesting a certain time or position, please include that in your email.
Let’s work together to make this Casino a success!
Community Information
Ross Glen Towne Centre
The City of Medicine Hat is working to replace irrigation infrastructure through the Ross Glen Towne Centre and the project is nearing completion. To accommodate students heading back to school, the City will reopen the trail through the park on Sunday, August 29th, but it will be fenced on each side. Signs will be posted along the pathway to remind students, parents and other trail users to stay off the grass. The park will remain closed until the end of September.
Ways to Connect
There are many ways to stay in touch with our school.
Please feel free to connect with us through our multiple platforms.
Our website is: http://rossglen.mhpsd.ca/
Email: rossglen@sd76.ab.ca
School Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RossGlenSchoolMedHat/
Twitter: @RossGlenSchool
Contact Us
Email: rossglen@sd76.ab.ca
Website: http://www.rossglen.ca/
Phone: 403-529-2960
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RossGlenSchoolMedHat/
Twitter: @RossGlenSchool