Stonybrook Middle School
The Knightly News, September 2019
WELCOME TO STONYBROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL!
On Friday, September 13th and Monday, September 16th, 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. 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. If this date does not work for you, please call the school office as soon as possible. No changes will be made to the lists after Friday, September 6th.
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!
Please do not drop students off on the west side of Lumber so that they have to cross over the street to get to the school. Cars travelling in the opposite direction may not expect a child to run across the street - and we want to make sure students are kept safe! Thank you!
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. Participation in the Parent Portal is highly encouraged as this is the tool all our teachers use to communicate with you throughout the school year.
If you have difficulties creating an account, please contact the school office and we will strive to help you!
What's Happening in September
Monday, September 9th First Note Night (Band Event at Mitchell Middle School)
Wednesday, September 11th Picture Day (a.m.)Friday, September 13th Strong Connections (Day 1)
Monday, September 16th Strong Connections (Day 2)
Friday, September 20th HSD Cross Country Run #1
Monday, September 23rd Grade 7 Learning Trip to The Assiniboine Zoo
Wednesday, September 25th Cross Country Milk Run
Thursday, September 26th Terry Fox Run
Friday, September 27th Orange Shirt Day - School Assembly
Friday, September 27th HSD Cross Country Run #2
Monday, September 30 Peak of the Market Fundraising Kick Of Assembly
School Starts at 9:00
School Dismissal is at 3:45
Lunch is at 12:24-1:23
New this year: We have added an outside morning break to our schedule. From 10:25-10:45 the students go outside for a fresh air break! Please make sure that students are dressed appropriately for the weather so they can enjoy the time outside.
Picture Day - September 11th!
Remember, Picture Day is coming on Wednesday, September 11th
Remember to smile and have fun!!
Upcoming Important Event!
A Friendly Reminder! Our Peak of the Market Sales fundraiser will begin on Monday,
September 30th and will run until Tuesday, 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 will prepare 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. Please have your paperwork done as soon as possible so that you are ready to go on the day of the event! Thanks so much!
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
5F Ms. Crystal Friesen
5K Mrs. Meagan Klippenstein
5N Mr. Trevor Neufeld
5R Mr. Mike Reimer
5U Mrs. Karleen Unger
6A Mr. Al Harder
6B Mrs. Kristie Bouchard
6H Ms. Holly Baetsen
6K Mrs. Elizabeth Klassen
6R Mr. Anders Rempel
7D Mrs. Krystin Dychko
7H Mrs. Katherine Heide
7J Ms. Janine Lavallee
7K Mrs. Alexa Klein
7W Mr. Erik Wiebe
8D Mrs. Lisa Desautels
8M Ms. Melissa Mathew
8N Ms. Robin Nemeth
8S Mr. Glen Shumsky
Music/Band Mr. Markus Goertzen
Student Services Mr. Glenn HIebert, Mr. Lyle Koop, Mrs. Tanya Kasdorf
Human Ecology Mrs. Brigit Krysko
Art Mrs. Annette Loewen
Tech Ed Mr. Tyler North
Phys Ed Mr. Al Thiessen
Vice-Principal Mr. AJ Neufeld
Principal Mrs. Rita Rebizant
Office/Admin Support Staff Ms. Heather Friesen, Mrs. Arlene Monkman, Mrs. Michelle King, Mr. Allan Tkachuk
Educational Assistants Valerie Bell, Amanda Dupont, Carson Dyck, Laura Dyck, Cora Kehler, Val Klassen, Jackie Lawrie, Sandra Peters, Errin Penner, Vanessa Plante, Deneen Treble
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