Woodlawn Early Years School
September 2020 Newsletter
Message from the Principal
The start of a school year is always such an exciting time and this year, although much different is no exception. Our teachers have been busy getting their classrooms and supplies ready for their students and we are ready to welcome them back.
To our parents, thank you. We understand that sending your children to school this year, in the midst of a pandemic is challenging, to say the least. We value our partnership with you and we appreciate the words of encouragement and the support we have received these past few weeks. Positive communication between home and school is important to us and we will continue to ensure that our interactions with you are meaningful and frequent. The safety and education of your children is a privilege I and the entire staff take seriously.
Please feel free to contact me at any time throughout the school year.
Message from the Vice Principal
Let me start by saying just how excited I am to welcome your children back into our school. When we are at school, we become family and I'm excited to have our family back together. Welcome to our new Kindergarten children and families. We know that this is not the start of school that you may have pictured, but know that our teachers are so incredibly excited to meet your children. Welcome to our new students and families. I may be biased, but this is wonderful place to learn and grow. You will love it here!
I know that there are so many questions still out there and you may be feeling uncertain. This is normal and I think all of us are trying to navigate this challenging time. I thank all of you for being patient with us as we try to find answers to your questions and our own at the same time. You will definitely see differences this year, but there are things that this pandemic will not change:
- We love your children and they are the reason we are here!
- We appreciate your support and trust that we will be there for your child every step of the way.
- We love to have fun and we love to learn!
Woodlawn Family.... We've got this!
If you have any questions now or throughout the year, please don't hesitate to email or call me.
Tara Reimer
Important Return to School Information
- All bus students in grades K-4 must wear a face mask if they are riding the bus. All grade 4 students must wear a mask and the grade 3 students in the grade 3/4 combined classes are strongly encouraged to wear a mask. Please send your child with a ziplock bag for them to put their mask(s) in when they do no need to be wearing them (lunch, outside time).
- Parents of non bus students are asked to drop their children off at 8:53 at the designated spot where their classroom teacher will be waiting for them. Here is our outside map. There will be many staff members available outside to help direct students and their parents. Parents will pick their children up at the same spot each day.
- All non bus students will be dismissed at 3:15 on Wednesday, September 9. This will allow the staff to get the bus students organized. Starting on Thursday, September 10 all non bus students will be dismissed at the regular time which is 3:45.
- If students arrive at school late for any reason they must come to the office to get a welcome slip. A staff member will get them to their classroom.
- For the first couple of weeks students do not need to bring indoor runners. They will wear their outdoor runners all day.
- Please be sure to read Woodlawn's Return to School Plan which includes very important information parents need to know.
- When changes are necessary, we will communicate those changes with you via email.
Parent Portal/Student Information
The HSD Parent Portal is a communication tool designed to enhance and increase parent/guardian involvement in the education of their children by providing secure online access to their child's student information. With a single username and password you can access data for each of your children attending an HSD school. The Access IDs along with setup instructions have been sent via email to all eligible parents/guardians of new students. If you are new to Woodlawn and did not receive the specified email, please contact the school office at 204-326-6110.
Please take a few minutes to review the student information and contact information for your child. It is important that the school has current address and contact information for your child in case it is necessary to reach someone during the school day. Changes can be made through the parent portal.
Information verification forms will be mailed to parents/guardians that do have not an email address on file at the school. If you receive a form through the mail, please make any necessary changes on the form, sign and return the form to the school office.
Student Handbook
Please take the time to read the Student Handbook that is included here and on our school website at woodlawn.hsd.ca. Please note that some information in this handbook may be impacted by Covid-19. Please always refer to any updates found at www.hsd.ca
Balanced Day Schedule - 2020 -2021
This is our regular daily routine for the 2020-2021 school year. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact either Karen Fraser or Tara Reimer. Due to our need to social distance and manage cohorts, there have been changes to our nutrition and activity breaks. Please see the Woodlawn Return to School Plan to view the changes.
9:00-9:05 Homeroom Time or Religious Exercises (in designated area)
9:05-11:05 Learning Block 1
11:05-11:55 Nutritional and Activity Break
11:55-1:10 Learning Block 2
1:10-2:00 Nutritional and Activity Break
2:00-3:45 Learning Block 3
3:45 Dismissal of Students
If you are picking up your child during the school day or dropping something off (labelled with name and homeroom) for your child you must report to the office. If it is necessary to pick your child up for an appointment please do so at the office before or after break times. It is difficult for recess supervisors to find students on the playground. Please use the office window in front of the school as your first contact.
Soups On
picture day
Mark your Calendar for our School Picture Day on
Wednesday, October 21 and Thursday, October 22.
All students will be photographed for school service products. Proofs will be sent home for you to preview the images before you buy!
For Tips on preparing for photo day visit lifetouch.ca
Questions call Lifetouch at 1-866-457-8212 or email: guestservices@lifetouch.ca
wear the right stuff!
School safety reminders
Leaving times
Please ensure your child is aware of pickup arrangements before coming to school. Changes to routine pick up arrangements should be written in the agenda book. If a friend or relative is picking up a child from school the parent/guardian needs to notify the school or the classroom teacher by writing a note in the agenda. If you need to phone the school regarding a change in pick up for your child at the end of the day please call before 2:45 pm.
food services
Our Pizza, Hot Lunch, and Milk Sales are currently on hold. We will keep you posted if/when this changes. Thank-you for understanding.
administering medication to students at school
In the past there has been some confusion regarding the administering of medication while your child is under the care of the school. In accordance with Hanover School Policy, we feel you should be aware of the following points if your child requires the use of prescribed medication:
· All medication must be brought to school by the child’s guardian to ensure that the medication administered to your child is the correct medication. All Medications must be brought in the original pharmacy container.
· All medication administered at school will require forms completed by the parent which are available at the school office. If medication is required for more than fourteen days, an Individual Health Care Plan may be required.
· The school will not administer non-prescribed medication or over-the-counter medication. A doctor’s prescription is always required.
Even if your child is capable of taking their prescribed medication independently at school, it will still require the appropriate paperwork. The medication will be kept under lock and key. Students are not allowed to keep any type of medication in their locker, lunch kit, or backpack while on school premises.
If you have any further questions about this issue we would be happy to discuss it with you.
WOODLAWN SCHOOL IS A "PEANUT AWARE SCHOOL"
No child without
Our school is involved with the Canadian Medic Alert Foundation’s
No Child Without program. There is no cost for students who attend our school and are between the ages of 4 up to their 14th birthday to join the Medic Alert through this program. If your child has a medical condition, allergy or is required to take medication on a regular basis, then you should consider this program. A child’s MedicAlert identification can alert school staff, friends, coaches and other’s about your child’s medical condition should an emergency occur.
For further information come to the office for a brochure or go to
www.nochild without.ca. To register your child you will need a NO Child Without brochure from the school office.
If your child is already part of the No Child Without program and there has been a change to their medical condition, medications or emergency contact information, call MedicAlert at 1-866-679-3220 Ext 1 to update your child’s file.
2020 - 2021 Woodlawn Staff
Kindergarten
Mrs. Candace Georgijevic - KCG1
Mrs. Angela Martin - KM1 & KM2
Mrs. Kara Grant - KG1 & KG2
Grade 1
Ms. Amanda Cipriano - 1C
Mrs. Jenn Cuppage - 1JC
Mrs. Heather Penner - 1P
Mr. Chris Schroeder - 1S
Ms.Katlin Flinta - 1F
Grade 2
Ms. Kristen Falk - 2KF
Ms. Sandra Froese - 2SF
Mrs. Marlene Funk - 2MF
Mrs. Courtney Gangloff - 2G
Mrs. Leah Read - 2LR
Mrs. Pat Reimer - 2PR
Grade 3
Mr. Shawn Kehoe - 3K
Kristen Reimer - 3R
Cathy Toews (am) and Mrs. Angela Gosselin (pm)- 3T
Grade 3/4
Mr. Michael Bourget - 3/4B
Mrs. Andrea Dick - 3/4D
Mrs. Lisa Martens 3/4M
Ms. Jordyn Shaw 3/4S
Grade 4
Mrs. Wendy Buhler - 4B
Ms. Simmy Gandhi - 4G
Mrs. Jerilyn Koslowsky - 4K
Music (Gr. 2-4) - Mrs. Paula Kirland
PE (Gr. 2-4) - Mr. Jesse Adams
Music/PE (K & 1) - Ms Jessica Heier
Learning Support
Mrs. Glenda Maendel
Amanda Bilevicius
Rebecca Mackie
Literacy Support
Mrs. April Harder
Mrs. Katherine Peters
Instructional Coach - Monica Martens
School Counsellors - Ms. Sandy Caners, Rebecca Mackie, Christy Emard
Vice Principal - Mrs. Tara Reimer
Principal - Mrs. Karen Fraser
School Administrative Secretary - Mrs. Melissa Thiessen
School Secretary - Mrs. Crystal Penner
Library Support Specialist - Mrs. Sandy Loewen
Custodian - Mr. Ed Wolfe
Educational Assistants
Ms. Christy Bolisay
Mrs. Natalie Dyck
Mrs. Rose Falk
Ms. Sara Falk
Ms. Shana Heppner
Ms. Alexandra Hiebert
Mrs. Kim Houska
Mrs. Tara LeDrew
Mrs. Yvonne Neufeld
Miss Stephanie Nikkel
Ms. Carol Peters
Mrs. Esther Plett
Ms. Gabriella Sulak
Ms. Taylor Wiens
PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL
WOODLAWN SCHOOL 2020/2021 CALENDAR
*Please be aware that any assemblies or larger group activities may be altered or cancelled based on provicial recommendations.
Monday , September 7 - Labour Day
Tuesday, September 8 - Meet the Teacher
Wednesday, September 9 - First Day of Classes / K Interviews
Thursday, September 10 - K Interviews
Friday, September 11 - Kindergarten Staggered Entry
Monday , September 14 - Kindergarten Staggered Entry
Tuesday, September 15 - Kindergarten Staggered Entry
Wednesday, September 16 - Kindergarten Staggered Entry
Thursday, September 17 - All K Students Attend (Days 1,3,5)
Friday, September 18 - All K Students Attend (Days 2,4,6)
Friday, September 18 - Strong Connections Day 1
Monday , September 21 - Strong Connections Day 2
Friday, September 25 - Terry Fox Run
Monday , October 12 - Thanksgiving Day - No Classes
Monday-Thursday, October 19-22 - Bus Safety Week
Wednesday, October 21 - Picture Day
Thursday, October 22 - Picture Day
Friday, November 6 - Remembrance Day Assembly
Monday , November 9 - Admin Day - No Classes
Wednesday, November 11- Remembrance Day - No Classes
Friday, November 13 - Picture Retakes
Friday, November 13 - Reports Issued
Thursday, November 19 - Student Led Conferences
Thursday, December 10 - Aft/Evening Christmas Concert
Friday, December 18 - Last Day of School Before Christmas Break
Monday , January 4 - First Day Back at School After Christmas Break
Friday, January 29 - Admin/PD Day - No Classes
Monday -Friday , Feb 1-5 - Book Fair
Friday, Feb 12 - Winter Fun Day
Monday , February 15 - Louis Riel Day - No Classes
Friday, February 26 - HTA PD Day - No Classes
Friday, March 12 - Admin Day - No Classes
Friday, March 19 - Report Cards Issued
Mon-Fri , March 22-26 - Wacky Week
Tuesday, March 23 - Student Led Conferences
Friday, March 26 - Community Pancake Breakfast
Friday, March 26 - Last Day of School Before Spring Break
Monday , April 5 - First Day Back After Spring Break
Friday, April 16 - Admin/PD Day - No Classes
Tuesday, April 27 - Board/PAC Liaison Meeting
Tuesday, May 4 - Aft/Eve Spring Concert - Grade 1
Thursday, May 6 - Aft/Eve Spring Concert - Grade 2
Thursday, May 20 - Grade 5 Orientation Evenings at CMS and SMS
Tuesday, May 18 - Volunteer Appreciation Event
Monday , May 24 - Victoria Day - No Classes
Tuesday, June 29 - School Picnic - Last Day of Classes - Report Cards Issued
Wednesday, June 30 - Admin Day
Terry fox event
STRONG CONNECTIONS - Grades 1-4
Strong Connections Program at Woodlawn For Grades 1-4
Please sign into your child's Parent Portal to see which date your grade 1-4 student will attend for Strong Connections. A note will also be sent home shortly.
(Kindergarten classes will take place as usual.)
Strong Connections will take place once again at Woodlawn School on September 18 and September 21. This program has been implemented for several years now in Hanover School Division. Strong Connections is a program designed to build the relationships between teachers and their students as well as enhance the beginning of the year assessment of each child. Strong Connections activities are designed to help us get to know our students and how they learn in order to know where to begin with instruction. This provides an opportunity for teachers to extend and
consolidate their understanding of each child through one to one interview/assessment times. This will facilitate teachers in planning for instruction that will effectively address learning needs early in the year.
What will teachers learn through Strong Connections?
Teachers working individually with their students in an atmosphere of support and
encouragement have an opportunity to collect first hand information about such things as:
· How they learn
· Their confidence as learners
· The learning strategies they possess
· Their reading, writing and mathematical skills
· Their approach to problem solving
· Their attitudes toward school and learning
· Their ability to reflect upon and set goals for their learning
How will it work?
On either September 18 or 21, students will attend school one day out of two. With half of the students present, homeroom teachers will have the opportunity to meet one on one with each student to participate in relationship building activities and assessment which revolves around literacy and numeracy. This is an opportunity for teachers to gather information about each child’s learning that may not be evident during whole class instruction. It is also an opportunity to further develop the teacher-student relationship.
Students will arrive at school in their normal manner (bus or other) for their scheduled day. Parents can check the Parent Portal to see when their child’s scheduled Strong Connections day will be.
We look forward to using these days to provide us with a deeper understanding of each student. More information will be sent out in September.
RELIGIOUS EXERCISES & RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION
Petition for Religious Exercises (2020-21)
Hanover School Division Board of Trustees has received a petition requesting that religious exercises be held at Woodlawn School during the 2020-21 school year. The petitioners have specified their desire for the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, and the reading of a Bible passage or story from the Bible. As the petition bears the signatures of parents/guardians representing more than 60 students in the school, the Board of Trustees has authorized religious exercises as specified above. These exercises are to be held before the official instructional day, in a designated common area of the school.
Petition for Religious Instruction (2020-21)
Hanover School Division Board of Trustees has received a petition requesting that religious instruction be held at Woodlawn School during the 2020-21 school year. The petitioners have specified their desire for the Discovery Time Program offered by Child Evangelism Fellowship. As the petition bears the signatures of parents/guardians representing more than 25 students in the school, the Board of Trustees has passed the required by-law permitting religious instruction as specified above. This instruction is to be offered by volunteers during designated half-hour per week classes.
Parents/Guardians who did not sign the submitted petitions are eligible to join by delivering a signed note to the school office. The note must indicate the student’s name, their grade, and include a parent/guardian signature. The school principal will forward all received documentation to the HSD Administration Office. Only children whose parents/guardians signed the petition or have subsequently joined via permission note, may participate in the exercises and instruction as described above.
- Public Schools Act
- Religious Exercises in Schools Regulation, M.R. 554/88
- Responding to Religious Diversity in Manitoba’s Schools
- HSD Board Policy – Religious Exercises & Instruction: Section J/Code JC
Hanover is a student-centred school division striving for excellence while developing skills and promoting values for a productive and wholesome life.
About Us
Email: woodlawn@hsd.ca
Website: www.woodlawn.hsd.ca
Location: 411 Henry St, Steinbach, MB, Canada R5G 0R1
Phone: 204-326-6110
Twitter: @WoodlawnHSD