September News 

Welcome back to our returning families! Welcome also to the new students and their families – we’ll all work very hard to help you adjust to the C.J.Schurter “I CARE” learning community. Parents are encouraged to refer often to the School Handbook section of your child’s agenda or on the CJS website - there is a wealth of information about the school policiesand programs.

For safety concerns, all exit doors used by the students will be locked after classes begin. If you bring your child to school late, or if you need to come into the building during the day the only doors that will be unlocked after 8:45 am are the doors on 6th avenue; there is a surveillance camera, so all visitors need to start their visit by signing in at the office. 

Our school theme this year is Fill Your “I CARE” Bucket!. The first assembly will be on September 15th at 10:40. Our September focus will be on playground safety and reinforcing I CARE behaviours. Classes will do special activities during September that will kick off our new theme! Everyone is welcome to attend any of our school assemblies; they usually last about 30 minutes.

 One exciting addition to the CJS communication package is an up-to-date school website! During the year each class will be posting a webpage - check it out - some have already been started! This is a work in progress, so we do appreciate feedback. Go to www.hpsd48.ab.ca and follow the link to schools, then C.J.Schurter. The School Handbook is also available here. 

International Literacy Day will be celebrated in Slave Lake on September 8th; our students will be reading and tallying those minutes and submitting them to the Community Reading Program. Families are welcome to report their reading minutes too - call 780 849-8626. Wear readable T-shirts that day to celebrate! The first monthly school council meeting will be on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th at 7:00 pm in the staffroom. All parents are encouraged to attend and offer their input on matters that affect their childʼs education. 

The first Parent Teacher Interviews will be held this month on Sept 15th (5:00-6:30) and 16th (3:45-5:15). During this scheduled interview, you will have an opportunity to see how your child is adjusting to his/her new class environment and provide your valuable input into your childʼs educational goals for the year. The teachers will share info about what will be covered in the different subject areas. The teachers will be sending home detailed times and information. The school will be locked up from 3:20 until interviews begin to allow staff to have a short break. 

Dismissal Routines: Safety of the children is our first concern!* At CJS the bus students are dismissed first at 3:00. The rest of the students will be dismissed by their classroom teachers as soon as the bus students have cleared the building at around 3:05. The children waiting for rides will wait in their regular arrival/dismissal bootroom with their teachers (Kindergarten doors, Circle bootroom on east end of school, Barbutza Wing bootroom facing the Bus Bay) - we do not permit the students to leave the bootroom area until we see the parents. If you are picking up your child, please do not be later than 3:20! If you are delayed please call the office; students still here after 3:20 will wait in the office.

* Any changes to how students go home should be given in writing to the teacher, the office and the bus driver. If you are arranging for another person to pick up your child we need it in writing and their name on the Emergency Contact List. We will not permit anyone to take a child from the school unless the parent has given us written permission! People on the Emergency Contact List must be kept updated by the parents.

***For bus students - if we do not have a written note about a change the children will be sent home on their regular bus.

* Parking is not permitted in the bus bay. Parent parking is available only in the area in front of the school, on the road by the staff parking lots (no parking available in the west lot), or in the Elks Club Parking area. There is NO PARKING on the street across from the school or in the private lot belonging toVanderwell Heritage Place.

 

Our school does one main fundraiser each year. This year the “Winter Wonderland” catalogues will be sent home early in September with information and order sheets. Ordering can be done until October 12th. Parents not wishing to place or take orders from the catalogue are welcome to make a donation instead. The funds raised go to resources for all students to use (books, computer programs, etc.).All of our students benefit from this worthwhile campaign - we thank you in advance for your support! 

 

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT YEAR OF LEARNING!

OCTOBER 18, 2010 - SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS

 

Dear editor:The time is fast approaching for voters to decide who will shape and direct local education for the next three years. School trustee elections take place October 18, 2010 and it is not too early to think about who you would like to see as candidates for this important office.Having good candidates for the trustee positions available in the upcoming election is critical because school board trustees decide how education is delivered locally. Our policies and decisions have a tremendous impact on the local community although it might only be evident to people when the discussion is about a very emotional issue.Annually, we manage millions of dollars in public funds, employ hundreds of teachers, support staff and local contractors and play a key role in the care and education of local school-aged children.As a community, shaping our young people into well-educated and well-rounded citizens is one of the most important things we can do. Residents can help meet this goal by ensuring the local school board represents the diverse views and interests of the community it serves.It is our belief that having a broad spectrum of interests represented on our local school board makes our education system stronger. And a strong, well-run education system adds to the strength and vitality of local communities. That's why, on behalf of our board, I would encourage individuals with an interest in children and a vision for local education to consider running for trustee. It is important work that makes a difference in the development of our children and in the lives of local residents - whether you have children in school or not. The date to file nomination papers is September 20, 2010.  Our central office has information about becoming a school board trustee as do each of our nomination/election sites:  The MD of Smoky River, The MD of Big Lakes and the Town of Slave Lake. We would encourage people to stop by to pick up a copy or call to have the information sent to you. You may also visit the Alberta School Boards Association website at www.asba.ab.ca.   Trustees are also available to speak about trusteeship. Our current board members are:  Ward 1, Karin Scholl and Gary Doran, Ward 2, Joyce Dvornek and Rick Neidig, Ward 3, Rudy Willier and Ward 4, Lenny Richer and Monica Edwards.  Although 5 of the 7 have indicated that they intend to run again, all trustees encourage members of the public to take an interest and consider putting their name forward as well.  Please call our central office number at 1-877-523-3337 if you would like more information.

 Yours truly,   Joyce Dvornek, Chair

High Prairie School Division #48