Welcome to all Glenwood Parents! 2017-2018
Good day, Glenwood Grizzlies, family, care-givers and friends!
I trust you had a relaxing summer, and that our students are rested, and ready to learn! Our Glenwood staff is looking forward to working with you, and your child(ren). Our collective aim is to ensure the academic and social-emotional well-being of all – students and adults – in our community. Collectively we strive for excellence, in a safe and caring environment, where each child is valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.
We are starting this year with quite a few new(er) and/or returning staff members. In June, we said good bye to:
Nicole Anzinger, Sue Barre, Karen Blom, Christa Dey Girard, Rebecca Mardis, Robyn Pedersen, Renae Pennell, James White, Dave Allan and Benjamin Wickham. Our best wishes accompany them on their endeavours.
We want to extend a warm welcome to:
Melissa Affleck, Nicola Gray, Katie Waddell, Megan Olynyk, Kim Larson, Taylor Horniachek, Angela Manyk, and Katelyn Hebert!
Additionally, welcome back to Katie McGuire who is back from a maternity leave!
A FEW HOUSE KEEPING ITEMS:
Student Absence or Late Arrival – Please contact the office if your child will be absent. A quick phone call 604-463-6512 or email gl_reception@sd42.ca is all that’s needed. If the office does not know to expect your child absent, you will receive a phone call regarding their absence.
First Aid Procedures – The School Act gives teachers the same responsibility as that of prudent parents. “Prudent practice” varies from parent to parent, but we would rather err on the side of caution. When, in our judgment, an injury or an illness is something more than minor or casual, we contact the parent. If we are unable to reach a parent, we try the emergency number you have given the school. If we are unsuccessful in contacting you or your designate(s), we will call your doctor or simply proceed with having the injury/ailment checked by a clinic doctor. In obvious emergency situations, we will call 911 and request an ambulance.
Student Fees – If your child is in Kindergarten to Grade 3 please ensure that you submit the $55.00 student supply fee to your child’s classroom teacher by September 29th. A reminder that the $35.00 fee for students in Grades 1–3 is inclusive of the student planner. Please note that students in Grade 4 who were assigned to a 3/4 class, who have not yet purchased individual supplies, are also included in the above. If your child is an intermediate student (Grades 4–7) and has been issued a student planner please ensure you submit the $5.00 planner fee to your child’s classroom teacher by September 29th. If parents have questions regarding the student fees please ensure you speak to your child’s classroom teacher.
HELP NEEDED! Volunteers Needed for our Breakfast Program – We are looking for help with our breakfast club program. If you are able to help out between 8:15 and 9:15 am please stop on by the office.
Scent Aware Zone – Our school is a scent aware environment due to allergies. Please avoid using strong scents when at our school.
Student Movement and Safety – The safety of our students is of paramount importance to all members of our staff. We require all visitors and volunteers to check in at the office. To ensure an uninterrupted learning environment in classrooms, parents or visitors with lunches or messages are asked to leave them at the office and they will be forwarded at a convenient time. Parents and visitors are not to go directly to the classrooms. Also at the end of the day it is requested that if you child’s classroom has an outside door, please ensure you pick up your child there, rather than the inside door leading to the hallway. Our hallways become very busy at the end of the day not only, therefore, possibly disrupting learning but the halls also become unsafe. A huge thank you for your help with this important matter.
Head Lice – This is the time of year when head lice may show up in your child’s hair. To prevent head lice among children at school, we ask that you remind your child not to share personal items such as hats, combs and brushes. We also ask that you check your child’s head weekly for the presence of head lice.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding head lice, or require further information, please contact the school or the Public Health Nurse at 604-476-7000.
Parent Portal and Permission Forms – Parents who are linked to our Parent Portal would have received an email regarding some very important permission forms that need to be reviewed. As soon as possible can you please ensure you log onto your portal account and read the following forms:
- Information and Technology
- Outside Media
- Personal Information Consent
- Use of Google Drive Services
- Microsoft Office of 365 Services
- Walking Field Trip
Parking Lot Safety – If you are dropping off or picking up by vehicle, please do NOT park in front of the school as this is a designated fire lane. This will help provide good sightlines in front of the school. Please, park your vehicle and walk to the classroom. Review with your child the importance of walking across the parking lot (if they can do so independently). We need to work together to ensure the safety of all children and families. As always, please do not use any designated spots unless you have someone in the vehicle with a disability.
Student Information Sheets – Student Information Verification Sheets for each child will be coming home soon. Please read these over carefully, make any necessary changes, sign them and return them to the school. It is ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE we have all information filled out and returned to your child’s teacher ASAP. We must have these forms on file in the office in the case of an emergency. Please make sure all emergency contacts are individuals who would be readily available, if needed. Also, please remember to provide cell phone, work numbers and email. Please ensure your child’s health care number is on the form. If any of the information on the family information forms changes throughout the year, please remember to contact the office. It is essential we have accurate contact information on file at all times.
Student Photos & Retakes – Student photos took place on Friday, September 29th and we expect the proofs and order forms to arrive back in a couple weeks. Date of retakes TBA.
Lunch (Play First, Eat Later)/Lunch Drop Off – We have a “Play first, eat later” lunch. This means students will be dismissed to play at 12:00, and return to eat their lunch from 12:23 – 12:40. The benefits of this schedule are that students will more often finish their lunch, and will be more settled for learning in the afternoon. Occasionally parents need to drop off a lunch for their child. Please write your child’s name on the lunch and drop off at the office.
West Coast Recess – Glenwood Elementary is a “West Coast Recess” school. This means that all students will be going outside regardless of the weather (rain or shine). We will of course make exceptions, decided by the Principal, when there is heavy rain or extreme weather conditions. In order to make this work we will need your help in ensuring that your child is prepared for all weather conditions. For most days, a light rain jacket and outside shoes (for primary children) will be a good idea. We feel that having students outside and playing with their peers and friends will encourage physical activity and get them some much needed fresh air each school day. We will also determine lunch break in a similar way.
Supervision of Students During Breaks – During the recess break, teachers are assigned to supervise students. During the lunch break; three paid Noon Hour Supervisors assume responsibility of supervising students. If the day is designated an ‘outside day’ (whether at recess or lunch), all of the supervisors are assigned to outside duties. On occasion, parents request that their child be allowed to stay inside during recess and/or lunch. We ask that this type of request not be made, as doing so leaves the student in an unsupervised situation for the duration of the break. If there are extenuating circumstances, please discuss them directly with Mrs. Brown and/or Mrs. Davis.
Volunteer Drivers – Parent volunteer drivers are very important to the running of school activities. We appreciate your help in enriching the children’s learning experiences. The School Board and ICBC require that all volunteer drivers have a Driver’s Abstract and a Volunteer Driver Form on file at the school BEFORE any driver is allowed to take any child, other than their own, on a school outing. If you plan to help us with driving this year, please complete the necessary forms and check to see if we have a driver’s abstract currently on file for you in the office.
Obtaining your driving record (Driver’s Abstract) Your BC driving record lists your licensing transactions and offenses over the last 5-year period. It is available by visiting a Driver Licensing Office or by calling the Driver Licensing Information line at 1-800-950-1498. Or visit the Government Agent at 175 22470 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge BC.
Communication – It is important to establish good two-way communication between home and school. The teaching staff is encouraged to contact parents (and advise the principal) of concerns they may have about a child and also let the parents know about the positive things that are happening. If you have a concern, it is important to discuss it first with your child’s teacher. If parent and teacher concerns are not resolved, the principal will be consulted and involved. The priority for all of us is what best meets a student’s needs. You can be assured that all matters will be treated confidentially and that we will make every effort to rectify situations that are found to be unsatisfactory for our pupils. For more information on problem solving/appeal process please visit our school district website at http://www.sd42.ca/appeal-process
Devices at School (Cell Phones, IPOD, M3P, iPad, laptop computers, etc.) – In this day and age, technological tools are anywhere and everywhere. These items are very much part of all of our daily lives. We understand that many parents provide a cell phone for their child to use for safety purposes while on the way to or from school. These devices can also be used very effectively for learning purposes. However, when used inappropriately, they can create disruption to student learning. During the school day, phones should be turned to silent and remain in backpacks. If a parent needs to connect with their child, please do not hesitate to contact the office and we will happily pass along the information. Should an emergency arise or the need for someone to phone home, the office phones are always available.
Although we recognize the importance of supporting our learners to effectively use technology to expand their knowledge and understanding, we also believe that during recess and lunch, it can be most beneficial for students to be enjoying this social time with their peers. If such items come to school, we ask that they stay in the students’ backpacks for the duration of the school day unless they are being used for educational purposes as outlined by the classroom teacher. If these items come to school and are used during the day in an inappropriate or disruptive manner, staff will ask for the item and as parents, you will be phoned in this regard.
If these items come to school and they are lost, misplaced or broken, please understand that we cannot take responsibility for them. Each classroom has a locked cupboard where such treasured items can be locked during the day. Please encourage your child to speak with his/her classroom teacher in this regard.
Pokemon Cards and other Collectables – We realize that many of our students like to bring trading cards or other collectable toys to school to play with during recess and lunch. It is requested that you please discuss with your child that if he/she is bringing these items to school that they understand that they will need to be solely responsible for these items. Time cannot be spent looking for lost items. It also needs to be understood that trading is NOT ALLOWED at school. If we encounter students who are having difficulties with the following requests then we may need to request that these items are left at home.
Basketball – Community Program:
Pitt Meadows Secondary – Steve Nash Youth Basketball 2016/17: The Steve Nash Youth Basketball Program is a basketball experience and league organized for elementary school boys and girls in grades K to 7. Pitt Meadows Secondary School runs the league as a feeder school program. At present, some of our head coaches are former Pitt players who are now parents. Parents are expected to volunteer, as coaches, assist with scorekeeping and timekeeping and to help deliver the Season End Banquet. This program is dedicated to the instruction of the skills of the game of basketball in a ‘fun’ but competitive environment and includes instruction in ball handling, dribbling, passing, shooting, and defense.
More information to follow! And/or please ask in the office
Hospital/Homebound Program – Do you have a son or daughter who is ill or injured and unable to attend school? The school district provides instruction through the Hospital/Homebound program to students in kindergarten through grade 12 who are unable to attend school due to illness or injury.
- What is the Hospital/Homebound Program? – The Hospital/Homebound program is designed to meet the learning needs of students with noncontagious illnesses who are unable to attend school for medical reasons. Students work on assignments given by their teachers. The primary function of the program is to provide direct instruction and support to students so they are able to return to class with as little interruption to their education as possible.
- When can a student be referred?
Homebound students can be referred when they are expected to be absent from school for 5 school days or longer (10 school days for students not on the semester system). Students who are hospitalized can be referred upon entering the Ridge Meadows hospital.
- How do I refer my son or daughter? Contact your student’s teacher, counsellor, administrator
- IAP Kids Plus Accident Insurance – Every year students are injured while at school and most of the time these minor scrapes and bruises, but injuries can be more serious. Sometimes the parents may not have adequate coverage, especially when it comes to dental injuries. Parents often assume that the school district will cover the cost of these damages, which is not the case. The school district will cover costs only when there is some act or omission on the part of the school district resulting in liability. FORMS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE!
OR – If you are interested in purchasing accident insurance for your student, please go to the following website: www.iapkinsplus.com/protect
PAC News –
PAC’s Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/GlenwoodPAC/
2017-2018 PAC Executive:
Co chairs: Stephanie Raposo and Katie Jonas
Treasurer: Leslie Higginson
Secretary: Paulina Larrain
DPAC Reps: Stephanie Raposo and Katie Jonas
Hot lunch coordinators: Sally Dickie and Laura Martinez
PAC DATES: Dates subject to change
September 12, 2017 at 6:30 pm: our first PAC meeting
September 27: PAC is planning a pancake breakfast
October 27: (tentatively) – Movie Night
PAC Reminders:
- Subway Hot Lunch order form
- Family Photo Night sign up form for September 29th - date to be confirmed
- The school would like to start a Garden Committee. Parents who are interested in being part of this committee please contact Mrs. Brown or Mrs. Davis in the office.
- Save The Date! Family Movie Night is coming Friday, October 27th - date to be confirmed
- All PAC meeting dates will be Tweeted out in a timely fashion. All parents are welcome to attend. Please RSVP through our office at 604-463-6512 if babysitting is required. If you are interested in volunteering or for more info regarding the PAC please email us at Glenwood.pac@gmail.com Follow us on fb @ Facebook.com/GlenwoodPac
UPCOMING EVENTS:
A few anticipated (some events/dates subject to change!) highlights in September:
- September 5 – first day back, dismissal at 11 am
- September 6 – family groups, primary and intermediate
- September 7 – Art Starts Performance at 1 pm
- September 8 – potentially first day in new classes
- September 12 – PAC at 6:30 pm
- September 18 – Terry Fox Assembly
- September 22 – Raise a Reader
- September 25 – Non-instructional day – no classes
- September 27 – Terry Fox Run. Our run this year will be kicked off with an assembly at 12:45 pm. We are asking all students to please bring in a “Toonie for Terry.” All donations will then be sent into the Terry Fox Foundation. Any family making a donation $20.00 or more are entitled to a tax receipt.
- September 29 – Photo Day
It is important to be informed (all notifications will go out on Twitter!), and we are encouraging you to follow us on social media.
You could choose one or all of the following to get timely updates
- Twitter: Glenwood Elem. SD42 @GlenwoodSD42 (#gogrizzlies)
- Facebook: Glenwood Elementary SD42
- Glenwood’s website: https://elementary.sd42.ca/glenwood/
(Twitter will feed onto the Website in REAL time for immediate communication!)
Additionally, from our side, we want to welcome all into our building. We will do our best to ensure you stay informed via clear and timely communication. Please, do not hesitate to contact us – all staff email addresses will be on our website.
Thank you,
Ms. Anelma Brown
UBUNTU!