École Fred A. Hamilton

November Communication to Families

Posted November 2, 2023

Bonjour! 

With the changing of the colour of the leaves comes a change in the weather. Fortunately, we had a warm September and October. Cooler temperatures will soon be upon us and winter is just around the corner! As a result of the cooler temperatures, students are encouraged to start bringing hats, mitts or gloves and warmer clothing to school.  Please label all student belongings so that found items may be quickly returned. 

The creative playgrounds are now closed for the season. Board Policy dictates that school playgrounds are closed each year from November 1st until at least March 31st, pending the weather. For more information regarding the Board’s Outdoor Play Space Policy, please click here. 

Please note that families may access progress reports via the online portal by the end of the school day on Thursday, November 16th. Parent and teacher interviews follow on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th. More information regarding progress reports and parent teacher interviews will be sent to families in the coming weeks. 

Thank you to the School Council for organizing the Big Box Fundraiser.  Cards will be sent home to families on Friday.  Orders are open on School Cash Online from November 3rd to 15th.  Please complete this brief online form to let the School Council Executive know if you are able to help organize the Soirée d’Hiver or if you are able to volunteer for a 30 minute interval the night of the event.

Please see below for further updates from the school and the School Council.

Bonne journée!

Fundscrip 

The holiday season is around the corner!  Check out the November and December Promo from Fundscrip.  Fred A. Hamilton is using Fundscrip, a gift card fundraising program, to raise money for the arts programs at Fred A. Hamilton. Gift cards may be purchased year round on your own schedule for everyday purchases or as gifts for special occasions. They are sold at face value, but earn rebates for the school ranging from 2%- 10% of the purchase price of the cards at no extra cost to you. There is a wide array of Canada’s largest retailers to choose from; please consider purchasing gift cards for groceries, gas retailers, home improvement, department stores, restaurants, coffee shops, clothing stores etc. Gift cards are available in plastic, electronic or reloadable versions.  Please consider supporting our school by following the steps below:

• • log onto  www.fundscrip.com
  • Select SUPPORT A GROUP
  • Enter Group Invitation Code ZNQUYK

• Select the delivery method you would prefer (gift cards can be delivered to your home free of delivery charges)

Scholastic Book Fair

Mme Woodward will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair in the school library November 20-24, 2023. Please see further details on the flier or on the posters on the windows around the school.

Fall Dance

We danced together on Tuesday!  A video of the dance will be available on your student’s Google Classroom later this week.   Merci Mme Woodward for choreographing the dance and teaching it to our students as part of our Dance curriculum.

Fresh From the Farm

Thank you for supporting the Fresh From the Farm fundraiser.  Over $800 was raised and will be used to support our dancED residency in May (i.e., reduce the cost of the event for all students).  Fresh from the Farm orders can be picked up Tuesday, November 21 from 2:00-4:00 p.m., on Wednesday, November 22 from 8:00  a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and on Thursday, November 23 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

YMCA Before and After School Program

If your student will begin, or stop, attending the YMCA Program, please inform the school at (519) 836-0080, extension 0.  The YMCA is a separate organization and we appreciate families informing us of before or after school changes so that we may ensure that students arrive at school and/or leave school safely. 

University of Guelph Students

Merci beaucoup Mme Ashley, Mme Jess, Mme Kayla and Mme Reanna who supported students through small group instruction this fall!  They will complete their placement with us at the end of November and we wish them good luck on their summative assignments and exams.

Speech, Language and Hearing Resources for Families

Did you know that over 10% of children have a communication disorder? Parents of children who have a persistent difficulty in speaking, listening, reading and/or writing will find helpful information and strategies to support their child on the UGDSB Speech, Language and Hearing website:  www.ugdsb.ca/clsparents

Posture at the Desk

Please see information in this flier with information on good sitting posture shared with us by the Occupational Therapy team at KidsAbility.

In case you missed it:  Heritage Language Classes from Continuing Education

This information was shared in mid-October via the school website.  Please note that there is often rolling admission in these programs.  If you have any questions, please call the Continuing Education office at 519-836-7280.   Continuing Education is offering Saturday morning language classes from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to Grade 1-8 students.  Classes are available in the following languages: Dari, Hindu, Punjabi, Bengali, Spanish or Tingrinya.  Classes will be held at Willow Rd. P.S. starting October 21st (enrolment dependent).  Please see our school website for further details and the registration link.  

Canada Dental Benefit – Applications for the second period of the Canada Dental Benefit are open. Eligible families can receive up to $650, to help with expenses for their children under 12 who receive dental care between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. canada.ca/dental

Strengths to Grow Research Study

Parents and guardians of elementary school children are invited to participate in the Strengths to Grow research study. This brief study is entirely online and can be completed at any time. Participants will complete two 10-minute surveys and the 30-minute Strengths to Grow program which helps parents identify and develop their child’s unique strengths. Every participant receives free access to the Strengths to Grow program. For more information, see the flier or follow this link: https://bit.ly/strength-research

Important Dates in November

The École Fred A. Hamilton school calendar can be accessed from our school website.  The UGDSB school year calendar and cycle day calendars are located on the UGDSB website. Please see below some important dates for November.  (Please note, these dates are subject to change, however the school calendar on the FA Hamilton website will be updated as required).  

School Council Update

The School Council will meet Thursday November 16 at 6:30 p.m in the school library. Families are welcome to join in-person in the school library or via Google Meet.  The School Council Minutes from the October meeting and the November meeting agenda, including virtual meeting link, are available on the School Council page of the school website.  

The School Council is looking forward to the December event: Soirée d’hiver. If you are looking to get involved in an event, this is a great opportunity! In the past, the Soirée d’Hiver has been an opportunity for families to gather at the school before the winter break for refreshments, crafts, and activities. We can’t run events without family volunteers so let us know if you can lend a hand by completing this brief form or by emailing [email protected].  Even 30 minutes of your time makes a difference in the School Council being able to host/run events.  Thanks!

A reminder to families that the Big Box Fundraising Event is taking place in November.  We are fundraising for the dancED residency, Forest of Reading program and playground repairs.   Demo boxes will be sent home with the oldest/only children November 3rd, and School Cash Online will be open for orders from November 3rd to November 15th.  Please ensure any unsold or unpurchased demo boxes are returned to the school by November 15th.  

Did you know that the School Council has a Family Lending Library?  Check out the FAH School Council Family Lending Library flier and list of books for more information.

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