École Fred A. Hamilton

December Communication to Families

Posted December 4, 2023

Bonjour!

2023 is slowly wrapping up.  What a busy, and interesting year it has been!  The colder weather is upon us and students are enjoying the snow, when it lasts for more than a few hours! November was a busy month at Fred A. Hamilton as we focused on Hindu Heritage Month, Treaties Recognition Week, Remembrance Day, Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, etc. as well as the Scholastic Book Fair, parent-teacher interviews and various trips and activities.  

Please save the date for the Soirée d’Hiver School Council event which will take place on Tuesday, December 19 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.  Please note that Soirée d’Hiver is a School Council sponsored event and school staff will not be supervising.  

Our last day of school prior to the holidays is Friday, December 22.  We will return on Monday, January 8, 2024. The Fred A. Hamilton staff would like to wish our community a peaceful, restful, and joyous holiday. May the New Year bring prosperity, good health, and happiness to all!

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

Warm Winter Clothing Drive

The Community Support Group from Le Conseil (i.e., Student Council) invites you to donate new, or gently used winter clothing items for Rachel’s Saturday Table (affiliated with The Bench) and Hope House.  Items may be dropped off in the front foyer of the school between December 4 and 15. 

Le Conseil’s (Student Council’s) Fred A. Hamilton Newspaper

Please click here to access the first edition of Le Conseil’s Fred A Hamiton’s newspaper.  Thank you to  Le Conseil members of the newspaper committee for their hard work and dedication to our second edition!  This was entirely a student-led project and was written/drawn by our talented Huskies!

December Theme Weeks:

From December 11-22, this year’s theme will be La vie secrete des écureuils based on the series The Secret Life of Squirrels by Canadian author/photographer, Nancy Rose.  Classes will receive many “choose your own adventure” activities and challenges including our annual door decorating as well as the creation of a diorama, 2D or 3D scene, etc. for the display cases.  M. Cacahuète (i.e., a little squirrel character) will surely have many adventures at FA Hamilton!

Important Dates in December:

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 December.  (Please note, these dates are subject to change, however the school calendar on the school website will be updated as required).

School Council

We have wrapped up the Big Box fundraiser.  Thank you to all the families that supported this initiative and helped us achieve our fundraising goals.  Another thank you to teachers and staff, this would not have been possible without your support.  The final numbers will be included in the January Financial Update for the School Council.  

The School Council will meet January 18th  at 6:30 p.m in the school library, or online. Families are welcome to join in-person in the school library or via Google Meet.  The School Council Minutes from the November meeting are available on the School Council page of the school website.  

The School Council is looking forward to the December event: Soirée d’Hiver.  This event will be on Tuesday December 19, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00pm.  For more information please see attached flyer and information sheet.

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 signing  up for a 30 minute time slot during the night of the event.  If you are able please add your name and email in the time you are available to help in the following link  or email [email protected].

The Fred A Hamilton School Council presents 

Soirée d’Hiver

December 19, 2023 from 5:00pm-7:00pm 

Fred A Hamilton friends and families are invited to an evening of fun and gathering at the school from 5-7pm on December 19. Some of the activities happening throughout the evening include: crafts, cookie decorating, games, snacks for sale, and the Winter Market (no adults allowed!). 

Pizza Orders 

Similar to past School Council events, families can order whole pizzas in advance and pick them up at the event. Pizza will not be available for purchase during the event. The School Council will also have a small selection of pre-packaged snacks available to purchase at the event. Order your pizza through School Cash Online. 

What is the Winter Market? 

Supported by the Eco-Team, the Winter Market is only open to students – no adults allowed! Students will have the opportunity to purchase gently-used items (priced at $5 or less) as a gift for a family member or friend. The Grade 6 students will even wrap the gifts to be taken home as a surprise. Families are invited to contribute gently used items that children can buy (at a low cost) to give to parents, grandparents, siblings etc., over the holidays or at another time. We welcome toys, but also more adult items like mugs, books, unused candles, costume jewelry, scarves, handbags, ties, sports equipment, frames, ornaments, and whatever other treasures you have at home and are willing to donate. Donations can be brought to school or dropped off at the office from Dec 4 through 18. 

Snacks 

There will be a selection of packaged snacks and bottled beverages available for purchase during the event. We will also have a selection of warm beverages for purchase. Help contribute to our eco-friendly initiatives by bringing your own mug to fill up! 

Volunteers 

We are seeking volunteers to help support a variety of activities throughout the evening! If you can spare 30 minutes, please add your name and email in the time you are available to help in the following link  or email [email protected].

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