Happy Monday Harris Mill families – Sept 11, 2023
WOW what a great start to the school year. The first week has been awesome with a lot of fun, learning and connecting with new and old friends. Thank you parents for making this week such a success through the encouragement of your children. We are looking forward to a great year at Harris Mill!
Our goal is to share an email on our website and straight to family inboxes weekly that includes all you need to know about important information and upcoming event reminders including direct links to even more details when available.
Please check out these important reminders and have a great week!
#1 Possible Class Reorganization: At the start of every year our school organization is still “tentative”. Should the number of students registered at the school change significantly, a reorganization of classes may be required. The École Harris Mill staff has built class lists based on our school’s tentative organization. Changes may be necessary in order for our Board to remain compliant with Ministry parameters (see below). Any changes would be implemented before Tuesday, September 19th. Principals do not have the option of changing the school organization that is set by the District Staffing Committee of the Board. If changes affect your child(ren), you will be informed by letter by the school. Ministry of Education Parameters include:
- Full Day Kindergarten Class Size Average for the Board is 26 students
- 90% of Full Day Kindergarten classes with 29 or fewer students
- 10% of Full Day Kindergarten classes with up to 32 students, under certain circumstances
- 90% of the Board’s primary classes with 20 or fewer students
- 10% of the Board’s primary classes up to a maximum of 23 students
- Grade 3/4 classes have a cap of 23 students
- Junior/Intermediate Class Size Average for the Board is 24.5 students
#2 Harris Mill School Council meets Tuesday Sept 12th at 7:00 pm at the school or on Google Meet. Click here for more info and the Google Meet link:
https://www.ugdsb.ca/harrismill/2023/09/07/school-council-meets-tuesday-sept-12th-700pm/
#3 Forms to be returned to school: All students should have brought home a package of forms for parents to read. The following forms need to be updated/signed and returned to school by September 15th, 2023:
- Student Verification V22 (White)
- Consent to Share Personal Information (Green)
- Educational Field Trips Parental Information/Consent Form (Blue)
NOTE: If your child has a life threatening condition that requires the completion of a Life-Threatening Management plan please contact the school if you have not already done so. If the school is aware of your child’s Plan already and you received a copy at the start of the year for review please make any necessary changes and return it to the school as soon as possible.
Thank you for your help in getting the forms back to school in a timely manner.
#4 Friday Sept 15th is Dot Day: Students are encouraged to wear their coolest dots on this day to celebrate an important message shared in a fantastic book. To read more about Dot Day click here: https://www.ugdsb.ca/harrismill/2023/09/07/dot-day-is-almost-here/
#5 The Harris Mills Library and Learning Commons is ready for students to borrow books! Students in Kindergarten can borrow one book at a time, and all others can borrow up to two books.
- Your child’s classroom teacher will advise on their library exchange day.
- Library books all have an “Upper Grand District School Board” barcode sticker on the top left of the book cover.
Access your child’s Library Account through the following link (https://ugdsb.insigniails.com/Library/Home) to view which books your child has checked out of the library and renew books. You will need your child’s OEN Number which can be found at the top of their most recent report card.
#6 BUSSING – Please ensure that you connect with your child’s teacher and/or the office if you are picking up your child at the end of any school day when they usually ride the bus. This will help to ensure that all students are accounted for who ride the bus at the end of the day. Also if you have any questions about bussing related issues you can check out https://stwdsts.ca/ or call Student Transportation Services Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm @ (519) 824-4119
#7 Year Book Pictures – Here at Harris Mill we have already started doing some amazing things and to record these memories we have already started working on this year’s yearbook! If you do not want your child’s photo to be included in any way in this year’s yearbook please make sure you contact the office to inform them of this request. Thank you!
Harris Mill Important Upcoming Dates:
Tuesday Sept 12th – School Council Meeting @ 7pm
Friday Sept 15th – Dot Day (wear your coolest dots!)
Monday Sept 18th – PA Day (school closed)
Friday Sept 22nd – Terry Fox Run
Wednesday Sept 27th – Rowan’s Law Day (wear purple to show support for concussion awareness)
Thursday Sept 28th – Harris Mill Open House 6:30 to 7:30
Friday Sept 29th – Harris Mill’s day to honour Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day on Sept 30th (wear orange in support)
Categories: News • Newsletter