Nov 10th – Weekly

Posted November 10, 2023

Hello Harris Mill families, 

November is here and it is shaping up to be a very busy month. Thank you to all the classes and teachers who shared at our Remembrance Day assembly today, it is much appreciated.  Don’t forget to pack those layers and warm mitts as it is getting colder and colder outside. A giant “Happy Diwali” to any of our school’s families who may be celebrating over this coming weekend. Be sure to check out these important reminders and have a great weekend! 

#1 Progress Reports: Progress reports (Grades 1-5) and Initial Communications of Learning (Full Day Kindergarten) will be available online by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at our Report Card Portal. There are a few ways to access your child’s progress report. 

#2 PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS and PA DAY: This year’s parent/teacher Interviews take place in person during the evening of Thursday, November 23rd and during the professional activity day on Friday, November 24th. The Interview booking portal will be open from 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15th until Wednesday, November 22nd. Please contact your student’s teacher directly should you wish to set up a virtual interview or a meeting at a different time. Please click here to access the Parent/Teacher interview booking portal. Thank you!

#3 School Photo Proofs Have Gone Home: Your child(ren) has received their school photo proof to bring home last week. The information on how to order is on the proof sheet. All orders are due by Tuesday November 14th through the photography company’s website directly.  Re-take Day: Monday November 13th will be school photo re-take day. If your child missed our original photo day on Oct 18th they will have their photo taken on this day. Also, if you would like your child’s photo to be retaken please let their teacher know in a note ahead of time so they can participate. 

#4 Pizza Days are Back!:  In order to avoid the holiday craziness, school council has opted to open up Pizza orders earlier this year for our next term.   All ordering is completed through the SchoolCash Online website as of Monday, November 13th.   As a reminder, pizza days will run on Wednesdays at second break from January 17 through March 27. There are 10 pizza days in this ordering period. Pizza days are: January 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 6, 20 & 27. If there is an inclement weather school CLOSURE on a Wednesday, that pizza day will be moved to the end of the schedule. If buses are cancelled but school is open, pizza day will run as scheduled unless otherwise communicated. If your student is absent on a day when they would have received pizza, refunds will not be given.

NOTE: Order deadline is December 1st

#5 Bully Prevention Week (Nov 19th to the 24th): Ontario has designated the week beginning on the third Sunday of November as Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week to help promote safe schools and a positive learning environment. Here in the UGDSB we are focusing on Support, Advocacy, Allyship and Action during this week. Harris Mill will be learning all week about what it takes to stop Bullying and how to support others. We will have special guest presenter Sara Westbrook come to the school on Nov 21st to share her message with students about the importance of the choices we make and our character as well as much more. Also to help honour this important week on Wednesday Nov 22nd will have a Wear Pink Day in support of Bullying Prevention. 

#6 Inclement Weather? Get Updates! UGDSB is sharing information on websites and social media, reminding families of where to get updates/alerts about bus cancellations and delays (i.e. STWDSTS) and where info gets posted about school closures due to inclement weather (i.e. UGDSB websites and social). Please check out the link to learn more: https://www.ugdsb.ca/blog/its-that-time-of-year-again-everything-you-need-to-know-about-ug-inclement-weather-procedures/ 

#7 The Daily Snack Program: is being offered at our school again this year. This program offers nutritious foods to all students to support learning and healthy development. Nutritious food helps kids learn and focus. Because all students have universal access, they are welcome to enjoy food from our nutrition program. We receive funding through The Children’s Foundation Food & Friends program for a portion of the costs and the rest of the cost is covered through donations. If you are able, here is how you can help:

  • Volunteer your time.
  • Donate to the program through our school cash online or on the Children’s Foundation Food & Friends donation page . If donating through the Children’s Foundation, be sure to add our school’s name in the box on the donation page so the donation can be directed to our student nutrition program.
  • Donate grocery gift cards.
  • Ask your employer or a local business to donate.
  • Encourage your child to feel comfortable eating healthy food from our program.

Thank you for your support of our student nutrition program and for helping us bring healthy food to hungry minds. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the school.

#8 Harris Mill and the UGDSB Need Noon Hour Supervisors: Harris Mill PS and other UGDSB schools are always looking for parents or community members who are willing to help out as a Noon Hour Supervisors, click here for more information – https://www.ugdsb.ca/harrismill/2023/09/18/ugdsb-career-opportunity-noon-hour-supervisor/

#9 ACCESSIBILITY & EQUITY: There may be times throughout the year when we ask parents to send in money to cover the cost of field trips, pizza, special events, etc. We understand that for some families, these funds may cause financial hardship. We never want a child to miss out due to financial hardship. If you are ever in this situation, please contact the school, and we will arrange to have the school cover the cost.

#10 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

#11 Subway Fridays are still going strong! Order now for a weekly treat delivered fresh on Fridays. Lunchbox by School Cash Online makes it easy to receive subs on Fridays. Place your order by Sunday at noon each week, or order in advance for several weeks at a time. Cancellations can be made up until the Wednesday before the delivery day. Click on the Lunchbox icon within School Cash Online to order now!

#12 CELL PHONES: Just a reminder that if your child brings their cell phone to school it is to be kept in their backpacks at all times during the school day. Please remind your child that if they need to contact parents during the school day the office will gladly help them. This ensures that staff are aware if there is a problem and can offer support. Thank you!

#13 DOGS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY: We kindly ask that all families who walk their dogs to the school refrain from taking their dog into busy areas around the school (ie Kindergarten drop off and pick up areas, the back tarmac and sidewalk of the school area during drop off and pick up times). We have many students who for various reasons are uncomfortable around dogs and to help these students transition easier to and from school we ask that all dogs be kept well away from these areas around the school. Thank you for your help and understanding. 

#14 ILLNESS PREVENTION: KEY PROTECTIVE MEASURES – As a school, we want to remind everyone of the importance of many standard protective strategies to help keep staff and students safe and healthy. Strategies such as frequent hand washing, respiratory etiquette and making the most of our outdoor spaces for learning continue to contribute to the health and well-being of students and staff. Classes in the UGDSB will continue to have a standalone HEPA filter unit, with more than 2500 units deployed across the system. In addition to these measures, the UGDSB will continue to support students, staff and visitors to our schools and respect their individual choices about masking. 

Management of Illness in Schools – The UGDSB will continue to follow the direction of WDGPH for appropriate responses to illnesses in our community. Please visit their website for the most current information about COVID-19: https://wdgpublichealth.ca/covid-19/covid-19-information-public/status-cases-wdg

#15 Morning Drop Off Safety: To help us ensure the safety of all our students at Harris Mill, parents are asked to stay on the edge of the tarmac close to the yellow posts when dropping off their grade 1-5 child(ren) before school starts. If parents are dropping their child off late (Kindergarten to Gr.5) Please go to the front office doors and connect with the Office staff. Thank you!

#16 Wanting to Volunteer at Harris Mill?: We really appreciate and value all our parent and guardian volunteers who give up some of their time to help us out, whether that be in the school or on a field trip. To get started volunteering this year there are a couple of actions to take. 

  1. Anyone who is new to the volunteer role at Harris Mill must first contact Ms. Evans, our Office Coordinator, for full information on how to submit a vulnerable sector check. 
  2. Those volunteers who have already submitted a vulnerable sector check to the school previously must also see Ms. Evans to complete a quick annual offence declaration. Please note: Following the UGDSB Policy 205: School Volunteers, your vulnerable sector check remains valid for 5 years, as long as you sign a yearly Volunteer Agreement with Annual Offence Declaration.

Harris Mill Important Upcoming Dates:

Saturday November 11th – Remembrance Day

Sunday November 12th – Happy Diwali!

Monday November 13th – Picture Re-take Day

Wednesday November 15th – Progress Reports online for viewing after 3pm

Wednesday November 22nd – Wear Pink Day in honour of Bullying Prevention Week

Thursday November 23rd – Parent Teacher Interviews after school

Friday November 24th – PA Day – Parent Teacher Interviews – School Closed for students

Friday December 1st – Pizza Day Orders are Due

Categories: News • Newsletter