Welcome to the 2025/2026 School Year
We hope your summer was full of adventures—whether that meant building sandcastles, perfecting your cannonball at the pool, or finally finishing that puzzle with one missing piece. While you were out having fun, WCW has been buzzing like a theme park on opening day. Floors are shining, classrooms are ready, and yes… we’ve wrangled most of the runaway crayons (though one may still be on the loose).
To our returning families: welcome back to the pack—you know the drill (and the secret to finding the really good playground shade). To our new families: welcome to WCW, where learning is big, laughter is loud, and the only howling we encourage happens at spirit assemblies.
The 2025/26 school year is shaping up to be our best one yet. We’re excited to hit the ground running, walking, skipping, or even moonwalking into September (just not in the hallways—our insurance doesn’t cover that).
See you soon, Wolfpack!
How Will I Know What Class My Child is In?
You will receive an email message on Monday September 1st from the school indicating your child’s class, teacher and meeting space for the first day. Please understand that this placement is tentative and will not be changed at this time.
Monday September 1st - Class Placement Emailed
Tuesday September 2nd - PD Day - No School - Click Here For PD Day Information
Wednesday September 3rd - First Day Of School
What to Bring to School:
Please keep your child’s personal items to a minimum! Students are asked to bring the following items clearly labeled with the student’s name:
Knapsack or tote bag for personal belongings
Personal water bottle
Seasonal outdoor wear
Indoor shoes
*Personal mobile devices must be stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode during instructional time, except when their use is explicitly permitted by the educator.
First Day Procedures - Wednesday September 3rd
Morning Drop Off:
Please drop your child(ren) off at the tarmac area and have them line up at their class line. There will be staff available on the tarmac to help direct any students. Class lines have been marked with an orange dot.
Teachers will be waiting at their class lines at 8:35am – 8:40 am on Wednesday, September 3rd.
The school day will begin at 8:40am and end at 3:00pm.
We will have a table setup at the front of the school if you have any questions or wish to drop off medications.
We are encouraging families to walk, or park on the side streets and limit the use of the drop off zone.
If your child takes the bus:
Your child will be greeted by a staff member who will unload buses one at a time. That staff member will ensure students know where they are meeting their teacher and will support by finding non-classroom staff who are available to help them if they become unsure of where to go.
For more information, visit the STWDSTS website at https://stwdsts.ca.
It is important that bus families register on the transportation website to receive notification of late or canceled buses.
If your child is now in Gr 7 they no longer qualify for bussing
If you are opting out of taking the bus, please ensure your choice is updated with Transportation.
2025/26 Office Team:
Principal - Chris Popofski
Vice Principal - Stacey Periard (Wednesday, Thursday & Alternative Fridays)
Office Coordinator - Priscillia Zilio
Office Coordinator Assistant - Ann Rimkus (Monday & Tuesdays)
Class Meeting Location - Class Lines 2025/26
Entering the Building:
Students will enter and exit through the assigned doors.
Late Arrival:
Students who arrive late will come through the front door and check in at the office. If there is any communication that needs to come to the office, please call the school at 519 824-3661. Parents/guardians please remind your child to check into the office before going to the classroom.
Recess Information:
We will continue with staggered recess breaks and lunch times. During recess times, students will have full access to the school yard.
Staggered Recess:
At our school, we implement a staggered recess to ensure a safe and enjoyable break for all students. The first portion of the recess (10:20 - 10:40) allows our Junior students and classes KB & KC to play outside, while the Primary students, class KA, and Intermediates have their snack time inside. After the first group finishes their outdoor time, they come inside to eat (10:40 - 11:00), while the second group—Primary (Downstairs), KA, and Intermediates—heads outside for their recess. This approach ensures that all students have enough space and time to enjoy their breaks, both outdoors and indoors. We repeat the process for the second break as well (12:40 to 1:20).
Recess/Nutrition Break Times:
Nutrition Break 1
10:20 to 10:40 Outside - Junior students and classes KB & KC 10:20 to 10:40 Inside - Primary (Downstairs), KA, and Intermediates |
10:40 to 11:00 Outside - Primary (Downstairs), KA, and Intermediates 10:40 to 11:00 Inside - Junior students and classes KB & KC |
Nutrition Break 2
12:40 to 1:00 Outside - Junior (Including 3/4C) students and classes KB & KC 12:40 to 1:00 Inside - Primary (Downstairs), KA, and Intermediates |
1:00 to 1:20 Outside - Primary (Downstairs), KA, and Intermediates 1:00 to 1:20 Inside - Junior students and classes KB & KC |
Lunch Procedures:
Wash hands before and after eating.
No sharing food.
Use water bottles and filling stations.
Students eat in their classrooms.
Students will not be permitted to go off-site for lunch.
Litterless Lunches:
We will be promoting a litterless lunch model and using the boomerang model that helps to reduce garbage in the school.
End of Day Procedures
Students will be dismissed in a similarly organized manner to how they enter the building and classroom with teacher support to reinforce expectations as we build routines.
Grade 1-3 students will line up at their assigned class line up location at the bell. This would be a good meeting spot for a parent/guardian or sibling to pick up.
Protocol for bus students:
Students will be directed to the bus lines marked in the foyer to line up with their bus group. If students are outside with their class they will re-enter through their assigned entry door and go to their assigned bus area in the foyer.
No unstructured play in the school yard after school
Students must leave school at the bell
After school community program:
Students will leave with the walking students and meet the after school program at the agreed upon location on the hardtop.
Bull Dog outside the front door
YMCA just down from the Kindergarten doors
Communication with the School:
Communication between school and home will continue to be very important. We will use the school website, email and phone call out as a means to share important school and board information. As items come up, they will be posted in our News and Announcements section of the school website. Our website and the school board is an important link to have in your favourites. Please check it often at www.ugdsb.on.ca/winegard and https://www.ugdsb.ca/.
Classroom teachers will be using Google Classroom to support home and school communication. Teachers will be providing specific details on this with you.
Access to the School
All parents and visitors must:
Sign in at the office
Wait to be escorted or met by a staff member to go to a classroom
Sign out at the office upon leaving
Visitors/volunteers working with students must have a criminal background check
Visitors are bound by relevant school policies
Privacy should be protected when working with students
In the event of an emergency that requires the building to be evacuated, assemble at the designated place which is displayed in each room
Together, as a strong and united Wolfpack, we’re ready to embrace all the adventures, challenges, and achievements this year has to offer. Let’s make it a great school year, filled with howls of success!