OCTOBER NEWS
It has been wonderful to welcome back the WCW staff and students to school. It has been a very good start to the 2021/2022 school year. We have appreciated the support of the WCW school community throughout this return to school.
William C. Winegard Public School is a very special place. It is a community built on strong values of kindness, respect, citizenship and one that values education. The Winegard team works hard to provide exceptional educational opportunities in a variety of learning environments. Academic programs are enriched because staff are motivated to bring the children the best in education. Learning is furthered by the outdoor surroundings allowing learning to take place beyond the walls of the classroom and the school.
Success in learning is best achieved when there is a partnership between the school and the parent community. It is our belief that students are more successful when we work together. Through cooperation and collaboration, all students will develop respect and responsibility and will work towards meeting their educational goals.
We are always open to new ideas and welcome your input and suggestions. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
October 6 – International Walk to School Day
October 11 – Thanksgiving Holiday
October 12 – 14 Grade 3 and 4’s Writing CCAT
October 29 – PA Day
November 2 – 7:00pm Virtual School Council Meeting
COAT’s CORNER
Reminder that all September forms need to be returned to homeroom teachers.
Thank you!
COMMUNICATION
Communication between school and home continues to be very important. We will use the school website, email and phone out system 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’s website are both important links to have in your favourites to stay on top of what is going on at the school. Please check them often at www.ugdsb.on.ca/winegard and https://www.ugdsb.ca/. There is a link on our website to follow us on Twitter (@williamcwinegardps). Please consider downloading UGConnect from the App Store/Google Play.
Classroom teachers will continue to use GoogleClassroom to support home and school communication. Teachers will be providing specific details on this with you.
SCHOOL SCREENING TOOL
Please ensure you are accessing the Ministry online COVID-19 school screening tool everyday before school. This tool can be used by parent(s)/guardian(s), students, and employees:
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/. Please note Public Health is always a good next step for any concerns or questions.
DROP OFF AND PICKUP
Thank you to all our families for supporting the 1 parent/guardian on the playground and physical distancing on the school yard.
A few reminders:
- To please make your way off the school yard after drop off and pickup.
- All students please make your way to your class line in the morning. Please arrive closer to 8:40.
- If walking with a dog to school please ensure you stay on the sidewalk
- Please only use the parking lot if absolutely necessary
- The pickup and drop off lane in the parking lot is for picking up and dropping off. Please do not leave your vehicle parked in the lane.
- We encourage families to park on the streets surrounding the school and walk to the school if picking up or dropping off (Cityview, Breesegarden, and Kearney are good options)
- Do not park or stop on Lee Street near the school
BOOMERANG LUNCHES
We are once again encouraging Boomerang Lunches. This means that all items (recyclable and garbage) will return home at the end of each day to be put in your home garbage or recycling containers. Please ensure that your child has a water bottle to refill.
ACCESS TO SCHOOL
Only essential visitors are permitted inside the school (e.g., maintenance personnel). All parents and visitors will not be permitted inside schools, except in case of emergency. Essential Visitors will be asked to fill in a covid-19 vaccination attestation form. At entry and dismissal times, parents are to remain outside the school and adhere to physical distancing protocols.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
Welcome back! The School Council is looking forward to another year at William C. Winegard!
Getting involved in the School Council is an excellent opportunity for parents to become involved in school life. We welcome and encourage anyone who’s interested to become involved.
It is the School Council’s Vision that successful education requires a strong partnership between the school, the home, the staff and members of the community. Participating on the School Council is a rewarding experience for all those who value the opportunity to make a difference in their children’s education. It is an opportunity to discuss school programs, support the purchase of resources through fundraising, and be an advisory group for the administration at the school.
We will have approximately seven virtual School Council meetings this year, typically beginning at 7pm. As meeting dates are set they are posted in the school calendar. A google meeting link will be available by email or on the school’s website a day or two prior to the meeting. Everyone is welcome and we encourage you to get involved!
If you would like to learn more about school council in general, please email Ms. MurrayCako at [email protected]. The next School Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 2nd at 7pm.
Smoke and Vape-Free Environment
The Upper Grand DSB provides a smoke and vape-free environment for its students, staff and others while on Board property, in accordance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and Board policy 208. This policy refers to all forms of tobacco, and any processed form of tobacco that may be smoked, inhaled or chewed, including e-cigarettes.
Smudging is the tradition of using sacred smoke from sacred medicines (e.g., tobacco and sage) that forms part of the indigenous culture and spirituality. Smudging is allowed in schools under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. Parents will be informed using the school’s usual forms of communication when smudging is going to occur in our school. Participation by staff and students is optional in a smudging ceremony. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the principal.
Students with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions
UGDSB Policy 518: Students with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions, outlines the roles and responsibilities for all in the educational community to support students with possible life-threatening medical conditions. The prevalent medical conditions covered under this policy are Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Diabetes and Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders. If your child has one of these, or any other life-threatening medical conditions, please visit: www.ugdsb.ca/board/policy (and look for Policy 518) or contact the school as soon as possible. We will work with you to develop a Plan of Care to support your child.
Life-Threatening Allergies
We have children in our school with potential life-threatening allergies (called anaphylaxis) to various foods and other materials. Anaphylaxis is a medical condition that can cause death within minutes. In recent years, anaphylaxis has increased dramatically among students. Although this may not affect your child’s class directly, we are letting you know so that you are aware that we aim to create an allergy safe environment at our school. If your child is in a classroom with an anaphylactic child, or your child has anaphylaxis, you will be informed by the classroom teacher. Our school has procedures in place for the prevention and management of anaphylactic reactions. If your child has health concerns of any kind, please tell your child’s teacher or the office and we will take the necessary health protection steps. Thank you for your understanding in ensuring an allergy-safe environment for all of our students.
Categories: News • Newsletter