We were thrilled to see our students again in school. Thank you for your patience and support throughout our entry planning and messaging to you.
We had a smooth and calm return to school. Our school is spotless and sparkling after undergoing a thorough cleaning this summer under the direction of our facility operator, May Reynaldo and her support, Joel Farinas. We are fortunate to work in a building that provides such a bright and healthy environment and that maintains its sense of being new and fresh after almost 15 years.
At MTS we have considered the work of Dr. Jean Clinton, Pediatric Psychiatrist at McMaster University in Hamilton who outlines the following guiding principles for the education of children:
- Development of the whole child
- The importance of belonging
- The first “R" relationships are central
We believe strongly in and are in support of Dr. Clinton's guiding principles. Development of the whole child is our focus including the academic, social-emotional, physical, musical, and artistic/creative aspects of growth and learning. As a staff during our opening professional development days this year we revisited Dr. Clinton’s research with a focus on linking the development of relationships and belonging to student and staff well-being. Belonging is a central tenet of inclusionary education and as a school community, developing a sense of belonging is explicit within our wellness goal in our School Development Plan.
School organization, enrolment and staffing
We currently have 547 students registered at our school in K-4 including 27 students in our EES (Enhanced Educational Supports) program. Our grade configuration and numbers are:
Five Kindergarten classes; six grade one; five grade 2; four grade 3; three grade 4, and three EES classes.
We welcome Mrs. Karen Woodrow to our school as Assistant Principal. Mrs. Woodrow has an extensive teaching and administrative background and is already enriching our school with her expertise, background, and friendly and open personality. I have the privilege of working with Ms. Seana Blake (Resource/LL), Mrs. Dawn Penner (grade 3/LL) and Mrs. Kerry Pynn (grade 2/LL) as members of the administrative team. Our office team of Tara Robinson and Karen Perry are your first point of contact in the school and provide a welcoming environment for staff, students, parents and guest to the school.
*** PHOTO - Karen Woodrow - Assistant Principal, Lorraine Slater - Principal, Seana Blake - Resource Teacher/Learning Leader, Dawn Penner - Teacher/Learning Leader and Kerry Pynn - Teacher/Learning Leader
Soft Entry
We will continue the soft entry this year. Doors are opened at 7:50 and locked at 8:00. During this 10 minute interval, students will be greeted at their entrance door by a teacher in the grade team who will supervise student entry. Please note that there is no teacher supervision on the playground during this entry time. Students are expected to directly enter the school during this 10 minute time interval and go to their classrooms where their teachers will meet them. The bell will ring outside at 8:00. If your child arrives at school past that time, please have them enter through the front door. We are trying very hard to keep everyone safe. Please make an effort to arrive on time to avoid large numbers entering through the front door in the morning. Use of the front door is only for students who arrive at school after the bell. A reminder that the Hug 'n Go zone is a drop off area for parents and not a parking zone. Please obey the signage at the zone to facilitate all parents who want to use the zone to drop off their children. A reminder that there is no stopping in the bus zone in front of the school. The zone is monitored by the Calgary Police who will be issuing tickets for violation within the zone.
Dismissal
It is also very important to have a designated meeting spot for 2:36 pick up times Monday – Thursday and 12:00 on Fridays. All students in grades 1-4 will be dismissed from their exit doors and are to go immediately to the meeting spots that they have identified with their families. Please ensure you have not chosen a meeting place in the school parking lot. Kindergarten is the only age group where teachers will wait for a parent to arrive before dismissing students. All students have been taught in class, that if they get to their meeting spot and there is no one there to pick them up, after waiting a few minutes, they are to come to the office through the front entrance of the school for help.
Communication Methods
Open, continuous communication is of utmost importance throughout the school year. Classroom teachers will use the following methods to communicate learning updates.
- Classroom Blogs – (classroom teachers will provide blog posts every Friday beginning September 6)
- Phone Calls
- In person school meetings at arranged times
Communication from the school administration will include:
- School Website – will highlight events occurring at the school
- Principal Monthly Message on website
- Email, phone calls
- Weekly School Messenger sent to parents on Thursdays
- In person meetings, previously arranged and scheduled with administration
Lunch at MTS
MTS continues to be committed to a litter free lunch. Litter free lunches at school are the best form of recycling and composting. On average, a school-age child with a disposable lunch generates approximately 30 kg of waste per school year. We ask that whatever comes in your child's lunch bag goes home in their lunch bag, including uneaten food, empty containers, and food wrappers. In this way, we will create far less garbage at school, and you will have a much better idea of what your child is finishing or not finishing for lunch. Please remember to provide utensils for your child to use if required, as the school is unable to provide them. As well, a reminder that we do not have the use of microwaves to heat up lunch.
Over the last several weeks there has been considerable information that has been provided to parents both through the CBE and MTS website as well as through School Messenger. The information can be overwhelming to process. If you require clarification, please do not hesitate to call the school and speak to the office staff regarding questions that you may have related to operations within the school. Please address concerns you may have about your child and his/her learning to their classroom teacher through email of phone call. When additional support is required in a situation the administration will be involved.
I hope to see you in the school this month. Information regarding parent/teacher conferences was sent to you via School Messenger on Thursday, September 5. The conferences will take place Thursday, September 26 from 4 – 8pm and Friday, September 27, from 8 – 12 noon. Information on booking a conference time through the Conference Manager online booking system will be sent to you soon.
Wishing everyone a wonderful September and successful start to the school year!
Sincerely,
Dr. Lorraine Slater