Ms. Kenney's October 17 Newsletter
Dear Swift Families,
We hope that you had a great Thanksgiving, and we look forward to seeing you next week at Parent Teacher Interviews. Please give a careful read of the newsletter this week – it’s a little longer than normal, apologies in advance!
Responsible and Safe Driving in the Parking Lot
School parking lots are never pleasant at pick up and drop off – ever. That said, working together and a little bit of patience goes a long way. Please do not drive in the walking path (The white lines to the right), or back up to leave just those few seconds earlier. If we all work together to be safe in the parking lot – our kids are all much safer as well. When using the Pick-Up and Drop-Off Lane you must remain in your vehicle and your children need to meet you there. If you need to pick them up at their classes, please park on the surrounding street. Please follow all posted parking signs and follow By-law regulations.
Strong Start
Strong Start is up and running for this school year! Nature Thursdays will continue at Bateman Park until the end of November. Strong Start is an incredible early years program for children and their parents or care givers. For more information visit our website.
Diwali – Monday October 20th
Diwali is on Monday October 20th. Students are invited to come to school in traditional dress or bright colours. We look forward to celebrating the festival of light and learning more about this exciting cultural tradition!
Nut Free Lunches & Snacks
With a number of staff and students having nut allergies, we ask that lunches are packed nut-free. Please do not send peanut butter or Nutella sandwiches or other nut-based snacks!
Respecting Our Neighbourhood
There have been concerns brought forward by neighbours of students throwing rocks into their yards after school hours. Understandably they aren’t enjoying it. If you or your kids are staying after school, please be sure to be respectful to those living around us!
Reporting Absences
Please continue to report absences via Safe Arrival. If you are unable to do so, emailing swift@abbyschools.ca or calling the office (604-853-7730) are also great options. Reporting absences ahead of time help us ensure everyone is safe and accounted for in a timely manner.
Parent Teacher Interviews & Early Dismissal
October 22nd and 23rd are Parent Teacher Interviews. This is a great opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and share with them important information they might not yet know about your child. On interview days students will be dismissed at 11:45.
Interviews can be booked online, until the end of the day Tuesday October 21st. Interview times are:
Wednesday, October 22 - 12:45 pm - 2:30 pm (end of last appointment) and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm (end of last appointment).
Thursday, October 23 - 12:45 pm - 2:30 pm (end of last appointment).
Scholastic Book Fair – October 21-23
We are excited to have the Scholastic Book Fair back this year! It will be open before and after school, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and during Parent Teacher Interviews on Wednesday evening! The Book Fair will be open:
October 21 – 8:00 – 8:30, 2:30 – 3:00
October 22 – 8:00 – 8:30, 11:45 – 12:15, 12:45 – 2:30, 4:30 – 7:30
October 23 – 8:00 – 8:30, 11:45 – 12:15, 12:45 – 2:30
All of our teachers love getting new books! If you would like to buy a book or two for their classes, you can purchase a book, add a label, and we will be sure to pass along your classroom gift!
Payment can be made with Debit or Credit cards. Cash and Cheques will not be accepted.
Halloween
Halloween is just around the corner! We would like to send a couple of reminders. Students are welcome to wear their costumes or orange and black to school on October 31st – please do not send weapons, masks or any pieces that might get lost. Also, please be sure that costumes are school appropriate – and not bloody or gory, with little ones in the building some costumes are simply too scary.
While the days following Halloween are exciting, and treats are enticing, we ask that the number of treats be kept to a minimum in school lunches.
Rainy Days and Extra Clothes
Fall days are here which means the weather is going to inevitably be wet. Please send your kids to school ready to be outside for recess and lunch – we go out in all weather conditions unless it is incredibly stormy! It is always a good idea to have an extra pair of socks and pants in backpacks – wet feet and wet pants aren’t a lot of fun. While we have some extras at school, we save them for those unexpected bathroom accidents, not puddle fun!
News from the PAC
Thank you to all the parents who helped with the first Hot Lunch of the year! Our next Hot Lunch is on November 28th. Orders for that lunch must be placed and paid for by November 18th. Please go to the Hot Lunch website to order. If you haven’t made an account this year, you will need to create a new account. The access code is TAS.
Swift Wear orders are beginning to arrive. As your order is received it will be distributed to your child at school. Orders are arriving as they are completed. Please don’t panic if you haven’t got yours yet.
Our next general PAC meeting is November 20th at 7pm. If you are able and interested in helping with the planning of Christmas Fun Day we will be meeting before the PAC meeting at 6:00pm. We hope to see you there! All things PAC are available at taswiftpac.com
Dates to Remember for the next 2 weeks:
All dates are also or will be posted on the school website calendar
20th – Happy Diwali!
20th – School Photo Retakes
20th – Cross Country Race @ Bateman Park
21st – Field Trip – Divisions 12, 13, 14 – Aldor Acres
21st – 23rd – Scholastic Book Fair
22nd & 23rd – Early Dismissal @ 11:45
22nd & 23rd – Parent Teacher Interviews
24th – Non- Instructional Day – No School
28th – Field Trip – Divisions 10, 11 & 15 – Eagle Acres
31st – Halloween