Ms. Kenney's September 11 Newsletter
To Our Swift Community,
Thank you for a great start to the new school year! The excitement, energy, and enthusiasm throughout the building made for a wonderful start to the school year.
Grade 1 – 5 Class Lists - will be posted at 6:30pm on the doors at the end of the ramp
Our staff spent considerable time this week reviewing enrollment numbers and carefully working to create class lists for this year. We have had significant changes in enrollment this year, making it a very big job.
Creating classroom lists is one of the most important and challenging tasks we undertake each September. Our staff carefully considers many factors to create balanced learning environments where all students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. This thoughtful process takes significant time, collaboration, and consideration. For this reason, there will be no classroom changes. We respectfully ask families to support the placement process and help their child approach their new classroom with a positive mindset.
We encourage families to talk positively with their children about their classroom placement. A new class is an opportunity to meet new friends, build new relationships, and learn from a new teacher. Our staff is committed to helping every student feel welcomed, connected, and successful.
Kindergarten classes will be finalized at the end of Gradual Entry.
Combined Grade Classes
You may notice that many classes have students from two grade levels. Please know that combined-grade classrooms are created based on student enrolment numbers and school organization, not student ability levels. All our teachers are highly skilled in meeting the unique needs of learners and teaching to each student's individual strengths and areas for growth. Whether a child is in a single-grade or combined-grade classroom, they will receive instruction appropriate to their grade level and learning needs. We are confident that every student will have the opportunity to learn, grow, and be successful this year.
Thank you for your partnership and support as we begin another exciting school year together.
Please read through this Important Memo – it will also be sent to you in hard copy form with your “form package” next week. We apologize for the length, but there are many important reminders to help make this year a great one!
Use the pick up/drop off lane for children in grades 1 – 5. If you need to walk a child to class or pick up from class, please park in the cul de sac. Check out the Parking 101 and please obey traffic laws.
Health and Safety. The Health and Safety of our School Community is still of utmost importance. Please do not send your child to school if they are not feeling well. Coughs, uncontrolled runny noses, fever and vomiting are all symptoms that should keep your child home. If your child has a lingering cough, teach them to cough into their elbow and handwash. If a cough is a result of an allergy or asthma, please let the teacher know.
If your child is Absent. Please register their absence on the Safe Arrival website. You can do this anytime, day or night. You can also phone the school 604-853-7730 and leave a message or email: [email protected]
Volunteering At School. If you have already completed the Criminal Record Check (CRC) process through the Abbotsford School District and Ministry of Justice, it is good for 5 years and you do not have to do it again. However, All volunteers need to fill out an Annual Volunteer Application and Understanding of Confidentiality. Detailed instructions and forms are available on our website: Volunteering at School.
A CRC MUST be completed and cleared and all forms need to be at the office prior to volunteering at the school. The CRC process can take up to 4-6 weeks.
SchoolCash Online – We will NOT be accepting Cash at the office for school fees, planners and field trips. Please take the time to reacquaint yourself with SchoolCash Online so you can make your payments online. It will accept Credit Cards or E-cheques. Here is a link to more info if you are new to the Abbotsford School District. Please register all new students.
Please note that any activities organized through the PAC are paid for directly to the PAC. A PAC Welcome Letter will be sent home next week with more information.
Permission Forms – All permission forms for field trips and extra-curricular activities will be processed through SchoolCash even if there is no cost involved. Please be sure to complete all permission forms that are listed on your SchoolCash account in a timely manner.
Student Planners - Grades 1 – 5 will be receiving planners that they use daily to organize their work and communicate with home. The planners are $6.50 each. This amount has been added to your child’s SchoolCash account. Please pay online as soon as possible.
Communication – Looking for information:
- School Website: If you haven’t already, please bookmark our school website: swift.abbyschools.ca on your device. There will be a NEW AbbySchools App coming out. Stay tuned for more information.
- Call the office: If you can’t find the information you are looking for on the Website please call or email the office so we can help you. 604-853-7730 or [email protected]
- Ask your teacher: please use your child’s planner or communication folder (kindergarten) or email your child’s teacher to ask any questions about the class information or homework.
- Parent Advisory Council Facebook Page: The Swift PAC has a Facebook page: Dr. Thomas A Swift PAC. You will need to answer a question (who is your child’s teacher) in order to be added. Please use this tool as a place to be positive and helpful. All negative, demeaning, or degrading comments will be deleted by the administrators. If you have a concern, please call the office as we would like to address your concern personally. Do not use Private Messaging to contact staff or PAC executive for school related inquiries.
Parent Advisory Council All parents are a part of the PAC. You can attend PAC meetings and volunteer for Hot Lunch and other PAC events. Check out the website’s PAC page for contact info. Joining the PAC Facebook page will help you stay in touch with PAC activities. If you are volunteering for PAC run events that take place during school hours, you will need to complete the volunteer CRC and submit the annual forms before volunteering.
Forms to Return to School – coming next week!
Verification Form: PINK form with your child’s information and Emergency Contact Information on it. This page needs to be updated and returned ASAP. Please make your changes clearly as this is the info we use to contact you in the event of an emergency. Please check and update the following areas:
- Child’s Home address and phone number
- Parent’s contact info – phone, address, email – both mom and dad please, even if parent does not live with student – indicate with the check boxes provided.
- Emergency Contacts – at least TWO people with correct contact info who live in Abbotsford.
- Legal Alerts – please give the office copies of any legal documents regarding custody.
- Medical Alerts – medication or allergies – if your child needs an epi-pen or other medication at school, you will need to contact the office for the appropriate forms.
- Aboriginal Ancestry & Status - This is self-declared. Simply check the box indicating the appropriate status. If you have questions, please contact the office.
Reunification Form: PURPLE form. We only need ONE form per family. This information will be used in the event of a larger disaster event in which parents may not be able to pick up their children and indicates who may pick up your children from the school. Please fill in the top part of the form and return it.
Upcoming Dates to Note:
September 16 – PAC Meeting 7:00 pm in the Library.
September 25 – Non-Instructional Day. The Office will be closed for Professional Development.
September 29 – Meet the Teacher Open House 5:00 – 6:00 pm
September 29 – Orange Shirt Day – Wear your Orange Shirt!
September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – No School
October 1 – Photo Day #1 – Individual and Class Photos Bring your best Smile to school.
October 5 to October 9 – Coins for Cancer! Fundraising for the Terry Fox Foundation
October 9 – Terry Fox Run – Parent Volunteers will be needed! Look for Information coming soon.
October 9 – Spirit Day – Red Shirt Day
October 12 – No School – Thanksgiving Day
October 16 – Photo Day #2 – for those who missed Photo Day #1
We are looking forward to a fun school year with your children! Please be sure to connect with the office or your teacher if you have any questions or concerns.
Ms. Shannon Kenney
Principal
