Principal's Update:
With the arrival of fall, our staff and students have settled into their new classrooms, adjusted to new routines and engaged in many new learning experiences. We are excited to have many new staff on board this year, and our team is working very hard to support student well-being and achievement.
I am both proud and grateful for all of the experiences our students and staff have participated in and led during the first month of the school year. Firstly, I would like to thank you for your support of this year’s Terry Fox campaign. As a school community, we exceeded our goal and raised more than $1800 for cancer research and awareness. The students really enjoyed seeing our office staff dress-up in funny costumes, get sprayed with silly string and compete in a chocolate pudding eating contest! In the early days of his journey, Terry aspired to have each Canadian raise one dollar; at Chalmers, our total contributions equate to approximately four dollars per student. Well done!
Last Friday, we held our first PAWs Assembly of the year to recognize the positive actions and leadership of our students. During this first assembly, we also provided students with an overview of all our character attributes: being positive, showing a good attitude and working hard, welcoming others and making smart choices. On September 28, we also celebrated Orange Shirt day to raise awareness related to residential schools and to continue to promote the spirit of reconciliation and the belief that every child matters. It was so awesome to see such a large number of staff and students wearing orange shirts on Friday.
As a school team, we engaged in our first professional development day on Friday, September 21. We devoted our morning of learning to our School improvement Plan as we reflected on last year's focus and brainstormed next steps in relation to student achievement, equity and inclusion initiatives, as well as staff and student well-being. Our next professional development day will take place on Friday, October 26.
Our School Council was elected during our first meeting on Wednesday, September 12, and I would like to congratulate the following individuals on their new positions: Shashonnah Shea (Co-chair), Nicole Ranton (Co-chair), Lindee Hilker (Secretary), and Jen Morrison (Treasurer).
We were excited to see so many parents and community members present during our first meeting, and we are hopeful that this number will continue to grow. All parents are welcome to participate in the learning conversations that take place during our meetings. We encourage you to have a voice in your child's education and become actively engaged in the collaborative process of ensuring that high-quality experiences are promoted and accessible to all Chalmers’ students.
With that said, I would like to thank School Council for donating $100 to each classroom for the purpose of reducing the cost of an excursion or classroom experience. Thank you Council for making this possible for our students and their families.
Our next school council meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 14 at 6:30pm in the Library. Looking ahead to our November meeting, I'm challenging you to think about our School Council as being more of a Parent Group. Although our three council positions are formally elected, the conversations that take place during our meetings are built around parent questions, ideas and suggestions while also reflecting on and sharing information related to our school’s learning focus. We look forward to seeing you in November!
Sincerely,
Jeff Johnson, Principal
“One step, one corner... one mile at a time.” -Terry Fox
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Volunteering at Chalmers: Vulnerable Sector Check
All volunteers at Chalmers Street PS are required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check. Prior to completing your Record Check, please stop by our office to pick up a letter of authorization from the school. With this letter, a Vulnerable Sector Check will be completed for a $10 fee. We welcome and encourage your volunteerism as part of the learning experience at Chalmers! Record Checks can be completed in person at 200 Maple Grove Road in Cambridge or online at:
Once complete, please submit an original copy of your Vulnerable Sector Check to the main office.
Parking at Chalmers:
Our parking lot is to be used primarily for staff and school visitors. In addition to being quite small, our parking lot is an unsupervised area, and the use of this space is not permitted during drop-off or pick-up. Please continue to use the school walkways provided to safely access and depart from school property with your child. To ensure student safety, please refrain from walking through the parking lot.
You may also notice three large pylons at the entrance to the parking lot, which are being used as a visual cue to remind the school community that public parking is not available.
Providing a safe and securing learning environment:
All visitors must sign in at the office. Students arriving late or leaving early will be escorted to their classroom by a staff member. It is imperative that we provide a safe and secure learning environment for all staff and students. Parents and guardians who have made appointments with staff will be provided with a visitor sticker.
Halloween Activities: Wednesday, October 31, 2018.
Students will be invited to wear their costumes or orange/black and participate in our Halloween parade on Wednesday, October 31. Full face-covering masks, toy weapons and gory makeup and accessories should be kept at home.
In alignment with our Food and Beverages in School Procedure and our School Nutrition Policy, food items brought from home will not be distributed to students (e.g., baked goods, produce or other purchased consumables).
The Chalmers Leadership Council:
The Chalmers Leadership Council was introduced this year as a new leadership opportunity for students in Grade 5 and 6. After our first three meetings, our student leaders have decided to organize a Food Drive as their first local action project. Stay tuned for details!
Around the Community:
Kinbridge Community Association:
Cambridge Trunk or Treat:
Wednesday, October 31, 4:30pm-6:00pm Forward Church Cambridge, Franklin and Myers, Cambridge
Calling all families who love free candy! Come participate in our fun family event that includes games, costumes and creatively decorated tables with candy… all in the warmth of the indoors.
The fun begins as you enter into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. There’s a golden ticket to be won so make sure you stop by each table. This hidden golden ticket will get you a free week of summer camp and a free P.D. day camp experience.
All ages welcome. You’re not going to want to miss this!