Principal's Update:
Dear Cougar families,
Welcome to the 2019-20 school year!
We hope that each of you enjoyed a relaxing and safe summer break, and were able to enjoy time spent with your loved ones. It was certainly a beautiful summer to be outside enjoying all that our local parks, playgrounds and communities have to offer. We hope that these summer experiences have provided moments and memories that you can continue to cherish as we kick-off another school year.
The beginning of the school year is such a unique and special time. It’s a time filled with excitement, enthusiasm and hope. It provides an opportunity to reconnect with old classmates, form new friendships, and tackle new experiences.
As a school team, we also recognize and understand that some students may be feeling a little anxious about the unfamiliar experiences that await...that’s totally okay. We are here to support your child every step of the way, and we are committed to being responsive to their diverse learning needs so that they can experience success and celebrate their accomplishments.
At Chalmers, we believe in the value of team and take great pride in our school community. Whether you are a new or returning cougar family, the partnership that we foster with you is critical to your child’s achievement and well-being. It is our hope that we can work together in supporting your child, and can encourage you to become actively engaged in the learning journey.
We welcome your involvement. Volunteering in our classrooms, helping out at special events, joining School Council, supporting our fundraisers, becoming a lunchroom supervisor, or reading with children through our Strong Start program are just a few of the ways that you can get involved.
Building positive relationships, strengthening our sense of community, and ensuring an equitable and inclusive learning space for each and every student will remain our priority and continue to be the foundation that guides our actions and beliefs.
With trust, respect, empathy, integrity...and love, we will move forward with unity.
We are in this together! Let’s make it an amazing year for your child and the Cougar team!
Sincerely,
Jeff Johnson, Principal
Please join me in welcoming the following new staff members to the team!
- Lauren Veerasammy, Teacher KA
- Sydney Hume, Designated Early Childhood Educator, KA (PM)
- Rachelle Girard, Designated Early Childhood Educator, KB (AM)
- Abbie Gray, Designated Early Childhood Educator, KB (PM)
- Ryan Barr, Teacher 3A
- Melanie Hankins, Teacher 4/5A
- Susan McPartlin, Teacher Education Candidate, Wilfrid Laurier University
- Tegan Sauer, Teacher Education Candidate, Wilfrid Laurier University
STAY INFORMED. GET CONNECTED. FOLLOW US ONLINE:
- Subscribe to our website: cha.wrdsb.ca
- Follow us on Twitter @chawrdsb
- Sign-up for School-Day.com
Safe Arrival: All Visitors Must Report to the Office
Student safety is our primary responsibility, and in alignment with the Safe Schools Act, we are asking for your cooperation to remain outside during morning drop-off and wait at the appropriate exit door at the end of the day. All visitors must report to the office, and are not permitted in the school without permission.
As a school team, we are asking for your support and understanding related to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all students. It is imperative that we know who is present within our school. Approved visitors will be provided with a guest pass from the office.
Our school day begins at 9:20am and concludes at 3:40pm. Nutrition Breaks take place from 11:20am-12:00pm and from 2:00pm-2:40pm.
Arriving to school on time and attending regularly is incredibly important for your child’s growth and development. Frequent absences and lates can have a negative impact on both learning and social skills development. In the event that challenging circumstances arise which may inhibit your child’s attendance, we ask that you contact the school so that we can work together to find a solution.
Students arriving after 9:20am will be required to enter the school through the main doors and sign-in at the office. Each morning, staff will support the arrival of late students and will assist them to class as necessary. Opportunities to speak with your child’s classroom educator can be arranged outside of the instructional day.
Please remember that all students are welcomed and dismissed from designated exit doors (e.g., Portapak, Primary door).
Parking at Chalmers:
Our parking lot is small and provides parking for school staff and visitors. The parking lot is not a supervised area; as a result, it should not be accessed by parent vehicles during morning and after school routines.
When dropping off and picking up your child, we ask that you utilize the walking path at either end of the school. To ensure your child’s safety, please avoid walking through the parking lot.
School Community Standards of Behaviour:
The following is based on Ontario Ministry of Education’s Code of Conduct.
These standards of behaviour are intended to ensure that all members of the school community are treated with respect and dignity. All members of the community are expected to maintain an environment where conflict and difference can be addressed in a manner characterized by respect and civility.
Members of the school community are expected to:
- treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, especially when there is disagreement
- respect all members of the school community
- respect the need of others to work in an environment that encourages learning and teaching
- keep language respectful
Volunteering:
Volunteers serve as an invaluable resource to the student learning experience and there are many opportunities to get involved. We’d love to have you on our team! Please pick up a Volunteer Information Sheet from the school to assist you in this process.
All volunteers must complete a valid Vulnerable Sector Check. This can be completed online or in person at Police Headquarters (200 Maple Grove Road, Cambridge).
Police Vulnerable Sector Check
Once complete, please submit an original copy of your Vulnerable Sector Check to the main office.
Important School Year Information for Parents (Action Required):
* Click on the link below to find out further information related to the School Year Information Package for Families.
- Data Verification Forms
- Medical Concerns
- Release of Information
- Class Assignments
- School Day
- Transportation Do Not Ride Forms
- Immunization Updates and Information
In addition to the electronic information, several important forms and documents will be sent home with your child on the first day of school. Please return all forms as required to your child’s classroom teacher.
LINK to Full School Year Information Package for Parents
School Council: Making a Difference
“Participating on the school council will be a rewarding experience for all those who value the opportunity to make a difference in their children’s education” (1.1).
School Councils: A Guide for Members
School Council Meeting Dates (beginning @6:30pm in the Library):
* All meetings will take place on the second Wednesday of the month
- Wednesday, September 11
- Wednesday, October 9
- Wednesday, November 13
- Wednesday, December 11
- Wednesday, January 15
- Wednesday, February 12
- Wednesday, March 11
- Wednesday, April 8
- Wednesday, May 13
- Wednesday, June 10
* Our election of parent members will take place during the September 11th Council Meeting.
The Chalmers’ School Council Rocks!
Last year our School Council organized and led so many amazing events for our students and families: Book Fair, Value Village fill-a-bag, Clothing Drive, Art Night, Movie Night, Staff Appreciation Lunch, Used Technology Drive, Candy Grams/Lollipop Flowers, and the Used Book Give away.
In addition to these wonderful experiences and initiatives, our Chocolate Bar Fundraiser was also hugely beneficial and assisted School Council in raising over $10,000 for our school. The proceeds raised by Council were used to purchase a new electronic screen for the gym, a media cart, Chromebooks, and reduced the cost of student excursions by a total of $3000.
On behalf of School Council, thank you for supporting Chalmers’ students and families.
We challenge you to participate in School Council this year. Come out to our first meeting in September. Get involved, share your voice, and contribute to our amazing school community!
Interested in making a donation to Chalmers to support our Lunch Program?
This year we will be using donations received through the Waterloo Education Foundation Inc. to support our Lunch Program. Through funds raised we hope to provide students with healthy snacks (and even sandwiches) to supplement the lunch that they bring to school.
The steps to donate are easy:
- Go to cha.wrdsb.ca
- Select Donate Online! (on the left)
- Enter the amount that you wish to donate
- Under "Fund," select Chalmers Street Public School
- Enter donor and tax receipt information
Please take a moment to explore some of the other valuable resources and supports available on the WRDSB website:
- Safe, Caring and Inclusive Schools
- Parent Engagement: How to Get Involved
- Communicating With Your School
- Learning at the WRDSB
Upcoming Dates and Activities:
- School Council Election and Meeting: Wednesday, September 11th @6:30pm in the Library
- Meet the Teacher Open House: Thursday, September 19th @ 6-7pm
- Terry Fox Walk @Chalmers- TBD
- Orange Shirt Day: Monday, September 30th
