Hello Ted Harrison Families:
We have passed the shortest day of the year and are seeing warmer temperatures. I am aware that we will still endure some chilly weather and snow, but these nice days are certainly appreciated. Keeping the weather in mind it is very important to make sure your students are dressed appropriately for cold and dampness. Jackets, gloves, hats and proper footwear are all important to keep students warm and dry. Grade 5’s and Grade 6’s are scheduled to go outside for a portion of lunch, and all classes are engaged in activities that occur outside during their physical education classes. If your student is comfortable these activities are far more enjoyable.
As we move through the middle of the school year, along with the many disruptions we have had this year, school staff are noticing that students are misunderstanding and/or misinformed about general school expectations. All teachers are reviewing these expectations with their classes, but I wanted to share these expectations with caregivers at home so you can support your student to follow through at school.
- Hoodies must not cover a student’s head in class. Hoods are expected to always be down when a student is in the school.
- Reminder that the Legislation as it pertains to Middle Schools indicates no personal electronic devices during class time / in school – so the only time a student may access their electronics including ear buds is at lunch and outside of the school building.
- Students are expected to be in their classrooms, on time, prepared to work, have the materials to do their work and be respectful in the classroom. Students must have teacher’s permission to leave the classroom and must use the washroom closest to their classroom and move throughout the school using the shortest routes possible.
- Students are only to be in the classrooms that are designated on their school timetable.
- Classroom drinks for students should be in containers that can be opened and closed and that are healthy. Drinks such as energy drinks / slushes / pop / Tim Horton drinks / freezies / ice cream etc. will not be allowed in the school. Students will be asked to dispose of these immediately at the school doors before entering the school building. These drinks cannot be stored in lockers.
- Students must remove outdoor clothing and place these in their lockers before attending class. There will be no outdoor clothing (jackets) allowed in classrooms.
- Each student (other than grade 5 / partner lockers) has their own locker. Students must keep their locker combinations private and must only store their properties in their lockers. There is absolutely no sharing of school lockers.
- It is important that students arrive at school with healthy snacks and lunches. Please contact your students’ teacher if you require some support in feeding your child throughout the day. This information will be kept confidential but allows the school to feed those identified students with the limited amount of food we have available.
- We see many students late in the morning and coming back after lunch. Being late is a very disrespectful behavior as it indicates that an individual is more important than the group. We understand that in unique circumstances students will be late and/or absent. It is important that a parent connects with the school to inform the school of a student being late or absent.
Your student would have brought home a form from the Physical Education / Health and Wellness Team. This year a parent must provide permission (opt in) or not (opt out) for a student to attend the sexual health portion of the Health and Wellness program. Please return this form as quickly as possible. We must document all students by verifying their choice on this form.
As always, it is a pleasure for me to represent the great staff of Ted Harrison School. I appreciate the support and communication of parents. Our work with students is always best when expectations are understood and proactive and solution focused communication between students, school staff and family members is evident.
Respectfully,
Dr. Don Barbor
Principal
Ted Harrison School