This Week at WMES
April 12, 2021
Dear WMES Families:

• Daily COVID Checklist
  Families and staff are asked to do a daily COVID self-assessment before coming to school. This document is updated through the year by Public Health. https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/docs/Daily-COVID-checklist-en.pdf-
  Thanks for your continued support and cooperation.
   
• Spring Fire Drills begin again this week.  We are required by Fire regulation to have six fire drills each year. We had three fire drills last Fall, and we will have three more fire drills between now and the end of the year.  Our first fire drill will be this week.  Classroom teachers will review procedure with students early in the week.   The next two fire drills will take place the weeks of Mary 10-14th and June 7th to 11th.
   

• Continued online concerns.  We strongly encourage all families to continue to monitor and have frequent conversations about appropriate and responsible behaviors with students who have online accounts.  We have had many reports of inappropriate language and behaviors occurring on social media platforms and groups chats.  These behaviors continue to cause ongoing issues at school, and they do have serious impacts and consequences.  Very few of the platforms our students are using are recommended for students under the age of 13.  Please help your student make responsible choices by continuing to monitor their accounts diligently.  Thank you.
  
  We encourage all parents and guardians read this article about  Age Restrictions on Social Media Services.   From the article:
  “We know that social media services are popular with young people of all ages. Parents have an important role in helping prepare their children to go online before they start to use social media platforms. Together you can look at the key things they need to know about staying safe online, critical thinking, and the safety settings that are available to them.
  
  When looking at creating a profile online with your child, have a discussion as a family and make this decision together – talk about why they want the account and ensure that any family members using social media know what tools are available to help them stay safe. You may want to use our family agreement to support with this.”
  
   
• Our quote in the main foyer this month is from Maya Angelou.  Here is a great video from Maya Angelo about her quote.  We are working hard at WMES to be rainbows whenever we can.
  
  “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud. Do not complain. Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.”                             ― Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter
  
   

• A friendly reminder when picking up students through the day to please use the Kiss and Go loop and to call the office (902-860-4150) when you are here.  Someone will walk your student out to you. 
   

• Please label all belongings.  We are noticing that many sweaters and coats are being left behind each day as the weather changes from morning to afternoon. If these items are not labelled we are not able to get them back to their owners.
  We do not have a “Lost and Found” area this year.  

• A big shout out to our School Advisory Committee (SAC) for purchasing our new benches in the outdoor classroom (See attached photos).  We do love to learn outside!   Thank you!

Upcoming dates for your calendar:

May 21st – Professional Development Day – No school for students
May 24th – Victoria Day Holiday– No School

Important links for your information:

WMES Website: https://wms.hrce.ca/
HRCE Website: https://www.hrce.ca/
MyBusPlanner:  hrcetransportation.mybusplanner.ca
Up to date Public Health Information: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/
Remember to check the Daily checklist for Covid19, or do the online check in with Public Health if you have any concerns before sending students to school each day.

Take care & stay safe

Karla Wolfe
Principal WMES