This Week at WMES
Week of January 30 - February 3

Dear WMES families:

• Our February calendar can now be found on our webpage.  

• Grade 5 students will be participating in a ‘Home Alone’ Course  on Wednesday afternoons beginning on Feb. 8th.  In the past we have offered this as an optional afterschool program, but this year, with the assistance of our Schools Plus Team, we are please to be able to offer it during class time and without a fee. 

• The cafeteria will begin accepting cash orders on Feb. 6th.  Students can pop into the cafeteria to order when they arrive as long as orders are placed before classes begin at 8am. Students arriving late can place an order up to 9am. Students will also be able to order snacks for recess.
  
  Online orders can still be placed ahead of time. The cut off for online orders is 8am. 

• The “Purple Tag” program for PP-Grade 2 bus students begins this week at WMES.  All bus students in PP-2 will come home with a purple tag for their backpack today.  Families should have received an email with instructions from the Transportation Team last week.  Let us know if you have any questions.

• Staff from Georges P. Vanier Junior High  (GPV) will be here on February 1st for an information session for our Grade 5 students. 

Celebrate African Heritage Month!

• February is African Heritage Month! This year's theme, Seas of Struggle – African Peoples from Shore to Shore, recognizes the resiliency, strength, and determination of people of African descent from the shores of Africa to the shores of Nova Scotia – with the Atlantic Ocean being the everlasting connection.
  Learn more here.

• Looking for ways to recognize and celebrate African Heritage Month?
  Attend events happening throughout the month at your local Halifax Public Library.
  While you’re at the library, borrow books that will inspire the whole family to learn more about African heritage.
  Visit local heritage sites, such as the Black Cultural Centre, the Africville Museum, and the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre.

February is Registration Month!

Effective February 1, 2023, we will be accepting registrations for the 2023-2024 school year  through our new online portal, PowerSchool Enrollment.
Tip: Before you begin, make sure you have the following documents in electronic form (image, PDF or Word document):

• Proof of identity/age with one of the following: birth certificate, passport, immigration papers, or legal adoption papers) if you are new to the HRCE;
• Proof of home address (a recently dated official government or utility document with your current address that includes your name and date, such as water bill, power bill, internet bill, home fuel bill, a tax receipt, property assessment or a mortgage contract); and
• Nova Scotia Health Card or Canadian Province Health Card or, for non-citizens while in Canada, proof of Medical Insurance Information.

Visit the HRCE website for more information and to enrol your child today!

Don’t have a child to register? Maybe you know someone who does! Please help us spread the word and pass this information on to friends, neighbours or relatives who will be looking to register for the fall.

February 20 is Heritage Day

• This year’s Heritage Day honours Elder Rita (Bernard) Joe, a member of the We’koqma’q Mi’kmaq Community and published author, who was instrumental in paving the way for other Mi’kmaq authors. Her greatest wish was to see more writings come from her people and “that the children would read it.” Learn more here.
  
  Reminder that there are no classes on Monday, February 20 in honour of Heritage Day.

Weigh in on the HRCE website

• What do you like about the HRCE website? What needs improvement?
  We want to hear from you!
  
  The Communications and Information Technology teams are currently planning a refresh and upgrade of the HRCE corporate website (www.hrce.ca).
  
  To ensure the new site reflects what’s important to families, community and staff, we are inviting your input! Your thoughts, ideas and feedback will help us develop a website that will better serve those who use it most.
  
  Please take five minutes to share your perspective. This survey closes on Tuesday, February 7. 
  
  Click here to begin.

If you are in need of COVID testing kits or masks please let us know.  We can send some home - or you can drop in to pick them up.

Upcoming Dates for your calendar:

February 20th - Heritage Day - No School

Have a great week everyone.
Mrs. Wolfe and Mrs. van der Weegen