September 1st, 2023
Dear WMES families:

A few notes before we welcome everyone back next week:

• It was great to welcome staff back today and start planning for an awesome 2023-24 school year.  We have lots to do and learn.  Staff will be engaged in Professional Development sessions on September 5th  and 6th.

• Class lists are not finalized.  Registrations continue to trickle in, and we continue to adjust accordingly.  Your child’s classroom teacher will contact you Tuesday to welcome you to their class.

• School Supply Lists can be found on our webpage..  Please reach out if you need any assistance with purchasing any supplies.
   

Wednesday, September 6th we would like to invite you to join us for an Open House.

• For our Pre-Primary students this will take place on Wednesday afternoon. Our Pre-Primary teachers will be contacting you soon with more information.
• For P-5 families the Open House will be between 6-7pm.  Students are welcome to attend as well, and this is a great time to drop off supplies, so the backpacks are not too heavy on the first day.
  
   

• First Day Drop offs.  While we appreciate how important it is on the first day for some families to come to the school grounds, we ask that you try to avoid this if possible.  For students who are feeling anxious already, a crowd of people can be very intimidating.  Our staff will all be outside directing students so you can be assured that they are in great hands.  If you do decide that coming to school is in your child’s best needs, please be respectful of our other students and staff and families, and follow staff guidelines/directions.
  
  You can park on School Street, or on the school side of Rocky Lake Drive.  For safety reasons we ask that you please do not park on the far side of Rocky Lake Drive and then try to cross.

• A reminder that our Kiss and Go Loop is for quick drop offs.  Adults are asked to NOT get out of the car at the Kiss and Go (Small loop around the lower parking lot).  There will be an adult there to greet students and help if necessary.  If you need to get out of your car you will need to find a parking space in one of our two parking lots, or on School Street.  Thanks.
   

• Thursday, September 14th is Stand up Against Bullying day across Nova Scotia.  Standing up Against Bullying is a topic that is discussed frequently and openly throughout the school year, but it is important to recognize that we always have more work to do.  Wearing Pink on September 14th is one way that we acknowledge our commitment to ongoing education and improvement.  We invite all students to join us in this commitment on Thursday by wearing something pink.  However, this year we would like to note that it is also our school picture day so we understand that may not be the colour choice of your outfit that day.

Some Upcoming Dates for your calendars:
September 11th – Our cafeteria reopens.  Order online on our school webpage.
September 14th – Pink Shirt Day (Stand up Against Bullying)
September 14th – School Picture Day.
September 29th – Wear Orange today for Truth and Reconciliation Day.
October 2nd– Truth and Reconciliation Day – No School for students.

Watch for more updates on our webpage:  https://wms.hrce.ca/
And follow us on Twitter(X): @WMESchool

See you soon!

Karla Wolfe and Jennifer van der Weegen