This Week at WMES
Week of October 2-6

Dear WMES families:

Emergency Contact information:

• Last week you should have received an email asking you to update your child’s registration information in the Parent Portal in PowerSchool. If you haven’t yet please do this asap. This information is required to ensure we can contact you in an emergency.  If you require assistance to login to the Parent Portal please contact Ms. Fizzard at cfizzard@hrce.ca, or call 902-860-4150.  Thanks.

Consent for Publication: 

• When updating your student’s information you will note that one question asks your permission to use images of your child, or your child’s work, in our school communications, or perhaps on classroom websites, google classrooms, school social media forums.  Please be sure to update this information so that we are aware of your wishes. 
• We also want to remind you that students are never permitted to take pictures or videos of others at school on their personal or school devices without adult supervision/ permission.  This includes smart watches.  Please have this very important conversation with your child if you are permitting them to have these types of devices at school.

Medications at school:

• Non-prescription medications (tylenol, etc.) can not be administered at school by students or school staff.  If your child requires this type of medication while at school you will need to make arrangements to come deliver it to them.
• Prescription medications can be administered in the office (but not in class).  If your child is going to require a prescription medication (including a puffer) while at school, you must complete the appropriate paperwork prior to them bringing it to school.  You can contact the main office for the forms, or drop by in the morning if it is needed immediately.  Prescription medications are ALWAYS stored at the office unless we have written agreements to indicate otherwise (ie. EPI pens).

October is Mi’Kmaq History Month:

• Mi’kmaq History Month - October 2023. The theme for this year is Mi’kmaw Traditional Games & Sports (a nod to the recent North American Indigenous Games).
  
  October is Mi’Kmaq History Month.  Last week we began important conversations as we discussed Truth and Reconciliation, and learned the history of “Orange Shirt Day”.  We will continue to learn about our country’s Indigenous People, and our own Mi’kmaq neighbors throughout the month of October, and all year.  With truth and understanding comes healing and growth. 
  
  October 1st  was Treaty Day, a day to mark the beginning of Mi’kmaq History Month in NS.    We are all Treaty People!
  
  As Treaty People we must all find a path forward in reconciling our shared history.
   

Pizza Fundraiser:

• Our Parent Teacher Cooperative (PTC) is holding our first fundraiser of the year.  We are selling Kenny’s Pizza kits - which was a popular fundraiser last year.  Our school receives $5 from each order.  If you would like to order a pizza or garlic finger kit please go to https://hrce.schoolcashonline.com/  to order.  If it’s your first time you will need to set up an account. 
  
  The deadline for orders is Thursday, October 5th at 12pm.
   

Roots of Empathy:

• Mrs. van der Weegen  will be running  the Roots of Empathy Program with some of our students this year.   In the Roots of Empathy program, celebration of our differences and recognition of the common ground that bind us together as human beings, are used to teach the value of social inclusion.  Teaching children to recognize unfairness and to find ways to challenge bullying is often a core message. 

October is International Walk to School Month (and Walk at School Month): 

• On October 18th (weather permitting) our classes will go outside together to walk for the environment, physical activity, safety and fun! 

PTC/SAC:

• Our PTC and SAC groups are meeting next Thursday evening.  The PTC (Parent Teacher Cooperative) will meet at 6pm, and the SAC (School Advisory Council) will meet at 7pm.  Please feel free to join us.
   

Family Flu Shot Clinic:

• We are hosting a Family Flu Shot Clinic in our cafeteria on October  26th from 2 to 6pm.   We will send more information soon on how to sign up.

Thanks everyone.  Have a great week.   A reminder that our October calendar can be found on our webpage.

Mrs. Wolfe and Mrs. van der Weegen

Upcoming Dates for your calendar:

October 9 - Thanksgiving - No School today
October 12 - Bus evacuation Drills
October 26 - Halloween Howl
October 27 - Provincial Conference Day - No School for students
November 1st - Picture Retake Day!