This Week at WMES
Week of October 1-4
Dear WMES families:
Our October calendar can be found here: https://wms.hrce.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/October%202024_1.pdf
Today, October 1st is Treaty day: Every year on October 1, Nova Scotians mark Treaty Day to celebrate the rich history, proud culture and important contributions of Mi'kmaq people. Learn more about Treaty Day here.
October is Mi'kmaq History Month. This year marks the 31st anniversary of Mi’kmaw History Month. In 1993, Premier John Savage and Mi’kmaw Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy declared October as the official month to recognize and celebrate Mi’kmaw culture and heritage.
The Halifax Regional Municipality is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and traditional lands of the Mi’kmaq people. The municipality acknowledges the Peace and Friendship Treaties signed in this Territory and recognizes that
… we are all Treaty People.
Demographic Update in PowerSchool:
Last week, the individual listed as Contact 1 for your child in PowerSchool should have received an email request to complete the 2024-2025 Demographic Updates form. The email notification would have come from PowerSchool Enrollment with a subject line of HRCE Student Demographic Update for “Your Student.”
The email will contained details on how to access the form from within the Parent Portal to review and update your address, contact information, and any essential information for your child.
Please note: although the notification goes to Contact 1, any contact with Portal access to your child can complete the form.
It’s critical that we have the most accurate information each year so that we can contact you quickly in case of emergency, send you important school information and to understand your child’s health requirements.
You will also be able to complete the Publication of Student Personal Information and Student Work form in the Parent Portal.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me directly. We will be reaching out in the next couple of weeks to any families who have not yet completed the form, so we appreciate you taking the time to complete this now and save us that extra step. ;) thanks.
Cafeteria / Food availability Update:
Our Cafeteria is now open. You can order on our website at: https://wms.hrce.ca/wms/general-information/cafeteria-menus-price-lists-notices
The new School Lunch Program website and updated menu will be available in late November. You can check out the Provincial website here. https://nslunch.ca/
You will be able to start ordering on October 18th on the new platform for our Oct. 28th launch date.
Until the new Provincial program launches - please reach out to us if you would like some assistance ordering / paying for lunches. We can help.
Chartwells (our cafeteria provider) is hiring! If you would like to join our cafeteria team please see the attached flyer!
Emergency Planning:
Next week, October 7-10th, we will have our second fire drill of the school year.
October is School Bus Safety Month:
October 21-25, 2024 is School Bus Safety Week in Nova Scotia!
Did you know that more than 30,000 HRCE students ride the school bus every day?
School Bus Safety Week is a great time to remind students, families and schools of a few daily safety tips that everyone can follow to ensure all students get to school safely.
Bus Stop Safety
Be on time for the bus and please don’t run to/from the bus.
Stand back off the road and don't push or shove when waiting at a stop.
Always cross in front of the bus. Walk three metres (10 feet) in front of the bus to a point where you can see the driver and wait for the driver's signal to cross. Proceed to the centre of the road, STOP, LOOK & LISTEN and cross the road when it is safe.
Never crawl under a school bus or cross the road behind the bus.
Know the danger zones around the bus.
School Bus Safety
Please respect and listen to the driver and avoid distracting them.
Please keep noise levels to a minimum.
Do not stand or move seats while the bus is in motion.
Never put your hands, arms, feet or head out of the bus window.
Ask the driver for permission before you open the bus windows.
Do not throw anything inside the bus or out of the windows.
Keep the aisle clear at all times when the bus is in motion.
You can find out more information about School Bus Safety Week, including more safety tips, here.
The transportation team asks that students and family members are at their assigned bus stop 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive as this helps our drivers stick to their schedule, and be on time for their next stops. It also helps us get our day at school started on schedule so that we aren’t waiting on late buses.
Thanks for your help with this.
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 1st - Treaty Day (Regular School Day)
October 11 - Professional Development Day for staff - No School for students
October 14 - Thanksgiving - No School today
October 24 - Halloween Howl
October 25 - Provincial Conference Day - No School for students
November 7th - School Picture Retake day