June 29th, 2016

Well another school year has come and gone. Kids’ reading levels have shot up, math problem solving improved, and their sense of who they are in this complicated world has been enhanced.  Growth can feel slow and steady at times, but when you think about where our kids were at the beginning of the year, and where they are now, we realize that childhood development is really very, very fast.   As the year comes to a close, we would like to thank parents who have supported us in our work, whether reading and signing the planner, following up at home around important messages and attending school events such as Arts Night.  What a great turn-out that was!   We rely on these positive relationships to help us model for kids what healthy adult and community relationships look like, sound like, and feel like.   Thank-you for speaking about your school and your child’s teacher in a positive light!

 

Good-Bye, Farewell !

At this time of year we prepare to say good-bye to some of our students and some of our staff as well.   To our grade 6s going on to their new grade 7 schools: all the very best! You have made us proud. Take your great memories of WTT with you, and don’t forget the lessons you have learned along the TRAIL.   We also wish the following educators a very fond farewell as they leave us for other opportunities.  Teachers Mrs. Watson, Mr. Harper and Mrs. Huhtala will be missed on the TRAIL and we wish them the very best as they take their caring ways to other schools.  Educational Assistants Mrs. Beggs, Mrs. Charteris, Mrs. Fitzgerald and Mr. Rattinasithy make their way to new adventures.  Our Long Term Occasional teachers and ECEs, (Mr. Davis, Miss Flowers, Ms. Marentette, Ms. Summers, Mrs. Thomas, Ms. Rowland, Ms. Neff, Ms. Pryse and Ms. Elkington) always go through a new placement process at this time of year.  We wish them the very best in pursuit of their permanent contracts Also Mrs. Dueck in the main office is retiring!  They will all be missed greatly by staff and students alike.  Our new staff list will be sent out with the first day of school package.

I wish our amazing community a safe and happy summer.  We so greatly value your support from home and encourage you to continue to be an important part of your child’s education.

See you in September!                    Ms. Brown   J

 

What Class Am I In? 

The W.T. Townshend team has put a considerable amount of work into the class blending process.  It takes a great amount of time, revision and careful consideration.  Sometimes parents ask for changes in the fall, not realizing the many factors which have gone into the final decisions.  We cannot shuffle classrooms based on summer friendships or summer falling-outs. Please prepare your child to accept his or her class placement by saying things such as, “It doesn’t matter what class you are in – all the teachers are great.”  Or, “It doesn’t matter if you are not in the same class as your friend – you will get to see them at recess anyway”.   Please be confident in your child’s teacher. Remember that kids take their cues from the reactions of the most important adults in their lives – their parents.

 

What Do I Have to Pay For?

 As parents, you know that September can be a drain on the pocket book.  Better to know in advance what to expect.  At WTT, we make every attempt to control how many times we have to ask for money for items or events.   We will be distributing a student planner to each of our Gr. 1 – 6 students and keeping the cost to $5.00. Field trips are another expense for parents and although we attempt to book only the most modestly priced ones, we have noticed an increase in what some of these venues or experiences cost.  In discussions with parent council this year, we will be partnering to make every attempt to keep trips costs down.  Also, sometimes families struggle financially at different times along the way.  If you find that your family is in a tight spot next year, please don’t hesitate to call Ms. Brown to disucss how we might help to support your child’s school activities.  We are always here to help!

We will communicating our 2016-17 Fund raising and Field Trip plan in the fall, but I tell you that we have listened to many families when they say that they would just like an opportunity to donate to WTT, and then not be bothered with fundraising for the rest of the year.  We are working on that – stay tuned!

 Thank you WTT families and staff!