Middle School Update

It is such a pleasure to welcome everyone to the Selwyn House Middle School as it embarks on the 2024-25 school year. This year is even more special than usual as we are greeting extra 20 students, and their families, into our community. And what a week we’ve had so far! During the two Grade 7 orientation days, students were introduced to staff, schedules, classrooms, lockers, expectations, and indeed, to each other! There was certainly a lot of information, and I’m pretty sure there were plenty of heads spinning! But there were also many, many smiling faces. The grade 8s came in this morning for their mini-orientation looking sharp and seeming very pleased to be back at school and with their peers.

This is the best way to begin, because happy kids are able to be engaged students. Learners who take advantage of the opportunities presented to them at a school like ours will become well rounded individuals and contributors to greater good. Using the lens of Veritas, the excellent Middle School staff are dedicated to making sure that each student has what they need to become successful in all that they do. There is great joy in watching as the boys grow towards increased involvement and independence. We all look forward to another amazing year!

Mr. Sebastien Lajoie ~ lajoies@selwyn.ca

Friday, August 30: All Grade 7&8 students attend for the full day, from 8:10am - 2:45pm.

• Regular classes

• Grade 7&8 students wear full Selwyn House uniform.

• First day of Middle School Phys Ed from 1:30-2:45pm. Students need to have their SHS gym clothes and gym shoes at school that day, and/or the appropriate team equipment.

Student attendance: If you know that your son will be absent or late (arriving past 8:15am), please call the school (x2225) or email Ms. Beech (beechv@selwyn.ca). Even if you send the message last minute, it confirms with us that your child is safe and just running late or at an appointment! If we don’t hear from you, we need to contact parents to account for all absent students each morning. Similarly, please notify Ms. Beech if your son needs to leave school during the school day for any reason. Upon his arrival/return to school, he should report directly to Ms. Beech to sign-in.

Epipen Protocol: If your child has a prescribed Epipen, he should carry it on him at all times. This is in addition to the Epipen that must be submitted to the Middle School Office. In the coming days, Ms. Beech will be in touch with each family who mentioned anaphylaxis in their son’s medical form to confirm details of your son’s allergy and arrange receipt of Epipens.

mySelwyn portal is open for the 2024-25 school year! Parents and students can login to check class and athletic schedules, grades, school calendar, student directory, and other resources. For help accessing mySelwyn, contact Ms. Poulin in our Registrar's Office.

The Student Directory is available online through mySelwyn under the Resource tab. This online directory is the exclusive property of Selwyn House School. Please note that the directory is provided for the sole use of parents of current Selwyn House School students. The Student Directory is not to be reproduced or distributed.

Grade 8 Outdoor Ed Trip - Adrift: In September each core group of Grade 8 students will participate in this three day, two night flatwater canoeing trip: 8-1 - September 5 to 7, 8-2 - September 9 to 11, 8-3 - September 16 to 18. A Consent Form (mandatory) needs to be completed by Monday, September 2nd. Please reach out to Julian Geisterfer (geisterferj@selwyn.ca) with any questions about the Packing List and trip itinerary.

Argyle Shop News: Final back to school rush! The store will be open next week on September 3, 4 & 5 from 8:30 to 11:00 am & 1:30 to 4:00 pm. No appointments required. Regular store hours, where no appointments are required, will resume on Monday, September 9.

Celebrate our school Spirit! Spirit Day is Wednesday, September 11, 3:30-5:30pm. Rain or shine! Students and Selwyn House families are invited to an afternoon of games, activities, entertainment, food, prizes and fun! We’ll even enjoy a performance by the Break City All-Stars breakdancing team! Click here for all the details! It is a tradition that we SHARE OUR SPIRIT with the community and this year we are raising funds for Step by Step Child and Family Center. Families are invited, should they wish, to bring their donation to the event or to donate online.

School Photos: Individual and class photos will be taken on Thursday, September 12. Full school uniform with blazer is required on this day.

Terry Fox Run: All Selwyn House students will be participating in the annual Terry Fox Run on Friday, September 13. Students will attend school in their house t-shirts and Selwyn House athletics wear and should be prepared to run outside regardless of the weather. Please read the following Parent Information Letter for specific details about fundraising, event timing, and expectations. Please encourage your friends and family to support our fundraising efforts by donating on our school fundraising page.

Visit our MS Update page for news and action items you may have missed, such as:

• Laptop Rental Agreement (for students entering Grade 7 and new-to Grade 8) before August 30

• Impact Test (concussion baseline test) before September 1

• SHS Important Dates 2024-25