Woodlawn Early Years School

It is very exciting to be starting a new school year at Woodlawn School! The energy in the building is exciting and we are looking forward to an amazing school year!

As you are aware, our school Admin Team is new this year, so we wanted to take a minute to introduce ourselves!

I, Vince Hiebert, am the new Principal at Woodlawn School. I was most recently the Principal at Elmdale School and prior to that I was the Vice Principal at Blumenort School, however coming to Woodlawn is a bit of a homecoming for me as I started my teaching career in Hanover at Woodlawn School teaching grade 6 (when we were still a k-6 school). I am excited to be back here and learn about and lead the school. I grew up in Steinbach and have always loved working in the community that I grew up in and still reside in. I have 4 children ages 8-13 who attend Southwood and Stonybrook schools. My wife is also a teacher as were both of my parents and sister at one point. Teaching has always been in my blood and I am excited for this next chapter in my life.

Marla McEachern is our new Vice-Principal who is coming to us from River East-Transcona School Division, most recently as a Learning Support Teacher. She and her husband and two daughters reside in Niverville and she is excited to be joining the Hanover School Division at Woodlawn School. Ms McEachern's expertise in Learning Support and wealth of knowledge from other school divisions will be a huge asset to our school.

Please have patience with us as we learn the people and systems at Woodlawn School. It is our desire to take the great things that are going on here and continue to grow and improve to ensure that all students get the educational experience they deserve!

Vince Hiebert

The HSD Parent Portal is a communications tool designed to enhance and increase parent/guardian involvement in the education of their children by providing secure online access to their child's student information. With a single username and password you can access data for each of your children attending an HSD school. The Access IDs along with setup instructions have been sent via email to all eligible parents/guardians of new students. If you are new to Woodlawn and did not receive the specified email, please contact the school office at 204-326-6110.

Please take a few minutes to review the student information and contact information for your child. It is important that the school has current address and contact information for your child in case it is necessary to reach someone during the school day. Please email or call the school if changes need to be made.

In order to ensure that every student has access to adequate food and nourishment to get through the school day, Woodlawn School partners with Soups On Steinbach to offer a breakfast and lunch program. Kindly inform your child's teacher if this is something your family currently requires. Food will be available as of the first day of school, for those families that are in need.

Thanks to the Nutrition Grant funding provided by Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning, we will be enhancing students' access to nutritious snacks at Woodlawn School. This initiative ensures every student can access fresh fruit and vegetables, helping them stay energized and ready to learn.

As part of this program, each school will have fresh fruit and vegetables readily available during the school day. This is intended for students needing a healthy snack to help them concentrate and participate fully in their learning. We understand that access to nutritious food is essential for physical and mental well-being, and we are committed to ensuring that no child goes hungry while in our schools.

These snacks will be available in the Woodlawn School Library.

The AGM will take place on September 10 at 6:30. Parents are strongly encouraged to consider joining the PAC. The PAC works to support the school. They do this through fundraising for various projects, providing special treats for the students, staff appreciation, and providing feedback to administration. The PAC is looking for someone to fill the position of secretary. Nominations will be accepted up until the AGM on Sept. 10.

If you have any questions, please contact the PAC Chairperson, Angela Plett at woodlawnelementarypac@gmail.com

Mark your Calendar for our School Picture Day on

Wednesday, October 16 and Thursday, October 17.

All students will be photographed for school service products. Proofs will be sent home for you to preview the images before you buy!

For Tips on preparing for photo day visit lifetouch.ca

Questions call Lifetouch at 1-866-457-8212 or email: guestservices@lifetouch.ca

When your children take part in physical activity in the gym, it is very important that they be dressed properly. Students need to wear non-marking runners for Phys. Ed. Class and they must be tied tightly at all times. Due to spatial and time constraints, Woodlawn students do not change for gym activities. As long as children can move comfortably in their attire it should also be suitable for Phys. Ed. However, if your child wears long baggy pants or a skirt to school, he/she will need to bring a change of clothes for Phys. Ed. Class. This is to ensure maximum participation and safety for all students.

If your child will be away from school or will be late or will not be returning to school after the nutritional and activity breaks please ensure you call the school at 204-326-6110, email woodlawn@hsd.ca or enter the attendance in your parent portal to let us know. If you know ahead of time that your child will be absent please enter the absence in the parent portal, email woodlawn@hsd.ca or call the office to let us know. When the school is not advised of an absence or late arrival, the office begins a call back procedure to parents and emergency contacts. Many of these calls can be avoided if parents call ahead to advise us of the absence.

To ensure the safety of our students and due to congestion of our staff parking lots and bus loop areas, parents are not to enter those ares between 8:15 - 4:30. Also note there is no public parking available at Entrance D (Barkman Street) at any time. All parking is reserved for school staff. If you are dropping off or picking up your child please park on Henry Street or on the church parking lot across from the school. For the safety of your child we request that you escort your child across Henry Street. For students' safety, please avoid parking along Barkman Street across from the school between 8:30 - 9:00 am and 3:30 - 4:00 pm.

Walking students and those dropped off by parents should arrive at school after 8:30 in the morning. Teacher supervision is provided starting at 8:30. Any students arriving on the playground before 8:30 will not be supervised and responsibility for the student belongs with the parent/guardian. Students are permitted to enter the building when the 8:53 bell rings.

Students are required to leave for home by 3:45 in the afternoon. Teachers will walk their classes out at the end of the day. This will help reduce the crowding in the halls by the classroom doors and at the front office at dismissal time (3:45). Make every effort to be punctual when picking up your children. Please ensure your child is aware of pickup arrangements before coming to school. Changes to routine pick up arrangements should be written in the agenda book. If a friend or relative is picking up a child from school the parent/guardian needs to notify the school or the classroom teacher by writing a note in the agenda. If you need to phone the school regarding a change in pick up for your child at the end of the day please call before 2:45 pm.

We will be offering a pizza lunch every week again this year. Our PAC will also offer weekly a hot lunch. Stay tuned for more information in the next couple of weeks.

In the past there has been some confusion regarding the administering of medication while your child is under the care of the school. In accordance with Hanover School Policy, we feel you should be aware of the following points if your child requires the use of prescribed medication:

· All medication must be brought to school by the child’s guardian to ensure that the medication administered to your child is the correct medication. All Medications must be brought in the original pharmacy container.

· All medication administered at school will require forms completed by the parent which are available at the school office. If medication is required for more than fourteen days, an Individual Health Care Plan may be required.

· The school will not administer non-prescribed medication or over-the-counter medication. A doctor’s prescription is always required.

Even if your child is capable of taking their prescribed medication independently at school, it will still require the appropriate paperwork. The medication will be kept under lock and key. Students are not allowed to keep any type of medication in their locker, lunch kit, or backpack while on school premises.

If you have any further questions about this issue we would be happy to discuss it with you.

There are children in our school who have a severe allergy to peanuts. Exposure to even a tiny amount of this item could be potentially serious and life-threatening. We can all play a role in preventing such a dangerous and frightening situation at school. For this reason we are a "Peanut Aware" school. We do not describe the school as being "Nut Free" because we can't guarantee that students or adults have not brought nuts or traces of nuts into the building. Please help us keep all our students safe by checking the list of ingredients on items you send to school and avoid sending items that contain peanuts.

Our school is involved with the Canadian Medic Alert Foundation’s

No Child Without program. There is no cost for students who attend our school and are between the ages of 4 up to their 14th birthday to join the Medic Alert through this program. If your child has a medical condition, allergy or is required to take medication on a regular basis, then you should consider this program. A child’s MedicAlert identification can alert school staff, friends, coaches and other’s about your child’s medical condition should an emergency occur.

For further information come to the office for a brochure or go to

www.nochild without.ca. To register your child you will need a NO Child Without brochure from the school office.

If your child is already part of the No Child Without program and there has been a change to their medical condition, medications or emergency contact information, call MedicAlert at 1-866-679-3220 Ext 1 to update your child’s file.

Kindergarten

• Angela Martin

• Andrea Lepp

• Allison Antonio

Grade 1

• Ashley Green

• Glenda Maendel

• Chris Schroeder

Grade 1/2

• Jessica Klassen

• Jennifer Cuppage

• Angela Gosselin

• Margaret Loewen

Grade 2

• Pat Reimer

• Kristen Falk

• Krystle Lachance

Grade 3

• Monica Martens

• Kristen Reimer

• Cathy Toews and Melissa Hiebert

Grade 3/4

• Lisa Martens

• Andrea Dick

• Erin Dal Zotto

• Mark Wiewel

Grade 4

• Marlene Funk

• Simmy Gandhi

• Jerilyn Koslowski

Principal - Vince Hiebert

Vice-Principal - Marla McEachern

Music and Gym - K-1 Music & Gym - Aimee Kroeker

Music and Gym - 2-4 Music - Amanda Bilevicius

2-4 Gym - Jesse Adams

Guidance Counselors - Rebecca Mackie, Jordyn Arcand

Learning Support - Courtney Gangloff, Katrina Hamilton, Rachael Van Gerwen-Wilson

Literacy Support - April Harder, Katherine Peters

Head Secretary - Melissa Thiessen

Secretary - Crystal Penner

Librarian - Sandy Loewen

Custodian - Holly Edwards

Educational Assistants

Sherry Beckman

Wanda Bueckert

Natalie Dyck

Stephanie Enns

Sara Falk

Shana Heppner

Tara LeDrew

Jennifer Manson

Candace Martens

Yvonne Neufeld

Ankitaben Patel

Carol Peters

Esther Plett

Marita Rempel

Reetu Sethi

Lorissa Wall

Melissa Dueck Walsh

Kristen Warkentin

Herta Wiebe

Laura Zech

2024 - 2025 Important Dates

Monday, September 2 - Labour Day

Tuesday, September 3 - PD/Admin Day

Tuesday, September 3 - Meet the Teacher

Wednesday, September 4 - First Day of Classes / K Interviews

Thursday, September 5 -K Interviews

Friday, September 6 - Kindergarten Staggered Entry

Monday, September 9 - Kindergarten Staggered Entry

Tuesday, September 10 - Kindergarten Staggered Entry

Wednesday, September 11 - Kindergarten Staggered Entry

Thursday, September 12 - All K Students Attend (Days 1,3,5)

Friday, September 13 - All K Students Attend (Days 2,4,6)

Friday, September 13 - Strong Connections Day 1

Monday, September 16 - Strong Connections Day 2

Thursday, September 26 - Terry Fox Run

Friday, September 27 - Orange Shirt Day - School Event / Activities

Monday, September 30 - Truth and Reconciliation Day - No Classes

Monday, October 14 - Thanksgiving Day - No Classes

Tues-Friday, October 15-18 - Bus Safety Week

Wednesday, October 16 - Picture Day

Thursday, October 17 - Picture Day

Friday, October 25 - MTS PD Day

Thursday, November 7 - Remembrance Day Assembly

Friday, November 8 - PD/Admin/ Day

Monday, November 11 - Remembrance Day - No School

Monday, November 18 - Picture Retake Day

Friday, November 22 - Admin Day (Report Card Writing Day)

Friday, November 29 - Reports Issued

Thursday, December 5 - Student Led Conferences

Thursday, December 12 - Aft/Evening Christmas Concert (grades 3, 3/4, 4)

Friday, December 20 - Last Day of School Before Christmas Break

Monday, January 6 - First Day Back at School After Christmas Break

Friday, January 31- PD Day- no classes

Wed-Fri , Feb 5-7 - Book Fair

Friday, Feb 14 - Festival du Voyageur Day

Monday, February 17 - Louis Riel Day - No Classes

Friday, February 28 - HTA PD Day & Admin Day - No Classes

Friday, March 7 - Admin Day (Report Card Writing Day)

Friday, March 14 - Report Cards Issued

Thursday, March 20 - Student Led Conferences

Mon-Fri, March 24-28 - Wacky Week

Friday, March 28 - Community Pancake Breakfast

Friday, March 28 - Last Day of School Before Spring Break

Monday, April 7 - First Day Back After Spring Break

Monday, April 14 - PD Day - No Classes

Friday, April 18 - Good Friday - No Classes

Tuesday, April 29- Aft/Eve Spring Concert - Grade 1

Thursday, May 1 - Aft/Eve Spring Concert - Grade 1/2 & 2

TBA, TBA -Volunteer Appreciation Event

Monday, May 19 - Victoria Day - No Classes

Thursday, June 26- School Picnic and Last Day of Classes

Thursday, June 26 - Report Cards released on Parent Portal

Friday, June 27 - Admin Day

Woodlawn School's Terry Fox Run will take place on September 26. More information will be sent home shortly. We encourage students to bring a Toonie-for-Terry.

Please read the attached information regarding voluntary student accident insurance.

- Student Accident Insurance

Strong Connections Program at Woodlawn For Grades 1-4 on September 13 and 16 -

Please sign into your child's Parent Portal to see which date your grade 1-4 student will attend for Strong Connections. (Kindergarten classes will take place as usual.)

Strong Connections will take place once again at Woodlawn School. This program has been implemented for several years now in Hanover School Division. Strong Connections is a program designed to build the relationships between teachers and their students as well as enhance the beginning of the year assessment of each child. Strong Connections activities are designed to help us get to know our students and how they learn in order to know where to begin with instruction. This provides an opportunity for teachers to extend and

consolidate their understanding of each child through one to one interview/assessment times. This will facilitate teachers in planning for instruction that will effectively address learning needs early in the year.

What will teachers learn through Strong Connections?

Teachers working individually with their students in an atmosphere of support and

encouragement have an opportunity to collect first hand information about such things as:

· How they learn

· Their confidence as learners

· The learning strategies they possess

· Their reading, writing and mathematical skills

· Their approach to problem solving

· Their attitudes toward school and learning

· Their ability to reflect upon and set goals for their learning

How will it work?

On either September 13 or 16 , students will attend school one day out of two. With half of the students present, homeroom teachers will have the opportunity to meet one on one with each student to participate in relationship building activities and assessment which revolves around literacy and numeracy. This is an opportunity for teachers to gather information about each child’s learning that may not be evident during whole class instruction. It is also an opportunity to further develop the teacher-student relationship. While some students are with the teacher, others will be participating in a variety of stations which include music, physical education, literacy, technology, art, and character building.

During these days, there will be no regularly scheduled classes for students. Students will arrive at school in their normal manner (bus or other) for their scheduled day. Parents will be notified during the first week of school as to when their child’s scheduled Strong Connections day will be.

We look forward to using these days to provide us with a deeper understanding of each student. More information will be sent out in September including which day your child is scheduled to attend.

Notice of Approved Petitions for Woodlawn School

Petition for Religious Exercises - The Hanover School Division Board of Trustees did not receive a petition requesting that religious exercises be held in Woodlawn School during the 2024-2025 school year. Therefore, Religious Morning Exercises will not be taking place at Woodlawn School this year.

Petition for Religious Instruction - The Hanover School Division Board of Trustees has received a petition requesting that religious instruction be held in Woodlawn School during the 2024-2025 school year. The petitioners have specified their desire for the Discovery Time program offered by Child Evangelism Fellowship. As the petition bears the signatures of parents/guardians representing more than 25 students in the school, the Board of Trustees of the Hanover School Division has passed the required by-law permitting religious instruction, as specified above, to be offered by volunteers during designated half-hour per week classes.

Parents/guardians who did not sign the original petitions are eligible to join at any time by submitting a signed note to the HSD Board of Trustees (forward directly to Woodlawn School). The note must indicate the name and grade of student for whom permission to participate is being given. Only children whose parents/guardians signed the original petition, or have subsequently joined, may participate in the exercises and instruction as described above.

As a Manitoba public school division, HSD is obligated to comply with the provisions of The Public Schools Act and provincial guidelines governing the implementation of religious exercises and religious instruction. The Public Schools Act states that public schools must be non-sectarian. Religious exercises and religious instruction in public schools may only be implemented by school boards in a manner consistent with the Public Schools Act and provincial guidelines - after parent/guardian petition is presented to the school board. Such petitions require annual submission, and must be received by the HSD Board of Trustees no later than April 30 (previous to the school year for which the petition applies).

Additional information regarding the Public Schools Act, HSD policies, and provincial guidelines governing these petitions can be viewed here on the Woodlawn School website.

Email: woodlawn@hsd.ca
Website: www.woodlawn.hsd.ca
Location: 411 Henry St, Steinbach, MB, Canada R5G 0R1
Phone: 204-326-6110
Twitter: @WoodlawnHSD