Woodlawn School

November is a busy time for our teaching staff as they prepare the first report cards of the year and prepare for student led conferences. Grade 1-4 report cards will be available on the parent portal on November 29. Our Kindergarten parents will receive a report of the Early Years Evaluation (EYE) during student-led conferences.

Student Led Conferences will take place on December 5. More information on setting up these appointments will be shared later on this month. Student led conferences are an opportunity to meet with your child's teacher and to see the important work that has been happening in the classroom during the past term. During the conference your child will share his/her learning with you and goals with you. There will be an opportunity to discuss your child's learning with the classroom teacher.

Additionally, it is important that all families are connected to their Parent Portal Account. If you don't have access to your Parent Portal account, please contact the office so we can help you connect. The Parent Portal is a very important place for you to get information from the school, digitally sign permission forms, change contact information, and pay fees. If you don't have a Parent Portal account yet, please contact the school at woodlawn@hsd.ca and one of our secretaries will send you the information to get set up. If you are having trouble accessing it, check out the website at https://hsd.ca/schools/parents/parent-portal/ for assistance. This is a great tool to keep up to date with what is going on at school!

Vince Hiebert - Principal

Marla McEachern - Vice-Principal

Talking to Kids About Report Cards

Report cards can be a time for celebration but can also be a source of stress when there is too much focus and attention on what is not going the way we expected . To help reduce stress, it is important to reflect and focus our attention on areas of progress and where effort has been demonstrated. Because neuroscience has shown that too much stress leads to the shut down of the prefrontal cortex (the thinking part of the brain), we know that what we say and how we say it actually really matter. Comments that may contribute to feelings of guilt, shame, or pressure may actually make it harder for children to do well. There are different reasons why you might be disappointed, surprised, or concerned with your child's report card. Try to be aware of those reasons, and remember that you have an opportunity to encourage them and contribute to their joy of learning, which is one of the most helpful things you can do. Here are some suggestions:

• Ask open ended questions about your child’s progress instead of yes or no questions. (Eg: what is easiest / hardest for you? What do you like the most / least?) Remain present and listen to their responses.

• Offer specific praise and encouragement instead of general statements. (Eg: It looks like you worked very hard in math this term.)

• Focus on a goal and come up with a plan together. (Eg: How can I help you? practice math facts, get to bed earlier, read together, get up earlier, have breakfast.)

Report cards are only one way that demonstrates your child’s capabilities and learning; they do not define how smart or capable your child is. There are many, many other ways your child demonstrates skills, capabilities, and talents. Remind your child to remember those too.

Our words matter, and when we use positive growth mindset language, it encourages learning. If you want to practice using growth mindset language at home with your child, check out the links below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1CHPnZfFmU

If your child needs medication, please note that over-the-counter medication is not be be sent to school in your child's backpacks or lunch kits. All over-the-counter medication needs to be administered by a parent/guardian.

In order for prescription medication to be administered by staff, parents need to bring it in the original container/box with the label on. There are forms at the office for parents/guardians to fill out. We ask that as much as possible, all efforts are made to give medication at home instead of at school.

We are very happy to let you know that Woodlawn School will be participating in Community Christmas again this year. We are asking families who are able to send an unwrapped toy or a gift card between November 18 and November 29. The organizers at Community Christmas have asked that toy guns/violent toys not be collected. These toys will be distributed in Christmas hampers to families in need in our community.

If any of you feel your family would benefit from a Christmas hamper this year, please register at https://steinbachcommunitychristmas.com/

Thank you in advance for helping us help the children in our community. Together we can make sure everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

Our grade 3 and 4 students will perform a Christmas Concert for their families this year. The concert will be held at Crossview Church on December 12. More information will be sent out as we get closer to the date.

Thank you to all the families who took home chocolate to sell!

We have draws for prizes for anyone who sells and prizes for our top selling student and class!

If you would like to join in, please stop by the office to pick up your box!

We are enjoying a beautiful fall so far, but our weather could change at any time. Please make sure your kids are dressed appropriately for the change in temperature throughout the day. It never hurts to send an extra change of clothes, especially on those wet, sloppy days. It will save us a phone call to you.

Mark your calendars for picture retake day which is Monday, November 18, 2024. You can sign up on the form that was emailed or call the school office at 204-326-6110 if you would like a picture retake for your child/children.
Kindergarten parents of students in KL2, KA2 and KM2: Please bring your child to school for 10:00 am on November 18 if they require a retake.

Please contact Lifetouch at 1-866-457-8212 if you have any questions about picture orders.

We will post exciting news and what is happening in our classrooms. You need to request to follow us and then will have access to our content. Here is the link: Woodlawn Instagram

Any urban or rural bus that will be late due to weather or mechanical issues are listed on the HSD website under the bus delay tab.

Go to the drop down menu of Services where you can choose:

Bus Delay Bulletins where any bus that is late is posted with the approximate delay.

Thank you for checking these options before calling the Hanover School Division Transportation Department with your questions regarding bus delays. Any questions for transportation please call 204-320-2347.

If your child will be late or absent please notify the school in one of the following ways:

**Leave a voicemail at 204-326-6110 anytime

**Email woodlawn@hsd.ca and your child's teacher (teacher's emails available on our website at woodlawn.hsd.ca/about/staff/)

**Enter an absence request through your Parent Portal account

**Phone the school at 204-326-6110 before 9:00

As a safety measure our policy is to phone home if we have not heard from the parent/guardian of an absent student. If necessary we will also phone workplaces and emergency contacts to make sure the student is safe. Any student that is arriving late (after 9:05) is to check in at the office before proceeding to class.

Each month Southern Health provides valuable information on health and nutrition for parents and children. Please click the button below for this month's information.

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