
Woodlawn School
April 2025 Newsletter
A Message from the Principals
What if Everybody Did That? Is a book by Ellen Javernick about a child who is learning lessons as he makes decisions that affect those around him. For example, "What if everybody littered?" We know the answer to this is that our schoolyard would be a mess. If everybody ran in the hallways - people would get hurt. If everybody talks at the same time - no one can hear anything. And so on.
These are lessons we try to teach at Woodlawn School through our Positive Behaviour Intervention Program and by holding students to high expectations and clear boundaries. And as you encourage your kid to consider "What if Everybody Did That?", let's all think about how our actions (both positive and negative) affect those around us.
Woodlawn School is an awesome place to work and learn because of our awesome community of students, staff, parents, neighbours, grandparents and so on. Thanks for all you do to make Woodlawn a great place!
Transition Planning
As you are aware, a lot will be changing for Elementary Schools in Steinbach this fall. With the opening of Parkhill Elementary School, all catchment lines have been redrawn for the city of Steinbach and surrounding area. This means that some of our students will be changing schools next year. You should have already received an email this past fall indicating which school your child is going to. For the most part, Woodlawn students will either remain at Woodlawn or transfer to Elmdale next year. We are working closely with the other early years schools to provide opportunities for students to visit their new school and start familiarizing themselves with what next school year will look like. Please stay tuned for more information coming in the next few weeks!
A Message from the Counsellor
As Spring Break approaches, we're excited to introduce a kindness challenge for our students! This challenge encourages children to spread kindness at home, with friends, and in their communities—teaching empathy, generosity, and positive connections.
We invite you to join your child in completing simple acts of kindness over the break, such as sharing a smile, helping a neighbour, or writing a kind note. We hope this will inspire a ripple effect of goodwill.
Use the Kindness Scavenger Hunt below as a fun guide, and we look forward to hearing about the wonderful acts of kindness your child will take part in!
Mrs. Mackie
A Note to Students Transferring to Elmdale Next Year
Hello Future Elmdale Families,
You are invited to an open house at Elmdale School on Tuesday, May 6th, anytime between 6:00 and 7:00 pm. Please bring your K-4 student(s) to look around, check out some classrooms, and say hi to the staff. We looking forward to seeing you there.
Sincerely,
Anders Rempel
Principal
Elmdale School
Steinbach, MB
Skating
All students in grade 3 and 4 will have the opportunity to go skating on April 15 and 17. Class notices and informed consent forms will be sent home and parents are asked to have helmets fitted and skates sharpened in preparation for the fun. If you absolutely cannot beg, borrow or buy the equipment, we do have some basic skates and helmets as a back up at the school. We welcome any parents who have any extra equipment they may want to share to call me so that all students can join in the fun! Please be aware that hockey sticks are not allowed to be transported on the school division buses. If your child would like to bring a stick please make arrangements to drop it off and pick it up at the school.
We also welcome and need parents to come out and help with supervision, tying skates and possibly sharing your own expertise in the sport. If your volunteer information is up to date and you would like to help, please contact Mr. Adams at jadams@hsd.ca
** Please note that all helmets must be CSA approved hockey helmets.
Spring Concerts
Spring concerts are coming soon! Our Grade 1 Spring Concert will be April 29 and our Grade 1/2 and Grade 2 Concert will be May 1. More information will be sent out.
PAC Update
Hello Woodlawn Families,
We have had a great start to spring. Thank you again to everyone who donated items or money to the Staff Appreciation. Items have been ordered and delivered. And thank you to those who donated to the Taco Bar, the staff absolutely loved it.
Our next meeting is April 8th, at 11:55 in the Library. Everyone is welcome. As always if you have any questions or concerns about PAC please contact us at woodlawnelementarypac@gmail.com
Have a great day
Ang Plett
Your PAC Chair
KEEPING OUR BIKES SAFE
Kindergarten 2025-2026
If your child is eligible for Kindergarten Registration (must be five years of age on or before Dec. 31, 2025), our online registration is now available. Our new online registration process takes only a few minutes to complete. To begin, visit the HSD Kindergarten Registration page at https://hsd.ca/schools/student-registration/
If you do not have access to the Internet, please visit our school and we will assist you in completing the registration form on a school computer.
Registering early will assist our school in preparation and planning for the upcoming school year. Early registration also provides parents/guardians with the opportunity to participate in upcoming orientation activities.
Please pass this information to any friend, neighbor or relative who may have children eligible for Kindergarten and who might not be aware of the registration process.
Class Placements for 2025-2026
We will soon be starting the process of creating class lists for the 2025-2026 school year. This is a very involved process and requires us to work closely as a school team to create class lists that are balanced and equitable for all. We take this process very seriously, as we try very hard to create a positive learning environment for students.
We consider a variety of criteria when creating class lists, including:
Balanced class composition
Social and behavioural considerations
Group dynamics
Learning styles
Parent input
If a parent would like to make a specific request for a friend or teacher placement, please email Mr. Hiebert (vhiebert@hsd.ca) your request, including a clear explanation of the academic and learning reasons for your request, by May 1, 2025. All requests must be in writing, and only those submitted by that date will be considered based on their merit. We cannot guarantee that all requests will be honoured, and late requests will not be considered. Also, please note that teacher staffing assignments may not be finalized by this date. Additionally, due to the high volume of requests, requests without a clear explanation for the academic/learning reasons will not be considered.
Students will be given an opportunity to identify up to 3 “good fit learning partners” and we will ensure that every child gets at least one of their requests.
Given appropriate support at home and at school, it has been our experience that the vast majority of students experience success with the teacher they are placed with. Where a placement is proving to be difficult, we ask that parents and students give it the time required for friendships and classroom community building to develop.
Class placements will be included in your child's June report card. Early information about whether requests have or have not been granted will not be shared prior to June 30, with the exception of students entering Kindergarten. Families of incoming Kindergarten students will be notified of their child's teacher and the days they will attend in mid-June.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to your child's education.
Woodlawn Teachers 2025-2026
Principal
Mr. Vince Hiebert
Vice Principal
Ms. Marla McEachern
Learning Support
Ms. Katrina Hamilton
Ms. Glenda Maendel
Ms. Elena Cornelsen
School Counselor
Ms. Rebecca Mackie
Literacy Support
Ms. April Harder
TBA
Kindergarten
Ms. Angela Martin
Ms. Rebecca Friesen
Grade 1
Mr. Chris Schroeder
Ms. Andrea Lepp
Ms. Angela Gosselin
Grade 1/2
Ms. Jennifer Cuppage
Ms. Jessica Klassen
Grade 2
Ms. Pat Reimer
Ms. Kristen Falk
Ms. Leah Read
Grade 3
Ms. Kristen Reimer
Ms. Jerilyn Koslowsky
Ms. Kendra Friesen
Grade 3/4
Ms. Lisa Martens
Ms. Jordyn Arcand
Grade 4
Ms. Marlene Funk
Ms. Simmy Gandhi
PE
Mr. Jesse Adams
Music
Ms. Joelle Boese
Music & Movement
Ms. Aimee Kroeker
Grow a row
For nearly 20 years, Woodlawn students and their families have been involved in harvesting root vegetables for Southeast Helping Hands. We started with a Woodlawn Community Garden, and have since transitioned to inviting our families to donate from their own gardens, or to purchase and donate vegetables in the autumn. These vegetables have benefited families in need from our local community.
We are inviting Woodlawn students and their families to participate in our annual: Grow a Row for Those in Need gardening campaign. We are looking for root vegetables like: potatoes, carrots, onions, turnips, beets, pumpkins and squash.
Participating families are asked to bring their produce to Southeast Helping Hands in the autumn, located at 525 Main Street in Steinbach.
If you don’t plan on having a garden, but would still like to donate some root vegetables, your contribution is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your willingness to participate! We are excited to continue Woodlawn’s legacy of giving back to our local community and teaching children how to be generous, thoughtful, and caring citizens.
About Us
Email: woodlawn@hsd.ca
Website: www.woodlawn.hsd.ca
Location: 411 Henry St, Steinbach, MB, Canada R5G 0R1
Phone: 204-326-6110
Twitter: @WoodlawnHSD