Elmdale School

It's hard to believe May is upon us. Every year seems to go by quicker than the last, and while I would say that is true again this year, if I think back to September, it feels like that was ages ago!

One of our goals at Elmdale this year was to provide a safe and caring learning environment while making school feel as normal and fun as possible despite the changing restrictions throughout the year. While I feel we have been successful at this in many ways, there are other things that I have wished we could do, but simply haven't been able to.

Right now, looking ahead at spring we would normally be planning field trips, Run Jump & Throw Day, Year-End picnics, Grade 4 Farewells, etc. Right now some of these are not permitted with the current Public Health Orders (ie Field Trips), and others will have to look very different due to Cohorts and limits on Parent Volunteers in the school. Rest assured we are trying to find ways to bring in as many of these fun activities as possible. We will find a way to celebrate our grade 4's in a meaningful way. But the reality is they will look different. Please have patience with us as we go through the planning of each of these activities.

Thank you for continuing to partner with us through these extraordinary times we live in.

Mr. Vince Hiebert

Principal: Elmdale School

Email: vhiebert@hsd.ca

Instagram: elmdalehsd

Over the past couple of weeks, we have received several calls of concern regarding bus stop behaviour, especially at our urban bus stops. Bus behaviour includes the bus stop, and our expectations are that all students are waiting calmly and respectfully at bus stops. We are asking that all parents have a conversation with their children reminding them of appropriate bus stop behaviour, including:

• Students are expected to stand and wait quietly on the sidewalk or designated area and stay off of all roads
• No pushing/shoving/kicking
• No tag or similar games
• No climbing on snow hills or mailboxes
  

Hanover School Division does not provide supervision at bus stops, so it is up to parents to supervise and/or ensure their children are behaving properly at the bus stop.

Failure to follow bus stop expectations may result in loss of bus privileges.

We are looking forward to welcoming a new group of kindergarten students to Elmdale this fall. If you have a kindergartner registered, please be aware of the following:

• You should have received a welcome email and a time for your Kindergarten Connections Appointment. Please contact the office if you didn't receive one
• Please fill out the survey linked in the previous email and send us a recent photo of your child
• Next week you will receive a Welcome Package including a bunch of information about Kindergarten at Elmdale School
• Kindergarten Connections will take place on May 10 and 11 in Hut #3 at Elmdale
• Kindergarten class placements happen in June. You will receive a letter in mid-June with the name of your child's teacher and which days they will attend. Any requests must be submitted in writing by May 15 (See Class Placement notice above)

The Children's Museum has donated several Spark Boxes to be distributed among grade 2-4 students to be brought home. These boxes are for at-home learning and is an opportunity to build STEM (Science Technology, Engineering, Math) skills.

According to the Children's Museum's website Spark Boxes include "kid-friendly instructions, educational curriculum-linked content, and high-quality supplies for two kids to enjoy, everything you need is packed in one convenient box... All Spark Box activities are intended to be completed under adult supervision. Some activities need a Grown-Up Assistant, so we recommend being nearby and ready to help!"

If you are interested in having your child bring home a Spark Box, please notify your their classroom teacher. These will be given out one per family, and if more interest exists than the number of boxes we have, we will hand them out randomly among those families who are interested.

We will soon be starting the process of creating class lists for the 2021-2022 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:

• Achievement (balanced class composition)

• Social and behavioural considerations

• Male/Female ratio

• 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 15, 2021. All requests submitted by that date will be considered based on their merit, however we cannot guarantee that all requests will be honoured. Late requests will not be considered.

Given appropriate support at home and at school, it has been our experience that the vast majority of placements are successful. 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.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to your child's education.

Mr. V. Hiebert

Principal, Elmdale School

If you are planning to complete school of choice forms for your children to attend a school out of your catchment area, these must be submitted to the Hanover School Division office no later than May 15, 2021

Thank you for your support in our annual spring fundraiser. Many Sunshine Greenhouse Gift Cards were sold, and we earned a profit of $1725! This will go a long way towards our play structure project! Thanks Elmdale Families!!

The first week of May is National Mental Health Awareness Week in Canada. Here at Elmdale we will be having our Wellness Week May 3-7. The last year has taken a toll on our mental health - kids included. In these unusual days we need to be especially intentional to take care of our health and well-being so we’ve created some activities for you and your family to help keep healthy in mind, body and spirit!

Our theme this year is “Take a Moment”. Each morning at school we will be focusing on a specific wellness theme. This year the themes are:

MONDAY - Move-it Monday (Take a moment for physical activity)

TUESDAY - Tool-Time Tuesday (What are your tools to get you back to the “Green Zone” when you are under stress? Take a moment to be mindful and reflect on the people, places and activities that make you happy.)

WEDNESDAY -Water and Walking Wednesday (Take a moment to hydrate and go for a walk)

THURSDAY - Thankful Thursday (Take a moment to practice gratitude)

FRIDAY - Feel Good Friday! (Take a moment to think about what you like about yourself and let someone else know what you like about them!)

We will also send home a family BINGO page. Completely optional, but we wanted to give you some ideas to keep up your healthy habits. Feel free to fill it in by working together as a family! Fill in a row or two, or challenge yourself to go for blackout. Any bingo sheets filled in completely (blackout) that are signed by a parent and handed in by the end of May will be entered in for a prize draw.

Most of all...have fun and be healthy and well!

Ava 1E; Marek 1J; Dalena 1M; Victoria 2G; Hunter 2M; Riley 2T; Ariana 3F; Alexei 4D; Ava 4M; Liza 4T; Logan 1E; Jonah 1J; Jason 1M; Tyrol 2G; Rakel 2M; Dana 2T; Hailey 3B; Apryl 3F; Trinity 4D; Stacey 4M; Jayden 4T; Clinton 1E; Jaydin 1J; Lenra 1M; Tonya 2G; Sophia 2M; Faith 2T; Dyon 3B; Jaxon 3F; Damion 4D; Tyson 4M; Charlie 4T.

Hanover School Division Transportation Department has been very busy this year trying to accommodate all the changes that we have been facing throughout the school year. In order to help us prepare for the next school year - if you know that you will be moving locations/returning from home school; you are welcome to call or email our office at any time before school starts at 204-320-2347 or email hsdtransportation@hsd.ca so we can ensure your child will have transportation set up for the school start up. We are open all summer long.

Are you looking for part time employment and want to start a new career? We are looking for spare school bus drivers for all areas of the division. You do not need experience or a class 2 license. We provide training with little cost to yourselves. You can drive as little or as much as you want. In the future regular positions can become available. Please call the Transportation Department at 204-320-2347 if you have more questions.

Click HERE for this month's Nutrition Bits and Bites Newsletter from Southern Health.

"Soup's On" provides daily school lunches to families in need. It can be started and stopped as needed. Contact our Learning Support Teacher Mrs. Tara Klassen (tklassen@hsd.ca) or your child's teacher via agenda book to register your child.

Please check our website for the bus pick up times and location near your house.
If your address has changed, please call transportation at 204-320-2347 to make sure that your children are riding the correct bus to and from school.

Elmdale's eNewsletter

Publisher: Mr. Hiebert

Email: elmdale@hsd.ca
Website: http://elmdale.hsd.ca/
Location: 160 Elmdale Street, Steinbach, MB, Canada
Phone: 204-326-3325
Twitter: @elmdalehsd