I would like to express a warm welcome to my students and their families for the upcoming school year. The beginning of school is such a pivotal time for all us. Filled with excitement, anticipation, and maybe some trepidation. Over the next weeks and months we will getting to know one another, while we learn and grow through play each day. I am excited to begin our learning journey together.
This is a large post for the beginning of the year.
I just want to go over a few reminders or areas where questions may arise.
Our school sends emails to families. Please ensure I have your correct email and updates as needed.
Bookmark or click the link found on my email messages for this website. I update it each week (Sunday) so you will know what we are doing during the upcoming week.
Check this website for the FAQ page. It has a wealth of information on it. To navigate the webpage go to HOME in the top right hand corner.
A very important routine to develop at home before leaving for school, is using the toilet one more time before heading out the door. Our students are not able to go to the washroom facilities without an adult accompanying them. Later in the year (spring time) we may be able to change this procedure once the students are more comfortable with routines and become more independent. We will have one group washroom break before we have our snack at roughly 10:00 each morning.
Each morning when I come out to bring the children in, you can let me know if someone else is picking up your child. This person must be listed on the information form you filled out on our EEP Student Information Questionnaire.
A water bottle is recommended for the children to bring each day. Either the type that has a straw and does not spill when tipped, or the other types that require suction to drink are recommended. Regular water bottles with open pouring holes are not suitable as they are more prone to leakage both in the backpacks and in the classroom.
This year all student work will be coming home either after they make the item or after it has been displayed in the classroom. As parents are unable to come into the classroom to see our work as we make it, this will provide another opportunity for you to develop conversations with your child about what we did at school each day. In addition both you and your child will be able to decide together what you would like to keep as a cherished memory. In the classroom we will be using the provided scrapbooks for other work that we complete on a daily or weekly basis. At the end of the year it will show the growth and progression in a different manner then the collected craft scrapbooks of the past.
Getting back to normal, we are able to have volunteers come into the classroom. Would you be interested? First there is a Volunteer Criminal Record check letter to pick up from the school office. Along with a form to fill out at the local RCMP detachment. Once completed, bring back to the school office and we will be ready to go. In the classroom volunteers will read with students, lead center games and assist as needed. Let me know if you are interested and able to come in so we can set up a date and time.
Our school district has transitioned to an information system called Edsby. Parents are invited to download the app to your mobile device to check on attendance, and report cards etc. To become familiar with this new app, you can download it now and start inputting information when your child is absent. This will also help reduce the number of phone calls home the office has to complete when absences are unknown. In addition, you won't have to send additional emails to the office as the information will be available to us as soon as you input it into Edsby. You can find out more information at this link: https://fmcschools.ca/edsby-frequently-asked-questions/ If it asks for a password to log in try: fmcsd
I want to say thank you to everyone for their patience at dismissal time, and waiting until I dismiss the students one at a time. This is such a busy time with so many bodies and people milling about, I have to be very careful that all students are dismissed directly to their parent/guardian.
Mrs. Wells Class
Arrival / Dismissal
What time does school start? What time does class end?
AM Class – 8:05am – 10:55am - Students will be met and dropped off outside our front door by the classroom teacher.
Where do I drop off my child?
You must wait with your child outside in the appointed line up area. We will line up in the same location each day. Children cannot be left unattended before class starts.
Where do I pick up my child?
You can pick up your child outside in the appointed line up area. I will not dismiss your child to another person without your consent. If someone else is picking up your child please let me know through email (sent the day before), a phone call to the office, or by sending me a note. The children are expected to wait outside in the lineup until they are dismissed by the teacher directly to their parent. I will only dismiss one child at a time, in a hand to hand format.
Belongings
What does my child need to bring into the classroom?
Students will leave their outdoor belongings on their hooks outside the classroom. Their outdoor shoes can be left directly under their hooks. Students will need to bring their full backpacks into the classroom. Kanga pouches will go into a collection basket and lunch kits will stay in your child’s backpack until snack time.
Book Orders
What is a book order?
Approximately once a month I will send home Scholastic Book Order flyers. The flyers are full of books and other products that are available for you to purchase through Scholastic Canada. Books orders are completely optional.
To learn more about Scholastic Books Orders check out their website at: http://www.scholastic.ca/families/
How do I pay for a book order?
NEW Parents can now pay for book orders online! Otherwise, book orders can be paid by sending in the book order form and cash, and I will submit a large class order. If we have a large enough order, then we most likely will not have shipping fees. You can learn more about the online payment at: http://www.scholastic.ca/clubs/parentpay/
When are book orders due? How long does it take for book orders to arrive?
The due date for book orders will be posted on the order forms. Book orders usually take 2-3 weeks to arrive.
Classroom Website
Where can I find the classroom website?
The link to the class site is at the bottom of emails that I send. Bookmark this website for easy access.
What information will be on the classroom website?
Important information about our class will be posted on the classroom website. You will be able to find monthly calendars, show and tell schedules, newsletters, helpful websites, pictures of our classroom, reminders of upcoming events, and contact information, etc. I update the site on a weekly basis to make sure everyone stays up to date.
Clothing
What kind of footwear should my child wear to school?
We kindly ask that all students wear sneakers at school. This is important as we practice gross motor skills on a regular basis. We also ask that students wear shoes that they are able to put on independently. Shoes with laces are usually not ideal for children in EEP or Kindergarten. If your child has shoes with laces you can replace the laces with elastic laces, lock laces, or curly laces. This applies to both outdoor and indoor shoes. Flip flop sandals are also not permitted for both students and staff members. All sandals must have a secure strap around the back of the foot.
What kind of clothes should my child wear at school?
Children should always come to school prepared to line up and play outside. This means that we ask that your child dress appropriately for the weather. We can be very messy in EEP and Kindergarten! Students may get paint, glue, glitter, shaving cream, play dough, and other messy materials on their clothing. I would suggest that your child comes to school in clothes you can easily clean. Staff and students are also expected to dress in clothing that is appropriate in a Catholic school. Shorts and skirts should not be shorter than mid thigh (finger tip rule) and shirt straps must be wide (spaghetti straps are not appropriate for school). Thanks for your cooperation!
Should I pack a change of clothes for my child?
Accidents happen. Please send a clean set of clothes to school in a large labelled Ziplock bag. I will place them in a box to be used if needed. This will alleviate having to carry them back and forth every day. They will be returned at the end of the school year.
Contact Information
What is the best way to contact Mrs. Wells?
I can be contacted through my school email at: bwells@fmcsd.ab.ca Please note that I may not have a chance to check my email during the school day. If there are any last minute changes in dismissal arrangements please call the school office at (780) 799-5720. If you would like to speak to me in person please feel free to schedule a meeting.
What if my contact information changes?
If your address, phone number or email changes, it is extremely important that you provide both the office and myself the new changes. We must be able to contact you in case of emergencies.
District Calendar
Where can I find the district calendar?
The 2023-2024 school year calendar for the Fort McMurray Catholic School Board can be found on the Fort McMurray Catholic School Board Website at http://fmcschools.ca/
Fridays
On what Fridays is there school?
Please refer to the district calendar to see the Friday schedule. It is also on my website.
Who attends school on Fridays?
Every child in the Early Entry Program (EEP) and Kindergarten will be attending school on Fridays that there is school.
Homework/ Home Review
It would be beneficial to review concepts at home. Look in the weekly newsletters to find out what concepts we are learning. Language development is a central focus in both the Early Entry Program and Kindergarten. Much of the growth in this area will occur through play and conversation. This is easily done anywhere, anytime! For example, while grocery shopping ask your child questions about the food you place in the cart, while driving talk about the weather or things you see out the window, when reading a story explain the story, ask your child questions about it, ask your child to retell the story etc. Homework will not be assigned in our EEP class.
Library
When does our class go to the library? When do library books need to be returned?
Our librarian is Mrs. Stoll. Our class will be scheduled to visit the library once every two weeks on Thursday. She will provide a book selection for our students to take home. Library books will be placed inside student’s kanga pouches to come home.
The book must be returned the following week. Students are allowed to take one library book out at a time. Library books must be returned the day before (Wednesday) our scheduled library time.
My child has misplaced their library book. What can I do?
If you cannot find your child’s library book you can pay the librarian to replace the lost book. Please remember that your child can only take out a new library book once their old book is returned or replaced.
Classroom Library – We have a small library that the children will be able to use each day.
Missing School, Arriving Late, and Leaving Early
The first choice is to use the Edsby app to record your child's absence. This way both the office and myself are made aware of the absence. The second choice is to call the school office to inform us of the absence. The phone number for the office is (780) 799-5720. If your child’s absence is not accounted for, you will be contacted by the school office as a safety precaution. Logging in to Edsby reduces the work of our front office staff tremendously. If your child arrives late you will need to come through the main door of the school and get a a late slip for your child to bring to me. I will not be letting late students enter through our classroom exterior door.
Weekly Newsletters & Calendars
The calendar and weekly newsletters will be found on the website. Please refer to these documents for the dates and details of classroom and school events. Newsletters will be updated each Sunday and posted on the website.
Parking
Parking is available on the streets surrounding our school. Park in designated parking stalls only. Parking can be congested in the morning during drop off and in the afternoon during dismissal. Please do not enter the staff parking lot.
Show and Tell
When is show and tell? How do I know when it is my child’s turn to have show and tell?
Show and tell will begin in October. Each child will have one turn a month. A schedule will be posted on the monthly calendars.
What does my child bring for show and tell?
Show and tell will be related to our monthly themes. A description of what we are looking for will be on the monthly calendars, starting in October. Students will bring an item and/or drawing to school to present to the class. Any drawings will be posted in the classroom until the theme is completed.
Snacks
What should my child bring for snack?
Students will typically have 15 minutes to eat their snack. Please note that it is a snack time not a lunchtime. One snack and one drink should be enough for most children. Snacks need to be a healthy choice. Examples of snacks include: fruit, veggies, yogurt, cheese and crackers, etc. Please do not send popcorn or cupcakes as these become extremely messy in the classroom setting.
Are there any dietary restrictions or allergies in our classroom or school that I need to be aware of?
Sister Mary Phillips is a nut-restricted school. We have some very serious nut allergies in our school so it is imperative that nuts do not come into the building. All snacks must be peanut-free and tree-nut free. Please read food labels carefully. If your child has a snack that contains nuts or may contain nuts I will send it back home with a note. Your child will then be offered an alternate snack.
We will not be having any group snacks or snacks brought into the classroom as special treats.
Can my child drink water throughout the day while they are at school?
Please send a water bottle with your child each day. The water bottles need to be spill proof even when open. Regular water bottles, with a twist off cap are not recommended.
Volunteers
When can I volunteer in the classroom?
We are able to have volunteers come into the classroom. Would you be interested? First there is a Volunteer Criminal Record check letter to pick up from the school office. Along with a form to fill out at the local RCMP detachment. Once completed, bring back to the school office and we will be ready to go. In the classroom volunteers will read with students, lead center games and assist as needed. Let me know if you are interested and able to come in so we can set up a date and time.
What kind of things can volunteers do?
Throughout the school year I will be looking for volunteers to help with the following jobs: - making play dough - preparing crafts - clean classroom toys- come into the class and help lead a center – provide your expertise and share with the students
I hope these points answer most of your questions! Please feel free to email me with any other questions you may have.