Dear Families,
As we embrace the month of November, I want to take a moment to reflect on all the wonderful things happening at our school. This month is a great time to give thanks for our community, the learning we share, and the growth we see in our students.
Upcoming Events:
- Progress Reports: Progress reports will be sent home on November 15, 2024. This report will provide you with an update of your child’s progress so far. Look for it in your email as we will be sending it digitally.
- Mandatory Early Reading Screening Update: If your child is in SK-Grade 2, they participated in the Mandatory Early Reading Screening. The outcome of this screening will be shared on the progress report. If your child is below benchmark, you will be receiving a letter on November 15, 2024 so you can discuss next steps with the classroom teacher on November 21, 2024 during Parent-Teacher Conferences.
- Parent-Teacher Conferences: Join us on November 21 from 4:30 – 8:30 for our parent-teacher conferences. This is a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and collaborate on ways to support their learning. Please communicate with your child’s teacher to determine your allotted time.
- Book Fair: Everyone’s favourite the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Alexandra Public School from November 18 – 22, 2024. It will be open after school and during Parent-Teacher Conferences for purchases.
- Santa Claus Parade (Sunday November 17): Alexandra PS is entering a float into the Santa Claus Parade on November 17, 2024. A google form is going home the first week of November for interested students. Students participating must be able to walk the whole parade route (no students will be riding) and be dropped off and picked up by family at the beginning and end of the parade. If we have more students interested in participating than supervision allows we will host a random draw.
- Remembrance Day Assembly: We will be marking Remembrance Day with an assembly on November 11, 2024. Please remind your child of the respectful nature of this assembly and its importance to remembering the sacrifice of generations before us in ensuring peace.
Learning Highlights:
- Curriculum Focus: In November, our students will be exploring reading in small group instruction. You can support your child by reading with them each night. We are encouraging each student to sound out the words rather than looking at pictures. If you want additional information on how to support your child with reading please speak to their classroom teacher.
- Character Assembly Winners: Congratulations to the following students who were recognized at our October Character Education Assembly. Each of these students demonstrated honesty by behaving in a sincere, trustworthy and truthful manner. Congratulations to: Owen H, Isla, Milo, Alyvia, Brock, Spencer, Hannah, Avery, Madeline, Olsen, McKenna, Katie, Cy, Owen E. Check out our social media for a photo of this month’s winners.
Community Engagement:
We appreciate your continued support and involvement in our school community. If you have ideas or would like to volunteer, please reach out. We are looking for volunteers related to reading with students, practicing math facts, or anything else you might be thinking of. Your participation makes a difference!
As we approach the holiday season, food insecurity is a reality for many in our community. If you are interested in donating breakfast bin items (no nuts, cinnamon, or shellfish please) we would graciously accept them. We will also keep a donation option open on School Cash if you have a few extra dollars to donate. Our goal is to keep our breakfast bins fully stocked for all students. It is difficult to learn at your best when you are hungry.
Staffing Changes:
Mrs. Mitchell has been our Primary Prep Coverage teacher since September. November 1, 2024 is her last day here at Alexandra. We cannot thank her enough for the positive contributions she has brought to our school community.
Please welcome Ms. Manderson who will be stepping into the role of Primary Prep Coverage effective November 4, 2024. Ms. Manderson is an experienced classroom teacher who joins us from Central Senior Elementary School. Welcome to APS Ms. Manderson.
We also had Ms. Speers join Alexandra Public School during October. Ms. Speers has joined us teaching the Grade ⅔ class after Mrs. Wilson transferred to Parkview Public School. Ms. Speers will be teaching the Grade ⅔ class for the remainder of the school year.
Reminders:
- As the weather gets cooler, please ensure your child comes to school dressed appropriately. Layered clothing is recommended for those chilly mornings!
- Please check our school website regularly for updates and resources.
- If you have any plastic shopping bags you are willing to donate, please send them to school with your child. For wet, soiled or muddy clothing, these are appreciated to get these clothes home to you.
- Please label your child’s clothing. We have many sweaters, coats, water bottles, hats that come to the lost and found. If they have a name on them we can get them back to the student quicker.
- Want to contribute to your student’s classroom? Staff at Alexandra have created an Amazon Gift List! Check it out at https://www.amazon.ca/registries/gl/guest-view/2PO54QGT4T7TM.
Thank you for being an integral part of our school community. Wishing you all a wonderful November filled with joy and gratitude.
Warm regards,
Kristi Henshall
Principal
Alexandra Public School
