News from the Den- September 19

Thank you to all those who came out to our School Council & FAHHE meetings yesterday. The turnout was amazing, and we are looking forward to working with you this year!

This coming week is Truth and Reconciliation Week. Our First Nations, Metis and Inuit lead teacher, Ms. Whitney is organizing meaningful lessons and activities for classes to participate in throughout the week.

Students are also busy practicing for our Terry Fox Run and Assembly. Families are invited to join us in the gym next Friday, September 26 @ 2:18 p.m. Following by the student-led assembly, we will be heading outside to run for Terry. We hope to see many of you there! 

Have a great weekend!

Kyla Harding & Carla Kokotailo
Principal/Directrice & Assistant Principal/Directrice Adjointe

Table of Contents

WEEK AT A GLANCE

ACTION

• Dogs on School Grounds
• Drop-off and Pick-up

OPPORTUNITY

• Hot Lunch
• Terry Fox Assembly & Run

INFORMATION

• Upcoming Hold and Secure Drill
• Bell Schedule

WEEK AT A GLANCE

ACTION

Dogs on School Grounds
Since we are a neighbourhood school, many families walk their dogs while dropping off and picking up their kid(s). We wanted to remind families that if you are walking your dog for drop off or pick up, please refrain from bringing them onto the school grounds. These areas would specifically be the tarmacs and sidewalk areas where students line up along the school. Some students are afraid of dogs or have allergies. We appreciate your help to make sure all of our students and families feel safe at HHE.

Drop-off & Pick-up
We know that mornings and after school can be busy when dropping off and picking up your child(ren). We have a few things that we can all do to help these busy times run a bit smoother.

• Staff Parking Lot- This is a reminder to use the visitor parking, street parking or the drop and go lane. We have many staff who don't start until 8:30 a.m., and there needs to be a parking spot for them as they arrive. Please help us out and do not park in the staff parking lot!
  
  
• Highcliff Road- If you are parking on Highcliff Road, you need to be mindful of a few things to avoid a ticket or someone getting hurt. There needs to be enough room for the bus to pull in and out of the concrete pad. Under Strathcona Traffic Bylaw, bus stops have a 35m no parking zone associated with them. Also be mindful of resident's driveways and do not block them.
  Pedestrians are also crossing the road midblock when they don't have the right of way. There is a concrete sidewalk that leads to the road (from the old bus concrete pad) that was left for bikes to be able to access the roadway. This is not a crosswalk, and pedestrians do not have right of way. While Strathcona County does not have a jaywalking bylaw and parents can use their judgement to cross the road if they feel safe, the County encourages pedestrians to cross at road intersections where they have the right of way and improved sight lines.
  
  
• End of Day Change in Plans- Classrooms and the office are a busy place at the end of the day. If there are change in plans, teachers don't always check their emails and substitutes do not get the teacher's emails. To help us to communicate changes in plans for pick-up, please contact the office 1 hour prior to the end of the day (2:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m on Wednesdays) at the latest, so that we can ensure that the message can be shared with your child(ren).

Thank you for your continued help to make the busiest times run a bit smoother.

OPPORTUNITY

Hot Lunch
Hot Lunch is starting up again next week! Orders must be placed by this Saturday at midnight (K-2 & Grades 1-3) or Sunday at midnight (K-1, K-3 & Grades 4-6) to be included. If your child was registered for Healthy Hunger last year, please re-sign up for this school year at www.Healthyhunger.ca and select your child’s current teacher.

If you are available to help us out, either click the volunteer button on your healthy hunger order, or if you miss that, please reach out to the Hot lunch coordinator at HHEhotlunch@gmail.com. The more volunteers the faster and easier getting the lunch out on time is. 

Terry Fox Assembly & Run
Our Terry Fox Assembly is on Friday, September 26 @ 2:18 p.m. Families are invited to join us for this student-led assembly followed by our Terry Fox Run in the fields outside. This event is a special opportunity to show our students how we can help continue the legacy of a great Canadian hero. Bring Toonies for Terry or donate online here. Thank you for supporting our annual Terry Fox Run!

INFORMATION

Upcoming Hold and Secure Drill
In our ongoing efforts to keep families informed, you will receive regular communication from the school regarding all emergency preparedness drills the school conducts.

Heritage Hills Elementary will be having a hold and secure drill on Tuesday, September 23 @ 11:45 a.m.

As this is a drill, there is no action parents/guardians need to take. In the event of a hold and secure in response to an actual incident, we would provide information on any actions parents/guardians need to take to co-operatively support our emergency response procedures.

A hold and secure is used when there is a security threat or potential threat of violence outside the building. In a hold and secure, any people outside are directed back into the building and all exterior doors are locked. All interior doors remain in their normal state and routine activities generally continue inside. No one is allowed in or out of the building until the hold and secure is lifted. For more information about Elk Island Public Schools’ emergency preparedness planning, visit www.eips.ca/parents/emergency-preparedness.

Thank you for your co-operation in keeping students and staff safe.

Bell Schedule

A reminder to families that our school bell times are slightly different from last year. Our morning bell rings 5 minutes earlier than the previous year. You can see the bell schedule on our school website.