September 4th, 2015

Principal Message:

It is that time of year once again – lots of new shoes, new lunch boxes, and new backpacks. And here at New Dundee Public School we are ready to launch another great school year with new students, new staff members, and a world of new experiences awaiting us! I would like to extend a warm welcome to both our returning families and our new families. I am sure you will find that New Dundee is a great place to grow and learn.

If your children attended New Dundee last year, they will recognize many familiar faces as well as some new ones. We are pleased to welcome Mrs. Evans who will be teaching Kindergarten in room 11, Miss Bucciarelli who will be teaching Kindergarten in room 10 and drama, Mrs. Martin who will be teaching Grade 2/3, and Mrs. Wilkins our new Head Secretary.

This year in an effort to further support our school’s commitment to the environment and to promote on-going communication between school and home, we encourage you to visit our website (http://ndd.wrdsb.ca), follow us on Twitter (@newdundeepublic) or Instagram (@newdundeepublic). If you haven’t already signed up for School-Day, please contact the office. With School-Day, you will be able to receive school news and announcements, pay for items, and complete field trip forms.

At this time of the year, a great deal of important information is sent home with each New Dundee student. In some cases, this information needs to be signed and returned to the school and in other cases it is for you to review and keep for reference.

The following forms should be completed and returned to school by Monday, September 14:
o Student Data Verification Form
o Release Form for the Use of Student Personal Information
o Bus Forms

All staff members at New Dundee Public School look forward to working with your children and providing them with a positive year full of enriching opportunities and challenges. We are dedicated to developing capable and responsible students in a safe and supportive environment. This can be best achieved through open communications with families, based on mutual respect and trust. We encourage you to drop into school and share any information or concerns you may have that will help us meet your child’s needs.

Sincerely,
Andrea Michelutti – Principal

School Council
Our first School Council meeting will be taking place on Wednesday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the library. All parents are encouraged to attend. Please contact Andrea Michelutti if you have any questions.

What class am I in?
The New Dundee team has put a considerable amount of work into the class blending process. It takes a great amount of time, revision and careful consideration. Sometimes parents ask for changes in the fall, not realizing the many factors which have gone into the final decisions. We cannot shuffle classrooms based on summer friendships or summer falling-outs. Please prepare your child to accept his or her class placement by saying things such as, “It doesn’t matter what class you are in – all the teachers are great.” Or, “It doesn’t matter if you are not in the same class as your friend – you will get to see them at recess anyway”. Please be confident in your child’s teacher. Remember that kids take their cues from the reactions of the most important adults in their lives – their parents.

Summer Shopping List
If you are interested in purchasing some back to school supplies for your child, below is a list that may help you.
Kindergarten: Kleenex
Grades 1 & 2: pencils, vinyl eraser, ruler, pencil case, box of Kleenex (to share), glue sticks, washable markers, coloured pencils (preferably sharpened), white glue, small pencil sharpener
Grades 3: pencils, vinyl eraser, metric ruler, pencil case, coloured pencils (preferably sharpened), box of Kleenex (to share), scissors, glue sticks, washable markers
Grades 4 & 5: Add calculator
Grade 6: Add protractor

STSWR Website
If your child will be taking the bus this upcoming school year, there is a student login feature on the Board website that will be available for use on or about August 25. Parents and students will be able to login and view their transportation details for the next school year. All transportation is arranged through the Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region.
Please visit the site at http://www.stswr.ca/ and click on student login.
To login you will have to enter the following information:
– Ontario Education Number (from the report card)
– Student’s birth date
– Street number
– School

Since most JK students will not have an OEN number prior to September, STSWR will be sending a direct mail out to the families of Junior and Senior Kindergarten students that will be transported next year. More information regarding the First Riders Program can be found at their website as well. http://transportation.stswr.ca

A direct mail was sent out in August to the families with special needs students that will be transported in September.

If there are questions that cannot be answered via the website, please call 519-650-4934 ext. 221.

What do I have to pay for in September?
As parents, you know that September can be a drain on the pocket book. Better to know in advance what to expect. At New Dundee, we make every attempt to control how many times we have to ask for money for items or events. We will be distributing a student planner to each of our students and subsidizing its cost beyond the $5 cost.

Field trips are another expense for parents and although we attempt to book only the most modestly priced ones, we have noticed an increase in what some of these venues or experiences cost. In discussions with parent council this year, we will be partnering to make every attempt to keep trips costs down by subsidizing the cost of the transportation. At times, families struggle financially along the way. If you find that your family is in a tight spot next year, please don’t hesitate to call Andrea Michelutti to discuss how the school might help to support your child’s school activities. We are always here to help.