August 2009
Welcome to Halton Hills Christian School!!! We are so excited to continue the story of Christian education in Georgetown and area under this new school name. As much as it seems things have changed, things have remained the same. Commitment to Christ centered, quality education in a nurturing and warm community remains at the core of what happens within our school walls each day.
Firmly Rooted is the theme that will guide our school year. It is our hope that our students will grow to be like trees “planted by streams of water which yields their fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither” (Psalm 1:3). We plan on exploring this theme more deeply by challenging students to develop leadership habits through a wide variety of opportunities.
We are pleased to welcome some new teachers this year. Our classroom assignments are as follows:
Harmony Nursery School – Mrs. Marianne Schenk (director), Mrs. Sabrina Escorcio (teacher), Mrs. Tracy Staring (teacher)
Harmony JK – Miss Amanda Visser
SK – Miss Berthy Nightingale
Gr. 1 – Mrs. Rachel Kapteyn (will start off year until Mrs. Doreen Calder returns in mid October)
Gr. 2 – Mrs. Charlene VanderWal
Gr. 3 – Mrs. Michelle Douglas
Gr. 4 – Miss Liz Freeman
Gr. 5 – Mrs. Brooke Andrews/ Mrs. Joanne Kroezen
Gr. 6 – Mr. George Cook/ Mrs. Joanne Kroezen
Gr. 7 – Mr. Alex van Donkersgoed/Mrs. Allison Hendriks
Gr. 8 – Mr. Willy Katerberg
Gr. 4 – 8 French – Mrs. Joanne Kroezen
Resource – Mrs. Debbie VanEgmond
Arrowsmith – Mrs. Joan Collier/ Miss Heather Takaki
Some important dates to get you started:
Tues., Sept. 8 - school begins at 8:40 a.m. – dismissal at 3:35 p.m.
Back to School Assembly at 11:10 a.m. in the gym – all welcome
Wed., Sept. 9 – parent meeting of middle school students (gr. 6-8) – 7:30 p.m.
Fri. Sept. 11 – Welcome Back to School Event – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
JK classes will have a staggered start this year and parents are asked to refer to Miss Visser’s schedule for their child. SK classes will begin on Tues. Sept. 8. They will return to school on Thurs. Sept. 10. The following week will see this class on their regular schedule of Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Our daily schedule for 2009-10 has changed somewhat. School begins each day at 8:40 a.m. and it is essential that students are not late. Our lunch breaks are at 10:25 and 1:05. The school ends at 3:35 p.m. Please remember to pack a lunch that can be divided over our two lunch periods. Healthy lunches, packed with good food, improve learning!
Two portable classrooms will soon be on site at the back of the school behind our gym. These spaces will be used for our music program and as workspaces for our EA’s and TA’s and small groups. We are looking forward to being able to spread out somewhat as our programs continue to expand.
Other items to Note: (reminder that forms are available on website)
ü Non scuffing, non marking indoor shoes are required for all students. Only closed toe sandals or shoes are allowed on the playground.
ü New gym shirts for all students in grades 4-8 will be given out the first week of school. Please put your family name in these shirts to minimize confusion in the change rooms.
ü Student activity fees are due during the first week. These fees help to offset costs for field trips and other special events. One cheque from your family is acceptable. Please do not combine with other expenses as we need to track our deposits.
ü Hot dog/pizza/ice cream order forms are due back in September. Only prepaid orders for the year will be accepted. Each student needs his/her own order form to give to his/her classroom teacher. One payment per family is welcomed.
ü Our school is nut free so please pay careful attention to all snacks in lunches. We have some highly allergic students and we must all be diligent!
ü New family pictures are requested for the Halton Hills Family Wall. Please send one in as soon as possible. Casual shots are great so don’t wait for that formal portrait! We love to see our families in some of their favourite places.
ü Before and After School Care will be available. Please complete the enclosed forms and return them to the school as soon as possible.
Student Drop off and Pick Up
Ø Students not using the busses in the morning are to be dropped off at the side of the school, well out of the way of the busses. Cars are to enter the parking lot at the far side of the church and come up parallel to the school to drop off passengers. Students are discouraged from entering through the front doors of the school. Only when they are late, should the front doors be used.
Ø Busses will be loaded at the back of the school.
Ø Pick up at the end of the day will be at the front of the school by the flag pole. Miss Visser will be monitoring this at the end of each day.
Ø Students not taking the bus must have a signed noted indicating the transportation arrangements.
The year ahead promises to be exciting and we are looking forward to the many things God has in store for us! May God bless you and your family richly as we move forward into 2009-10!
In Service of the King,
Marianne Vangoor
Principal
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