We were thrilled to see our students again in school. Thank you for your patience and support throughout our entry planning and messaging to you. We had a smooth and calm return to school. Our school is spotless and sparkling after undergoing a thorough cleaning this summer under the direction of our new facility operator, May Reynaldo. We are fortunate to work in a building that provides such a bright and healthy environment and that maintains its sense of being new and fresh after 12 years.
We have some new faces on staff and have welcomed the EES Program (Enhanced Educational Support) to our school with teachers, Veronika Havkin and Elizabeth Hrycan. We all look forward to getting to know the students in the EES classes and supporting them to feel a part of MTS.
We also are very pleased to have Mrs. Kerry Fell join us, teaching Kindergarten. She brings a wealth of early grade teaching experience to MTS. As well, we welcome Mrs. Kayla Watson back to MTS after supporting MTS students last year on two temporary assignments in grades 1 and 2. Mrs. Watson will join the Kindergarten team fulltime this year. Our teaching teams have a “new look” as teachers at the school have changed grades and moved to new classrooms as we have reconfigured our grades 1 and 2 in the east wing and grades 3 and 4 in the west wing. Kindergarten now occupies the east portables and the EES the west portables.
Mrs. Sonja Girard, grade 4 teacher, is on medical leave and we are pleased to have Ms. Stephanny Penfold back at MTS on a temporary contract teaching Mrs. Girard’s class. Although we do not have a definite return to work date for Mrs. Girard, we anticipate that she will be off for most of the first term.
We welcome Mrs. Kruger back to the school this year teaching grade 2. After being on an extended medical leave last year, she has returned to school transitioning back with a modified work schedule. Joining Mrs. Kruger, and holding major responsibilities for the class while Mrs. Kruger is on a modified time schedule is Mrs. Coleen Wenc who is a familiar face at MTS. As a very experienced teacher, Mrs. Wenc has always been part of the MTS team in various grades and roles.
Please check the MTS website for a complete list of staff members for the 2022-23 school year along with their assignments.
Soft Entry
The soft entry that was put in place during the pandemic has proved to be a very successful and efficient start of the day for students and teachers. We will continue the soft entry this year. Doors are opened at 7:50 and locked at 8:00. During this 10 minute interval, students will be greeted at their entrance door by a teacher in the grade team who will supervise student entry. Please note that there is no teacher supervision on the playground during this entry time. Students are expected to directly enter the school during this 10 minute time interval and go to their classrooms where their teachers will meet them. The bell will ring outside at 8:00. If your child arrives at school past that time, please have them enter through the front door. We are trying very hard to keep everyone safe. Please make an effort to arrive on time to avoid large numbers entering through the front door in the morning. Use of the front door is only for students who arrive at school after the bell. A reminder that the Hug 'n Go zone is a drop off area for parents and not a parking zone. Please obey the signage at the zone to facilitate all parents who want to use the zone to drop off their children. A reminder that there is no stopping in the bus zone in front of the school. The zone is monitored by the Calgary Police who will be issuing tickets for violation within the zone.
Dismissal
It is also very important to have a designated meeting spot for 2:36 pick up times Monday – Thursday and 12:00 on Fridays. All students in grades 1-4 will be dismissed from their exit doors and are to go immediately to the meeting spots that they have identified with their families. Please ensure you have not chosen a meeting place in the school parking lot. Kindergarten is the only age group where teachers will wait for a parent to arrive before dismissing students. All students have been taught in class, that if they get to their meeting spot and there is no one there to pick them up, after waiting a few minutes, they are to come to the office through the front entrance of the school for help. Please note that parents are requested to remain in the outer foyer of the office NOT to enter the front office to drop off items or pick up with their child. The staff will ensure that your child enters/exits safely and is taken to his/her classroom.
Communication Methods
Open, continuous communication is of utmost importance throughout the school year. Classroom teachers will use the following methods to communicate learning updates.
· Classroom Blogs – (classroom teachers will provide blog posts every Friday beginning September 9)
· Email
· Phone Calls
· In person school meetings at arranged times
Communication from the school will include:
· School Website – will highlight events occurring at the school
· Administration Monthly Message on website
· Email, phone calls
· School Messenger
· In person meetings, previously arranged and scheduled with administration
Over the last several weeks there has been considerable information that has been provided to parents both through the CBE and MTS website as well as through School Messenger. The information can be overwhelming to process. If you require clarification, please do not hesitate to call the school and speak to the office staff regarding questions that you may have related to operations within the school. Please address concerns you may have about your child and his/her learning to their classroom teacher through email of phone call. When additional support is required in a situation the administration will be involved.
Thank you for holding fast in your support of our school community through the challenging times of the past 2 years. This school year brings new beginnings in many ways as we move forward with hope and optimism. We appreciate your positive comments and feedback as well as your suggestions and questions for improvement.
Wishing all of us a healthy and happy month of September!
Dr. Lorraine Slater
