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Hello SWL!
NON-INSTRUCTIONAL DAY: A reminder that tomorrow, (Friday, February 26) is a non-instruction day for SWL students. I hope the weather is warm and there will be outside play. Teachers will be reviewing report card data and  mid-year reading assessments tomorrow.  We will use the data to refine our targeted strategies to keep your child on a positive learning trajectory until end of year.  This is critical given that absenteeism rates are higher due to COVID and we have had to adjust teaching practice during a pandemic.
LEARNING: Congratulations to all the grade 8 and 9  students who wrote the nationally acclaimed and very challenging PASCAL math test this week!  Way to go! 
UNIFORM: A reminder to ensure students have  a crested uniform top, black/navy pants and either a SWL cardigan or SWL hoodie for school. No exceptions! Thank you!
COMMUNICATION: Parent/Student/Teacher conferences will be held virtually on March 11 and 12.  The school office will send a messenger when bookings upon up a week prior.  We had very good feedback using a virtual platform during the last round of interviews. 
COVID:  We had two confirmed cases dating to Feb 18 and 19.  Please ensure you continue to use the AHS screening tool and keep students at home who have any COVID related symptoms.  Parents who use private bus carriers are encouraged to make sure COVID transportation guidelines are being followed, including seating plans and communicating to your child that food and beverages are not permitted on busses.  Masks should always be worn and students should be seated in family groups as much as is possible.
SCHOOL/PARENT COUNCIL:  Thank you to our School Council Executive for supporting SWL in purchasing chrome books and i-pads for the upcoming school year. We need to decommission up to 120 old devices to keep our technology suite updated.
As always, I feel fortunate to work with such a fantastic school community.  Your support of our work to keep SWL safe and caring with a concerted learning focus is greatly appreciated.  Thank you parents and most important, a huge thank you to our students, many of whom have had to pivot to in-school and online learning one or more times in 2020-21.  Our students are doing a good job and we are proud of how well they are handling such a difficult time in our world.
Have a lovely weekend. Mr. Martin​