It’s good to be back! On behalf of the Hugh John Macdonald School staff I am extending a warm welcome to new students, particularly our incoming grade sevens, and staff to our school community. Ms. Churman and I are thankful for the opportunity to serve and work at the Hugh John Macdonald School. We thank everyone for the respectful and meaningful learning dialogues in the past year and we look forward to the times of growth and celebration ahead. Joining us this year are Mr. Kousonsavath, who is teaching Physical Education, Health and Math, Mr. Benot who is our Learning Support teacher, Ms. Flamand who is teaching with our Eagles’ Circle students.  Ms. Sloane from the Manitoba School Improvement Program will be teaching a number of our ELA classes and working in partnership with us on our PEACEFUL VILLAGE. Mr. Dyer who has been serving in a half time position for the past two years as our Aboriginal Community Support worker will now be full time at our school.

We would like to invite you to begin the journey of participating in your child’s learning by coming to our “Community Gathering” on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm. We invite you to join us for a BBQ from 5 – 6 pm. Some of our staff and students will prepare engaging active games that are available to younger children. From 6 – 7 pm, you will have the opportunity to meet with your children in the following teams:  Grade 7, 8, 9 and Multi-grade. As a way of promoting our school spirit in the community, we will have a series of school prizes that will be drawn at the conclusion of the evening. To be eligible for the draw please return the information sheet with your child to his/her teacher. This information will assist us in preparing the necessary amount of food for our community on September 30th.  Your participation on September 30th will give you an opportunity to see our newly installed electronic board that will provide another important way for us to communicate with our parents and caregivers. On behalf of Hugh John Macdonald School, I would like to thank Neighbourhood Alive, our school  division and most of all HJM students from 2008-09 (especially our Grade 9 leadership students) for raising the funds to purchase and install this board.

An important package of information for the year has been sent home with your child. The package contains important information  and forms which must be signed by parents/guardians and returned to the school. If you have not received this package, please ask your child or call the school for a package.

Finally, we are requesting that parents/guardians call the school if your child is absent or late and do not hesitate to contact your child’s teachers or the administration team if you have any questions. Please also note that since our school has an automatic absence calling system called Synrevoice, unexcused and unaccounted absences will automatically result in a phone message to the student’s home. We look forward to meeting and working jointly with you to provide and nurture the best and most positive learning environment at Hugh John Macdonald School for our students and your children.

Now serving the students, parents, and the community with more programs that engage students’ learning and potentials.

After-school: Monday to Thursday
3:30 – 5:30 pm, Room 102
Noon: Monday to Friday
12:00 – 12:30 pm, Room 204

The Village Artists Program: Monday to Thursday students hone their artistic talents in Music and the Arts

The Village Kitchen Program: Tuesdays, fortnightly (every two weeks) parents, guardians, friends, interpreters, and other educational partners convene together in a multicultural atmosphere where ethnic cooking and food preparation take center stage and draws everyone in an evening of meaningful conversations and planning for success; motivational speakers invited on some nights

The Writer’s Workshop: Monday and Wednesday

The Reader’s Workshop: Tuesday and Thursday

Monday – Tagalog Tuesday – Swahili Wednesday – Cree or Ojibway  - Thursday - Mandarin

Interested in volunteering or signing up for the language lessons? Please call the school at 786-5631 and ask for Ms. Fallorin.

SHOULD THEY BE AT SCHOOL?

What invention allows you to see through walls?

~ Windows!