February 2021 Newsletter

Dear Parents / Guardians,

As we head into another winter month, I want to remind everyone that our means of communication with our parent community for bus cancellation or snow days will be through the REMIND notification system. If you are not set up to receive our instant messages, please follow the steps on our website or contact the school for assistance. It is the best way for you to receive accurate and immediate information in emergencies and urgent situations.

Please note that a letter with new COVID-19 protocols has just been forwarded to you through our REMIND messaging. The new protocols include changes in symptoms, changes to the online survey for people experiencing symptoms, new steps to take if your child has symptoms at school and others. These will be forwarded to you as soon as we receive them. I want to thank everyone for the continued cooperation with the measures we have in place.

Please see below, a number of events and news items regarding our school. Have a great month!

Eldon Keon

STUDENT RECOGNITION ASSEMBLY

We held our January Student Recognition Assembly on Monday, February 1. The school value on which we focused in January was “Perseverance”. Congratulations to all who received an award. The value on which we will focus in February is “Integrity”.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

February is Black history month across Canada. Classes will be taking part in discussions and lessons focused on Black History and celebrating the many contributions of Black people to Canada.

STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK

At Lord Aylmer School, we are very fortunate to have such a dedicated group of staff members who work hard to make sure our children are successful with their learning and who also create a safe and positive environment in which to learn, work and play. From February 15 to 19, schools across Quebec are celebrating the wonderful members of educational personnel with Staff Appreciation Week. Please join us in thanking our teachers, secretaries, bus drivers, attendants, supervisors, caretakers, daycare educators and technicians who care so much about your child’s education.

BUS SAFETY CAMPAIGN

The WQSB Bus Safety Campaign runs from Feb. 1-12. The theme for this year’s campaign is, “Back to the Basics”.

SKI AT SCHOOL

The Ski at School program is coming to Lord Aylmer! Several classes from grades 3-6 will have the opportunity to learn cross-country skiing at school. Experienced Ski at School Ambassadors will lead students in sessions to learn the basics of this lifelong outdoor winter activity. The program provides all the necessary equipment, and all COVID sanitation and distancing protocols will be in place. Dress appropriately to appreciate our winter wonderland!

MR. C’S NEW OFFICE

Mr. Contreras visited students from various classes remotely last week from the new office he built in his back yard. He taught them about building an igloo and many interesting scientific facts along the way.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONS

The registration period for the 2021-2022 four-year-old Kindergarten program will take place the week of February 8-12. There will be no registrations accepted after the February 12 deadline. Spaces are limited. On Feb. 22, 17 names will be drawn from among our applicants. Eight more names will be drawn and placed on a waiting list. The registration for the 2021-2022 five-year-old Kindergarten program will be accepted immediately. All registrations will be done via e-mail. No in-person registrations are taking place at this time due to COVID-restrictions. If you wish to register your child please contact Donna Norris at dnorris@wqsb.qc.ca or by phone at 819-684-4888 to request the registration package. We will hold a virtual Kindergarten Open House for our new students and their parents/guardians in the spring. More information to follow.

THANK YOU

We would like to thank Ms. Barbara Harris for her generous donation of beautiful hand-knitted mittens. They are very much appreciated and will keep little fingers warm when mittens are lost or forgotten.

VALENTINES EXCHANGE

At the direction of Public Health, there will be no exchange of Valentines this year. We are working to find a fun alternative. More information will follow via Remind.

PD DAYS AND DAYCARE

February 8 and 9 are PD days and the daycare will be open. The 8th is Winter Fun Day and the 9th Mardi Gras. Please remember that the daycare closes at 5:00 pm on these days. January payments are due the week of Feb. 1-5.

SCHOOL FEES

Statement of accounts are available on your Mozaik parent portal account. We accept the following methods of payment:

• By Phone – Visa or Mastercard. Please call Corinna Abraham at (819) 684-6801 ext.405007

• In Person (by appointment only) – Visa, Mastercard, Debit or Cash. To book your appointment please visit our school website and click on the link in the “School Fees” section.

Please note that all appointments made for in person payments, for both the Junior and Senior campus, will be held at the Senior campus (116 Frank Robinson). For further information regarding your child’s school account, please contact Corinna Abraham at (819) 684- 6801 or cabraham@wqsb.qc.ca. Please let us know if you would like to set up a payment plan.

GOVERNING BOARD

The next Lord Aylmer Governing Board meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, February 17 at 6:30 p.m. If you would like to contact one of our Governing Board members, you will find their names and contact information on our school website.

NEW WEBSITE

You may have noticed that Lord Aylmer has a new website. Please visit us at https://lordaylmer.westernquebec.ca/ .

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Parent Teacher Interviews will take place February 25. Your child’s teacher will contact you should an interview be required. If you would like to request an interview, please contact your child’s teacher. All interviews will be held virtually.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

HOME AND SCHOOL

Pizza and Subway Lunches

• Upcoming Pizza Dates: February5&19 March 12 & 23

• Upcoming Sub Dates: February 12 & 26 March 19

Lord Aylmer Home & School’s Pizza and Sub Shops are now open!! Visit the Shop at: https://www.lordaylmerhs.ca. Payment Deadline for this third quarter: Thursday, March 25 by midnight.

Get payment deadline reminders:

• Follow Our Facebook Page and add events directly to your Google calendar: https://www.facebook.com/LordAylmerHS

• Subscribe to our News Bite (https://www.lordaylmerhs.ca/subscribe) to receive reminders directly to your email. Subscribed but not receiving the emails? Make sure to check your Spam box.

Not sure if you’ve purchased pizza or sub for your child?

You can check all past purchases in our shop by logging into your Parent Account on our Home & School website at https://www.lordaylmerhs.ca.

Questions or to volunteer?

Please contact Lianne, our Pizza & Sub Diva, at lordaylmerhs@hotmail.com

Lord Aylmer home & school monthly meeting

The Lord Aylmer Home & School is meeting virtually on Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m.

TEACHER & STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK

Hello Lord Aylmer Families! Teacher-Staff Appreciation Week is coming up and we would like your help in thanking our amazing Lord Aylmer Teachers and Staff for all of their hard work and dedication. We are asking for you to take a picture of your child thanking the teachers and staff and send it to: tsawla2021@gmail.com by Wednesday, February 10. Please include your child’s grade. We will use the photos to create a slide show to be shared on the school’s website.