Nov 7 HPS Weekly Update
Hello HPS Families! Here is your weekly update:
Student Illness & Respiratory Illness Outbreak
Our school has recently had an outbreak of respiratory illness declared by AHS. In addition to the following measures, we will continue enhanced cleaning protocols for the duration of the outbreak.
If Your Child is Ill: We encourage anyone who is feeling ill to stay home from school and report absences to the school. If you are exhibiting any of the key symptoms known for COVID-19, we encourage you to access one of the test kits that are also available at the school. Meanwhile, PSD will continue the following:
● Hand sanitizer will still be readily available at all schools,
● Students will continue to be reminded of the importance of thorough hand-washing hygiene,
● School staff will ensure that appropriate cleaning of high touch areas will continue,
● The frequency at which air filters are changed in PSD has also been increased and air handling/ventilation equipment in all schools has been adjusted to maximize the number of air exchanges within the schools.
● All schools will operate filtration systems that meet or exceed the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values(MERV) 13 air filtration rate, and
● Where practical, entrances and exits can be used to efficiently reduce crowding during high traffic times of the day.
Should you require test kits or masks, please contact the school office by email at
Highpark@psd.ca or by phone at 780-963-2222.
Dressing for the Weather
Winter weather is now here, whether we like it or not! Please ensure your child comes to school dressed for the weather, with appropriate jacket, snow pants, toque, mitts, and face covering to brave the cold conditions while outside for recess.
Lost and Found
Are you wondering where that favourite sweater is? Or maybe you haven’t seen that water bottle for awhile. Chances are, it might be in our lost and found along with a lot of other items. Please stop by outside our front office to look through the collection. We need items to be picked up before students leave for fall break. Any items remaining unclaimed at this time will be donated to those in need.
Remembrance Day & Fall Break
Speaking of Fall Break, this is coming up soon! There will be no school from Nov. 14-18, so enjoy this chance to reconnect and relax. We are back to class on Nov. 21. School will also be closed for Remembrance Day on Friday, Nov. 11. We will be honouring Remembrance Day with a school ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 10, starting shortly after 10:30 am.
Report Cards
A reminder to parents and students that report cards will be released on Powerschool on Dec. 2. If your child has outstanding assignments, please encourage them to make a plan with their teacher(s) to get caught up as soon as possible, as teachers have begun working on report cards already.
Fundraiser - Kiwi Nurseries
This fundraiser is open from Oct. 27-Nov. 21. If you’re in the market for fresh holiday greenery, working on your gift shopping, or just want to make the holiday season a little brighter for local seniors, check out our online store with Kiwi
Nurseries. Visit https://fundraising.kiwinurseries.com/ and select High Park School.
Once your order is ready for pick up, Kiwi Nurseries will contact you. Any orders not picked up by December 12 will be donated to their Plants for Seniors program and no refunds will be given. Shop local and give back!
Hot Lunch
Ordering is open for December’s hot lunches at https://hpspal.hotlunches.net/admin/?sid=&un=0 until November 25. When registering, the code is always HPHL. If your child will be absent and you’d like to pick up their lunch or send it to another child, please call or email the office at 780-963-2222 or highpark@psd.ca no later than noon. Any leftover lunches will be donated to our nutrition nook, and please note that refunds are not available.
Choir
On Thursday, November 10th, 2022 we will have our Remembrance Day Ceremony at High Park in the gym. The ceremony will start at approximately 10:40am and the choir will sing O Canada and A Wish for Peace. Our rehearsals have been excellent and I look forward to hearing them at the ceremony! Choir students are requested to wear all black or dark colours to the ceremony with no logos or writing on their clothing. If you do not own black clothes, navy or dark grey is acceptable and students can turn shirts backwards for the performance if the shirt has writing. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Schellenberger at alexandra.schellenberger@psd.ca.
Sun Run Hotdog Fundraiser
The Sun Run team will be providing a hotdog lunch on the last Monday of each month. Our first hotdog lunch will be on November 28. All orders must be placed in advance on the hot lunch ordering site.
As always, should you have questions or require more information please feel free to reach out to Mr. Oldham or myself at the school or via email at dave.oldham@psd.ca or adrienne.owen@psd.ca. Please follow us on Facebook/Instagram and our website for updates and information throughout the year.
Important Upcoming Dates:
● Nov. 6 - Daylight Savings Time ends (clocks turn back 1 hour)
● Nov. 10 - REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY - 10:20 AM in GYM - Choir and Gr.6 wears black
● Nov. 11 - Remembrance Day (No School)
● Nov. 14-18 - Fall Break (No School)
● Nov. 21 - PAL Meeting at 6:00 pm (Virtual - meet.google.com/vdm-jkvz-dci)
● Nov. 22 - School Council Meeting at 7:00 (Virtual - meet.google.com/ani-skhf-nat)
● Nov 24 - School Spirit Wear Day
● Nov. 25 - Kindergarten PD Day - no school for Kindergarten students
● Nov. 29 - PSD Stakeholder Engagement Event - interested parents, please contact Mrs. Owen for details
● Dec. 2 - Report Cards go out on Powerschool
In addition, I have also attached our first edition of our student-created newspaper, reporting on school events over the past weeks. This report is entirely created by students in our Public Relations and Broadcasting 7/8/9 class, who are open to parent feedback and ideas.