HPS Nov 28 Weekly Update

Hello HPS Families! Here is your weekly update. This one contains a lot of information, so please keep reading till the end. :)

School Calendar
Please stay up-to-date with school activities and events by following our school calendar here: https://highpark.psd.ca/about/calendar

Student Illness
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 local pharmacies.
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 masks, please contact the school office by email at Highpark@psd.ca or by phone at 780-963-2222.

Crosswalk and Parking Lot Safety Issues
We ask for your cooperation to help keep everyone safe during drop off and pickup times. Please be extra cautious when entering the staff parking lot to access the drop off lane. We remind caregivers that the drop off lane in the parking lot area is a “drop and go” area - there is no parking here. Please assist us with keeping traffic flowing by exiting the area as soon as your child(ren) have departed the vehicle. If you need to park temporarily, please use the parking lot, or park along the street in a safe location. We also ask that you do not park in front of the fire hydrant in front of the school when dropping off students, even if temporarily. This is not a loading zone and the area is to be kept clear for safety reasons. Likewise, on the west side of the crosswalk crossing the bus lane, please avoid parking within 1.5 m of the corner. This creates a visibility hazard for students crossing the street. We also ask that vehicles kindly wait until the crosswalk is completely clear before entering the intersection. There have been several close calls with vehicles cutting the corner close to students/parents who are actively crossing the road, and this is a safety concern for all involved. Thank you for your cooperation which will help keep everyone safe on their way to and from school. Please be aware that bylaw officers have been making more frequent visits to our school to assist with safety during peak times.

Christmas Hamper Collections
It is that time of year again and in the spirit of giving, High Park School will once again be participating in the Kinsmen Christmas Hampers to provide for our less fortunate in the
Stony Plain and Parkland County area. For over 25 years our school community has helped to provide food and gifts and other much needed necessities to over a thousand people. Our campaign starts on the 21st of November and runs through to the 16th of December.

This year we will be collecting non-perishable food items here at the school as well as new unwrapped gifts and gift cards. The gift cards can be for gifts from any local retailer or can be from local grocery stores to help support the Parkland Food Bank who is coordinating the food for the hampers. Donations of Gift Cards are to be delivered to the office. Other gifts should remain in the homeroom classes.

As in previous years, candy cane messages are sold each day from now until December 16th over the noon hour in the office crush area. They are $0.50 each with all proceeds going to the Christmas Hampers. All messages will be delivered the last week before Christmas Break. The messages provide the students with an opportunity to send a treat to their friends or classmates to let them know they are thinking of them this Christmas Season. Thank you in advance for helping us share the Spirit of Christmas with our community!

Christmas Concert K-3 and Choir: BUGZ: A Holiday Infestation

• The K-3 and Choir Christmas Concert is scheduled for December 21st at 6:00PM! We are so excited to share our show BUGZ: A Holiday Infestation with parents, family, and friends! The story is a cute tale of some insects that invade a Christmas party, eat all the decorations and learn some manners along the way. Can’t wait to share the fun songs and dances with you!
• On the night of the concert the school doors open at 5:30PM. Students will go to their classroom for attendance and the Choir will come to the Music room. Students will stay in their classrooms during the show and runners will bring classes to the gym for their performance. At the end of the concert, all classes are on stage for the finale, we dismiss classes back to their homeroom, and parents pick up students from their classrooms at the end of the night.
• If you know your child will not attend the concert, please communicate this with your classroom teacher as well as Mrs. Schellenberger at alexandra.schellenberger@psd.ca. There are many roles and jobs for the concert and we need to plan for students that are unable to attend.
• Below is costume information for each grade. If you have specific questions, please feel free to email Mrs. Schellenberger. Costumes do not need to be expensive or stressful and can be simple with the colour of the class and a few homemade accessories. You are welcome to purchase additional costume items but it is not necessary. Please do not have large logos or writing on clothing.

COSTUME INFORMATION:
Kinder TERMITES:

Please wear all green with no logos or writing. Students will make a headband/hat at school to add to the costume. Kinder is doing a rap so they can accessorize their costume with sunglasses, necklaces, gloves, etc. to make them look like rappers.

Grade 1 FIREFLY:

Please wear metallic clothes like silver or gold, white, or sparkly clothing of any colour. (Their song will include battery candles provided by the school). Students are welcome to accessorize with wings or antennas.

Grade 2 BOYS: ARMY ANTS

Please wear clothing with the camouflage pattern or plain clothes in grey, dark green, or brown. No weapons, logos, or writing on clothing.

Grade 2 GIRLS: LADYBUGS

Please wear red or black and if you also want to include polka dots, that would be excellent. Students can accessorize with wings or antennas.

Grade 3 ASSORTED BUGS

Grade 3 Students will be performing the play portion of the show as well as some songs. Grade 3 students will have an individual role. They will all be different bugs in accordance with their part. Gr. 3 students will receive a script with their specific part. Students can accessorize with wings,
antennae, and coloured clothing to match their bug.

Choir BLACK CHOIR SHIRT

Students in choir have received a black choir shirt. The shirt is no cost and does not need to be returned to the school. If the student was away, shirts will be distributed throughout the week.
The shirts are generously sized so that the shirt can go overtop of the classroom costume. Choir will perform first in the concert and then students will return to their classroom. Gr. 4-6 choir students will return to the Music room with Mrs. Collett and are welcome to leave the school (with parent pick-up) or join parents in the gym after their performance.

Christmas Concert: Gr. 4-6 and BAND - SLAPSHOT SANTA SCORES AGAIN

• The Gr.4-6 and BAND Christmas Concert is scheduled for December 22nd at 6:00PM! We are so excited to share our show Slapshot Santa Scores Again with parents, family, and friends! The story is a hilarious tale of Santa wanting to play in the NHL and getting very behind on his toy making! Can’t wait to share the funny, heartwarming songs and dances with you!
• On the night of the concert the school doors open at 5:30PM. Students will go to their classroom for attendance and the Band will come to the Music room. Students will stay in their classroom during the show and runners will bring classes to the gym for their performance. At the end of the concert, all classes are on stage for the finale. We dismiss classes back to their homeroom, and parents pick up students from their classrooms at the end of the night.
• If you know your child will not attend the concert, please communicate this with your classroom teacher as well as Mrs. Schellenberger at alexandra.schellenberger@psd.ca. There are many roles and jobs for the concert and we need to plan for students that are unable to attend.
• Below is costume information for each grade. If you have specific questions, please feel free to email alexandra.schellenberger@psd.ca Costumes do not need to be expensive or stressful, and can be simple with solid colours and a few accessories. You are welcome to purchase additional costume items but it is not necessary. Please do not have large logos or writing on clothing.

COSTUME INFORMATION:
Gr. 4WO TOYS

Students in 4WO are Toys! Please wear a costume that is any type of toy. Students may use halloween costumes if they are not spooky and costumes cannot include weapons.

Gr. 4/5WY ELVES

Please wear Christmas items/Christmas colours and any accessories to make students look like an elf!

Gr. 5L and 5M WORKOUT ELVES

Students in Gr. 5 are Elves, but they sing an 80's style aerobic workout song. Students are encouraged to wear bright, solid colours, some Christmas accessories, and if possible, also include some ‘workout’ items like sweat bands, leg warmers, and any workout accessories.

Grade 6 ASSORTED ROLES/ELVES/HOCKEY PLAYERS

Grade 6 Students will be performing the play portion of the show as well as some songs. Grade 6 Actors will have an individual role and will need a specific costume. Students who are not actors will be Oilers hockey players, hockey elves, or cheerleader elves. Students will receive a script
with their specific role.

BAND CHRISTMAS SWEATER/BLACK/DARK PANTS

Band Students are asked to wear a Christmas Sweater for their performance and black/dark pants. If they do not have a christmas sweater, a collared shirt or a solid colour shirt is perfect. Band will perform first in the concert and then gr.6 students will return to their classroom. Gr. 7-9 students will return to the Music room with Mrs. Collett and are welcome to leave the school (with parent permission) or join parents in the gym after their performance.

Fundraising
Our PAL fundraising committee would like to share that there is a shipping delay due to supply chain issues, and the Big Box Card fundraiser items are expected to be received during the week of December 5.

Wilhauk Beef Jerky fundraiser forms and information was sent home last week. Please contact our office if you need more forms. Orders are due back no later than December 9th.

Dressing for the Weather
Winter weather is 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. Please assist us with reuniting items with their rightful owners by clearly labeling your child’s mittens, toques, etc. with their name and grade. Please note that we have a number of gently-used winter items that have been donated to the school - please contact our office if you could use any winter gear. We also accept donations of gently-used mittens, gloves, and toques to use as extras at the school. These items often go missing and having some spare pairs come in handy.

Report Cards
A reminder to parents and students that report cards will be released on Powerschool on Dec. 2. Please check there for your child’s grades and comments, and feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher(s) with any questions or concerns.

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.

Ski/Snowboard Club
We are excited to announce our ski/snowboard club will be running this year! Registration and detailed information will be coming out in early December, however the dates are January 27th, February 3rd, February 24th, and March 10th. We will also be looking for parent volunteers for each of the dates.

Choir
Sing for Santa is on Saturday, December 10th at 7:00PM at Rogers Place! Ticket sales are now closed. It is also the night of the Teddy Bear toss which is an incredible experience to be a part of so please bring a new or gently used toy! Sing for Santa tickets will be available for pick-up at the office later in the week. Please wait for an email to confirm that we have the tickets at the school. If you have any questions, please contact alexandra.schellenberger@psd.ca

Upgraded Security Cameras
You may notice some new security cameras and new camera locations in and around the school, as we have recently upgraded our systems. Please be aware that video monitoring is in place in hallways and around our school property, for safety and security purposes.

Grade 7-9 Options/CTF Classes
Please watch for information on options course selections going out next week. Term 2 CTF classes start immediately after the winter break.

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:
● Dec. 2 - Report Cards go out on Powerschool
● Dec. 7 - PAL Meeting via Google Meets: meet.google.com/fot-rhmf-jpr
● Dec. 16 - Deadline for Christmas Hamper donations
● Dec. 20 - Grinch Day - wear something green
● Dec. 21 - Whoville Hair Day - wear your wacky and wild hairstyles
● Dec. 21 - BUGZ: A Holiday Infestation! Kinder-Gr.3 Christmas Concert and CHOIR 6:00PM
● Dec. 22 - Ugly Holiday Sweater Day - dig out your holiday sweater treasures
● Dec. 22 - Slapshot Santa Scores Again Gr. 4-6 Christmas Concert and BAND 6:00PM
● Dec. 23 - Pajama Day & locker cleanout
● Dec. 26 - Jan. 6 - Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
● Jan. 7 - Term 2 CTF courses begin for grade 7-9 students