Nov 21 HPS Weekly Update
Hello HPS Families! We hope you are enjoying your fall break and the beautiful weather we have been having.
Student Illness
As you may know, many schools, including High Park, have been experiencing significant student and staff illness rates. Our outbreak of respiratory illness, which was declared on Oct. 18, has been closed by AHS as of November 11, however, we continue to monitor the situation closely. We ask for your cooperation in communicating absence reasons with our school office, which helps us to stay aware of similar symptoms or illnesses that may be present in the community.
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.
Stronger Together November Newsletter: Technology
Are you struggling with questions about screen time and technology use regarding your child? Check out this month’s newsletter from PSD, all about technology and children. In addition, Constable Marshall is leading a FREE parent session on Nov. 23rd from 6:30-8:00 at the Centre for Education, called Strong Families: Technology and our Kids. To register, please follow the link in the Stronger Together Newsletter here.
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, we will once again be selling candy cane messages here at the school for $0.50 cents each with all proceeds going to the hampers. 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!
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.
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 Dec. 12 will be donated to their Plants for Seniors program and no refunds will
be given. Shop local and give back!
Basketball Tryouts
Tryouts will be held this coming week for interested students:
● Nov 21- Grade 8-9 boys tryouts 3:15- 4:45(senior)
● Nov 22- Grade 7-8 boys tryouts 3:15- 4:45 (junior)
● Nov 23- Grade 7-9 girls tryouts 3:15- 4:45 (junior and senior)
● Nov 24 and 28- Extra tryout dates (if needed)
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
An Email was sent to all choir families with information regarding our upcoming Sing For Santa field trip! Please check your email as ticket order and payment is due NOVEMBER 23, 2022. Sing for Santa is on Saturday, December 10th at 7:00PM at Rogers Place! It is also the night of the Teddy Bear toss which is an incredible experience to be a part of! This field trip is entirely OPTIONAL and is a fun night for choir members to sing and spend time together. Please read the email with all the information for Sing for Santa and if you have any questions, please contact 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. 14-18 - Fall Break (No School)
● Nov. 21 Christmas Hamper Collection begins - please click this link for details
● 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
● Dec. 16 - Deadline for Christmas Hamper donations
● Dec. 21 - Kinder - Gr. 3 Christmas Concert and CHOIR 6:00PM
● Dec. 22 - Gr. 4-6 Christmas Concert and BAND 6:00PM
● Dec. 26 - Jan. 6 - Winter Break - NO SCHOOL