Principal's Message
Thanks to all parents who came to our Open House/Meet the Teacher this year – it was a fabulous turnout! A few important items for the upcoming month:
- School Fees are available on the portal. Please pay them right away. Thank-you to those who have made their payments.
- The October Progress Reports will be available on the Parent Portal on Friday, October 13th.
- Bringing treats to school: If you would like to bring a treat for your child’s class; please first check with your child’s Homeroom teacher. Due to numerous allergies and food intolerances at school; only packaged treats with a list of ingredients will be allowed at school; or a fruit or veggie platter.
Please be sure to review the newsletter carefully to see all of the important and exciting news this month!
ITEMS COMING TO SCHOOL
Cell phones, electronics, and toys are not permitted at school, or on the bus.
Children can bring their lunch box, water bottle, and extra clothing in their backpack but all other items must remain at home.
Events at School
TERRY FOX NEWS
On Friday September 23rd Greater Gatineau held a very successful Terry Fox Run/Walk. Students were very motivated to raise money. We far exceeded our goal and raised $6200 !!! This meant that our admin team were dressed as a hot dog and ketchup bottle all day and Mr. Everson completed the entire run dressed as a banana.
Students were very excited to challenge themselves to complete multiple laps of the course, many running the entire distance. Some students ran over 5.5 km’s. The event was full of school spirit, enthusiasm and energy.
We are so proud of Greater Gatineau students for making such a positive contribution to one of Canada’s most honoured events.
BREAKFAST PROGRAM
Our breakfast program is running well, thanks to our grant from the Breakfast Club of Canada and our nutrition grant from the Ministry. We are accepting cash donations to go towards the program if you are interested. Please send donations in an envelope marked “Breakfast Club”.
All students will be offered the breakfast program, regardless if you make a donation or not.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION TRIP
The Grade 6 classes will be hiking to Lac Beauchamp on October 6th for an outdoor education day experience. Classes will participate in activities, as well as a whole Grade 6 group, that promote team building. Hot Dogs will be served for lunch! Funds will be provided by a ministry grant.
CROSS-COUNTRY RUN
SOCCER TOURNAMENT
Our soccer teams will attend the tournament on October 11th in Quyon this year. Thanks to Mr. Everson and Mrs. MD for coaching our teams. Go, GG Grizzlies, Go!
HALLOWEEN AT SCHOOL
Students are invited to wear their costume to school on Tuesday, October 31st. For safety reasons, students must leave weapons, and props (anything that they hold in their hands) at home. If students have a mask, they will only be allowed to wear it during the indoor parade. Unfortunately parents are unable to attend due to lack of space.
We will have a whole school costume parade and many classes will participate in a Halloween Bingo. There will be prizes for the Bingo games.
In the weeks following Halloween, please save the candy and treats for at home. Continue to send healthy options for lunch and snack time.
MONTHLY ASSEMBLY
Our next assembly will be on Friday, October 27th, where we will celebrate the students who have shown the chosen virtue throughout the month.
- Grade 5&6 at 8:55
- Kindergarten + Grade 1&2 at 10:05
- Grade 3&4 at 10:55
October is RESPONSIBILITY month. We hope to see students showing us how responsible they are. You can show this by doing what you say you are going to do, taking care of yourself and your belongings, and being reliable.
Please wear your GG shirt to create a sense of community at school.
PEACE LEARNING CIRCLES AT HOME
When sitting around the table for dinner, families can play “That’s Me!” to learn about everyone’s day.
Taking turns, each person says one thing about their day. If anyone else had the same thing happen in their day, they raise their hands and say, “That’s Me!” This can promote further discussion on replies.
Sample statements that parents can use:
- “I read something interesting today.”
- “I learned something new today”
- “Someone told me something today that made me laugh.
- “Someone gave me/I gave someone a compliment today”.
Home & School
What were your favourite activities or events in the past? What events would you like to see this year? Send us an email at gghomeandschool@gmail.com or comment on our Facebook page to let us know.
If you would like to join the H&S team or are able to volunteer at events or activities, please let us know. In order to run activities, we need additional support.
We are looking forward to a great 2023-2024 school year.
We post our communications on our Facebook page, if you haven’t done so already, please follow us to stay up to date on upcoming events https://www.facebook.com/GreaterGatineau
The next Home & School meeting will be held on October 2nd at 6:30pm
Daycare
Registration has been finalized for this year. Moving forward, if your child requires regular daycare services, you will have to wait for a spot to be vacated by another child. Drop-in days available depending on each group numbers each day.
There are two PD days this month. October 12th and 13th, These days are open to all Greater Gatineau School students. We will be at school both days for activities planned by the educators. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, October 4th.
New families, please sign up for @ggdaycare2 on the Remind app to get the notifications regarding PD days and other important daycare information.
Should you have any questions about our program or to register for the PD days please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer by phone at (819) 663-4842 x3 or e-mail jplaxton@wqsb.qc.ca
Special Notes
GOVERNING BOARD
On Thursday, September 21st, the Governing Board had their General Assembly. We would like to welcome our returning parent members: Carl Coutlee, Melanie Malette, Laetitia van Romondt-Kearney, Virginie Sabourin and our new members Christine Veillette and Adrea Sinclair.
The next governing board meeting will be on October 17th at 6:00 p.m.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
We ask that parents/guardians please take a minute to call or email the school and advise us if your child is going to be late or absent. You only need to contact the school, as daycare is advised of the absences each day.
We have close to 500 students in the school and it is very helpful when parents contact the school.
You can reach Amanda Wells at (819) 663-4842 ext. 1 or email; awells@wqsb.qc.ca Please try to let us know before 8:30 a.m.
If you are sending a note or an e-mail to your child’s teacher about an absence or picking them up early, please ensure that Amanda receives a copy so she can remind the teacher and have your child waiting at the office upon your arrival.
CHANGES TO PICK UP ROUTINE
Parents of all students are reminded that information regarding attendance at school or an early pick up at, or before, 2:35 should be directed to Amanda Wells at the office (819) 663-4842 ext. 1 or awells@wqsb.qc.ca.
Information regarding a change in who will pick up your child at daycare (between 2:35 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.) should be directed to Jennifer Plaxton at the daycare (819) 663-4842 ext 3 or jplaxton@wqsb.qc.ca.
To help us out, please make sure that we always receive a note, email, or call before picking up your child. It is very important that we receive the information before 1:30 p.m.
Our list for the day’s changes has to be compiled and sent out to the teachers and daycare before 2:00 p.m., so please respect our cut-off time.
QUEBEC PUBLIC LIBRARY WEEK
Semaine des bibliotheques is October 14th to the 21st.
From October 1st to 31st elementary school children are invited to draw the library of the future. You could win 1 of the 4 $50 gift cards usable in bookstores.
There are two options for sending drawings. A copy of the drawing can be emailed to info@abpq.ca or drawings can be mailed to:
Association des bibliothèques publiques du Québec
1453, rue Beaubien Est, bureau 215
Montréal (Québec) H2G 3C6
All the details are available at semainedesbibliotheques.ca
Hungry to Help
The Hungry to Help foundation a non-profit organization that has been actively assisting children in combating hunger in primary schools in the National Capital Region since 2003. To meet the high demand, this foundation needs your support to continue. 100% of the donations collected go towards feeding children. Every $5 donation provides a hot meal to a student. Your contribution can make a difference in the academic success of a child at our school. Please visit their website to learn more. No child should go to school on an empty stomach.
Anti-Racism Committee (ARC)
Land acknowledgement
The land on which we gather is traditional unceded Omamiwininiwag (Algonquin) and Anishinabewaki territory .
Cultural Traditions/Observances/Holidays