September 15, 2022
Updates for Howay families…
Once again, I would like to welcome all of our returning and new families to the Howay community! The students have settled very well into their new classrooms. We are very excited about the upcoming school year at Howay and are looking forward to all of the wonderful learning experiences to come.
Please check your emails for our parent bulletins so we can give more updates and share some of the learning we are experiencing at Howay. We will send out regular communication with special events as well as bulletins to highlight important dates, events and share pictures of our learning. All bulletins and notices can be found on our website – fwhowayschool.ca . Google translate is also available as an option on the front page of the website.
“A Good Thing Happened Today”
Our Kindergarten students have been attending school each day and are building up to a whole day of school which starts on Tuesday next week! Thank you to all of the Kindergarten parents for your patience and support as your children start their first year of school. It has been a wonderful week getting to know the families of our youngest students. The pictures below show students gathering for their first snack time and first carpet time as a whole group!
Meet the Teacher Evening
Please join us for “Meet the Teacher” on Wednesday, Sept. 21st. This will be an open house format from 4:30 – 5:30, where you have a chance to visit your child’s classroom and meet their classroom teacher.
The PAC (Parent Advisory Council) will be greeting families and sharing information on how you can volunteer and support the school. “Meet the Teacher” is also a time to meet other families, gather in our courtyard or play on the playground. We are looking forward to this school community event!
Please enter the school through the courtyard doors (east side of the school). Parking will be at the front of the school on Courtney Crescent. (Please do not park in the staff parking lot).
West Coast Weather
It will be very rare that we have students stay inside at recess and lunch due to inclement weather so please ensure that your children are dressed to be outside every day for a minimum of 1 hour. It will be important to make sure that all students have clothing and outer wear that supports rain and cold weather (raincoats, mittens, warm winter jackets, boots). It is also a very good idea to pack extra socks, and pants for those times when students may need a change of clothes. We are encouraging families to have your children leave an umbrella at school as well as extra clothes – students have personal coat hooks and cubbies to keep umbrellas and extra clothes.
Nut Aware
F.W. Howay is a nut aware school. We have students in our school that have life-threatening allergies to peanuts and other tree nuts. Please be mindful of packing items in your children’s lunch that contain peanuts and other tree nuts. In particular, peanut butter and Nutella are items that parents should try to avoid when packing lunches. These items can stay on surfaces and pose serious risk to students with anaphylaxis to nuts. It is also important to remind your children that they do not share food with others.
Late or Absent
If your child will be late or absent from school, please call the school office at 604-517-6020 by 9:00 a.m. or visit the office to report in person. Voicemail messages can be left 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience.
To keep our students safe by verifying student attendance as quickly as possible each day, it is important that parents and guardians use this central reporting system. Please do not use email to report student absences as not all emails are monitored regularly.
If your child will be arriving after the bell, please visit the office when you arrive to sign them in.
Sarah Phelan
Principal
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
| September 19 | National Day of Mourning (to mark the Queen’s funeral) – schools closed |
| September 20 | Terry Fox Run – 2:10 – Wear red and white! |
| September 21 | Meet the Teacher – 4:30 – 5:30 |
| September 22 | Individual Photo Day |
| September 23 | Non-instructional day – students do not attend |
| September 26 – September 30 | Orange Shirt Week |
| September 30 | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – schools closed |