Back to School September 5th 2023…
Hello St. Daniel School Community…..
I am Mr. Noonan, School Principal now assigned to St. Daniel. I am looking forward to meeting families, students, and staff as we journey together in your child’s education. I have worked with the Waterloo Catholic School Board for 25 years as a Teacher and School Principal. My own children attend WCDSB schools and as I learn more about St. Daniel School, I am excited and look forward to the 2023/2024 school year.
Class Placements and the First Day:
Please know that we have had many staffing changes and we continue to work on class placements for students as enrollment fluctuates. Currently, we plan to share class placements over SchoolCashOnline on Monday, September 4th. The First day of school is Tuesday, September 5th, with our opening bell at 9:10 a.m. As students arrive beginning at 8:55, we will have staff circulating to greet students and help them find their class and teacher. Students will line up and entre the school with their class to begin the day. It is always a little hectic, but we will make sure everyone has a class, and a great day.
Please note that Kindergarten students have staggered entry days assigned. A staff member will contact you with your start day. Kindergarten students do not attend on the 5th.
Please note that class placements are a school-based decision. We will not be taking calls about changing class placements. Enrollment always fluctuates- throughout the first week and into the first month. We will take direction from the School Board about enrollment numbers and class sizes/compositions. Changes to class placements often occur and are to be expected the first few weeks. Class placements are a challenging process and school staff always work diligently to ensure all students will be successful.
School Ready
School Supplies:
There is a lot of excitement with Back-to-School sales. Please hold off on purchasing school supplies until direction is provided by the classroom teacher. Many supplies like pencils and paper are provided so do not waste time and money. Shoes, backpacks, and lunch containers are a good place to start to get ready for the year.
Sleep:
School success means a healthy daily routine. Now is the time to start getting back on track with normal sleep hours. Put down the electronics, get to sleep and be refreshed for great days at school.
Attendance:
School success is directly linked to regular attendance. We can’t wait to see you.
Phones:
Phones should stay at home during the school day. Phones are not to be used at school during the regular day, in class or on the yard. We are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged phones. Phones are a constant distraction from learning and create far too many social issues for schools to manage. Please review this with your children so phones do not become a problem at school. Phones will be confiscated if used at recess or during the instructional day.
Behaviour:
Being “school ready”, does not just apply to academics, but also our choices, conduct and behaviour. Elementary schools are professional places of work where everyone, students, and staff, are treated with dignity and respect.
Please take some time now to talk with your children about their behaviour and choices.
Be nice.
That’s it!
We all know how to be nice; it is not hard to do. If we all make the effort to be nice then everyone can have a great day. And everyone has the right to a great day.
Sometimes though, we may not get along. The only strategies we have to solve problems are….
Words,
Walk,
Report!
At. St. Daniel school we solve our problems with words, and we use kind words (kids and adults).
We keep our hands to ourselves at all times. When words are not working, we walk away.
When an issue or problem is serious, we report it to the grown-ups so that school staff can help.
If we all review with our children how to be nice to others and respect school staff at all times – great things are possible.
We are a community. We are a team. We all have to work together and journey together for all the children in our school to be successful.
Let’s get off to positive start and make this year of school the best it can. We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday, September 5th.
With Thanks,
Mr. Noonan and the St. Daniel School Staff