The first week of school has been a blast. We are already getting down to business and the students are all keen and ready to work.

We have a new student in grade one, Zachary Maisonneuve, which we are delighted to have. We hope he feels welcomed by all former students and staff.

Our new bus driver for September is Linda Tompkins. She is a warm and friendly driver and we’re glad to have her here.

The biggest addition to our staff is Mrs. Jackie Mynott from Kitchener. We are all sad to lose Mrs. Wanda Powell, but did anyway due to staffing changes in the district. She is missed but I’m happy to announce that we do have another gentle and ambitious TA to take her place. Welcome aboard Mrs. Mynott.

On Fridays I will be sending home a week end report. Most comments will be saved for that report except for vital messages. If you have any questions feel free to call anytime after 2:30.

Please sign the report and send it back to the school.

We will be notifying you about a hot lunch program as soon as a decision has been made.

Welcome back to YAHK!! As you may know there have been a few changes as a result of some of the re-structuring this year.

First, I am gladly still the principal of Yahk Elementary. Linda Allred has been assigned as head teacher and will be here daily. Jackie Mynott comes to us from the Yaqan Nuki School. Melanie Sommerfeldt remains our librarian resource person, Don Sommerfeldt our custodian, Laurie Boehmer our secretary, and Tom Hollis our bus driver (Linda Tompkins is currently driving for Tom).

My schedule has been set and I will be in class every Tuesday afternoon. But remember you can still call me either at Wynndel (866-5296) or home (402-6356). Messages can be left at both places if I am unavailable.

Our school has a lot to offer our students and we look forward to another great year.

Thanks

Joanne VanRuyskensvelde

Our first PAC meeting of the school year will be held Tuesday, Sept. 9^h at 2:30 p.m. in the staff room. Please come out and meet other parents and help us get the year off to a great start. The PAC will be setting goals and activity dates at this meeting, so we will once again need lots of input and support. I look forward to seeing you at our meetings. Our next PAC meeting will be Tues. Oct 7 at 2:30.

Just a reminder that it is very important that your child(ren) have an extra pair of running shoes that can be left at school for the entire school year. These are to be worn in the classroom and the gym. Teachers will be checking for this during the first couple of weeks. Thank you.

Our Open House will be Thursday, Sept. 25^th. We would love to see all families out for the evening. It is a great way to meet our new families and get reacquainted with staff members. More information will follow.

Once again, the PAC has supplied school agendas for each student. These agendas play a large part in your child’s education and home/school communication. Please remember to read your child’s agenda each night, sign it and/or make a comment and send it back to the school the next morning.

Our Lost & Found items are returned to the children daily. Please label any items that your child brings to school.

This is a phrase we hear too often. Students will be allowed to use the phone for emergencies. Please encourage your child to make all their social plans the night before, and include a note in their agenda as to what these plans are. Please help them to remember their lunches and homework. Thank you in advance for your support.

A reminder to parents that homework should not be more than 20-30 minutes each night. Homework will be in the form of completing assignments or a review of the day’s work. No new information will be going home for homework, as we do not want your children to become frustrated. Please remember that silent reading is very beneficial as are various number or math games you could play. If you have any questions or concerns about homework, please contact Mrs. Allred

These handbooks will be ready for pick up at our Open House on Thursday, September 25^th. Please make sure you get one and read through it. The school information is most helpful and very important. Thank you.

As students of Yahk Elementary School

We will be respectful of:

• each other

• all staff members

• the school & it’s surroundings

• our learning

• our behavior

• our belongings

Please continue to clip and save labels from Campbell products. Students will receive house team points for bringing them in.

If you have an e-mail address that you regularly access, please send the address to the school. Thank you.

The C.V. Figure Skating Club is happy to announce that another year of ice skating is just around the corner. Please bring your parents and register either at our Fall Fair booth (Sept. 5th & 6^th) during fair hours, or on Monday, Sept. 15^th at the Rec. Centre lobby from 6 – 8 p.m. A used skate and dress swap will be held during the Sept. 15^th registration so bring along your old skates to sell or trade. Please put your name and price on any items you wish to sell. If you have any questions, please contact our skating coach, Fairlite at 428-8967, or club president, Tania at 428-2682. See you on the ice!

Registration for Sparks, Brownies & Girl Guides will be Tuesday, Sept. 9^th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Canyon Room, Recreation Centre. Leaders are urgently needed.

A reminder to parents, the importance of having their children’s eyes examined, especially with the start up of school. All students should have a yearly examination. These examinations are FREE for children under the age of 19 years.

I would like to remind all of you that we have an Open Door Policy at Yahk and encourage you to come in anytime to be a part of your child’s education. We can be much more productive by working together. I look forward to seeing you and working with you this year.

To enable students to complete their full educational program, it is extremely important that students arrive at school on time. Instruction begins promptly at 8:20 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. respectively.

8:17 a.m. Warning Bell

8:20 a.m. Starting Bell

8:30 – 10:10 Instruction

10:10 – 10:20 Break, Snack

10:20 – 11:30 Instruction

11:30 Outside Play

12:05 Lunch bell – inside

12:15 Warning Bell

12:20 Starting Bell

12:20 – 1:30 Instruction

1:30 - 1:45 Recess

1:45 – 2:20 Instruction

2:20 Bus Pickup