Monthly Archives: September 2021

Good afternoon families,

We are excited to announce that we have recently been permitted to have an in-person event for Meet the Teacher.  This may occur while abiding by the outdoor gathering limits and social distancing protocols guided by Public Health. Our staff is eager to meet you face to face (mask to mask) as we begin this new school year. This event will occur rain or shine, so please come dressed for the weather.

To allow for this process to occur, students and their parent(s) will be able to meet their teacher at their regular meeting place on the asphalt or within the FDK area.  Families will have an opportunity to briefly meet the teacher in a social manner.  Please remember that this is not an interview to review your child’s progress. If this information is required please contact your child’s teacher for another meeting that will allow the appropriate privacy for this to occur.

To reduce the opportunity for transmission of the COVID-19 virus, for the safety of our staff, student and families please be mindful to:

• Complete your school screening for all family members before attending
• Wear a mask
• Stay together as a family unit
• Not socialize with other families during this time.
• Limit your visit with your child’s teacher to a few minutes.
• Be cognizant if other families are waiting
• Maintain a 2 metre distance between all individuals.

To be sure that we do not exceed the outdoor limit, appointment times have been created according to the alphabetical order of the student’s last name.

If you are unable to attend the after school Meet the Teacher on this date / assigned time, please email your child(ren)’s teachers to introduce yourself. This will open the door for future communication.

We thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation during this continued period of unusual circumstances.  The Monsignor Haller staff looks forward to meeting you as we begin the 2021-22 school year.

In partnership,

Mrs. C Kuntz

Principal

Please visit the Waterloo Catholic District School Board website 

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✓ Choose Monsignor Haller and Visit our Website 

https://haller.wcdsb.ca/

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Hello Hawks!

WCDSB is recruiting parent volunteers for CPIC from several family of school locations.  Please see attachment if you are interested in this opportunity.

CPIC Recruitment Poster 2021.pdf

Thank you.

Dear Families and Guardians,

We are very happy to have welcomed back our students to in-person learning. It has been a positive and exciting transition for staff and students.

Families are reminded to check the WCDSB website regularly for updates on our Operational Guidelines. Please know families can review the Ventilation Report for schools and/or the Board should you wish to have more information.

Good afternoon Haller Hawks,

Please review this important memo about our upcoming Student Census Survey.

Student census memo

Welcome to Monsignor Haller Catholic Elementary School for the 2021-2022 school year!  

Whether your child is returning to Monsignor Haller or attending for the first time, we are excited that you will be part of the Haller Hawk family community. Our goal is to create a Christ-centred, positive, encouraging and stimulating learning environment for our students so that each child will have the opportunity to learn, experience and grow to his or her potential.

We believe that to achieve the most fulfilling and rewarding education for your child, we must work together as a team. Children’s attitudes, values, and self-concepts are molded at home and at school; therefore, a positive and mutually supportive home/school partnership is essential to encourage learning, skill development, self-discipline, responsibility, respect for self, others and the environment, appropriate values and a sense of self-worth.

We look forward to your continued support throughout the year!

Two Important Updates: 

1. Confirmation of Screening: Schools are required to confirm student screening for the first two weeks of the school year (through to September 17th).  The implications of this direction are as follows:

• A WCDSB message will be sent to all student homes at 5:30 a.m. reminding parents to complete the screening process for their child – and a link to the screener will be also contained in the message.
• On September 7, parents will receive a one-page sheet that has 10 days listed where they can sign that they have completed the screener for their child (covering Sept 8th – 17th). The sheet is to be sent back and forth from school and home each day. Teachers will verify the screening each morning.

2. Masking: Masking is required for all students as per the Ministry, WCDSB & Public Health.  Students who arrive at school without a mask will be provided one, if a student declines, the school is directed to call home to request a pick up.  There are frequent mask breaks built into the school day allowing for children to remove their mask outside and when eating. Exemptions to masking requires an Exemption Request that has been approved by the WCDSB.

Thank you to families for co-operating with the above requirements to assist with the health and safety of all students and staff.

School Start Up Information!

Tuesday, September 7th: Grades 1 to 8 students return to school and attend everyday. There will be pre-arranged JK (and NEW SK) student/parent visits with their classroom teachers.

First Day of School

Our school day begins at 8:50 am and ends at 3:20 pm. Before the morning bell, students in grades 2-8 will proceed to the back of the school. Grade 1 students can meet their teachers in the gated Kindergarten area. Staff will be visible and waiting to meet the students beginning at 8:35.  Staff will help guide students to where they need to be.  We kindly remind parents that being on the blacktop or anywhere on the schoolyard is not permitted. Parents are valued members of our school community, however, as you can appreciate safety comes first. Please wear a mask when dropping off/picking up and know that our Hawk team will take good care of your children!

Classroom Assignments

Families should be able to log into School Cash Online/Aspen and find classroom teacher information. Otherwise, class assignments will be shared with your child when they arrive Tuesday. Please know that class lists continue to be tentative due to ongoing registrations and evolving enrolment. Staffing and classroom changes will be directed by the Board office. This process may occur during the first two weeks of school which may lead to classes being revised. Our staff takes great care in considering students’ needs when creating class

placement! Our goal is to place a child where they will achieve the most success, both academically while trying to balance their social and emotional development. A balanced class reflects the diversity and needs of our school community and all of our students. In order to maintain the integrity of classroom cohorts, there will be no class change requests accepted. Thank you in advance for understanding, it can take a few weeks for a child to acclimate to a new grade, peer group and teacher. Working together as a home-school partnership will allow for a positive school start-up and all of our staff work hard to help your children thrive!

Transportation

Information from the bus transportation company about your route is now available. If you are unsure about your bus information, please visit www.stswr.ca where you can access your bus information by using your student login portal. If you are new to the website, you will have to create an account through the website. Please remember that all Kindergarten students must be met by a parent/guardian when transitioning from the bus.

Outdoor Clothing

Being outside is one of our opportunities for mask breaks.  Therefore, we will be spending a lot of time outdoors this school year.  Please ensure your child is dressed for all kinds of weather including the hot sun, light rain, and the cold months of the winter.  Even if misting or light drizzle we will endeavour to go outside,as this is our opportunity for fresh air, movement and a mask break.

Once again, please have your child dress for the weather including outdoor and indoor shoes.  Thank you in advance!

You may find the updated Covid Operational Guidelines here:  Operational Guidelines (wcdsb.ca)

Looking forward to welcoming our students back to in-person learning!

Blessings,

Mrs. C. Kuntz

Principal