June 25th, 2020
June 25, 2020
Dear Glencairn Gray Jays and families,
On Friday March 13, each of us left Glencairn Public School ready to enjoy March Break. At the time, we knew that we would be away from school for an additional two weeks after the break because of the outbreak of Covid 19. We never imagined the scope of the global pandemic and all the changes we would navigate in our world. Over the past months, Gray Jays have stepped up during this unprecedented time to truly show our spirit of being a “Caring, Respectful Team that NEVER Gives Up”.
We have lots to be grateful for as we practise social distancing and staying safe at home. As the school year comes to a close, we also have things to celebrate.
We wish to honour our Grade 6 Gray Jays as they finish their time at Glencairn and move on to senior schools. None of our students knew they would be doing distance learning as part of their regular daily learning. Thank you students for never giving up and trying your very best to engage in your learning. Thank you also to all the educators who took chances, tried new things, and increased their knowledge of online pedagogy. Everyone worked very hard to make the best out of an emergency situation.
At this point in time, we are not sure exactly what the 2020-21 school year will bring. Senior administration at the Waterloo Region District School Board is working out a plan in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Public Health. In August, we will be communicating information about how we will start the learning and what model of delivery will be used. We appreciate your patience and we will communicate with you as soon as we have information to share.
Traditionally, our kindergarten students would receive a letter in early July with information regarding the start of school in September. We will share this information with our school families as soon as it is available. “The Welcome to Kindergarten” bags of materials from the Learning Partnership to support junior kindergarten families will also be distributed closer to the beginning of the school year.
We would like to honour some active members of the Glencairn School Council who will be moving on. Thank you to Kathleen Carr, Kate Lovell and Dawn Marshall for the time and dedication you have shown Glencairn over several years. Glencairn is a community school and we greatly appreciate all the contributions that parent and community volunteers contribute to our school. If you are interested in joining Glencairn School Council for the 2020-21 school year, please reach out to gcpschoolcouncil@gmail.com and more information will be shared.
Glencairn Public School will see some staff changes for the 2020-21 school year. We wish our Early Childhood Educators, Ms. Melissa Arnett-Eckmier and Mrs. Laura Risebury, all the best as they move on to new schools. We will miss Mrs. Amy Van Dijk as she moves into a Special Education role at Jean Steckle Public School.
We also would like to honour some retirees at Glencairn. We wish much happiness and good health to Mrs. Jennifer Tummillo, Ms. Caroline White and Mrs. Susan Haywood as they begin their retirement adventures. We are grateful for the years of commitment and expertise that these educators dedicated to the students of Glencairn.
Glencairn Public School will be welcoming some new educators for the 2020-21 school year. Ms. Megan Young will join us as an Educational Assistant, Mrs. Gisselle Nicolas will be joining as an Early Childhood Educator and Ms. Samantha Hayward is a teacher who will become part of our team. We are excited to have these new faces join our learning community.
We would also like to thank parents who have supported, encouraged and helped teach our Gray Jays over the past months. It truly takes a village to raise a child. Glencairn Public School has a great community that supports children. We hope you find time to explore, relax and find joy in small moments of life over the summer.
Stay safe and we will gather again soon.
Ms. Meredith
Principal – Glencairn Public School
Categories: School