Dear Families,

It is wonderful to have our students back at school! 

Welcome Back Video/Daily Announcements

• Here is a video that we showed to our students on their first day:  https://youtu.be/WxX0iK_IXII
• We create daily video announcements for our students – it’s also a great way for parents to stay informed about tryouts/events/activities that are happening during the school day
• You can view these announcements by visiting our website here: https://symmesdarcy.westernquebec.ca/
• Here is a sneak peak for the announcement our students will see on Monday: Watch Monday’s Morning Announcements

Administration Team

• Tara Laine – Principal – tlaine@wqsb.qc.ca
• Kate Smith – Vice-Principal – students with last names A-L – katesmith@wqsb.qc.ca
• Chris Byrne – Vice-Principal  – students with last names M-Z – chrisbyrne@wqsb.qc.ca
• Holly Richardson – Guidance Counselor – students with last names A-F – hrichardson@wqsb.qc.ca
• Danielle Nikora – Guidance Counselor – students with last names G-M – dnikota@wqsb.qc.ca
• Franny Maloney – Guidance Counselor – students with last names N-Z – fmaloney@wqsb.qc.ca

October 5^th

• Due to the upcoming Provincial election, our building has been selected as a polling station
• The WQSB has designated October 5^th as a PD day to accommodate this event
• We will NOT be changing our calendar as this would impact our student agendas but we will be sending frequent reminders to students and families

Course Change Deadline

• Please note that September 14^th is the hard deadline to submit course change requests
• Students can pick up forms in our Student Services Centre

Resource Update

• The resource room will officially welcome students on September 9^th
• For students who need to access their technology next week, computers will be available
• I have attached the first installment of our monthly newsletter for parents

Student Absences

• If you need to report a student absence, please send an email to:  sdmattendance@wqsb.qc.ca

Annual General Assembly (AGA)

• The AGA for both Symmes and D’Arcy McGee parents will be in our auditorium on September 16^th at 6pm
• The purpose of the AGA is to inform parents of the structures and routines of school as well as to elect the parent representatives to our Governing Board
• I have attached information about Governing Boards to this email for your information – it’s a great way to get involved!
• At the AGA, we will also be taking names for potential spots on the WQSB Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
• Parents will also have an opportunity to meet their child’s teacher and tour the school

Upcoming Dates

• September 7^th – Holiday
• September 14^th – Course Change Deadline – forms in Student Services Centre
• September 16^th & 17^th – School Photo Day
• September 18^th – PD Day
• September 30^th – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Orange Shirt Day
• October 5^th – PD Day

Have a nice weekend!

Tara Laine Directrice Principal Symmes-D’Arcy McGee High School

Dear Families,

I hope you all had a lovely summer.  We are so excited to welcome our students back to school next week. 

Here is some preliminary information to kick off the year:

Administration Team

• Tara Laine – Principal – tlaine@wqsb.qc.ca
• Kate Smith – Vice-Principal – students with last names A-L – katesmith@wqsb.qc.ca
• Chris Byrne – Vice-Principal  – students with last names M-Z – chrisbyrne@wqsb.qc.ca
• Holly Richardson – Guidance Counselor – students with last names A-F – hrichardson@wqsb.qc.ca
• Danielle Nikora – Guidance Counselor – students with last names G-M – dnikota@wqsb.qc.ca
• Franny Maloney – Guidance Counselor – students with last names N-Z – fmaloney@wqsb.qc.ca

Opening Days

• I have attached our school calendar to this email
• Our students have a staggered start to the school year:

• Thursday August 27^th – ONLY grade 7, 9 and 10 students as well as our PY1 and PY2 students (those following the work-oriented training pathway) will attend on this day – all other students remain at home
• Friday August 28^th – ONLY grade 8 and grade 11 students as well as our PY3 students (those following the work-oriented training pathway) will attend on this day – all other students remain at home
• Monday August 31^st– ALL students attend school

• When students arrive on their first day, they will be directed to the cafeteria to receive a hard copy of their schedule, their locker assignment and to receive further instructions from school staff
• If parents are dropping their children off in the morning, please use our dedicated kiss-and-ride route at the front of the school (please DO NOT drop students off in the parking lots on either side of the school as this poses a safety risk) – school staff will be present to bring students down to the cafeteria to meet their peers
• There will be LOTS of adults present to support and direct our students – they will be okay!
• Students will follow DAY 9 of their timetable on their first day
• August 31^st will be a DAY 1
• Teachers will be focusing on building connections with their students as well as outlining our code of conduct and course expectations – there will also be time for FUN!

Code of Conduct

• Please review the attached code of conduct for our school
• Students will be reviewing this document during our opening days

Transportation Information

• Transportation information will be published to the parent portal at the end of the day TODAY and will be available until 9am on Friday August 28^th
• I have attached the Parent Portal Guide to this email if you do not already have an account
• If you are having trouble with the Portal, please email Ms. Jessica Pilon directly at: jpilon@wqsb.qc.ca
• Between August 28^th and September 11^th, the process time for new registrations or changes of address will be 10 days
• After that time period, the process time will be 3 days
• I have also attached the WQSB transportation policy to this email

Suggested School Supplies

• I have attached a list of suggested school supplies to this email
• Your child’s teachers will let them know if they require additional materials
• Generally, having a fully stocked pencil case and a binder with lined paper should be sufficient for the first few days

STO Cards

• All grade 7 students and students NEW to our school will receive an STO pass during the first few days of school
• I have attached a letter from the STO regarding this initiative

Student Absences

• If you need to report a student absence, please send an email to:  sdmattendance@wqsb.qc.ca

Communication

• You can expect to receive an email directly from me every Friday
• You can also see important information posted to our website:  https://symmesdarcy.westernquebec.ca/
• Please note that we do not currently communicate via social media and the existing parent Facebook page is not monitored by school staff

Annual General Assembly (AGA)

• The AGA for both Symmes and D’Arcy McGee parents will be in our auditorium on September 16^th at 6pm
• The purpose of the AGA is to inform parents of the structures and routines of school as well as to elect the parent representatives to our Governing Board
• I have attached information about Governing Boards to this email for your information – it’s a great way to get involved!
• At the AGA, we will also be taking names for potential spots on the WQSB Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
• Parents will also have an opportunity to meet their child’s teacher and tour the school

Upcoming Dates

• September 7^th – Holiday
• September 14^th – Course Change Deadline – forms in Student Services Centre
• September 16^th & 17^th – School Photo Day
• September 18^th – PD Day
• September 30^th – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Orange Shirt Day

We can’t wait to get started! It’s going to be a great year.

Have a nice weekend and take care.

Tara Laine Directrice Principal Symmes-D’Arcy McGee High School