Dear Families,

I hope you are doing well.

Here is some information for this week:

Student Publication Consent Form

• Please respond to this form for your child:

Activities

• You can learn more about activities and events happening in our school by watching our daily video announcements
• Please visit our website and scroll to the bottom of the main page:

• Students can also sign up for events by using their WQSB email accounts here:

Upcoming Dates

• October 9^th – Thanksgiving Holiday
• October 12^th – PD Day
• October 13^th – PD Day
• October 13^th – Progress reports published to the parent portal

Thank you for your support today as we navigated rumours and social media.  As previously mentioned, we took a proactive approach with added police presence.  Wishing you all a lovely long weekend.

Hi,

I am writing this email to address some of the concerns raised by parents regarding recent events at school.  Unfortunately, there have been two physical altercations that have taken place at school since the beginning of the year.  In both cases, staff members intervened quickly to de-escalate the situations. Police were notified and the consequences outlined in our code of conduct (attached) were applied.  Today, there was a physical altercation that took place off school property and we requested the support of the Gatineau police – this remains an open investigation. It has come to our attention that these events are being discussed on a Facebook page that is not moderated by anyone at school.  We are asking for support to help our school community move forward.  Here are some ways that you can help:

• Encourage your child to report incidences and/or to seek support from student services or administration
• Please refrain from circulating videos of inappropriate student behaviour as this further perpetuates the negative virality of these actions
• Encourage your child to stay on school property where there is adult supervision and support
• Speak to your child about not being a bystander to these events and to not film or distribute videos of these events

Due to confidentiality, I will not disclose the details of the altercations that took place on school property and at the nearby plaza.  Please know that we are working closely with the Gatineau police who are actively investigating the individuals responsible for these events.

We understand that it is stressful for families to learn about physical altercations in schools. We remain committed to the safety and security of your children and are saddened that the behaviour of a few individuals has cast a negative light on our school in recent days.  There are so many positive things that take place in our building every day and we are proud to be a part of this community.

https://westernquebec.ca/reformed-complaint-process/

Dear Families,

I hope you are doing well.

Here is some information for this week:

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

• Today we wore orange shirts to honour the children who did not return home from residential schools as well as the survivors, their families and their communities
• Recognizing the tragic and painful history and it’s ongoing impacts is a necessary part of the reconciliation process
• Here is a link to today’s virtual assembly:

• For those of you that want to learn more, here is a link to a database of residential school survivor stories put together by a librarian at the University of Toronto:

School Photos

• I have attached school photo ordering information to this email

Grade 9 Vaccinations

• On November 2^nd, grade 9 students will receive their regular round of vaccines here at school by a team of CISSSO nurses
• I’ve attached an information letter to this email
• Some students may have received some vaccines in other countries/provinces – it is important that all grade 9 students report to the library on November 2^nd (they can refuse or accept the vaccines at that time) with their proof if immunization so that their Quebec immunization record can be updated

Upcoming Dates

• October 9^th – Thanksgiving holiday
• October 12^th – PD Day
• October 13^th – PD Day
• October 13^th – Progress Reports published to the parent portal

Have a nice weekend!

Dear Families,

I hope you are doing well.

Here is some information for this week:

Reporting Student Absences

• If your child is going to be absent from school, or if you need to pick your child up early or drop them off late, please email our attendance office here:

sdmattendance@wqsb.qc.ca

D’Arcy Annual General Assembly

• We appreciate your understanding and support with this postponed event
• The AGA for D’Arcy parents will be in our auditorium on September 27^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

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

• Because September 30^th is a Saturday, we will be respecting the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day) on Friday, September 29^th
• This day honours the children who did not return home from residential schools as well as the survivors, their families and their communities
• Recognizing the tragic and painful history and it’s ongoing impacts is a necessary part of the reconciliation process
• Orange shirts will be on sale all next week at lunch in the Goose Lodge or room 245 for $20

Attendance During Midterms/Exams

• To help families plan ahead, please note that the formal D’Arcy McGee Midterm period is between February 5^th – February 9^th, 2024
• Attendance during midterms and final exams is mandatory and as per the Ministry of Education Guidelines, only the following reasons for student absences will be accepted:

• Illness or accident confirmed by a medical report or certificate
• Death of a close relative
• A court summons
• Participation in a provincial or national event

Upcoming Dates

• September 29th – Orange Shirt Day at school
• September 30^th – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• October 9^th – Thanksgiving Holiday
• October 12^th – PD Day
• October 13^th – PD Day
• October 13^th – Progress reports published to the parent portal

Have a great weekend!

Hi,

We have decided to postpone this evening’s Annual General Assembly and Meet-the-Teacher event.  We are unsure of the duration of the road closures near the school as well as the impacts these closures will have on afternoon commuter traffic.

The D’Arcy McGee AGA will take place next Wednesday, September 27^th at 6pm in our auditorium.

Thank you for understanding.

Take care,

Dear Families,

I hope you are doing well.

Here is some information for this week:

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

• Because September 30^th is a Saturday, we will be respecting the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day) on Friday, September 29^th
• This day honours the children who did not return home from residential schools as well as the survivors, their families and their communities
• Recognizing the tragic and painful history and it’s ongoing impacts is a necessary part of the reconciliation process

Annual General Assembly (AGA)

• Thank you all the Symmes parents that came to our assembly this week – what a great turnout!
• The AGA for D’Arcy parents will be in our auditorium on September 20^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

Health Forms

• Please complete the attached health forms and have your child return it to the front reception office
• You can also email the completed form to jpilon@wqsb.qc.ca

Report Cards

• Student progress reports will be published to the parent portal on October 13^th
• Term 1 report cards will be published to the parent portal on November 17^th

Complaints Procedure

• Please visit the following link to learn more about the Western Quebec School Board complaints procedure:

Morning Announcements

• You can watch our daily morning video announcements here:

• This is a great way to stay informed about things that are happening at school!

Upcoming Dates

• September 21^st – school photo day
• October 9^th – Holiday
• October 12^th – PD day
• October 13^th – PD day

Have a great weekend!

Dear Families,

I hope you are doing well.

Here is some information for this week:

Health Forms

• Please complete the attached health forms and have your child return it to the front reception office
• You can also email the completed form to jpilon@wqsb.qc.ca

Dental Screening – Grade 8

• CISSSO is offering dental screening and a dental sealant application to all students in grade 8
• There is no cost for this service, it is optional and it will take place at school during the school day
• I have attached an information letter as well as consent forms to this email
• Your child can bring the consent form on the day of the screening or if they are 14 years old they can fill it out with the dental hygienist on the day of the screening
• Our screening dates are September 19^th and 20^th
• The hygienist will apply sealant to those that require it and have consented between September 21^st-October 13

Annual General Assembly (AGA)

• The AGA for Symmes parents will be in our auditorium on September 13^th at 6pm
• The AGA for D’Arcy parents will be in our auditorium on September 20^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 15^th – PD Day
• September 21^st – School Photo Day

Have a great weekend!

Gatineau, Québec, September 5, 2023

To: Parents and Guardians of WQSB Students

Dear Parent/Guardian,
As you are no doubt aware, the weather forecast for the next few days is projecting high temperatures. I have
received questions asking whether our schools and centres will remain open during these days. My purpose in
writing to you is to explain our plan of action.
Our schools and centres are open today and we plan to have them open tomorrow as well (the two days during
which temperature will be highest). We will closely monitor the situation in all our individual schools and centres;
namely to track the temperature in each building. In the event it becomes evident that there is a safety concern, we
will take whatever measures necessary to ensure that all students and staff are safe. In the event a decision is made
to cancel classes, you will immediately be advised with information regarding dismissal of students.
Students are encouraged to bring two bottles of water to school each day.
I thank you for your anticipated understanding and support. Please know that we will take all necessary measures to
ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Sincerely,
  
  
GEORGE SINGFIELD
Directeur Général
Director General
t 819 684-2336 #500001

Dear Families,

I hope you are doing well.

What a GREAT week!

It was so wonderful to welcome back our students. 

Here is some information for this week:

Letter from the Director General

• I have attached a letter from our Director General Mr. George Singfield, to this email

Annual General Assembly (AGA)

• The AGA for Symmes parents will be in our auditorium on September 13^th at 6pm
• The AGA for D’Arcy parents will be in our auditorium on September 20^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 teachers and tour the school

School Fees

• You can view your school fee statement on the parent portal
• For payment information, please visit this page on our website:

• Please direct any questions about school fees to Ms. Nadine Plourde at nplourde@wqsb.qc.ca or by calling 819-684-7472 ext. 437009

Sexuality Curriculum

• Here is a link to the Ministry of Education’s comprehension guide to Sexuality Education in the province of Quebec:

http://www.education.gouv.qc.ca/en/non-teaching-professionals/dossiers/sexuality-education/content/secondary/

• If you would like to have your child exempt from portions of the curriculum, please refer to the attached procedures and request form

Activities Fair

• Next Wednesday, we will be running an activities fair at lunch
• This fair will give students an opportunity to see many of the opportunities and activities available to them this year
• Please encourage your child to attend and get involved!

Upcoming Dates:

• September 4^th – Holiday
• September 13^th – Symmes AGA
• September 15^th – PD Day
• September 20^th – D’Arcy McGee AGA
• September 21^st – School Photo Day

Have a wonderful long weekend!