Dear Families,

I hope you are doing well.
Following the sad news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, our flag has been lowered to half mast.

Here is some information for this week:

Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Meet-the-Teacher Event
• We are excited to announce that this event will take place in-person again this year!
• Symmes: Wednesday September 14th, 6pm in the Auditorium
• D’Arcy McGee: Wednesday September 21st, 6pm in the Auditorium
• The Annual General Assemblies will take place from 6pm-7pm and will be followed by our ‘Meet-the-Teacher” event from 7pm-8:15pm
• 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

Covid-19 Public Health Guidelines
• Please review the following current Public Health guidelines regarding Covid-19 posted on our school website:

• Quebec schools are not currently required to inform parents of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in our building
• As usual, we will adjust things according to any potential changes to provincial directives

Sports/Extra-Curricular Activities
• Students and teachers are eager to get started with the return of sports and activities
• There was a school-wide activity fair earlier this week where students were invited to sign up for activities they are interested in
• Please note that this was not the only opportunity students will have to sign-up
• We advertise upcoming tryouts and events daily on our morning video announcements which are also posted to our website here:

• If you child is interested in signing up for a sport or extracurricular activity, they can visit Mr. Carlos Brown in the Reflection Room directly across from the gym

Please remember that next Friday, September 16th is a PD day – no school for students.
Have a great weekend!

Dear Families,

It was a great first week back at school!  Students are adjusting well and quickly falling back into the daily routine. It’s wonderful to see the energy and enthusiasm they bring every day.

Here is some information for this week:

Quebec Highway Safety Code – Article 519.8

• Students traveling on a school bus may only carry hand luggage that fits on their lap such as a school bag and a lunch box
• Bags cannot exceed the following size:

Width 30 inches (75cm), height 12 inches (30cm), thickness of 8 inches (20cm)

• Other oversized objects such as sports equipment, instruments, skateboards, large projects, or any other items that would contravene the policies and or would constitute a safety hazard on a school bus are forbidden

Covid-19 Rapid Tests

• We distributed Rapid Antigen Test kits to students during our opening days

School Fees

• We are still waiting for the WQSB to generate the 2022-2023 school fees
• As soon as you are able to pay these fees (online, in-person, over the phone) we will let you know

Drop-Off

• If you are dropping your child off in the morning or picking them up in the afternoon, please ONLY use the dedicated lane at the front of the building
• Staff parking lots are not safe places to drop-off/pick-up

Medical Exemptions from In-Person Learning

• If you have questions about eligibility for online learning through the Quebec Learning Academy, please contact Kim Wilson at kwilson@wqsb.qc.ca

Health Forms

• Please remember to complete the 2022-2023 health form for your child (attached)
• These forms can be dropped off at our reception desk

Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Meet-the-Teacher Event

• We are excited to announce that this event will take place in-person again this year!
• Symmes:  Wednesday September 14^th, 6pm in the Auditorium
• D’Arcy McGee: Wednesday September 21^st, 6pm in the Auditorium

• The Annual General Assemblies will take place from 6pm-7pm and will be followed by our ‘Meet-the-Teacher” event from 7pm-8:15pm
• 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

We realize that there have been some delays with the buses this week. Thank you for your patience as our transporters learn their new routes and navigate construction.

Have a great long weekend!

Dear Families,

I hope you are doing well and that you enjoyed the summer.

Here is some important information regarding our start-up and opening. days:

Covid-19

• There are currently no Covid-19 protocols for schools to follow.
• Masking/distancing/sanitizing is not currently required.
• Students can choose to wear a mask if they want.

Student Transportation

• GREAT NEWS!
• I received information just moments ago that buses WILL be running on the first day of school!
• I do not yet have information on when bus information will be updated to the parent portal and will communicate as soon as I do
• We realize this was a stressful few days for families and I am so happy to share positive information

First Days of School

• August 30^th – Grade 7, 9, 10, PY1, PY2 attend school (all other grades stay home)
• August 31^st – Grade 8, 11, PY3, Centre of Excellence attend school (all other grades stay home)
• September 1^st – All grades attend school
• Here is a link with our suggested school supplies and the 2022-2023 school calendar:

• Students arriving by bus (YAY!) will enter through the cafeteria doors and will be greeted by personnel who will direct them to the appropriate location
• If you are dropping your child off or if they are biking/walking, they should walk around the side of the building to enter through the cafeteria doors – there will be staff present to direct them
• Students will be given their schedule when they arrive
• Please reassure your child that there will be many, many helpful adults available to support and guide them through the day
• Our cafeteria will be open for students to purchase lunch if they want
• I have attached the 2022-2023 health form to this email – please complete it and have your child drop it off at our reception desk or with a teacher during the first few days of school

School Fees

• We are waiting to hear from the WQSB about when and how you will be able to pay school fees
• As soon as I receive this information, I will share it with you
• You can find the breakdown of school fees here:

Virtual Option for Medically Exempt

• A provincial project for an online school has been approved which will be run by the English Montreal School Board
• We are awaiting information on how to register and when classes will begin and I will communicate that with you

Administrative Structure

• We are happy to announce that Ms. Kate Smith will be joining our administrative team
• Kate is a former Symmes-D’Arcy McGee teacher and experienced Vice-Principal – we are lucky to have her!

Vice Principals:

• Constance George –Student Services, Curriculum Development, Student Engagement – cgeorge@wqsb.qc.ca
• Kate Smith – Students with last name A-L  – katesmith@wqsb.qc.ca
• Chris Byrne – Students with last name M-Z – chrisbyrne@wqsb.qc.ca

Guidance:

• Holly Richardson – Students with last name A-F – hrichardson@wqsb.qc.ca
• Katherine Hale – Students with last name G-M – khale@wqsb.qc.ca
• Franny Maloney – Students with last name N-Z – fmaloney@wqsb.qc.ca

We are so excited for the 2022-2023 school year and for the return of our students!

Take care,

Ms. Tara Laine

Principal

We have no new information about school buses. We will communicate with our community once we have an update.

A huge thank you to the committed grade 8 volunteers who worked tirelessly decorating, baking, groundskeeping, and making play lists for the grade 8 end of year celebration! Students challenged their Symmes’ knowledge with Kahoots, enjoyed snacks and drinks in the Symmesonium, and danced the night away in the auditorium and courtyard. Many thanks to the school council volunteers from grade 7 and Darcy and to all staff who oversaw the festivities. A special thank you also goes out to Nesbitt’s Greenhouse and Nursery for loaning beautiful plants and flowers to decorate our courtyard. 40% off trees and bushes! 30% off most other stock. Please come out and support your local nursery. Still open with the road construction. Congratulations grade 8s!

I hope this message finds you all well. I’m sure that many of you are aware that today is National Indigenous Peoples Day, but I wanted to take a moment to recognize and honor the FNMI community. This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

I had the privilege to collaborate with FNMI students from our school this year on an Indigenous Awareness video along with the participation, production, and outstanding work from Gatineau Youth Commission.

I want to take a moment to thank our Symmes and D’Arcy students that shared their stories, input, and feelings regarding their culture. They are the best.

Here’s the video, it’s the first one on the page: 

https://cjgatineau.ca/

Thank you,

Ivonne Camargo

Indigenous Success Coordinator

Symmes Junior High School
D’Arcy McGee High School
925 boulevard du Plateau
Gatineau, Quebec J9J 3G2

819-684-2336 Ext. 437037

Dear Families,

I hope you are doing well.

Here is some information for this week:

June Exams

• Our official June exam session has begun!
• This is a new experience for many of our students but things ran very smoothly this morning
• If you can, please review your child’s group number with them prior to their exams next week
• The group number can be found next to the course code on their timetable (found on the portal) – for example, ENG306-31 – the group number is 31
• This will help them find their seat quicker when they arrive
• This information is also available on TEAMS
• EXAM SCHEDULE

Grade 8 Dance

• There will be a dance for grade 8 students only on  Wednesday June 22^th from 6:30pm-9:30pm

• Parents can drop-off and pick-up their children in the parking lot to the right of the building near the auditorium
• Only students who have pre-registered to attend will be permitted – students were given a QR code with the option to add their names to the list
• Students are welcome to dress in semi-formal attire if they wish but it is not necessary
• This is a free event!

STO Bus Passes

• The STO is pleased to announce that high school students aged 12-18 are eligible to receive a FREE STO pass for July and August
• These passes have unlimited access (weekdays, weekends, evening)
• We started handing out these passes in the cafeteria today after this morning’s exam and will continue to do so all next week

Grad Books

• Grade 11 Grad books will be delivered to school on June 20^th and cost $25
• Students can pre-order by paying at reception
• Students/parents can also purchase the Grad Books at our graduation ceremony

2022 Graduation Ceremony – REMINDER

• Our graduation ceremony will be held on June 27^th at 2pm in our gymnasium
• In order to accommodate everyone, each graduating student is able to invite up to THREE guests
• Please complete the following form so that we can begin to assign seats and prepare tickets:

• Please complete this form by 5pm on June 15^th so that we can plan accordingly
• Guests will be required to present their tickets prior to entering the event
• Tickets will be available to pick up at our reception desk the week of June 20^th

Have a great weekend!

Dear Families,

I hope you are doing well.

Here is some information for this week:

Summer Solstice Field Trip

• We will be bringing grade 7 & 8 students to Mādahòkì Farm to celebrate the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival on Thursday June 23
• Please see the attached permission form for additional details
• Students who do not submit the permission form by the due date will not be able to participate

Next Week

• Next week is our last week of classes!
• Our exam session officially begins on June 10^th
• If your child does not have an exam on a particular day, they should not come to school
• We are encouraging students to bring home belongings every day next week with our official locker clean outs happening on Thursday June 9^th
• Once exams begin, students will not be allowed to access lockers so it is imperative that they bring everything home

2022 Graduation Ceremony

• Our graduation ceremony will be held on June 27^th at 2pm in our gymnasium
• In order to accommodate everyone, each graduating student is able to invite up to THREE guests
• Please complete the following form so that we can begin to assign seats and prepare tickets:
• https://forms.office.com/r/jzbzvbtrkG

• Please complete this form by 5pm on June 15^th so that we can plan accordingly
• Guests will be required to present their tickets prior to entering the event
• Tickets will be available to pick up at our reception desk the week of June 20^th

Have a great weekend!

A Reminder to all students: 

-The official exam period begins on Friday June 10th. 

-You only need to come to school on days that you have an exam.  Buses will be running as usual. 

-You will not have access to your locker.  Lockers need to be emptied by the of the day Thursday. 

-You will be allowed to enter the gym at 8:50 

-You must be on time.  Students writing a 2-hour exam will not be accepted into the exam after 9:30 a.m.

-Students writing a 3-hour exam will not be accepted into the exam after 9:45 a.m. 

-As you enter the gym, you will be asked to leave your bag on the side near the gym wall (no exceptions). D’Arcy students will enter through the D’Arcy gym doors and Symmes students will enter through the gym doors in the cafeteria. 

-Phones, earbuds, and smartwatches must be turned off and in bags.  If a device, earbuds, or a smartwatch are seen, your exam will be collected immediately, and you will be asked to leave the gym. This will be considered cheating, and you will receive a mark of zero. 

-No food, no drinks other than water. 

-It is prohibited to share any information relating to the exams on social media.  

-If you need help or if you need to go to the bathroom, you must raise their hand and wait for a teacher to go to your desk. 

Good luck to all our students.

Dear Families,

I hope you are dong well.

Here is some information for this week:

SEAC

• Please see the attached postcard from the WQSB Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)

Self-Esteem in Youth

• Please see the attached information with links to resources and a recorded session for parents

Reminder that the last day of regular classes for both Symmes and D’Arcy students is June 9^th.  Our exam period officially begins on June 10^th.  Transportation will be following the regular schedule with buses departing at 3:40pm (1:30pm on Wednesday).  If you would like to pick your child up earlier, please remember to use the Kiss-n-Ride at the front of the school.  Students who remain at school after their exam is complete will be supervised in the cafeteria.  If your child does not have an exam on a particular day, they do not need to attend school.

Have a nice weekend!