Dear Families,

I hope you are doing well.

Here is some information for this week:

Re-Registration

• Please remember to register your child for the 2022-2023 school year
• The instructions are attached to this email
• Letter
• Instructions

Reminder that Monday is a PD day – no school for students.

Have a great weekend.

Dear Families,

I hope you are doing well.  Here is some information for this week:

Student Re-Registration

• Please ensure that you re-register your child for school for the 2022-2023 academic year if they are returning
• This is a required step for parents as per the Education Act and is integral to our planning process
• I have attached a letter from the WQSB as well as instruction for how to complete this process on the Parent Portal
• LETTER
• INSTRUCTIONS

Calendar Changes

• The WQSB has cancelled the in-person Destination Imagination event scheduled to be held at our school on April 14^th
• We had been given an additional PD Day for this event which has now been removed
• Regular classes will run on April 14^th
• Additionally, due to some disruptions this year, we are now required to run classes until June 10^th
• I have attached the updated school calendar to this email

June Exam Period

• We will be running a formal final exam period from June 13^th – June 23^rd
• Please understand that as per the Ministry of Education’s requirements, an absence from an exam will only be excused for one of the following reasons:

• Illness or accident confirmed by a medical report or certification
• Death of a close relative
• A court summons
• Participation in a provincial or national event
• We are finalizing the exam schedule and will forward it to families soon

School Hoodie Sale

• We have extended the deadline to order school hoodies until this Sunday March 20^th
• If you are interested in purchasing, please visit:

https://vsp.net/boutique-darcy-mcgee-symmes/

Daily Video Announcements

• Please visit our school website to watch our daily video announcements to stay informed on extra-curriculars and initiatives happening at school

Our School Survey

• Please see the attached memo regarding an upcoming survey for our students
• This is a survey that we have conducted for many years and it helps to inform our Anti-bullying/Anti-violence school plan

Have a great weekend!

Dear Families,

I hope you are all doing well.

Here is some information for this week:

Rapid Antigen Test Kits

• We received a shipment of Rapid Antigen Test kits that were distributed to students today
• Each kit is individually labelled with your child’s name and contains 5 tests
• These kits are to be used at home if your child develops Covid-19 symptoms
• If your child was absent today, they can collect their test kit at our reception desk next week

Virtual Tutoring

• If you are interested in signing your child up for free online tutoring, please access the following link to book your appointment:

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/SymmesDArcyMcGeeHighSchool@wqsb.qc.ca/bookings/

• Learn Quebec continues to offer free virtual tutoring as well and you can book appointments here:

https://www.learnquebec.ca/home

Student Drop-Off

• If you are dropping your child off at school, please remember to use the designated kiss-and-ride area at the front of the school
• The staff parking lots and bus parking lot are not safe places to drop your child off for school

Mini-U

• Mini-University is back!
• This opportunity allows students from grade 8-10 to experience what it’s like to be a University student by attending classes for one week at either Ottawa U or Carleton University
• It will be running from May 2 – May 6
• Because space is limited, students must submit a letter of intent along with their application by the March 23^rd deadline
• Students can pick up their application form in the Student Services department at school

Summer Job Board

• We are creating a Student Job Board to assist our students in finding part-time and summer work
• If you are looking to hire a student, or know someone who is, please send your job posting to jpiercey@wqsb.qc.ca

Today, all of the schools in the Province of Quebec lowered their flags to half-mast to honour and remember the victims of the Covid-19 pandemic.  It has been a difficult 2 years for all of us and we are all looking forward to brighter days ahead.

Have a nice weekend!

Dear Families,

I hope you are all doing well.

Here is some information for this week:

Updated Measures

• It was recently announced that when we return to school following the March break, wearing masks in the classroom will no longer be mandatory for students
• Students are still required to wear masks when they are in common areas such as hallways
• Please refer to the attached letter from the WQSB with additional details English French

Air Quality

• The Ministry of Education has begun a process of publishing air quality data in schools
• The WQSB data will be published on the board website
• Please refer to the attached letter from the WQSB with additional details English French

Connexions

• Please see the attached flyers with details on March break drawing classes for youth
• Cartooning & Pokeman Portrait & Caricature
• Please see the attached details for an ASD workshop for families
• Also, here is a link to cooking webinar:  https://centreconnexions.org/event/immune-system-cooking/

School Clothing

• If you are interested in purchasing a school hoodie for your child, please see the details in the attached flyer

Wishing everyone a wonderful March break!

Are you looking for some winter fun next week? Then be sure to head over to the ski hill over March Break for free! The Symmes and D’Arcy Activities Program has organized ski days for you on Wednesday and Friday of the March Break at Camp Fortune. Equipment rentals are also available at no cost to students. Scan this QR code or visit the bulletin board outside of Room 156 to sign-up. Registration will close this Thursday so sign up soon! 

Due to road conditions Bus 19 is running at least 20 minutes behind. Buses 77 and 92 are 10 minutes behind.

Dear Families,

I hope you are doing well.

Here is some information for this week:

Parent-Teacher Interviews

• Here is a link to book virtual parent-teacher interviews on Thursday February 24^th between 5:30pm-8:30pm

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/SymmesDArcyMcGeeHighSchool@wqsb.qc.ca/bookings/

• In order to prepare for the interviews, we have added the following questions into the form:

• Student’s full name
• Grade
• To help us better prepare for the interview, could you please share any questions you would like to have addressed during the interview
• Will the device you are using have a camera available?
• Have you selected your student’s class teacher from the dropdown menu at the top of this page?

Student Absences and Justified Lates

• Please remember to notify our attendance secretary if your child will be absent from school or if you are verifying their late arrival
• You can email Ms. Melanie Demers at: melaniedemers@wqsb.qc.ca or call 819-684-7472 ext. 437010

Reminder that Friday February 25^th is a PD day (no school for students) and our March Break is February 28^th – March 4^th.

Have a great weekend!

Tara Laine

Principal

Symmes Junior High School/D’Arcy McGee High School

819-684-7472 x 437001

Dear Families,

I hope you are all doing well.

Here is some information for this week:

Symptoms Protocol

• I have attached the latest document from Public Health with protocols to follow if your child develops symptoms associated with Covid-19
• English
• French

Course Selection Forms

• We have started the planning process for the 2022-2023 school year
• Tuesday Feb. 15, your child will receive a hard copy of their course selection form for next year
• Please remind your child to complete the form and have them drop it off in front of my office (#158) by Thursday February 24^th
• You can also print the appropriate form (attached) at home and send it in with your child next week
• Grade 11 Grade 10 Grade 9 Grade 8

Parent-Teacher Interviews

• Will be held virtually on Thursday February 24^th, 5:30pm-8:30pm
• Next week, teachers will proactively reach out to the parents they would like to meet with to book timeslots
• We will send out the booking tool to all parents in next Friday’s update with the remaining timeslots

Webinars

• I have attached flyers for two upcoming webinars hosted by Connexions
• Lets Talk Periods
• Work and Family Balancing Act

Upcoming Dates

• February 25^th – PD Day – no school for students
• February 28^th – March 4^th – MARCH BREAK

Have a great weekend!

Please pick up your pictures at reception ASAP

Dear Families,

I hope you are doing well.

Here is some information for this week:

Covid-19 Symptoms Protocol

• Please refer to the attached document for the most up-to-date symptoms protocol
• English
• French

Black History Month

• February is Black History Month
• Please visit our website to watch our daily video announcements where we are featuring stories about Black Canadians

Sexuality Curriculum

• Additional resources to complement the Sexuality Curriculum are now available on our website at:  https://symmesdarcy.westernquebec.ca/about/parent-resources/ 
• These resources include the content that is covered at each grade level as well as tips on how to talk about this topic with your child

LGBTQ+ Parent Group

• Starting on March 9^th, Jeunesse Idem is offering a 6 week program to support parents with a gender-diverse child
• For more information please email jeunesseidem@gmail.com

CISSS Survey

• The CISSS of Outaouais is looking for feedback on ways to improve health and wellness services for youth in our community
• For more information and to complete the survey, please visit:  https://cisss-outaouais.gouv.qc.ca/news/aire-ouverte-un-sondage-pour-les-jeunes-de-12-a-25-ans-de-loutaouais-et-leurs-parents/

Graduation – Save the Date!

• Our grade 11 graduation ceremony will be held during the day on June 27^th – we have not yet determined the start time
• We will send out detailed information in the spring

Please remember that Monday February 7^th and Tuesday February 8^th are PD days (no school for students).

Have a nice weekend!