Any parent interested in volunteering with a Symmes or D’Arcy athletic team this year, please contact Carlos Brown (cabrown@wqsb.qc.ca) or (chrisbyrne@wqsb.qc.ca) for further information. A list of sports available can be found on the school website.

https://symmesdarcy.westernquebec.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DARCY-SYMMES-PICTURE-DAY-OCTOBER-1ST-2024.pdf

Don’t forget: Picture day is on October 1st and picture retakes will be held on November 1st at 12:30 pm. The location is in the Symmes Gym by the cafeteria doors. If you have any question, please see Miss. Evans’ at reception.

Dear Families,

Only a few days left before the start of school!

Here is some information for the first week back – please note that most of this information is a repeat of what was sent to families earlier this week.

Opening Days

• The first day of school for grades 7, 9, 10 and our PreWork Year 1 and Year 2 students is Thursday August 29^th
• Please note that grades 8, 11 and PreWork Year 3 students DO NOT attend on August 29^th
• The first day of school for grades 8, 11 and our PreWork Year 3 students is Friday August 30^th
• Please note that grades 7, 9, 10 and PreWork Year 1 and Year 2 students DO NOT attend on August 30^th
• ALL students are expected to be at school on Tuesday September 3^rd
• On their first day, students will be greeted in the cafeteria where they can collect a hard copy of their timetables
• There will be LOTS of adults present to support our students during these first few days

Supplies

• I have attached a list of suggested school supplies to this email
• Individual teachers will inform students of any additional items they may require
• If you need support in purchasing any items, please reach out to me directly for confidential assistance

Transportation/Electronic Timetables

• Student school bus information will be available on the Parent Portal between August 23^rd and August 30^th
• I have attached instructions to the portal to this email – please reach out to Ms. Anne Spear at annespear@wqsb.qc.ca if you require support
• We expect that our student timetables will be loaded onto the portal by the end of the day on August 28^th
• Please note that it is typically not possible to accommodate teacher or friend requests

Parent Communication

• You can expect to receive a weekly information email from me every Friday
• You can also access these communications and other important information on our website:

Admin/Guidance Support/Attendance

• Vice-Principal Kate Smith – responsible for students with last names A-L:  katesmith@wqsb.qc.ca
• Vice-Principal Chris Byrne – responsible for students with last names M-Z: chrisbyrne@wqsb.qc.ca
• Guidance Counselor Holly Richardson – responsible for students with last names A-F: hrichardson@wqsb.qc.ca
• Guidance Counselor Danielle Nikota – responsible for students with last names G-M: dnikota@wqsb.qc.ca
• Guidance Counselor Franny Maloney – responsible for students with last names N-Z: fmaloney@wqsb.qc.ca
• Please remember to report all students absences by emailing: sdmattendance@wqsb.qc.ca

Fall Baseball

• Our Symmes and D’Arcy Baseball fall season starts the first week of September
• Students who wish to participate in our fall season will be able to sign up in the gym hallway on August 29th and August 30^th
• Tryouts will be open to all students and practices may take place over the long weekend 
• Coaches will look to fill a 12-14 person roster for each team
• Students and parents can also email Ms. Brown for additional information:  slbrown@wqsb.qc.ca 

Annual General Assembly (AGA)

• The AGA for Symmes parents will be in our auditorium on September 18^th at 6pm
• The AGA for D’Arcy parents will be in our auditorium on September 25^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 13^th – PD Day
• September 18^th – AGA Symmes
• September 25^th – AGA D’Arcy McGee
• September 30^th – National Truth and Reconciliation Day (Orange Shirt Day)
•  

We are very excited to welcome our students back to school next week!

Take care,

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

Dear Families,

They did it!

We are so proud of our students and all of the things they accomplished this year.  It is hard to believe that another school year has come to an end.

Here is some final information to wrap things up:

2024 Graduation Ceremony

• June 25^th, 2pm in our school Gymnasium
• Graduating students should arrive at 1pm and are to enter through the parking lot doors by the bus drop off zone
• Graduating students will be directed to the area where they will receive their caps and gowns
• Graduating students will stay inside until the ceremony begins
• Doors open for guests at 1:30pm where ushers will bring them to their seats
• Parents should park in the bus parking lot and enter through the cafeteria doors – signage indicates “student entrance”
• Typically, a graduation ceremony lasts for 2 hours
• Graduating Students will be able to keep their caps and gowns for photos immediately following the ceremony
• Gowns will need to be returned by 5pm on June 25^th – Graduates keep their caps
• We are so excited to watch our amazing students cross the stage!

Final Marks

• Your child’s report card will be posted to the parent portal on Thursday, June 27^th – please note that we do not send paper copies
• A passing mark in a course is 60%
• Please review your child’s report card

Summer School

• Summer School registration is currently open
• All Summer School information can be found here:
  •  https://westernquebec.ca/services/summer-school/ 
• Summer School inquiries should be directed to the Principal, Meredith Daley at:  summerschool@wqsb.qc.ca
• You will be contacted via email if your child has failed a core subject or graduation requirement that prevents them from moving to the next grade level

Teen Consumption Webinar

• SOS Contact is hosting an online conference on June 26^th at 6pm called “Talking About Consumption with my Teenager”
• Topics will include: drugs, alcohol, video games, sexuality and screen time
• The main objective of the conference is to help parents develop positive communication with their children and to prevent risky behaviours
• You can register for the conference here:

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/c1f42e7d-04d1-468c-8f8c-9b6e00c915ef@a4e053c9-f4ab-4a52-8842-3476eeed13c7

• For more information, you can watch introductory videos here:

https://www.facebook.com/SOScontactalto/videos/962418155191703

https://www.facebook.com/SOScontactalto/videos/792275346189050

https://www.facebook.com/SOScontactalto/videos/809714377316391

https://www.facebook.com/SOScontactalto/videos/941624794415143

On behalf or my entire staff, we would like to wish each of you a lovely summer.

For parents with children returning again next year, you can expect to hear from me on August 23^rd where I will share information about busses, school supplies and what to expect during our opening days.

I have attached the 2024-2025 school calendar to this email.

Thank you for trusting us with your children – we are so lucky to have them as part of our school community.

Take care,

Tara Laine

Principal

Symmes Junior High School/D’Arcy McGee High School

(819) 684-7472 ext. 437001

From now until August 26, 2024, the Sora Sweet Reads program will offer a collection of grade-appropriate ebook and audiobook titles that will be prominently displayed in Sora for quick and easy unlimited access. You can explore the title offerings and learn more about the program here: https://resources.overdrive.com/sora-sweet-reads/.

How does it work? Students can simply log in using their WQSB school email credentials and instantly access our digital library on virtually any device or at https://soraapp.com. They also created a reading challenge, which is attached.

If you have any questions, please contact our amazing Librarian, Miss. Randall.

Dear Families,

I hope you are doing well.

Here is some information for this week:

Exams

• Here is a student-made video detailing the upcoming exams for next week:

Grade 10 & 11 Portal

• I have attached letters and pamphlets addressed to parents of students in grade 10 & 11 that explain the Ministry of Education portal
• Creating an account will allow students to access their MEQ statement of marks as of July 8^th
• The account must be created by the STUDENT and not the parent
• A printed statement of marks will be sent by mail by the MEQ but the portal will allow students to view their statement much earlier

STO Bus Passes

• I have attached a letter with information about STO passes available for our students
• Students will have full STO access all summer long as well as after 5pm and on weekends during the school year
• The last day for STO bus pass distribution is JUNE 17^th

2024 Graduation Ceremony

• June 25^th, 2pm in our school Gymnasium
• Parents should park in the bus parking lot and enter through the cafeteria doors – signage indicates “student entrance”
• Please note that each graduate can invite up to 4 guests
• These tickets are available for pick up now – grade 11 students can collect the tickets from our receptionist or parents can come to the school to collect them
• Class of 2024 lawn signs will be given to families following the ceremony
• Please note that information regarding arrival time for graduates on June 25^th as well as some other information will be sent next week

Upcoming Dates

• June 17^th – 21^st – Exam Session (no classes)
• June 20^th – Grade 8 Dance
• June 25^th – Grade 11 Graduation Ceremony

Have a great weekend!

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

This is a reminder that all textbooks and assigned reading books can be returned to the main lobby. There are tables set up in the lobby where you can leave your books. Thank you for your cooperation!

Dear Families,

No more classes! We are so proud of our students and are wishing them well during the upcoming exam session.

Here is some information for this week:

Grade 10 & 11 Portal

• I have attached letters and pamphlets addressed to parents of students in grade 10 & 11 that explain the Ministry of Education portal
• Creating an account will allow students to access their MEQ statement of marks as of July 8^th
• The account must be created by the STUDENT and not the parent
• A printed statement of marks will be sent by mail by the MEQ but the portal will allow students to view their statement much earlier

STO Bus Passes

• I have attached a letter with information about STO passes available for our students
• Students will have full STO access all summer long as well as after 5pm and on weekends during the school year
• Students need to present themselves in our front office lobby to be issued a card – we recommend they pick up their card after completing an exam
• Our distribution dates are June 13^th, 14^th and 17^th  

Grade 8 Dance

• To celebrate our grade 8 students, we will be hosting a dance on June 20^th, 7pm-9:30pm
• I have attached a poster with information and a sign-up link
• Students can also sign up by scanning the QR code posted around the school
• Please note that only signed-up students will be permitted to enter the dance

New York City!

• We are planning a trip to New York City for our senior students for October 17^th – 19^th, 2024
• The registration portal is now open
• I have attached a registration letter, a parent user guide and the itinerary to this email

Exams

• Our exam schedule is attached to this email
• Please watch this student-made video that details the exams taking place next week:

2024 Graduation Ceremony

• June 25^th, 2pm in our school Gymnasium
• Parents should park in the bus parking lot and enter through the cafeteria doors – signage indicates “student entrance”
• Please note that each graduate can invite up to 4 guests
• These tickets are available for pick up now – grade 11 students can collect the tickets from our receptionist or parents can come to the school to collect them
• Class of 2024 lawn signs will be given to families following the ceremony

Upcoming Dates

• June 10^th – 21^st – Exam Session (no classes)
• June 20^th – Grade 8 Dance
• June 25^th – Grade 11 Graduation Ceremony

­­­­­­­­­­­­

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