Author: Crawfoc

Heximer Avenue Public School
6727 Heximer Avenue Niagara Falls, ON L2G 4T1 (905) 356-0932
http://heximer.dsbn.org
December 2020

Principal’s Message

Dear Parents/Guardian,
Welcome back! We hope that your holiday season was restful and refreshing and you were able to celebrate the season in a safe and healthy way with those in your household.
Our return looks a little different this year but your child’s teacher has been working hard to put together meaningful learning activities that can be completed at home. Jan. 11 when we return in person to our Heximer Avenue family, I would like to remind everyone that our protocols that have been in place since September continue to be in place.
We continue to require masks for staff and students in Grades 4-8 and recommend masks for our younger students. We will continue to maintain our physical distancing protocols and handwashing and sanitizing routines. We also need to ensure all families are actively screening your children and ensuring anyone with symptoms stays home. These protocols are in place to ensure the safety of our school community and we thank you for following these protocols and reminding your child about them as well.
On behalf of our entire staff, best wishes for a happy and healthy 2021!
Thank-you,
Ms. Storrey

January Events 2021
Welcome Back on line!.............…………..Jan. 4
French Immersion Registration opens ...Jan. 4
Welcome Back in class,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Jan. 11
PA Day………………………………………..Jan. 15
DSBN Academy Open House,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Jan. 20
Gr. 5/6 and 7/8 Woodend Trip…………….Jan. 20
Family Literacy Day………,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,…… Jan. 27

Parent Access To School

One of our goals is to maintain a school environment that minimizes the number of potential contacts for students and staff. For that reason, parents should not enter the school. Pick-up and drop-off of students can only happen outside of the school. Parents will not have access to classrooms and unscheduled visits are not permitted. We thank you for cooperating with our protocols to keep all members of our school community safe.

DSBN ACADEMY

DSBN ACADEMY: VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE COMING SOON
Learn about the DSBN Academy at the Virtual Open House on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 6:00PM! Join us to find out:
· How this unique program prepares students to attend, and succeed at, college and university
· What extra opportunities are offered and how your child can benefit
· If the DSBN Academy is a good fit for your child
The DSBN Academy is a Grade 6-12 public school designed to support and empower students to be the first in their family to graduate from college or university. Staff and students are committed to the belief that, with hard work, all students can achieve their dreams.
From January 11-29, Grade 5 and 6 students will participate in a Virtual Roadshow during class time to learn more about the DSBN Academy and everything it has to offer. More information about Registration and the Virtual Open House will be shared in January 2021.
Online registration opens on JANUARY 7, 2021 at ACADEMY.DSBN.ORG/APPLY. Registration will close on FEBRUARY 15, 2021. Limited spots available.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY TO DSBN ACADEMY?
Student must live within the Niagara Region
Student is entering Grade 6, 7 or 8 in September 2021
Student would be the first in their family to graduate from a college or university program
If a sibling has attended post-secondary but the parent(s)/guardian(s) have not, the student is still considered a First Generation Student
Student is achieving current grade level expectations or just below
Student has demonstrated the potential for achieving “good” or “excellent” learning skills
Student is willing to attend a school that may be out of their community with free transportation provided
Student understands there are mandatory after-school academic supports and ENCORE programs
After-school ENCORE options include: Mixed sports, Board games, Photography, Yoga, Makerspace, Choir, Reading, and many more!
Families understand that the DSBN Academy is a single track pathway beginning in Grade 9 (academic level only)
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT:
Derek.Harley@dsbn.org - Elementary Principal

School Council

School councils are an integral part of the school community. We hold meetings throughout the year to discuss items pertaining to school, answer questions and to engage our school community with all the great things occurring at Heximer Avenue. If this is something that interests you and you would like to attend virtual meetings please email the school at hex@dsbn.org. We will be sure to include you with links to our meetings so you can be a part. This is a great opportunity to be involved virtually this year.

GRADE 1 FRENCH IMMERSION REGISTRATION

Registration for the French Immersion program (starting September 2021) offered at Prince Philip School (3112 Dorchester Road, Niagara Falls) is open to all students in Year 2 (Senior) Kindergarten. Registration begins on Monday, January 4, 2021.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION IS COMING!

With January here, it is that time of year to start thinking about Kindergarten Registration. The first day of Kindergarten is an exciting day for both you and your child. Prepare for the journey ahead by registering early for our September 2021 start up. Our On-line registration opens January 28th and can be found at DSBN.ORG/KINDERGARTEN. If you know of a family who has a Kindergarten age child, let them know about this registration opportunity with us. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at the school at 905-356-0932. We are tentatively planning to have an Open House for our new Kindergarten families this Spring. We will make sure that we communicate this to you as it approaches.

Throw No Snow!

The safety of our students is a prime concern at Heximer. Thus, we have a strict policy that forbids the throwing of snow. (This includes face washing, snow down coats, kicking snow at others, etc.) Students who throw snow will be subject the following sequence of action:
First Offence: Loss of recess and warning from office.
Second Offence: Loss of 2 recesses and letter home.
Third Offence: Call home and time at home going over the rules.
We realize that this is a strict policy with strong consequences, but we want to encourage safe play. We prefer to be pro-active and to prevent injuries on our school yards. Please discuss this policy with your child. Thanks for your cooperation!

Dressing for the Weather

We remind students to bundle up and dress appropriately for outdoor play this winter. Except in extreme cases, such as when Niagara Public Health issues Extreme Cold Weather Alert, gym classes, recess and lunch breaks will continue outdoors to provide our children a much-needed change of pace and scenery. Niagara Public Health will issue a cold weather alert when the temperatures are -15°C or when weather conditions are severe enough to warrant alerting the community to the risks involved with prolonged exposure to the outdoors, such as a blizzard or wind chill warning. Depending on the wind chill factor, outdoor breaks may be shortened as appropriate.
Students are not kept in at recess due to illness as fresh air and exercise are essential to a healthy mind and body. If your child is well enough to be at school, we consider them well enough to be outside. If your child is properly dressed, they will be able to enjoy the colder weather and time outside. We feel very strongly that if the child is too ill to go out for recess, it would be in the child's best interest to remain home for the day.

Inclement Weather Procedures

There are times in Niagara when weather conditions are so poor that we must cancel student transportation, and/or close schools to preserve the safety of students and staff.
The decision to cancel transportation and/or close schools is not taken lightly; a variety of factors are considered when making this choice. To learn more about how these decisions are made, please go to https://www.dsbn.org/inclementweather.
Transportation Cancellations:
Information about transportation delays and cancellations are posted to https://portal.nsts.ca/Cancellations.aspx. When transportation is cancelled, information is shared before 6:00 am on the day of the cancellation. There are times when transportation is cancelled, but schools remain open. If, on those days you feel it is best for your child to stay home, please report your child’s absence https://dsbn.org/safearrival/ so we can make sure they are safe at home.
School Closures:
When the decision to close schools is made, it refers to all schools: both in-person and virtual schools. School closure information is shared before 6:00 am on the day of the school closure. You will find it on dsbn.org, all school websites, DSBN social media, and local media share the news widely as well.
Student Work on School Closure and Transportation Cancellation Days:
For elementary students - On days where transportation is cancelled and/or schools are closed, please visit your child’s school website and click on the “Learn From Home” button. There you will find optional asynchronous learning resources.
For secondary students – Students will be able to access online materials for their courses. If it is a culminating activity day, special arrangements will be made and communicated to students centrally.
DSBN Academy: Virtual Open House Coming So

Parent Speaker Series

PIC is very excited to welcome Canadian Parenting Author, Ann Douglas in a free, virtual presentation on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 6:30p.m.
Parenting doesn't happen in a bubble. As parents, we can't help but be affected by what's happening in the wider world. Is it any wonder then that so many of us are feeling so anxious, so guilty, and so overwhelmed right now? In this thought-provoking conversation, parenting author Ann Douglas will acknowledge the challenges that we are facing in this moment and share strategies and solutions for parenting through a strange and uncertain time. Expect a conversation that is kind, encouraging, and real and that leaves you feeling anything but alone.
You'll learn:
why this is such a challenging time to be a parent and a child or teen!
how to calm yourself and calm your child
how to parent in a way you can feel good about and that will actually strengthen your relationship with your child
how to give yourself permission to be a gloriously imperfect parent and to give your child permission to be a gloriously imperfect kid
how to recognize and celebrate your many strengths as a parent.
Ann Douglas sparks conversations that matter about parenting and mental health. She is a regular contributor to CBC Radio and a bestselling parenting book author. Ann is the creator of The Mother of All Book series and the author, most recently, of Happy Parents, Happy Kids and Parenting Through the Storm. A passionate and inspiring speaker, Ann delivers keynote addresses and leads small-group workshops at health, parenting, and education conferences across the country.
A limited number of Ann's book, Happy Parents Happy Kids are available to those who register for her presentation.
Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2020
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Registration link: https://www.dsbn.org/pic/speakerseries.html

Social Worker Support for you Child

Do you have questions about your child’s mental health and well-being, such as anxiety, behaviour or self-harm?
Do you need support in accessing supports in the community?
Do you need advice for setting goals to help with regular school attendance?
Do you have any questions or looking for support regarding a certain aspect of parenting?
If these are some questions that you have, please speak with your child’s teacher or Ms.Storrey. Sue Bennett is a DSBN Social Worker that works with families in Niagara Falls schools, including Heximer, to provide an additional layer of support to help our students and families achieve success. She is an invaluable member of our Valley Way team and is looking forward to connecting with families