September 23-27, 2024

 Hello EES Families,

It has been a very busy week once again!

On Monday our school celebrated Orange Shirt Day to honour the culture and history of our Indigenous community. The students created beautiful art within this theme, and also used Orange Shirt Day as a topic for sentence writing, word matching and reading. On Wednesday we held our annual Terry Fox Run where the students thought about Terry Fox, learned about helping others, and got some exercise! The students read stories, looked at photographs, and did some writing about Terry Fox to help them learn about his brave journey and why it is important to care about others.

In Math, the students continued to learn about number sense through representing numbers in different ways, counting and sequencing.  Next week we will be getting into the topic of patterns, which will help us to create some interesting sequences and beautiful art pieces.  We will be starting to focus on the themes of Fall and Leaves next week, which will go very nicely with the topic of patterns.

We also had a fire drill at our school this week, to help our students learn how to behave in an emergency situation.  The students look at visuals and read social stories to help them prepare for these events, and they all did an incredible job! Everyone remained calm, and waited quietly outside with their classes until it was time to return to the classroom.  Way to go!

Thank you to all families that attended the Parent/Teacher Conferences this week - we love to have the opportunity to share the learning and success of our students!

Reminders:

Mr. van Sluys would like all families to know that for the next two weeks Physical Education will take place outside because the gym is being used for the grade 3/4/EES Alien Inline Residency.  So please come everyday prepared to get active outside with close toed shoes (i.e. no crocs or sandals), sweaters, jackets, and mitts and toques if needed.  Thank you!

Casino Fundraiser

Our Casino Fundraiser Event will be take place on November 26 and 27 at Deerfoot Inn and Casino. 

This is our biggest fundraiser by far, usually raising $40,000-$80,000 for the school to use over the next three years. Proceeds fund residencies, subsidise field trip bussing, buy supplies that benefit the whole school such as library books, and much more.

How it works – We provide volunteers to work at Deerfoot Inn and Casino for two days and the casino donates some of the profits to the school. An advisor trains all the volunteers’ onsite so no prior experience or special skills are necessary. Unlike other school volunteering opportunities, police clearance is NOT required. Some positions must be filled by parents/guardians of children in the school but other positions (cashier, chip runner, and count room staff) can be filled by any adult, including friends or neighbours. Meals are included for volunteers during their shifts.

PLEASE SIGN UP FOR A SHIFT BELOW. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A45A8AE28A4FA7-51376989-mckenzie

For more information, please contact casino@mtsparents.com

Upcoming Dates

September 30           National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - NO SCHOOL

October 1 - 11           Alien In-Line Residency - Grades 3/4/EES

October 9                  Picture Day

October 14                Thanksgiving - NO SCHOOL

October 24                MTS Halloween Dance (More information TBA)

Have a wonderful long weekend,

Ms. Emma, Ms. Swapna & Ms. Veronika 

September 16-20, 2024

Hello Families,

What a fun week we’ve had! Our students shone during the Sound Kreations dance residency, where they learned some amazing dance moves. It was a joy to see their enthusiasm as they expressed themselves through movement.

The weather was perfect, (well, for most of the week) with the sun shining bright, allowing us to take our learning outdoors. The kids enjoyed some well-deserved playtime outside, soaking up the sunshine and making great memories together.

In Language Arts, we had engaging discussions about our likes and dislikes. The students participated in various activities that encouraged them to express their preferences, fostering their communication skills and creativity.

Meanwhile, in Math, we continued our journey into counting and developing number sense. It’s wonderful to witness their growth as they grasp these foundational concepts!

We look forward to sharing more about our progress during the parent-teacher conferences next week that will take place in person at the school on Thursday, September 26 from 4-8 pm and Friday, September 27 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.

You can book conference times through your CBE account. Conference booking opens on Saturday, September 21 at 8 am and closes on Thursday, September 26 at 2 pm.

Upcoming events:

Orange Shirt Day:

Orange Shirt Day will be on Monday, September 23 at MTS.

On Monday, September 23 students will hear a story about the history of Orange Shirt Day hosted by the Grade 3 students. The assembly will start at 10:15 am.

  

Terry Fox Run:

MTS Terry Fox run will take place on Wednesday, September 25 at 9:00 am.

Please bring in a toonie for Terry!

Upcoming Dates:

September 23           Orange Shirt Day and Assembly 

September 25           Terry Fox Run

September 25           Fun Lunch - Subway

September 27           No school for all students

September 26 & 27   Parent/Teacher Conferences

September 30           National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - No School

October 9                 Picture Day

October 14               Thanksgiving - No School

Have a great weekend!

Ms. Swapna, Ms. Emma and Ms. Veronika

September 9-13, 2024

 Hello EES families!

This week we were grateful for some sunny days and tried to spend more time outside using the last warm days for learning about end of Summer and beginning of the Fall. 

In language Arts, we were talking about things we like and learning to answer questions starting with What and Why. 

In Math, we practiced counting and started learning about number sense. Our students engaged in variety of activities on different levels including interactive games and math manipulatives.

Reminders and important dates:

September 23 - Orange Shirt Day

On Monday September 23, staff and students are encouraged to wear thier Orange Shirts.

The week will begin with a whole school assembly on Monday, September 23 where students will hear a story about the history of Orange Shirt Day.

September 25 Terry Fox Run  

MTS Terry Fox run will take place on Wednesday, September 25 at 9:00 am.

If students can, we are asking them to bring Toonies for Terry starting on Monday September 9. Our fundraising goal is $1200, which is approximately a toonie for every student and staff member in the school. 

If we reach our goal, Mr. V. has agreed to wear a tutu for a day! 

If you are interested in volunteering, please click on the link below.

TERRY FOX VOLUNTEERS

September 25 - Fun Lunch

Fun Lunch will start on Wednesday September 25. You will have until September 20th to register for the first lunch.

• Go to healthyhunger.ca
• Log into you existing account or create a new one.
• Add your child’s information in the “add child” box – name, province, city, school, grade and class.
• All Fun Lunches will then populate – select the order now button!

Please make sure to send a morning snack with your child on Fun Lunch Days.

September 26 - 27 Parent/teacher conferences 

Conferences will take place in person at the school on Thursday, September 26 from 4-8pm and Friday, September 27 from 8:00am to 12:00pm 

Parents can book conference times through their CBE account. Conference booking opens on Saturday, September 21 at 8am and closes on Thursday, September 26 at 2pm. If parents require support with booking, they can call the office. 

Have a great weekend,

Ms. Veronika, Ms Emma and Ms Swapna

August 29-September 6, 2024

 Hello EES families!

Welcome to the new school year! If you are new to the McKenzie Towne EES program, we would like to introduce the team of professionals that will be working with your child this year:

There are three EES classes that each have one teacher, two teaching assistants, one lunch supervisor and we also now have two additional support staff working within our program. 

The students in Ms. Emma’s class will be supported by Ms. Maria and Ms. Allysa, the students in Ms. Veronika’s class will be supported by Ms. Heather and Mrs. G, and the students in Ms. Swapna’s class will be supported by Ms. Cheryl and Ms. Erin.  Our two new team members are Ms. Jessica and Ms. Karolina. The EES team works very closely together to plan for, teach, and encourage our students to become their best and most successful selves.

We have all been very busy in the first week of school! As the students practice their classroom routines, they have also had the chance to begin to work on Language Arts, Math, Social Skills and Visual Art. There have been lots of songs, games, and practicing the school expectations and rules.

We are looking forward to an exciting year full of learning, laughter, and growth!

First School Council Meeting 

As a parent/guardian at McKenzie Towne School, you are automatically a part of School Council and invited to each meeting. Our first meeting is Monday, September 16 at 6:30pm in the staff room at the school. 

Orange Shirt Day 

During the week of September 23-26, students will spend time reflecting on the meaning of Orange Shirt Day.

On Monday September 23, staff and students are encouraged to wear thier Orange Shirts.

The week will begin with a whole school assembly on Monday, September 23 where students will hear a story about the history of Orange Shirt Day.

Classroom activities throughout the week will include age-appropriate activities related to Indigenous ways of knowing and cultural significance.

Monday, September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. All CBE schools will be closed.

  

Terry Fox Run  

MTS Terry Fox run will take place on Wednesday, September 25 at 9:00 am.

If students can, we are asking them to bring Toonies for Terry starting on Monday September 9. Our fundraising goal is $1200, which is approximately a toonie for every student and staff member in the school. 

If we reach our goal, Mr. V. has agreed to wear a tutu for a day! 

Fun Lunch

Fun Lunch will start on Wednesday September 25. You will have until September 20th to register for the first lunch.

Fun Lunch is only for grades 1-4 and our EES students. 

• Go to healthyhunger.ca
• Log into you existing account or create a new one.
• Add your child’s information in the “add child” box – name, province, city, school, grade and class.
• All Fun Lunches will then populate – select the order now button!

Please make sure to send a morning snack with your child on Fun Lunch Days.

Nut Aware School 

We are a “nut" aware school. We have students with severe allergies that are life threatening. Please avoid sending nut products to school. 

Conferences 

Parent/teacher conferences will take place in person at the school on Thursday, September 26 from 4-8pm and Friday, September 27 from 8:00am to 12:00pm 

Parents can book conference times through their CBE account. Conference booking opens on Saturday, September 21 at 8am and closes on Thursday, September 26 at2pm. If parents require support with booking, they can call the office.  

Kindergarten conferences will be held at the times above as well as Thursday, September 26 from 8am-12pm. There are no kindergarten classes on either Thursday the 26 or Friday the 27. There is no school for students in grades 1-4 on Friday, September 27 due to conferences. 

These conferences are the opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and to provide teachers with information about your child that is important. Teachers will inform you on how your child is adapting to and settling into the new school year but, due to the minimal amount of time spent in school thus far, will not provide information on student learning or achievement. 

Upcoming Dates

September 16 - 20    Sound Creation Residency - Kindergarten to Grade 2

September 23           Orange Shirt Day and Assembly

September 25           Terry Fox Run

September 26           NO SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTEN

September 27           NO SCHOOL FOR ALL STUDENTS

September 26 & 27   Parent/Teacher Conferences

September 30           National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - NO SCHOOL

October 1 - 11          Alien In-Line Residency - Grades 3 & 4

October 9                 Picture Day

October 14               Thanksgiving - NO SCHOOL

For more information, please visit our website.

MTS Traditional Calendar 2024-25.pdf 

Have a wonderful weekend,

Ms. Emma, Ms. Swapna & Ms. Veronika