Colts Connection - Welcome Back

Welcome to Ponoka Elementary School! From our team here at PES to all our new families, and welcome back to all of our returning families! We can't wait to see you and get started with another amazing school year!

On behalf of the staff at PES, I know we are all excited for the smiling faces, chattering, and learning that the 2022-23 school year will bring. For any who may not know me, my name is Nathan McEntee and I am the Principal of Ponoka Elementary School. I hope to meet and/or see again, many of our parents/guardians and families in person throughout the year, but especially at our "Get the Scoop" event on September 1st (details below). I hope that everyone was able to enjoy some rest and relaxation over the summer and are as excited as we are to have you back in school where we will be "Writing the Next Chapter" together at PES.

At the beginning of each month I will be emailing out a newsletter, like this one, that I call the Colts Connection (Colt is our mascot and school team name). In order to ensure you receive this email please make sure you have the correct email address set up for your Parent Portal account (more information below) and make sure it is not getting sent to the spam folder. This will also be posted to the school website where the most up to date information about the school and school happenings can be found.

Each spring we choose a theme for the upcoming year that is prominent more so in the fall, but weaves its way into the classrooms throughout the year. This year's theme is "Writing the Next Chapter". For more than the past two school years, things have been considerably different at school and have left a lasting impact on students, staff, families, and schools. We are hopeful for a return to a more typical school year with field trips, assemblies, an in person Christmas Concert, and many other opportunities for us to connect with our families. This includes more opportunities for students to work together and learn collaboratively in order to develop the social skills that some may have lost or not developed during the pandemic. Students' success is in their hands and we are here to support them as they write the next chapter in their school career and life.

The connections with and support of our families is what makes PES such an amazing school and is also a big part of how students can be most successful. We are grateful for each chance we get to engage with our whole school community beyond the walls and I can't wait for the many different opportunities we will have to connect and "Write the Next Chapter" together.

- Mr. Nathan McEntee

A reminder that Tuesday, September 6th, is the first day back, however, we have a staggered entry for our students, as outlined below.

• Students whose last names start with A-L will be in class on September 6th.
• Students whose last names start with M-Z will be in class on September 7th.
• ALL Gr. 1-6 Students attend on Thursday, September 8.
• Kindergarten Staggered Entry - September 6-15. Your child's teacher will contact you with your child's staggered entry days.

All families are invited to come and meet their child(ren)'s teachers and see their classroom space on September 1st from 3:30-5:30 pm. We will be serving free ice cream for all students and their families, with some opportunities to win prizes too (winners will be selected at our Kick Off Assembly).

After August 29th, parent(s)/guardian(s) can log into their Parent Portal account and you will be able to find out who your child(ren)'s teacher is.

All students' PreK-Grade 4 supplies are purchased by the school. The cost for these supplies are added to the school fees for the year. Students do share supplies, but this allows us to pass on significant savings to families. The only items needed for PreK-Grade 4 students are a water bottle, indoor shoes, a backpack, pencil case, headphones, and daily lunch.

For Grade 5 and 6 students, supply lists were sent out with your report card at the end of last year but can also be found here on our website.

School fees will be added to the Parent Portal in September. These fees include: supply fees (K-4), technology access fee (covers the cost of licensing for programs such as RAZ Kids, ST Math, IXL Math, etc.), student agenda, and swimming lessons (Gr. 1-6).

Fees for additional programming such as Options (Gr. 4-6), Field Trips, and Extra Curricular Sports are added as they arise. Fees can be paid online through the Parent Portal or in the office. Unpaid fees may result in your child not being able to participate in some non-core curriculum events/activities. If there are any issues or barriers with having school fees paid promptly, please contact the school to discuss alternate arrangements.

Morning entrance bell - 8:25 am (this is a bell to let students know they can head to their doors to enter the school (Gr. 1-6).

School Starts - 8:30 am

School End/Dismissal - 3:15 pm

**We have supervisors on the playground starting at 8:10 am. As we don't have supervisors out before that time, we strongly encourage students to arrive after 8:10 am. After school supervision is until 3:20 pm.

Students who arrive before 8:10 and/or are on the school grounds after 3:20 pm do so at their own risk and without any supervision by the school.

Demographic forms need to be reviewed and updated for each child by September 16, 2022. These forms will be sent through School Engage (bottom left hand corner when you are in your Parent Portal) on August 31 and September 1st. These forms confirm your child's enrollment at PES, and contain important information for the school to ensure your child's safety and well-being. If you are unsure how to access your Parent Portal and/or Demographic form please call the office and Shelley or Candi can help you out.

Demographic forms are easiest to access and fill out on a computer rather than a phone/tablet. Since the demographic forms include waiver documents and technology acceptable use agreements, any incomplete demographic forms after September 16th, will result in your child not able to participate in Phys. Ed, Field Trips, and/or access to technology. If you need any assistance in completing these forms please contact the office.

August 29th from 9 am- 3:30 pm

August 30 and 31st closed - office staff PD and all staff start up retreat.

September 1st - 8:00 am-3:30 pm

September 2nd - 8:00 am - 3:30 pm

If you have left messages and/or emailed the school you can expect a response during these days/times.

September 1 - Get the Scoop

September 6 and 7 - Staggered Entry Gr. 1 - 6

September 8 - All students attend Gr. 1-6

September 9 - School Year Kick Off Assembly