Good Afternoon Families,

I hope you have been enjoying the weekend! We are excited to welcome students back who have been self-isolating at home from the exposure on the second week of school. Students returning to school have been released from isolation by Public Health.

Last week we held our first Lockdown Drill. Staff took time throughout the week to talk about the reason for having these types of drills and practised it with students.  The drill went very smoothly and teachers debriefed with students once it was completed.

This week we will conduct a Hold & Secure Drill. During a Hold and Secure no person is permitted to enter or exit the building. The school will continue on as normal. A Hold and Secure would be employed if there is a situation in the neighbourhood external to the school.
Just as we prepare our students to properly respond to a fire drill, they also need to be aware of the proper response during a Hold and Secure. This drill should be treated with the same level of importance as fire and lockdown drills.

During a Hold-and-Secure, students remain in their classroom, or in the building, but not necessarily to cease other activity. Students and staff outside the building re-enter the school.

The following are examples of situations which may result in a Hold-and-Secure procedure taking place:

            a fight inside or outside the building.
             an animal threat.
            a police action in the neighbourhood
            a hazardous substance release outside the school
Several forms were sent home over the past couple of weeks. We are still looking for Registrations Forms to come in. It is important that you update these forms and send back to school asap so that we can update our records with the most current information.  The Milk Program begins on Monday. If you would like to order milk for your child to have at recess, send in the form on Monday. Contact the office if you have any questions about ordering milk.
Truth and Reconciliation Day is Thursday, September 30. There are no classes for students. This year, Orange Shirt Day will be honoured on September 29 in HRCE.  We are hoping to hold an assembly and engage in meaningful learning activities with students.  
Our school will once again be proudly taking part in the 2021 Terry Fox School Run, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, September 28. The school will participate in an assembly follow by a walk. We hope that we can continue to show the great strength and resiliency of our school community with your support of one of our greatest Canadian heroes, Terry Fox.
Since our first Run in 1984, our school community has raised $19383.36 for cancer research. Let’s all use Terry’s message of hope and strength to inspire us during these challenging times. DONATIONS: If you would like to bring in a donation (not mandatory) for this worthwhile cause. We would like to collect “Toonies for Terry,” but any donation would be gladly accepted. Remember that $0.85 of every dollar goes directly to cancer research of all types. If you wish to donate online, Income Tax Receipts will be issued by the Terry Fox Donation directly to you by e-mail. Go to http://www.terryfox.ca/GeorgeBissettElementary

Have a great week,

Jimmy Hurley
Principal
George Bissett

Important Dates

September

28 - Terry Fox Walk

29 - Orange Shirt Day

30 - Truth & Reconciliation Day (no classes)

October

4 - 21 Grade 6 Reading, Writing, and Math Assessment

11 - Thanksgiving (no classes)

12 - 16 Second fire drill takes place this week

13 - Picture Day

22 - Provincial Conference Day – No Classes