Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year!
Although there are still a few more days before school begins, we wanted to take this opportunity to welcome back all returning students, families and staff and to give a warm first welcome to all new Wilkinson families and staff.
We’re so happy you’re here!
The Wilkinson community is large and diverse. We believe in the importance of ensuring that every student feels they matter and are seen and every member of our community feels they are included and have a voice.
We acknowledge we are hosted on the lands of the Mississaugas of the Anishinaabe (A NISH NA BEE), the Haudenosaunee (HOE DENA SHOW NEE) Confederacy and the Wendat. We also recognize the enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
First Day of School: Tuesday, September 3rd
The School Day Runs From 9:15 am to 3:40 pm (3:30 for Kindergarten)
GRADE 1-6 MORNING ENTRY AND AFTERNOON DISMISSAL ON THE FIRST DAY
Grade 1-6 teachers will meet students in the main schoolyard at the back between 9:10 and 9:15 AM. Teachers will have cards with their names that they will hold up to help you find them. Staff who are not in classrooms will also be on the yard to help families meet up with correct teachers.
Grade 4-6 students, as well as Mr. Stoch’s grade 3 students line up on the south side of the yard near the gym.
Grade 1, 2 and 2/3 students line up on the north end of the yard (near the kindergarten yard and teaching garden).
Staff will be on duty in the yard beginning at 9:05 AM. At 9:10 AM, all classroom staff will come outside to gather their grade 1-6 classes.
Junior students (grades 4-6) Lunch: Junior students will eat from 12:00 – 12:30 PM and then go outside for supervised play from 12:30 – 1:00 PM. Junior students who go home for lunch are dismissed from the front doors – but can come directly to the back school yard when they return and attendance will be taken by their teachers when they enter their classrooms at 1PM. Grade 4 students from the 3/ 4 class eat with the junior group.
Primary students (grades 1-3) Lunch: Primary students will go outside for supervised play from 12:00 to 12:30 PM. They will then come, inside to eat their lunches from 12:30 – 1:00 PM. Primary students who go home for lunch will be dismissed to a caregiver at the front doors at the beginning of lunch – and should return to the front doors between 12:50 and 1:00 PM to be admitted and supervised by staff. Grade 3 students from the 3/ 4 class eat with the primary group.
Grade 1-6 classes end at 3:40 PM. Students are dismissed to the back yard from the same doors they enter in the morning. Normally grade 1 and 2 students are passed directly from staff to parents/caregivers while older students are dismissed to the schoolyard.
——————————————————————————————————————–
KINDERGARTEN MORNING ENTRY AND AFTERNOON DISMISSAL ON THE FIRST DAY
Between 9:10 and 9:15 AM, kindergarten students will meet their teachers & ECEs in the fenced kindergarten yard. This yard is at the north end of the schoolyard. Kindergarten staff will have their names and classroom numbers on cards and will meet parents at the gate to receive their children.
For safety reasons, only kindergarten staff and students go into the fenced area. Parents are welcome to wait outside the fenced area. Kindergarten attendance is normally done outdoors in the schoolyard each day. Some classes may remain outside for a period of playtime after attendance while others will enter the building. Kindergarten staff will send home specific information related to your child’s class schedule.
Kindergarten Lunch is from 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM. Kindergarten children staying at school for lunch eat in their classrooms for half of the lunch and spend the other half in supervised play. If your child is going home for lunch, please let the teacher or ECE know. All children going home for lunch (from K-6) are dismissed from the front doors. Kindergarten and primary children will be given directly to their parents or caregivers at the door. Kindergarten children returning from lunch must come to the front door for re-entry. Staff will admit them and walk them back to their classrooms.
Kindergarten dismissal is at 3:30 PM. Please note that this time is different than the dismissal time for older students. Kindergarten dismissal also takes place in the fenced kindergarten yard. Teachers and ECEs will pass students directly to parents or caregivers.
If there is unsafe weather at the exact time of dismissal, a sign will be posted on the kindergarten gate and at the front doors to let parents know the alternative arrangements.
——————————————————————————————————————-
START UP FORMS
This important package will be emailed directly to families from central TDSB during the first week of school. It contains important forms, some of which must be signed for your child to participate in activities. This includes medical information as well as permissions for phys ed, community walks and media. Please look for this in your email.
——————————————————————————————————————–
NEW MINISTRY OF EDUCATION CELL PHONE POLICY
We have new signage for this in the front of the school – and every grade 1-6 classroom will also have a copy of the poster. View the information poster.
What this means is that mobile devices may NOT be used by students during the instructional day. As well as being powered off or set to silent, devices MUST be stored out of view. This policy applies to both cell phones and Smart watches (e.g. Apple Watches). If your child has an Apple or other Smart watch, this device CANNOT be worn in class and your child will have to store it in their backpack just as they would with a cell phone.
We also do not allow mobile devices in the Wilkinson lunch program. Devices should be left in backpacks in the classroom. Teachers will be instructed to lock classroom doors. Those going home are welcome to take their devices home with them.
The instructional day may include field trips. Teachers will let families know whether devices are allowed on specific trips.
Students can have cell phones and devices out before and after the school day.
We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday!
