Greetings Second Street Families!
We are so excited to be welcoming you back to school next week and to be getting another exciting school year underway! I’m looking forward to a year full of learning, fun, challenge and growth, and can’t wait to introduce some of the new programs and initiatives that students will be engaging with over the coming weeks and months. It’s going to be a great year at Second Street!
First Day Back
A reminder that our first day back at school is this coming Tuesday, September 2nd from 8:55 until 10am. On this day and for the rest of the first week, students will be returning to their classes and teachers from last year as we finalize our classes and enrollment. For this first week students will need to bring only essential supplies (pencils, a notebook, pencil crayons). Other materials and supplies can be brought to school once we move into our classes the following week.
New Students and Families
Students new to the school this year will be welcomed in the Library with an orientation to the school and an introduction to their classes for the week. Parents and guardians, please join us in the Community Room for a welcome and for some information about our community school programs and connection opportunities!
Kindergarten Families
Information about Kindergarten gradual entry was sent out to families in June. Please see the information provided by our Kindergarten staff about schedules for both students and Welcoming Conversations. If you have any questions about the information provided, don’t hesitate to reach out to the office!
Please note that final class placements are not decided upon until approval from the District. Please ensure that if your child is away or if you have moved over the summer, you inform the office as soon as possible so that we can have accurate attendance numbers. We anticipate that decisions around final class placements will be made by the end of the first week and students will most likely find out their new classroom on the following Monday.
Staff News:
We are excited to be having the following staff joining our team for the first time!
Shayla Chandra – Grade 6/7
Manjit Saini – Education Assistant
We are excited to be welcoming the following staff back to our school this year!
Eden Phil – ELL
Venus Lam – Grade 4/5
Katherine Mussenden – NIS/LSS
Iva Panevska – Education Assistant
Sophie Turner – Education Assistant
Bell Schedule
8:45am – Warning Bell
8:50am – School Starts
10:15am -10:30am – Recess
12:00pm – 12:45pm – Lunch Break
12:45pm – Lunch Re-Entry Bell
12:50pm – Start of Instruction
2:48pm – School Dismissal
Hot Lunch Program
Our Hot Lunch Program will begin service next week. Please note that there will be a change in the way that families sign up for this program this year. For the first month we will continue to collect payment through our envelope system (envelopes and other program information will go home next week) but moving forward, all payments and program registration will take place through School Cash Online. Please make sure to contact the office for support if you haven’t signed up for School Cash Online in the past.
Language Support Volunteers
Starting at a new school can feel overwhelming, especially when families are navigating a new language or learning how our school community works. We are looking for parents and guardians who would like to volunteer as Language Connectors.
As a Language Connector, you would be available to connect with a new family who speaks a language you’re also comfortable speaking. You’ll be a friendly, welcoming contact—someone they can reach out to with questions, support, or simply to better understand life at our school.
A Language Connector might help with things like:
- Explaining how the school day is structured (drop-off, pick-up, lunch, recess, etc.).
- Clarifying school notices, forms, or newsletters.
- Sharing information about upcoming events (assemblies, parent meetings, celebrations).
- Helping families understand who to go to in the school for different questions.
- Offering tips about routines like hot lunch, after-school programs, or dress for the weather.
- Answering small, everyday questions
- Providing reassurance and friendly guidance so new families feel welcomed and supported.
It’s really about being a bridge—making sure new families don’t miss important details and feel welcomed into the community!
Please take a moment to fill out the form below if you are interested in helping out!
https://forms.office.com/r/qr9vJwUmj1
See you next week!
We look forward to seeing you all again next week, and look forward and to working alongside you to make this year a great one. Thank you for all that you do to support our wonderful school!
Bryan Tesan and the Second Street Community Staff
