Open House Meet and Greet
On Thursday, September 26, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, there will be an opportunity to meet other University School families while enjoying some music and treats outside before heading inside to see child(ren)s classrooms and look around the school. We are hoping to have all 385 students and their families attend.
Please note, this is not a conference and there is no time allotted to speak one on one with your child’s teacher about your child and their learning. If this is required, please email your child’s teacher to set up a meeting at another time.
Beginning at 5:30 pm there will be music playing on the compound/playground area and we will be providing treats to students and any adults that would like one.
At 6:00 pm, we will announce that families can begin heading inside. Teachers will be available if you have questions and you will get a sense of the magic that happens each and every day in their classrooms. Since we have changed the format to more of an open house, you are welcome to tour the school and visit the gym and Learning Commons during this time.
All teachers sent out a slideshow in their weekly update with some information about their class for you to look at that will likely answer many questions that you may have.
We look forward to seeing everyone out on Thursday, September 26 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.
Orange Shirt Day - Commitment to Reconciliation
As part of University School’s commitment to reconciliation through education, we will be participating in Orange Shirt Day & Every Child Matters on Thursday, September 26. We are encouraging students and staff to wear orange clothing as we come together in reflection.
Throughout the week classes will be engaging in age-appropriate activities to enhance student understanding.
To learn more about University School’s specific actions towards Truth and Reconciliation, please click here. All CBE schools will be closed on Monday, September 30 in recognition of National Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Picture Day
Lifetouch Student Picture Day is on Monday, September 23. All students present will have group and individual photos taken. Pictures will be sent home with your child(ren) at a later date so that you can review them and decide if you would like to purchase them. Photo retakes will be occurring on October 24.
Terry Fox Run
“No matter the distance. No matter the journey. No matter the odds. No matter what.” - Terry Fox Foundation 2024
University School is proud to be participating in the annual running of the Terry Fox Walk/Run on Friday, October 4, 2024. We will participate in the “Marathon of Hope” as a whole school community. Some classes may run to the Duck Pond, while others may only make it part of the way. Over 9000 schools across Canada will hold a run this year. This is the 44th anniversary of Terry Fox’s run in Canada and over 37 years at University School.
Terry Fox was a Canadian humanitarian, athlete, and cancer treatment activist. In 1980, he became famous for the Marathon of Hope, a cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer research, which Fox ran with one prosthetic leg. He is considered one of Canada's greatest heroes and is celebrated internationally every September as people participate in the Terry Fox Run, the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research. Learning communities at University School will be learning about Terry Fox and his story through video clips, books and discussion.
We are collecting donations to support this worthy cause. All donations must be completed online directly to the Terry Fox Foundation. Last year University School raised almost $9000.00 for the Terry Fox Foundation.
Please help us reach our goal by donating at: https://schools.terryfox.ca/University. Thank you for joining our school in the fight against cancer. #terryfoxchallenge #TerryFoxLivesHere @theterryfoxfoundation
Our Terry Fox Run will take place on the path leading to the Duck Pond. Students and teachers are excited to participate in this event. We will be encouraging all students to dress in University School Spirit Wear and to dress for the weather as we will be running rain or sun.
We are proud to be associated with the Terry Fox Foundation and believe that our involvement will help find a cure for cancer. We are looking forward to coming together as a school to honour the work of this great Canadian. Together we can keep Terry Fox’s dream to find a cure for cancer alive!
School Council & Parent Association Meeting
We would love to see all University School families represented at the first School Council and Parent Association meeting of the 2024-25 school year. The meeting is on Wednesday, September 25 @ 6:30pm. The meetings will again be held virtually as it allows for more of you to join and participate.
Mr. Lang and Ms. Bonanno will also be sharing some of the plans and structures for the 2024-25 school year and the path forward, as well as some general updates regarding the school. There will also be updates from School Council including several positions that still need to be filled.
The meetings are a great opportunity to find out more about University School, ask questions, and be a part of something bigger. You can be an active participant in the meeting or just listen to what is being said, all from the comfort of your own home! It is with the support of University School Families and the community that we can provide such wonderful learning opportunities for all students.
Click here to attend the meeting (Microsoft Teams) on Wednesday, September 25 at 6:30pm
Click here for the meeting agenda and minutes from the previous meetings.
Lost and Found Quickly Growing
Each year we accumulate an astronomical number of items in the University School lost and found. Items include things like water bottles, sweaters, jackets, shoes, toques, mittens, lunch kits, and even socks. To help us get your items back to your child we ask that you label all items.
One awesome way to do this is through the school's exclusive fundraiser for Oliver's Labels. Not only will this help get your items back but the school will receive 20% return on all orders. This is an ongoing fundraiser; so you can order at any time of the year and feel free to share the link with friends and family!
Community Movie Night
Please join UHCA for a Movie in the Park! tonight Saturday, September 21, 2024
What: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
When: set-up about 5:00 PM - movie about 7:00 PM
you are encouraged to bring a blanket and a picnic, set up early to meet your neighbours
Where: Ungava Park, SW corner (near Ungava Rd & Uralta Rd, https://maps.app.goo.gl/9hRjdhsGDXFuRbZY9)
Cost: Free! Thanks to a grant from Servus Credit Union as well as organizing & volunteer efforts by UHCA.
Food: They will be selling a few treats (popcorn, small chips, chocolate bars, etc) and glow items for $1.00 and $2.00. Please arrive with coin change (not large bills!!) if you’d like to purchase anything.
Also, feel free to pack your own picnic!
Take a Book, Leave a Book – the University School Book Shelf
The University School Book Shelf was created last year as a result of the many incredible books that were donated by University School families and the desire for students to have greater access to books at home.
There are numerous studies that support the notion that children who grow up with an extensive home library tend to have higher reading comprehension and better mathematical and digital communication skills as well as a higher overall level of educational attainment.
The University School Book Shelf allows all students to take books home to keep and to their own library as well as share books they may no longer want with other students. The books have all been labelled with a green sticker so they are easily identifiable and are different than books from the classrooms or Learning Commons.
We encourage all families to take a look at what's available and enjoy reading as a family.
Supporting Learning at Home - UES Board Game Library
Did you know that University School has a Board Game Library where you can sign out literacy and numeracy based board games to use at home. The purpose of the Board Game Library is to provide resources for parents to support student learning at home in a fun way while enhancing family relationships.
To see what is available and to sign out a game please click on this link and fill out a quick form. Board Games will be signed out for one week. They will be sent home on Tuesdays and returned on Mondays so that we can prepare them for the next family. We ask that you please look after the games and ensure all of the pieces remain with the games when they are returned. If something goes missing, please leave a note with the game so we can try to replace it.
Currently, we have 15 games and two copies of each to sign out. Though the resources are being categorized into either Literacy or Numeracy games there are elements of both literacy and numeracy in the majority of games. We plan to add even more games to the Board Game Library including cooperative games where everyone has to work together to win.
Literacy games include:
Apples to Apples - making comparisons and connections between words (contains some mature words)
Apples to Apples Junior - making comparisons and connections between words (less complex and more child-friendly words)
Boggle - find as many connected words as possible
Boggle Junior - teaches letters and spelling in two games of increasing difficulty.
Bananagrams - players work independently to create their own 'crossword'
Spot It! Basic English - matching sight words to illustrations
Sequence Letters - is the traditional Sequence game retooled to help children learn their letters and letter sounds.
Zingo Word Builder - use letters tiles to complete three-letter words
Quiddler - create words from an ever-increasing number of letter cards
Numeracy games include:
Spot It! 1, 2, 3 - number and shape recognition
Blokus - abstract strategy game using different shapes
Qwirkle - matching patterns and shapes, identifying patterns
Mobi - play numbered tiles and symbols to create simple equations
Yahtzee - classic dice game trying to score in 13 categories
Sleeping Queens - players need to use strategy, quick thinking, and some math skills to awake queens from their slumber
Prime Climb - players use four basic arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to progress around the board
This Week
Monday, September 23
- School Picture Day
- Orange Shirt Week
Wednesday, September 25
- Grade 6 Handbell Club
Thursday, September 26
- MRU Student Teachers visit
- Grade 1 and Grade 2 Outdoor Learning
- Open House Meet and Greet Evening (5:30pm)
Friday, September 27
- No School - Non-Instruction Day
Monday, September 30
- No School - Truth and Reconciliation Day and Orange Shirt Day
Month Ahead
Sept 30 - No School - Truth and Reconciliation Day and Orange Shirt Day
Oct 2 - Patrol Training
Oct 4 - Terry Fox Run and Assembly
Oct 9 - 23 - Aline In-Line Skating Residency Begins
Oct 10 - Health Hungry - Fun Snack (TBD)
Oct 14 - Thanksgiving Day - No School
Oct 15 - School Wifi Upgrade
Oct 16 - Grade 6 Field Trip
Oct 21 - Oct 24 - Pond School
Oct 24 - Photo Retakes
Dates of Significance
Sept 22 - Treaty 7 Day
Sept 22 - Fall Equinox
Sept 22 - 28 - Gender Equality Week
Sept 30 - National Day of Truth & Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day
Oct - German Heritage Month
Oct - Canadian Islamic History Month
Oct- Women’s History Month
Oct - Down’s Syndrome Awareness Month
Oct 2 - Rosh Hashanah
Oct 2 - Custodial Staff Appreciation Day
Oct 4 - Sisters in Spirit Day
Oct 5 - World Teachers’ Day
Oct 7 - 11 - International Walk to School Week
Oct 10 - World Mental Health Day
Oct 11 - International Day of the Girl Child
Oct 11 - Yom Kippur
Oct 12 - Dussehra
Oct 14 - Thanksgiving Day