Principal’s Welcome
September 2007

A very warm and enthusiastic welcome is extended to everyone who will be a part of the Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School family for 2007 – 2008. The main groups in our school family are our students, parents and caregivers, school staff, parish team members, and members of our local neighbourhood community. Each and every group within the family is valued and respected. It is only through the combined and cooperative efforts of all of the member groups that we can hope to have a successful academic journey for each individual student entrusted to our care. Of course, a special word of welcome is extended to those who are joining our school family for the first time. For both those who are new and for those who are returning, it is our goal to do everything possible to ensure that this will be a meaningful year for everyone. Our school community is dedicated to the very fundamental values of our Catholic faith: each and every individual in our ‘family’ should expect to be treated with dignity and respect that reflects our awareness of the presence of Jesus in everyone with whom we interact everyday.

On a very practical note, the first day of school should be one of the most exciting days of the year for every student in our school! The excitement, energy, and enthusiasm will be evident on September 4 in our school yard as returning students seek out friends, new students try to conceal their anxiety, parents renew social contacts, and teachers anxiously (yes, they get anxious too!) await the bell to signal the beginning of a new year’s journey with a whole new group of students!

The history and tradition of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School is something for which we can all feel rightfully proud. Academic, artistic, athletic, and social accomplishments over the years have been acknowledged and recognized. Our challenge as we begin the new year is to not become complacent but to utilize to the fullest the gifts our kind and loving Father has given to each of us. Let us go forward into our academic year committed to doing our very best, both individually and collectively. As we journey through this coming year, may all of us be guided by the three great gifts from God: the gifts of faith, hope, and love.

Opening Day Information
The first day of school is a regular school day so our school day for Grades One – Eight begins at 8:30a.m. and concludes at 3:00p.m.

Assembly Procedures for Senior Kindergarten Students
On September 4, our Senior Kindergarten students will assemble in the Kindergarten playground area. Class lists will be posted on the classroom windows at 8:00a.m. and again at 12:15p.m. (for the afternoon classes). Parents will be expected to line up the students at the appropriate doors just prior to the bell at 8:30a.m. Parents are encouraged to say their goodbyes to the students at the entrance door and then leave the children with the classroom teacher so that routines can begin.
In the event of rain, students and parents would come into the classrooms from the Kindergarten entrance doors. Class groupings would then be sorted out in the classroom (Rm 204….Mrs. Purpura’s room).

Dismissal Procedures for Senior Kindergarten Students
At the end of the morning, (11:00a.m.), and again at the end of the afternoon (3:00p.m.), Kindergarten parents are expected to wait outside the Kindergarten doors in the play area. The teachers will escort the children to the parents. Teachers will ensure that an adult will receive the child at dismissal time.

Note Regarding Junior Kindergarten: The classroom teachers will be calling parents by telephone during the day on Tuesday, September 4 (and possibly even in the days prior to September 4) to advise the parents of which day (Wednesday, Sept. 5; Thursday, Sept. 6; or Friday, Sept. 7) your child will begin the Junior Kindergarten programme. From whatever day your child begins, the child will then attend for the full half day and for every half day from that date. By Friday, September 7, all Junior Kindergarten students will be in attendance.

Assembly/Dismissal Procedures: Grade One – Grade Eight
Assembly
On Tuesday, September 4, class lists will be posted at 8:00a.m.along the south wall of the school yard for all students from Grade One – Grade Eight. The class lists will be posted under the bright grade level banners. Parents of younger students (especially Grade One and Two are encouraged to escort the students to the designated assembly areas. Parents are encouraged to please make note of the classroom teacher’s name and room number which will be on the class lists. When the bell sounds, parents are then asked to leave the child in the class line (say goodbyes at that time). All teachers will check class lists and then proceed into the school with the students. Parents are kindly requested to say farewells as the students are entering the building but parents will be discouraged from trying to accompany the students to the classroom areas. Classroom teachers will happily assume responsibility for the children at the entrance doors.
Dismissal
If parents are meeting students at the end of the school day, it is expected that the parents will meet the students in the school yard in the same general area from which that particular grade entered the school in the morning. Parents are asked to not enter the building at dismissal to meet the child at the classroom. Meetings should occur in the school yard.

Note: In the event of rain, our Grade One, Two, and Three students would assemble for the first day in the atrium area of the school. Our Grade Four, Five, Six, Seven, and Eight students would assemble in the gymnasium. Dispersal of the students to the various classes would then occur from those locations.