Hilson Avenue Public School Kinderland - What is going on

Welcome Back to School!

9/9/2020

Welcome back to school!
Please visit the OCDSB website's Return to School page to keep up to date with the most current plans for the 2020-2021 school year.
The Hilson Kinder team has reached out to families of students registered for In Person learning. Families will have a chance to discuss Kindergarten specific questions with the team at their Virtual or Phone Intake Interviews.
The OCDSB will have a staggered start to the school year. Schools across the district have been divided into groups. Hilson Ave. PS follows the staggered start to Group 1 schools. The staggered entry is as follows:
Hilson Avenue Public School (Group 1 - K-6)
September 14: Grades 1-2, plus all specialised classes (all LSS and all ELD)
September 15: Students from prior day plus Grades 3, 4 all students in year 1 Kindergarten (JK), and students in year 2 Kindergarten (SK) that are enrolled in the Extended Day Program (EDP).
September 16: Students from prior day plus Grade 5, 6 and all remaining year 2 Kindergarten students (i.e., those not enrolled in EDP).

Upcoming Events, Important Dates & Reminders
Thursday, Sept.10th - Virtual/Phone Intake Interviews
Friday, Sept. 11th - Virtual/Phone Intake Interviews
Tuesday, Sept.15th - First Day of School for all year 1 Kinder students (JK) and all year 2 (SK) enrolled in aftercare at the WCC
Wednesday, Sept. 16th - First day of school for all remaining year 2 (SK) students
Monday, Oct. 12th - Thanksgiving
Dec.19th - Jan.3rd - Winter Holiday break
Friday, Jan. 22nd - PD Day
Friday, Feb.12th - PD Day
Monday, Feb.15th - Family Day
Tuesday, Feb.23rd - Toonie Tuesday - Education Foundation fundraiser
March 13th - March 21st - March break
Friday, April 2nd - Good Friday
Monday, April 5th - Easter Monday
Friday, April 23rd - PD Day
Monday, May 24th - Victoria Day
Friday, June 4th - PD Day
Friday, June 25th - Last Day of School

Confirmation of Attendance at School - Sept.2020

8/11/2020

**In accordance with the Ministry of Education's Reopening of Schools Plan, the OCDSB is asking parents and guardians to confirm their attendance at school for the 2020-2021 school year.
An email was sent to all families with registered students to confirm whether their choice for schooling this year will be in person or remote.

More information about both models and delivery can be found here:
Elementary In Person
Remote Learning (Online Learn At Home)

Once your decision has been made be sure to complete the Confirmation of Attendance Form. This is an important step in the final stages of planning for this coming school year and it will confirm the number of students attending school in person and in the classroom.
The Kinder team is looking forward to welcoming students back to class this September.

Families that have additional questions or concerns are welcome to contact principal Jennifer Ramsay (jennifer.ramsay@ocdsb.ca) or vice-principal Nadine Saikaley (nadine.saikaley@ocdsb.ca).

Upcoming Events, Important Dates & Reminders

Monday, August 31st - PD Day
Tuesday, Sept. 1st - PD Day
Wednesday, Sept.2nd - PD DAY
Thursday, Sept.3rd - Intake Interviews for all year 1 and NEW year 2 students, meetings will take place virtually**
Friday, Sept.4th - Intake Interviews for all year 1 and NEW year 2 students, meetings will take place virtually**
Monday, Sept.7th - Labour Day
Tuesday, Sept.8th - First Day of school for ALL Year 1 students and Extended Day Program Year 2 students**
Wednesday, Sept.9th - All Kinder students welcome, First day of school for all remaining Year 2 students (those NOT enrolled in EDP)**
**ALL RETURN TO SCHOOL DATES are TENTATIVE until the OCDSB confirms them prior to Aug.31st**
Monday, Oct. 12th - Thanksgiving
Dec.19th - Jan.3rd - Winter Holiday break
Friday, Jan. 22nd - PD Day
Friday, Feb.12th - PD Day
Monday, Feb.15th - Family Day
Tuesday, Feb.23rd - Toonie Tuesday - Education Foundation fundraiser
March 13th - March 21st - March break
Friday, April 2nd - Good Friday
Monday, April 5th - Easter Monday
Friday, April 23rd - PD Day
Monday, May 24th - Victoria Day
Friday, June 4th - PD Day
Friday, June 25th - Last Day of School

OCDSB 2020-2021 Elementary School Calendar

7/23/2020

The revised elementary school year calendar submitted to the Ministry of Education has been approved.
You can find PDF version here:
https://ocdsb.ca/UserFiles/Servers/Server_55394/File/Elementary/Calendar/OCDSB%20Revised%202020-2021_Elementary_SYC.pdf
Please note that the approved calendar will be in effect regardless of the mode of delivery chosen by the Ministry of Education.
Kinder Intake Interviews, traditionally held on the first 2 days of school, are still to be determined.

Upcoming Events, Important Dates & Reminders

Monday, August 3rd - Civic Holiday
Monday, August 31st - PD Day
Tuesday, Sept. 1st - PD Day
Wednesday, Sept.2nd - PD DAY
Monday, Sept.7th - Labour Day
Monday, Oct. 12th - Thanksgiving
Dec.19th - Jan.3rd - Winter Holiday break
Friday, Jan. 22nd - PD Day
Friday, Feb.12th - PD Day
Monday, Feb.15th - Family Day
Tuesday, Feb.23rd - Toonie Tuesday - Education Foundation fundraiser
March 13th - March 21st - March break
Friday, April 2nd - Good Friday
Monday, April 5th - Easter Monday
Friday, April 23rd - PD Day
Monday, May 24th - Victoria Day
Friday, June 4th - PD Day
Friday, June 25th - Last Day of School

Have a wonderful summer!

6/18/2020

Farewell, goodbye, it's time to bid adieu....Schools out for summer!
What a strange year end for all of us. We thank you for your patience, flexibility and kindness as we have all had to adapt these last 3 months. It wasn't what we were use to or what we had hoped for but we were all in it together! We encourage you to engage in a Hilson end of school year tradition and throw yourself an ice cream dance party!

We know there are many questions about what the return to school in September will look like. The Ministry of Education has published a letter to parents here that gives some insight. The situation is still fluid and dynamic therefore please be sure to check your email and the OCDSB website throughout the summer to stay up to date with how back to school in Ottawa English public schools will be rolled out.

Goodbye and Thank-you to Mme Laflamme and Ms. Carolyn
We would like to say goodbye and thank-you to Mme Laflamme for being the French teacher extraordinaire to Kinder A and Kinder B throughout the 2019/2020 school year. We wish her all the best in her move to Nova Scotia!
We would also like to say goodbye and thank-you to Ms. Carolyn who has been the English teacher to Kinder C. We wish her a wonderful summer with her family and look forward to catching up with her in the fall as she continues to be part of our Hilson community.

Remind App End of Year Clean Up
For those of you with a SK child moving on to grade 1, we kindly ask that you begin to remove yourselves from the Remind Hilson Kinder class. We will miss you!
You can do this by:
iOS App: Tap the class on the Classes screen. Then, tap the class name at the top of the screen. The Final step is to click the red "Leave this class" link and confirm.
Andriod App: Tap the class on the sidebar then tap the three dots on the top right of your screen. Choose Class Settings. The final step is to click the red "Leave this class" link and confirm.

Incoming Kindergarten Families - Welcome!
For families joining the Hilson community this fall for their child's first year of Kindergarten- Welcome to Hilson! We are very excited to have you join us!
Earlier this month, you would have received a welcome email from our vice-principal Nadine Saikaley with a slideshow, OCDSB Kindergarten handbook and an online InTake Form to complete. If you have not, please reach out at nadine.saikaley@ocdsb.ca.

At this time, feel free to join our Hilson Kinder community on Remind. Once you download the app on your device you can click on the "Join class" button on the right hand side of this page or visit our communication page and follow the instructions there. Once you join, please put your child's name in brackets after your name so that we know who is who on our end. Ex. Raquel (Lennan)
You will be receiving more information about your child's start to school throughout the summer via email.

Looking to register your child for Kindergarten? Registration is ongoing! Please register online here https://www.ocdsb.ca/cms/one.aspx?portalId=55478&pageId=209831

Upcoming Events, Important Dates & Reminders
Tuesday, July 1st - Canada Day
Monday, August 3rd - Civic Holiday
Monday, Sept.7th - Labour Day

School Closure & Kinder 2020/2021 Registration

4/13/2020

Thank-you for visiting Hilson's Kindergarten page!

Due to the continued spread of COVID-19, all publicly-funded schools in Ontario, including those at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board are currently closed.

All three kindergarten classes at Hilson have moved to an online distance learning portal, please contact your child's educators if you haven't logged on yet and we can guide you through it.

For more information on the school closure and health guidance on COVID-19, please visit the OCDSB's COVID-19 - Information for Parents page.

Although the school is closed, Kindergarten Registration is still open.
If you are a new to Kindergarten parent looking to register your child for their first year of Kindergarten you can do so online.
Please use the following links to assist you in your online registration.
Online Registration Form
Parent Instructions - Online Registration
Kindergarten InTake Form
Once your registration is complete you will receive an email that it was successfully submitted.

If you have any other questions or concerns about registration, please do not hesitate to contact Hilson's administrative team.
Principal: Jennifer Ramsay - jennifer.ramsay@ocdsb.ca
Vice- Principal: Nadine Saikaley - nadine.saikaley@ocdsb.ca
Office Administrator: Liane Armstrong - liane.armstrong@ocdsb.ca

We miss you Hilson students and families!
Take good care of yourselves. Stay Home, Stay Safe.
Check out the Hilson staff video message on the Hilson Twitter feed.

Winter is coming..

11/8/2019

Please remember to send in mitts/gloves, hats, neck warmers and boots. Label all of your child's belongings as things tend to grow feet and walk off!

The Pumpkin Walk raised $460! Thank you to everyone who donated a pumpkin and for making this a big success!

Indigo Fundraiser is on Wednesday, November 13th at the Pinecrest location.

Please come support our fundraiser, everyone is welcome!! Storytime will begin at 5 p.m. in two seperate areas, schedule of Staff reading will be shared shortly. We hope to see you all then!

Kinder A news:

Kinder A is looking for Playdough! Please reach out to Mme Laflamme if you are able to bring some in.
Scholastic orders will go out every month with a return date on them. Kinder A parents, please order online under Mrs. Espinoza or send in a cheque.
Parent/Educator interviews will be next week, you should have already received a request from your child’s educators. Interviews will be with Mrs Espinoza, Mme Laflamme and Mrs Holland.

Kinder B news:

Kinder B is looking for playdough! Please reach out to Mme Laflamme if you are able to bring some in, thank you!
Scholastic orders will go out every month with a return date on them. Kinder B parents, please order online under Ms. Saraj or send in a cheque.
Parent/Educator interviews are next week, you should have already received a request from your child’s educators. Interviews will be with Ms Saraj, Mrs Holland and Mme Laflamme.

Kinder C news:

Thank you to all that have joined the Remind App! Please continue to join and stay up to date on everything Kinder related. If you still haven't, download the app and input the class code- ‘hilsonk’
Parent/Educator interviews will only be held on Friday, November 15th. You should have already received an interview form, all three educators will be at this meeting.
Mme Ellis will be taking scholastic orders! You can order online through her now.

Upcoming Events, Important Dates & Reminders
Monday, November 11th - Remembrance Day Assembly 9 a.m.
Tuesday, November 12th - School Council 6 p.m.
Wednesday, November 13th - Indigo Fundraiser (Pinecrest Location) 5-9 p.m.
Thursday Evening & Friday Morning- Parent/Educator Interviews
Friday, Nov. 15th - PA DAY - No School
Friday, Dec. 20th - Last day of School before Winter Holiday break
Dec.23rd - Jan. 3rd - Winter Holiday break - No School
Friday, Jan. 24th - PA DAY - No School

Updates & New Teacher

10/14/2019

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are sad to say goodbye to Mme Jessica and wish her all the best. We would like to welcome Samantha Ellis, she will be joining Kinder C as the afternoon French OCT.

Each kinder class is creating a family wall, please remember to send in a picture of your family. Thanks to all that have so far, we've been enjoying watching your little ones tell us about the picture and who's in it.

Label, label, label!
We have had many missing and found items, it’s difficult to keep track of everyone's belongings. Please remember to label your child's things either with a tag or sharpie!

Kinder A news:

Scholastic orders will go out every month with a return date on them. Kinder A parents, please order online under Mrs. Espinoza or send in a cheque.

Kinder B news:

Scholastic orders will go out every month with a return date on them. Kinder B parents, please order online under Ms. Saraj or send in a cheque.

Kinder C news:

Thanks to all that donated the pillows and plants! You filled Kinder C's bucket.
Kinder C is joining remind! Please download the app, https://www.remind.com/apps/, and enter the class code- hilsonk
If you would like to contact the new teacher, Samantha, please feel free to email her at samantha.ellis@ocdsb.ca

Upcoming Events, Important Dates & Reminders
Friday, Nov. 15th - PA DAY - No School
Friday, Dec. 20th - Last day of School before Winter Holiday break
Dec.23rd - Jan. 3rd - Winter Holiday break - No School
Friday, Jan. 24th - PA DAY - No School

What's going on until October 4th.

9/22/2019

We made it through our first full two weeks of school with some tears but lots of excitement, laughter and learning! We are getting to know your children and enjoying making those connections with them. We are looking forward to a fun filled year full of learning through play!

We have been getting some questions as to what Learning Through Play (FDK document) and How Does Learning Happen (HDLH) looks like in our programs.

Guided by these four frames, we create an environment in which your child will hopefully begin to love learning. The Communication of Learning (COL) is the Kindergarten version of a Report Card, which will be written using these four frames.

What Are We Learning?

We have been learning each other's names, counting and labeling our colours en francais along with learning our letters and the sounds that they make.

Kinder A News:

Scholastic orders will go out every month with a return date on them. Kinder A parents, please order online under Mrs. Espinoza or send in a cheque.

Kinder B News:

Scholastic orders will go out every month with a return date on them. Kinder B parents, please order online under Ms. Saraj or send in a cheque.

Kinder C News:

Kinder C is looking for pillows and plants. If you are able to donate any of these to help create a more comfortable environment for our little ones, please reach out to their educators.

Please label everything, even the socks and underwear. Your child will most likely not recognize any of these clothes, labelling them will greatly help the Kinder team. Feel free to double up on extra clothes if you feel your child would benefit from them. This creates backup in case there are 2 accidents in a day or week.

Meet the Staff night is this Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. Come out and meet all of your child's educators!

Upcoming Events, Important Dates & Reminders
Thursday, Sept. 26th - Meet the Staff night 5-6 pm.
Friday, Sept. 27th - Terry Fox Run
Tuesday, Oct. 8th - Picture Day
Friday, Oct. 11th - PA DAY - No School
Monday, Oct. 14th - Holiday - No School
Friday, Nov. 15th - PA DAY - No School
Friday, Dec. 20th - Last day of School before Winter Holiday break
Dec.23rd - Jan. 3rd - Winter Holiday break - No School
Friday, Jan. 24th - PA DAY - No School

Week of September 3rd-6th

8/30/2019

Welcome back! The first couple of weeks will be a big transition for the little ones… and for us adults. You should have received information on when your scheduled time to meet with the team, (with your child) is and when your child's start date is. If not, please reach out to the office and they’ll give you that information.

Year 2 students going into Grade 1, we will be in the big yard helping them find their classes. There will be charts with the homeroom teachers names along with the class list, we will have a list on us to help your children find their classes.

All Year 1 students, your first day of school is Thursday, September 5th.

Year 2 students who are registered for EDP with the WCC, your first day of school is also on Thursday, September 5th.

Friday, September 6th is the day that the remainder of the children will begin school.

There is no school for all Kindergarten students on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Back to school essentials for ALL Kinders - Year 1 & Year 2 students

Please be sure your child arrives to school with:

Large backpack
- Backpack should be able to fit a large hardcover book, lunch bag and sweater or fall jacket. Keep in mind we are an early start school therefore your child may arrive to school with a sweater/jacket but find it too warm out to wear it during afternoon play. They should be able to fit their lunch bag, sweater/jacket and water bottle in their backpack. Having a backpack large enough to fit a large hardcover will make library books easier for your child to bring to and from school. Have your child practice putting their personal items inside, zipping up and unzipping their backpack.
Reusable lunch bag, easy to open containers & reusable water bottle that locks
- Hilson encourages a litterless lunch, having a reusable bag, containers and a water bottle facilitate this. Please ensure your child can independently open and close everything. Taking the time to show them how to use everything allows them to be more independent during open snack times and lunch time, allowing them to eat without waiting for help. It also reduces mess as they are less likely to spill the contents of their containers and water bottle if they know how to close everything properly. **Hilson is a nut-free school (K-6).**
Ziplock with extra change of clothes
- It is not uncommon for Kinder students to need an extra change of clothes. Bathroom accidents, water table play, snack table spills, playing in mud/puddles/sand during outdoor play are just some of the reasons. Please pack a pair of bottoms (pants/leggings), t-shirt, underwear & socks. Label everything, even the socks and underwear. Your child will most likely not recognize any of these clothes, labelling them will greatly help the Kinder team. Feel free to double up on extra clothes if you feel your child would benefit from them. This creates backup in case there are 2 accidents in a day or week.
Indoor running shoes, preferably velcro
- These shoes will be your child's primary pair of shoes at school. Your child should be able to easily put these shoes on and off. Kinders visit the gym twice a week therefore these shoes should be comfortable to run in.**Please note, ideally these shoes stay in your child's school cubbie at the end of the day. Aftercare parents, it is best to have another pair of shoes for your child to wear at the Children's Centre. This facilitates things for your family as you won't need to lug a pair shoes to and from school and aftercare everyday. They are less likely to get lost in the shuffle.**
School Supplies & class donations
- The Kinder team will be collecting school supplies during intakes and during the first few days of school. Glue sticks, markers, pencils, pencil crayons, erasers & scissors are all shared items and do not need to be labelled. Items in bold are most needed at the moment. Families that would like to donate craft supplies (pompoms. stickers, foam shapes, washi tape, googly eyes, glitter glue), kleenex boxes and playdough (homemade or store bought) are more than welcome to. These added supplies are always appreciated.

OCDSB School Calendar

Hilson Avenue Public School follows the OCDSB School Calendar for all holidays, PA Days and breaks. Please mark these dates in your calendar or bookmark this link for handy reference.
https://ocdsb.ca/UserFiles/Servers/Server_55394/File/News/OCDSB%20News/2019/Aug/2019-2020_Elementary_SYC.pdf

Upcoming Events, Important Dates & Reminders
Monday, Sept. 2nd - Labour Day
Tuesday, Sept. 3rd - Intake interviews for incoming Year 1 parents and any new to Hilson Year 2 parents
Wednesday, Sept.4th - Intake interviews for incoming Year 1 parents and any new to Hilson Year 2 parents
Thursday, Sept. 5th - First Day of School for all Year 1 Kinder students & all registered WCC EDP year 2 students
Friday, Sept. 6th - First Day of school for all remaining Year 2 students
Friday, Oct. 11th - PA DAY - No School
Monday, Oct. 14th - Holiday - No School
Friday, Nov. 15th - PA DAY - No School
Friday, Dec. 20th - Last day of School before Winter Holiday break
Dec.23rd - Jan. 3rd - Winter Holiday break - No School
Friday, Jan. 24th - PA DAY - No School

Last Blog Post for 2018-2019 School Year

6/12/2019

We want to thank all of you for all that you have done to help us teach your children. We could not have achieved any of it without your communication and volunteerism, so thank you from your Kinder Team.
---Ms. Espinoza, Mme Jessica, Mme Raquel, Ms Hallard and Ms Saraj.

Sunscreen, water bottles, sun hats, extra weather appropriate clothing to be left in their cubbies- please remember to send these things in. We spend a lot of time outside and your children get thirsty, we do not have access to a water fountain in our classrooms.

Extra extra ..
Please remember to start sending extra snacks, lots of hungry bear notes have been going home lately. They’re growing and need more food now!

In need of-
Dish detergent bottles, please send them our way!

Label, label, label!
We have had many missing and found items, it’s difficult to keep track of everyone's belongings. Please remember to label your child's things either with a tag or sharpie!

Empty out those note totes!
We send them home weekly, please remember to grab whatever is in there and return the note totes empty. If your child still has a book borrowed from the school, please return it as soon as possible. We will be sending all of your children's things home slowly in the coming weeks, please remember to look in their bags.

Kinder A&B news-
-The Kinder party will be on the 25th of June from 1-2 p.m. Please R.S.V.P. via this link- https://www.paperlesspost.com/flyer/go/1ZM8RV2f46eKnmT62JWr

The signup sheet for the potluck will be sent out shortly to all those that have R.S.V.P'd via email, this is an easier process on my end instead of approving all of you individually- thanks in advance.

-You may have heard that next Friday (June 14), Youth in Action is having an outdoor Fun Day to support Christie Lake Kids Camps (https://www.christielakekids.com/about.php). Christie Lake Kids is a non-profit camp for children in need right here in Ottawa. Every dollar you donate will send Ottawa kids to camp. Our goal is for every child in the school to raise at least $2. Youth in Action will be collecting donations from Monday to Friday next week.
We would also like to mention that some of the activities on Friday will involve water, please help your child prepare for this event.
----Written by Dia H.

Upcoming Events, Important Dates & Ongoing Reminders
Every Monday is KINDER B's Library Day, send your books in Note Totes every Friday
Every Tuesday is Pizza Day, place your orders by Friday night
Every Thursday is KINDER A's Library Day, send your books in by Wednesday
Every Friday is Lunch Lady, place your orders http://thelunchlady.ca/school/?oid=069F9AFF-47FD-4DD9-AC0D-D0664813C5E3
Fri. June 14th - Fun Day
Tues. June 25th - End of Year Kinder Party 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Tues. June 25th - COL's go home
Wed. June 26th - Grade 6 leaving ceremony 11:00-12:00 p.m.
Thurs. June 27th - Last Day of School & Ice Cream Day!