Dear GPS Grizzlies Families,
On behalf of the staff at Gravenhurst Public School, I wish to welcome you and your family to the 2023-2024 school year at Gravenhurst Public School. We are beyond thrilled to work with you in support of your child’s education and well being throughout this school year.
Our staff will be coming together for their first day of work on Thursday, August 31 for professional development activities.
The first day of school for SK to Grade 8 students is Tuesday, September 5, with JK students following the staggered entry schedule (attending one day during the first week) as will be communicated by classroom teachers.
Supervision on the yard at the beginning of the day commences at 8:30am and we ask families to please ensure children are not arriving to school prior to this time as we can not guarantee safety without staffed support on the yard. Students in grades 1-3 will be invited to be dropped off at the backyard play structure while Grade 4-8 students are free to utilize the remainder of the middle and rock sides of the yard at drop off daily. Our students in the kindergarten programs will be dropped off at the fenced in play area out front of the school, all entering through the gates near the “Welcome” doors. We blow a whistle two minutes to the bell to signal students to line up so that classes are ready to enter when the bell rings at 8:50am.
We understand that our primary students entering the large yard for the first time might have some anxiety and as such, we invite parents to join them at drop off on the school yard until the bell rings at 8:50 am for the first week. During the second week, we ask parents to work on a hug and goodbye in the rock garden/school sign area out front of the gym wall area and by week three saying goodbye at the sidewalk and having them enter the yard on their own.
In the past, families have brought pets onto the yard during drop off and pick up. This year, we ask that pets remain off the school yard not being brought past the parking lot areas.
Earlier today information regarding classroom placements and teachers was sent to families. If you have yet to receive this information, please contact the school office.
Homerooms & Teachers:
JK/SK – Mrs. J Sherar
JK/SK – Mrs. C Ferrari
Grade 1/2 – Mrs. B. Bussotti
Grade 1/2 – Mrs. S. Blanchard
Grade 2/3 – Mrs. L. Orchard
Grade 3 – Mrs. K. McMullen-Dent
Grade 3/4 – Mrs M Vankooten/Ms. A. LaRocque
Grade 4/5 – Mrs. J. Nevison
Grade 5/6 – Mrs. H. Smales
Grade 6 – Mrs. K. Walters
Grade 7 – Mr. R. Dobie
Grade 8 – Mrs. D Billingsley
PA&LS – Mr. T Williams
Primary Communications – Mrs. K. Smith
For families new to our school, you should know that we have two breaks the days (10:30 – 11:10 and 1:10 – 1:50) for students to enjoy a 20 minute lunch break in their classrooms and 20 minute outdoor play time in their respective yards. We do not allow students to leave the school during these breaks unless picked up and signed out by parents/guardians through the main office.
Additionally, families are reminded that students are not permitted to have cell phones while at school. Students who bring phones to school must report to the office upon entry and place their phone, turned off, in a storage bag labelled for their classroom. The phones will be stored there until the student returns to retrieve their device. Students seen with cellphones during school time will be asked to hand them taken to administration with a follow up conversation with parents. We’re also asking that students refrain from wearing hats/caps while within the building.
We have a number of backpacks with school supplies donated to use by community partners that we would love to pair with students who may not have backpacks. If you would like one of these free backpacks, please give us a call at 687-2011.
GPS, with support of various partners, is fortunate to be able to continue to offer a breakfast bowls program every day for every student free of charge. The program delivers a bowl of fresh fruits, snacks, and chilled dairy products to classrooms every day so that students have food options available upon arrival if needed – no questions asked.
While we always would love to see every student attend every day on time, we know that the reality for families is that mornings are busy and sometimes chaotic. If you anticipate your child will be late, please know that we are happy to see them arrive at any time – merely give our Safe Arrivals (705-687-3361) number a call and leave us a message to inform us that they’ll be late. Similarly, to avoid getting a call from us when they are absent, parents can call the Safe Arrival number and leave a message to inform us of any absences.
Finally, we wish to remind parents of the importance of keeping visitors within the school to a minimum throughout the day. If you have a need to drop something off or have a child arriving late, please use the buzzer at the front “Welcome” door and we’ll either greet you there or buzz you into the school. If you are buzzed in,please proceed directly to the office. No visitors, unless signed in with permission, should proceed down hallways and toward classrooms during the instructional day.
Should you ever have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s teacher as a first point of contact and know that Mrs Guerriero, our new Vice Principal, and myself are always here to support you if you feel you need support beyond that of the classroom teacher.
Yours in Education;
Dean Burke
Principal
Gravenhurst Public School
