Weekly Update, Monday, 2 November, 2026

Dear colleagues,

Welcome back! We hope the break gave you time to rest, switch off from work, and connect with family and friends.

As we begin our next seven weeks of learning, we will build on the conversations and learning evidence shared with families during the Parent-Teacher Conferences. This will help us identify each student’s next steps, target areas needing attention, and gather evidence of progress for our December report cards. Our shared focus remains on ensuring that every student feels known, supported, and appropriately challenged.

On Tuesday morning, we will come together to welcome everyone back and look ahead to the final seven weeks of the term. Wednesday’s professional learning will begin with a SEEDS session, followed by UDL training facilitated by Ginna.

Please note that Middle and High School Parent-Teacher Conferences take place on Thursday and Friday. To round off the week, the Social Committee has organized bowling for our Friday TGIF, starting at 6:00 pm. Thank you to the committee for creating an opportunity to reconnect beyond the school day!

New Duties

A gentle reminder that our new duty schedule begins on Monday, 2 November. Please check your assignments so that we can ensure a smooth transition and attentive supervision for our students.

November Assembly

Our November Assembly will take place on Tuesday, 10 November, from 9:45–10:45 am. The program currently includes a cheer team performance, a performance of The Day the Crayons Quit, and a game.

If you or your students have something to share, please contact Jill by Wednesday, 4 November.

Let’s have a great week as we reconnect with one another and our students!

Katie, Jill, and Heikki

12:15 - 12:43	1st, 2nd, 3rd in Cafeteria	4th, 5th outside
12:43 - 1:10	4th, 5th in cafeteria	1st, 2nd, 3rd outside
1:10 - Most students will be outside, ready to line up. 4th and 5th graders who are still eating will be  dismissed to classrooms by 1:15

Soccer Rotations 

Grades 1, 2 & 3	Grades 4 & 5	Grades 1, 2 & 3	Grades 4 & 5	No Soccer
Mondays	Tuesdays	Wednesday	Thursdays	Fridays

Day	Morning	Afternoon
Mon, 2 Nov Day 1
Tue, 3 Nov Day 2	7:50 November Briefing
Wed, 4 Nov Day 3		14:40 SEEDS 15:30 UDL ES student Fall Festival starting at 14:30.
Thu, 5 Nov Day 4
Fri, 6 Nov Day 5		TGIF - Bowling 6 pm

Future Dates: Tue, Nov 10, ES November Assembly Mon-Tue, 16-17 Nov, Author visit, Sam Satin Mon, Nov 21 - 23, Long weekend - Thanksgiving

Weekly Updates, Monday, 19 October, 2026

Dear colleagues,

The next three days of learning and preparation will be busy as we get ready for Parent-Teacher Conferences. These conversations are an opportunity to celebrate children’s progress, share your in-depth knowledge of each learner, and highlight the evidence of the skillful teaching you bring to your classrooms every day. Our aim is for parents to leave for the break feeling informed, reassured, and confident about their children’s learning and next steps.

On Wednesday, we will introduce the Literacy and Mathematics report cards, followed by time to prepare for the conferences. Please ensure that your classrooms and hallways are organized and welcoming, with chairs available for parents waiting for their meetings. These thoughtful details help families feel comfortable and reflect the care we put into the learning environments their children experience each day.

Remi-san will set up signage to help parents find the appropriate locations for their meetings.

Please note that Jill will lead the Elementary School from Tuesday onward, as Heikki will attend the EARCOS Leadership Conference.

Thank you for the care, thought, and preparation you are bringing to these conversations. Let’s enjoy the opportunity to strengthen our parent partnerships, celebrate the first quarter of the year, and head into a well-earned holiday.

Let’s have a good one!

Katie, Jill, and Heikki

Recess Information and Guidance

Students will be dismissed from the cafeteria as they finish eating, giving them additional time to play outside.  Duties can be found here. Tab 1 is regular duties. Tab 2 has heat duties, if needed. 

12:15 - 12:43	1st, 2nd, 3rd in Cafeteria	4th, 5th outside
12:43 - 1:10	4th, 5th in cafeteria	1st, 2nd, 3rd outside
1:10 - Most students will be outside, ready to line up. 4th and 5th graders who are still eating will be dismissed to classrooms by 1:15

Soccer Rotations 

Grades 1, 2 & 3	Grades 4 & 5	Grades 1, 2 & 3	Grades 4 & 5	No Soccer
Mondays	Tuesdays	Wednesday	Thursdays	Fridays

Day	Morning	Afternoon
Mon, 19 Oct Day 7
Tue, 20 Oct Day 8
Wed, 21 Oct Day 9		14:40 Literacy/Math Report introduction 15:30 PTC prep time
Thu, 22 Oct	8:15-16:00 Parent-Teacher Conferences
Fri, 23 Oct	8:15-16:00 Parent-Teacher Conferences
	Fall Break

Future Dates: Oct 24 - Nov 1, Fall Break Tue, Nov 3, Faculty briefing Tue, Nov 10, ES November Assembly Mon-Tue, 16-17 Nov, Author visit, Sam Satin Mon, Nov 21 - 23, Long weekend - Thanksgiving

Upcoming Wednesday PD topics  Nov 4, SEEDS & PYPX with Specialists, Reading K - Gr 4, PreK/KA training Nov 11, UDL in the Elementary School Nov 18, Report Card writing guidelines

Weekly Updates, Monday, 12 October, 2026

Dear colleagues,

Sports Day will kick off a busy week of learning and conference preparation. Amazing community 

Thank you to those who completed Lindsey's Pulse survey. We recognize the confusion and questions regarding the new duty schedule. We will review the options to ensure lunch and recess best serve students and that teachers have adequate time to eat lunch. We will share the updated recess schedule as soon as it is ready.

On Wednesday, we will meet as a whole school during Lindsey’s Town Hall, and after that we will learn about the overall role and purpose of the Student Success teams (LS and EAL).

Recess Information and Guidance

Two Rotations - We will keep the two lunch rotations in effect until changed. Students will be dismissed from the cafeteria as they finish eating, giving them additional time to play outside.  Duties can be found here. Tab 1 is regular duties. Tab 2 has heat/rainy day duties, if needed. 

12:15 - 12:43	1st, 2nd, 3rd in Cafeteria	4th, 5th outside
12:43 - 1:10	4th, 5th in cafeteria	1st, 2nd, 3rd outside
1:10 - Most students will be outside, ready to line up. 4th and 5th graders who are still eating will be dismissed to classrooms by 1:15

Soccer Rotations 

Although the two rotations create more availability for soccer, feedback indicates a desire to limit soccer to two days a week for each grade. This gives students opportunities to try other sports and activities and helps create better balance, so all students have access to the fields. This sign about soccer days will be outside the cafeteria. Finding other options for field use during recess is a great topic for community time. Please let Jill know if students request any specific equipment so we can explore other activities. 

Grades 1, 2 & 3	Grades 4 & 5	Grades 1, 2 & 3	Grades 4 & 5	No Soccer
Mondays	Tuesdays	Wednesday	Thursdays	Fridays

Day	Morning	Afternoon
Mon, 12 Oct	Sports Day	School day finishes by 1 pm / when the last student has been picked up
Tue, 13 Oct Day 3
Wed, 14 Oct Day 4		14:40 Town Hall 15:30 Student Success Team
Thu, 15 Oct Day 5
Fri, 16 Oct Day 6	8:45 Parent Workshop: Meet the Counselors

Future Dates: Wed - Sun, Oct 14 - 18, APAC Volleyball Thu-Fri, 22-23 Oct, Parent-Teacher Conferences Oct 24 - Nov 1, Fall Break Tue, Nov 3, Faculty briefing Tue, Nov 10, ES November Assembly Mon-Tue, 16-17 Nov, Author visit, Sam Satin Mon, Nov 21 - 23, Long weekend - Thanksgiving

Upcoming Wednesday PD topics  Oct 21, New Report Card update & Conference Prep Nov 4, SEEDS & PYPX with Specialists, Reading K - Gr 4, PreK/KA training Nov 11, UDL in the Elementary School Nov 18, Report Card writing guidelines

Weekly Updates, Monday, 5 October, 2026

Dear colleagues,

As we approach Parent-Teacher Conferences, we are gathering evidence to share each student’s starting point, progress so far, and next steps with parents. Alongside academic learning, please give attention to students’ social and emotional development, particularly their friendships, emotional regulation, and daily physical and emotional energy levels. Please also revisit your notes from the Listening Conferences in August so that you can follow up on the hopes and concerns parents shared with you.

This week’s October briefing will cover upcoming events and dates, emergency drill information, and guidance for Parent-Teacher Conferences. There will also be an opportunity to share important messages across the Elementary School.

On Wednesday, we will launch our SEEDS sessions and review the Sports Day logistics.

Sports Day Plan B

Monday, 12 October. We hope Sports Day will go ahead as planned. However, if it is cancelled due to inclement weather, we will follow a Day 9 schedule until 12:00, when students will be dismissed early as planned.

Assembly

Thursday, 8 October, 9:30–10:15. Please choose a student from your class ahead of time to participate in the hula hoop contest.

Let’s have a great week ahead!

Katie, Jill, and Heikki

Weekly Update, Monday, 28 September, 2026

Dear colleagues,

Cooler weather and rainy days are welcoming us into October! We finally have a full week of learning ahead, giving everyone a chance to settle back into familiar routines and bring greater consistency to teaching and learning. We are now well-versed in our Restorative Justice plans and looking forward to the impact we will see in building relationships and taking accountability as the week goes along.

Once again, a huge thank you to the teams who flexibly covered absences last week when all our substitutes were in use. Your support helped keep the days running smoothly for our students and colleagues.

This Wednesday, we will revisit the CA guiding statements, which are still relatively new to many of us. Together, we will consider how they translate into an Elementary School vision and inform our future goals. During the second half of our time, we will work in Toddle now that the units have been updated, ensuring that information about Units of Inquiry, specialist units, and math units is current.

The Learning Support team will work with LSAs across the school to explore the philosophy and practices of Student Success services and what they mean for the LSA role. Thank you, Ginna, for taking this time to support the growth of our wonderful LSAs!

PYPx date change 

PYPx has been moved to the week of March 8-12. Specialist teachers, please note this in your unit planning and shift accordingly. 

Recess Information and Guidance

Two Rotations - We will keep the two lunch rotations in effect every day. Students will be dismissed from the cafeteria as they finish eating so they have additional time to play outside.  Duties can be found here. Tab 1 is regular duties. Tab 2 has heat duties, if needed. 

12:15 - 12:43	1st, 2nd, 3rd in Cafeteria	4th, 5th outside
12:43 - 1:10	4th, 5th in cafeteria	1st, 2nd, 3rd outside
1:10 - Most students will be outside, ready to line up. 4th and 5th graders who are still eating will be dismissed to classrooms by 1:15

Soccer Rotations 

Although the two rotations create more availability for soccer, feedback indicates a desire to limit soccer to two days a week for each grade. This gives students opportunities to try other sports and activities and helps create better balance, so all students have access to the fields. This sign about soccer days will be outside the cafeteria. Finding other options for field use during recess is a great topic for community time. Please let Jill know if students request any specific equipment so we can explore other activities. 

Grades 1, 2 & 3	Grades 4 & 5	Grades 1, 2 & 3	Grades 4 & 5	No Soccer
Mondays	Tuesdays	Wednesday	Thursdays	Fridays

Heat Protocols - The stations for measuring the heat index are set up and connected to this site to indicate whether there will be outdoor play. Please sign in to the site and save it as a web clip to your desktop or phone so you can check recess locations before going outside. 

• Site: https://kem-iot.iotstation.net/

• User name: CAHeatSafety

• Password: 3XyvOCPvjpIa2FZ8

No Hat No Play: To stay consistent and avoid disagreements with students, we will keep No Hat No Play in effect for everyone every day from now until about the middle of October, when temperatures are predictably cooler. We will start No Hat No Play again in late spring as temperatures rise and will communicate this at the time. We will post signs outside the cafeteria as a third point of reference if students have questions. 

Next Assembly 

October 8th, 9:30 - 10:15. If any student performances or classes are ready to share learning, please let Jill know by Friday, Oct 2. 

CA WAY

Student Bus Meetings 

Jill will meet with G1-2 bus riders on Tuesday in the G1/2 resource room during community time and with G3-5 bus riders on Thursday in the G3/4 resource room during community time to review bus expectations. Please send your bus riders there. 

Here is some important guidance from the Health Office. Please read carefully.

Let’s have a great week ahead!

Katie, Jill, and Heikki

Day	Morning	Afternoon
Mon, Sept 28 Day 2	9:45 Earthquake and Tsunami Drill
Tue, Sept 29  Day 3	8:45 MAP information session for  parents in grades 3 - 9
Wed, Sept 30 Day Day 4		14:40 Exploring the CA guiding statements and ES Vision 15:30 Updating Toddle session (homeroom, specialists)
Thu, Oct 1 Day 5
Fri, Oct 2 Day 6

Future Dates: October 12, Sports Day (No school, community event; all families invited;  all faculty and staff joining for organization and supervision)

Upcoming Wednesday PD topics  October 7 - Seeds/ Sports Day