Letter to Families Jan 23rd 2023
Dear Pine Ridge Families;
This week has had its ups and downs. Unfortunately, bus cancellations created some additional stress for everyone given the time of the year with culminating tasks, EQAO and upcoming exams. Our staff continue to adapt and adjust to support students as best as possible and promote student success. We also had 2 hard fought basketball games here at Pine Ridge that had everyone’s hearts pumping as our boys got both wins in the final seconds of both games. In addition, our girls cheerleading team added a lot of positive energy at both games with their enthusiasm and awesome performances during half time. Our girls volleyball team fought hard at their games this week in Pickering as well with great efforts from all of the girls. It is so great seeing everyone come together to support one another in both sports and other activities throughout the school!
Please review the information below to ensure that you are aware of upcoming events and important updates:
Exam Information:
An exam schedule has been attached for your convenience as well, it is posted on our website and in student Google Classrooms. Exams run based on a Week One schedule. Please review the exam schedule with your child to ensure they know what exams they have and on what day. We appreciate your support in ensuring that they do not miss any of their exams. All exams begin at 8:15am and therefore, it is recommended that students arrive 15 minutes earlier at 8:00 am to provide time to enter the classroom, take out their required materials and find their seat. Students who are late will be required to check in at the office and will have the remaining exam time to complete their exams in our late room.
Please note that buses are running on a regular schedule. Should buses be cancelled one day due to inclement weather during the examination period, the exams scheduled for that day will be moved to the following day and any exams that follow will be bumped a day. A message will be sent out should this occur. Students who need to stay at school until they can go home on their bus must stay in our East Cafeteria where they can read, study, complete final projects, etc. All other students should leave the school immediately following their exam. Also, please be aware that there will be no cafeteria service beginning January 23rd and throughout the examination period.
Students should only be at the school on an exam day if they have a scheduled exam or were invited to complete work by their classroom teacher. Credit completion on February 2nd will take place virtually. Only students who are required to complete work as directed by their classroom teacher will need to participate on this day.
All small class placements (Practical Learning Program and Developmental classes) will continue throughout the exam period which includes January 26th – February 2nd . (For those parents, please note the change on February 2nd as previously this date was scheduled with no classes)
Semester 2:
Semester 2 begins on Friday, February 3rd. Timetables can be located on the parent portal. Students should follow their new timetable using the Week 1 schedule.
A Message from the Durham Region Health Department:
Does your teen need to get caught-up on vaccines?
The Durham Region Health Department (DRHD) has resumed their immunization clinics. Please visit www.durham.ca/immunize to book your appointment. Also, on March 9th, 2023 there will be a team from Durham Region Public Health here at Pine Ridge to give any students who need to catch up on their immunizations an opportunity to do so. If you are not sure if your child requires updated shots, you can call the Durham Health Connection Line at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729 or contact your family doctor.
Breakfast Club Donations:
Every morning food is available for students who have not eaten before arriving to school. In order to sustain this program, we rely heavily on community donations. If you are able, we greatly appreciate any non-perishable food donations that would be appropriate as a breakfast item, for example: cereal, granola bars, juice boxes, etc. These items can be dropped off in our main office. Thank you to everyone who has donated in the past!
School Community Council:
Our SCC has scheduled 4 meetings for the remainder of the school year (Jan 25, Feb 22, Apr 26 and May 31). These meetings provide an opportunity for collaboration between parents and school staff and student representatives to address a variety of items and support overall school improvement. Any parent or guardian is welcome to join at any time. There is no commitment required. A new link will be sent in next Friday’s message to families as all meetings will be held virtually from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. For more information on the SCC please see the handbook at the following link: https://pineridgess.ddsb.ca/en/families/resources/Documents/SCC-Handbook.pdf .
Pine Ridge Squash Team:
Pine Ridge has a squash team starting in February! Stay tuned for more details! In the meantime, there is a free squash clinic for Teen Girls running at the Pickering Squash club. This is a 4-week FREE squash clinic to teach teenage girls to play squash. It will run for 4 consecutive Thursdays from 6:00 – 7:00 PM, starting Thursday Feb 9th to March 2nd. Contact Nicole Pirko at nicolepirko@gmail.com to register. Space is limited!
Location: Chestnut Hills Developments Recreation Complex (1867 Valley Farm Road, Pickering Ontario)
Cost : Free!
- All equipment is provided
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Indoor athletic shoes required
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Michelle Monk
Principal
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