Thank you to the families who were able to go online and have conferences with teachers. We always enjoy sharing children’s learning with parents.
This week our Grade 1 students presented their learning about bears to our school community. We enjoyed listening to a song about hibernation and reading a book about bears through the seasons.
Congratulations to this month’s book draw winners celebrating the virtue of Courage.
Ramadan Mubarak and Eid al-Fitr on March 30/31 to those who celebrate!
The Week Ahead
Monday, March 31 – First day of classes after spring break
Tuesday, April 1 – this morning we will be having our second mandatory lockdown drill. Please see the letter below.
March 21, 2025
Dear Parents,
Re: Safety precautions at Annie Foote School
The safety of all students and staff of Annie Foote is of great importance. To that end, we have been working to establish appropriate safety measures for the various situations that may occur and affect our staff and students.
Fire drills are a long-standing expectation of everyone who congregates in a setting such as a school. We are required to have a minimum of six fire drills each school year. Our students and staff treat each drill as though it was the real thing and we are very proud of their performance during those drills. Teachers keep class lists with them during all drills and attendance is always taken. Parents or other visitors are expected to evacuate the building when the fire alarm is sounded.
It is a reflection of the changes in our society that we must add variations to our safety drills. We are going to practice our first drill known as a “lockdown” in the morning of Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The teachers will be instructing students regarding their role during a drill of this kind. No one is allowed to enter or leave the building during a lockdown procedure. As part of our procedures, one long bell heard outside indicates a threat and students/parents should move away from the building, possibly evacuating to our off-site location at St. Thomas More. Three short bells heard outside means the building is secure and students/parents should enter the building.
As we continue to refine our school safety procedures, other safety precautions we have in place include:
- Locking all doors
- Cell phones – are used by teachers for communication when children are out in the school field. Note: All cell phones are turned off during lockdowns.
- School Messenger – has been established to ensure clear and swift communication with parents in the event of an emergency.
- Visitors – are expected to register at the office
- Volunteers – must complete a security clearance and wear visitor tags at all times
- Substitute Teachers – are provided with emergency information upon entering the school.
- Most staff are trained in first aid
- Teachers have thoroughly reviewed emergency plans with the children.
We appreciate your support in these very important matters.
Wednesday, April 2 – ‘graduation’ photos for Monday/Wednesday Kindergarten
- Fluoride for Monday/Wednesday Kindergarten
- Grade 5 field trip to the zoo
Thursday, April 3 – ‘graduation’ photos for Tuesday/Thursday Kindergarten, class photos, sibling photos
Friday, April 4 – bus evacuation drills upon school arrival
Wishing our Annie Foote community a wonderful, restful and safe Spring Break!
Yours truly,
Heather Scholz
Principal