Details of the Provincial Government’s Monday morning announcement to the province about plans to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to suspend school classes beginning March 20 are included in the following:

With the “winding down” of classes this week from March 17-19, the understanding is “This means that parents who are able to keep children home should do so immediately, with no absence or grade impacts. Parents with limited childcare options have a window to plan for class suspensions.” This is in the spirit of ‘flattening the curve’ and decreasing the risk of COVID-19 from spreading. If childcare or medical response needs to be arranged, they have three days to try and put that together.

We will continue to support our students and community as we progress through these uncertain times. Please know that as we move forward through this process you will continue to get information wit updates from Prairie Spirit School Division as it becomes available.

I’m a little late getting this out this week – my apologies for that. It feels like we’re already getting started on a busy spring and the weather seems to be cooperating with that I’m happy to say! I think our Cold Cats club has now been able to hang up our Really Cold Weather gear and we’re going to recognize two students who went out and had fun in the cold no matter how chilly those days got – and we really did have a couple doozies that dipped below minus 40. I do believe that it’s been a good practice we started a few years ago and I know the kids that do come outside with me have big smiles on their faces as they slide and run around and stay warm. With March starting after this weekend, I assume we’ll have continuing warmer weather ahead.

Just a reminder about the Saskatchewan Rush presentation on Monday – a player from the team will be in the school talking about proper online use. They’ll be offering ticket vouchers for a future game as well! We also will highlight the game in March we emailed about a few weeks ago – There are seats set aside for sale online that a portion of the ticket purchase goes to our school as a fundraiser.

March will again bring with it a busy schedule of days including the spring Tri-Conferences taking place the nights of March 18^th (5-7:30pm) and March 19th (3:30-6pm). As always it’s a great time to come to the school with your student and celebrate the great learning they’re doing. Please call the school to book your interview if you haven’t already done so. Another reminder also that with the two evenings of interviews here there is no school then on Friday, March 20^th. K-9 report cards will be coming home March 12^th. The next 10-12 report cards go home in April.

Our grade 6-12 school Ski Trip scheduled to Table Mountain is Thursday, March 26^th. It’s a great day for the students and we look forward to seeing them all on the hill.

Our grade 12s are finishing their second week of Career Work Experience today. It’s a great opportunity to try a career on for size and see if it’s what they were looking for. Many times in previous years those placements have turned into part time jobs or career opportunities for the future as well as chances to start an apprenticeship. At minimum it’s a great chance for them to get a 30 level credit.

For those students planning on pursuing a trades career and looking to apprentice with a tradesperson, the Youth Apprenticeship Program is a simple program to complete for a step ahead of other apprentices. We’ve also helped send students in past summers to a Summer Youth internship in a trades area where they receive very good pay and up to 2 apprenticeship credits on their transcripts. See Mr. Tucker for further information for either program as we had a presentation this week regarding all of this and I’ve now signed up another seven students to work towards completing the program.

Badminton has started up for both juniors and seniors – playoffs are in April so it will be a short season. See Mr. Tucker and Mr. Tyndall to sign up! Our annual Knight to Remember evening isn’t taking place this year in the way it has in past years – the explanation I’ve been given has to do with the Coronavirus across the world that has closed down some warehouses and factories overseas and has effected the availability of those promotional supplies. We instead will create our own version of that same fun badminton evening and hold it on March 19 after school during Tri-Conferences. It will end at 6:00pm and we’ll be asking for sign up next week.

Drama performances will be taking place in April but the Drama club has been practicing and learning lines and performance details for weeks already. I’m sure it will once again be an amazing show!

Well, that’s all for now. For further information and updates from the students and classrooms, check out our school website at http://blogs.spiritsd.ca/hanley/.  As always, Mr. Anderson and I would love to talk to you if you have time to drop by the office or give us a call.   Take care and I’ll talk to you soon.

Hanley School SRC is selling pink shirts and hoodies for Pink Shirt Day on Wednesday, Feb 26th to recognize and celebrate inclusion. The sales of these shirts will also support SRC school programs that foster support and self-esteem. Shirts are on sale for $10 and hoodies for $25.

It’s been cold this month. I do love that many of us use the term “brisk” when the temperature drops that low. I think it’s true that the cold weather in Saskatchewan brings us together – I find myself in conversations at the gas pumps with people I don’t know, talking about how cold it is and questioning when it’s gonna warm up.

Once again our Cold Cats club has a lot of names of K-7 students listed and I have about 12-15 students who will consistently head outside no matter what the temperature is. I will continue to run this as an option to staying inside – please make your own wishes known to your elementary students about if you’d like them to head outside. We don’t force students on the list outside if they want to remain indoors. That said if they intend on going out, please make sure they have warm clothes and understand they have to wear them.

Semester one exams start next Monday and many classes are reviewing and studying to prepare, especially in light of so many cancelled buses last week. Friday January 31^st is the midway point of the year and a day for report cards to be prepared and planning to begin for Semester two. There are no classes on that day for all K-12 students. Semester two classes begin on Monday, February 3^rd. Man, we’ve gotten here quickly again this year!

I want to encourage all grade 11 and 12 students who are interested to see me about finishing a Youth Apprenticeship Program. It sees students working through some simple apprenticeship assignments that will give them a step ahead of others who might be also looking to enter an apprenticeship agreement to start their career. It’s also important to note that we have had a few grade 12s already receive conditional acceptance to university programs starting in the fall. It’s an exciting time for them all as their life after grade 12 begins to take shape. I’ve also sent home information about a MyBlueprint website for grade 12s to check out that can also help steer them in the right direction if they’re unsure what to do. I encourage you to check out that website with them.

February break will start on Family Day, February 17^th. The Grade 12 Work Experience Week 2 will take place following the break as we’ve had in practice for a few years. 

The School Community Council would like me to mention that we still have copies of the Community Calendars available at the office that families ordered this fall.  The cost remains at $10 each.

I was very proud of the school, SRC and community to see so much raised to donate clothes and food items to help those in need. What a great example for our students to see and witness the generosity and assistance for others.

That’s all for now.  For further information and updates from the students and classrooms, check out our school website at http://blogs.spiritsd.ca/hanley/.  As always, Mr. Anderson and I would love to talk to you if you have time to drop by the office or give us a call.   Take care and I’ll talk to you soon.

We are just reminding students and families that the Hanley School Christmas Dinner is scheduled for this Friday at 12 noon and is planned for staff and students only, along with some school division staff by invitation.

We are also planning on presenting the high school awards for highest averages in grades 10 through 12 from last year. That should start at about 12:45 before the afternoon clean up takes place.

Have a wonderful holiday everyone, as well as time to rest and relax and most importantly have time with family and friends. Merry Christmas to each of you.

Mr. Tucker

We had a bit of a hit to the system with some chilly temperatures this month so I’m going to cross my fingers that it stays away until January. It’s been a busy month of activities in the classrooms and the hallways as the hustle and bustle of the season is upon us.

Last week we enjoyed our Christmas Family Fun Night as well. It was once again a wonderful evening for the students and their families filled with singing and acting, time for activities and an opportunity for everyone to stop and catch up with other families and friends in what is always a busy time of year. I know many families took advantage of the photo booth as well so that was a nice new touch. Thanks for attending if you were able to be here. Thanks also to the SCC for the hot chocolate and for helping pay for the photo booth.

Plans have again been under way for a while to have our annual Christmas Dinner on Friday. Mrs. Schraeder has everything organized and jobs are in hand for everyone here including the high school students who are always expected and expecting to take part.  Thanks again to everyone for your food and various contributions that make the day and the lunch a good time for everyone.  We’ll again have some School Community Council Members, and some School Division members in attendance as they always enjoy these kind of student days at Hanley Composite School.

This month starts some changes in our staffing again.  We’ll be needing to say good-bye to our two interns, Mr. Hall and Mr. Prokopchuk.  Thanks for all your work and planning and preparation and good luck with the remainder of your studies next semester and your plans for future employment!

Just a reminder that the Hanley School Community Council-produced Community Calendars are in at the office, and can be picked up any time.  The cost is still $10 and it looks great.  Thanks for all your support to the SCC as the funds raised are directly spent by the SCC on something for the school and students.

We’ll be back after the holiday with a short three weeks to finish off some units and prepare for final exams for high school students.  Exams will fall in the last week of January, with a PD day scheduled for Friday, January 31^st so teachers can work on marking finals and preparing grade 10-12 report cards set to go home on February 5^th.

That’s all for now.  For further information and updates from the students and classrooms, check out our school website at https://blogs.spiritsd.ca/hanley/.  As always, Mr. Anderson and I would love to talk to you if you have time to drop by the office or give us a call. Talk to you soon.

taking place on December 11, 2019

It looks like we’ll be enjoying the Family Fun Night next week! A photo booth will be available for families to get their pictures taken starting at 6:00pm. The song and performances by the elementary students will take place between 6:30 and 7:00pm. The Fun Night portion of the evening with cookie decorating and crafts and games will take place between 7:00 and 8:00pm. Piano students and our Grade 6 band will help open the evening!

Thank you to the SCC for supplying the Hot Chocolate again and to the SRC for the arranging the photo booth.

Raffle Baskets will be given away again – tickets by donation!

Looking forward to having you attend – We’ll see you there !!!

It’s been nice to see and feel some temperatures that feel more like October than November, but I also know the colder weather is on it’s way eventually.

Remind your students to wear the proper warm clothes to school again this season, including snow pants for elementary students headed outside to slide around and play in the snow, as well as for any of our students being picked up by bus.  Bus Drivers do have the authority to refuse students entry to the bus if they don’t have proper clothing for cold weather.  In the case of a breakdown, all students should have proper clothing to ensure they are safe and warm on the bus while waiting for support to arrive. While on the topic of bussing – a reminder that a combined temperature and wind chill that drops to minus 40 degrees will cancel buses for the day. If a bus doesn’t run in the morning, it will not run in the afternoon. Classes will never be cancelled on those days – the school is required to remain open for those students who do make it to school, including those whose parents drive them in.

Just like the last two years, we will be continuing with our Cold Cats club for students in grades K-7. Again, remember that this is an option on the indoor recess days for students who still want to go outside for some fresh air and outdoor play. I’ll be supervising them on those days on the playground until they’ve had enough. They can go back in when they get cold or once they’ve had enough, but it’s sure great for many of them to get some fresh air and exercise, even though its that cold. Please ensure those students are prepared with warm clothing and accessories so they can enjoy the recess. Call or email the school to sign up your Cold Cat student to be on our list. We even have Cold Cats shirts for sale!

The grade 11 and 12 students enjoyed another morning earlier this month at the annual Career Fair in Saskatoon.  Planning should be well underway for students to narrow their options for careers or education following grade 12.  For those students who are still struggling with ideas, help is always available from Mr Tucker who can lead the students to directions to start looking for answers.  I’ll also encourage any students who are considering an apprenticeship opportunity to spend some time to complete the Youth Apprenticeship Program this year as it offers many benefits to the student and the employer.

And on that same topic, this is a reminder that the Grade 12 Work Experience week one is scheduled for the first week of next month, December 2 – 6.  Students are expected to have met with their work placement employer for their interview in preparation for the first day that week.  Good luck to each of the students as they spend a week in their chosen career areas. Remember that your placement can convince you your career area is the right choice for you and just as important, might help you realize you want something different. I’m using a new online application called MyBlueprint with the high school students to help them learn about themselves and their career paths ahead of them. Students and parents both, make time to connect with me about it so we can get you started on it.

Our Christmas Family Fun night will take place on Dec 11 and the annual Christmas Lunch for students and staff will again be on the last school day of Dec 20. 

We sent report cards home last Thursday. The first quarter of the year has passed us very quickly. Congratulations to students on all your wonderful marks and achievements already this year.

That’s all for now.  For further information and updates from the students and classrooms, check out our school website at http://blogs.spiritsd.ca/hanley/.  As always, Mr. Anderson and I would love to talk to you if you have time to drop by the office or give us a call. Talk to you soon.

Hanley School will hold the annual Remembrance Program at the school in the gym on November 7th beginning at 10am. All community members are welcome.

There is no school for students on November 8th or November 11th.

We’ve been making the most out of this turn of events for our fall weather at our house – I barbequed the other day and the kids were outside in shirt sleeves and short pants again as they enjoyed the warmer temps. I was worried we weren’t going to see this in October – I’m happy to see it now. Because the mornings can be a bit chilly, please continue to help teach your students about the right clothes (jackets, mitts, headcoverings, cold pants, etc) as the weather changes.

Our athletic teams are doing quite well again this fall. Both the senior and junior girls volleyball teams are having some great seasons of growth and successes, and while the football team also had some positive growth this fall, struggled to move far into playoffs after a loss on Saturday at Viscount. Our junior boys volleyball team is growing as well – great job guys! Our cross country runners also had a great fall again with Callie and Kayley running at Provincials – that’s awesome! Playoffs for volleyball will start next week for juniors and senior playoffs in all other sports mentioned will be starting as well so good luck to everyone as you represent Hanley Composite School! We are all so proud of you!

We’re in the middle of some busy weeks ahead. Tri-Conferences for parents to meet with teachers and students are on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings this week.

The annual flu clinic is held in the school gym on Tuesday October 29^th starting in the afternoon and going until early evening.

Our PowerSchool automated system for attendance will contact parents if students are late or absent from class and have not been cleared. Please contact the school before the absence of your student if you know they will be away from school and if you are clearing their absence. If a student is not present for class and is un-cleared by you (ie. skipping), I will be having them work at the office to make up the missed time during any spares they have or breaks in the day including noon break. Thank-you for your help and support in this matter.

Our move away from cell phones in class continues this year. I commend the students for doing their best to keep their use out of class and leave the teaching time undisturbed by cell phones.

One last Health-related notice from me this month to keep you aware of. A couple years ago we sent some detailed information regarding e-vaping and its harmful effects as well as our concerns for its uses for other substances. Our policy remains that no e-vaping tools or products should be on school grounds and no e-vaping should be done during the school day and that those will be suspension cases should that come to our attention. We are also phasing out the smoking area this fall as well. Please have those talks with your students and educate yourself as their parent on the harmful effects of both.

We will remain focused on educating your students and encouraging them to make healthy choices.

That’s all from me for this month. Monthly newsletters will continue to be our routine. For further information and updates from the students and classrooms, check out our school website at http://blogs.spiritsd.ca/hanley/.  As always, Mr. Anderson and I would love to talk to you if you have time to drop by the office or give us a call.   Take care and I’ll talk to you soon.