Principal’s Message
Reflection is an important part of learning about ourselves and figuring out what our next steps are so that we can grow and improve as learners and as people. It is also a critical part of being a leader. It takes courage, grit and determination to look within yourself to find the areas in your life and journey that need extra attention and then to act on those areas to get results.
I spend a lot of time reflecting as the proud principal of this incredible school so that I can ensure that we are pushing the boundaries of what a strong, inclusive community of learners looks, feels and sounds like. The hard work and perseverance of the staff and students at our school this year is something to be celebrated; we have built on a foundation of rigorous teaching and learning a safe and welcoming environment where we can all learn and do our work together each and every day. Thank you to all of our incredible teachers, office staff, facility staff, library staff, Educational Assistants and lunch supervisors for your dedication and commitment to our school and community. We are stronger together and I am grateful to have you as part of my team.
To the parents – thank you for entrusting us with your children. Our classrooms are the doors to many lives; we humbly serve our students and families with the understanding that working with and teaching children is a gift, one to be cherished and never taken for granted.
New Start time for Fall 2024
Dear parents and guardians,
Looking ahead to the start of our next school year, we want to ensure families have the most up to date information regarding bell times and our calendar.
Our bell times have changed slightly. Students will start at 9:00 am Monday - Friday. Dismissal times will remain the same. Doors will open beginning at 8:55am for soft entry. Instruction begins at 9am.
Bell times: Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 3:40; Fridays will be 9:00 am-12:50 pm.
Lunch Hour: Student lunch hour will also be updated where grades 1-4 students will have a staggered lunch from 12:20-1:10 pm.
Kindergarten students: will have lunch from 12:40-1:30 pm. More information about lunch and kindergarten staggered entry dates to come in August.
We have attached next year’s school calendar for further details and important information about school start up. Please read through the calendar and the box at the bottom of the first page for school-specific information. As was shared last week, a “Back to School” email will be sent to families no later than Friday, August 23, 2024 with information about the first day and week of school- for all students.
Medications which were stored in our infirmary will be coming home with your children today
Music News
Dear West Springs Parents,
I hope that the year is wrapping up nicely for your families. It has been great to be back full-time at West Springs.
Thank you to all who have given me cards, gifts, and encouraging words this week! I feel encouraged and cared for. And I am highly impressed with the creativity and care in the art kids have given me this week!
Here are some learning highlights from the past several weeks:
Grade 1: Djembe drumming, learning about Mozart, singing a bit of the melody from "Eine Kleine Nachtmusick" and listening to the Queen of the Night aria from Mozart's The Magic Flute
Grade 2: Djembe drumming, learning about and listening to Stevie Wonder, singing "Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music.
Grade 3: Djembe drumming, learning about and listening to Earth, Wind & Fire, learning and singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz.
Grade 4: Learning ukulele, learning and performing "Remember Your Smile", and reflecting on the past few years of learning music at West Springs.
I hope you all have a great summer, and I look forward to teaching your kids and seeing you next year. All the best to the families who are moving on to West Ridge. It has been a blessing to be able to teach music to your kids!
Best, Mr. Vooys
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Have a safe and wonderful summer!
Susan and Leah, West Springs School Admin Team