Dear Highwood Families
As we are currently uncertain if there will be a teachers strike and if so, how long it will be for, we encourage you to stay tuned to the local news for any updates. Please note that any scheduled events during the strike will be cancelled and rescheduled upon return only if possible.
Here are just a few information items and reminders for the month of October:
- School Development Plan
- Lunch utensils and extra food
- Morning entry and arriving on time
- Parking around the school
- Highwood School vs Highwood School Council… what’s the difference?
- Important October dates
School Development Plan (SDP)
Every year all CBE schools must create a plan based on student data on how they want to improve student achievement. This year we will build on the growth students made last year with oral language (in English and Chinese) and transfer that knowledge into reading using the neurolinguistic approach. We will also continue with the Zen Zodiac and how it contributes to student well-being and problem solving.
Lunch Utensils and Extra Food
A friendly reminder to please pack a fork or spoon in your child’s lunch bag every day. As well, as the year progresses and children grow, we find that students get hungrier and require a bigger lunch and snack. So far we’ve had many students coming to the office for more snacks.
Morning Entry and Arriving on Time
Every morning we have a ‘soft entry’ where students enter the school upon arrival between 8:05-8:20. We ask that you do not drop students off before 8:05 as the school is not officially open at that time and we may not have enough supervisors. As well, if students arrive after 8:20, they are considered late and must enter through the front door, collect a “Welcome Slip” from the office before they can proceed to class. It is important that students arrive on time every day so that they can be a part of the class’ daily morning routine and start the day off without feeling rushed.
Parking Around the School
Parking around Highwood before and after school can be VERY CRAZY. We continue to receive complaints from neighbours about cars blocking their driveways/ garages and even parking in their actual driveway! PLEASE be kind and considerate to our neighbours and NOT block their driveways. It is very important that you pass this message on to family members (i.e. grandparents; aunties/uncles; family friends) who drive your children to and from school as we have noticed that many of these drivers who block driveways are not parents. We also ask that you do not make an illegal u-turn in the middle of the road as it is extremely dangerous and blocks traffic.
Highwood School vs. Highwood School Council… what’s the difference?
Sometimes you may receive emails from Highwood School and sometimes from Highwood School Council… so what’s the difference? Highwood School emails are from the administration and staff at the school. Highwood School Council is a group of parents who volunteer their time to meet regularly, fundraise, organize special events for students, and work collaboratively with the school to make certain decisions. They are the ones that organize all of the fun lunches! In other school jurisdictions, it is known as Parent Council. Any parent or guardian of a Highwood School student is welcome to join Highwood School Council. In fact, they are always looking for volunteers to help with special events! You can keep up with Council news and events on Instagram @highwoodschoolcouncil
Important October dates
Wednesday, October 1: Fun lunch (only for those who ordered and paid online)
Friday, October 3: Monday/ Wednesday kindergarten attends school
Monday, October 6: Mid-Autumn Festival
Tuesday, October 7: Clay for Kids (in-school) Grade 4
Wednesday, October 8: Clay for Kids (in-school) Grade 3
Friday, October 10: Tuesday/ Thursday kindergarten attends school
Monday, October 13: Thanksgiving- NO SCHOOL FOR ALL STUDENTS
Friday, October 17: Monday/ Wednesday kindergarten attends school
Monday, October 20: Non-Instructional Day - NO SCHOOL FOR ALL STUDENTS
Friday, October 24: Tuesday/ Thursday kindergarten attends school
Monday, October 27: Picture re-take day
Tuesday, October 28: Butterfield Acres (off-site) Grade 1
Thursday, October 30: Fun lunch (only for those who ordered and paid online and received an email confirmation)
Friday, October 31: Spirit Day: Orange and Black Day (NO COSTUMES); Monthly assembly at 9:00am hosted by grade 3 team; Monday/ Wednesday kindergarten attends school
Sincerely,
Highwood School
Please print a copy of the 2025-2026 calendar so that you can refer to it for days off: HIGHWOOD 2025-2026 CALENDAR