Welcome Back!

Hello new and returning parents and welcome to the 2023-24 school year! I hope you’ve all had a great summer and your kids are excited for school. With our wonderful Jane Leeming in the office, we are getting ready for another fantastic year at Blewett Elementary!  Our custodian, Luke, has worked all summer getting the school ready so our teachers can prepare their classrooms for the kids. Thank you, Luke!

I’d like to welcome a few new staff to our school: Michaela Rawlins will be our part time Kindergarten teacher on Thursdays and Fridays as Nikki Leeming is away on maternity leave. Michelle Pozin will be sharing duties in the Inclusion Support department with Sarah Wood. Sarah will also continue with us this year as Prep teacher. I’d also like to welcome Miranda Terlingen as our school counselor.

Our returning teaching staff consists of Leanne Kalabis (gr K/1), Lindsay Verigin (gr 1/2), Amy Walker (gr 2/3), James Wheeler (gr 4/5), and Sarah Nelson (gr 5/6) while Mr. Hammerich is away until April. 

Educational Assistants at BES include Cathy Centrone, Cindy Martin, Stu Griffett, and Irina Peters. Their support in the classroom is an important part to our students’ success.    

The first day of school:

Tuesday September 5th is a half day for all students except this year’s kindergarten students whose first official day of school is on Friday, Sept 8th. Ms. Rawlins and Ms. Kalabis have sent out the gradual entry calendar and interview schedule to all kindi families. Please contact Jane at our office to make an interview appointment.

School Supplies:

School supplies are provided by the school for a fee of $45. We have shopped in advance of the start of school, and we are hoping that parents will make arrangements to pay this small fee before the end of September. See our website to pay online or drop off cash or cheque at the office. If this fee is a hardship for you, please contact Mr. Konken to work out a plan.

What to bring:

Students need water bottles, snacks, indoor shoes, and backpacks for September 5th. Starting the next day, they will need healthy lunches!  We hope that our BPAC hot lunch program will start up soon. Stay tuned for more on hot lunches soon!

Buses:

On the first day of school (Tuesday) buses will pick up students at their regular times in the morning and will leave Blewett three hours earlier than normal.  We will dismiss at 11:13 am so please plan accordingly for after-school care. Please remember not to let young children walk through the bus driving area unattended. Parents must escort their younger children through this area. Drive slowly! 

Here is a link to our district bussing information for routes and registration

Classrooms:

On the afternoon of September 5th, staff will spend a significant amount of time finalizing class lists for this school year.  We place students in groups where they are most likely to be successful socially, emotionally, and academically.  Your child might not be in the classroom that they want as there are over 100 children to consider in our school.  Thanks for your understanding and patience in this process.

How to keep up with what’s happening at school:

If you are wanting to stay in the loop with the happenings of Blewett Elementary School, you can expect monthly newsletters from me and regular blog posts on our school website (see link here). Also, our teachers do an excellent job at communicating with parents through Class Dojo and other platforms. 

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                          Some important dates coming up for this month:

Our Circle of Courage theme for the fall:   “BELONGING”

• First Day of School (half day) Dismiss at 11:13am                                      Sept.  5                   Tues
• 1st day of full day classes for gr 1-6                                                         Sept.  6                  Wed
• CHEQ Survey for Kindergarten Parents (school library- 8:30am)                Sept 8                  Fri
• Kokanee Spawning Tour  (gr 1-6)                                                                 Sept 11                Mon
• Indigenous Sports Day                                                                                 Sept 13                Wed
• School Presentation  (Guest Speaker: Michael Bortoloto)                         Sept 18                Mon
• Terry Fox Run                                                                                               Sept. 21                  Thur
• Non-Instructional Day (School Planning Day)                                              Sept. 22              Fri
• Fire Drill #1  (10:20 am)                                                                                Sept 27                   Wed 
• Book Fair                                                                                                      Sept 27.             Wed
• Orange Shirt Day                                                                                          Sept 28                Thur
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation                                                    Sept. 29              Fri   

Sincerely, 

Jordon Konken

Principal - Blewett Elementary School

(250) 352-5314