The Grove
THE LATEST NEWS, EVENTS, AND UPDATES FROM NEWTON'S GROVE SCHOOL
Welcome Back
First Day of School
Welcome Back
As we gear up for the new school year, I want to extend a warm welcome to all our families, both new and returning. I’m thrilled to have our students back in the building soon and I am looking forward to an exciting year ahead.
For those who may not know me, my name is Marny Burke, and I have the privilege of serving as the Middle School Vice Principal for grades 6-8. I’ve been a proud member of the Newton’s Grove community since 2003, contributing in various capacities, from classroom teaching to leading the Primary-Junior Division, and now I am thrilled to be assuming a new role this year, leading our Middle School students and teachers.
In my time at Newton’s Grove, I’ve come to deeply value the strong sense of community and the supportive culture that define our school Working alongside Eva Diab, our Whole School Principal, and our dedicated team of teachers, we remain committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where each student can thrive Our focus is on encouraging personal growth, both academically and beyond the classroom, to ensure every student feels supported and empowered throughout their journey at Newton’s Grove
This Year’s School Theme Is: Gratitude
This year our school-wide theme is, “Finding Daily Gratitude” in our teaching and learning We look forward to sharing these moments of gratitude with the community in our weekly editions of, “The Grove” We ask that you chat with your child about the benefits of practicing gratitude and why it is so important to practice daily
Welcome to Our New Middle School Staff
We are thrilled to welcome several skilled and accomplished teachers to the Middle School Division this year. In the short time they have been with us, they have already shown the warmth, enthusiasm, and dedication that we value so much in our teaching staff. We are excited to see the wonderful contributions they will bring to the Newton’s Grove community!
We look forward to the positive energy and fresh perspectives these educators will bring to our school!
I believe all children can learn and each deserves a chance to grow into the best person that they can be
Jennifer Cole-Quinn
Grade 6 Language and Visual Arts
Jennifer Cole-Quinn is joining our Grade 6 team, where she will be teaching Language and Visual Arts from September to February At that time, we’ll be welcoming back Adrianna Sutherland (formerly Tallevi-Keller) as she returns from her maternity leave
My love for education and children’s well-being fuels my drive to invest myself 100% in what I do. I believe that each child is unique and possesses innate abilities
Shireen Daureeawoo
Middle School French
In the French Department, we are delighted to welcome Shireen Daureeawoo to our team.
Whether guiding students through challenging material or fostering a love of learning, I am dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of young learners
Clara Ballesteros
Grade 8 Language & STEM
The Grade 8 team is excited to have Clara Ballesteros join them, teaching Language and STEM until December, when Marha Jo Lewis will return from her maternity leave
I am an educator that takes each student’s learning path very seriously as well, fostering an inclusive classroom, adhering to the individual needs of each student, encouraging them every step of the way.
Alexandra Stabins
Grade7Science,History&Geography
In Grade 7, we’re pleased to welcome Alexandra Stabins, who will be teaching Science, History, and Geography.
First Day of School
What to Expect
Please join us for a fun-filled morning as you drop off your child on the first day of school We welcome you to enjoy coffee and to connect with others on the basketball court
When your child arrives, they should visit the appropriate table, designated by grade There they will be given a sticky tag printed with their name, their teacher’s name, and their homeroom class They will be directed to their morning entrance point and volunteers will be waiting to escort them to class where their teachers and friends (new and old), will be waiting to greet them
The first day will be a “Day Zero” and will have an alternate schedule planned which will allow students to spend ample time with their homeroom classes to begin building connections, to understand the “ins and outs” of the Middle School Division, and to co-construct some classroom agreements and expectations, starting the year off on the right foot! Students may come to school dressed in their regular school uniforms Summer uniform pieces are acceptable They do not need to bring gym uniforms
What to Bring
The following item are the basic supplies needed by Middle School students that should be brought on the first day of school:
3 large binders (1½ inch)
Subject dividers
Lined paper graph paper
Pencils and erasers
Pencil sharpener
Blue and red pens
A combination lock
(Dudley is highly recommended)
Correction tape
Pencil crayons and/or markers
Highlighters
A ruler
A laptop
A calculator
Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) at School
As always, but especially at the beginning of the school year, relationship building is key to social-emotional learning and overall well-being “Personal electronic devices” or “PEDs” can impede a student’s efforts to build new friendships For this and many other reasons, they are strongly discouraged at school
Middle School students who bring these devices (eg, cell phones and smart watches) will be required to place their PEDs in a bin at the start of the day and can retrieve them at 3:30 pm Any students needing to purchase lunch must purchase a lunch card or use methods of payment other than their phones to purchase items Any student needing to call home, may do so through the main office phone
The above-mentioned expectations are mandatory for all Middle School Students. Those students who disregard these rules may have their PED confiscated and a call made home by the Vice Principal.
Communication Is Key!
Communication is a cornerstone of our partnership w parents Our commitment is to keep you well informed abo your child’s progress, achievements, and any areas of conce that may arise You can anticipate receiving a welcome let from your child’s teacher during the first week of school T letter will comprehensively outline the most pertine information for the specific class, including timetables, teach contact information and more. On a regular basis, if you ha inquiries or matters of concern, your first point of contact is yo child’s teacher. If further assistance is needed, please do n hesitate to contact me at mburke@newtonsgroveschool.com.
Our school uses the online Learning Management Tool, “Edsby” If you are new to the school, please watch your inbox during the first week of school as you will receive an email invitation to join the platform If you have more than one child, you will receive multiple invitations and you will need to accept each one Edsby serves as a vital communication tool at Newton’s Grove School Parents and students should check Edsby each day for important school information, permission forms, events, homework, and to message backand-forth with their child’s teacher Note that parents should always login with their parent account as some communications will only arrive in parent inboxes.
Global Learning Program!
We are excited to unveil our new “Global Learning Program”. This year we will be offering national and international “Global Learning” experiences for the students at Newton’s Grove.
Be sure to click on the link below to read about the experiences available from grades 6 – 12
To highlight a few Two new excursions for Grade 9-12 are New York City, USA and Machu Picchu, Peru!!!
The Grade 6 students will be heading to Algonquin Park in the spring!!!
Nia’s Eats
Who Needs Uber Eats, when we have Nia’s Eats!
At Kat’s Catering, we are committed to providing healthy, delicious meals that fuel our students' minds and bodies throughout the day. Our team has been hard at work curating a diverse menu filled with flavorful, nutritious options tailored to meet a variety of dietary needs. Whether your child follows a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or halal diet or has any other dietary preferences we’ve got you covered. Let us know your needs, and we’ll take care of the rest. This year we’re excited to introduce a new salad/sandwich/bowl bar, where possibilities are endless A detailed menu will be sent out next week Also new this year we will be extending our weekly specials to include a soup of the week, a sandwich of the week and a hot table special
Lunches and Snacks
Students can purchase lunches and snacks directly from the cafeteria during their designated nutritional breaks
If you prefer to order on behalf of your child, you may do so through the website, katscateringca, before 10 am each day
Birthday Lunches
We are delighted to continue the cherished tradition of Birthday Lunches! Make your child’s special day even more memorable by treating their class to a catered lunch Orders can be placed via text to 647-922-1339 For a full list of options, please see the Birthday Lunch Menu.
As a thank-you for celebrating with us, your child will receive a special birthday loot bag and a festive hat. Please place your orders at least 4 days in advance of the celebration date.
Payment Options
We offer several convenient payment options at the cafeteria: cash, credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
Your child can also make use of the convenient Kat’s Catering Cafeteria Card This card can be preloaded for easy purchases both in-person and online. To apply for a Cafeteria Card, simply complete the online Cafeteria Card Application Form. Card balances can be checked online and funds can be reloaded at any time.
Please note that due to school policy, students in grade JK to 8 cannot have their cell phones with them between 8:30am and 3:30pm Students in these grades wishing to make purchases at the cafeteria, will need to use either cash or the Kat’s Catering Cafeteria Card
We are eagerly looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones this year Stay tuned for updates on weekly specials and other exciting news from Kat’s Catering on EdsbyIf you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us We are here to make this school year exceptional for everyone
key dates
tuesday, sep 3rd: 8:15AM-9:15AM first day of school & Coffee on the Court
friday, sep 20th
fashion friday
Casual dress day, aka, “Fashion Friday” (students may wear their choice ofclothing;seefamilyhandbookforguidelines)
tuesday, sep 24th: 5:30pm - 6:30pm meet the teacher night
monday, sep 30th
National Truth and Reconciliation Day
Students are invited to wear an orange shirt in recognition and solidarity withIndigenousCanadiansacrossthecountry
Marny Burke
The year ahead is filled with promise, growth, and countless opportunities for children to shine Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of helping to shape your child’s future!
I am looking forward to the year ahead! Until then, please contact me with any questions or suggestions
