May 2024 Newsletter

Principal's Message

Is it really only two months until summer? As we head into the Spring Weather, we have an increase of special activities at the school through field trips, athletic events, and competitions. Please be reminded that these events are only intended for those participating in the event (e.g., Track & Field, Soccer, Rugby, Field Trips, etc). It is the expectation that all other students attend school on those days. Non-participants are not welcome to attend these events, and the supervision is provided only for the participants. Thank you for your cooperation with these expectations.

We continue to have a lot going on around the school and our staff is really enjoying working with our students both in and out of the classroom. Take a peek below and all the great things happening at our school this month! Have a magnificent May!

Mr. G. DonaldsonPrincipalJohn T Tuck PS

EQAO Dates

Our Grade 3 & 6 students will be participating in the Provincial EQAO Assessments this spring. These assessments are a snapshot of your child’s learning in the primary and junior divisions. Please ensure that you do not book vacation or appointments during this time to ensure that your child can complete the assessment with the other children in the classroom. If you have any questions about the assessment, please contact your child's teacher or the administration at the school.

Grade 6 - June 5, 6, and 10

Grade 3 - May 29, 30 and June 4

Parent Council Meeting

On Thursday, May 9, 2023 at 7:00pm we will be having our final Parent Council meeting of the year in the school library where we will allocate the rest of the council budget to support student learning at Tuck, and discuss year end activities as well as September Start up. We would like to thank Krista Craig and Shauna Plawiuk for their leadership as co-chairs this year. All parents are welcome to attend.

Class Building Parent Input

The process of organizing students into classes will still take place through May, June and over the summer. Administration, classroom teachers and Special Education teachers spend many hours forming classes. To assist us in making our decisions, we use many sources of data. Our focus is always the creation of balanced classes that are based upon learning style, gender equity, academic balance, instructional groupings and peer compatibility.

If you feel that our staff is missing some information about your child’s class placement, and you would like to provide input for the upcoming school year for your child's class placement, please click here to fill out a form that will go to Mr. Donaldson. This is not a form that all families would fill out, but only for those who feel there is special consideration requiring feedback. We will not consider any requests for teachers by name, as our teachers often change grades and/or move schools right up until the Labour Day weekend as enrollment shifts within the school. Your information will be considered along with all of the other relevant criteria developed by the school for determining class organization. Please complete the form by May 15th if you would like your input considered.

We will consider all information, however, the final decision rests with the school.

If you are planning to move out of the John T. Tuck Public School area before September 2024, please let the office know as soon as possible by sending an email to Mrs. Mistry (mistrym@hdsb.ca) and your child's homeroom teacher, so that we can take that into consideration in class-building as well as update our records. Those students who are moving to Pineland PS due to enrollment in French Immersion do not need to contact Mrs. Mistry, as we already have that list of students.

Late Arrivals

We have noticed in the office that there has been a large volume of students coming late every day. We ask that parents please make a concerted effort to make sure their child(ren) gets to school on time and ready to learn. When students are late, it impacts their learning and makes for a more challenging transition and can be very disruptive to their teacher and classmates. Our staff begins supervision at 9:05 a.m. Therefore, students should arrive between 9:05 a.m. -9:15 a.m. to ensure a smooth transition to the school day. Thank you for your support.

Tuck Book Swap Event

Parent Council is facilitating a Book Swap for your home libraries! We are askig that you donate your used and gently loved books to our collection bins on the blacktop May 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Book donations will also be collected at our Family Wellness Night on May 1st. The Book Swap/Sale will take place alongside a Parent Coffee morning during the week of May 13th (exact date will depend on the weather and will be shared soon!). All books will be on display for students and parents to refresh their home libraries. Suggested donation of 25 cents/book. All proceeds will go to support Halton Learning Foundation which helps to eliminate financial barriers to education for elementary and high school students in Halton. Thank you for your support!

Jump Rope For Heart

JTT will be holding its Jump Rope for Heart event on Tuesday May 14th (rain date of May 15th). Every Kindergarten to grade six class will have a period of the day outside getting their hearts pumping through physical exercise. Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation will be greatly appreciated and are done online through a link to our school. More information to follow.

Halton Student Transportation Services Courtesy Seats

Each year, in accordance with Halton Student Transportation Services (HSTS) Operating Procedure regarding Courtesy Seats, families with children who are not eligible for school bus transportation to and from school may apply for a courtesy seat. The HSTS Courtesy Seat online application form is now open for submissions until Sunday, June 30, 2024 at 5 p.m. HSTS will complete the courtesy seat application review and allocation process over the summer in order to allow courtesy riders to begin riding the bus on the first day of school in September 2024. All applicants will be advised of the status of their application by the third week of August via email to the primary contact provided to the school. Approved applicants can access their transportation schedule via the HSTS Parent Portal (Parent Portal Instructions) during the third week of August 2024.

Stay on top of bus cancellations and delays by visiting haltonbus.ca to monitor your child’s bus route and sign up for transportation alerts.

ADAPT Webinar

ADAPT presents a "Technology Over Use and Social Media Webinar: on Monday, April 29th at 7 pm. Adapt will provide resources for both parents and teachers about technology overuse, social media and how to support youth during this 1 hour presentation. Please see this Adapt Webinar Flyer for more information, and to register.

Days of Significance this Month

Here are the days of significance listed in our HDSB calendar this month. We encourage families to share your traditions and celebrations with your child's classroom teacher, fostering a rich tapestry of learning, celebration and understanding.

1 - Beginning of Armenian Heritage Month

1 - Beginning of Asian Heritage Month

1 - Beginning of Dutch Heritage Month

1 - Beginning of Jewish Heritage Month

1 - Beginning of Polish Heritage Month

1 - Beginning of South Asian Heritage Month

1 - Beltane

2 - Twelfth Day of Ridván

3 - Orthodox Holy Friday

5-6 - Yom HaShoah

5 - Orthodox Easter Sunday

5 - Red Dress Day: National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit people (MMIWG2S)