Good Evening Clayton Park Families,

Here's a quick update on what's going on at CPJH!

Leadership 9 Food Drive

Ms. Matte and the Leadership 9 students are collecting donations for Feed Nova Scotia.  The Leadership team have boxes set up in all classrooms and in the main office for students to drop off a nonperishable food donation.  Food donations will be accepted until Friday, December 17.

Spirit Week at CPJH December 13th - 17th

This season is full of spirit and at school we are planning something special as well. We will have a spirit week next week.  Each Day will have a theme.

Monday, December 13th – Wear your PJ's

Tuesday, December 14th – School Spirit Day- CPJH Colors

Wednesday, December 15th – Candy Cane Day- Wear Red or White

Thursday, December 16th – Festive Accessory Day- Hats, Ties, Socks, Scarves, Ugly Sweaters... whatever you've got!

Friday, December 17th – Wear the colors of YOUR favorite holiday

Lunchtime

We are having numerous students arriving late after lunch on a daily bases.  On any given day we have up to 15-40 students arriving 5-30 minutes late.  Students have 60 minutes for lunch and afternoon classes begin at 1:20pm.  Students are allowed to enter the building beginning at 1:10pm in order to go to their locker, and obtain items required for their afternoon classes.  Students are to be in class by 1:20pm, ready to learn as afternoon instruction by staff begins at 1:20pm.  When students arrive at 1:20pm or later they are causing a disruption to the learning environment and are missing out on valuable instruction and learning that is taking place in the classroom.

In addition, we have been receiving numerous complaints from businesses in the Clayton Park Shopping Plaza (Sobey’s, MacDonalds, Dollarama) and Metro Transit regarding students during the lunch hour.  On multiple occasions, Metro Transit and the businesses have contacted Halifax Regional Police regarding the conduct and behavior of Clayton Park Junior High Students.  The school provides supervision to students who stay for lunch.   Students who leave the school grounds at lunch hour are not supervised.  I ask that you please speak with your child if they leave school at lunch.  If they go to the Clayton Park Shopping Plaza or take the Metro Transit at lunch please speak to them about behavior and expectations while in or around business or taking transportation.  Many of these students are also arriving late after lunch.  Again, students can stay at Clayton Park for lunch and are provided with supervision.  Many students have not been able to get back on buses on time to arrive back at the school before 1:20pm.  Today we had 46 students arrive late from lunch that took Metro Transit to Clayton Park Plaza.  This is causing a significant disruption to the learning environment after the lunch time.

I encourage families to log into PowerSchool as; attendance is recorded for all classes.  When students arrive late this is recorded in PowerSchool.

Cell Phones

Many teachers are having an increase in students using cell phones during classtime.  Students are not permitted to be using cell phones during class time unless given permission by the teacher.  We have experienced an increase in inappropriate cell phone usage over the past weeks. Issues have included harassment and inappropriate image sharing. It is unacceptable to take photos or videos of anyone at school. This is a serious privacy issue.  This has also created a disruption to students learning. If your child has a cell phone this is an important issue to discuss with them.  Teachers will email families if they are having issues with cell phones with particular students.  We appreciate your support with this.

Dressing for the Weather

Now that the colder weather is upon us, please remind your child to dress appropriately for the weather.  Unless temperatures are very cold, students will be outside during lunch for 25 minutes.

Notification of Absences

Please inform the school if your child is not attending school by calling 902-457-8930 or emailing cpjh@hrce.ca. Please leave the student’s full name and a brief description of the reason for the absence.  This includes if they are picked up at lunchtime and are missing the afternoon.

Student of the Month

At CPJH the staff and administration are committed to establishing and maintaining a welcoming and safe school community that values the academic and personal growth of all students. At Clayton Park we have a number of students we would like to recognize each month who actively contribute to this goal.

The Student of the Month is:

·     Respectful to students and staff

·     Respects school routines and expectations

·     Demonstrates positive character through their honesty, compassion, kindness, cooperation and gratitude toward others

·     Works to the best of their ability, is diligent, prepared and committed to learn

·     Shows progress and growth in learning and character

·     Shows accountability and takes responsibility for their learning and their actions

·     Demonstrates good sportsmanship and citizenship

The staff and administration would like to thank our November Students of The Month for helping to make CPJH a great school and the adults in their lives who have helped to instill and nurture qualities of citizenship, adding value to our school community.

Rahma Awad - 71

Jonah Foley - 81

Camoye Brown - 91

Sadhika Ajith - 72

Angus Flynn - 82

Abeesha Duaa - 92

Kulay Cruz - 73

Farida Sido - 83

Kiera Kuznetsova - 93

Sybah Artimy - 74

Suzanne Jackson - 84

Anna Hubbard - 94

Erica Sweeney - 75

Rihisti Tekle - 85

Malek Al Nakhoudi – 95

Nahla Hart - 76

We thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

The Staff and Administration of Clayton Park Junior High