Good Evening Clayton Park Junior High Families,

PowerSchool

All parents and students are encouraged to check PowerSchool on a regular basis. PowerSchool is updated daily with student attendance. In addition, parents and students can check on students’ assignments and assessments. Anything that is blue in PowerSchool provides additional information. Teachers have updated students’ assignments and assessments in PowerSchool as of January 17th. Please reach out to your student’s teacher if you have further questions.

February is African Heritage Month - February is a month for all Nova Scotians to celebrate, honour and learn about the rich and glorious history of people of African Descent. This year, the provincial theme is: Seas of Struggle – African Peoples from Shore to Shore, recognizes the resiliency, strength, and determination of people of African descent from the shores of Africa to the shores of Nova Scotia -- with the Atlantic Ocean being the everlasting connection.

The theme highlights the role the sea has played in the long-standing history of people of African descent in the development of Canada and Nova Scotia. This year’s theme aligns with the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent (DPAD) 2015-2024. The goal is to strengthen global cooperation in support of people of African descent, increase awareness and recognize their full and equal participation in society.

Nova Scotia has more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities with a long, deep and complex history dating back more than 400 years. African Heritage Month provides another opportunity to celebrate and promote the culture, legacy, achievements and contributions of people of African descent in Nova Scotia – past and present. Learn more here.

Looking for ways to recognize and celebrate African Heritage Month?

• Attend events happening throughout the month at your local Halifax Public Library.
• While you’re at the library, borrow books that will inspire the whole family to learn more about African heritage.
• Visit local heritage sites, such as the Black Cultural Centre, the Africville Museum, and the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre.

February is Registration Month

Effective February 1, 2023, we will be accepting registrations for the 2023-2024 school year through our new online portal, PowerSchool Enrollment!

Tip: Before you begin, make sure you have the following documents in electronic form (image, PDF or Word document):

• Proof of identity/age with one of the following: birth certificate, passport, immigration papers, or legal adoption papers) if you are new to the HRCE;
• Proof of home address (a recently dated official government or utility document with your current address that includes your name and date, such as water bill, power bill, internet bill, home fuel bill, a tax receipt, property assessment or a mortgage contract); and
• Nova Scotia Health Card or Canadian Province Health Card or, for non-citizens while in Canada, proof of Medical Insurance Information.

Visit the HRCE website for more information and to enrol your child today!

Don’t have a child to register? Maybe you know someone who does! Please help us spread the word and pass this information on to friends, neighbours or relatives who will be looking to register for the fall.

Students in grade 7 and 8 will be receiving a copy of PowerSchool Demographics page that we have on file. We will be asking families to review the information on the form and make any corrects to information that should be updated. It is important that we have accurate information on file. Grade 7 and 8 students will be receiving these forms in the coming weeks. We will send an alert to all grade 7 and 8 families when students receive these.

February 20 is Heritage Day

This year’s Heritage Day honours Elder Rita (Bernard) Joe, a member of the We’koqma’q Mi’kmaq Community and published author, who was instrumental in paving the way for other Mi’kmaq authors. Her greatest wish was to see more writings come from her people and “that the children would read it.” Learn more here.

Reminder that there are no classes on Monday, February 20 in honour of Heritage Day.

Cannabis caution for families

Cannabis products can look like regular food such as baked goods, chocolate, or candy. As a result, children are potentially at risk of poisoning from unintentional cannabis consumption. In fact, in 2021, the IWK Poison Centre recorded an 83% increase in the number of cases regarding children eating cannabis edibles—a trend that continues to increase every year since legalization.

Here are some resources to help keep children safe: ·

• IWK Child Safety Link tips ·
• Cannabis Talk Kit: How to talk with your teen 
• Be in the Know: Talking with Youth about Cannabis ·
• Cannabis information for caregivers
• Alcohol, cannabis and other drugs: Know the facts

Weigh in on the HRCE website

What do you like about the HRCE website? What needs improvement?

We want to hear from you!

The Communications and Information Technology teams are currently planning a refresh and upgrade of the HRCE corporate website.

To ensure the new site reflects what’s important to families, community and staff, we are inviting your input! Your thoughts, ideas and feedback will help us develop a website that will better serve those who use it most.

Please take five minutes to share your perspective. This survey closes on Tuesday, February 7.

Click here to begin.

Important Dates;

• February 20th – Heritage Day (no classes)
• March 13th – 17th – March Break (no classes)
• March 20th – Assessment & Evaluation Day (no classes)
• March 29th – Parent Teacher Interviews 6-8pm
• March 30th – AM PD Day (no classes) & Parent Teacher Interviews 1-3pm (no classes)
• April 7th – Good Friday (no classes)
• April 10th – Easter Monday (no classes)
• May 8th – Grade 7 Immunizations
• May 22nd – Victoria Day (no classes)
• June 29th – Assessment & Evaluation Day (no classes)
• June 30th – Last Day of School

With Gratitude,

The Staff and Administration of Clayton Park Junior High