Port Weller Summer Edition- June 2016
At this time, we would like to wish all of our families a wonderful
and well deserved summer break. We look forward to seeing
you in September. A BIG thank you to all of our parents and
extended family members for your ongoing support over the
course of the past school year. We have all worked hard this
year nurturing our children. Take the summer to celebrate our
successes!
PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS – September 2016
There are many factors that contribute to how classes in an elementary school are organized. A
couple of those factors include the number of teachers that a school is assigned and that we adhere
to the 20 student maximum in our primary classes. At times, this leads to combined grade classes.
Looking ahead to September, it is likely that we will have several combined classrooms next year at
Port Weller. It is important to remember that in ALL classrooms, no matter how they are organized,
teachers need to provide for the individual needs of students. Within a class of combined grades,
students work towards the achievement of their grade-specific curriculum expectations. Assessment,
evaluation, and reporting are grade specific. Instruction in classes of combined grades can provide
students with increased opportunities for social and emotional growth.
Please note that classroom organization is not confirmed until after the second week in
September once we have confirmed any new registrations and families that have moved to
new areas.
When we are forming class lists, a great deal of consideration goes into the placement of students for
next year. We take into account each child’s needs in order to provide the best academic and social
environment for our students.
Factors to be considered are:
 The balance of boys and girls where possible
 Learning styles of students
 Class dynamics
 Positive groupings of students
 Teaching and learning styles
 Previous classroom placements and dynamics
All student placements are temporary until the end of the second week in September when
final numbers are reviewed. We respect that parents want the best for their children academically
and socially. Please understand that all staff want the same for your children. We strive to provide a
learning environment for students in which they will be most successful.
September 6, 2016
Students will receive their class placements for next year on the first day back in September.
At 9:05 a.m., all students from Year 2 Kindergarten (SK) to Grade 8 will be greeted by staff at the front
doors and then ushered into the gym where they will be connected with their homeroom teacher. All
Year 2 Kindergarten (SK) students will begin school on September 6th. There will be staggered
entry for Year 1 Kindergarten (JK) students.
Staffing Changes
The end of the year often marks change. Mrs. Shaughnessy has been a member of the Port Weller
family for 24 years. This summer, she will be making a big change- retiring after 32 years of teaching.
We appreciate all that Mrs. Shaughnessy has done as a member of the Port Weller staff. Her
dedication and passion will be missed. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors!
Ms. Gamm has been on a LTO for the year in the Grade 4/5 class. Her energy and enthusiasm have
been a wonderful addition to Port Weller. We wish her well in September!
Mrs. Worville has been supporting our Kindergarten learners here at Port Weller for the past 2 years.
She will be heading to Prince of Wales in St. Catharines for the fall. We wish her all the best at POW.
Miss Kurucz has worked as an Educational Assistant at Port Weller for the past 2 years. We
appreciate all of the support and care she has given to the students in our FSP class and throughout
our building. We wish her the best in her future career.
As our enrollment continues to change, we will be welcoming 3 new staff members: Mr. Thorpe from
Crossroads, Mrs. Janzen from Connaught, Ms. Favotto from EI McCulley and Mrs. Gracey from
Parnall. We look forward to having them become a part of our school community.
Staff 2016-2017
Below is a list of the Port Weller School Staff for the 2016-17 school year. Teaching assignments
are not finalized at this time.
Ms. H. Abbey
Mrs. T. Hampson
Mr. H. Epp
Mrs. T. McCann
Mrs. S. Di Teodoro
Ms. N. Favotto
Mrs. M. Chilcott
Mrs. A. Perrier
Ms. K. Troup
Mrs. D. Nesbitt
Mrs. M. MacLaughlin
TBD
Mrs. T. Venneri
Mr. K. Dyck
Mr. S. Reimer
Mrs. C. Rosts
Mrs. M. Hobbs
Mr. J. Thorpe
Mrs. J. Foley
Ms. K. Wood
Mrs. L. Janzen
Mrs. S. Warren
Mrs. J. Epp
Mrs. C. Smith
Mrs. J. Crowther
- Principal
- Administrative Assistant
- Custodian
- Kindergarten
- Kindergarten
- Kindergarten
- Primary
- Primary
- Primary
- Primary
- LRT
- Junior
- Junior
- Junior
- Intermediate
- Intermediate
- Special Education
- Library, Prep
- French
- Prep
- Prep
- Youth Worker
- Night Custodian
- Night Custodian
- On Leave
Early Childhood Educators
Mrs. T. Smith
Mrs. C. Gracey
Educational Assistants
Mrs. K. Davis
Mrs. S. Graham
Mrs. M. LeRose
Mrs. N. Bobodilla
Mrs. E. Wiens
Thank you to our wonderful lunch
yard supervisors:
Mrs.Klassen, Mrs. Winterbottom
and Mrs. Beaudry alongside our
alternate supervisors,
Mrs. Maynard, Mrs. Thompson
and Mrs. Laing. We appreciate all
of your hard work and support in
keeping our students safe and
happy.
End of the year checklist
o Have you checked the house for any books that should be returned to the school?
o Have you provided your child with some bags with which to bring home their belongings?
o Do you have your child’s Epi-pen or other medications? All medication NOT picked up by
June 29th will be discarded safely. Thank you for understanding.
o Are you moving? Call us with this information as soon as possible!
Thank You!
A big thank you to Mrs. Amanda Hill for the countless hours of creative energy spent on
developing year end certificates for every single student (JK – 8) in our school! Each student is
to be commended for their participation this year at Port Weller Public School. Thank you, Mrs.
Hill, for your help in making all of our students feel special! Please ask your child to show
you their certificate!
Thank you to the 2015-16 Port Weller School Advisory Council! We hope to see parents
returning to this role next year. I would like to encourage more parents to come out next year to
ensure that we are giving all of our students the best school experience possible. Our first
meeting will be September 13, 2016 at 6 p.m. in order to prepare for the upcoming Open
House on September 21, 2016. All subsequent meetings will be on the 4th Tuesday of each
month.
Thank you to Mrs. Julie Rubel for spearheading our Breakfast Club. Many students at Port
Weller are able to start their day off on a happy and healthy note. We are extremely grateful for
all of the parents who volunteer their time. Please know that you are making a difference in the
lives of so many students!
Volunteers make all things possible!
Thank you from all staff and students to our many parent, family and community volunteers.
Some of you were in classrooms, some of you were in the office and some of you supported us
from home. We could not do what we do without you! Please accept our sincere appreciation.
School Website
Don’t forget to visit us at www.portweller.dsbn.org, twitter@portwellerps
or facebook at Port Weller School–School Advisory Council. There will be updates in August.
Mark You Calendar
Silent Auction/Open House – Save the date: September 21st. Donations are needed!
New or unused items you’d like to donate for the Auction please drop off at the office.
I have enjoyed being a part of the Port Weller community,
even though it was just for a short period of time!
Wishing all of our families a safe and happy summer. May
you rest, relax and enjoy spending time with family and
friends! To our Grade 8 graduates and families moving on
to new places, we wish you all the best!
Ms. A. Butler