Dear NHS families,
Welcome back! We got through our first week and hope that we are truly ready to dive into it next week. On behalf of the entire staff, I would like to welcome all new and returning students to the 2024 – 2025 school year. We look forward to getting to know you and meeting with you in person as time allows.
Personally, I am so thankful for the incredible amount of support, the openness to collaboration and communication and just the general sense of being welcomed wholly here at NHS!
There are a lot of new faces in the hallways of NHS, and we took some time to welcome everyone Friday morning during a quick introduction assembly in the gymnasium.
I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome the following new staff to Niverville High School:
- Ms. Anika Janzen, Mr. Brandon Lockerby, Mr. Amiable Lugumire, Mr. Eric Martel, Ms. Robin Nemeth, Mr. Joel Neufeldt, Ms. Carlee Penner, Mr. Patrick Riddel and Ms. Kera Leask Prymak.
In addition, I would also like to welcome back the following staff to NHS after some time away from the building:
- Mr. Nathan Dyck, Mrs. Adrienne Happychuk and Mrs. Janelle Malech
As always, we look forward to hearing from you and welcome you to contact the people below in addition to your child’s teacher, if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child in the upcoming year. All email addresses can be found on the NHS website.
Principal: Paul Grosskopf
Vice Principal: Graham Sereda
Learning Support Teacher(s): Raelyn Voulgaris + Graham Sereda
Guidance Counsellor: Ms. Carlee Penner
Flexible Education: Ms. Katie Martin
Course Changes
Most course changes should have been completed by now. However, if a course change is needed, students must make an appointment with our guidance counsellor Ms. Carlee. Students must attend their assigned courses until a change can officially be made.
Please note that most classes are already at capacity and availability for changes will be very limited. Wednesday, September 11th will be the last day available for any schedule change requests.
Meet the Teacher
Save the Date. A Meet the Teacher Open House will be on Thursday, September 12th from 5:30pm to 7:30 pm. This is an opportunity for a quick “meet and greet” conversation with teachers in-person so we invite you to stop in to say “hello”. All teachers will be in the gym. No appointment required.
Automated Attendance Calls
To accurately track student attendance we use automated attendance phone calls and emails. Daily phone calls and emails are sent to parents each day around 6:00 pm in cases where students have been absent or late from a class and were not parent excused.
Please note that students who are not in class when attendance is taken will be marked absent. If a student is late for class, they need to sign in at the office and get a late slip – this is the only way the “absent” gets changed to a “late”.
Parents can excuse absences or lates directly on the parent portal or by calling or emailing the school.
Student Behaviour Expectations
We wish to remind families and students that regular, punctual attendance is required for success. Attendance begins on the first day of classes.
Bathrooms are to be used for intended purposes. No loitering will be allowed.
Students are subject to disciplinary action for violating the school code of conduct or not following the directions of school staff.
Vaping
To start the year off on the right foot, it is important to note that smoking and vaping is not allowed in school, on school grounds, or at school sanctioned events (this includes the sidewalk in front of the school and the parking lot). Students who need to smoke or vape during the school day need to do so at the designated spot across Centre Street (on the vacant lot) during a class break. Students vaping anywhere on school property are violating HSD policy and will be suspended from school for a minimum of 2 days. Students gathering in bathroom stalls or single use washrooms will also be subject to suspension. All students are encouraged to report incidents of vaping to a teacher or principal immediately so we can address the situation right away.
Personal Mobile Devices and Cell Phones.
A detailed policy has been provided separately with the expectations for cell phones in the school.
Parking
Parking Use of the NHS parking lot is for all motor vehicles, including motorcycles. This is a privilege and must be done under the following guidelines:
1. Students are required to park in designated student parking areas only.
2. NHS and HSD will not accept any responsibility for missing items and/or damage to, or from, vehicles.
3. Reckless driving may result in loss of privileges, school suspension, and/or a written police report.
Please Park all bicycles in the racks provided at the front of the school.
School Access
During the school day, access to the school is at the front of the school. All others will be locked. Students, staff, and guests should use the doors at the front of the school. All guests and visitors must sign in at the office and please refrain from parking in the bus loop. There is designated visitor parking in the parking lot.
Student access is between 7:30 to 4:00. Be reminded that students must be associated with a school program and under the direct supervision of a staff member or coach outside these times.
Niverville Community Resource and Recreation Centre Access
Access to the community centre is a privilege and not a right. Students may access the community centre next door at lunch time but need to refrain from doing so during breaks or to simply loiter. The Town of Niverville has been kind enough to allow us some access as an extra space during lunch but this should not be taken for granted. Students are asked to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner when at the CRRC. If this becomes a problem, access to the CRRC during the school day will be revoked.
Important Note: Access to the CRRC should be through the main doors of the CRRC, not the connected hallway.
Lockers
Lockers are available for students to keep their belongings safe. The school will provide a lock and advise that students use their lockers daily to keep track of their belongings. Combinations should be kept confidential, and lockers are to be kept clean. Locks will need to be returned at the end of the year.
Fees
Student accounts will be charged $20 for Chromebook insurance and a $25 Activity Fee in September. Other course specific and extra curricular fees will be added to student accounts in September. Fees can be paid electronically online or in person. Those wishing to decline the Chromebook insurance must complete a form available in the Learning Commons. $20.00 is the initial Chromebook insurance fee. Coverage will only be provided if the insurance fee has been paid. The second claim has a $50 fee. The repair cost or full price of the Chromebook is the responsibility of the family with the third claim.
Important Note: Chromebook Insurance does not cover damage that is deemed intentional and not due to accidents.
Important Dates
Thursday, September 12 – Meet the Teacher – 5:30 – 7:30. More information below
Extra-curricular Sports and Clubs
A variety of activities will be starting up over the next few weeks, so we encourage students to keep their eye on the daily announcements for opportunities to participate in school life. Announcements are posted daily in period 1 classes and can be viewed throughout the day in the hub, learning commons, and on the NHS website.
HSD Parent Portal – Stay Connected and Informed!
The HSD Parent Portal is a communications tool designed to enhance and increase parent involvement in the education of their children. The portal provides parents with secure online access to our Student Information System. Parents can access the following information for each of their children attending an HSD school: Student Timetables, Report Cards, Attendance, School Fees, Permission and Consent Forms, Change of Contact Form and Grad/Credit Summary.
Parent Portal Account – For those that have not accessed the portal, HSD emailed the access IDs to set up your account. Please contact the school if you have any questions.
Please login to the Portal to confirm that the information on the Registration Verification Form is correct. Please go through this form to confirm that all information, especially contact information, is up to date. We use this information to contact you for attendance, school news updates, report cards etc. If there are any changes, please contact the office.
Please login into the Portal to check the Walking Field Trip Permission Form. This needs to be done every year.
We are excited to be back and are looking forward to a great school year. Please contact the school at 204-388-9761 or nhs@hsd.ca with any inquiries you may have throughout the year.
Yours in education,
Paul Grosskopf
Principal
Graham Sereda
Vice Principal
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