Thickwood Heights School

96Silin Forest Road, Fort McMurray, Alberta T9H 3A1

Telephone: 780-743-8417 Fax: 780-791-6811

We are a Safe and Caring School

Welcome to a new month at Thickwood, an “Arts-focused” school! For students and families new to our school community, we are glad you chose to join us, and believe your experiences with us will be filled with high-quality learning, excitement and passion for the arts.

Principal’s Message

  • Basketball season is off and running with games (Girls and Boys). Wednesday,February 15th here vs St Paul’s School, and Wednesday,March 8th at St. Pauls.Wednesday, February 22nd Aurora Basketball will be here running a clinic for both boys and girls.
  • Our breakfast program is supplying our students with nutritious items in the morning as they arrive at school (all food items are in “choose most often” category in our School Health and Wellness policy). Many students are using this program.
  • Wednesday, February 22nd is our Anti-Bullying PINK SHIRT Day and we will be spending the morning with Steve Harmer and his Magic Show (Anti-Bullying Theme) in the Thickwood Gym,followed by a series of Anti-Bullying workshops, a BBQ at lunch, and Dance Play in the afternoon. It should be a very busy and exciting day! Check out our kindness tree in the main hallway!
  • Students are busy with Madagascar rehearsals and the big show is Tuesday, April 4thand Wednesday, April 5that Keyano Theatre.
  • Wednesday, February 1st and Thursday, February 2ndwere the last school ski days for grade 4, 5 and 6 students. They had a blast at the Vista Ridge!
  • Our next monthly Assembly is Tuesday February 14th at 1:00pm.
  • Family Fun Night wasThursday, February 9th and everyone had fun playing various games. The next FFN is Wednesday,March 22nd Alien In-line Skating is here 5:30 to 8:30pm.
  • No school on Friday, February 10th(PLF day).
  • Teacher’s Convention Break is February 27th to March 3rd(no school this week).
  • Students are enjoying Technology Club and we are hoping to kick off our school Robotics program in March.
  • Report Cards go home Friday, March 24th and Parent Teacher Interviews are March 29th (5:00 to 8:00pm) and March 30th (5:00 to 8:00pm).
  • February 7th, 8th, and 9th students travelled to the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller and spent two great days doing various Science themed education programs. Dinosaurs galore!

Our next School Council and PAC meeting is February 15th 6:00 to 8:00pm. All parents and guardians are welcome to attend.You can follow us on twitter, Facebook and our school web page (@thickwoodArts;

Graham Abbott

Principal

Helpful Hints for Parents

  • Encourage your child to develop a positive outlook toward school.
  • Stay in contact with your child’s teachers.
  • Attend parent-teacher meetings, school plays, monthly assemblies, and concerts, social and sport events.
  • Avoid if possible taking holidays during school time.
  • Inform the school in advance of your child’s absence from school.
  • Meet or contact school staff when an incident arises in school involving your child.
  • Cooperate with the school when solving problems or issues involving your child.
  • Watch for changes in your child’s mood or behavior that might suggest problems at school.
  • Inform teachers of issues that might affect your child’s progress or behavior.
  • Review on a regular basis your child’s homework and assignments, and sign agendas.
  • Provide access to reading resources at home.
  • Read all communications from the school (includes social media sites).
  • Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities (inside and outside school). It builds good character.
  • Spend time with your child when they come home and ask how they day at school went. Help out with school work if possible.

Please Remember:

  • We welcome parents to be in the school and encourage you to participate in and attend school functions and events.
  • Polite cooperation with all school personnel is essential.
  • All visitors must sign in and out at the main office.
  • All students have the right to attend school without being afraid or intimidated.
  • Harassment of any type(sexual, verbal or physical) and bullying (physical, verbal or via social media) will not be tolerated and dealt with accordingly.
  • Clothing, book bags, etc. that display inappropriate language, slogans, pictures or symbols, or anything that might be considered offensive will not be permitted.
  • Cell Phones are not to be used in the school and must be kept in backpacks.
  • Hats must be removed when you enter the school.
  • Bikes and skateboards are not to be ridden on school grounds. Bikes and scooters must be locked in the bike racks.
  • Please remember to drive slowly in the school zone.
  • Please remember to not drop off students in staff parking or the school bus zone!
  • Staff supervision of students at school starts at 8:40am and ends at 3:45pm.

School Schedule

Monday—Friday:

8:50: First Bell

8:55: Attendance

9:00: Announcements and First Class begins

12:00—12:20:Lunch

12:20—12:40:Lunch Recess

2:15-2:30: Recess

Kindergarten:

Please consult your child’s teacher for Kindergarten schedule.

ECDP:

Monday—Friday a.m.8:50—11:50

Monday—Friday p.m.12:30—3:30

3:30: Dismissal

Council & PAC Dates (6:00 to 8:00)

February 15th

March 15th

April 26th

May 24th

Monthly Assemblies & Events

Feb 14th Monthly Assembly PM

March 7th Monthly Assembly AM

April 18th Monthly Assembly PM

June 6th Monthly Assembly AM

June 15th Grade 6 Farewell

June 26th Year End BBQ

June 29th Year End Awards Assembly

Family Fun Nights 6:00-7:00

Feb 9th FFN

April 2nd to April 5th School Production

May 4th FFN (May the 4th be with you!)

June 7th Fine Arts Extravaganza Evening

Reports and PTIs

March 20th Report Cards Due

March 24th Report Cards home

March 29th & 30th Parent Teacher Interviews

May 11th & 12th PATs

June 19th to 23rd PATs