Week Ahead 

Upcoming Important Dates  

Absence Reporting 

As we enter cold and flu season, we are asking parents/guardians to include some more details when calling in student absences. Please include a brief description of the symptoms your child is experiencing. For example, you may leave a message to say your child is ill, with cough and congestion. This allows us to track patterns in illness. When necessary, we report high absence rates with similar symptoms to AHS for outbreak tracking purposes. Thank you for your help in this matter. 

Coffee and Community Connections 

We would like to invite you to a casual Coffee and Community Connections session with our school administration. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with us, share your thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about what’s happening at our school. 

Date: Friday, December 6, 2024 
Time: 8:20 – 9:00 am 
Location: Staff Room 

Whether you have a question, an idea, or just want to catch up, we’re here and happy to talk. We hope you can swing by for a cup of coffee and a friendly chat! We believe that open communication is key to fostering a strong school community, and we’re excited to build those connections with you. 

We hope to see you there for an enjoyable and informative conversation! 

Student Leadership Club | Spirit Days  

The Student Leadership Club is excited to announce that Spirit Days are just around the corner! It's time to show off our school pride and have some fun together. Spirit Days will be a chance for our students to express their school spirit in creative ways, and we encourage everyone to get involved! 

Here are the upcoming Spirit Days that the Student Leaders decided on: 

Twin Day - December 2. Here’s how you can join in the fun:  

• Find a friend (or group!) to twin with.  
• Dress in matching outfits or create your own themed look.  
• Get ready to match, have fun, and maybe even spark some friendly competition! 

Dress Like Your Favourite Movie Character Day - December 6. Here’s how you can join the fun:  

• Choose your favorite character from a movie, TV show, or book, and dress up as them.  
• Make sure your outfit is school-appropriate for school.  
• Be creative—use props, makeup, or accessories to really bring your character to life!  
• Don’t forget to have fun and show off your favorite fictional world! 

Dream Job Day – December 11. Here’s how you can participate:  

• Dress up as someone in your dream job. Get creative!  
• Think about what your dream career looks like and wear an outfit that reflects that.  
• Don’t forget to have fun with it and feel free to bring props or accessories that represent your dream job! 

Anything but a Backpack Day – December 18. Here’s how you can participate:  

• Leave your backpack at home and bring a different way to carry your stuff.  
• Be sure to bring all the materials you need for class (notebooks, pencils, etc.).  
• Keep it fun and creative—try a unique alternative to the usual backpack! 

PJ and Board Game Day – December 20. Here’s how you can participate:  

• Wear your favorite PJs—anything comfy and cozy is fair game!  
• Bring a board game to school that you can play with your friends during breaks or free time.  
• Please remember that your game should be school-friendly and appropriate for all ages.  
• Be ready to play, have fun, and enjoy a laid-back day with friends! 

We can't wait to see all the amazing outfits, designs, and expressions of school spirit. Be sure to mark your calendars, and let your child know to get ready for some extra fun! 

Thank you for your support, and let’s make these Spirit Days a memorable experience for all our students! 

Save the Date | Winter Concert | Thursday, December 12, 2024 

We are excited to announce that our annual Winter Concert is just around the corner! Our students have been hard at work preparing, and we can’t wait to share their musical talents with you. 

This concert will feature performances from all grade levels, showcasing the hard work and creativity of our students. It’s sure to be a festive and enjoyable evening for the whole family! 

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us in celebrating the season and the incredible efforts of our young musicians. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024 

Student Arrival Time: 6:15 PM   

Concert Start Time: 6:30-8:00 pm 

*Parking: Street Parking  

We are collecting donations to the Food Bank. Boxes will be available in the front lobby.

Additionally, the HMS Parents Association (HMSPA) is hosting two raffles in association with the Winter Concert. One raffle is for FRONT ROW SEATS, and one is a 50/50 draw. Check out the news story here for more details. 

*Please note, the Queensland Community Centre next door will be hosting another community event that same night, so their parking lot will be reserved for attendees of that gathering. We kindly ask you to find street parking or consider walking to the school to reduce congestion. 

Scholastic Book Fair 

We will be hosting another Scholastic Book Fair in December. It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to discover new books, create their wish lists, and even do some holiday shopping. Here’s everything you need to know: 

Key Dates: 

Monday, December 9, 2024 – Book Fair Viewing & Wish Lists 

• Students will have the chance to explore the fair and write down their wish lists. The Book Fair will be open after school until 3:45 PM for families to shop together. 

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 – Book Fair Purchasing Day 

• It’s time to buy those books! The Book Fair will be open for in class purchasing and after school until 3:45 PM for students and families. 

Friday, December 13, 2024 – Final Call for Purchases 

• Don’t miss your last chance to grab any remaining books! The Book Fair will be open during school hours for final purchases. 

We can’t wait to see you at the fair! Your purchases help support our school’s library and reading programs. Thank you for encouraging your child’s love for books and learning. 

First GSA Club Meeting 

On December 4, 2024, HMS will be hosting our first Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Club for students. We know there may be some questions around this, so we have provided a short Q&A below to give you some more information.  

Q - What is a GSA?  

A - Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) are student clubs made up of students with diverse sexual orientations and/or gender identities as well as allies (e.g., cisgender, heterosexual students). There are also teachers who serve as advisors.   

Q - What is the purpose of a GSA?  

A - The purpose of GSAs is to provide much needed spaces in which 2SLGBTQ+ students and allies have a safe place to meet and connect. These groups also work together to make their schools more welcoming for students with diverse sexual orientations and/or gender identities.   

Q - Who is the club for?  

A - The clubs is open to all students to foster a sense of belonging and respect for diversity.   

Q - What will happen during the first GSA meeting?  

A - Students will be creating club norms, sharing ways to create a sense of community and belonging, and deciding on a name for the club.  

Future GSA Club Meetings will be on the first Wednesday of every month. 

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