Dear Friends and Families of Colonel Walker School,

We hope this message finds you and yours well after a restful and rejuvenating summer break. We look forward to meeting, connecting and reconnecting with students and families as the school year begins.

Our school office opened today and teachers were in for their first day of planning. The coming days are full of meaningful planning and collaboration to prepare for an engaging and exciting year of learning for our students.

We will welcome students back to school for the first day of classes on Thursday, August 29 at 8:35 AM (Thursday only; see below for our new soft entry routine beginning Friday, August 30).

Please find some important messages regarding school start up below:

Our Team

We are happy to introduce Sarah Blackman, who will be our kindergarten teacher this year in the mornings and will teach music to our grades 1 to 6 classes in the afternoons. Rachel Clowes will be moving into a resource role and will be teaching French to our grade 4 to 6 students.

Homerooms are currently being organized, and you will hear from your child’s teacher by Wednesday, August 28 to introduce themselves and share important information about the first day of school. Teachers will communicate specific information about who they are, where to meet them, what to bring, and what to expect. Please wait until after lunch on Wednesday before calling the main office if you have not received an introduction email from your child's teacher- it’s a busy time of year, and your patience is appreciated.

Soft Entry “Connect Time” and School Hours

This year, our school is moving to a soft entry to begin our mornings. Soft entry will begin on Friday, August 30 (please follow the instructions you receive from homeroom teachers for Thursday, August 29).

On Friday, August 30, students can enter the school from the west-facing doors (the grade ½ doors in the 2023/2024 school year, the doors on the left on the compound when facing the school from the playground) upon their arrival from 8:25 AM to 8:40 AM. Teachers will be in their classrooms, where they will supervise and connect with students before instructional time begins at 8:40 AM. Please note that there will be no outdoor supervision during this time; students should enter the school as soon as they arrive unless supervised by a parent or guardian.

Teachers will work with students on Thursday to prepare them for this shift in our entry routine. We continue to have the breakfast program, which all students can access beginning at 8:25 AM each morning.  

No supervision is provided after school when the bell rings at 3:20 PM (12:30 PM on Fridays).

School Hours

8:25 AM - Indoor supervision begins (no outdoor supervision)

8:38 AM - Warning bell inside and outside will ring

8:40 AM - Instructional time begins                                

10:44 AM - 10:59 AM - Recess (grades 1 to 6)

11:20 AM - Kindergarten dismissal (M-F) 

12:15 PM - 1:00 PM (M-Th) - Lunch

3:20 PM (M -Th) - Dismissal (grades 1 to 6)

12:30 (F) - Dismissal (grades 1 to 6)

School Drop-Off and Pick-Up

Please ensure all children are supervised before and after school hours to ensure their safety.

It is very important that consistent pick-up/travel home routines are clearly communicated to teachers (particularly in the younger grades). Any changes to these routines should be communicated via the main office (email and/or phone) as early as possible each day so that teachers and students can receive these important messages in a timely manner.

Lunch Supervision

Lunchtime supervision will take place for all students who remain at school for lunch between 12:15 PM and 1:00 PM. (Monday-Thursday). We continue to have a designated “lunch room” and students will have time to eat (the lunch they bring from home) and play (outside, weather permitting) in two designated blocks (depending on the number of students who remain at school for lunch, adjustments may need to be made and will be communicated in a timely manner):

12:15 PM - 12:35 PM - Grades 1, 2 and 3 eat inside; Grades 4, 5 and 6 play outside

12:40 PM - 1:00 PM - Grades 4, 5 and 6 eat inside; Grades 1, 2 and 3 play outside

Students who attend Colonel Walker Programs for "hot lunch" are picked up and dropped back at school by their staff each day. 

School Supplies and Lunch Supervision Fees

All school supplies are covered by the Instructional Materials Fee. School supplies and lunch supervision fees can be paid via your MyCBE account. Please reach out to the main office to discuss a waiver if necessary.

School Council

Please mark your calendars: On Tuesday, September 3, before school, our CWS Council will host their annual “Muffin Mixer.” This event will take place on the compound before school starts; all are welcome to join for coffee and community building.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email or on the phone to connect, ask questions or share feedback. We look forward to meeting those who are new and connecting with all students on Thursday, August 29.

Warm regards,

Kate Jones (Principal), Rachel Clowes (Learning Leader), and Robin Drinkwater (Learning Leader)