Hello Tom Baines Families,
Things continue to get busier here at Tom Baines as we head into Spring Break in a few weeks. Our students continue to engage in amazing learning opportunities each and every day. Thank you so much for the support and guidance you give to your kids to be successful in their learning.
Please see below for important information.
Important Dates:
March 15 – Conference booking begins – a separate email will be sent out with information on this.
March 18-19 – Spring Drama Performance of ‘The Sound of Music’ – this is a smaller production held in our Drama room and will be for a limited audience. Mr. Dougherty will be sending out more information.
March 18 – School Council Meeting at 7:00 pm in the Learning Commons. Click here to join the meeting
March 18 – Wear Green Day – celebrate St. Patricks Day
March 19 – Culture Day – students are encouraged to wear cultural clothing
March 21 – In-person conferences from 4:30 – 8:00 – Last day of school for students
March 22 – Online conferences from 9:00 – 2:00 – No school for students
March 25 – April 1 – Spring Break – no classes
April 2 – Classes resume
Ramadan – Ramadan this year is from March 10 – April 9. We know many students and families celebrate Ramadan and we will support them at the school. We have students working on presentations to provide throughout the school so all are aware. We have alternative places for students to go who are fasting over the lunch hour. We do our best to support prayers, but please keep in mind that we have limited spaces for students to go and pray throughout the school day.
Lunch Foods – we are so fortunate to have a cafeteria with amazing workers and food! Many middle schools throughout the city no longer have cafeterias. They serve a variety of healthy foods that are available during nutrition break and the lunch hour. We are noticing that there is an increase of students not bringing appropriate lunches to school. Some of them are too small, or just full of snacks. Students are very hungry by the time lunch hour rolls around, so please ensure you are sending healthy and filling food with your children each day.
Volleyball – Volleyball season is wrapping up and our Boas are doing great! Quarter-finals and semi-finals are next week. Players have the schedules. Go Boas!!
Conferences – Conferences are in person on Thursday, March 21 from 4:30 – 8:00 pm and online on Friday, March 22 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. As time is limited, if you have no concerns with your child and their learning, there is no need to book a conference. If a teacher reaches out, or if you have concerns with their learning, please book. A separate email will come with instructions next week.
Trips – Grade 6 students will be attending Outdoor School in one of the first two weeks back after the break. Our Disney and Quebec trips are gone the week of April 15. These are going to be wonderful learning opportunities for our students and we are so grateful for the teachers who put in countless hours of work to make these happen.
BOA WEAR
We are offering an online store for Tom Baines students to order BOA wear. If you would like to order some school swag, this is the place to go. The hoodies will have a BOAS logo on the front and the sweatpants will have a TB logo over the pant pocket
The store will be open from March 6 to March 20. Prices are on the site.
Here are the steps for how to place an order:
1. Go to Beastinc.ca
2. Click on “Find my Store” (top right side of page).
3. Select Tom Baines Store (you will need to create a password).
4. You will see a Hoodie or Sweat pant that you can order
5. Once you've decided what you would like to purchase, you have some decisions to make
a. Select the size of the garment (available in youth and adult sizes). *** BE SURE TO SELECT THE RIGHT SIZE.
b. Select the color of the item you want to purchase
6. Once you have confirmed the color and size of the garment, put them in your shopping cart and submit your order. BE SURE TO DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE YOU SUBMIT IT AS YOU CAN'T RETURN IT IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE.
7. All orders are handled directly through the supplier, BEAST. Once the store closes, they will prepare the order and deliver it to the school.
NOTE: There will be clothing samples in the Phys Ed office if you would like to try them on for accurate sizing. Ms. Lloyd will help.
We want to extend a very special thank you to Mr. Duncan White who has been Acting Assistant Principal since January 8. His last day is today and he has been such a strong support. We are expecting Mrs. Bartlett to return to Baines after the break. Until then, Mr. Dubray and Mrs. McMahon will support the office. Thank you Mr. White for your words of wisdom, your sense of humour and your encouraging actions. You’ll be missed!
Derek Siakaluk, Principal
Duncan White, Acting Assistant Principal