Welcome back!

Welcome/Welcome Back to Journey for our 2019-20 school year. 

New this year – Cell Phones and other personal electronic devices 

After feedback from our staff, PAC, and the recent research on young brains, we have implemented a new rule for the use of all personal electronic devices at Journey. All devices need to be put away from 8:40 a.m. (first bell) until 2:58 p.m. (last bell) Monday – Thursday and 8:40 a.m. – 1:58 p.m. on Friday. Devices may not be visible or used during this time. More detailed information regarding consequences and also how we will continue to support digital literacy and the technology curriculum in the school will be sent home during the first week of school.

Opening Day Procedures

We are looking forward to welcoming all Journey Middle School students. Students are asked to arrive at school before the warning bell at 8:40 am on Tuesday, September 3^th. Names of students and their teachers will be posted hers will be posted on the windows on each side of the front door of the school. All students will be dismissed at 11:58 a.m.  Buses will run on these alternate hours. Regular school hours are 8:40-2:58 Monday – Thursday and Friday 8:40-1:58 a.m.

All grade 6 students will be meeting in the gym. They will be asked to find the name of their Advisory Teacher posted on the gym wall and your teacher will meet you there. The teachers will introduce themselves to their students and our principal, Mrs. Szadkowski and Vice-Principal Mrs. Abell will also be there to welcome them. Teachers will then walk to their classrooms with their students and spend the rest of the morning providing information needed to begin a successful year at Journey.

Students new to Journey this year will find their name will be on a list on the windows as well. Please come to the office and our Vice-Principal, Mrs. Abell and our Counsellor, Ms. Yarchuk, will help you find your neighbourhood and classroom. If you know where your classroom is you can also go directly to the room.

All Grade 7 and 8 students should find their name under their Advisory Teacher’s name which will be posted hers will be posted on the windows beside the front door of the school. Students should make their way to their new classrooms when the bell rings.

School Supplies

School supply lists are posted on our website under the Tab About à Forms. These lists are for English and French. Students should not bring their school supplies on the first day, but something to write with would be recommended. Your teacher will let you know when to bring your supplies. All students will be issued a locker for this school year hopefully by Friday, September 6.

Transportation

All bus information can be found on our School District 62 Website including scheduled times and pick up and drop off locations.

Information Envelope – watch for it coming home! 

We are getting closer to becoming paperless; however, we will be sending home an Information Envelope with all students. This will provide you with the information regarding the online forms and the explanation of additional fees/costs. If your child chooses to participate on a school team, purchase a yearbook or munch card please make your cheque payable to “SCHOOL DISTRICT 62”. Payment is also available online.   Other costs may also come up throughout the year such as Exploratories, Field trips, Band Instrument Rental etc.  Please return the forms to the classroom teacher.

Classroom Placement

It’s exciting for students to find out who their new teacher will be and which friends are in their class. Our staff has worked very hard to balance classes and ensure start-up runs as smoothly as possible for all students. Currently all our classes are full which may, or may not, involve reconfiguration in September. Please help your child build on their resiliency skills by talking with them should they not get their first choice of teachers and/or friends in their class.

Communication

We update our official website at least once per week. Please become familiar with our website and visit it regularly throughout the school year. Our Journey App will alert you each time the website is updated and we encourage you to sign up for it. Communication is very important and several teachers also have class websites/wikis as well. If you need further information, have questions, concerns or ideas, please call the school or drop by the office. Our front office staff will be happy to assist you. The office is open 8:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. You can reach us at 250-642-5881. We are always open to feedback regarding communication between school, home and the community. Please contact the principal, Laurie Szadkowski at lszadkowski@sd62.bc.ca or call her at 250-642-5881.