Family Update April 3

Dear Families,

I wanted to send an email as the long weekend gets underway to wish all families a Happy Easter! The latest forecast shows a bit of rain and wind, but temperatures that do lend themselves to getting outside! Also, please remember that the school is closed on Monday. Ms. Joanne Borges, retired Administrator, will continue to support Storrington students and staff next week.

Here are a few more updates:

Family Games Night at Storrington! April 16

Please see the attached poster to learn more about this family event on April 16 at 5:30 pm. *Please note – this is a family event. This is a “stay and play” event. Parents/guardians should attend with their child/children. We look forward to hosting all our Stinger families at this free event!

Spring Talent Show

Rehearsals have begun! The last auditions will occur on Tuesday after the long weekend. All groups should continue to practice and enhance their skills. We want everyone to be stage-ready! The organizing staff will meet with all groups again. Students who signed up for the art gallery will also meet next week. We want to thank the School Council in advance for their support with the lighting and sound! We appreciate the support. Currently, the Talent Show is scheduled for April 29.

 Road Race Club

Interested students in Grades 3-8 have already signed up for Road Race practices at recess. They will have two races, the Bayridge Road Race on April 28 and the LCVI Road Race on May 6^th.  A notice was sent home this past week with all interested students. Practices occur Monday and Wednesdays during second recess. We are fortunate to have an outdoor track at our school.

 Junior Boys Basketball

Interested students who signed up met today with Mme Dannenberg. Practices will begin next week.

 Storrington Family Meeting with Superintendent, Mike Blackburn

On Tuesday, April 14^th, Mike Blackburn and Sara Wellwood will host a community meeting. The timing of this virtual meeting is still being decided, but it will likely begin around 5:00 pm and be about an hour in length. This will be an opportunity for families to ask questions. Examples of topics include: Grade 6 to 7 transition.

We ask that you share questions/topics in advance of the meeting, if possible, using the link here: https://forms.gle/4qPpFSJs2EbAds9R7

We will confirm the timing of the meeting and share the virtual link as soon as possible.

Proposed Changes to School Hours

As part of the consultation process, I am reaching out to all Stinger families to share some proposed changes to the school day hours at Storrington.

Here is what the school day would look like starting in September 2026:

8:50 am - Buses arrive and supervision begins

9:15 am - Entry bell

9:15-10:55 am - 100-minute instructional block

10:55-11:15 am - 20 minutes Nutrition Break #1

11:15-11:35 am - 20 minutes Recess #1

11:35-1:15 pm - 100-minute instructional block

1:15-1:35 pm - 20 minutes Nutrition Break #2

1:35-1:55 pm - 20 minutes Recess #2

1:55-3:35 pm - 100-minute instructional block

In summary, the proposed changes include:

• An increase in time for Nutrition Breaks
• A decrease in time for recesses (20 mins each instead of 30 mins)
• An increase in supervised outdoor time before the entry bell (20 mins)
• No changes to instructional minutes
• No changes for families in terms of drop-off or pick-up times
• Students will continue to have 1 hour a day of supervised, unstructured time outside (weather permitting)

All Ontario students also receive the Physical Education curriculum, which includes mandated 20 minutes of Daily Physical Activity (at a moderate-vigorous intensity). This can be completed inside or outside, based on the teacher’s professional judgement. DPA is not to be completed during recess.

I am inviting families to complete the following form if you have any concerns to share. The form will be anonymous, but you may include your name if you would like to be contacted for follow-up.

Rationale for the proposed changes includes:

• Time for students to move their bodies and socialize before the entry bell
• Longer to eat (often requested by families)
• Potentially less conflict outside
• No changes to bus times
• Will help with our staffing needs

If you would like to share any concerns, please complete the form by 2:00 pm on Thursday, April 9. https://forms.gle/bftoD5ydBTgtn7mYA

The proposed changes will be brought to the Board the following week for approval.

 A LOOK AHEAD:

April