Dear Parents and Students,
We wish to use this opportunity and thank all the parents who sent us so many beautiful and thoughtful gifts. Your generosity and attention are very much appreciated, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Only a few more days until we will celebrate the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, and what a year it was! Globally, this was one of the worst years. A world pandemic leading to economic crisis all over the world. For UMCA though, this was a great year. When the pandemic started, we successfully transitioned all our classes into online learning, keeping our students busy and on track of their academic schedule. In the summer we moved to our new home, a state-of-the-art building, with spacious classes, its own theatre and art studio, and wide hallways. We implemented strict protocols to keep our students safe and healthy. We increased our student population and even welcomed international students. We have many new teachers and subjects that we never had before, such as Spanish and Design. For all that, we are very thankful, to you, the parents, who trust us with the dearest to you – your children. Without your trust this would not have been possible.
We wish you and your families a wonderful 2021! May this year bring you good health, success, happiness, joy and prosperity! We are looking forward to seeing you all back in school, safe and healthy, on Monday January 4, 2021.
School Material
On the last day before going on winter break, all students must take their container which includes their notebooks, binders, books, and all their school material. They also must take everything from their locker, their snow pants, indoor shoes etc. While the Ministry of Education has not announced an extension to the winter break and we expect all students to return on January 4, 2021, it is important that everyone bring home their belongings. Please remind your child to take tech devices, coats and any other belongings that may be needed.
All students must bring back the containers on Monday January 4, 2021.
Homework for Winter Break
Students did not receive any work for the holiday except for some students who need to close the gap with the rest of the class and strengthen their knowledge. Please use this time to complete those assignments, as this will help you be at the same level as the rest of your class. Students who received poems to memorize, please do so over the holiday and come prepared with your poems well memorized.
If you Go on Vacation
During the holidays, it is important for everyone to adhere to the public health measures in our communities. By following public health advice, we can all have a safe and fun holiday season. You can check the government’s holiday web page for more direct and up-to-date guidance on how individuals and families can plan for a safe holiday season, including suggestions for safer holiday activities for children and families. Anyone travelling outside of Canada must follow the Government of Canada’s mandatory 14 day quarantine.
Self-screening
As a reminder, anyone feeling ill should not attend school. All children, students, staff and visitors must be screened for symptoms of illness every day before attending school or child care. Self-screening will still be a requirement when we return to school and we will continue to reinforce masking and hand hygiene as well as cohorting and physical distancing with students and staff.
High School Presentation for Grade 8 Students
On January 12, Grade 8 students and their parents are invited to a Zoom presentation about high school courses, how high school is different from elementary school, how to choose your electives wisely, and why UMCA is your best option. More information to come closer to date, please book off this evening in your calendar.
Photos
Please follow the links to enjoy the pictures we took in the past week:
Science Class https://photos.app.goo.gl/5Lcy9Z25ivNeUncX8
Art Class https://photos.app.goo.gl/2uRvrc1SPopzMaEm6
Math Class Grade 4 https://photos.app.goo.gl/dYEvezzxAmzoGycJ6
Early Bird Registration
Please be reminded that the early bird registration for the 2021-22 school year has begun! Hurry up and register to reserve your spot and enjoy reduced price. Please follow this link https://reg.umca.app/ or go to our website umca.ca and choose the registration form relevant to your child (elementary school registration for students grades 1-7, high school registration for Grade 8).
Sharing the Caring Letter
As you probably remember, a few weeks ago, our students joined efforts and collected money so they can donate it to our health care workers as a token of appreciation. Please see below the letter our Principal, Suzana Pinsky attached to the gift card:
To our beloved front line workers,
It is with immense pleasure that I am reaching out to let you know that here in UMCA the faculty and the students have come together through our ‘Sharing the Caring’ initiative to show our support and gratitude for the first line workers during the pandemic. We are profoundly grateful for all your efforts and the sacrifices you are making for us.
As the principal of UMCA, I am honored to bring the attached gift card to your attention. It is a very small token of appreciation, yet each and every student has made a contribution towards it. We would be grateful if you could write back to our students to let them know that you have received their contributions and their cards.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a very safe and happy New Year.
Kind Regards,
UMCA principal,
Suzana Pinsky.
UMCA wishes you all happy holidays, and all the best for 2021!
