Parents, teachers, and students gathered for the Orientation Evening

Immaculate Heart of Mary School held its annual “Orientation Evening” on Thursday, September 24th at 7:00 p.m. The evening provides an opportunity for parents to learn more about the school and its policies. It also gives and it gives them a chance to meet informally with the teachers.

Some of the teachers gathered in the gym shortly before 7:00 p.m.

The evening began in the school gym where Mr. Picklyk, the school’s principal, welcomed everyone in attendance. He then invited Sister Anne Pidskalny, the school’s director to say the opening prayer.

(l-r): Mr. Rod Picklyk, principal and Sr. Anne Pidskalny SSMI, school director

Mr. Picklyk then spoke of the ongoing effort to relocate the school to the 7 acre parcel of land at 2501 Ferrier Road. This prime piece of real estate, located in a rapidly growing area of Winnipeg with a lot of young families, is the future site of IHMS. A capital campaign company was selected last month, and fundraising is expected to begin this fall.

Mr. Picklyk then introduced the school’s current staff for 2009-2010, including the three new staff members - Sr. Georgia, SSMI (Sadochok and Kindergarten); Miss Talia Bailey (Grade 1); and Mrs. Katie Prescott (Librarian). He went on to list the members of the Board of Trustees, and the elected members of the Parent’s Guild (with Mrs. Maria Lysack as the President).

At this point, Mr. Picklyk invited Mrs. Lysack to speak briefly about the role of the Parent’s Guild in the school. Its main role is fund-raising, and Mrs. Lysack listed some of the fund-raising events they did in the past. Since parents are automatically members of the Parent’s Guild once they enrol their children at IHMS, Mrs. Lysack encouraged everyone to get involved by coming out to the first meeting on Thursday, October 8th. Meetings are held once a month, and free babysitting is provided.

(l-r): Mrs. Lysack, Parent's Guild president and Dayna K, student council president

Next, Mr. Picklyk introduced the IHMS student council, including: Orian B. (gr. 8); Olena C. (gr. 8); Orycia K. (gr. 8); Sydney H. (gr. 8); Carter L. (gr. 7); vice-president Marko K. (gr. 7); and president Dayna K. (gr. 8)

Dayna, the newly elected president mentioned that the student council is a group of students that plan various functions and fund-raisers for school dances and Graduation. The main fund raiser is selling pizza during pizza days throughout the year. Dayna also mentioned that the student council is currently selling “Entertainment Books” for $25.00, and that $5.00 from each book is allocated for the grade 8 graduation in June.

The student council selling "Entertainment Books" for $25

Finally, Mr. Picklyk made a quick reference to some of the more important points in the student handbook, as well as the protocol for dropping off and picking up students in the back lane. He also discussed the school uniform rules; volunteering (the school is in need of a volleyball coach); healthy eating practices (no student birthday cakes please, and Halloween and Valentine’s day will be “candy free days”); and lastly the school’s protocol for the H1N1 flu virus as outlined in the September newsletter.

Mr. Picklyk then dismissed everyone from the gym, and parents were free to visit the classrooms. There were 2 classroom sessions, and each one was 20 minutes in length.

Parents leaving the gym to visit the classrooms

During these sessions, teachers gave a short presentation to the parents on the type of work they were planning to do. There was also plenty of time for the teachers to answer any questions that the parents might have about the curriculum or classroom rules.

At the end of the evening, refreshments were served in the gym. Coffee, tea, and juice were available, as well as an assortment of baked items supplied by the grade 3 and 4 classes.