ANNOUNCEMENTS:  WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021: WEEK #1; CYCLE DAY C

IMPORTANT DATES

December 14th            Cafeteria Closed
December 21st            Last Day Before Christmas Break
December 22-Jan. 3    Christmas Break
Jan. 4, 2022                 Schools Re-open for STAFF
January 6th                  Schools Re-open for STUDENTS
January 10th                First Day of Operation for the Cafeteria after Christmas Break

We acknowledge that we are in Mi’kma’ki, which is the traditional ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people.

COVID REMINDERS
1. Classes are not permitted to mix – meaning:
- no lunch activities in the gym, the library will function like it did previously with physical distancing; the volleyball tournament is postponed; mixed gym classes will need to remain on a designated side of the gym; Best Buddies activities are postponed and the Cardboard Challenge is postponed.

2. Restricted access to cafeteria:
- our cafeteria is closed effective today and lunch will go back to 30-minute indoor lunch breaks in the hallway and 30-minutes outdoors – so the grade 7’s will go outside the first part of lunch (take your lunch with you) grade 8 & 9’s will eat in their designated hallway (from the gym to guidance) with your cohort then we will do the switch at 12 noon.  At 12 noon, grade 8 and 9’s will go outside and the grade 7’s will come in and eat in their designated hallway with their cohort.  If you did not bring food with you today, please let us know in the office!

3. Masking and physical distancing
- Masks are to be worn (properly) at all times, with a very few exceptions: when eating or drinking and when outdoors.
EVERYONE has to be vigilant with masking; staff and students are to move around the building with as much space between them as possible! Please remember to sanitize your hands EVERY TIME you enter the building.

SPRIIT WEEK
Starting today - Wednesday, we will begin Christmas spirit week!!! The following are a list of the themed days:
Wednesday, December 15th: Holiday Accessories Day (hats, socks, etc)
Thursday, December 16th: Elf Day (dress in Green and Red)
Friday, December 17th: Friday Flannel Day (plaid and flannel)
Monday, December 20th: PJ Day
Tuesday, December 21st: Holiday Sweaters

FOOD DRIVE
This week, our grade 7 ILT classes are holding a food drive in support of Feed NS and a coin drive in support of Adsum House and Margaret's House. Astral Drive has a long history of supporting those in need, especially during the holiday season and now more than ever. Please bring in all non-perishable food items and coins to your homeroom teacher - together we can do so much!

LIBRARY NEWS
A reminder from Ms. Demers that all Library loans need to be back by the end of this week before the holidays.  If you have any questions about what you may have out, please see Ms. Demers immediately.

The Library's annual Holiday Colouring Contest ends tomorrow - Thursday.  Get your piece in to Ms. Demers by lunch time on Thursday to enter to win a present!

Also, starting this week, the Library will be selling used books.  Stop by to see the selection and maybe pick out a gift for a loved one!

CANTEEN
The canteen is closed effective today; the Canteen’s first day of operation in the New Year will be January 10, 2022.

WATER BOTTLES AND MASKS
Students are reminded to bring your water bottle to school and to wear either your school-provided mask or your own mask from home every day!  There are no cone cups to distribute – they are all gone.