Dear Families,

 

The halls of VTT are buzzing with activity. Our faculty have been preparing beautiful classrooms and our admin team has been busy planning new initiatives for the coming school year. With the campus expansion now underway, there is much to address to ensure a smooth start to the school year.   

   

Top of mind for everyone is the new joint VTT-BI parkade. As communicated last week, we plan to gradually transition our families to the parkade. Families with younger children will park there beginning the week of September 8th; the following week, the rest of the school will be able to use the parkade. 

• Week of September 8th: Preschool to Grade 3
• Week of September 15th: All of VTT to use the parkade

Until September 8th, however, it is business as usual with everyone (temporarily) parking at Safeway (you have a 15-minute window in the morning) and using the entrance on 26th Avenue. Of course, we encourage you to use our drive-thru where Sydney, Nathan, Angie and Lito will safely guide and direct you.The comprehensive parkade plan will be communicated next week so the instructions will be fresh in people's minds. 

 

 

The school has decided to hire an additional uniformed security guard over the coming weeks  as we transition our front entrance to Oak Street and the new parkade. We will continue to assess our security needs over the coming weeks and throughout the Jewish High Holy Days. 

 

While our new addition is being built, physical education classes for Grades 4-7 will be held at the JCC. This will begin the first full week back at school, on September 8th. We also have the use of Douglas Park Community Centre's gym facilities every Monday. 

 

Details about our new Homework Club will follow in subsequent updates but the program will not begin until after the High Holy Days.

 

For those registered to use the VTT bus, service will start the afternoon of Wednesday, September 3rd. Extra curriculars only start the week of September 8th at the JCC so be mindful of this in case you have your child riding the bus before programs begin. Bus cancellations must be sent to office@talmudtorah.com by 12 noon that day.  

 

As in past years, Shlomo Yekutieli will be selling beautiful kippot in the school foyer on the first couple of days of school.  

 

Finally, if you will be near the school during the first few days of school during Preschool and Kindergarten gradual entry, Tirzah Abraham could use some urgent office help in the development office. Please email her at tabraham@talmudtorah.com. All work eligible for PPP hours!

 

I know everyone is eagerly awaiting class assignments. They will be available for viewing on our parent portal from 4 p.m. today. Login in at parents.talmudtorah.com and enter your username (usually your email address) and password. Need help? Contact support@talmudtorah.com

 

Hope to see you all on Wednesday morning at the Welcome Back Coffee!

 

Cathy Lowenstein, M.Ed.

Head of School 

 

P.S. If you ordered a 2013-14 VTT yearbook, please visit Jennifer's office when school re-opens.