Back to School Newsletter

Aug. 30, 2024

Hello Parents, Guardians and Students of Abby Middle School!

We are hopeful that the summer break provided opportunities for you to spend some quality time with family and friends enjoying fun-filled activities. With the weather so beautiful, it is hard to believe that we will be back in school starting next week. We would like to share a few updates with you and will be sending more information out towards the end of September.
Please note, TENTATIVE class lists will be posted on the windows at the front of the school on Friday, August 30, after 4pm. Please note changes in classroom placement does occur from time to time.

Principal’s Message…

If you haven’t already heard, this fall has brought some changes to the admin team at Abby Middle. Mrs. Reid has moved into the role of principal and Mr. Mahil has moved into a Vice-Principal role along with Ms. Den Ouden.
Mrs. Reid has been in the Abbotsford school district as a special education teacher, as well as grade 3,4,6,7, and 8 teacher. She was a Vice-principal for 6 years, District vice-principal of Safe school for 1 year, prior to moving into the role of Principal for the past 4 years.
In the community, she has been involved in coaching volleyball and is a past president of the skating club. Her passions in education include supporting struggling learners, provide opportunities for student voice and ensuring school is a place that students want to be. She looks forward to meeting and working alongside you in September and the coming year.
Mr. Mahil has been with the Abbotsford school district for the past 1.5 years as the Vice-Principal of Clearbrook Elementary School. Before that role, he was a high school learning support and physical health educator in Langley. He is actively involved in the local soccer community as a player and coach. He hopes to help build a safe and inclusive school environment that honours and celebrates our diversity.
He is excited to be here and can’t wait to meet all the students!!
Fun Fact – Mr. Mahil’s wife attended Abby Middle School.

Welcome….

Please welcome our new staff members at Abby Middle for September! More new staff will be hired and shared with our families in the next few weeks.

• Ms. Montgomery, EA
• Ms. Walters, EA
• Ms. Skelley, grade 6
• Mrs. Lowther, grade 6
• Ms. Saito, grade 6
• Ms. Wasik, Home Ec
• Mr. Sheppard, Tech Ed

SCHOOL OPENING INFORMATION – Tuesday, September 3 (HALF DAY)

Grade 6 students will be present at the school from 8:20-10am, and then be released for the remainder of the day.
GRADE 6 students please enter the gym to meet your classroom teacher.
Grade 7 and 8 students will be present from 9:45-11:15am.
GRADE 7 students will meet their classroom teachers at the basketball court.
GRADE 8 students will meet their classroom teachers at the front of the building.

Finding your TENTATIVE homeroom

On the first day, you will find tentative homeroom lists posted at the front of the building. The lists will have the grade level, room number, and teacher name. Look for your name on the lists and proceed to your grade location as noted. Classroom placement is a responsibility we take very seriously as we balance the academic and social needs of our students. Classrooms are designed with consideration of several factors to provide equitable opportunities for all Abby Middle Students. We ask parents to encourage their child(ren) to be open to placements and give it some time to adjust to a new grade, new peers and new adults.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

School Bus Transportation – please contact our transportation department with any questions or concerns at school.bus.abbyschools.ca or call 604-855-5278 for more information.

Traffic Flow and Safety

It is important that students are safely dropped off and picked up at Abby Middle. When arriving please do not park in the outside lanes, drop your child off and continue out the exit. Do not leave your car
unattended. If you need to come into the building, please park in the inside lane. Reminder you must turn RIGHT when leaving the drop off area.

School Supplies

You can find the school supply information on our website, Abbymiddle.abbyschools.ca. Please do not send your child(ren) with supplies on the first day, wait for your child’s teacher to share when and what is needed.

School Access

Closed campus - During the school year, Abby Middle is a closed campus for the safety and security of our students. This means that students are expected to always stay on campus (including lunch), unless previous arrangements have been made with the school by parent/guardian. All visitors, including parents/guardians are expected to check in at the office upon entering the school.
More information will follow in the weeks to come. We hope you are looking forward to the new school year, we certainly are!

Warmly,

Mrs. Reid, Principal, Ms. den Ouden & Mr. Mahil, Vice-Principals