Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are excited to welcome all our students back to Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary (SRT) tomorrow, January 6th. We hope that the winter break provided your family with time to rest, recharge, and prepare for an exciting year ahead.

Stay Connected: Our Revamped Website

We are committed to keeping our school community informed and engaged in 2025. We encourage you to regularly visit our updated SRT website: https://secondary.sd42.ca/srt/.

On the website, you’ll find:

A detailed calendar of school events under the “Parent” tab.
The weekly school menu to help plan meals for students.
Crucial graduation information for our Grade 12 students, who are just months away from completing their journey in grade school.
Links to our social media platforms, where we share updates, event reminders, and celebrations of our students’ achievements.
Relevant highlights from our daily announcements, ensuring that families stay informed about what’s happening at school.

Important Note:
The cafeteria will be closed tomorrow, January 6th. However, pizza will be available for purchase for students who bring cash.

A Focus on Student Attendance
As we begin this new calendar year, one of our primary areas of focus will be improving student attendance. With your support, we hope to ensure that every student benefits from consistent engagement in their education.
After analyzing attendance data from the first four months of the school year, we observed a 12% increase in absenteeism compared to the same period last year. This is a trend we are determined to reverse.

Why Attendance Matters:
Canadian research highlights the critical role of regular attendance in student success:

A study by People for Education shows that chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more school days) is a key predictor of lower academic achievement and higher dropout rates.
Data from Stats Canada reveals that students with consistent attendance develop stronger social connections, are more likely to enjoy school, and graduate on time.
Research also links regular attendance to improved mental health, as students who attend school regularly are more likely to access resources and participate in extracurricular activities that enhance their well-being.

What You Can Do:

Monitor Attendance: We encourage you to check your child’s attendance frequently on MyClass. To assist you, we’ve included step-by-step instructions in this letter on how to access attendance information.
Communicate: If you notice any patterns of concern, please reach out to your child’s teachers or our administrative team. We are here to support your family.
Set Routines: Encourage consistent bedtime and morning routines to help your child arrive at school on time and ready to learn.

Together, we can create a supportive and engaging environment that prioritizes attendance and sets every student up for success in 2025 and beyond.

Wishing You a Wonderful Year

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in your child’s education. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need further support.

Here’s to a successful and fulfilling 2025!

Warm regards,
Ken Elphick
Principal
Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary