Welcome Back Memo 2026

To:       Parents/Guardians/Students

From:  School Administration

Re:      School Re-opening

Date:   September 1, 2026

________________________________________________________________________________________

To all of our students/parents/guardians the staff of John Burke High hope that everyone has had a wonderful summer and are ready to work together for another great school year.

This memo contains some general back to school information that will assist in the preparation for the first few days of school.

First Day of Classes

The first day of classes for students is Wednesday, September 9.  This will be a full day and students should come prepared and arrive at the school no later than 8:47 am.

School Supplies

Students should come prepared with materials they need to learn, typical items would include loose leaf paper or exercise books, writing utensils, a scientific calculator and if they have one, their district assigned chromebook.  It is also important that students come prepared with proper footwear and attire for physical education classes.

Bussing

Parents/guardians looking for bus route information can check the district's website, more detailed information can be found on the Bus Planner site.

If you have questions that cannot be answered from the site, contact the bus depot at 891-7100.

The bus drop off and pick up location is at the entrance on the left side of the school.  

Student Drop off and Pickup

Students can be dropped off and picked up at one of two locations, the main parking lot or the entrance adjacent to the gym.  If using the main parking lot, parents/guardians are asked to enter the parking lot, turn around and then drop off their student.  This allows students to exit onto the sidewalk.  

We ask that parents/guardians do not park in the lot next to the gym, this is reserved for students.

Our school has a back-in policy, we kindly ask anyone waiting at the school to back-in to their parking space and to not idle their vehicle.  

Student Parking

Students are able to use the parking spaces provided by the school which is adjacent to the gym entrance. It is important that students follow safety precautions and rules of the road at all times when using the student parking area.

Updating Student Information 

If your contact information (phone numbers/address) or medical alerts have changed please review the demographic form that will be sent home September 9 and either return it with changes or call the school.

Reporting Absences and School Messenger

The Safe Arrival reporting system will let you report an absence in advance by using either a mobile app or website.

The following instructions will guide you on how to report absences.

Alternatively, you can report an absence by calling the school (832-2990) or emailing (johnburkehigh@nlschools.ca)

Automatic phone calls will go out each day at 11 am and 6 pm, this is sent using the SchoolMessenger system.  If you would like to receive text messages from this system please view the following document for instructions.  A student’s attendance can also be checked by a parent/guardian from their PowerSchool account.  If you do not have your account information please contact the school and we will provide it to you.

When a student needs to leave during the day, parents/guardians should call the school to grant permission for them to leave.

Rycor

Many of our forms are available for parents/guardians to complete online through PowerSchool.  School fees  can also be paid through this system.

Parents will need to use their PowerSchool account, not their students account, to access forms and fees.

Below are guides to help set up your account.

• Parent setup Instructions

• Parent sign in flowchart

Forms that can be completed online are:

• Social Media Consent Form

• Acceptable Use of Technology Form

• Chromebook Agreement Form

• SSNL Student Contract 

• Activity / Trip Permission Form (within the town of Grand Bank)

• Locker Permission Form

Students will also receive a hard copy of the forms on September 9.

Lunch Room

For students who stay for lunch a lunch room is available with microwaves.

Breakfast Program

We can all find ourselves in a rush to get to school at times or perhaps you are not ready to eat when you first wake up.  This is where the breakfast program is a great option to grab something, it is open every morning before the start of classes and we encourage all students to use it. Students will be permitted 5 minutes after the 8:50 bell for classes to start to finish their breakfast items. The breakfast program will start during the second week of school. Any parents who wish to volunteer for the breakfast program can call the school and leave your name. We’d really appreciate it!

Lockers

Each student will be provided with a locker and lock if they choose to use it. 

Calendars

An online calendar is available on the school website (https://jbhs.nlesd.ca/calendar)  which has a full listing of school events and is updated regularly.  This page also contains an assessment calendar with the dates of all assignments, tests and quizzes.

School Website

The school website has many resources which include but limited to school:

• Policies (cell phones, attendance, extracurricular involvement, etc)

• Student Handbook

• Academic and Mental Health supports

Families are asked to review our cell phone policy which outlines when and how devices are to be used. 

We encourage parents/guardians to check the school website regularly for updates.

Please feel free to contact the school with any questions that you may have and we wish everyone a successful school year.

Final Examinations Schedule

Final exams will begin on Friday, June 12th. Please see the attached exam schedule and note when your exams are happening. Once grade 8 and 9 students finish their exams, they will be given time for the remainder of the classes to finish any assessments that were missed this term. Students must come prepared to work on these assessments. Buses will be running at normal times. Students who have exams in the afternoon and arrive in the morning can make use of the study hall to prepare for exams.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G-7LRLXzweQWJd2pDNfU1IauCnOhwO2O8UGPetepGIk/edit?usp=sharing

John Burke High School Clothing Order 2025-2026

Use the following link to order JBHS Fall 2025 clothing. Lots of options including our usual JBH crest or the new JBH Buccaneer mascot emblem. Makes a great gift for present students or alumni! Order closes on October 28, 2025 at 11:45 PM.  Don't be disappointed and get your orders in early!!

www.unigear2u.com/shop/jbhsfall2025 

SCHOOL PHOTOS ARE READY TO VIEW AND ORDER

Dear parents,

School pictures are ready!

Your child’s school pictures are now available! To view them online, please log in to your account at mylifetouch.ca. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one using your email address. You’ll need your student’s ID number to locate their photos.

Important: If you don’t know your student’s ID number, please do not contact the school. Paper proofs containing your login credentials will be sent to your home shortly, allowing you to view the images online.

Bonus: All families can also order a FREE digital Pictures2Protect Card—a great way to keep your child’s photo and emergency info handy. Learn more about the Pictures2Protect program here.

Thank you! —The Lifetouch Team

Scholarship Opportunities

Moving Lives Forward Scholarships

The Health Care Foundation, through funding provided by NAPE, provides a series of scholarships to benefit mental health and addictions clients who use the services of a Mental Health and Addictions Program. The scholarships are valued up to $1500 each and recognize the therapeutic value of education and seek to assist adults (17 years and up) who wish to take a course offered by a post-secondary institution or personal development course. Individuals interested in applying can go to the Health Care Foundation website at healthcarefoundation.ca and obtain a form. Application deadlines are April 1, August 1 and November 1 each year.

NL Women's Institute Scholarship Opportunity

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19C6PHW0ZYoLJR-wPJz_ddSCcTEg4CZGe/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11uZ_sQ5WKEmGXiMJyL_dZ0g1wkwu-_RN/edit