Victoria Terrace P.S. News
500 Victoria Terrace · Guelph, ON · N1M 2G5
Phone: 519-843-2720
FAX: 519-843-1558
Principal: Mrs. K. Kowch
Office Co-ordinator: Mrs. D. Wilson
FEBRUARY 2016
From the Principal’s Desk
The month of February has many special occasions that we are celebrating at VT -- Groundhog Day,
Kindergarten Registration, Sweater Day, 100th Day of school, Valentine’s Day, Lion’s Skate-a-thon, National
Flag Day, and Family Day to name a few. Junior ball hockey, snow soccer, lots of fort building outside, and a
weekly Games Club for primary students and Cooking Club for junior students.. These special days and
activities should help to ease the winter blues!
As we begin Term 2, we’d like to remind you just how important your role as parents is, in supporting your
children’s learning. Please continue (or start – it’s never too late!) to:
• Maintain on-going communication with your child’s teacher.
• Talk about school and the events of the day with your child at home.
• Model and talk about the importance of reading, writing and math of all kinds and for different
purposes.
As we enjoy the cold and snow, I would like to remind you of the importance in helping your child(ren) come
to school dressed for the weather with snow pants, hats, snow boots and extra socks and mittens. We have
outside time at least twice daily, giving students the opportunity to stretch, run, and release some energy, to
be ready for classroom learning.
Just a reminder that the first report card of the year, that assesses all student work since September, will go
home Thursday, February 11th. Please take time to review your child(ren)’s successes and next steps for
learning, then sign and return the bottom portion of page 4, no later than Friday, February 19th. If you have
any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.
Mrs. K. Kowch
Public Speaking
Our annual Oral Communications contest will be held on Wednesday, February 17 at 9:30 a.m. in the gym.
Come out and hear our best public speakers from the junior grades.
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National Sweater Day
Put on a heavy sweater, wear something funky but warm on February 4th, because
Victoria Terrace will be turning down the heat 2 degrees to show our commitment to
reducing our ecological footprint and saving energy. In fact, if every Canadian turned
down the thermostat by 2 degrees in the winter, we would save greenhouse emissions
equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road for a year. For more information on how you
can get involved visit: wwf.ca/sweaterday
The Upper Grand District School Board will be observing Family Day on Monday, February 15th, and all schools
will be closed. Enjoy the day with your family!!
Classroom ECO Reps
Kids at VT have always been great stewards of the earth, recycling paper and plastic, composting and using
refillable water bottles. We also have representatives from each classroom who have taken on classroom
responsibilities to help reduce energy usage as well. We continue to collect:
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POP CAN TABS
USED, DRIED MARKERS
CANADIAN TIRE MONEY
Junior/Senior Kindergarten Students for 2016-2017
Kindergarten registration will be held February 1st to February 5th, 2016 for
children who will be 4 years of age (junior), or 5 years of age (senior) and never
attended school, before the end of December 2016. Please bring proof of birth,
proof of address and immunization record. Registration must be done in person. If
you are aware of neighbourhood children who would qualify, please have the
parents call the school at (519)843-2720.
Student Safety
In the interest of student safety and in compliance with the Ministry of Education, the UGDSB has directed all
schools to conduct two lock down drills each year. A lock down is used when there is a major incident or
threat of school violence within the school or in relation to the school, including the suspicion that an
intruder(s) has entered the school and poses a threat to the life and/or welfare of students or staff or has a
violent intent. In a lock down, exterior doors remain open, with interior doors (classrooms) secured (locked).
In a lock down, students and staff are directed to secure areas where doors can be locked and children are
kept out of sight. No one may leave their secure area until they receive an “all clear” from the authorities.
If you have any questions or concerns about lock down drills, please don’t hesitate to ask!
Silver Birch Club
The Silver Birch Club has started up again at VT with many students in grades 5 & 6 signed
up to read this year's selection of wonderful Canadian literature. The Club meets every Day
3 at first nutrition break and participants must read at least 5 of the 10 selected titles in
either the fiction or non-fiction category. Voting for their favourite book will take place in
April. Reading great books....what a great way to survive these cold winter months!
Platinum Eco School Update
As the first elementary school in the Upper Grand D.S.B. to achieve Platinum Eco School status, now our focus
is on maintaining it! Please watch for more updates on the things we’re doing to promote our
environmentally-sound practices, including a school-wide Energy inquiry in the spring. Keep doing all you do at
home to support our school being so environmentally friendly.
Sharpen Those Skates!
The annual Lion Ron Hallman Skate-a-thon is Thursday, February 11th. This yearly fundraiser is a
great way for our students to raise money for the school and community while having fun and
getting exercise at the same time! The money raised will be split 50/50 between VT and the
Fergus Lions’ Club. The money raised by our students will be used to support on-going
school events and programs. The junior students will skate from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m.
and the primary students will skate from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m. Proper hand covering
(mitts or gloves) must be worn while on the ice. Please note -- the use of a CSA
approved hockey helmet is mandatory for all students and teachers on the ice.
Helmets and a limited selection of skates are available at the school if needed. Please be
sure that you indicate on the signed permission form if you need school skates and/or a helmet no later than
Fri., Feb. 5 .
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As always, participation in school fundraisers is voluntary. Programs are available at the school for students
choosing not to skate.
Pledge envelopes and money are due at the school on the day we skate - pledges will be picked up from the
school at 9:00 a.m. on February 11th (the skating day).
UGDSB Recognizes February as Black History Month
Every year, Canadians are invited to take part in the festivities and events that honour the legacy of black
Canadians, past and present, during Black History Month.
Black History Month exists to remind us all of the rich contributions within our society from people of African
and Caribbean decent, and of their ongoing struggle for equity and social justice. This is a time to celebrate the
many achievements and contributions of black Canadians who, throughout history, have done so much to
make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation we know today. It is also an
opportunity for the majority of Canadians to learn about the experiences of black Canadians in our society,
and the vital role this community has played throughout our shared history.
Moving?? Please notify the school as soon as possible if you are moving out of the
Victoria Terrace Public School area before September 2016.
Talking About Mental Health – It’s February, Let’s be Grateful.
Being grateful is a simple thing that we can do every day, but it has a powerful effect on our positive mental
health. Being grateful increases positive feelings, makes us more stress resistant and increases our sense of
self-worth.
Here are some simple grateful exercises that you can do with your family:
1. Every night at dinner each person in the family says three things they are grateful for that day.
2. Make a February gratitude jar, every day each family member writes down one thing they are grateful
for and at the end of the month, open the jar and read all the things you are grateful for.
3. Leave sticky notes for each family member to thank them for something you appreciate about them.
Each family member has a different day of the week that they are in charge of making the thank you
notes.
4. Think about volunteering and include your children and youth. There are lots of opportunities at your
school or in your neighbourhood to help others.
5. Have fun together as a family. Play a game, watch a movie, eat a meal, go for a walk, read a book
together. Be grateful for time together and creating new, happy memories.
Wishing everyone a great and grateful February.
Dr. Lynn Woodford, Psychologist, is the Mental Health and Addiction Lead for UGDSB
Follow me on twitter: @drlynnwoodford
Physical Activity Can Make You Smarter?
Yep! It’s true!
We have heard a lot about how exercise is important for children to remain healthy but research from Harvard
Medical School (and many other studies) has shown that children do better in school if they get plenty of
exercise. As it turns out, exercise has a positive influence on concentration, memory, behaviour, sequencing,
and making priorities.
According to one study in the Journal of Pediatrics, “school-age youth should participate daily in 60 minutes or
more of moderate to vigorous physical activity that is developmentally appropriate, enjoyable, and involves a
variety of activities”. But other studies have found that even 20 minutes of activity such as walking can
increase brain functioning.
There are so many fun physical activities to do in the winter, tobogganing, skating, snow-shoeing, hockey. Why
not build a snow man, a snow fort or make snow angels? Whatever you and your family decide it is important
for children to exercise every day, the more, the better.
It’s good for the brain and the body!
(Information adapted from Journal of Pediatrics, Edutopia, Everydayhealth.com and Globe and Mail online)
February’s Environmental Theme: ENERGY CONSERVATION
Because many of our energy sources cause pollution and damage our Earth, energy conservation is about
finding ways to reduce or eliminate unnecessary energy usage. We all know to turn off the lights when not in
the room, turn down the heating or cooling and buy energy efficient appliances. But do you know about
Energy Vampires? Energy Vampires are electronics that use energy even when you think they are turned off.
Many "Vampires" have LED lights, clocks or digital displays that are powered continually. Cell phone chargers,
TVs, DVD players and gaming devices all draw current even when not in use. We can unplug these or plug
them into smart power strips that stop idle energy currents.
But what about the future? What types of energy can we use that are renewable energy sources that don't
damage the planet? Let's put solar energy to work! When it is sunny outside, let your laundry dry on a
clothesline. Or open the curtains in the winter and let the sun heat your home naturally.
Or, let's be Eco-Smart in our choices. Design new houses that are angled to use the maximum warmth and
light from the sun's rays in the winter and have a roof overhang designed to decrease sun penetration in the
summer. Install lights that only turn on by using a sensor that monitors brightness. Plant trees to strategically
provide shade. In your community, ask local governments to support more solar panels and more wind
turbines in Ontario. We can use these great ideas ourselves to slow down Global Warming and keep our
planet healthy.
Slogan of the month: Conserve our energy - we are using more of it than you think!
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
February 2016
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
February 1 – 5 is the time to register JK’s for Kindergarten
FEBRUARY IS
BLACK HISTORY
MONTH
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2
3
*Winter Walk to school day
*9:00 a.m. Vision Testing for
JK & SK
4
*9:00 Integrity Assembly
“This is it”
*National Sweater Day –
dress warmly
*Skate-A-Thon blue
permission forms due
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*Report cards go home
*Lions’ Club Skate-A-Thon.
Pledge envelopes are due
9:00 a.m. Helmets and
mitts are mandatory
5
9:10-10:45: Curling 5/6A
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7
8
9
10
12
9:10-10:45: Curling 5/6A
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14
15 No School
16
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9:30 a.m. Public Speaking
Grades 3 to 6
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19
9:10-10:45: Curling 5/6A
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22
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24
25
26
*”Balance” Assembly
*Live Free Kick-off
Campaign
*Crazy socks day
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Mad Science every Tuesday from January 26 to March 22 , from 12:50-1:35 for those who registered.
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MARCH: Live Free Days are February 29 – March 4 so please give generously to our snack program.
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March Break is March 14 to 18 .
Please remember to check the school’s website for the latest and greatest VT newsletter at http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/VictoriaTerrace/newsletters.htm.
If you require a hard copy of the newsletter, please send your request in writing to Mrs. Wilson at the office. Thank you for being GREEN!
Cookie Sales will be held in the foyer every Pizza Day for $1.00 each. There will be a choice of oatmeal, oatmeal chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin.
Proceeds from cookie sales help benefit the school programs.
Partnering for Bright Futures Scholarship Program A new scholarship is hoping to help families save for their child's education through a shared savings program. Family Counselling and Support Services for Guelph­Wellington has launched a scholarship pilot program for low to modest income families in Guelph and Wellington County. If accepted to the program, families are asked to save a minimum of $56 per month for 6 months for a total of $336 per year to a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). The scholarship donor will double the contribution by providing up to $667 per year for up to three years. The family will also receive government contributions to the RESP as defined by the Canada Learning Bond and/or Canada Education Savings Grant. To be eligible for the scholarship program children must be born in 2004 or later and be a resident of Guelph­Wellington. The family's gross income must be less than $50,000 per year, and families must make the required contributions to a RESP. For more information on the scholarship, and to learn more about eligibility criteria, please email Diane Vert at Family Counselling and Support Services, at DianeVert@familyserviceguelph.on.ca​
. Public input sought for draft policies
The Upper Grand District School Board has adopted a new approach to the
development of policies and procedures, important documents that guide the board,
staff and activities of our school system. Our goal is to improve policies and procedures
at the draft stage, with your help. By providing an opportunity for input from parents, the
community and stakeholders we are aiming for greater openness and transparency in
our governance.
The first policy, procedures and guidelines to be posted for public consultation are
related to “Equity and Inclusive Education”. You are invited to review the draft
documents and submit online feedback at www.ugdsb.on.ca/policy. The deadline for
public input is April 13, 2016. Persons without internet access may call 519-822-4420
ext. 723 to request a printed copy of the draft documents.