Central Public School
97 Dublin St., N, N1H 4N2
Phone: 519-821-7990 Fax: 519- 821-8270
February 2016 Newsletter
Principal: Rochelle MurrayCako
website: http://website.ugdsb.on.ca/central
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
As we experience colder and unpredictable weather,
please make sure that your children are dressed
warmly and appropriately. We will continue to watch
the weather and make appropriate decisions about
going outside for recess.
Please refer to the school calendar for important
dates.
Rochelle MurrayCako
Principal
APRIL PA DAY
We would like to make all parents and guardians
aware of an additional PA Day that has been added to
the school calendar. Following central collective
agreements reached in the fall, an additional
Professional Activity Day has been added to this
school year. In the Upper Grand District School
Board, this PA Day will be on Monday, April 25th,
2016.
Office Coordinator: Sarah Greisman
Kindergarten and students who will be five years of
age by December 31st, 2016 are eligible to register
for Senior Kindergarten. Students who are already
attending Central Public School for the Junior
Kindergarten program are not required to register
again. If you know of anyone with a child who will
be four or five years of age by Dec. 31st, 2016 and
who would like to register their child at our school,
please ask them to call or stop in at the office.
Registration forms can be found at:
http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/programs/article.aspx?id=14
74
ANTI BULLYING DAY CANADA
Anti Bullying day in Canada is on Wednesday,
February the 24th. It is also known as Pink Shirt Day.
On this day we wear pink to symbolize and stand
against bullying.
An online reporting tool is available on our
Central Public School Website:
http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/central/
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
February 1-5 – Kindergarten Registration
February 3 – Winter Walk Day
February 4 – National Sweater Day
February 11th – Reports Home
February 15th – Family Day – No School
FAMILY DAY
The Upper Grand District School Board will be
observing Family Day on Monday, February 15th
so our school will be closed on that day. We hope
you enjoy the day with your family.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Kindergarten Daytime Registration in Schools:
February 1 – 5, 2016, during office hours
Students who will be four years of age by December
31st, 2016 are eligible to register for Junior
ON TIME FOR SCHOOL
Please note the first bell rings at 8:45. If your child
arrives after the bell they need to come to the office
for a late slip. It is also important to note that
morning entry is through the back doors.
SAFETY FIRST
One of our most important goals is to ensure the
safety of your children here at school. For this reason
we ask that children refrain from rough play and do
not kick or throw snow before, during or after school.
We also ask that students use the shoveled and
prepared sidewalks and stairs to enter and exit the
building at the beginning and end of the day, rather
than slipping and sliding up and down the slopes of
the property. Your assistance in supporting these
expectations is much appreciated.
FROM THE LIBRARY
Central Public School will host
it’s first Readathon this
month! The Read-A-Thon will
take place from February 11-26. With the support of
our families, we hope to raise money which will be
used to purchase resources for our Library;
specifically to have a primary author visit and to
create Maker Space kits. During the two weeks of the
Readathon, we will host a number of fun activities at
school; a pajama day, reading activities in colour
houses, dress as your favourite book character. On
Friday, February 19, parents and grandparents will be
invited into the school from 8:45am to 9:30am to
read with students.
A pledge sheet will be sent home with a collection
envelope on Thursday, February 11th. This will give
students a chance to collect pledges during the
Family Day weekend. All pledges will be due back to
the school on Friday, February 26th. The reading will
be done at home and the students will be sponsored
per minute of reading. A variety of literacy activities
will be suggested to remind students that reading can
take many forms! Students record their reading on
the calendar enclosed and have parents initial each
day. We hope that you will support this fundraising
campaign and that our students will benefit from both
the time spent reading and the money we raise for our
school. If you have any questions please contact:
Ms. Brennagh, Teacher-Librarian.
CENTRAL P.S. TO BECOME AN ONTARIO
ECOSCHOOL
We are excited to announce that Central will be
taking part in the Ontario EcoSchool certification
program! "Ontario EcoSchools is an environmental
education and certification program for grades K-12
that helps school communities develop both
ecological literacy and environmental practices. From
six categories, school EcoTeams can pick and choose
environmental activities they would like to
implement throughout the school year. All six
sections promote student engagement, and each
item/activity is worth certification points."
To kick off the program students at Central and
across Canada schools are invited to participate in
“Winter Walk Day” on Wednesday, February 3rd.
Students are encouraged to walk to school and
classes may also take part in an outdoor walk during
the school day. Find more information at:
http://www.saferoutestoschool.ca/winter-walk-day
Thursday, February 4th is “National Sweater Day”.
National Sweater Day is a fun way to learn about the
importance of saving energy and to inspire you to use
less heat all winter. Students are invited to wear their
warmest, wackiest sweater, while schools and
families are encouraged to turn down thermostats 1-2
degrees. Find more information at:
http://www.wwf.ca/events/sweater_day/
Stay tuned for more exciting environmental
initiatives taking place at Central P.S!
Mrs. Gibson & Miss. Benham
SCHOOL COUNCIL
"Happy February everyone! These dark days are
perfect for curling up with a hot coffee, sweet hot
chocolate, or a nice tea. Please stay tuned for more
information about our upcoming Planet Bean
fundraiser.
Another exciting event to look forward to is Math
Night. This will be an evening for the whole family to learn, play, and have fun with Math. Do you have
questions about your child's math homework, or how
math is being taught in school? Please join us for this
interactive event and find out the answers to your
questions. Date To Be Announced.
Please join us for our next School Council meeting
Everyone is welcome!"
Next School Council Meeting
Monday, February 29th – 6:30pm
CROSSING GUARD
February 12 is School Crossing
Guard Appreciation Day!
Remember to thank crossing
guards in your community for
helping our students arrive and
leave school safely. Crossing
guards ensure elementary school
children cross safely at
designated school crossing
locations in the City of Guelph.
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.
Happy Valentine’s from “Free to Achieve”
Charities like Free the Children, have transformed how students view themselves, their community
and the world. Our students feel empowered to make a difference both locally and globally. In fact
our schools have been raising money for the Upper Grand Learning Foundation (UGLF) “Free to
Achieve” - a fund that benefits students in our community with basic needs, like winter clothing,
school trips and hearing aids This Valentine’s Day we would like to thank you for your generous
donations to “Free to Achieve”. Want to make a donation or start a “Free to Achieve” campaign?
Visit the UGLF website for more information at www.uppergrandlearningfoundation.com
Monthly Environmental Newsletter Inserts
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!
FEBRUARY 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 descent, 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.
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)
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 Guelph Wellington 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 Guelph
Wellington.
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 .
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 selfworth.
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 Upper Grand District School
Board
Follow me on twitter: @drlynnwoodford
Kerry’s Place
Kerry’s Place Autism Services is pleased to announce a new pilot program funded by RBC Royal Bank
intended for Grade 8 students transitioning into high school! This group will help students who have a
diagnosis of ASD prepare themselves for Grade 9. The program will run weekly starting in January 2016 and
will run until the end of the school year. Some of the topics that will be addressed (but are not limited to)
include bullying, hygiene, healthy relationships, friendship, and cyber safety. Snack and drinks will be
provided. The hope is to make the program informative yet really fun!
Group #1
Mondays until June 6th
3:30-5:00PM
Jean Little Public School Library
56 Youngman Drive, Guelph
Cost: FREE!
Group #2
Wednesdays until June 8th
3:30-5:00PM
Waverly Drive Public School Library
140 Waverly Drive, Guelph
Cost: FREE!
To Register:
Call Jaime Edge at 519 763-5812 ext. 33
Email jaime.edge@kerrysplace.org