THE JOHN BLACK P.S.
NEWSLETTER
150 LAMOND STREET, FERGUS
Scott Preston, Principal
N1M 2A1
December 2015
519-843-2665
Belinda Norris, Office Coordinator
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE
CHRISTMAS FOOD DRIVE
November was another busy month here at John
Black Public School and now December is upon us
and promises to be a month filled with special
events and activities.
The We Team, our Gr. 6-8 social justice group, has
organized a Christmas food drive as part of our
ongoing partnership supporting the Centre
Wellington Food Bank. It is running from December
5th to 17th.
We are continuing our partnership with the local
CW food bank. Our goal this year is to collect at
least 2250 items for the food bank. Our Grade 6-8
classes will also be volunteering at the food bank
again this year. In addition to collecting for the
food bank the We Team and Student Council will
be selling candy grams between now and
Christmas with proceeds going to support the
building of a school in Africa.
On behalf of all of our staff and students here at
John Black Public School I would like to wish
everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy and
safe holiday.
MAD SCIENCE EXTRACURRICULAR
PROGRAM
Mad Science is coming back to our
school. This is a private, extra-curricular science
program that takes place on Thursdays after school
for 8 weeks from January 28 to March 24. There
are cool demonstrations, hands on activities and
take home experiments. Watch for information
coming home the second week of January or
contact Mad Science at 519-621-0600 ext. 23 or
28. Email: lori@madscience.on.ca or
chantelle@madscience.on.ca
Reliable Ford is providing a truck to transport the
donations to the food bank. The students goal is to
fill the truck with 2250 items.
Please consider sending non-perishable food or toys
to the school in support of our less fortunate
neighbours.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Dec. 15, 16, 17 Book Fair
Dec. 21-Jan. 1 Christmas Holidays
Jan. 4
Back to School
Jan. 22
P.A. Day
Feb. 2
School Council, 6:30
Feb. 10
Report Cards go home
Feb. 8
Lion’s Skate-a-Thon
Feb. 15
FAMILY DAY HOLIDAY
March 14-18 MARCH BREAK
March 25
GOOD FRIDAY
March 28
EASTER MONDAY
April 28
School Council, 6:30
May 5
Junior Play
May 23
VICTORIA DAY
HOLIDAY
June 2
Creative Arts Day
Intermediate Drama Night
June 3
P.A. day.
June 16
School Council Spring Fete
June 28
Report Cards go home
Grade 8 Graduation
June 29
Last Day of School
The Mission of John Black Public School, as a family centred community school, is to develop each student’s ability to acquire
skills, knowledge, responsibility and respect for self and others, by providing diverse learning opportunities within a safe and
nurturing environment.
Parent Council Corner:
Social Networking Safety Presentation
On Thursday, November 12 Paul Davis came and spoke to our grade 4 - 8 students on social networking safety. He
then came back in the evening and did a presentation to parents in the library. Both presentations were absolutely
fabulous and very informative. Feedback from teachers indicated that it got students really thinking and excited about
the topic. There was a lot of positive discussion that took place upon return to the classroom after the presentations.
Hopefully they all came home ready to discuss what they learned and act on it at home. Thank you to all the teachers,
staff and parents for all your support of this great event.
Tuesday Lunch Program
The ordered lunch program is available through Lunchbox Orders. With every meal purchased, a contribution will be
made to the school’s fundraising program. Ordered lunches are delivered on Tuesdays with a four week rotation of
options from Fraberts, Subway, Boston Pizza and Pita Pit. All menu items are compliant with
the Ontario Ministry of Education’s Food and Beverage Policy. To order please go to:
www.lunchboxorders.com. If you have further questions or comments regarding the ordered
lunch program please contact Catherine at cathezr@hotmail.com
Programs Supported
Funds raised by Parent Council will be assisting the school with the Forest of Reading Program, Scientists in School
and the Home Reading Program. We also supported the Social Networking Safety Presentation. Thank you everyone
for your support!
Year Round Fundraisers
Parent Council has some fundraisers that we do year round. Mabel's Labels is available on-line at:
campaigns.mabelslabels.com. Be sure to choose John Black as the organization you wish to support.
We collect Campbells soup labels which can be placed in the collection box in the school lobby.
Fundscrip-Gift Cards for over 150 retailers are available and Parent Council receives a percentage of the face value
of the gift card. A listing of retailers is available at: www.funscrip.com For further information please email Andrea at
abrown@ghlcomputing.ca
Don't forget that you can submit your Upper Grand Learning Foundation donation and receive an income tax
receipt. More information is on-line at: http://www.uppergrandlearningfoundation.com/contribute/
Next Meeting
Our next Parent Council meeting will be Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 6:30 pm at the school. Please join us........
Everyone is welcome. If you have any questions, comments please e-mail us at: sc.johnblack@ugdsb.on.ca.
Parent Council would like to wish everyone a safe and joyous Holiday Season and Happy New Year.
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