JUNE JOTTINGS
30 June Avenue
Guelph, ON
N1H 1H6
Phone: 519-824-4560 Fax: 519-824-9520
Principal: Ms. C. Kay
Office Coordinator: Mrs. D. Roosenboom
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission at June Ave. P. S. is to teach skills that assist each child in his/her academic, social and
emotional development. We do this by using all our available resources and expertise through team
collaboration and planning. We do this so that all children can learn and achieve their potential.
April 2016
NEWSLETTER NO. 8
Principal’s Message
Although a short month with the spring break and Easter, March was very busy both
inside and outside of the classroom. We spent the first week of March fundraising for
our lunch program through Food & Friend’s initiative: Live Free Day. Culminating with
living out our pledges on March 4th our toonie collection and fund day coins, along with
private donations to the food program, June Ave raised over $200.00 that will come back
to use from Food & Friends before the end of the school year. Thanks to everyone who
participated in the Give Up To Give campaign this year. The assembly presented by our
Free the Children’s club was certainly a great kick-off and got everyone thinking about
others’ needs.
Earth Hour was observed by many families on March 19th when between 8:30 & 9:30 pm
lights were turned out to reduce energy consumption in support of altering our course
toward climate change. Because students were on their break, June Ave. illuminated the
cause between March 21 & March 25th by running energy saving processes throughout the
week. By using alternating lighting in the hallways, lights out & curtains open in the
classroom on a sunny afternoon to turning off lights whenever classes left learning
environments empty, June Ave. students did their part to reduce their carbon footprint
showing it is possible to affect climate change. Congratulations Griffons! This will surely
help as we work to re-qualify as an ECO school for the 2015-2016 school year.
Parent Council has made great strides with their idea and creation of an outdoor learning
environment. Thanks to Mrs. Ivey, the Lead member on this project, we now have a
contractor, firm costs, ideas and direction for the Evergreen supporting director for our
project. The concept idea is in the works and we should be able to realize a beginning to
the work by mid-May. How exciting!
Chris Kay
EQAO
May 25th, 2016 through June 8th, 2016 is the window for schools to administer the EQAO Provincial
Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics. We ask that parents of grade 3 & 6 students to
make every effort to avoid having their child miss school during this time. If you have any questions,
please contact your child’s teacher or the office.
SAFETY
ON THE
PLAYGROUND
With the warm weather to come, students anxiously await the opening of the creative playground.
Unfortunately, due to ground conditions and cold temperatures, the playground will NOT reopen on
April 1st. As Board Policy 307 states: It is the position of the Upper Grand District School Board that
all playground equipment cannot be safely operated during the following winter conditions:
a- freezing temperatures
b- snow build up
c - ice or freezing rain
d - frozen ground cover, and
e - periods when students wear winter clothing.
All playground equipment therefore remains off limits AT ALL TIMES
(including out of school hours). Reopening of this area will be
communicated to students and parents as soon as it is safe to do so.
Thank you for your co operation in keeping our students safe.
Chris Kay
Outdoor Toys
The warm weather is guaranteed to return and our students will be playing in the sand soon. Please
think of our students while doing your spring cleaning. Plastic containers, pails, shovels and molds would
all be appreciated by sand castle lovers. Small toy trucks, tractors, and cars are a favourite of the boys
who crawl around the grass and sand. One can never have too many of these items. Balls, Frisbees and
skipping ropes would also be welcome.
By having these extra toys available on our playground, many students would have something positive
and fun to do during recess. Any items in good condition that are no longer useful to your families
would be gratefully appreciated and put to good use by our students.
Do You Know An Everyday Hero?
Please nominate someone in your school community—an individual or a group—whose actions and efforts
foster the development of a positive learning and working environment. Deadline for nominations is
Thursday, April 14, 2016. For more information, visit the Board website:
http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/community/article.aspx?id=3546
Thank you.
VISITORS TO OUR SCHOOL
Just a reminder, that anyone visiting our school must sign in at the office. Whether you
are dropping off homework, lunches or other items it is important that
we know who is in the building at all times in case of an emergency
evacuation. For the safety of everyone please honour this request.
Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.
SCHOOL SAFETY PROCEDURES:
Tornado Season
The period between April and June is once again upon us. Given
the number of tornadoes that have hit in recent years it is
especially important that all students and staff are clearly aware
of the emergency procedures related to severe weather
warnings.
As a requirement of the Ministry of Education and the Upper
Grand District School Board we will be conducting our annual
tornado drill during this season. Our anticipated date is Thursday, April 14th in the
afternoon. Students will review the procedures, position and expectations as a class
prior to this drill. We hope that the weather on April 14th will be calm so as not to
unnecessarily alarm or frighten students.
Fire Drills
Every school is required to hold 6 fire drill a year; 3 from September - December & 3
from January - May. As students will not have advanced notice of when these drills will
occur, it is important that they always have footwear on their feet when at school.
Please check with your child to be sure they have indoor shoes at school and that they
are wearing them, at all times, when class is in session.
IMPORTANT: SAFE ARRIVAL
Your child’s safety is of utmost importance to us. Please remember to contact the school before
9:00 a.m. or after the Nutrition Breaks if your child is going to be late or absent. For your
convenience we also have voice mail which allows you to contact the school at any time during the
night, over the weekend and early in the morning. When you leave a message please be sure to
note your child’s full name, teacher and the reason for the absence.
If your child is absent and we have not heard from you, we will attempt to contact a parent/
guardian to ensure that your child is ‘safe’. It is important to let the school know if there is any
change in your personal information (i.e. home/work phone number, emergency
contact, etc.) so that in the event of an absence or emergency, we can contact
you immediately. Students arriving late are expected to check in at the
office to obtain an admit slip. As always, to ensure your child’s safety, any
parent/guardian picking up his/her child, must check in at the office.
Child Abuse Prevention Policy and Program
The Upper Grand District School Board places a high priority on the safety of our students. The Child
Abuse Prevention Policy is evidence of our commitment to this priority. The following is a quote from
this policy:
“Every citizen in the community shares a responsibility for our children. School officials and teachers
share the collective community responsibility for creating safe and nurturing environments for our
children. Under the Child and Family Services Act, this responsibility includes the legal requirement to
report to the local Children’s Aid Society any suspected child abuse of other situations where a child
may be in need of protection. Teachers and other Board employees have a special opportunity to know
and understand children during their most influential years of development. They are ain a unique
position to be able to see early signs of maltreatment, and to know or hear about the abuse and
neglect that is often suffered by children”
As required in the Policy, we will be teaching age-appropriate lessons to help our students identify
abuse and protect themselves from abusive situations. The gaol is to provide children with the tools
they need to keep themselves safe. The lessons cover a broad range of safety issues including bullying,
stranger danger and abuse by a known and trusted adult.
During the month of April, students in grade one, three and five will be taught either the c.a.r.e. kit
put out by the Red Cross Society or the “Kids in the Know” Personal Safety programme by their
classroom teacher with the support of the Child and Youth Counsellor. There is no formal program for
grade two, four and six, although the safety concepts are reviewed by classroom teachers informally
We encourage you to discuss with your child at home, the concepts taught in the Child Abuse
Prevention Curriculum.
For more information regarding the Child Abuse Prevention Policy and/or programs, please contact
your child’s teacher or Miss Kay, Principal.
Concussions
Concussions can have a serious effect on a young, developing brain. Proper recognition and response to
concussion can prevent further injury and help with recovery. Children and adolescents are among
those at greater risk for concussions due to body trauma at any time.
Although falls and motor vehicle accidents are the leading causes of concussion, physical activity and
sports can also cause a concussion.
To address the risk of concussion and to assist parents and students to identify the signs and
symptons of concussion, the Board is presenting free workshops to increase awareness.
Wednesday, April 20
Tuesday, May 10
Wednesday, May 11
7—8:30 p.m. Westside SS, Library, 300 Alder St, Orangeville
7—8:30 p.m. Norwell DSS, Library, corner of Main and Cumberland St,
Palmerston
7—8:30 p.m. Centennial CVI, Lecture Room, 289 College Ave W, Guelph
APPROPRIATE DRESS
June Ave students are always expected to dress in an appropriate manner showing respect for
themselves, their bodies and others. At this time of year, students understandably begin shopping for
warm weather outfits to keep them cool, however, we expect students to show common sense and
judgment in their choices of dress for school, recognizing that they are in a public institution. For
example: muscle shirts, spaghetti straps, low scooped neck lines, bare midriffs and backs are
unacceptable; t-shirts must be “tuckable” and not excessively tight. Shorts and skirts must be a
reasonable length and undergarments must not be visible for both females and males of any age.
Although we encourage students to wear hats when outside in the sun, please remind
your child that they are not to be worn in instructional areas.
Footwear also changes during the upcoming season. Students are reminded that they
still need to have running shoes at school. Without proper shoes (for safety and
health reasons) students can be restricted from participating in physical activities
both inside and outside the building.
BAG2SCHOOL IS BACK!
As you begin to clean out family closets and dresser and change clothes over from winter to more
seasonal items, please consider bagging up and saving good, gently used; clothing, shoes, accessories,
draperies and bedding in support of a Parent Council fundraising event. Parent Council will once again
be sending home collection bags for you to collect these items in. We are asking
that they be dropped off at the school between April 25th (PA Day) and May 5th
(Open House/Family Pizza Dinner). We will have the truck in the parking lot to
weigh our collection and to provide us with the corresponding dollars generated by
its weight. What an easy way to help generate funds for the school while recycling
and sharing with others what you no longer need or can use.
Feedback Welcome On Draft Policies
The Upper Grand District School Board is welcoming public input on draft policies. Currently under
review are:

Accommodation Review #305

School Boundary Review #319

Community Planning and Partnerships #320

Equity and Inclusive Education #504

Alcohol and Drugs #513

Smoke-Free Environment #208

Asthma Friendly Schools #516
You are invited to review the draft documents and submit online feedback at www.ugdsb.on.ca/policy.
The deadline for public input for policies 504 and 513 is April 13, 2016. Input on policies 208, 305, 319,
320 and 516 will be accepted until May 11, 2016. Persons without internet access may call 519-8224420 ext. 723 to request a printed copy of the draft documents.
Parent Council News
This year, Parent Council changed their meeting day from Monday to Tuesday nights to
accommodate the needs of many of the parents volunteering to be a part of the group. Parent
Council meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the school staffroom. All
parents interested in hearing about what is happening at June Ave are welcome to attend any or
all meetings as they are able.
This year Mr. D. Christianson as chair, has efficiently kept us on track and on time. Mrs. A.
Moyer has kept exceptional minutes and Mrs. L. Halliday, as our treasurer, keeps us working
within budget and helps us spend money on meaningful items for the school and for our
classrooms. Many new parent faces have brought new ideas, suggestions and support to students
through their participation on Council, volunteering to work in the school with students and
behind the scenes, planning/organizing and running fundraising events.
June Ave wouldn’t be the strong, active learning environment it is without your
support.
Thanks you to everyone who has been a part of helping students become life
long learners who strive to achieve to their potential.
All parents are encouraged to get involved. Please consider giving of your time
to support the work of our Council.
SAVE the DATES
Education week is held the first week of May each school year and provides an opportunity for
parents, family and friends to visit schools within UGDSB and for schools to showcase student
learning. Parents, who are available, are welcome to make arrangements with their child’s teacher
to visit the school and spend time in their child’s classroom observing them during school hours.
The tradition at June Ave. during Education Week is to dedicate one evening to opening the
school for parent walk throughs. This year’s Open House evening will also have the added bonus
for the option for a family pizza dinner prior to touring the school, seeing your child’s classroom
and visiting the Book Fair.
Please book Thursday, May 5th from 5:30-7:30 to visit us at the school. It will be a fun evening of
touching base with staff in a social setting and for connecting with the
students/families that your child talks about, but whom you may not have had
the opportunity to meet and spend time with.
More information about the family pizza dinner will be sent home soon.
Let’s Move
Who says school is all in your head?
Keeping fit and taking care of your health is every bit as important as taking care of your
education. Walking to school is great exercise and a great way to keep your body, as well as your
mind, active.
AUTISM AWARENESS DAY
The seventh annual World Autism Awareness Day is Saturday, April 2, 2016. Every
year autism organizations around the world celebrate the day with unique fundraising
and awareness raising events. By bringing together autism organizations all around
the world, we will give a voice to the millions of individuals worldwide who are
undiagnosed, misunderstood and looking for help. Please join Upper Grand District
School Board in our effort to inspire compassion, empowerment and hope by wearing
BLUE on Friday, April 1st, 2016.
SKATEBOARDS, SCOOTERS & ROLLERBLADES
As the weather turns and ground conditions grow conducive to using wheel devices
we ask that students do not bring skateboards or scooters to school. Board policy does not allow for these items
to be used on school property at any time, and we are extending this to include rollerblades.
There is not enough room to store these items inside and
so in order to avoid theft and damage to the equipment,
we ask that unless they can be locked at
the bicycle racks, that students do not
bring these itmes to school.
Students are riding bicycles or other wheel items to school,
they are reminded that they are to dismount and walk them on
school property, leaving them in the bike racks by the parking
lot exit doors.
We cannot be responsible for items while the students are in
classes.
Parents Meeting Students At The End of The Day
The front doors are locked at 2:30 p.m and if you need to come to the office and sign
your child out they will be opened. If you are meeting them to pick them up at the end
of the day, please go around to the back of the school. The primary students will exit
from the primary doors and the junior students from the junior doors.
Thank you for your help in keeping our students safe.
EARTH DAY: APRIL 22, 2016
Earth Day is just around the corner! April 22nd has been recognized as Earth Day since the early
1970’s and was originally created to highlight the need for all of us to be involved with environmental
protection.
June Ave. has been working hard to regain their ECO school status this year. An on-going focus for the
school is recycling fine paper, plastics, cans milk cartons and cardboard. To increase our work towards
this goal, June Ave student will soon be participating in a yard and community clean up! Watch for
further information from the school and/or your child’s teacher about our clean-up date to make sure
they are appropriately outfitted for the task!
Just one more way to help us nurture environmentally responsible citizen while reducing our
environmental footprint.
RECORDING SCHOOL
EVENTS AND PRIVACY
We love to present school plays, have sports events and other class projects for our students’ benefit
open to members of our community for viewing. However, there is a risk of invading the privacy rights
of other students, parents and staff.
Please feel free to record or take photos of your child’s events, but act to protect
everyone’s privacy by not posting them on social networks like Facebook or You
Tube.
Please remember our Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy policy is there
to protect everyone. Your help and cooperation are greatly appreciated.
Moving / Change of Contact Numbers - Let Us Know!
Over the next couple of months, June Ave and the UGDSB will be working on staffing for September
2016. In order to accurately project the number of teachers required for the system, we count on
maintaining current information about our families. If you are moving or planning a move, please let us
know as soon as possible, as our student numbers directly affect our staffing allocation. If you know
of a family moving into our school area, please have them contact the school.
We also need your help to keep our contact lists up-to-date. If there has been any change to earlier
reported information (i.e., work number, cell number, babysitting arrangements & numbers etc.) please
send a note with your child or call Mrs. Roosenboom at the office 519-824-4560. We need to always
be able to reach a parent or guardian easily in case of emergency.
4
11
18
25
3
10
17
24
Sun
12
19
Day 3
Day 3
26
5
Day 3
P. A. DAY
(no school)
Mon
Wed
Day 5
27
Day 3
BIG KID
Entertainment
Presentation
9:15 am
Day 4
Movie Night
*******
Admin. Office
Assistant Day
Day 5
13
Day 5
Patrol Review &
Recruitment
*******
Floor Hockey
At GCVI
6
20
Day 4
Day 4
Day 4
Tue
Day 1
Day 1
28
21
Day 5
Custodian
Appreciation
Day
Day 1
PIC Spring Event
4 to 8 pm
at Centennial CVI
14
7
Thu
April 2016
Day 2
Pizza Day
*******
Skills Canada
Gr. 6 Students
Centennial CVI
Day 2
Pizza Day
29
Day 1
Pizza Day
Day 2
Pizza Day
*******
Earth Day Lights Out Canada
Yard &
Community
Clean Up
22
Day 2
Pizza Day
*******
Empowerment Day
Gr 5 & 6
15
8
1
Fri
30
23
16
9
2
World Autism
Awareness Day
Wear Blue
Sat
June Avenue Parent Council Minutes – March 08, 2015
People Present: Roni, Ruth F, Debbie R, Andrea M, Marnie T, Dave C, Chris K
Regrets: Dana S, Lori H, Martha A
New Business: Presentation by Edge Imaging (25 minutes)
 Ontario based and have been in business for 10 years
 The two Edge Imaging reps shared several different photo samples
 Environmentally friendly printer with some special splash guard features for the photos
 These photo packages can be ordered in school or on-line – parents choice – can be shipped to the school
or sent directly to family homes
 Lowest price point is $31 for the basic package but new prices for Sept a package will be under $30 –
parents will get a page with 5 different pictures to choose from before they place an order (can see photo
proofs before ordering) – can look online for a variety of backgrounds to choose from
rd
 Family pricing – for 3 or more kids (Pay for 2 packages and get the 3 for free)
 There is the option of a “Family Photo Night” – often done before Christmas or in the Spring – 10%
money goes back to the school – Schools can charge a $10 sitting fee as a type of fundraiser Take up to
10 pictures
 Variety of Administrative services available for schools (OSR pictures, staff ID tags etc., birthday
bookmarks, Certificates for variety of events, Maplewood photos )
Plan Moving Forward: Solicit feedback from some other schools who use Edge Imaging and compare prices
between the base packages from each company. But, our initial feeling is that it may be good to try
something new
Acceptance of the Agenda – Following agenda outline from previous months – Dave had trouble printing an
agenda due to computer issues.
Acceptance of Feb. 9th Minutes – All in agreement that Minutes are accurate
Treasurer’s Report – Postponed until next month when Lori can be present or forward a report
Principal’s Report
th
 Live Free Day on Friday March 4 – Still collecting our school toonies – good day at the school
 Staff is meeting this week for the last book study meeting for book Natural Curiousity – Science based
inquiries are happening in the school
 School Effectiveness Lead and Curriculum Lead have been working with the staff around how to best
meet academic needs in the school – lots of staff visits to other schools to see what other schools/classes
are doing. Follow-up meeting planned for late March with the Directions Team to reassess what next
steps are for further school development
 Principal Time – Status Quo for next year at 0.8 time – 0.2 Planning Time/SERT roles
 Staffing process is beginning – by end of March information will be available re: staff needs and class
number outlines
th
 April 13 is Junior Floor Hockey Day
th
 Empowerment Day is April 15 – All Grade 5’s and 6’s are attending
th
th
 Principal Conference is April 18 /19
th
 April 25 PD Day – focus for staff with be Health and Safety and School Improvement Plan
th
 April 26 Big Kid Presentation (interactive drama group)
th
th
 EQAO starts May 25 (Wed) and runs until Wed June 8
 Lots of teacher training going on (Dreambox, Reading Tutor, Read/Write etc.)
Fundraising
1) Cookie Fundraiser went well – raised $765 and people really seem to be enjoying the cookies
 Good delivery and easy to deal with – provided extra product for any errors
 Simple fundraiser – consider repeating for next year perhaps in the Fall before Christmas (shortbread
cookies are an option)
 Thanks to Ronny, Marnie, Martha and Debbie for all their work sorting/delivering
2) Outdoor Classroom
 Chris, Janet and Dave went to the meeting with Evergreen in late February - very informative meeting
with lots of good ideas and good learning
 Site visit will be done soon with lady from Evergreen – sometime early this Spring to review where to
put paths and shade considerations – She has encouraged us to get started on some simple plans to help
parents see what our “overall plan” might look like – more action and less talk basically – don’t have
to have all the money raised to get going
 RFP sent to any landscapers who have done work for schools in the UGDSB– some have already been
in touch to say not available to do this type of work , others may need longer than 2 weeks to get a
proposal in. Janet will follow-up with any who show a serious interest.
 Applied for a grant through Upper Grand that will provide $400 for log seating around the trees
 Another grant was applied for (approx.. $300) - could be used for butterfly gardens etc.
 Environmental Earth Angels and Tree Canada – Marnie and Janet are going to work on applying for
some funding through these agencies
New Business
th
 May 5 Family Night from 5:30 – 7:30 (Pizza Dinner, Art Show, Toonie Table with treats/toys Book
Fair, Ice Dogs (ice cream sandwiches for sale) from Terra Cotta Cookies, Class visits, Collect and
Weigh clothes, On – line donations in library with display for Outdoor Classroom
 Bring own drinks and cutlery – Roni will start to work on a Flyer for this event – It will need to have a
little time itinerary for time frames for the events (i.e. Classrooms open from 5:30 – 6:00)
 Big focus at April Meeting will be to get this event planned. Date will be put in the April newsletter.
Motion to Close the Meeting – Andrea. All in favour. Meeting closed.
Next Meeting is April 12th at 7:00 – Please try to attend so we can plan a great family night in May!