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.
February 2016
NEWSLETTER NO. 6
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE:
The winter that almost wasn’t has arrived! We can only hope that the late arrival doesn’t
see it lingering longer than the end of March.
Family Literacy Day on January 27th was a great experience for everyone. Our students
rotated through a variety of sessions that included enjoying listening to a good book,
using their skills to follow a recipe to create a nutritious and delicious treat. Help us to
enhance your child’s success at school by providing time to read together and talk about
what has been read, building comprehension and understanding.
“Reading aloud with children is known to be the single most important activity for
building the knowledge and skills they will eventually require for learning to read.”
- Marilyn Jager Adams
February marks the mid-point of the year where we celebrate the 100th day of school.
This will happen on Friday, February 12th. Throughout the month we will also celebrate
many other special occasions like: Ground Hog Day, February 2nd, Valentines’ Day,
February 14, National Flag Day & Family Day, February 15 to name a few.
Report Cards for students in SK through grade 6 will be going home on Thursday,
February 11th. Please note that the marks and comments cover work, observations and
assessments since September 8th until the end of January. In this set of report cards
you will receive both marks and comments. These results are reflective of your child’s
most recent and consistent evidence and demonstration of learning. Please watch for this
information, review it with your child, then sign and return the bottom portion of page 4
by February 18th.
If you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to call and speak with your
child’s teacher or make an appointment to see them. Your knowledge and understanding
of your child’s marks, comments and progress is essential to your
role in supporting your child’s progress at home.
REMEMBER:
Feb. 15th
Family Day
Sincerely,
Christine Kay
“NEW PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY DAY APRIL 25, 2016”
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 April 25, 2016.
FAMILY DAY
The Upper Grand District School Board will be observing Family Day On Monday,
February 15th and our school will be closed. We hope you enjoy the day with your family!!
WANTED!
Junior/Senior Kindergarten Students
for September 2016.
The Kindergarten years is a 2 year blended program offered to students who are 4
years of age by December 31 in any given year. With first and second year students
blended together for “Play Based Learning” children spend their days learning and
growing together and senior kindergarten students, aged 5 by December 31, learn
valuable leadership skills working with younger classmates.
Beginning in February, we will be registering children for our kindergarten group. If
you or someone you know in the neighbourhood has a child who is or will be 4 years
old by December 2016, please encourage them to register in the office. Formal
registration will take place February 1 - 5, 2016.
Evening registrations for the Guelph area are at Westwood P. S. and William
Wineguard P. S. on January 28, 2016 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Please remember that you have to register in person and you must show your child’s
birth certificate (or other form of birth verification), their immunization record
(yellow card) and show proof of address.
FEBRUARY IS 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.
Did you know that the First Black person to set foot on Canadian soil was Mathieu Da
Costa and that he was eventually hired to work as a translator for Samuel de Champlain?
Do you know that baseball changed forever in 1946 when the Montreal Royals signed
Jackie Robinson and he stepped on to the ball diamond to play his first game as number
42, and went on to be a baseball legend? Following him was Ferguson Arthur Jenkins,
fondly known in the baseball circle as ‘Fergie Jenkins”. Fergie was born in Chatham,
Ontario and is considered to be one of the most talented pitchers ever to play ball.
How about Canada’s own, The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander. Born in 1922 in Toronto
he was Educated at Hamilton’s McMaster University and Toronto’s Osoode Hall School of
Law. He was the first black person to become a member of Parliament in 1968.
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 know you will
be moving out of the June Ave school area before September
2016. This will help us be as accurate as possible when
submitting projections in consideration of staffing, and when
creating class placements.
Winter Clothing
As February winds begin to blow and the snow continues to pile up, please consider the
following “stay warm” tips when sending your child off to school:
 pack a spare pair of socks and mitts in the backpack to replace those that get wet
thru the day
 encourage your child to wear snow plants, scarves, boots, warm coats,
etc.
 always keep your child’s head and hands covered with a warm hat and
mitts
HEAD LICE
Head Lice are a nuisance but not a health hazard. They do not result from a lack of
cleanliness. It is important to check your child’s head frequently. If you discover head
lice, please notify the school office so we can try to keep it under control within the
school.
Here’s a recipe for treatment proven to be effective and affordable:
50 / 50 Mineral Oil and White Vinegar
 Mix ingredients together
 Pour solution on DRY hair until fully wet (you may need to use the whole
amount
 Let sit on the head for at least 1 hour (you can cover the head with a shower cap or
wrap the whole head of hair in clear plastic wrap)
 After letting your head soak, rinse out solution (you may need to use a little soap)
 Pick through hair and remove all nits (most important step)
 Repeat process in 7 days.
Building Math Skills
A trip to the grocery store can yield far more than food supplies. It can provide
authentic ways for your child to learn and practice math skills.
*Clip Coupons
Give your child some coupons and some change. Ask how many ways they can make the
coins add up to the coupon amounts. For example; a 30 cent coupon is equal to three
dimes or six nickels or two dimes and two nickels, etc. At the store, have them subtract
coupon values from the prices of items to get your cost.
*Weigh Produce
Tell your child that the price of some fruits and vegetables or bulk foods is based on
how much they weigh. Point out how the scale shows the grams. Let them weigh fruit on
the scale. Ask them: “How many grams does the apple weigh”? or “How many apples do
you get for the gram weight price”?
*Estimate Costs
In the check-out line, challenge your child to guess the total bill. Tell them the price of
each item. Teach them how to round up or down. Have them add the items up in their
head, keep a running total out loud. See how close they get to the answer.
Reminder About Parking
Please make sure you do not park between the no parking signs at the front of
the school. This obstructs the view for our patrols from crossing students
safely, especially in the winter months with the snow banks.
Another alternative to dropping off and picking up your child/ren is the back of the
school on Nicklin Crescent by the catwalk.
RECORDING SCHOOL EVENTS AND PRIVACY
Parents, family and friends who personally record school events and then subsequently
post them on social networks like Facebook or You Tube is not respectful of the privacy
rights of all those parents, staff and particularly students whose images they
share without their knowledge or permission. Please remember our
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy.
Reading With Your Child
Encourage your child to become a better reader
Well, we’ve put in one month of the New Year and by now many of us have fallen off the
resolution trail. But here are some reading resolutions that are easy and fun that you can
stick to. And, they will help encourage your child to become a better reader.
Read with your child every day.
Reading aloud is the most important thing you can do to encourage a love of reading. As
you read, you can also help build your child’s vocabulary and their interest in reading.
Give books as gifts.
For those special occasions that creep up through the winter months: Ground Hog Day,
Valentine’s Day, Family Day, . . . make it a tradition to give your child a book you know
they’ll love. Or find a magazine about a subject of interest. Then, share some time
reading it together.
Make a comfy place for your child to read.
Provide a comfy chair, a special blanket or stuffy to hold. It should be away from the
television, computer and other distractions.
Visit author websites.
If your child enjoys Shel Silverstein’s collection of poems in Where the Sidewalk Ends,
your child will love the activities on his website. If your child enjoys the illustrations of
Jan Brett, her website includes lots of fun activities to try, too.
Inclement Weather
Please remember to check the Upper Grand DSB website for information on
bus cancellations and school closures http://www.ugdsb.on.ca or listen to
106.1 FM.
28
21
Day 5
29
Day 5
Jr & Sr Kdgn.
Vision Screening
9 a.m.
22
(no school)
*******
Family Day
15
National Flag Day
14
Day 1
J U N I O R
Day 1
8
1
Mon
7
Sun
23
16
9
2
Day 2
3
Wed
Day 3
Day 1
Day 1
Parent Council
Meeting
7 p.m.
Day 2
24
17
10
No Bullying
Pink Shirt Day
Day 2
Day 2
Day 3
K I N D E R G A R T E N
Groundhog Day
Tue
National
Sweater Day
Day 4
5
Day 3
Day 3
Grade 1 to 6
Dairy Presentations
25
18
Day 4
Police Visit
Grade 2 & 4
*******
Report Cards Home
11
Pizza Day
Day 5
26
Day 4
Pizza Day
Pizza Day
Day 4
Basketball
Tournament
at Willow
Boys a.m./Girls p.m
*******
19
12
Day 5
Pizza Day
Fri
R E G I S T R A T I O N
4
Thu
February 2016
27
20
13
6
Sat
June Avenue PS - Parent Council Meeting Minutes – January 12, 2016
1. Welcome - People in Attendance: Chris Kay, Andrea , Janet , Marnie, Roni, Debbie R.,
Martha A, Ruth F., Regrets: Dave, Lori, Dana
2. Acceptance of Agenda
Approved by Martha and seconded by Janet. All in favour – carried.
3. Acceptance of Minutes from Tuesday, December 8th 2015
Approved by Ruth and seconded by Roni. All in favour – carried.
4. Treasurer’s Report and Acceptance of Financial Statements - Lori H not able to make
the meeting. Financial statements for December 2015 will be forwarded to school once
they are complete and they can be reviewed at the next meeting
 Ask Lori about draft or completed budget for this year – would like to see this as we move
forward
 Principal’s Report
 Storm Day at the school tomorrow (January 19th) – Juniors in the gym and primary classes
in the library. 11:30 – 12:30
 Student run Art Club – Group of Grade 6 girls and Mr. Campbell
 Little Jammer’s Guitar Club started on Monday January 18th
 PD day on Friday – Teachers will be working on report cards
 Family Literacy Day on January 27th (Wed) from 12-3 (Celebrity readers, recipe groups,
working with words, bookmark making). Parents welcome to come.
 Talent Show – Thursday 28th at 2pm
 Lockdown Drill is Thursday 21st – around 2:30
 January 29th – Feb 5th Miss Kay will be away – Retired Principal Jim Pickup will be here
 Basketball has started – Mrs. Nunn and Miss Kay will be working with the teams - Feb.
19th tournament at Willow Road. Boys in the morning and girls in the afternoon. Mrs.
Nunn will walk the boys team over and Miss Kay will walk the girls over and bring the
boys back. Mrs. Nunn there for a full day. Parent volunteers welcome.
 Nursing students from McMaster – will be here this term. Cancelled last week due to
inclement weather
 Feb. 9th – Teacher’s working on a book study called “Natural Curiousity” – focus is on
outdoor and environmental learning and the inquiry learning process. Teachers are working
to make the process and content of real world learning more engaging and relevant.
Student inquiry projects will begin later in the spring once teachers have read the book and
collaborated.
 Karen Epps from the Board has invited us to a greening workshop on Feb. 18th at 6:30 at
William Wineguard school – both Chris Kay and Janet Ivey have booked themselves to go.
More Parent Council members are welcome – 2 more would be ideal. Dave is a maybe?
We will have more 1:1 time to go over our Outdoor Learning space plan (specifically the
pergola plan).
 Crazy carpets and body sliding are back now that the snow is here – they have to stop on the
landing and not go down into the ditch. So far it has been fun and safe. Close monitoring
for any unsafe behaviours.
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Reading Tutor is Marnie – she has been working with students since we started back in
January. The next training and feedback session is January 23 in the afternoon – both she
and Mr. Clark will attend. She is working for approx. 15 minutes on reading fluency and
comprehension.
Feb 10 is Dr. Rodger’s visit – Director of the Board
Feb 11th – Police visits for Grades 2-5
Feb. 18 – District Support follow-up visit with Directions Team
Feb. 24 – Pink Shirt Day
Feb. 25 – Dairy Presentations for Grades 1-6
6. Fundraising
 Terra Cotta Cookie dough fundraiser will start Feb. 1 and run until Feb. 16th – Roni will
work with Mrs. Rosenboom to do a flyer for this fundraiser.
 During Education Week a Family pizza dinner in combination with a classroom open
house, book fair, display about outdoor classroom with outline of costs/items needed,
Toonie toy table, spring treats with Roni to have for sale at the event. Some items to be
baked at the school and some to be done after school at Roni’s home. Roni will come up
with the baking items to be done and will put out a school sign up sheet for any interested
teachers. Date: First week in May – Thursday May 5th . This will also be the week of the
Bag To School pickup. A flyer should be done up to name this as our “kick off”
fundraising event for the Outdoor Classroom.
7. Matters Arising from Previous Business:
Outdoor Classroom and Funding update – Chris Kay and Janet Ivey Meeting on February 18th will hopefully help get things settled for our project so we can
begin to move forward. There will hopefully be more 1:1 support by someone at the Board
to look at our plan and help make any needed changes/improvements so we can go ahead
and get quotes form contractors.
Questions from Janet:
1) Shade patterns – where the sun rises and sets on the yard so we know where to put the trees.
Mrs. Ford shared the information she knows about the yard from doing yard duty.
2) Are there any special accessibility needs? No – strollers and walkers could go along the
grass. The entire outdoor area will be level and adequate grades with no steps.
3) Learning Foundation as the mechanism for private donations
4) Grants as a way to raise money – Grand River Conservation Greening Project (Janet will
reapply again this year after making a few changes to the application based on feedback),
and Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds School Ground Greening Grants – Chris and Janet
will pursue these grant options. Could raise $3000-$4000 if they are approved
Janet will resend here email from last week. Parent Council members are asked to review her
notes and make any comments/suggestions by next week so she can proceed.

Janet is looking for another interested person who may be willing to help her on this project
ongoing as it can be difficult for her the monthly Council meetings. Anyone interested,
please contact her. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK JANET ON THIS
PROJECT.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 9th, 2016
Time to be determined. 7- 8:30?