Kortright Hills Public School
23 Ptarmigan Drive,
Guelph, Ontario N1C 1B5 (519)-827-160 Fax (519) 827-9251
Wendy Donaldson, Principal
Amy Ewing, Vice Principal
Della Broderick, Office Coordinator
Rosemary Coghlin, Administrative Assistant
Newsletter for June, 2015
From the Principal’s Desk
Well, it is hard to believe it is June! What an
incredible year this has been at KHPS. As we head
into the final month together there are some exciting
things on the horizon. We look forward to seeing you
at the Ice Cream Social, students are involved in a
variety of activities, and our grade 8 students will
have the last few weeks to prepare for their
graduation from Kortright. I thought it fitting to end
this year's newsletter with some words from the
people we are here for...the kids. I asked them,
"What was your favourite memory from this year?"
"What are you proud of that you worked hard to
achieve at school this year?" and "What could we do to
make our school even better?"
This is what they said:
What was your favourite memory from this year?
• I liked when we went to the theater (Grade 1)
• I really liked getting marbles in our class
(Grade 2)
• I really liked the book fair (Grade 4)
• The sports teams were awesome
•
(Grade 7)
• Mansfield was amazing (Grade 6)
• Going to the pioneer village was so much fun
(Grade 3)
• I think going to Quebec will be a big highlight
(Grade 8)
What are you proud of that you worked hard to
achieve at school this year?
• I am proud of being good at school (Grade 1)
• reading big books (Grade 2)
• math problems in class (Grade 4)
• trying to learn to be better at math (Grade 6)
• my art skills (Grade 3)
• my magazine project (Grade 7)
•
making honor roll (Grade 8)
What could we do to make this amazing school even
better next year?
• It would be good if the Kindergarten students
could go farther outside than the area they
are in (grade 4)
• I can't think of anything-it is awesome (Grade
6)
• I think we could do a better job at reducing
our littering (Grade 3)
• I think it would be good if we had more than 1
dance (Grade 7)
• I think we should have a proper sized skating
rink and a school hockey team (Grade 8)
• It would be good if the playground was bigger
with more things to play on (Grade 1)
• It would be good if the first recess was longer
to play with our friends (Grade 1)
This year has been filled with many wonderful
memories as well as some strong academic gains due to
hard work. I hope you all have a great end of year and
a summer filled with time for family and friends. It
has been an incredible year and I look forward to the
fall.
Wendy Donaldson
Principal, Kortright Hills P.S.
Library News
Thank you for your support of our
Scholastic Book Fair held in May.
We received an amazing 70% of
all sales, earning us $2500 to
purchase new books and resources for our library!
Staff and students have been submitting requests and
we will look forward to exploring our new resources
next fall.
All library books are due Thursday, June 4th.
Please take some time to search your house, vehicles,
and backpacks for library books and return them to
the library. I appreciate your time and assistance in
ensuring that our collection is
maintained. Students with
outstanding books will receive a
note indicating the amount owing
to cover the replacement cost of
the book(s). Please note that we
would much rather have books returned than have to
repurchase.
Thank you for your continued support of our library
programs.
Sheila Morgan
Teacher Librarian
sheila.morgan@ugdsb.on.ca
[Link]http://bit.ly/KHPSLibrary
School Stuff
Bicycle Safety
Now that the warmer weather is approaching, please
remember if your child rides his/her
bike to school a helmet and a lock are
necessary.
Students must walk their bikes and
scooters on school property.
Summer Clothing & School
Hopefully we have seen the last
of snow for many months. As the
temperature rises, we ask you to
remember that students must
dress appropriately for school.
Please follow the guidelines listed below:
•
•
•
•
protect yourself from the harmful ultra violet
rays of the sun by wearing hats, long sleeve
tops and applying sun screen,
clothing must be free of symbols of hate, gang
membership or images that portray violence,
death, abuse, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, racial
or obscene words, political or sexual
statements.
muscle shirts, spaghetti straps, low scooped
necklines and shirts exposing the mid-rift
should not be worn at school.
please keep clothing meant for the beach at
home and remember to have children wear
comfortable, conservative clothing to school.
Summer Moves
The graduation ceremony for Grade 8
students will be on Tuesday, June 24th at
6:00 pm in the Kortright Hills P.S. gymnasium.
The theme this year is “Hawaiian”. Following the
ceremony, there will be a reception and dance for the
graduates. Any questions may be forwarded to Mme.
Franco at diana.franco@ugdsb.on.ca.
If you will be moving out of our school area
over the summer, please let the school
know. This will help in determining our new
classes in September. Please send this
information to Mrs.
Broderick as soon as
possible. Similarly, if you have new
neighbours coming in, please direct
them to the school before the end of
June, to register for September.
Grade 9 Registration
Junior Kindergarten Registration
Grade 8 Graduation
When:
Wednesday September 2, 2015
Where:
Centennial High School
Time:
8:15am - 9:00am - Pictures and
Registration
9:00am - 2:00pm - Orientation and
Lunch
We will continue to register children for our
September 2015 Kindergarten
classes. If you have a child
who will turn 4 years of age on
or before December 31, 2015,
please call the school, at 519-827-1601.
Road Safety, Safety, Safety!
The two parking lots at the school are
not to be used as drop off points for our
students, nor is the driveway to be used
as an opportunity to do a u-turn. This area of the
school is to be used only by staff and visitors to the
school during busy times of the day, between 8:30 a.m.
and 8:50 a.m., and 3:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Morning Attendance
Please help your child to be at school when
the bell rings – 8:45 for Intermediates,
8:50 for JK - 6. This minimizes disruption
for classrooms during learning time, and it places the
value of time management on students – a life-long
skill. Please also remember to have your child check in
at the office, if he/she is late. If the announcements
are on, he/she will need to wait quietly in the front
foyer until announcements are finished to check in and
receive a late pass.
Lunch Options
Tired of preparing lunches? The Grade
Eight class is selling subs and pitas as a
way to help with their fundraising for
their Quebec trip. Orders can be
placed online at
www.lunchboxorders.com.
Pitas (from Pita Pit) are available on Tuesdays for a
cost of $5.25.
Choices: bacon, chicken breast, chicken souvlaki,
turkey, ham, veggie.
Subs (from Subway) are available on Wednesdays for a
cost of $4.00 (4 inch) or $4.25 (6 inch).
Choices: ham, turkey, turkey and ham, veggie.
Reading over the Summer
As a parent, you are your child’s first – and
most important – teacher. Here are eight
ways you can help your child become a
better reader:
1. Read yourself. Your actions really
do speak louder than your words. When your
kids see you reading the newspaper or curling
up with a book, they will want to follow your
example.
2. Make sure your children read every day.
Reading, like shooting baskets and playing the
piano, is a skill. Like other skills, it gets better
with practice. Researchers have found that
children who spend at least 30 minutes a day
reading for fun – whether they read books,
newspapers, or magazines – develop the skills
to be better readers at school.
3. Get in the library habit. Make sure everyone in
your family has a library card. Schedule
regular trips to the library. While you are
there, check out a book yourself!
4. Read aloud to your children. Research shows
that this is the most important thing parents
can do to help their children become better
readers. Here are some tips:
• Start reading to your children when
they are young. It is never too early to
begin reading to your children.
• Don’t stop reading to your children as
they grow older. You will both enjoy
the chance to do something together.
• Set aside some time each day for
reading aloud. Even 10 minutes a day
can have a big impact. Bed time is a
natural reading aloud time. Other busy
families read aloud at breakfast or just
after dinner.
• Read books you enjoy. Your kids will
know if you are faking it.
5. Here is a way to use your newspaper to
encourage reading: a scavenger hunt. Give your
child a list of things to
find in today’s
newspaper. Here are
some ideas:
• A map of Canada.
• A picture of your child’s favourite
athlete.
• The temperature in the city where a
family member lives.
• Three words that begin with “w”.
A movie that is playing at a nearby
theatre.
6. Give books as gifts. Find a special place for
your children to keep their own library.
7. Make reading a privilege. Say,
“You can stay up 15 minutes later
tonight if you read in bed.” Or
you might say, “Because you helped
with the dishes, I have time to read you an
extra story.”
8. If you are not a good reader, you can still
encourage your children. As your children
learn to read, ask them to read to you. Talk
about the books your children have read. Ask
a friend or relative to read aloud to your
children.
•
Parents of Elementary Students:
Find tips on helping your child with reading,
writing and math, as well as tips on homework,
talking to teachers and more. Tips are
available in multiple languages at
Ontario.ca/abc123
Sunscreen and Hats
Just a reminder that all
children should be wearing
sunscreen and hats on high UV days.
Check the morning weather reports if
you’re not sure.
Summer Safety
Summer is a carefree time for children and with
school nearly out and warm
weather, we need to reinforce
the need for safety.
Construction is increased and
there are more heavy and farm vehicles on the roads,
which can pose a danger for our children. At the
school we are reminding our students about keeping
safety in mind when they’re playing outside during
their break from school and classes. Parents can do
their part too, by reinforcing the usual
road
safety rules so our children are
aware when they’re out and about,
riding their bikes and having fun
with their friends.
Heat, Humidity & Smog
Principals will monitor weather conditions and
exercise caution with the amount of physical activity
students may be engaged in (recess,
physical education classes, sports, etc.)
especially in the afternoon
hours. Schools may
consider rescheduling
outdoor activities, and keep a close watch
on students with respiratory problems, and any other
children in consultation with parents.
Playing and Having Fun in the Summer Sun
The summer holidays are almost here
and children will have more time to
play inside and outside your home.
Play helps children of all ages build
social skills, be more creative, and
solve problems. Children who play often are happier
and healthier.
Children need free time every day to play. It is
important for children to choose how they
would like to play and what they would
like to play with. Younger children may
choose to build with blocks, play chasing
or tag games, paint, draw, make a puzzle or play with
dolls, cars or trucks. Older children might like building
a fort, riding a bike, playing ball, building with a
construction set, or playing a board game.
Encourage your child to play actively more often than
they play video games and watch T.V.
Children enjoy playing with
water or sand, playing
games like hide and seek, or
with bean bags, balls, skipping ropes or
bikes.
Many children enjoy putting things together and taking
things apart. Children also like to play
games in which they can pretend such as
dress-up, puppets and role playing. What
did you like to do when you were a child?
Play is good for adults too. Adults who take time to
“play” and relax are less stressed and happier. Have
some fun this summer!
For ideas about toys and play at different ages go to:
http://www.parents.com/baby/development/growth/h
ow-they-play/
For information on pretend play go to:
http://www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info/Articles/TheLand-of-Make-Believe.aspx
For ideas for outdoor play go to:
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/family/travel/playoutside-47060105#slide-29
Lost & Found
If your child is missing any clothing items, please
remind him/her to check the lost and
found box by the front entrance.
Parents are welcome to
check the box as well.
Items will be available
during the month of June, and anything
unclaimed will be donated to a charitable organization.
Pick Up Medication
This is a reminder for any parents who have
medication for their children currently
stored at the school. Please drop by
the school before the end of June
to pick up your child’s medication.
We cannot leave it in the school over
the summer. Medication can be
brought back to Kortright Hills if needed,
in September.
Special Olympics
On Wednesday, May 20th our special
needs students participated in
the Special Olympics at St. James
Catholic High School. All participants
trained for weeks with their Peer Coaches,
and at the meet, they were fabulous representatives
of KHPS.
Congratulations to: William S.,
Jaime A., Jennifer S., Katie B., Ben K., Stephen T. and
Stefan Everett
A very special thank you goes to their peer
coaches: Elizabeth M., Amber U., Connor T-G.,
Stephanie H., Abby M., Alysha D. and Elizabeth M
The Importance of Sleep
As the days get longer and the light
lingers into the night, all of us tend to stay
up later. Unfortunately, we still have to get up at the
same time to go to school or work, which means we may
not be getting enough sleep. For some of us, this lack
of sleep is an ongoing concern. Going to bed late, not
being able to fall asleep or waking up in
the night all disrupt our ability to get a
good night’s sleep.
A good night’s sleep is very important
for our mental and physical well being.
For children and youth, it is extremely important to
get enough sleep. Sleep is the foundation on which we
build all of our well being. Sleep allows our bodies to
rest, re-charge, consolidate learned information
and be ready to take on another day’s
challenges. Good sleep contributes to
feeling well, doing well in school and to
positive mood and behavior. Getting
enough sleep leads to better concentration,
less hyperactivity, less depression or anxiety and less
aggression.
Each person needs a different amount of sleep, with
children and youth needing more sleep than adults. You
know you are getting enough sleep when you don’t feel
drowsy or tired during the day. Sleep problems are
very common. You are more likely to experience sleep
problems if you are experiencing significant stress in
your life. Simple changes in your child or youth’s daily
routine can make a big difference to their ability to
sleep well and feel rested.
Do:
1. Go to bed at the same time each day.
2. Get up from bed at the same time each day.
3. Get regular exercise each day, preferably in
the morning. There is good evidence that
regular exercise improves restful sleep. This
includes stretching and aerobic exercise.
4. Get regular exposure to outdoor or bright
lights, especially in the late afternoon.
5. Keep the temperature in your bedroom
comfortable.
6. Keep the bedroom quiet when sleeping.
7. Keep the bedroom dark enough to facilitate
sleep.
8. Use your bed only for sleeping.
9. Use a relaxation exercise just before going to
sleep such as muscle relaxation, imagery,
massage, warm bath, etc.
If you lie in bed awake for more than 20-30 minutes,
get up, go to a different room (or different part of
the bedroom), participate in a quiet activity (e.g. nonexcitable reading or television),
Don't:
1. Exercise just before going to bed.
2. Engage in stimulating activity just before bed,
such as playing a competitive game, watching an
exciting program on television or movie, or
having an important discussion with a loved one.
3. Have caffeine in the evening (coffee, many
teas, chocolate, sodas, etc.).
4. Read or watch television in bed.
5. Use alcohol to help you sleep.
6. Go to bed too hungry or too full.
7. Take daytime naps.
8. Command yourself to go to sleep. This only
makes your mind and body more alert.
If you or your child/youth continue to have sleep
problems, talk with your doctor or mental health
professional.
Here are some helpful websites with information and
activities to help with good sleep.
http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/wellnessmodule/wellness-module-6-getting-a-good-nights-sleep
http://sleepfoundation.org/
From School Council
The 2014/2015 school year has been wonderfully busy
for the School Council and our success would not have
been possible without the support of parents and
staff. We are always looking for new people on School
Council, whether you have a couple hours a month or
can volunteer weekly; there are always events that
need your help. School Council meetings are held once
a month on Monday’s at 7pm in the school library. We
hope to see new faces in September!
Mark your calendars for Thursday June
4th from 5-8pm! Our popular Ice Cream
Social event is a great way to connect
with families before the end of the school year. Again
this year there will be entertainment including a magic
show, face painting, temporary tattoos and even a visit
from the Guelph Fire Department. The raffle table will
be loaded with themed baskets from each class so be
sure to enter. New this year is the “Play with Clay”
travelling bus, which will have a station to make your
own personalized buttons.
The School Council is holding an E-Recycling event on
June 5th from 3pm-7pm and June 6th from 10am-3pm.
This is a great way to get rid of unwanted computers,
laptops, monitors, printers, etc., and help the school
raise money. If you are attending the Ice Cream
Social, the bin will be open for drop-offs.
Playground Update – Summer has finally arrived and
our children are spending more time outdoors and on
the playground. The School Council was able to update
and add new paintings to the playground surfaces,
which is only the first step in our beautification
project for the school. The kindergarten playground
will be receiving an update and hopefully new
equipment in the fall of 2015. We are looking for
parents that would like to participate or have input
into the overall design (including new equipment) for
the entire playground. If you are interested in being
on the Playground Committee or
simply have suggestions please
contact Brandy Douglas at
douglas.brandy@gmail.com.
The final day for the food program
(milk/smoothies/pizza) is June 19th.
The next School Council meeting will be Monday, June
15th @ 7:00pm in the school library.
ONLINE PAYMENTS
COMING SOON!
Benefits:
Convenient:
Make payments anytime…Online!
Easy to Use: Fill a shopping cart and check out.
Safe:
No need to send cash or cheques to
school.
Secure:
Our website is protected and PCI
compliant.
Save Time:
It takes less than 5 minutes to
register.
For safety and efficiency reasons, we want
to reduce the amount of cash and cheques
coming into our school. School related expenses such
as pizza days, field trips, spirit wear, yearbooks, etc.
will be available for online purchase. More information
will be available soon.
From The Environment
June’s Environmental Theme:
Caring For The Environment:
Environmental Stewardship
Caring about the environment is all about “doing”. So
get out there and start doing all the things you've
learned about this year. It's time for all of
us to start Living Green 365 days a year and
make a commitment to environmental
stewardship, so we can keep our Earth
healthy!
Caring about our planet means being educated about
our planet. Learn as much as you can. Earth needs
smart people to take care of it! Be curious, ask
questions, gather knowledge and find solutions. You
need to understand what the problems are in order to
fix them.
Every one of us is important when it comes to caring
for the Earth and protecting it for the future. An
advocate is someone who publically speaks or writes or
does actions to support an important cause. What kind
of “Earth Advocate” are you? Choose from the
following list:
A) Activist: I want to help others to change their
habits to help the Earth. I want to host an event or
make a website that encourages others to Live Green.
I want to write letters to our government to ask them
to make positive changes.
B) Motivator: I will help others change their habits by
being a role model that others can follow. People will
see me living green and making a difference and be
motivated to do the same.
C) Educator: I will research environmental issues and
tell other people what I learn. I will be curious and ask
questions and gather knowledge and find solutions to
environmental problems that I will share with others.
So decide what kind of “Earth Advocate” you are. You
can be more than one type!
Slogan of the month: Live Green 365 days a year!
Special Education News
As summer approaches it is time to start thinking
about what I can do as a parent to support my child’s
continuing education throughout their holidays. Upper
Grand District School Board now allows for home use
of a student’s assistive technology. Please ask your
child’s teacher about the:
“HOME USE OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
PROTOCOL” form if you would like your child to bring
their assistive technology home for the summer.
Some programs that your child might want to use
over the summer:
Ontario Ministry of Education:
Discover quick and easy tips that can be part of your
everyday life and will help your child's learning.
Learn More:
http://www.ddu.gov.on.ca/abc123/eng/tips/
Watch Video Podcasts:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/abc/123/eng/podcast/
Summer Resource:
http://www.readingrockets.org/calendar/summer
This resource was designed to assist in helping
students’ from losing progress in their reading skills
over the summer months. This link provides resources,
articles and activities to encourage
kids to learn, read and have fun in
the summer.
https://webapps.ugdsb.on.ca/ug2go/
UG2GO, the virtual learning commons for the Upper
Grand District School Board. UG2GO provides 24/7
access to quality online subscription databases and
websites for the UGDSB community.
Centre of Equitable Library Access:
http://iguana.celalibrary.ca/iguana/www.main.cls?surl+
CELA-Home&theme=celadefault&lang=eng
Over 200,000 items available in accessible formats –
approximately 85,000 items from CELA and an
additional 120,000 items from US based Bookshare.
Talking About Mental Health
Successfully Shifting from School to Summer
It is an exciting time of the year. The weather is
getting warmer, days are getting longer and summer is
just around the corner. School is wrapping up and it is
time to think about how to have a good transition from
school routines to summer vacation. You and your
family may be looking forward to summer as a break
from the routine and as an opportunity to have some
summer fun. The challenge lies in shifting gears to a
different routine and a schedule that may change as
often as every day or every week, depending on your
summer plans.
The shift from school year to summer break
represents a transition phase for all children and
youth, easy for some, but more challenging for
others, particularly those children and youth who
experience anxiety or have difficulty with
transitions. The regular routine of school may be a
much needed structure in their lives that is
sometimes missing in the summer. School can provide
a consistent schedule and social contacts, which can be
helpful and supportive for children with certain mental
health concerns. Summer can be unpredictable and
isolating. The potential unstructured nature of the
summer, at times, can increase underlying anxiety. The
loneliness and isolation can contribute to feelings of
depression. So a good transition to summer is
important and can lead to a more positive, fun summer
experience.
Here are some practical tips to make a smooth
transition from school to summer!
Post the summer schedule. Have your child or youth
contribute to a family calendar. Together, you can
determine what to put on the calendar. Hang the
calendar in a central location. Be sure to note blocks
of unscheduled time as well; that way, you can
anticipate free time to use as you wish – even if it’s
just to enjoy a break in the action.
Be prepared to be spontaneous. Keep a running list
of places and people to visit when time permits and
the mood strikes. Summer – free from homework
and tutors – is a good time to stop by the library,
bike trail, or concert-in-the-park that you can’t
seem to get to during the school year.
Revamp – but don’t eliminate – your child’s daily
routine. A daily routine gives most kids a sense of
structure and security.
Prepare your child for their scheduled activities. If
possible, visit the locations where they will be
during day camp or day care in advance. Have your
child talk to counselors, caregivers, as well as other
kids who have enjoyed those same situations and
settings.
Encourage summertime learning. Summer outings
may present opportunities for your child to learn
about history, geography, and nature. Look for
“teachable moments” and encourage her to listen,
read, take photographs, collect postcards, and keep
a journal of her adventures. This type of learning
can boost the self-esteem of a child who struggles
in school.
Get outside and enjoy the summer. Try to limit the
amount of time online, watching TV, or playing video
games. Be active and get plenty of sleep and exercise.
Being outside, such as going for a walk or playing in the
park, elevates our mood and makes us feel less anxious.
Hope you have a wonderful, relaxing, fun summer.
However, if you find mental health challenges to be
increasing or causing more difficulties over the
summer, seek out mental health or addiction supports
for your child/youth, you and your family.
Summer resources for Mental Health and Addiction
supports:
Your family physician and family health teams in
Guelph, Wellington, Dufferin are excellent resources.
Summer School: Mental Health and Addiction Nurses
will be available for drop in supports at UGDSB
Summer School locations at JF Ross CVI and Westside
SS.
Canadian Mental Health Association WWD: Tuesday
Walk In - 1:30-7:00, 485 Silvercreek Parkway, Guelph.
To access Addictions, Mental Health and Crisis
Services: 1 844 HERE 247 (1 844 437 3247) for
Children and Youth in Guelph/Wellington and for
Adults in Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin.
http://here247.ca/
Dufferin Child and Family Services: Tuesday Talk In –
1:00-7:00 pm, 655 Riddell Road, Orangeville.
To access services for Children and Youth in Dufferin:
519 941 1530. http://dcafs.on.ca/
Family Counselling and Support Services: Walk-in,
Wednesday, 1-7, sliding scale, based on ability to pay,
but will not turn anyone away. 109 Surrey St E, 519
824-2431.
KidsHelpPhone 1 800 668 6868.
http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/
Dr. Lynn Woodford is the Mental Health and Addiction
Lead for Upper Grand District School Board
Follow me on twitter: @drlynnwoodford
The World We Live In
The world we live in is rapidly changing, information
and technology-intensive, globalized world. While this
may seem overwhelming at times (particularly to those
of who entered this world well before this was true),
it is also rich with the potential for redefining learning
in ways that were previously unimaginable.
To best equip today's learners with the 21st century
knowledge and skills they need today and for their
futures we must respond by:
• Engaging students as partners in their own
learning
• Harnessing the capacity of technology to
engage learners and to optimize and amplify
student learning and achievement
• Emphasizing and teaching important higherorder skills such as critical thinking,
communication, collaboration, creativity and
entrepreneurship
• Supporting educators in preparing our students
for a rapidly changing, technology-driven,
globalized world
Answers to the questions of: How do I do that? What
does that look like? are being discovered now and in
real time. Educators, students, schools and parents are
acting as co-learners as they inquire together about
how to effectively and responsibly navigate learning in
modern environments. As we are discovering, inquiry
leads to more questions and requires a mindset that
sees failures as iterations.
In the co-learning contexts, adult stakeholders are
responsible for modeling a growth mindset and being
lifelong learners. Students and children may know
more about how the technology works and what is out
there, but adults asking guiding questions to help
students become critical consumers and responsible
creators in the digital world are the key in navigating
today’s learning in a safe and effective way.
Keywords to search to enhance your own learning:
“21st Century Competencies” “digital citizenship”
“growth mindset”, “SAMR”, “TPACK”
Sources referenced: About 21st Century Learning in
Ontario http://www.edugains.ca/newsite/21stCenturyLearning/
index.html Jen Apgar
FYI
With the end of the school year on the horizon, it’s a
natural time to reflect with your child about their
learning. As they get feedback on their work, it can
be easy to stay focused on the grade they’ve earned.
But help them to remember that there’s so much more
than just the number or letter that describes their
achievement. Here are some suggestions to help guide
conversations with your child to get them thinking
more deeply about their learning:
Questions to get started (based on Simon Sinek’s
Golden Circle)
•
Why do you think you’re learning about
this/to do this? If you want to have a more
broad discussion about school in general, be
direct and ask your children why they think we
should go to school in the first place. It’s a
great question for not just your young thinker,
but to everyone around the table. When I’ve
asked this question in classrooms throughout
our board, I’ve heard a range of response,
from "To learn facts", "To get ready for high
school" and "To learn the basics" to "For
making friendships", "To learn about the
different ways we learn" and "To better
understand the world".
•
How can you make this happen? In other
words, how does your child think they do their
best learning? Help them to understand that
it’s not about just doing what is being asked of
them, it’s also about thinking and asking
questions.
•
What will we see that shows us you’re
learning? Children seem to struggle, at least
initially, to answer this one or at least to move
beyond what they think we want to hear, such
as “I will sit quietly” or “I will raise my hand”.
With time and a bit more prompting, however,
I often hear from students that what should
be seen in classrooms is "Teachers and
students working together", "Each person
feeling responsible for themselves and to each
other" and "Pride in myself". Can your child
describe what should be seen at home that
illustrates their learning?
What does it mean to learn?
Go back to why—no matter who you talk to when asking
why we go to school, you inevitably end up talking
about learning. Do we all have the same understanding
about what it means to learn? Don’t underestimate
your child’s ability to enter into a philosophical
conversation. In talking to students about this, from
kindergarten through to Grade 8, I’m always amazed at
the depth of their responses when asked questions like
•
What is learning?
•
Is the point of learning different in
elementary than it is in high school?
•
Who’s responsible for the learning? Is it just
one person?
•
•
Do adults still learn?
Do you think it’s still important to learn even
when you’re very elderly?
Knowledge vs. Wisdom
My favourite homework for students is to have them
ask their family the difference between knowledge
and wisdom. I promise that this conversation will not
only shed light into your child’s thinking but will also
allow your family to discuss values that are important
to all of you. It’s also a great lead into the upcoming
summer holidays and the learning and wisdom that can
develop with each day. As Miles Kington has said,
“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit”.
Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad”.
Andrea Higgins
June 2015
Sunday
Monday
1
7
14
Flag Day
Tuesday
Day 1
2
Day 2
8
Day 5
Gr. 3 Scientist in
School
Mrs. Baird – Artist in
the School
Gr. 1’s Mountsberg
Jr. City Track & Field
9
15
Day 5
Gr. 1 Scientist in the
Classroom
7pm School Council
Meeting
16
Day 1
Gr. 1 Scientist in
the Classroom
Day 1
Jr. City Track &
Field - Raindate
Wednesday
Thursday
3
Day 3
Int. City Track &
Field
4
Day 4
LIBRARY BOOKS DUE
Int. City Track &
Field-Rain Date
School Spirit Day
Wear School Colours
ICE CREAM SOCIAL
5
10
11
Day 3
Jr. City Track & Field
Gr.3-6 Bicycle Safety
12
Day 2
Safety Patrols
Luncheon
17
Day 2
Gr. 4 Scientist in
the Classroom
Friday
P.D. Day
No Classes
Day 4
ALL LIBRARY
BOOKS DUE
Saturday
6
13
Gr 2’s African
Lion Safari
Gr 1’s Energy
Afternoon
18
Day 3
Primary Track & Field
19
Day 4
20
26
Day 4
27
*****GRADE 8 QUEBEC TRIP*****
21
Father’s
Day
Summer
Begins
28
22
Day 5
Grad Practice &
Decorating
Report Cards Go Home
Primary Water Day
(end of day)
Ultimate Frisbee
23
Day 1
Safety Patrol Trip
to Medieval Times
29
30
6pm Grade 8
Grad. Ceremony
24
Day 2
Talent Show
25
Day 3
Talent Show
LAST DAY OF
SCHOOL
PD DAY
NO CLASSES
2015 ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Kortright Hills Public School
Thursday, June 4th
From 5:00 to 8:00
Join in the fun for our annual school event
(outdoor school hard top & indoor gym)
 Games, Activities and more…

Face Painting & Airbrush Tattoos by Makin’ Faces
from 5:30 to 7:30 (Free of charge. Limit of one each, per child)

Make your own custom pin-back buttons
by Play with Clay Mobile Art Bus (Free of charge. Limit of 1 per child)
….…
 Pizza, Ice Cream/Frozen Treats & Refreshments
 Fire Truck Visit

DJ Music, Bubbles and Magic by Presswood Entertainment
(from 5:30 to 7:30)
Bumbling Bert’s Crowd-Thrilling Magic Show!
(Magic show from 6:00 to 6:45)
 Classroom “Theme Basket” Raffle
1 ticket for $1.00, 3 tickets for $2.00 or 10 tickets for $5.00
Draw to be held at 7:30 p.m. (you will be contacted by phone if not present)
See over for more …
Visit our Ticket Booth or Raffle Table
Individual treats/items for sale:
 Pizza slice $1.25 (regular crust)
o (Cheese, Pepperoni, or Deluxe) by ‘Pizza LaVilla’
 Drink $0.75
o (assorted pop, water or juice)
 Ice Cream or Frozen Treat $1.00
o (assorted nut-free varieties)
 Games “Prize Passport” Card - $2.00
Note: All games and activities are free to play. However, to collect ‘stamps’ for prizes,
child must have a “Prize Passport” Card. Limit of 5 prizes per card.
BEST DEAL: Student “Super Pass” - $5.00
Includes all of the following:
 1 Pizza slice
 1 Ice Cream or Frozen Treat
 1 Drink
 1 raffle ticket for the “Theme Basket” Raffle! (enter your free ticket for your
chance to win)
 Games “Prize Passport” Card
Collect game ‘stamps’ for some cool prizes. Just fill up your prize passport with stamps and
choose your prizes! Limit of 5 prizes per card.
Show your ‘Cobra spirit’ at our annual Ice Cream Social event and
wear our school colours of green/yellow/black on June 4th.
Everyone is encouraged to participate (parents too)!
We look forward to seeing you there. Thank you!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------VOLUNTEER – Ice Cream Social – Thursday, June 4th
Interested in volunteering? Please return completed form to your child’s teacher by Friday, May 29h.
High school students in need of volunteer hours are welcome to help out.
Name: _________________________________________ Phone # ___________________________________
Email Address ___________________________________________. Indicate if a Parent or Student volunteer.
Preferred Event Time Slot (please circle):
5:00-6:00 or 6:00-7:00 or 7:00-8:00
Or if you can assist with set-up or clean-up (please circle): Set-up 1:00-3:00 or Clean-up 8:00-9:00
Please note: based on the number of responses received, we may not require all volunteers. You will only be
contacted by telephone call or email by June 1st if volunteer help is needed.
Brought to you by Lunchbox Orders
May 2015
Easy to order, healthy lunches are one click away!
Available at www.lunchboxorders.com
Fresh Summer Eating Made Easy!
Amy Skeoch, MHSc RD
As the weather gets warmer, the birds start singing and that also means that my barbeque is getting tuned
up for easy fresh summer meals!
The summertime is a great time for quick, yet nutritious meals. In Ontario, we’re lucky to have so many local
berries and vegetables bursting with flavour to add a kick to our meals! Here are a few fun facts about these
nutrition powerhouses:
 All berries contain vitamin C (especially strawberries!) Vitamin C helps us heal cuts, keep gums,
teeth, and bones healthy and keep blood vessel walls strong due to its antioxidant properties
(neutralizes harmful molecules in our cells).
 Blueberries contain a powerful antioxidant (anthocyanin) in its blue colored skin that may play a role
in cancer prevention.
 Most fruits and vegetable skins contain soluble fibre which keeps our digestive systems running
smoothly – so keep those skins on!
Easy ways to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables:



Add berries to yogurt, cottage cheese, cereals and smoothies at breakfast.
Cut up colored peppers, zucchini and Onion into large chunks, brush with olive oil and grill on the
bbq – enjoy as a side dish, or toss into a salad.
Add fresh fruits like peaches and nectarines to frozen ice cream/yogurts and already prepared angel
food cake for a quick dessert.
Maple-Grilled Peaches
Ingredients:
4 firm ripe peaches or nectarines
1/2 cup (125 mL) maple syrup
1/4tsp (1 mL) grated nutmeg or ground cardamom
4 scoops vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt, (about 2 cups/500 mL)
Preparation:
Halve peaches; discard pits. Place, cut side down, on greased grill
over medium-low heat; close lid and grill for 7 minutes.
Turn peaches; brush with one-quarter of the maple syrup.
Sprinkle with nutmeg. Grill until tender, about 8 minutes.
Serve with ice cream; drizzle with remaining maple syrup.
Sources:
http://ontarioberries.com
http://www.dietitians.ca/Nutrition-Resources-A-Z/Factsheets/Grains/Colour-your-choices-with-Vegetables-and-Fruit.aspx
http://www.canadianliving.com/food/maple_grilled_peaches.php
Skills Work!® Summer Camp
For boys and girls going into grade 7 and 8
Take part in hands-on counselor and industry-led workshops
Explore careers in skilled trades and technologies
Interactive games, industry tours and entrepreneurship programs
Held at Linamar, Guelph
July 6 - 10 (All-Boys camp)
August 10 - 14 (All girls Camp)
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily | $50
Register now at www.skillsontario.com/reservedcamps
In partnership with:
TRANSPORTATION NEWSLETTER
Fall Startup September 2015
Follow STWDSTS on Twitter!
STWDSTS will be using Twitter beginning
August 2015. You will be able to follow
us @stwdsts. Please make sure you
connect with us to hear about inclement
weather, cancellations and important
information.
IMPORTANT
.
New geographic areas have been
assigned to STWDSTS technicians.
You can find your technician by area at:
http://stwdsts.ca/home/schools/
JUNIOR, SENIOR KINDERGARTEN & NEW STUDENTS
If your child is new to the Ontario school system and has been registered
at a school prior to the end of June, transportation information will be
mailed to your mailing address on August 24, 2015.
NEW TO THE AREA (i.e. not registered at a school yet)
If you are new to the area please contact your school to register your
child. STWDSTS will not be accepting new student information over the
phone for security reasons. Any new students throughout the summer
will not receive transportation arrangements until they are registered at
their home school. Once this occurs, you can contact your school
directly to obtain your new busing information. Please note that
during start-up, busing could take up to 2 weeks to be arranged.
BUSING INFORMATION FOR EXISTING STUDENTS
If your child is an existing student, go to www.findmyschool.ca and
login to this secure site with your child’s OEN number (located on report
card), school name, birth date and house number. This will be available
after August 24h.
Subscription Service
Delays & Cancellations
Each year in August, due
to possible route changes or
e-mail alterations, we are
asking parents to resubscribe so you have the
most current, up to date
information.
To subscribe go to: https://
www.findmyschool.ca/
subscriptions/login.aspx and
follow the instructions.
BUS TAGS!
What are they?
Students in JK, SK and Gr
1 who ride a school bus will
receive a tag from their
school showing the student’s afternoon bus route
number and bus stop
location.
The identifying tag
should be worn
(preferably on his or her
backpack), by your child
every day throughout
the year.
This tag will assist drivers
in identifying students who
are required to be met by
a parent or guardian when
they are getting off
the bus.
Tags will be distributed at
the beginning of the school
year by your child’s school.
FAQ’s
How do I change my student's bus information AFTER
September?
Service de transport de Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services
(STWDSTS) will no longer be accepting any changes to student information over the
phone for security reasons. Parents are asked to contact their school administration
directly about any changes to their address. All information will come from the school to
STWDSTS and will be consistent across the board.
Will my child be assigned to a school bus?
Transportation is assigned according to School Board policy. Your child must live within
your school’s attendance boundary and live further from school than the Maximum
Walking Distance assigned to your child’s grade level. Refer to STWDSTS Policy 002
Transportation Eligibility or go to www.stwdsts.ca and click on “Are you eligible”.
Can my child receive transportation from an alternate
address?
Both your home address and the alternate/caregiver address must be within your
school’s attendance boundary and meet the distance criteria for transportation. Be sure
to advise your school about alternate arrangements. The alternate address must be
used consistently 5 days per week and there must be room on the alternate bus.
Refer to STWDSTS Policy 034 - Transportation for Child Care.
May a student temporarily ride another bus while parent(s) or
guardian(s) are away?
All temporary transportation requests shall be refused, except under extraordinary
circumstances where the personal well-being of a student is at stake. Refer to STWDSTS
Policy 029 - Temporary Transportation Requests.
How do I apply for courtesy transportation?
Courtesy transportation is assigned based on the youngest of age (grade), then travel
distance to school, using available seats and existing stops. Courtesy assignments are not
done prior to October 31st of each year. To apply, refer to STWDSTS Policy 017 Courtesy Transportation and Form TF006.
Can my child’s bus stop be changed?
Requests for changes to bus stops should be submitted in writing for consideration (Form
TF033). Requests for changes to accommodate parent/caregiver convenience or health
issues will not be considered. No changes to bus stops are considered during the first
four weeks of school. All students are required to walk to/from their bus stops. Refer to
STWDSTS Policy 009 – Walking Distances to Bus Stop.
Who is responsible for my child’s safety prior to boarding the
bus and after disembarking from the bus?
The parent or guardian is responsible for their child’s safety prior to boarding the bus and
after they disembark from the bus. Refer to STWDSTS Policy 005 – Responsibilities of
Parents and Guardians.
Where do I find STWDSTS Policies?
Our policies can be found online at http://stwdsts.ca/home/policies/.