Kortright Hills Public School 23 Ptarmigan DrivegGuelph, OntariogN1C 1B5g(519)827-1601gFax (519)827-9251 Kirk Runciman, Principal Anne Bonnar, Office Co-Ordinator Kim Kowch, Vice Principal Rosemary Coghlin, Administrative Assistant Newsletter for november, 2011 From the Principal’s Desk October has been a busy, busy, busy month! Great things are happening in the classrooms and there are a lot of activities happening around the school. Soccer tournaments have come and gone, cross country races have been run, Mad Science is underway, all of the food programs are running effectively and School Council has completed their first fundraiser of the year. This Isn't The Math I Remember! How come the math my child brings home doesn't look like the math I remember? If you don't recognize the math in your child's homework, think about how the world has changed since you were in school. The math looks different because the world is different. Advances in science, technology, information processing and communication, combined with the changing workplace, make it necessary for all students to learn more math. The basics are changing. Arithmetic skills, although important, are no longer enough. To succeed in tomorrow's world, students must understand algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability. Business and industry demand workers who can; · solve real world problems · explain their thinking to others · identify and analyze trends from data, and · effectively utilize modern technology. Instead of worksheets, your child may bring home problems to investigate that are related to real lifeinvestigating salaries, life expectancy, and fair decisions, for example. Giving students opportunities to learn real math maximizes their future options. Check with your school to make sure the math your child is learning today is the math they need for tomorrow's world. After all, the future is closer than it may appear! Kirk Runciman Principal A Warm Welcome from the Library The library has been bustling with activity! The library was transformed into a pioneer schoolhouse and Grade Three students dressed up to participate in a mock school day with their favourite school teacher “Miss Wilder”. Many groups have been using the library and computer lab to complete research and should be proud of all of their accomplishments. Our Boys’ and Girls’ Book Club meetings have now been set for the next month and it looks like we will be having some interesting discussions. Groups range from Grade 4 to Grade 8 and we currently have 85 students who have signed up! We also have a group of 46 enthusiastic Library Helpers who have volunteered to help keep our library organized by shelving books during morning recess. The Scholastic Book Fair will be arriving on December 1st and will be open for our Family Fun Day on the 3rd from 10 am – 1 pm. Come and check out the great selection of books and perhaps complete some Christmas shopping. If you are available to help during the Family Fun Day or during the following week (December 5th - 8th), please send me an email or give me a call. A special thank you to our School Council for providing the funds to support the worthwhile clubs, activities and programs that we run in the library. As well, I would like to thank all of the dedicated volunteers who help in the library with various tasks and activities. The students and staff all benefit from your time and support. Take time to read, Sheila Morgan Teacher Librarian School Stuff Blood Donor Clinic Alysha, a grade 2 student at Kortright Hills, needed 42 blood/plasma transfusions during her treatment for leukemia. Alysha and her family are hosting a Blood Donor Clinic in honour of Alysha, Wednesday November 9th, 4-8pm, Thursday November 10th, 4 - 7pm and Saturday November 12th, 8am - 1pm. Located at the Guelph Blood Donor Clinic, 130 Silvercreek Pkwy N. There are lots of others like Alysha who need the gift of blood. Book an appointment on Alysha's website at operationalysha.com. At Alysha's clinic you will also have the opportunity to register for OneMatch - The International Marrow and Stem Cell Network...Swab to save a life! Terry Fox Run We would like to thank everyone who came out or supported the Terry Fox Run on September 28th. It was a special event, and the whole school participated. Terry Fox’s remarkable determination and his wonderful achievement were highlighted as an inspiration for us all. KHPS raised $3900.00. Class Disruptions A major goal for staff and students is to minimize class disruptions during the school day. To assist them with this goal, the office will keep interruptions of all kinds to a minimum. If parents are bringing in something for their child(ren), please bring these items to the office with their name and grade on it. These items will be distributed at recess breaks throughout the day. Report Cards Term 1 Progress Reports will be sent home on Friday, November 11th, 2011. If you have any questions, about the report, please communicate with your child’s teacher(s). An Important Reminder from the Guelph Police Services The Guelph Police School Safety Office has received numerous concerns from school communities regarding the safety of their students before and after school. The primary problems are congestion of vehicles in bus loading areas, areas that prohibit vehicle parking and stopping and excessive speed in school zones. Each school has a Safety Patrol Program. The students who volunteer for this very important job and assist students to cross safely are also at risk. We ask that parents walking students to and from school please cross with the Safety Patrollers and wait for them to cross students. This will educate younger students to cross with the Patrollers when they start walking on their own. “No Stopping” and “No Parking” signs are posted in the areas that are designated school crossings. If vehicles are parked or stopped in these areas, Patrollers cannot see around them. This puts all students at risk. Please park or stop in designated areas for drop off. We ask that all parents and caregivers who drive or walk their child/children to and from school, to please make sure that all signs on the roadway and parking lots are obeyed and to cross with the Safety Patrollers. If we all work together, we will decrease the odds of a child being seriously injured. Traffic Facts *Approximately 115 children are killed each year due to pedestrian injuries. *Approximately 1,800 children are hospitalized each year due to pedestrian injuries. *Most traffic injuries occur at non-intersection locations, i.e. darting out into traffic. CHOOSE SAFETY OVER CONVENIENCE -KEEP OUR STUDENTS SAFE! Traffic Safety Tips *Teach your children the rules of the road, starting when they are young. *Play act with toy cars - make the learning fun. *Set a good example, i.e. cross at the crosswalk. *Help your child to follow the patroller’s instructions. *Drive cautiously in school areas. *Participate in a carpool to reduce traffic in school areas. Dropping Students at School Recently a number of parents have been taking their students to their classrooms after the morning bell has rung. This is a reminder that: (1) late students need to get a late slip from the office to assist us with our Safe Arrival Program and (2) all adults must first sign-in in the office before proceeding into the building. Please help us keep children safe. Breakfast Tips Children need breakfast to do their best in school, yet breakfast is the most likely meal to be skipped. *Prepare the night before. Set the table to make it easy on yourself or child in the morning rush. *Put it in a glass. Blend fruit, yogurt, juice and milk (check a recipe for amounts) in a glass for a quick and nutritious breakfast. *Make it interesting. Keep your child’s favourite healthy breakfast items on hand. Supply Lunch Supervisor Needed! We currently have three paid lunch hour supervisors who supervise a small cluster of classrooms for 20 minutes, and then move out to help supervise the playground for 40 minutes, from 12:40 - 1:40 each day. If you are available to come in on an "as needed" basis if one of the supervisors is unable to work, please call Mrs. Kowch at the school, extension 224. Inclement Weather It is the parent’s responsibility to determine whether or not it is safe for his or her child to leave for school in inclement or severe weather. A parent must be aware of the following: When a bus does not travel a route in the morning due to fog, ice, or snow conditions, it will not travel that route in the afternoon. While we have an excellent transportation system, buses may be delayed in the morning due to traffic, poor road conditions, mechanical breakdowns, etc. To ensure your child is not stranded at his/her pick-up point; please make sure they know what to do and where to go if their bus is more than 15 minutes late. Remember to listen to CJOY 1460 AM or Magic 106.1 FM in the event of inclement weather. They will broadcast bus cancellations or school closures. Listen for messages for the City of Guelph -Yellow Card. Cold Days + Wet Weather = Extra Clothes Please ensure that students come to school dressed for the cold winter weather. Gloves, scarves, hats and boots are a must to keep students warm and dry. All students are expected to go out for recess to take advantage of the fresh air and exercise. Indoor shoes are essential to help keep our classrooms clean and dry. It is a good idea to send along some extra clothes with your child. An extra pair of dry socks and mittens is always good things to have tucked into the backpack. Taking Medicine at School Please remember that student medication must be stored and administered from the school office. It is important for the safety of the child taking the medicine and other students in the school. In order to give any medication, the appropriate form must be completed and signed by the student’s parent or guardian. Please call the school when you require these forms Information Updates Please help us to keep your records up-to-date. If your telephone numbers change or your employer’s telephone number changes, please contact the office. Safe Arrival - Notifying the School of a Student Absence The rules of the Safe Arrival program state that the school must know why a student is not present on any particular day. This means that school secretaries will continue to try to contact parents until one is reached. Please assist us by notifying the office, either by calling at 519827-1601 ext 200 or by sending a note. The office will notify the teacher if your child(ren) is/are going to be absent or late. Helping Your Child Succeed “A healthy lunch and snacks provides children with the energy and nutrients they need to grow and learn and play at school.” Eat Right Ontario Cool lunches happen when kids get to plan and make the foods they love to eat. Having children take ownership of preparing lunches is a recipe for success! Examples of “Cool Lunch Guide” Starting with the grain Bagel; Pita bread; Hamburger/ Hot dog bun; Bread; Flatbread/ tortilla; Pasta/ noodles; Rice; English muffin; Muffins; Crackers; Breadsticks. On top, in between, or on the side Cheese (shredded, cubed, sliced); Cream cheese; Cottage cheese; Luncheon meat; Peanut butter*; Hardboiled egg; Leftover chicken or turkey; canned fish (tuna, salmon…); Tofu; Hummus; Canned beans. Crunch! Carrots; Celery; Lettuce; Peppers; Cucumber; Apple; Pear; Strawberries; Oranges; Bananas; Broccoli; Cauliflower; Salsa; Pickles. Thirst quenchers! Water; Milk, white or chocolate milk; 100% fruit juice; Vegetable juice or cocktail; Yogurt and fruit shakes. Kid pleasing additions! Yogurt – for eating or dipping fruit or vegetables; Cereal bar; Pudding; Canned fruit; Snack size chocolate bar; Squares (date, rice cereal…); Raisins; Mini-cupcakes; Cookies (oatmeal, raisin…). ~ Dietitians of Canada (www.dietitians.ca/eatwell) How to get the most out of Reading Time Reading time with your child can be much more effective than simply reading out loud. In order to encourage true reading comprehension, you must discuss what you have just read. This will encourage an increase in vocabulary, critical thinking, and the art of conversation and discussion. Boost your child’s reading comprehension by incorporating the following “high-impact” strategies: activating prior knowledge, predicting, questioning, drawing inferences, visualizing, evaluating, finding important ideas, and summarizing as described below: Strategies to Maximize Reading Comprehension Before Reading Activate prior knowledge by looking at the title or cover picture and asking them to relate the topic to what they already know or to a story they read previously. Or, have them predict what the story may be about or who the main character might be. During reading Stop and ask questions that will make your child think about the story, e.g., “Why?”, “What next?”, “What for?”, or “What does this mean?” Draw inferences by asking about implied messages in the text, “Why do you think the author chose to include a dragon in the story?” Help them visualize and gain deeper understanding by asking, “Create a picture in your mind of what the castle looks like and describe it for me.” After reading Evaluate the story; “How did you like the ending? What would you change?” Find important ideas; “Why did the boy climb the mountain?” Gauge their understanding of the text by asking them to summarize what you just read or a favourite portion of the story. KHPS Sports Teams A huge thank you to Ms. Kramer and Ms. MacLean, for coaching the Junior and Intermediate cross country teams respectfully; and to Mrs. Snell and Ms. Drew for coaching the boys & girls soccer. Congratulations to all students who were participants, and who represented our school with excellent team spirit and sportsmanship. Way to go, Cobras! Lost and Found Our Lost-and-found box is nearly full and we are only two months into the school year! Please take a moment to check the items in the box. You may be surprised at what you find! Please put name labels in your child’s clothing – it really helps!! No Dogs on the Schoolyard A reminder to parents and visitors that dogs are not allowed on the school yard during the school day. As much as we like and trust our own dogs, when they are on school property and encounter fast moving and often unpredictable children, they can become stressed and a dog’s natural reaction is to bite. Please help us to safeguard our students by keeping your dog(s) off school property during school hours. Remembrance Day This year, our Remembrance Day services for students will be held in the gym. Poppies will be handed out prior to the assemblies. Money donations for the poppies may be handed in to home-room teachers on November 10th and 11th. Thank you for remembering our past and present members of the armed forces and Peace Corps. Safety Tips for Halloween 1. Wear costumes that are bright and reflective. 2. If possible, wear make-up instead of a mask. 3. Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries to avoid tripping and falling. 4. When trick or treating, go out with an adult or in group of people. 5. Do not eat your candy until your parents have checked it at home. 6. Say “please” and “thank you” when trick or treating. 7. Older students should plan their route and let an adult know where you will be. 8. If possible, bring a cell phone for emergencies and wear a watch to keep track of the time. 9. Walk, do not run. Walk along sidewalks and cross the street at corners or intersections. 10. Do not enter a stranger’s home. Stay on the porch while trick or treating. Have a Safe and Happy Halloween! From School Council Thanks to all the families that participated in our Fall Fundraiser! Preliminary calculations show that we raised approximately $3500, which will be spent to help improve student learning at Kortright Hills Public School. Pick up for Tupperware and Norcard orders will be on November 16th. Council met on Monday, Oct. 17th to discuss the budget for the school year. Approximately $20,000 was available for disbursement, and was allocated to our music department, library, as well as the primary, junior and intermediate divisions (technology purchases for the classrooms). We are excited to announce that we are building a Kinder “Garden”! The kindergarten staff and students are looking forward to the planting of a butterfly garden using native species in the kindergarten area. This project will commence in the Spring of 2012 and we need your help! Anyone who is interested in donating materials or time to the project, please contact Angela Krueger at akrueger@golden.net. Items we are hoping to have donated include: flagstones, untreated wood, extralarge tree transplanting pots, natural mulch and gardening tools. Watch those backpacks for information on the upcoming Poinsettia fundraiser. Order forms will be sent home on or around November 3rd. Please consider decorating both your home and place of work with some festive plants – a great way to get into the Christmas spirit (while supporting learning initiatives at KHPS). Pick-up of the poinsettias will be during Family Fun Day on Dec. 3rd. Family Fun Day is scheduled for Dec. 3rd – mark it on your calendar! If you have an old artificial Christmas tree you are planning to replace, please consider donating your “old” tree to the school. Tree donations can be dropped off at the school office prior to December 3rd. The third and final presenter of our Speaker Series is Susan DafoeAbbey. She will be visiting Kortright Hills on Monday, November 21st at 7 pm. Susan will be discussing “Confident Kids: Cultivating an Emotionally Safe School Experience”. Babysitting is available in the library on the night of the event. Please spread the word to ensure our community takes advantage of this valuable resource. Please RSVP by contacting the school at 519-827-1601. Our food programs are well underway. Anyone still wanting to add pizza, hotdogs or milk to their child's lunch menu can contact Janet Weigel at 519-837-3521. The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 14th in the library. All are welcome!