Kortright Hills Public School 23 Ptarmigan DriveGuelph, OntarioN1C 1B5(519)827-1601Fax (519)827-9251 Kirk Runciman, Principal Julie Young, Vice Principal Anne Bonnar, Office Co-Ordinator Rosemary Coghlin, Administrative Assistant Newsletter for June,2013 From the Principal’s Desk It’s hard to believe that we have come to the final weeks of classes for the 2012-2013 school year. Reflecting back over the school year’s calendars, newsletters and photos, it has been a very busy, exciting and rewarding year. I would like to extend my appreciation to all of our volunteers, lunch hour supervisors, School Council and our dedicated staff for the support, encouragement, cooperation and assistance given to benefit all our students. I would also like to thank our students for their hard work, cooperation, and respectful behaviour all year long. Kirk Runciman Principal June Report Cards Your child’s report card will be sent home on Tuesday, June 25th. Watch for the report and review it with your child. Please respond to your child’s performance on page three of the report and return it to the school by Thursday, June 27th, the last school day for this year. School Yard Re-greening The fence around the perimeter of our soccer field has been removed and the students have started to enjoy our new yard. By all accounts the field is in great shape and students are eagerly anticipating years of enjoyment on the lush green space. A special thank you to our students for the patience they exhibited while the yard was being re-sodded and taking root! 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. A Warm Welcome from the Library Final Due Date for All Books - Friday, June 14th Notices will be sent to each class every week detailing books that are still outstanding. Please assist your child to locate and return all books to the library so that a full inventory can be completed before the end of the year. Students are encouraged to check desks, lockers, backpacks, classroom bookshelves, and at home. If books can not be located, students are asked to come and see me so that we can search the library as well. Invoices for missing books will be distributed mid-June. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to drop by the library or send me a note or an email. As always, thank you for your continued support of our library programs! Sheila Morgan Teacher Librarian sheila.morgan@ugdsb.on.ca Library website: https://sites.google.com/a/ugcloud.ca/khpslibrary -learning-commons/ School Stuff Grade 8 Graduation The Scholastic Book Fair was a huge success! Thank you parents, students, and staff of Kortright Hills! We surpassed our goal, with over $4000 in sales at the May Book Fair, earning $2600 in Scholastic credits for our library! The graduation ceremony for Grade 8 students will be on Tuesday, June 25th at 6:00 pm in the Kortright Hills P.S. gymnasium. 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. Your support of this vital literacy fundraiser is key to our obtaining new books and resources for our library and classrooms. The proceeds of the book fair will be used to purchase a variety of non-fiction books to update our Social Studies and Science curriculum areas, as well as supplement our graphic novel and fiction collections. Bicycles With the return of good weather, more of our students are riding their bikes to school. It is important that you share safety issues with your child of safe riding on the streets. If your child rides his/her bike to school, please remember that a helmet and a lock are necessary. Students are to walk their bikes on school property. Summer Clothing & School Special Olympics 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: On Friday, May 23rd 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. 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. Short shorts, muscle shirts, spaghetti straps, low scooped necklines and shirts exposing the mid-rift should not be worn at school. Keep clothing meant for the beach at home and remember to have children wear comfortable, conservative clothing to school. 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. Congratulations to Zach S., William S., Stephen T., Jennifer S., Mitchel W., Jamie A. And Ben K. , Luca B and Joseph B. A very special thank you goes to their peer coaches: Josh, Sam, Oksana, Kaleigh, Tyler, Aidan & Stephanie. 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. Junior Kindergarten We will continue to register children for our September 2013 Kindergarten classes. If you have a child who will turn 4 years of age on or before December 31, 2013, please call the school, at 519-827-1601. Summer Moves 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. Bonnar 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. Heat, Humidity & Smog Every year at this time schools receive calls from parents about Board policy regarding student activities, school closures and bus cancellations due to extreme heat, high humidex readings and smog alerts. The Board does not close schools or cancel busses due to these weather conditions. We have asked the Health Unit if there are any specific directions in this regard, and there are none, other than good common sense. Principals will continue to 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 for, and keep a close watch on students with respiratory problems, and any other children in consultation with parents. Here are a few tips on dealing with high heat and humidity for everyone: $ avoid excess activity during periods of hot temperatures and high humidity $ monitor children with respiratory concerns $ take frequent breaks when working or playing outside $ drink plenty of fluids cool (not cold) water is best, and drink slowly, also avoid caffeinated drinks $ avoid the direct sun (the skin can=t lose heat effectively when burned) - remember your sunscreen and hat $ wear loose fitting clothing, wrap a wet scarf around your forehead $ eat Alight@ - fruits and vegetables; avoid proteins which increase body heat $ seek areas with cooler temperatures, shade and air movement $ consider rescheduling high activity events and keep children inside and involved in quiet activities $ $ watch for signs of dizziness and rest immediately if present (this is a precursor to heat exhaustion the first stage in heat stroke) chew or suck on ice - this can help. Dates to Remember Milk & Food Programs Just a reminder that the last week for our milk and food programs will be June 17th – 21st. School’s Out The last day of school for the 2012-2013 school year is Thursday, June 27, 2013. Students will be dismissed at the regular time. First Day of School Tuesday, September 3, 2013. School Council News REMINDER: the last pizza day will be June 21st. For all of your camp and back to school labeling needs, please check out the Kortright Hills Mabels Labels fundraising page. There are currently camp specials running with everything your child needs to keep their belongings safe at camp or school. Do you know anyone with kids starting Kindergarten this year? Let them know about our Mabel’s Labels fundraiser, and they will be all ready for school this September. Please visit the website at http://kortrighthills.mabelslabels.com. As always we are looking for new faces on School Council. If you are interested in helping to determine how best to spend funds raised by school council, organizing and/or volunteering at events, helping to run food programs and otherwise helping to ensure that students and staff have a successful year at Kortright Hills, please think about joining School Council. Meetings are held once a month on Mondays in the school library. All are all welcome to attend. The Ice Cream Social plans are well under way. We are pleased to announce that Andrew the Absolutely Normal will be returning to wow us with his circus act, and he is bringing along Ely the Mechanical Juggler, so we will have twice the fun. We will be having professional face painters this year, so start thinking about what design you want! There will be new games and activities, along with pizza and treats. We are also pleased to announce that we will be offering nut-free ice cream treats this year. Be sure to mark your calendars for Thursday June 6th from 5-8pm and come out to celebrate another successful year at Kortright! If you are available to volunteer before, during or after the Ice Cream Social, please let the front office know. HAVE A FUN AND RELAXING SUMMER! June 2013 SUNDAY MONDAY May 27 Day 1 TUESDAY May 28 WEDNESDAY Day 2 May 29 Day 3 THURSDAY May 30 Day 4 FRIDAY May 31 SATURDAY Day 5 1 EQAO TESTING WEEK 2 3 Day 1 4 Day 2 Gd. 5’s Scientist in the Classroom 5 Day 3 Earthkeepers Mad Science EQAO TESTING WEEK 9 10 Day 5 11 Day 1 12 Day 2 16 17 Day 5 18 8:00 Volunteer Breakfast Day 1 19 Day 2 9:00 Patrol Bus Training at 6 Day 4 Gd 1’s Scientist in the Classroom Ice Cream Social 13 7 8 PA DAY Day 3 14 Day 4 15 20 Day 3 9:00 Primary Track & Field 21 Day 4 22 27 28 Gd 2 African Lion Safari Int. Music Project Awards 5B & 3/4D Sharks Swim 3A & 3C Sharks Swim 12:15 5B & 3/4D Sharks Swim WestminsterWoods 23 24 Day 5 9:00 Primary Play Day 1:40 Time Capsule Reflection 30 25 Day 1 nd 2 Term Report Cards Go Home 9:00 Grad Day 6:30 Gr. 8 Graduation Ceremonies 26 Day 2 Day 3 29 PA DAY Last Day of School TF022 SEPTEMBER 2013 TRANSPORTATION NEWSLETTER HOW DO I ACCESS MY CHILD’S BUSSING INFORMATION? NEW STUDENTS AND JUNIOR AND SENIOR KINDERGARTEN If your child is new to the school system and has been registered at a school prior to the end of June, transportation information will be mailed August 19th. NEW TO THE AREA If you are new to the area (not registered at a school) call Service de transport de Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services (STWDSTS) at 519-824-4119 for assistance. We are here all summer. EXISITING STUDENT TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION If your child is an existing student, go to www.findmybus.ca and login to this secure site with your child’s OEN number (located on report card), school name, birth date and house number. CAN I RECEIVE BUS DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS THROUGH EMAIL? We offer a subscription service that will notify the subscriber via email when your child’s bus has been cancelled or is delayed. To subscribe go to: https://www.findmyschool.ca/subscriptions/login.aspx and follow the directions. BUS TAGS! WHAT ARE THEY AND WHO WEARS THEM? Students in JK, SK and Gr 1 who ride a school bus should 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. Your child’s school will distribute the tags to every student eligible for transportation at the beginning of the school year. VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.STWDSTS.CA Our website provides “one stop shopping” for all your transportation needs: Quick Links to eligibility information and a list of reported bus delays School Information – including location, phone number, boundary maps School Year Calendars Transportation Policies, Procedures, and Forms Bus Cancellation Information (November - March each year) Safety Information Official Bus Time Answers to common transportation questions 66 Arrow Rd, Unit B • Guelph, ON N1K 1T4 • Phone (519) 824-4119 • Fax (519) 822-9097 • Toll-Free 1-888-292-2224 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Will my child be assigned to a school bus? Transportation is assigned according to 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?” (yellow bus on left side). May I ride with my child on the first day of school? It is strictly prohibited for parents/guardians to board the school bus. Refer to Policy 005 – Responsibilities of Parent and Guardians. What should I do if our address changes before September? Contact STWDSTS at 519-824-4119 ASAP with your new address. We are open during July and August; please do not wait until September to advise of address changes. Transportation requests received prior to August 23rd, 2013 will be processed for the first week of school. 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 and contact STWDSTS with this additional information. The alternate address must be used consistently, 5 days per week, and there must be room on the alternate bus. Refer to 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 STWDSTS to Policy 029 - Temporary Transportation Requests. How does courtesy transportation get assigned? Available seats at existing stops, are assigned based on first the youngest of age (grade), then travel distance to school. Courtesy assignments are not done prior to October 31st of each year. Refer to STWDST Policy 017 Courtesy Transportation. 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 My children were enrolled at the start of the school year. When will their transportation start? Because of the large number of changes and new transportation requests, bussing arrangements can take up to 5 business days at the start of the school year. Into October, we will strive to have most transportation arrangements completed within 3 business days. 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 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 66 Arrow Rd, Unit B • Guelph, ON N1K 1T4 • Phone (519) 824-4119 • Fax (519) 822-9097 • Toll-Free 1-888-292-2224 TF022 BULLETIN SUR LE TRANSPORT – SEPTEMBRE 2013 MARCHE À SUIVRE POUR ACCÉDER AUX RENSEIGNEMENTS CONCERNANT LE TRANSPORT DE VOTRE ENFANT NOUVEAUX ÉLÈVES ET ÉLÈVES DE LA MATERNELLE ET DU JARDIN D’ENFANTS Si votre enfant vient d’entrer dans le réseau scolaire et qu’il a été inscrit à une école avant la fin de juin, une lettre contenant les renseignements sur le transport sera postée le 19 août. ÉLÈVES NOUVELLEMENT ARRIVÉS Si vous venez d’arriver dans le secteur (élève non inscrit à une école), appelez Service de transport de Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services (STWDSTS) au 519 824-4119 pour obtenir de l’aide. Nous sommes à votre disposition tout l’été. RENSEIGNEMENTS CONCERNANT LE TRANSPORT DES ÉLÈVES ACTUELS Si votre enfant est actuellement un élève, allez à www.findmybus.ca et ouvrez une session sur ce site sécurisé en vous servant du numéro d’immatriculation scolaire de l’Ontario (NISO) (indiqué sur le bulletin scolaire), du nom de l’école et de la date de naissance de votre enfant, ainsi que du numéro civique de votre résidence. PUIS-JE RECEVOIR UN AVIS DES RETARDS ET DES ANNULATIONS D’AUTOBUS PAR COURRIEL? Nous offrons un service d’abonnement qui vous avisera par courrier électronique lorsque l’autobus de votre enfant a été annulé ou est en retard. Pour vous abonner, allez à : https://www.findmyschool.ca/subscriptions/login.aspx et suivez les directives. LES ÉTIQUETTES D’AUTOBUS! QUE SONT-ELLES ET QUI LES PORTENT? Les élèves de la maternelle, du jardin d’enfants et la 1re année qui voyagent en autobus scolaire devraient recevoir de la part de leur école une étiquette indiquant le numéro du parcours d’autobus de l’après-midi et l’emplacement de l’arrêt d’autobus. Chaque élève doit porter chaque jour l’étiquette d’identification (sur son sac à dos, de préférence), tout au long de l’année. Cette étiquette aidera les conducteurs à identifier les élèves qui doivent être accueillis par un parent, un tuteur ou une tutrice à la descente de l’autobus. Au début de l’année scolaire, l’école de votre enfant distribuera les étiquettes à chacun des élèves qui ont droit au transport. VISITEZ NOTRE SITE WEB À WWW.STWDSTS.CA Notre site Web offre un « guichet unique » qui répond à tous vos besoins en matière de transport : Liens rapides vers des renseignements sur l’admissibilité et une liste des retards d’autobus signalés Renseignements sur les écoles – incluant l’emplacement, le numéro de téléphone, les cartes des limites Calendriers scolaires Politiques et procédures en matière de transport et formulaires Renseignements sur les annulations du service d’autobus (de novembre à mars chaque année) Renseignements sur la sécurité Heures officielles des autobus Réponses aux questions courantes concernant le transport 66, chemin Arrow, bureau B • Guelph (Ontario) N1K 1T4 • Tél. (519) 824-4119 • Téléc. (519) 822-9097 • Sans frais 1 888 292-2224 FOIRE AUX QUESTIONS Est-ce qu’un autobus scolaire sera assigné à mon enfant? Le transport est assigné conformément à la politique du conseil scolaire. Votre enfant doit demeurer à l’intérieur du secteur de fréquentation scolaire de l’école, plus loin de l’école que la distance de marche maximale assignée au niveau scolaire de votre enfant. Consultez la Politique 002 – Admissibilité au transport de STWDSTS ou allez à www.stwdsts.ca et cliquez sur « Êtes-vous admissible? » (autobus jaune è gauche de l’écran). Puis-je monter à bord de l’autobus avec mon enfant le premier jour d’école? Il est strictement interdit aux parents et aux tuteurs ou tutrices de monter à bord de l’autobus scolaire. Consultez la Politique 005 – Responsabilités des parents et des tuteurs et tutrices de STWDSTS. Que dois-je faire si nous changeons d’adresse avant le mois de septembre? Veuillez communiquer avec STWDSTS au (519) 824-4119 pour l’informer de votre nouvelle adresse. Il n’est pas nécessaire d’attendre au mois de septembre pour le faire puisque notre bureau est ouvert en juillet et en août. Les demandes de transport reçues avant le 23 août 2013 seront traitées pour la première semaine d’école. Mon enfant a-t-il droit au transport scolaire à une autre adresse? L’adresse de votre domicile ainsi que l’autre adresse doivent se trouver à l’intérieur du secteur de fréquentation scolaire de l’école de votre enfant et respecter les critères de distance en matière de transport. Assurez-vous d’aviser l’école de votre enfant et de communiquer avec STWDSTS pour lui transmettre les renseignements supplémentaires. L’autre adresse doit être utilisée régulièrement cinq jours par semaine, et il doit y avoir de la place à bord de l’autre autobus. Consultez la Politique 034 - Transport pour la garde d’enfants de STWDSTS. Un élève peut-il prendre temporairement un autre autobus en l’absence de ses parents ou de son tuteur ou sa tutrice? Toutes les demandes de transport temporaire seront refusées, sauf en des circonstances extraordinaires lorsque le bien-être personnel d’un élève est en jeu. Consultez la Politique 029 – Demandes de transport temporaire de STWDSTS. Comment se fait l’affectation du transport de courtoisie? Les sièges disponibles aux arrêts existants sont assignés en premier lieu aux plus jeunes élèves (selon le niveau scolaire) et ensuite selon la distance qui sépare l’élève de l’école. L’affectation du transport de courtoisie ne commence pas avant le 31 octobre de chaque année. Consultez la Politique 017 – Transport de courtoisie de STWDSTS. Est-il possible de changer l'emplacement de l'arrêt d'autobus de mon enfant? Vous devez soumettre par écrit les demandes d'examen de l'emplacement d'un point d'arrêt (Formulaire TF033). Les demandes visant à faciliter les choses aux parents/personnes responsables ou à composer avec des problèmes de santé ne seront pas examinées. Durant les quatre premières semaines d'école, aucune demande de changement de l'emplacement des arrêts d'autobus ne sera examinée. Tous les élèves doivent marcher pour se rendre à leur arrêt d’autobus et en revenir. Consultez la Politique 009 – Distances de marche jusqu'à l'arrêt d'autobus de STWDSTS. Mes enfants ont été inscrits au début de l’année scolaire. Quand pourront-ils utiliser le service de transport? Compte tenu du grand nombre de changements et de nouvelles demandes de transport, il faut compter jusqu’à cinq jours ouvrables pour la prise des dispositions nécessaires pour le transport au début de l’année scolaire. En octobre, 66, chemin Arrow, bureau B • Guelph (Ontario) N1K 1T4 • Tél. (519) 824-4119 • Téléc. (519) 822-9097 • Sans frais 1 888 292-2224 nous tenterons de prendre les dispositions nécessaires pour le transport en trois jours ouvrables. Qui est responsable de la sécurité de mon enfant avant que celui-ci monte à bord de l’autobus et après qu’il en soit descendu? Les parents ou les tuteurs ou tutrices sont responsables de la sécurité de leur enfant avant que celui-ci monte à bord de l’autobus et après qu’il en soit descendu. Consultez la Politique 005 – Responsabilités des parents et des tuteurs et tutrices de STWDSTS. 66, chemin Arrow, bureau B • Guelph (Ontario) N1K 1T4 • Tél. (519) 824-4119 • Téléc. (519) 822-9097 • Sans frais 1 888 292-2224