Volume 26 No. 2
2014 09 25
Together, Making A Difference…..One Student At A Time
From The Principal’s Desk
Here’s to an eventful and colourful fall!
It has been an exciting few weeks at James McQueen
with our new primary school community, new staff
and getting to know all the boys and girls. We are
getting settled and I appreciate your patience and
cooperation .
Sincerely,
I would like to welcome the following new staff to our
great school. We have 6 new Early Childhood
Educators……...Lori Barnstorf, Loretta Dawson,
Chantele Mantler, Laurie Walser, Valerie Hawkins
and Ange Billings. We also welcome Kelly Ramage as
a teacher in our school one day a week planning in
Mr. Campbell’s and Mrs. Wasson’s rooms. We are
happy to have Olivia Vaughan back in kindergarten
and Heather Johnson is also new to our school in
kindergarten. We also want to welcome Troy Baker,
our new custodian, along with Scott Norris who will
be with us during the day to help make sure things are
clean and tidy! Please take time to meet our new staff
if you are in the school. They are excited to work with
your children.
This month we look forward to a continued focus on
learning and enriched experiences for our students.
The Cross Country team has been busy practicing and
we will look forward to starting some intramural
sports in the very near future for all of our students.
Our main focus is on students learning and growth.
We do this with a great staff and a wonderful,
supportive parent community.
L. Lacey,
Principal
Thanksgiving Food Drive
As Thanksgiving is fast
approaching, we would like
to show our support of the
community by giving, once
again, to the food bank. If
you are able to donate, it
would be greatly
appreciated. We have
started collecting and will
do so until Friday,
October 10th.
Pizza Days
Our first pizza day is Monday,
September 29th. Our next order
is due by Monday, October 27th.
You may send one cheque for your
family but please remember that you
MUST SEND AN ORDER FORM FOR
EACH CHILD TO THAT CHILD’S
TEACHER!! Cheques are made payable to: James
McQueen Public School.
School Council Corner…
We’re off and running!! Our meetings are open to
everyone – join us the second Wednesday of the
month – next meeting is October 8th from 6:30 to
8:00 p.m. in the library. There is free babysitting
available. This is a great way to play an active role in
your child’s school experience within this incredible
school community. (Don’t worry, the elections for the
executive positions have already taken place so it’s
safe to come out!!) Introducing your Parent Council
Executive for 2014/15:
Co-Chairs:
Sarah Joyes &
Kim Saunders
Treasurer:
Kim Blanchard
Secretary & Website
Coordinator:
Sue Fitzgerald
Communications Coordinator:
Jackie Fraser
A Note from School Council on Fundraising
This year we are trying a new approach for School
Council fundraising at James McQueen PS. Instead of
the (seemingly endless) requests to sell this or that to
fundraise for School Council, we are offering you the
opportunity to contribute to the Upper Grand
Learning Foundation (James McQueen P.S.). You
can contribute as much or as little as you wish and
you will receive a tax receipt for contributions of
$20.00 or greater. If $30.00 was raised for every
family in the school, we would raise the same amount
as we have in previous years….without the selling and
countless volunteer hours!
Contributing is very easy – just visit
http://www.uppergrand learningfoundation.com/
and direct your funds to James McQueen P.S. You
can also pick up a form in the school office to
complete if that is more convenient.
Your contribution will be directed to our School
Council to help us support fun and educational
opportunities at James McQueen such as “Scientists
in School”, local artist workshops and school trips.
School Council will continue to offer fun student
community events such as the Easter Bunny
Breakfast, Halloween and Valentines Dances as they
are important “FUN-raising” events for our students.
Also, funds will continue to be raised through our
partners at the Elora Label Company, Mabel’s Labels
or Littletree Nursery if you purchase their products.
Charitable events such as the Terry Fox Run and
Jump Rope for Heart will also continue.
We are interested in how this change of strategy will
play out and welcome your feedback. Contact us at
jmqparentcouncil@hotmail.com. Please join us any
time you can on the second Wednesday of the month
for our school council meetings – which are ALWAYS
open to anyone interested!!
Halloween Dance…Thursday, October 23 from
6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the gym! Admission by donation.
There will be a bake table and spirit wear. Fun for the
whole family – kids get to break in their costumes and
dance to their favourite tunes!!
Back to school = new stuff = need labels!
Get your students’ stuff labeled and help your school
at the same time. Due to the high volume of lost and
found items at our school, we offer this service if you
wish.
Elora Labels … They have fun designs, offer several
great packages and they are local! They also offer
allergy labels which are a great idea for kids or adults.
A portion of all purchases is returned to James
McQueen Parent Council. It’s a win-win situation.
You support a local business, get great affordable
labels and help support your school.
https://eloralabel.com/jamesmcqueen
Mabel’s Labels…Are you a die-hard Mabel’s Labels
supporter? Don’t fret, we still enjoy a partnership
with them as well. Visit
http://jmps.mabelslabels.com for the same great
products you’ve always enjoyed.
Young Artists
Food and Friends Returns!
This class is for children ages 7-11 that love the art of
painting. Children gain greater self-esteem and selfconfidence as they grow to develop their fine motor
skills. Ms. Griffiths will teach using acrylic paints
provided with the class. Please bring an old shirt.
Monday, October 20th to Monday, November 24th
from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The cost is $60.00. The class
will take place at Elora Public School in Room 185.
To register please call the Continuing Education office
at 519-323-4840.
We are pleased to be able to offer the Food and
Friends program again this year. The goal of this
program is to offer healthy snacks to all students
within the school. Through the help of dedicated
parent volunteers and funds provided by the Ministry
of Children and Youth Services, snacks will be
delivered to the classrooms on Monday and
Wednesday at the beginning of the day. Information
has gone home asking for volunteers but if you didn’t
get a chance to sign up then and are available to help
out a few hours a week or month, please call Mrs.
Hopf at the office 519-843-1700 for more information.
Family Fit Club
How would you and your family like to
be part of the James
McQueen Family Fit
Club? I hope you
said yes because
it’s very easy!! All
you
have to do is sign up
and
Mrs. Hopf will send home
a tracking
sheet for you and your family. On the sheet you will
record the activity you are doing, the date and how
many minutes you were active. At the end of the
month you return your sheet to Mrs. Hopf and you
and your family are eligible for a draw of some great
prizes! Sports equipment, swimming passes, and
more! If you are interested, just send back the sheet
inside this newsletter to Mrs. Hopf in the office and
she will send home the information. Come on…..join
us in becoming more fit and healthy!!!!
Celebrate International Walk
to School Day
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
•
Walking is good exercise. It’s a way to
increase physical activity among children.
•
Walking keeps the air clean. It reduces the
number of cars on the road, which ultimately
reduces air pollution
•
Walking enhances stamina and gives more
energy. Children who walk are more alert
and ready to learn.
•
Walking relaxes a child, lessens anxiety and
tension.
•
Walking to school empowers children
thereby fostering independence.
•
Walking is economical. You will not need to
fill up your legs with gas.
•
Walking is educational. You will better
admire all the beauties in your
neighbourhood.
•
Walking is fun and a great way to meet new
friends.
For lots of great information and ideas visit
www.saferoutestoschool.ca
Dates to Remember……
Wednesday, October 8
School Council Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the library. Everyone is welcome.
Friday, October 10
Last day to bring in items for the food bank.
Tuesday, October 14
Area Cross Country Meet this afternoon at the Fergus Sportsplex.
QSP Magazine orders are due today!!!
Monday, October 13
Friday, October 17
Tuesday, October 18
Thursday, October 23
Friday, October 24
Monday, October 27
Thanksgiving Monday!! Enjoy the day!!
Comfy Cozy Games Day!!
Mad Science program begins for those who signed up – 10:30 to 11:15 in Room 4.
Rain date for Area Cross Country Meet.
Family Halloween Dance from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Admission by donation. Wear your
costume!!
P.A. Day
Picture Day!! Bring your very best smiles!!!!
Tuesday, October 28
Dairy Presentations begin in various classrooms.
Thursday, October 30
Last day of Dairy Presentations.
Wednesday, October 29
Friday, October 31
Dairy Presentations continue.
BOO!! It’s Halloween!! Your child’s teacher will let you know about parties,
costumes, parades, etc.!! Stay tuned…………
LAST MONTH’S NEWSLETTER DRAW WINNER WAS…….Kreal Montgomery!! Congratulations!!!!