Volume 25 No. 5 2014 01 29 Together, Making A Difference…..One Student At A Time From The Principal’s Desk Pizza Days How quickly times goes! I sincerely hope that the holiday break was a restful, fun time for you and your family. We are back into our routines here at school. Our next order will be due on Monday, February 24th (for grades 1-6). 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. As we enjoy the cold and snow, we want to remind you that we will have inclement weather severe enough to cancel buses or close schools. To receive immediate and accurate information in such events, please remember when checking the school board website for bus cancellations, the card colour for our school is BLUE. When listening to the radio to hear bus and taxi cancellations, the message for our school is CENTRE WELLINGTON. We want to remind you that if buses are cancelled and schools are open to walkers, we must receive a call if you child is a walker and NOT coming to school. This will help in our safe arrival program on these busy mornings. However, if your child does ride a bus and buses are cancelled, there is no need for you to call. Our main purpose is your child’s learning, success and continued growth. Your role is an essential one and you can support your child’s efforts in school by: Maintaining ongoing communications with your child’s teacher. Talking about school work with your child. Modelling and talking about the importance of reading and managing numbers of all kinds and for different purposes. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or concerns. Try to stay warm and remember….spring is only 2 months away!!! Sincerely, L. Lacey, Principal Family Fit Club Please return your January Family Fit Club sheet to Mrs. Hopf by Wednesday, February 5th to be eligible for a prize! Each month we will have a draw so don’t forget to return your sheet!! If you haven’t yet joined the Family Fit Club, no worries….there is still time. Just let Mrs. Hopf know and she will send home a form. Last month’s newsletter winner was… Jason Tan. Congratulations! Please Keep Checking!!!! We would like to remind parents that it is very important to check your child regularly for head lice. We remind the children not to share hats, hair bands, hockey helmets, etc. and we know that you do as well. If you do find head lice, please make sure to contact the school office so that a notice can be sent home asap. Thanks! School Council Corner… Valentine’s Family Dance – Thursday, February 13th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Join us for the love of dancing and great treats! Admission by donation. There will be glow bands, a bake table, prizes and lots of fun – as always! Dance-A-Thon Success!! A great time was had by all! Thank you to Mme Arnott, Mr. Lacey and Mrs. Hopf for organizing and running the event and to DJ Mark Haynes of course! We raised over $2,000.00….well done!!!!! Breakfast with the Easter Bunny – Saturday, April 5th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The Annual James McQueen Breakfast with the Easter Bunny is fast approaching! Before long we will be enjoying spring and Easter will be upon us. If you are looking for a way to contribute to this year’s event, there are many different ways you can do so. We will be looking for prizes for both the silent auction and penny table. No prize is too small, and all prizes are greatly appreciated. If you think you have something you would like to donate, the committee can be contacted at jmpsbunnybreakfast@gmail.com. Also, be on the lookout for information coming home with your child regarding food donations and volunteer recruitment. We will be looking for donations of flour, milk, eggs, sugar, baking powder, frozen orange juice and pancake syrup! Many hands are needed for this event, so if you have some time to spare the week leading up to the event or on the day of the event itself, we would love to hear from you! Improve your French! Want to keep up with your kids’ French skills? The public library provides free language programmes through the mango language programme. All you need is a library card! http://libraries.mangolanguages.com/wellingtoncounty/login?u=887503 Give us your email address…. …and we’ll keep you up to date on everything you need to know at James McQueen. It’s so easy – go to http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/jamesmcqueen/ and click on the “subscribe” button. You will receive notification every time a newsletter comes out, as well as other updates. Help us cut our photocopying costs and save some trees along the way! Next School Council Meeting – Wednesday, February 12th – 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. School Council meetings are open to everyone – join us the second Wednesday of the month – next meeting is Wednesday, February 12, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. There is free babysitting available. With so much going on this year, participating in school council is a great way to play an active role in your child’s school experience within this incredible school community. Kindergarten Registration Just a reminder that kindergarten registration will be held the week of February 3rd, 2014. If your child turns 4 years old by December 31, 2014 they are eligible for junior kindergarten and/or if your child is turns 5 years old by December 31, 2014 they are eligible for senior kindergarten. If your child is currently enrolled in JK, they DO NOT need to re-register for SK. Registration is for those children who have not yet attended kindergarten. Forms are available from the school office. Electronic Devices at School This is a reminder that items such as cell phones, ipods, hand held game systems and other fascinating electronics should be left at home. These items represent a major distraction for the owner and surrounding pupils from our main purpose which is focusing on learning. Also, James McQueen P.S. is not responsible for equipment like this or of a similar nature that is brought to school and may be damaged or go missing. Can You Sing? Do you live in Wellington County? Are you 18 years old or younger? Do you love to sing?? If you answered yes to all three questions then the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora has something just for you!! They are hosting a singing contest at the Fergus Grand Theatre on Saturday, February 8th that will spotlight the best young talent Wellington County has to offer. With over $4000.00 in prize money up for grabs, you know the competition is going to be fierce. Should children have these devices with them, they are never to be out or in use during class time. If you need to communicate with your child, please contact the office and we will relay any necessary messages. There are three categories: • Soloist 13 years and under • Soloist 14 – 18 years • Duo or group Unsupervised texting, surfing the internet and taking photos of other people during the school day is absolutely not permitted. Space is limited so register early at www.ferguselorarotary.com Live Free for Food and Friends Family and friends can come and watch the excitement by purchasing tickets through the box office at the Fergus Grand Theatre, online at www.fergusgrandtheatre.ca In Wellington, Dufferin and Guelph areas, the Food and Friends program, along the assistance of over 750 volunteers provides healthy meals or snacks to over 12 500 students. Every Monday and Thursday mornings, students at James McQueen receive nutrition, healthy snacks as part of this program. On February 27 students are encouraged “Give Up to Give” for our Live Free event. By making a pledge to go without something for the day and making a donation of $2 students will be helping to support their Food and Friends program right here at James McQueen. Will you give up TV for the day? The computer? Or perhaps chocolate? Donations can also be made online http://my.e2rm.com/PersonalPage.aspx?registrationI D=2203142&langPref=en-CA All funds collected go directly back to James McQueen Food and Friends program. Pita Day!-Friday February 21 In support of our Food and Friends program we will be offering Pitas for students on Friday February 21. Students can select from a selection of Pitas and choose their own toppings. Cost is meat pitas is $5 and $4 for veggie. Orders must be in by Thursday February 13. All funds raised will go to James McQueen Food and Friends program. Dates to Remember…… Monday, February 3 Tuesday, February 4 Wednesday, February 5 Friday, February 6 Tuesday, February 11 Kindergarten registration this week. Skating this afternoon for grades 1-6. Please remember your skates, mittens and helmet if you are wearing one. Kindergarten registration continues. Hydro Presentation today. Report cards go home today. Fergus Lions Skate-a-thon – all students grade 1-6 will participate. Envelopes will come home by the end of the week. Children will skate 9:30 to 10:30 and 10:30 11:30. They will follow the same group schedule as our school skating days. Wednesday, February 12 School Council Meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome! Friday, February 14 Happy Valentine’s Day!! Twin Day! Thursday, February 13 Monday, February 17 Tuesday, February 18 Friday, February 21 School Council Family Valentine’s Dance tonight from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Family Day. Enjoy your day!! Skating this afternoon for grades 1-6. Please remember your skates, mittens and helmet if you are wearing one. Food and Friends Pita Day! Tuesday, February 25 Last skating day for grades 1-6. Thursday, February 27 Life Free Day! Wednesday, February 26 Friday, February 28 Bullying Prevention Program. Comfy Cozy Games Day! REMINDER………MARCH BREAK IS FRIDAY, MARCH 7TH TO FRIDAY, MARCH 14TH INCLUSIVE. COMMENTS: