Ross R. MacKay
Public School
35 Trafalgar Road, R.R.# 2
Hillsburgh, ON N0B 1Z0
Phone: (519) 855-4957
Fax: (519) 855-6901
Website: http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/rossrmackay
Principal: Mr. P. Huddleston
Office Coordinator: Mrs. E. Lantz
Principal’s Message
Dear Parents & Guardians:
On December 11th, you will receive
an Elementary Progress Report that outlines
how your child is progressing towards
achievement of the curriculum expectations.
The progress report is just a ‘jump off’ spot for
discussions with parents/guardians. Parents
are seen as partners in education; students
become more engaged and motivated to strive
for their very best at school.
Our goal is to ensure that students are happy,
healthy, engaged, and experiencing positive
interactions on a daily basis. If you would like
more information about the progress report,
please use this Ministry website link.
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/reportCa
rd.html.
As a school, we also have specific goals for
our school year. In each classroom, teachers
are using the 3 Part Lesson in math classes to
help students work through a problem solving
process.
The first part of the lesson is called “Minds
On”, which activates prior knowledge and
helps prepare students for the mathematics
and learning goals they will encounter in the
core math lesson.
December, 2015
Part 2 introduces “The Problem”, where the
teacher will engage in a brief dialogue to help
students understand what is being asked in the
problem. Students work collaboratively to solve
the problem in the way that best makes sense
to them.
Part 3 is the “Consolidation” section; where
students offer their understanding outlined in a
solution, which will be shared with other
members of the class. This is the section
where teachers will ask for clarification about
the student’s workings, which engages all
students in a class discussion about different
ways to solve the problem.
In order for the teacher to see if the concept
has been understood, another problem would
be posed to the class, and students would
independently demonstrate their learning.
This will let teachers know who understands
the concept and who might need some further
help.
The 3 Part Lesson is a whole school initiative
and will be used
throughout the year.
Please ask your child
how they enjoy working
collaboratively on problems
in math.
We hope that everyone
has a safe and happy
holiday!
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. P. Huddleston
December's Environmental Theme:
WATER POLLUTION
Water might seem like an endless resource. It
covers more than 75% of our planet, but only
1% of the water on planet Earth is fresh,
usable, and drinkable. The rest is either
saltwater or frozen. And now the 1% that is
drinkable is being threatened by pollution
because of humans.
We need to conserve the water that exists on
planet Earth. Did you know that almost 1 billion
people do not have access to clean water?
That is really hard for us to understand
because Canada's most valuable natural
resource by far is freshwater. While we have
only 0.5% of the world’s population we have
approximately 20% of the world’s fresh water
resources. But unfortunately, Canada is also
one of the highest fresh water users in the
world. Of 29 nations studied, only the United
States uses more water than Canada on a per
capita basis. Canada’s consumption is an
alarming 65 per cent above the average!
What are some of the ways we can reduce
water pollution? At home, purchase
environmentally friendly, non-toxic cleaning
products. Or clean with baking soda, lemon or
vinegar. Conserve fresh water by collecting
rainwater in barrels. Use it to water your lawn
and garden or even indoor plants. Don’t pour
chemicals or paint or oil down the drain, and
especially not into the storm drains on the
street, as it goes directly back to our rivers and
lakes. Using natural products that are
biodegradable, for example, is a great way to
go. Most importantly, don’t waste the clean
water that we have. Turn off the taps when you
brush your teeth, take shorter showers, and
know that lawn watering is now no longer cool!
Ross R. MacKay’s Christmas
Concert
Parents are invited to attend this year’s School
Christmas Concert. Performances begin at
5:00 pm and run for approximately 45 minutes.
Guests are welcome to stay afterwards to
purchase treats from the School Council Bake
Sale. Poinsettia orders can also be picked up
this evening.
East Wellington Community Services
Food Drive
Christmas is a time for giving
and sharing. We have families
in our community that need
some help. If you are able to
donate a non-perishable food
item for our E.W.C.S. food
drive, our Ross R. MacKay
community would greatly
appreciate your support. Your donation can be
sent to school with your child or you can drop it
at the school. We will have boxes ready to be
filled located by our Christmas tree in the front
foyer. Our Food drive will run from December
7th-14th. Thank you to all for supporting our
community outreach initiative. Our food
contributions will be picked up on December
15th.
Wellington County Library
98B Trafalgar Road, Hillsburgh
(519) 855-4010
Community Board
Trim the Tree
All Ages
Saturdays, December 5, 12, 19 10:00 am – 3:00
pm
Help us trim our Christmas Tree. Drop-in during the
first three Saturdays of December to make a
decoration to trim our tree. If you have time, make
one to take home too!
Tis the Season for Tasty Treats
All Ages
Monday, December 21 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Mix up some tasty treats with us to celebrate the
season. Children 5 and under must be
accompanied by an adult. Please register.
Holly Jolly Reading
All Ages
Tuesday, December 22 10:30 am – 11:30 am
The entire family is invited for Holly Jolly stories,
songs, and crafts to “make the season bright”.
Please register.
Andrew Queen and the Campfire Crew
All Ages
Tuesday, December 29 10:30 am – 11:30 am
The Campfire Crew sing their hearts out bringing
old favourites to life while creating original kids’
music that inspires silliness and singing. Multiple
award-winning children’s recording artist, Andrew
Queen and his song writing partner, Karen Stille,
craft an interactive musical storytelling
performance. Please register.
Chromebooks in Public
Libraries
The Upper Grand District School
Board now has Chromebooks for student use
in all 25 public libraries across the district. The
program first launched in April at three pilot
sites within the Wellington County library
system and has grown to include all 25 public
library branches that serve our region. Each
branch has been outfitted with five
Chromebooks that are available exclusively for
Upper Grand students to access and complete
their homework and assignments. For more
information, visit the board website
at ugdsb.ca.
Violence Threat Risk Assessment
Protocol (VTRA)
The Upper Grand District School Board is
committed to providing safe learning
environments for all students, staff, school
visitors, and community members. When a
student behaves inappropriately, Principals use
progressive discipline to help a student take
responsibility for their actions, change their
behaviour, and learn from their mistakes.
When safety is threatened by the potentially
violent or dangerous behaviour of a student,
which places either the student or others at
risk, school staff follow specific protocols for
the protection of all. It is important that you and
your children are aware of these protocols.
For more information, please visit the board’s
website: http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/parents/article
.aspx?id=51057
School Council Report
Hello to the Ross R. MacKay P.S. Community…..I would like to introduce myself. I am Cherie
Jardine, your School Council Chair for the 2015-2016 school year.
I run the Lunch & Milk Program. I am a former student of Ross R. MacKay P.S. whose heart lies in
the school. I had no doubts on choosing this wonderful and welcoming school for my son. There any
many amazing things this school holds. That’s why I find nothing more rewarding than volunteering
my time within this school.
As Chair, I would like to provide you with open door communication. So if you have any questions or
concerns, please, feel free to contact me via email, mycherie@live.ca or call/text (519) 827-4556.
Your feedback is important to me. Whether positive or negative, both will assist School Council and
staff to make it a better school community.
Here is your 2015-2016 School Council:
Chair……………………………Cherie Jardine
Treasurer………………………Angela Jansa
Secretary……………………….Caroline MacDougall
Events Committee……………Angela Jansa, Jacqueline Holm, & Caroline MacDougall
On Wednesday December 16th, 2015, we will be holding a Christmas Concert in the gym from
5pm – 6pm followed by the School Council bake sale. We would like to invite you and your family.
The students will be doing class performances, all thanks to our wonderful staff members at Ross R.
MacKay.
School Council is asking for your help. We are looking for Bake Sale items to create trays for our
Bake Sale that evening.
If you wish to donate, we will be accepting Bake Sale items (cupcakes, squares, cookies, etc.) on
Monday December 14th and Tuesday December 15th, 2015. School Council will also have popcorn
and hot chocolate available for you to purchase while watching the performance.
***Please ensure Bake Sale items donations are PEANUT/NUT FREE
All Students Can Learn
In a French as Second Language Program (FSL)
In recent years, there has been a call to action to strengthen FSL programming. The belief that all
students can learn in a Core French, French Immersion and Extended French program is embedded
all through this plan. While this may sound like a trendy statement, holding on-to this belief can be the
most essential ingredient to breaking down barriers and making school work for all students.
Finding solutions is critical when working with students who experience challenges. Understanding
what they can learn, when they can learn it and how they learn best is key. Also important is the
direct involvement of parents in their education. This can no doubt be overwhelming for some.
Knowing how to support their child, especially when there are struggles, is not always evident.
Studies show, however, that when schools and families work together to support learning, students
do better.
Tips for Parents to Support Student Learning

become familiar with your child’s FSL program

show your child that you value the learning of French

maintain consistent communication with the teacher

share what you have observed about your child’s learning with the teacher and inquire about
the observations made at school

inquire about the supports provided to your child

learn which strategies can be used to support your child’s learning at home

read all information shared about your child’s classroom program (teacher’s newsletters, blogs,
websites, etc.)

ask that any new learning be shared with you and celebrate your child’s progress