Laurelwoods Elementary School
Newsletter
April 2016
PRINCIPAL NEWS
With the arrival of spring, hopefully, we will start to see the arrival of the warmer weather.
However, as the temperature increases our school yard becomes soggier. Please ensure that
students have appropriate clothing for outside. Some students may need a fresh pair of socks in their
backpacks if they tend to get wet feet. The creative playground is not yet open and the slow start to
spring has set the opening date back. I will inform all students once it is open, which I am hoping will
be very soon.
As we are progressing through the school year, we know May will arrive quickly. This is a
reminder to parents that our grade 3 and 6 students will be writing their EQAO tests beginning May
25 to May 30th, 2016. Information has been sent home to all grade 3 and 6 students. If at all possible,
please do not book appointments for students during this time window. Your co-operation is greatly
appreciated.
A reminder that there is a PA day on April 25th. The school will be closed to students. Staff
members will be completing health and safety training in the morning. In the afternoon, teachers and
ECE’s will be working on our school improvement initiatives around providing effective feedback to
students. Our EA’s will be meeting for professional development at a central location.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Darren Hale
Fire Safety
Riding Bicycles to School
During the next three months we will be practicing
fire safety procedures. During these drills, anyone
in the school is asked to follow the same
procedures as students and staff.
A reminder that permission
from parents must be granted
before riding bicycles to
school. These forms are
available in the main office at
the school. Students are
expected to wear mandatory head gear. Bicycles
are to be parked in the bicycle racks located at the
front of the school. At the end of the day, students
who ride bicycles are dismissed after the last bus
has departed from the school.
Junior & Senior Kindergarten
Registration for September 2016
If you have not already registered your child for full
day every day Kindergarten in September 2016,
please drop into the office and complete the
necessary forms. Eligible students for the JK
program must be four years of age on or before
December 31, 2016. On Tuesday, May 3rd there
will be a “Meet and Greet” for all the newly
registered JK and SK students. Invitations to
follow.
Safety on the Playground
With the warmer weather approaching, our
students are anxiously waiting for our playground
structure to reopen. This is a good time to remind
everyone - students, parents, staff and yard
supervisors of the rules on the playground and play
structures that help make break times fun and safe.
On the playground........ Remember:
• play in the designated boundaries
• play safe, fair and appropriately
• use appropriate language
• avoid any physical contact games, rough play, or
play fighting
• eating or drinking on the playground or play
structures is not permitted
• share playground equipment
• respect playground equipment
• leave stones/rocks on the ground
• ask for permission to use the washroom or enter
the school
• enter/exit through the appropriate door with
permission
• respect the environment
• refrain from use of personal sports equipment (i.e.
roller blades, skateboards, scooters)
We know how much the children enjoy our play
structures and are looking forward to the spring
weather so they can use them again. We make
safety at play our primary concern, and will be
reminding our students and staff on a regular basis
about playground rules. We hope that you will
reinforce them at home with your child.
Music Monday
On Monday, May 2nd, we will be having “Music
Monday”, our annual celebration of music that is
celebrated across Canada. We are pleased to
have Mrs. Padgette, her band members and guitar
students from Westside Secondary School
entertain us. Parents and family members are
welcome to join us during the morning festivities.
The time of the event will be announced at a later
date.
Grand Valley Minor Soccer
2016 Registration
If you would like to register for Grand Valley Minor
Soccer, registration will take place on Wednesday,
April 13th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Grand Valley
Community Centre. (Under 4 - $60.00 & Under 5 to
Under 12 - $80.00). If you have any questions,
please contact gvmsoccer@gmail.com.
Chimes Choir
Our Chimes Choirs will be performing at various
Retirement Residences during the month of April as
well as preparing for the Dufferin Arts Festival
which takes place on April 28, 2016. Many thanks
to all the Chime Choir members who practice every
Thursday under the direction of Mrs. Moritz.
Update from the Eco Crew
We are waiting for some green to finally show so
that we can do our yard cleanup on April 22nd. The
lunch helpers are getting involved with the Eco
crew by collecting and rinsing plastic bottle caps
from the lunch rooms to be used for a future mural.
This will be the start of our ongoing bottle cap
campaign. In the meantime, we are still collecting
batteries. Check your junk drawers and bring in
those toxic batteries to be safely recycled. Stay
tuned for more news from the Eco Crew!
Laurelwoods 2015 – 2016 Hockey Team
A big thank you and congratulations goes out to our Intermediate Hockey Team for representing Laurelwoods
at our tournament on March 8th with great effort, sportsmanship and a positive attitude. The team had worked
hard since January and showed great improvement! We also couldn’t have done it without our coach,
and our trainer! Thank you.
April Environmental Theme: ECOSYSTEMS
In April we celebrate Earth week and Earth Day so it is fitting that the environmental theme is all about what we
are really trying to protect. We are working together to save our Ecosystems. An Ecosystem is a group of
plants and animals living in their own environment of soil, water, air and sun. Some examples are a garden, or
a forest, or a lake, or even a fallen, decomposing log.
As humans on planet Earth we have a responsibility to take care of all Ecosystems. We need to have
thoughtful, long-range plans on how many forests to cut down and turn into houses or parking lots or factories.
We need to think about the long-term effects of turning good farmland into a subdivision. There are more and
more people living on this planet every year and we need to make plans on how to give everyone a place to
live without destroying our essential Ecosystems. With good planning this can be done.
We need to get outside and learn more about all of the many different Ecosystems on planet Earth and do
everything we can to protect them. When we pollute, or destroy habitats, the plants and animals can no longer
live there and species become endangered or extinct. When we buy too many things we don't need, or don't
buy locally, or use the car too often instead of biking or walking, Climate Change speeds up and Ecosystems
can't survive the new temperature changes or flooding or drought. So all the suggestions we have been talking
about all year - including turning off the lights, or not wasting water when you brush your teeth, using cloth
bags instead of plastic, and reducing, reusing and recycling are really very important. Together we can make a
difference!
Slogan of the month: Go outside and explore an Ecosystem today!
Earth Day
Moving
Earth Day is just around the corner! April 22nd has
been recognized as Earth Day since the early
1970’s and was originally created to highlight the
need for all of us to be involved with environmental
protection.
If you know you will be moving and will not be
attending Laurelwoods Elementary School in the
fall please let the office know.
Although many of our communities organize
neighbourhood clean-ups and earth friendly
activities for us to participate in on Earth Day, more
and more schools are trying to make the
environment a focus in the day to day lives of
students and staff. One way is through the
participation in Ontario Eco Schools.
Laurelwoods Elementary School is a Silver
Certified Eco School.
Milk Tokens
Milk tokens are now also available online. Please
check out School Cash Online for more details.
The tokens are sold in bundles of 20 tokens for
$17.00. Students can also pay $1.00 cash by
putting the coins directly in the milk machine.
Graduation Preparations
Graduation night is scheduled for Tuesday, June
28, 2016. Any parents of grade 8 students who are
interested in helping to decorate for graduation
night please contact Mrs. Jordan.
Ice Dawgs
For April and May, we will be selling Terra Cotta
Cookie’s Ice Dawgs for $2.00 each at second break
on Tuesdays. These ice cream sandwiches are
two cookies filled with vanilla ice cream and still
meet the standards of the Food & Beverage
Healthy Food Policy.
Dufferin Centre for Continuing
Education
Please note the following Courses available in April
and May 2016 offered by UGDSB Continuing
Education Dufferin Centre.
1. Babysitting Boot camp - $50.00
The Kid proof babysitter’s Training Course is
packed full of advice, guides, tips and information
based on real life experiences. Each student
receives a Babysitter’s handbook and wallet card
upon successful completion.
Glenbrook E.S. – Library
4:30pm – 8:30 pm - April 18 & 19, 2016
or
Orangeville Continuing Ed Centre
8:30am – 4:30pm – June 3rd, 2016
2. Home Alone - $27.00
This Canada Safety Council program is designed to
provide skills and knowledge to be safe and
responsible when home alone for short periods of
time. Your child will learn how to prevent problems,
handle real life situations and keep them safe and
constructively occupied. The child will receive a
certificate upon successfully completing the
program.
Glenbrook E. S. – Library
4:30 pm – 7:15 pm – May 17, 2016
or
Princess Elizabeth P.S. – Library
4:30pm – 7:15 pm – May 16, 2016
or
Island Lake P.S. – Library
4:30 pm – 7:15 pm – May 18, 2016
For more information please call 519-941-2661 ex
221.
Do you know an Everyday Hero?
Please nominate someone in your school
community – an individual or a group - whose
actions and efforts foster the development of a
positive learning and working
environment. Deadline for nominations is Thursday
April 14, 2016. For more information, visit the board
website: http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/community/article.
aspx?id=3546
Concussions
Concussions can have a serious effect on a
young, developing brain. Proper recognition
and response to concussion can prevent
further injury and help with recovery. Children
and adolescents are among those at greater
risk for concussions due to body trauma at any
time.
Although falls and motor vehicle accidents are
the leading causes of concussion, physical
activity and sports can also cause a
concussion.
To address the risk of concussion and to assist
parents and students to identify the signs and
symptoms of concussion, the Board is
presenting free workshops to increase
awareness.
Wednesday, April 20th 7-8:30 pm.
Westside SS, Library, 300 Alder St,
Orangeville
516 will be accepted until May 11, 2016.
Persons without internet access may call 519822-4420 ext. 723 to request a printed copy of
the draft documents.
Grand Valley Minor Softball
Registration
Registration for 2016 Grand Valley Minor
Softball will take place on Sunday April 10th
between 3:30 – 5:00 pm at the Grand Valley &
District Community Centre. For more
information please
contact grandvalleyminorsoftball@hotmail.com.
Diamond cleanup day is Saturday, April 23rd at
10:00 am –Boswell Diamond. Volunteers are
always welcome to help clean up the diamond.
GRAND VALLEY
Tuesday, May 10th 7- 8:30pm
Norwell DSS, Library, corner of Main and
Cumberland St, Palmerston
Wednesday, May 11th 7-8:30 pm
Centennial CVI, Lecture Room
289 College Ave W, Guelph
Feedback welcome on draft
policies
The Upper Grand District School Board is
welcoming public input on draft policies.
Currently under review are:
• Accommodation Review #305
• School Boundary Review #319
• Community Planning and Partnerships
#320
• Equity and Inclusive Education #504
• Alcohol and Drugs #513
• Smoke-Free Environment #208
• Asthma Friendly Schools #516
You are invited to review the draft documents
and submit online feedback at
www.ugdsb.on.ca/policy. The deadline for
public input for policies 504 and 513 is April 13,
2016. Input on policies 208, 305, 319, 320 and
Win a Dairy Queen Gift Card:
After your family has read this newsletter,
please sign and detach this coupon. This
coupon must be placed in the yellow mailbox in
the front hall of the school. A ballot will be
drawn each month indicating the winning family
for the month. This month’s draw will be held on
Friday, April 29, 2016.
Family Name: __________________________
Child Name: __________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________
PARENT COUNCIL NEWS
Teen Dance:
Friday April 8, 7:00-10:00pm
Grand Valley preteen video dance party fundraiser.
At Grand Valley Community Centre
90 Main Street North, Grand Valley.
These monthly events are open to children in
grades 3-8 and are chaperoned by adults who are
raising money for local youth oriented groups and
sports teams!
Dances run from 7:00-10:00 pm and admission is
$10.00. Snacks are available for purchase on site.
Please visit our
website www.videodanceparty.ca for parent
information and dance rules.
Spring Fling:
Spring is in the air – finally! With the arrival of
spring it also signals the start of increased activity
for Parent Council.
YOUR SCHOOL NEEDS YOU – PLEASE GET INVOLVED!
KEY DATES WHAT’S HAPPENING
It’s time to start preparing the plans
for Spring Fling!
If you are unable to attend any
upcoming meetings, but would like to
help out with the preparatory work
involved in organizing this very
special, highly celebrated event
please contact me.
New ideas and suggestions for this
event are exciting and always
welcome.
What to
expect in
May
Thurs.,
June 2
5:00 8:00 pm
 Spring Fling Flyer
 A request for items to be
included in the themed
Classroom Baskets for Spring
Fling
 When working in your garden
this spring, kindly keep in mind
that we would appreciate any
plants for the highly
anticipated Spring Fling plant
sale.
**********Save the DATE************
SPRING FLING
Make It Sow Fundraiser:
A GREEN WAY TO FUNDRAISE!
For the Gardener in Your house - big or small!
Add some “Spring” to your garden and help
raise funds for the school. 50 percent of the
money raised from the orders will go directly to
Laurelwoods Elementary School.
Make it Sow, a Canadian Company
guarantees their seeds 100%. They are #1
certified fresh and non GMO and each packet
delivered gives true value (the number of
seeds meeting or exceeding the standard
number of seeds).
Seed catalogues and order forms have been
sent home. Please return your order and
payment in the collection envelope provided.
Please be sure to fill YOUR NAME as the
Collector, the group: Laurelwoods
Elementary School, that this fundraiser is for
and the deadline on the collection envelope
which is April 15th, 2016.
Any orders placed on your Order form from
your friends and family will come home with
your child once the seeds have come to the
school and have been sorted accordingly.
The Master Seed Packet you will receive will
contain the individual seed packets of the
seeds listed on the outside of the larger
envelope.
Thank you for Participating in this green
fundraiser.
Sincerely,
Lana Whyte
Laurelwoods ES Parent Council Co-Chair
What is RESILIENCY?
Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or even
significant sources of stress — such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or
workplace and financial stressors. It means “bouncing back” from difficult experiences.
~ Bonnie Bernard
According to The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) RESILIENCE is,
being in good health means more than feeling physically well; it also means feeling mentally well.
Today, we are more aware of how our mental and physical health affects each other. Setting aside
time to focus on mental health is important – to you and those who care about you. Life is full of
change, risks and challenges. Good mental or emotional health helps us find our balance and stay in
control, even during turbulent time
With the ability to communicate across the world in an instant, and electronic entertainment coming
from every direction, life in today’s world is fast-paced and full-on. Anything seems possible, and with
so many options and devices at our disposal, parents can be tempted to make their kids’ lives very
easy. Want that $2 toy? Okay, you got it. (Better to avoid a meltdown, right?) However if we
want our children to stand up to the inevitable challenges they will face in the future and keep going
despite disappointment or frustration, we need to help our children develop resilience. This means
they need to practice coping skills, and therefore need some challenges to practice these
skills with. After all, life is not about figuring out how to turn off a thunderstorm or switch on the sun
– no matter how much we would like this to be possible. Our children will learn to be much happier,
more resilient people, when they can enjoy the sunshine when it is around and dance in the rain
when there is no other choice.
The list below is not your typical “do and don’t” list but rather a set of prompts to begin reflecting on
ways we can teach children resilience through simple interactions every day.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Give your child independence to try new things they initiate, such as climbing at the
playground or opening a container, even if you think it is “too hard” for them.
Encourage your child to serve others or let others go first when sharing food.
Give your child the opportunity to wait patiently when it is required (such as in a restaurant or
during a car ride); do not always provide entertainment
Show your child that it is worth making a good decision for the long run even if it’s not the
easiest, such as choosing healthy foods over junk foods even if they take longer to prepare
Teach your child the difference between needs and wants
Teach your child that they do not need every single material thing they desire (toys, food,
designer clothes, technology devices, etc.) even if “everyone else has it.”
Enable your child to give toys and clothes away regularly to charity, and teach them that
material possessions are simply tools and not answers to happiness.
Give your child opportunities to help others younger than them, starting with simple ways such
as showing the other child pictures in a book.
When we foster resiliency in our children we promote the development of positive mental
health because we enable them to develop coping strategies to get through the toughest parts
of life, regardless of their social and economic environment they are living in.
April 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thurs
Fri
1
Sat
2
Pizza Day
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Parent Council
mtg. - 6:30 pm
Pizza Day
Gr. 8 Skills
Competition
10
11
Grade 8 Grad
retakes - Island
Lake P.S.
12
13
14
Scientist in
School - 7/8A
18
19
20
21
22
Chimes Choir
Trip to
Lord Dufferin Centre
24
25
P.A. DAY
26
16
Pizza Day
Scientist in
School - Gr 1
Make it Sow
orders due
Maple Sugar
Bush - Gr. 1’s
17
15
27Gr 6/7 class to
Pizza Day
Earth Day
28
Wellington Museum
Chimes Choir
to Bethsaida
23
29
30
Pizza Day
Dufferin Youth
Festival of the
Arts
Grade 7 & 8
Vaccinations