June 2015
It is with very mixed emotions that I write my final newsletter as Principal of Laurelwoods. Recently, I was assigned to be the Principal at Princess Elizabeth Public School effective September 2015.
I am sad to be leaving Laurelwoods. It is a very special school with a terrific parent community, amazing children and a fabulous staff; however, I am, also, excited to be taking on my new role as Principal of Princess
Elizabeth Elementary School. I know that I am leaving the school in very capable hands as Mrs. Valerie Smith will be taking over as Laurelwoods’ new Principal. Mrs. Smith and I will meet to ensure a smooth transition as she takes on her new role.
One thing that became apparent to me immediately upon my arrival at Laurelwoods was the unique qualities that make it a very special school. These qualities exist because of the people who make up the Laurelwoods’ community. I would like to thank the parents for their support, their children for bringing such a positive attitude to learning every day and, of course, the teachers who work diligently to make the school a great place for learning.
Laurelwoods will also have another staffing change for next year. Mrs. Martin has accepted a promotion to become the Vice-Principal at Parkinson Centennial School in Orangeville starting in September. While we wish
Mrs. Martin the best of luck as she takes on her new role, the entire Laurelwoods community will miss her and her contributions to the school.
In summary I would like to thank the parents, students and staff for a very successful year. On behalf of all the staff I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe summer.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Walker
As summer approaches it is time to start thinking about what I can do as a parent to support my child’s continuing education throughout their holidays. Upper Grand District School Board now allows for home use of a student’s assistive technology. Please ask your child’s teacher about the “HOME USE OF ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY PROTOCOL” form if you would like your child to bring their assistive technology home for the summer.
Some programs that your child might want to use over the summer:
1. Ontario Ministry of Education: Discover quick and easy tips that can be part of your everyday life and will help your child’s learning.
Learn More: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/abc123/eng/tips
Watch Video podcasts: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/abc123/eng/podcast/
2. http://www.readingrockets.org/calendar/summer
This resource was designed to assist in helping students’ from losing progress in their reading skills over the summer months. This link provides resources, articles and activities to encourage kids to learn, read and have fun in the summer.

Another administrative task that we begin to explore at this time of year is determining the 2015
- 2016 school organization and the make up of classes for next year. Although the staffing process and student placements begin at this time of year, teaching assignments, school organization and student placements will not be finalized until the second week of September. We continue to work towards minimizing disruptions to class organization; however, student registrations in
August may result in changes to class placements.
With this in mind, class lists for September will not be available until the first day of school.
We appreciate your trust and understanding in our professional judgment in the student placement process.
Based on our student numbers, as determined by the UGDSB’s District Staffing Committee we are expecting the following class organization for our
2015 - 2016 school year.
Kindergarten A
Kindergarten B
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3/4 Grade 7/8
Grade 4/5
Grade 5/6
Grade 6/7
Grade 7/8
Grade 2/3
FOI—”In keeping with privacy legislation and to keep our children safe, the Upper Grand D.S.B. will no longer publicly post class lists or make class lists available to parents.” - S. Krueger, Freedom of
Information Co-ordinator for the UGDSB.
We have experienced some unpredictable weather lately! We remind parents that students are outside for 30 minutes and 25 minutes for recess breaks each day. We strongly recommend that parents take appropriate precautions to protect your children from the harmful rays of the sun. Students are encouraged to wear hats, sunscreen and sunglasses when on the playground.
Just a reminder that if you know you are moving over the summer, please call the office and let us know. It helps when we begin to make up our draft class lists to know who is attending or not. Any changes to your child’s information can be updated by speaking to our Office Coordinator, Karen Gardhouse.
If you have medication for your child at school, please stop in at the end of June to take it home for the summer. In
September, forms will once again need to be completed to have medication administered at school. Thank you for your assistance.
Please remember to check out our Lost and Found items before leaving at the end of June. Any unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity the first week of July. As well, over the course of the year a various assortment of school items find their way home. Should you come across any items: ie. textbooks, library books, physical education equipment, school team jerseys, etc., please forward them to the school.
Reports will be sent home on Tuesday,
June 23 rd
. Page three of the report card, which must be held in each student’s
Ontario Student Record file, needs to be returned by Thursday, June 25 th
. Thank you for your help in meeting this quick return.
Milk tokens are available through your child’s classroom teacher or the school office. 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. SAVE $0.15 on each milk by purchasing tokens.
Mrs. Jordan’s class would like to thank all of the parents and students who supported our Cookie &
Ice Dawg Days! We will continue to sell Ice Dawgs in June until we are sold out.
Students will begin auditions for the
Talent Show during the first week in
June. Thank you to parents who are making sure that all costumes and lyrics are appropriate for a primary audience. Our show is scheduled for Friday June 19 th
at 11:10 a.m. in the gym. Parents are welcome to come and enjoy the show.

Our grade 8 students will be celebrating their graduation night on
Tuesday, June 23 rd
, 2015. Pictures may be taken at 6:30 p.m. outside or in the front foyer, and the ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the gymnasium. There will be a reception with cake, punch and refreshments directly following in the library. Graduates will receive their invitations shortly, and are asked to return their RSVP with their number of guests to Mrs. Jordan. Graduates should try to limit their guests to five; to be sure that there is room for everyone. Grade 7 students are invited to the graduation dance, and are asked to come to the gym at 8:00 p.m., (directly following the ceremony), to help put away chairs. Parents may pick up their child at 10:30 p.m.
Mr. Walker and the Intermediate
Division Staff are hosting a graduation barbeque for the grade
8 students and their classmates in grade 7. The lunch will take place on June 24th, so students will not need to bring a lunch on that day.
Mark your calendars! Our graduates are invited to an Orientation Barbeque at Westside
Secondary School on Wednesday, September 2 nd
, from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. At this time, students will be given their timetables for classes, and their lockers. There will be team building games led by
Link Leaders, who are older students from
Westside. Students will be mailed their invitation over the summer with specific details about the day.
With the end of the school year quickly approaching, it is important to get all books back to the library for final inventory. All books out must be returned to the library by June 4 th
, 2015. We appreciate your assistance in helping your child(ren) return their books and your attention to current overdue notices.
Athletes for our county track and field day were determined during the month of May. The teams have been working hard at practicing and getting ready to represent Laurelwoods. The Track
& Field meet will be held at the ODSS track on
Thursday, June 11 th
, with a rain date of Tuesday,
June 16 th
. Students not participating in the final relay races will be bussed to and from ODSS from Laurelwoods . Students participating in the final relay races will need to be picked up at the track following their events. We look forward to a day of fun and active participation with all our athletes. Good Luck Laurelwoods!
On May 27 th
, our grade six students gathered together to celebrate the completion of the OPP
KIDS program for this school year. The students received congratulations from officer, Constable
Nancekivell and Lana Whyte from McIntyre Media.
Constable Nancekivell who organized and taught the program to our students’ recognized special accomplishments they all made throughout the duration of this program. A special thank you goes out to McIntyre Media for their continued support and contribution to the O.P.P. Kids program.
Our Canada Day Activity Rotation for the Primary division will be on Wednesday, June 24th. The students will participate in various Canada themed activities from 11:10 am - 1:10 pm. We will have a picnic lunch at the Amaranth Township Office at
1:15 pm.

The warm spring weather and summer
temperatures are here. Students are expected to dress in an appropriate manner that is conducive to a proper learning environment. Clothing should be neat, clean and appropriate for school.
- no clothing or accessories associated with gang
affiliation or offensive in nature are allowed
- dresses, skirts and shorts are to be an appropriate
length, no shorter than the tips of their fingers
when they are extended at their side
- no straps, less than five centimeters, halters or
strapless tops in grades 4-8
- no bare midriffs or undergarments should be
exposed
- no hats are to be worn in classrooms
- students who are considered to be inappropriately
attired will be asked to change
8:45 am – Entry
8:45 am – 10:25 am Instructional Time
10:25 am – 11:10 am BREAK/Snack (students
have snack 15 min./outside
30 min.)
11:10 am – 1:10 pm Instructional Time
1:10 pm – 1:55 pm BREAK/Snack (students eat
Lunch 20 min.outside
25 min.)
1:55 pm – 3:15 pm Instructional Time
3:15 pm - Dismissal - all students must have a pair of non-marking
indoor shoes and appropriate outdoor footwear
- students are expected to dress appropriately for
personal safety and weather conditions.
Our aim is to work with parents to promote an appropriate level of respect for oneself as a maturing and responsible person
rd
The theme this year is “Feathered Friends” The
There is a PA Day on Friday, June 5 th
. There will be no classes for students. The last day of school for the 2014-2015 school year will be on Thursday,
June 25, 2015. The first day of school for the new
2015-2016 school year will be Tuesday, September
8, 2015.
Grand Valley Agricultural Society invites all families to come out and enjoy all that the Fair has to offer – something for everyone! Join in the Parade on
Saturday or bring your pet to the Pet Show. There are too many events to list. Fairbooks will be available in June from local businesses, or visit the website at www.grandvalleyfallfair.ca
to view the entire fairbook and read about more information.
See you at the Fair!
After your family has read this newsletter, please sign and detach this coupon. “Our family” must include at least one parent/guardian who has read the newsletter. This coupon must be placed in the yellow mailbox in the front hall of the school. A ballot will be drawn from the yellow mailbox each month indicating the winning family for the month. This month’s draw will be held on Thursday, June 25 th
, 2015.
Our family has read the newsletter corresponding to this draw.
Family Name: ____________________________
Child’s Name: ____________________________
Parent’s Signature: ________________________

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June 2015
1 2
Gr 7/8 to Brock
3
8
Junior Swimming
Gr 5/6 & 6
9
Junior Swimming
Gr 4 & 4/5
Grade 3 Swimming
Gr 1 & 1/2 trip to
Duntroon
10
4
SPRING FLING
Everdale Farm trip - Gr 2/3 & 3/4
Library Books due
11
Track & Field
Meet - ODSS
5
P.A. DAY
12
6
13
15
Junior Swimming
Gr 5/6 & 6
16
Track & Field
Rain Date
17
22
Junior Swimming
Gr 5/6 & 6
29
23
Junior Swimming
Gr 4 & 4/5
Grade 3 Swimming
Grade 8
Graduation
30
24
Primary Canada
Day Celebration
Gr 7/8 BBQ
18
Junior Swimming
Gr 4 & 4/5
Grade 3 Swimming
Parent Council
7:00 pm
19
Tie Spirit Day
Talent Show
11:10 am
25
Last Day of
School
Assembly
- 8:45 am
26
P.A. Day
20
27