Laurelwoods Elementary School
Newsletter
March 2015
PRINCIPAL NEWS
At the end of February, Laurelwoods was part of a District Review for School Improvement. On
February 20th, a team of Administrators, Curriculum Specialists and Superintendents came to visit the
school and all of the classes. This review was to get a glimpse into what teaching and learning
practices are proving effective in helping our students learn. As you can imagine, the preparation for
this review was a little stressful! I am pleased to report that the Laurelwoods staff and students (who
were integral to the review), demonstrated that we have much of which to be proud!
The students in grades 1 to 8 had the opportunity to experience a “Carnaval” at Laurelwoods this past
month. The students were exposed to many French Canadian events such as games, music and
food. We were even fortunate enough to have visits from the Carnaval mascot, “Le Bonhomme” on
different occasions throughout the week. A very special “thank you” goes out to Madame Neumann
and Madame Chalifoux. Thanks, as well, goes to the parent volunteers and the student leaders for
their time organizing this event for the school. A big thank you as well as to our local McDonald’s in
Orangeville for supplying the delicious pancakes and syrup. I would also like to congratulate the
students for the positive attitude they brought to all the activities. What a phenomenal event!
I would be remiss if I did not thank all of the teachers who are offering their time and effort to support
our students by offering them extracurricular activities. Mrs. Gaudette and Mme. Neumann took our
intermediate badminton team to a tournament where they played well and were great Laurelwoods
ambassadors. This year, we have an intermediate hockey team that Mrs. Panter has organized and
the team is preparing for its tournament on March 9th. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Gordanier and Mrs. Martin
have been organizing practices for our intermediate boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. In addition,
Mrs. Jordan and Ms. Michels are starting to run grade 5/6 intermurals for sideline basketball. Thank
you to all the teachers who are enriching the lives of our students here at Laurelwoods.
With the arrival of March, hopefully, we will experience some warmer weather. On behalf of the staff, I
wish everyone an enjoyable March Break!
Sincerely,
Jonathan Walker
Please mark these important dates of your calendar.
March Break
Good Friday
Easter Monday
P.A. Day
March 16th – March 20th
April 3rd
No school
April 6th
No school
th
April 24
No classes for students
LiveFree Campaign
Please help us by donating to the Laurelwoods
Breakfast Club!
Kids are always growing and it's hard to keep
up! Maybe they just had a basketball practice
and burned away all the breakfast they ate
before coming? Perhaps they slept late and it
was a mad dash to get them out and on to the
bus and they didn't grab any food? Maybe you
need to go grocery shopping tonight because
you didn't have time yesterday? Maybe they are
just extra hungry today? Who knows? Kids eat
more some days than others!
The Laurelwoods Breakfast Club doesn't just
provide breakfast 3 times a week. It also
provides snacks every day in the office for kids
who need them and lunch for those who may
have forgotten. Some teachers even choose to
have snacks available in their classrooms for
kids.
All of this is funded by the Guelph Wellington
Children’s Foundation, but it is not always
enough. We are asking for your help to keep
our program running. More than 13% of our
student population uses our program on a
regular basis. That doesn’t factor in the kids
who use it just every once in a while! That
number is higher than the provincial average.
Please help us by donating anything you can
spare and by sending it to school with your
child! The class that raises the most money will
get a free breakfast for the whole class!
Anything helps!
Thank you!
Danielle Cellucci, CYC
Breakfast Club Program Co-ordinator.
Please also visit the www.livefreecampaign.ca
Website for further information
A Few Quick Facts provided by Food and
Friends
• One in ten children arrive at school without
enough breakfast, snack or lunch to sustain them
throughout a full school day.
• 31% of grade 4 students do not eat breakfast, by
high school this number increases to 62%.
Exact Change
Just a reminder when sending in a
payment i.e. milk tokens, class trips
etc., please send the exact dollar
amount as money is not kept at the school in
order to send home change. Any overpayment
will be considered a donation to the school.
Junior & Senior Kindergarten
Registration for the School
Year September 2015
If you have not already registered your
child for full day every day Kindergarten in
September 2015, 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, 2015.
Earth Hour
At 8:30 p.m. on Saturday,
March 28, 2015, lights will
switch off around the globe for Earth Hour.
Check out the Earth Hour 2015 video at:
http://www.earthhour.org//official-videos
Public Speaking
Laurelwoods recently held in-school Public
Speaking Competitions. Students from Grade 7
and 8 presented wonderfully engaging
speeches on interesting and timely topics. The
judges had very difficult decisions, but selected
Brieana, Allen and Nameerah to represent
Laurelwoods at the Amaranth Lions
Competition. Congratulations to all of the
students on their hard work and public speaking
abilities.
Indoor Running Shoes
Parents are asked to send indoor shoes or an
extra pair of running shoes for their child. We
want students to be prepared in the event of an
emergency where we have to quickly exit the
school building.
Important Information from
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph
Public Health:
Your Child’s Immunization
During a Disease Outbreak
For school attendance, parents are required by
law to provide proof of their child’s immunization
to Public Health. To find out what vaccines are
required and if your child’s immunizations
records are up-to-date, please call
1-800-265-7293 ext. 4396. You can also book
an appointment for your child’s immunization at
any Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
Location.
If you’ve chosen not to immunize your child, you
must have a notarized statement of medical
exemption or a statement of conscious or
religious belief on file with Public Health.
Please contact Public Health at 1-800-265-7293
ext. 4396 to arrange for your child’s exemption
to be on file if you have not already done so.
If the Medical Officer of Health declares an
outbreak of a disease in your child’s school and
his/her immunization record is not up-to-date
with Public Health, or you have an exemption
on file, your child will not be allowed to attend
school for the entire duration of the outbreak.
Badminton Tournament
The Intermediate Badminton Team
travelled to Glenbrook Elementary
School the evening of February 24, 2015
(3:35pm to 6:15pm) to participate in the
Badminton tournament. They won 15 out of the
18 games. The team demonstrated great
sportsmanship and skill. Congratulations!
Pink Shirt Day
On Wednesday, February 25, 2015
the students and staff wore Pink Shirts to
support Anti-Bullying.
“Be the change you wish to see in the
world.”~Ghandi
Lost and Found
Over the winter months we have
collected many “lost and found” items
Please be sure to check the lost and
found before March Break. Any
unclaimed items will be bagged and sent to
charity on March 13, 2015.
Teddy Bear Clinic
Headwaters Health Care Centre Auxiliary
presents the 21st Anniversary of their Teddy
Bear Clinic on Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 from
10:00 am to 1:00 p.m. Medical staff will perform
checkups on your child’s favourite Teddy Bear,
Dolly or other stuffed animals at a fee of one
Twoonie per patient. All proceeds will go
towards the purchase of much needed medical
equipment
Win a Dairy Queen Gift Card
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 Tuesday, March 31, 2015.
Our family has read the newsletter corresponding to this draw.
Family Name: ___________________________
Child’s Name: ____________________________
Parent’s Signature: _________________________
Help Your Child to be More Resilient
Life can be stressful for both children and their parents. When children learn how to
handle challenging situations in positive ways and to bounce back after a negative
experience they become more resilient. Resilient people are happier, healthier and
more successful in life. Children learn resiliency skills from the adults in their lives. Here
are some ideas to help you to build resilience in your child:
1. Build a caring and trusting relationship: listen to your child and talk about their
day, share cuddles or hugs, play or do activities together.
2. Think positive: each evening ask your child to share a positive thing that
happened during their day. You could share something positive that happened in
your day too!
3. Gently challenge your child’s negative thinking: If your child has had a
stressful experience, acknowledge their feelings and help your child see that
experience as only one of many things that happened that day: “It sounds as if
Max really hurt your feelings by not inviting you to play hockey. Did you play with
him at another time? Did you play with some of your other friends?”
4. Build confidence: allow your child to do things independently as often as
possible; such as getting dressed, helping to make dinner, wrapping a birthday
gift, helping with a chore. Only give guidance if absolutely necessary.
5. Allow your child to feel that he or she has control over his or her life: allow
your child to make age-appropriate decisions, such as what to wear, a choice of
what to have in their lunch (“would you like a banana or yogurt?”), what book to
read before bedtime, what movie to watch on the weekend.
6. Model and practice calming: When you are dealing with a difficult situation
show your child how you calm yourself down. Practice calming with your child
(deep breathing, counting to 10, going to a quiet place).
7. Model coping: when you have a problem, talk to your child about how you
solved the problem calmly. What did you think about as you were solving your
problem?
8. Build your child’s coping strategies: Help your child think through a challenge.
Help your child to know that the issue is just temporary and that he or she can
solve the problem. Support your child in coming up with a solution.
In supporting your child in building resiliency skills you are developing a positive outlook
that will last a lifetime. For more information on resiliency please go to the website
below.
Source: Reaching In, Reaching out Website:
http://www.reachinginreachingout.com/resources-parents.htm
March 2015
Sun
Monday
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
Friday
5
Pita Lunch
Cookie Day
8
9
Daylight Savings
Intermediate
Hockey Tournament
15
16
10
Pita Lunch
Cookie Day
17
Sat
6
7
Pizza
Intermediate Skiing
11
12
Scientist in School
Gr. 1 & 2
13
14
Pizza
Intermediate Skiing
18
19
25
26
20
21
MARCH BREAK
HOLIDAY
22
23
24
Pita Lunch
Cookie Day
29
30
31
Pita Lunch
Cookie Day
Sideline
Basketball (4pm)
Scientist in School
Gr . 6A
April 1
Hep B & HPV
Vaccinations
27
Pizza
Spirit Day Sport Jersey
2
3
Good Friday
Board Holiday
28
Earth Hour
8:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Help Your Child to be More Resilient
Life can be stressful for both children and their parents. When children learn how to handle challenging
situations in positive ways and to bounce back after a negative experience they become more resilient.
Resilient people are happier, healthier and more successful in life. Children learn resiliency skills from
the adults in their lives. Here are some ideas to help you to build resilience in your child:
1. Build a caring and trusting relationship: listen to your child and talk about their day, share
cuddles or hugs, play or do activities together.
2. Think positive: each evening ask your child to share a positive thing that happened during their
day. You could share something positive that happened in your day too!
3. Gently challenge your child’s negative thinking: If your child has had a stressful experience,
acknowledge their feelings and help your child see that experience as only one of many things
that happened that day: “It sounds as if Max really hurt your feelings by not inviting you to play
hockey. Did you play with him at another time? Did you play with some of your other friends?”
4. Build confidence: allow your child to do things independently as often as possible; such as
getting dressed , helping to make dinner, wrapping a birthday gift, helping with a chore. Only
give guidance if absolutely necessary.
5. Allow your child to feel that he or she has control over his or her life: allow your child to make
age-appropriate decisions, such as what to wear, a choice of what to have in their lunch (“would
you like a banana or yogurt?”), what book to read before bedtime, what movie to watch on the
weekend.
6. Model and practice calming: When you are dealing with a difficult situation show your child
how you calm yourself down. Practice calming with your child (deep breathing, counting to 10,
going to a quiet place).
7. Model coping: when you have a problem, talk to your child about how you solved the problem
calmly. What did you think about as you were solving your problem?
8. Build your child’s coping strategies: Help your child think through a challenge. Help your child to
know that the issue is just temporary and that he or she can solve the problem. Support your
child in coming up with a solution.
In supporting your child in building resiliency skills you are developing a positive outlook that will last a
lifetime. For more information on resiliency please go to the website below.
Source: Reaching In, Reaching out Website: http://www.reachinginreachingout.com/resourcesparents.htm
Your Input Can Change the Future!
This is an exciting time in Ontario as we work together
to develop a new system of services and supports for children and youth
with special needs and their families.
We would like to hear from
parents, caregivers and service providers
who support children and youth
as we develop a new system in our area that includes:
• coordinated services for children with multiple or complex needs
• making occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and
language therapy services more integrated from birth through the
school years.
How?
Visit our website below for information on:
• Focus groups March 2 – 10, 2015 - how to register,
locations and times
• If you can’t attend a focus group, how to complete our
survey between March 6 – 22, 2015
http://dufferinwellingtonspecialneedsstrategy.weebly.com/
or call 1-888-372-2259 ext 1588
Upcoming Special Education Workshops for Students and Parents
Here are some upcoming dates for both Wellington County and the surrounding area for
families looking for opportunities and information about Special Education.
Some upcoming dates for Wellington County:
Indoor Playground Family Event with Autism Ontario - Wellington Chapter
Time: March 1st, 9:00am-10:00am Location: Funmazing Play Centre (Imperial Rd. N.,
Guelph)
Registration: Visit http://goo.gl/rdZ6sg Contact: Jennifer Dent,
jennifer@autismontario.com or (226) 748-3372
Families are invited to come out and enjoy Funmazing Play Centre in Guelph. We will
have full, exclusive use including play structure, arcade games, Piñata pit, and a car
track! Don’t forget to bring socks (Caregivers included). Registration is required. This
event is open to children with ASD, their siblings and caregivers only. Spaces are
limited.
Some upcoming dates for the surrounding area:
Understanding the Impacts of Learning Disabilities
March 25, 2015, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.Learning Disabilities Association Toronto District ,121
Willowdale Avenue, Suite 100, Toronto, Ontario M2N 6A3
This workshop will focus on understanding the impacts of LD on children and their
families and will offer strategies for how to help children cope at home, school and play.
Fee: Members: $10, Non Members: $15, Registration at the Door: $20
Solutions for Learning - Minds That Matter Conference (March 26, 2015)The Learning
Disabilities Association of Halton hosts their 4th annual Solutions for Learning
Conference, Thursday March 26th, 2015 at the Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel and
Conference Centre
Parents, educators and associated para professionals will gather together for this full
day of sharing and learning about learning disabilities and/or ADHD. Multiple speakers
and breakout sessions offers something for everyone. Breakfast and lunch included.
Complete registration details, program description and information about hotel
accommodations can be found on the website: www.ldahalton.ca.
Learning Disabilities Association of Toronto Understanding the Impacts of Learning
Disabilities
March 25, 2015, 7-8:30pm Learning Disabilities Association Toronto District, 121
Willowdale Avenue, Suite 100, Toronto
This workshop will focus on understanding the impacts of LD on children and their
families and will offer strategies for how to help children cope at home, school and play.
Fee: Members: $10, Non Members: $15, Registration at the Door: $20
The Autism Compass: Your resource roadmap to help you navigate your ASD journey
Sunday, March 29th from 11am -3pm at The Abilities Centre, Whitby
Feeling lost and unclear as to what Autism is and means for your child? No clue what is
available for them? Want to understand what they’re entitled to? Look no further! This
FREE Event is here to help you on your Autism Journey! Offered by Autism's Angels
and Autism Ontario-Durham Region.
Learning Disabilities Association of Toronto Education Law for Parents of Children with
Learning Disabilities
April 8, 2015, 7-8:30pm Learning Disabilities Association Toronto District, 121
Willowdale Avenue, Suite 100, Toronto
Anne Irwin is a lawyer who focuses her practice on representing children in the area of
education law. She is dedicated to informing parents about education law to enable
them to better advocate on behalf of their children in the school system. In this
workshop parents will learn about various aspects of education law, including the rights
of “exceptional” children under the Education Act, and how the Human Rights Code
protects students with disabilities. Fee: Members: $10, Non Members: $15, Registration
at the Door: $20
Learning Disabilities Association of Toronto Bullying Prevention
April 22, 2015, 7-8:30pm Learning Disabilities Association Toronto District, 121
Willowdale Avenue, Suite 100, Toronto
It is important for parents to recognize the signs of bullying and take action to ensure
kids are protected. This workshop will help parents understand bullying from a child’s
perspective, present the warning signs to look out for, provide strategies to improve
communication with their children and discuss proactive steps parents can take to keep
kids safe. Fee: Members: $10, Non Members: $15, Registration at the Door: $20
Kids Ability Sleep Solutions for Tired Parents
May 20, 2015 Kids Ability, 500 Hallmark Drive, Waterloo
This workshop will focus on understanding anxiety and sharing strategies to support you
and your child in managing circumstances that are challenging for your child Free
http://www.kidsability.ca/en/EventArchive
Learning Disabilities Association of Toronto Successful Transitioning
May 22, 2015, 7-8:30pm Learning Disabilities Association Toronto District, 121
Willowdale Avenue, Suite 100, Toronto
Mitchell Curci has worked in the area of special education for over 35 years. He
currently supports LDATD as a Community Outreach & Education Advocacy specialist.
This presentation is designed to help parents better understand the transition process of
students with exceptionalities as they move from elementary to high school and then on
to post-secondary. Fee: Members: $10, Non Members: $15, Registration at the Door:
$20