UPPER GRAND
District School Board
530 Prospect Street, Box 430, Palmerston, ON, N0G 2P0
519-343-3520
“Be The BEST That You Can Be”
“Fais De Ton Mieux”
2014-2015
Newsletter #9
May 1, 2015
MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATION
Spring is here at long last. Our students and staff are happy to be able to use the playground
equipment. Since good weather leads to more activity outdoors, this is a great time to remind our families
about our ‘3-Up, 2-Down’ focus. The belief behind it is that we need to help our students by making sure that
their basic needs are met so they can benefit from classroom instruction. For example, the breakfast program
ensures that students are not hungry and have proper nutrition for learning in class. ‘3-Up’ means we need to
work together with our families to increase hours of sleep, eat more fruits and vegetables, and increase the
amount of exercise to help our students feel and learn better. This May our students will be practising for
track and field and many students are biking to school. Please ensure your child wears a helmet and remind
them about safety rules. Our teachers will also reinforce that message with their students.
‘2-Up’ is about reducing the amount of sugary ‘junk’ food that our students eat and the amount of
screen time students have. Screen time refers to activities such as playing video games, watching TV, or using
social media. Research shows that many children spend up to 8 hours each day in front of screens. From May
10th – 16th our school is participating in “Pause To Play” (except for homework or school work). A pledge sheet,
a tracking sheet and an information sheet for parents will be coming home with your child next week, so
please check your child’s backpack. It is a sad but true fact that obesity rates are growing in Canada and the
outlook is that this generation of children will not live as long as their parents. If our school can help our
students to become healthier, then our families and community will also benefit.
As part of our “3-Up, 2-Down” focus, we invite any interested parents, staff and grade 4 to grade 8
students to join our “Healthy Schools Committee.” Our first meeting will be an information and discussion
meeting on May 25th from 5:30 to 6:30. Joan Heath from WDG Health Unit will be there as our partner to help
us set a healthy plan for our school and community.
We encourage our parents to join us this Saturday, May 2nd at the Palmerston P.S. ‘Digital Saturday
Open House’ from 9:00 to 12:00. Come for the morning or drop in and visit the information displays and
presentations. We look forward to seeing lots of our families since for every 5 parents, we will receive a free
chrome book for our school to keep. More information is included in the newsletter and on our school’s
website.
In May, students will have a visit from a Voyageur and learn about French-Canadian culture, lifestyle and
vocabulary. Our students will plant trees with Green Legacy and see a performance of “Shrek- the Musical” at
Norwell. Our junior and intermediate students will visit the “Tour For Humanity” bus here at the school and
this will be paid for through our fund raising. Your support for Palmerston P.S. through the New Orleans Pizza
nights on May 4th, 5th and 6th is appreciated. Grade 3 and 6 students will be completing the end of division
EQAO assessments during the last week of May and the first week of June. We ask our grade 3 and 6 families
to support our students in showing what they know by ensuring their children have a good night’s sleep, a
nutritious breakfast and to avoid absences and late arrivals due to appointments during that time, as much as
possible. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Wilma Shannon
Katherine Wainman
SHREK
On Wednesday, May 6th, Mrs. Bastedo’s, Mrs. Haanstra’s and Mrs. Verbeek’s classes will be going to
Norwell to see the production Shrek. On Thursday, May 7th the rest of the school will be going to see the
production.
JK NEW PARENT MEETING
We will be holding a new Parent JK meeting for students who will be entering into JK or SK for the first
time starting in September 2015. The meeting for parents and students will be held in the library at 6:30 p.m.
on Thursday, May 28th. The parents will have an opportunity to learn about our school and some of the
routines, to see the classrooms and talk to our Kindergarten teachers. Parents will have an opportunity to ask
questions and to seek clarification for any of their concerns. The students will be in the Kindergarten
classrooms and will meet the kindergarten teachers.
BUS REQUESTS
Occasionally we receive requests from parents for walkers to ride a bus, or for children to ride a
different bus for a variety of reasons (sleepovers, parties, studying, etc.). Our Board transportation policy
does not permit such requests. Please make alternate arrangements for special occasions. Your co-operation
is very much appreciated.
SAFE ARRIVAL
A big THANK YOU to all the parents that have called in on a regular basis when their child is going to be
absent from school. As part of the Ministry of Education’s Safe Arrival initiative, we must know where your
child is during the school hours. We must have a way to contact either you or a neighbour to verify your
child’s absence. We appreciate the effort you make to keep us informed and it saves a tremendous amount of
secretary time. Thank you for your co-operation.
GRADUATION GRADE 8 REQUEST (MRS. WAINMAN)
As part of the Graduation Ceremony, I would like to create a special movie to highlight our graduates. I
am asking that each grade 8 student bring to school a photo of himself/herself as a toddler or baby. I will scan
each photo and use it to create a “before and after” presentation. The turnaround timing on this is tight. I
need to have these photos by Friday, May 29, 2015. Please be sure to print your child’s name on the back of
the photo.
Students will bring the photo to their core teacher. Photos will be returned to individual students midJune. Thanks for your cooperation with this.
GRADE 8 GRADUATION
Our Grade 8 Graduation will be held on Wednesday, June 24th. The awards will take place in the gym
starting at 6:00 p.m. There will be a dance at the school until 10:00 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS PIZZA SCHOOL FUNDRAISING NIGHTS
On May 4th, 5th, and 6th New Orleans Pizza will be donating half of the money you spend to the school
of your choice. Forms were sent home. If you did not receive one, there are extras at the office.
LOST AND FOUND
During the winter many good articles of clothing have accumulated in our Lost and Found Box in the
school and on the coat racks. Please encourage the children to claim articles and take them home. We will
display the items again. Please remind your child to check for missing items.
PROHIBITED ON SCHOOL GROUNDS AND BUSES
For the safety of all, skateboards, rollerblades, rolling shoes and scooters are not allowed on school
property or buses. Please keep these items at home. Thank you for your co-operation.
PARTICIPATION...
It is great to see our students participating in activities and enjoying themselves at recess. You could
help by sending your child with his/her own ball, skipping rope or game. Please make sure equipment is safe
and that it is clearly marked with your child’s name. Soft playground balls, soccer balls, footballs are all
popular. Please do not bring hard balls, hard rubber balls or beyblades.
DOGS
Please remember to “Stoop and Scoop” and remind your friends who use our playground to do
likewise. Thanks for helping keep our playground a great place for our students. Please leave your dogs at
home when you pick up and drop off your children at school.
APPROPRIATE DRESS AT PALMERSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL
Dress Code
► Appropriate dress is defined as student attire that is free from symbols of hate, gang membership or
images that portray violence, death, abuse, cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, racial slurs, obscene words,
political or sexual statements.
► Hats are not to be worn inside the school.
► Both indoor and outdoor footwear is to be used at school.
► No visible undergarments.
► Two fingers width strap of the wearer for all sleeveless tops and dresses.
► No spaghetti straps, muscle shirts, bare midriffs, bare backs and low scooped necklines.
► Shirts must be “tuckable.”
► Shorts/skirts must be a reasonable length.
In general context beyond the above statements, we expect students to show respect for themselves
and others. Styles of clothing will change but students should come to school dressed in clothing that is
suitable to their age group and the variety of activities which constitute a school day.
We expect our students to show common sense and good judgment to recognize they are in a public
institution which is or maybe different from their personal choices in the community.
We set high standards for our school community. Parents and students can make sound decisions
regarding appropriate dress and recognize that clothing can promote a positive learning environment.
SAFETY
Safety continues to be an emphasis at our school. Please continue to reinforce with your children the
importance of:
 safe play on our school yard; please remind your children of our “Hands Off school policy;
 be sure to use the sidewalk when walking to and from school;
 walk your bike on the sidewalk and be sure to cross with the crossing guard; it is not safe to cross the
street in front of the school between cars and buses;
 be sure to walk your bike on school property;
 be sure to wear a bike helmet when riding your bike; it is the law;
 bikes must be kept locked in the bike rack at all times;
 play safely on our creative playground by following our safety rules.
SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD MEET
We will hold our school Track and Field meet on Thursday, May 21st with the finals on Tuesday, May
26 for all our Grade 4 to 8 students. The raindate will be Tuesday, May 26th with the finals on Wednesday,
May 27th.
th
Students should come to school prepared for the weather. Sunscreen, hats, running shoes that tie up
or shoes that do not fall off their feet as well as a water bottle are recommended as items that students
should come prepared with as they will be outside for most of the day. Students are expected to be on their
best behaviour. Parents are invited to attend and watch these events. The track events will be held at the
high school track and the field events here at our school.
SNACK BIN UPDATE
As you know, our Live Free day was a huge success and the final total raised was $1,548.60. Because of
this amazing effort, we were awarded $500 by The Children’s Foundation Food and Friends Program for being
the school in Wellington County with the most money raised per student population and for the most
improved fundraising over last year! A round of applause for the generous support! Thank you.
The salad program continues to be a favourite among the students. We will continue this for the
remainder of the year by donation. This means all students can participate and a donation can be made if you
so choose. Next year we will launch a paid program. Our next salad day will be held on Wednesday May 13.
Mark it on your calendar!
The support continues to be shared with our program. We were once again provided a donation of
$500 from the Zone 7 Egg Producers. Their support is very much appreciated.
TECHNOLOGY
Technology surrounds us and there is little doubt that is has revolutionized the way we work, shop,
travel, learn, and play. Like many other things in parenting, thinking ahead of time about how you’ll approach
technology use with your children can go a long way in setting up good routines and conversations at home.
Here are some tips you might consider when your family uses technology:
1.
While our children seem to be very comfortable and agile in their use of technology, they need our
help to learn skills in digital literacy. Understanding the validity of information they see on the internet,
becoming good digital citizens who respect and protect themselves in online spaces, and learning when and
how to communicate using a variety of digital tools is best done with the help of parents and teachers. For
more information about Media Literacy, parents and teachers can find many resources at
http://mediasmarts.ca
2.
Technology is no longer only about being a passive watcher or listener to content created by others.
Seeking out creative software, games, apps and websites that allow your child to be creative and play with
images, music and video can be a great way to make learning fun and engaging. A good place to start for ideas
is our Board’s website and UG2GO where students can login and access many wonderful digital learning
resources.
3.
Don’t be afraid to learn along with your children as new technologies come into your lives. This is a
great opportunity for your children to see you learning something new and taking risks, modeling that open
learning stance that they will need in order to manage a future of rapid change.
4.
It has always been a good idea to have the family computer in a common area of the house so that
parents can monitor their children’s use, and this has become a bit trickier since mobile devices have come on
the scene. Consider creating a ‘parking space’ for mobile devices like ipods, ipads, phones and DS handhelds,
and defining boundaries around where and when they can be used. Check in frequently with children to see
the kinds of activities in which they are taking part. Setting up a routine of ‘powering off’ before bedtime is a
good way to ensure that children aren’t up until all hours on their devices.
5.
Parents can model a healthy balance by working out acceptable limits for technology use including
phones, television, video games and screen time. Remember that your children are watching you, and you
can begin to have conversations with them at an early age about how you and your family balance your
technology time with other fun and engaging activities like hobbies, playtime and exercise, all of which are
extremely important to your child’s development.
May Environmental & Character Education Theme
Live local – be HELPFUL in your neighbourhood
Think local and save the environment. It is time to celebrate our local talent and to appreciate the wealth of
natural goodness grown locally. Every decision we make to purchase local products, reduces carbon
emissions. Our province produces an abundance of fruits, vegetables, meat, nuts, and grains. However, the
richness of local products doesn't end with food products. We have many local talented artists, sculptors, and
fashion designers. Every time we choose local products we are making a choice to support our local economy
and individual micro-economies.
What is an ecological ? "An ecological footprint is used to depict the amount of land and water area you
would need to provide the resources required to support yourself." By caring about your environment and
making careful choices you can have a positive impact on the planet and leave a smaller ecological footprint so
that your own and future generations - not to mention the other creatures - can enjoy this beautiful planet. Help
the planet by starting in your own backyard. Look around your neighbourhood to see what places—parks,
gathering spots, natural places, quiet nooks, play areas, walking routes, commercial centers—could be
protected or regenerated. Think about what changes could be made to reduce pollution and environmental
degradation. So don’t pollute, conserve water and other resources, ride your bike or walk as much as possible
and eat and shop locally, and you will help keep your “footprint” small!
If you live your life locally, you protect globally! - Let’s go green, everyone!
TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH - MAY 2015
May 2-9 is Child and Youth Mental Health Week!
Have a SUPER Week! Let’s increase everyone’s mental health and well being! Let’s focus on increasing
these positive skills!
Social Connections
Uplifting Emotions
Personal Health
Emotional Calming
Resilient Thinking
Now that you have started building all those wonderful skills, keep it going throughout the month and
the year!
Our community partners have some excellent activities planned:
Norfolk Psychological Services is presenting a series of free seminars, hosted at the Guelph Public
Library on Child, Youth and Family Mental Health.
For more information and to register, please visit www.guelphpl.ca or 519-824-6220.
DCAFS and Shed the Light will be presenting in schools and a display and information will be available
at DCAFS. Shed the Light is hosting 'Artistry in Mind' at ODSS on Friday May 8th in the evening.
For more information go to dcafs.ca.
CMHAWWD is hosting: a film showing, May 4, 7:00 pm of The Mask You Wear at 10 Carden St.,
Guelph. A BBQ and Art Show, May 8, 1-4 pm at 30 Centre St., Orangeville and a BBQ/Open house on May 8,
1:30-1:30 at 292 Stephenson St. N., Guelph.
GLOWW and CMHAWWD are hosting a family day and walk to bring Mental Illness out of the dark into
the light, May 2,12-5, at Exhibition Park, Guelph.
For more information go to https://wwd.cmha.ca/
Enjoy and participate and keep talking about mental health!
Dr. Lynn Woodford is the Mental Health and Addiction Lead for Upper Grand District School Board
Follow me on twitter: @drlynnwoodford
SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
Learning disabilities refer to a number of disorders that affect processes related to the learning,
organization, and recall of information, as well as the understanding or use of language and/or nonverbal
information. A student with a learning disability demonstrates some average or above average cognitive
abilities that are essential for thinking and reasoning. Despite this, he or she can have academic
underachievement, or achievement maintained only by unusually high levels of effort and/or support. At
school, this means that the student has good ideas and is able to do the thinking required to make
connections and problem solve, however one or more areas of academics (oral language, reading, writing or
math) cause significant difficulties and frustration.
The Upper Grand District School Board supports students with learning disabilities in a variety of ways.
Some students who struggle to learn to read will be recommended by the school to attend a special
education class for students with learning disabilities. If parents agree that this is a good option for supporting
their child, the student may attend this program for one or more years in Grades 4 through 6. In some areas
of the Board, where special education classes are not available, a student with a learning disability might
receive the support of one of the Board’s four Itinerant Technology Resource Teachers. These teachers are
qualified special education teachers and have an expertise in the use of assistive technology. The support of
an Itinerant Technology Resource Teacher would occur during Grades 4 to 6 and would take place while the
student is in the regular classroom. For most students with learning disabilities, the regular classroom, with
the support of a resource teacher, is the best fit.
A student with a learning disability, receiving instruction in a regular or special education class, will
benefit significantly from the use of assistive technology. This may include computer programs that are
designed to read printed materials, turn speech into written words, or predict what words students are trying
to spell. Assistive technology is often an important strategy for learning and letting students demonstrate
what they know and have learned. The use of these technologies can also help students to become more
independent, can increase their self-confidence and improve self-esteem. While assistive technology is often
necessary for some students with learning disabilities and other difficulties at school to be successful, it can
benefit ALL STUDENTS in the classroom. Each and every student at the UGDSB has access to Read&Write for
Google, which does read print, turn speech into words and predict the words as they are being typed. These
program options are available to students on any computer, at school or at home, as long as they are logged
onto the internet browser Chrome and their UGCloud account. For information on how to access your child’s
UGCloud account at home, speak to his or her classroom teacher.
More information about learning disabilities can be found on the Learning Disabilities Association of
Ontario website (www.ldao.ca). For more information about the supports offered to students with learning
disabilities at the UGDSB, talk to your child’s classroom teacher, the special education resource teacher at the
school, or the principal or vice-principal. The Board’s Special Education Plan and Reports are also available
online on the UGDSB website and provide more details and in-depth explanations of special education at the
UGDSB.
“For most of us, technology makes things easier. For a person with a disability, it makes things possible.”
~ J. Heumann, American Disability Rights Activist
UNDERSTANDING THE EQUAL SIGN
Most children see = and they know it is an equal sign, but do they really understand what it means?
Many children believe the equal sign means “the answer is” or “the total”. They do not understand that the
equal sign is a symbol of balance or sameness. Think about 3 + 4 = 7. 3 plus 4 is the same as 7. When children
understand that the equal sign shows a relationship between numbers, they develop stronger number sense
and are able to work with numbers more flexibly. For example, children who know that the equal sign shows
balance understand that 3 + 4 is the same as 5 + 2. Children who think of the equal sign as showing the answer
often struggle with mental math and, later on, with algebra.
Parents can help support understanding of the equal sign in many ways. First, using the word “equal”
in everyday conversation to highlight equal relationships helps to promote an understanding of sameness. Use
the words “equal” and “the same” together. When sharing snacks among people, talk about amounts. Are
they equal? How do we know?
Also, many children enjoy missing number problems, especially when presented as a puzzle or
challenge. Challenge children to find the number to balance equations, like these:
5 + ___ = 1 + 8
or
14 - 6 = ___ + 3
or
5 x ____ = 4 x ____
When playing with Lego, talk about how the different sized pieces are related. How many little pieces
are equal to a big piece? Build different creations with equal number of pieces. Build creations with equal sizes
but different number of pieces.
The more exposure children have to the idea that the equal sign means “the same”, the better set they
will be to develop solid number sense and number flexibility.
Megan Haessler - Teacher-Researcher with the UGDSB
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
1
Day 1
Safekids
4
Day 2
5
Day 3
6
Day 4
7
Day 5
8
Day 1
11
Day 2
12
Day 3
13
Day 4
14
Day 5
15
Day 1
19
Day 2
20
Day 3
21
Day 4
22
Day 5
26
Day 2
27
Day 3
28
Day 4
29
Day 5
Voyageur Presentations
18
25
VICTORIA DAY
Day 1
Pizza
Pizza
Pizza
Pizza
Track & Field Finals
Grilled Cheese
Intermediate students tree
planting
Shrek at Norwell 12:00 pm
Salad Day
Hot Dogs
Family Math Night 6:30 –
7:30 pm
Shrek at Norwell 12:00 pm
Track & Field – Gr. 4 – 8
New JK student & parent
meeting 6:30 pm
Tour for Humanity
Pitas
Career Day
MASONICH.I.P. PROGRAM
On Saturday, June 20th, 2015 the Palmerston, Harriston and the Clifford Masonic Lodges in conjunction with
the O.P.P. are running a MasoniCH.I.P program during the Touch a Truck event in Harriston.
What is a MasoniCH.I.P. program? A missing child is a parent's worst nightmare. Over 20,000 Ontario children
have been reported missing. It can be runaways, parental abductions, stranger abductions and children who
have been lured by the internet that causes the separation.
At a MasoniCH.I.P. program each child will have their fingerprints taken digitally, photos taken, video
information taken, toothprint dental impressions taken and a DNA swab taken. All of their information is
burned onto a CD and that CD is given to the parents in a package. After the CD has been burned, all
information on the computer is dumped. No information other than the consent form is kept by the Masons.
If your child happens to disappear--hopefully never happens--then the CD can be given to the OPP and an
immediate Amber Alert is initiated. The cost to have this done is $0. The cost will be covered the by the
Masons.
Again, this will be run on Saturday, June 20th from 10 am to 2 pm at the Touch a Truck event at Harriston
Motors in the bays. If you have any questions, please call Hugh Thompson at 519 343 2635.