530 Prospect Street, Box 430, Palmerston, ON, N0G 2P0
519-343-3520
“Be The BEST That You Can Be”
“Fais De Ton Mieux”
2013-2014
Newsletter #9
May 1, 2014
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Spring is here at long last. Our students and staff are happy to be able to use the playground
equipment. The younger students have enjoyed working with our DASH junior and intermediate students.
DASH students have been trained to organize games and recess activities for younger students. They use
playground equipment from the DASH bin and try to include students who are standing around and not being
active. We have had a number of hardtop recesses due to the wet and muddy yard, but hopefully the sun will
shine on Palmerston and we will have more space to enjoy being active.
On the last Monday every month at 6:00 p. m, right before the School Council meeting, we hold our
parent education time. Everyone is invited to attend. On April 28th we learned about the idea of ‘3-Up, 2Down.’ 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 and lunch program that School
Council is running 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. ‘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 time playing video games, watching TV, or using social media to ‘chat’ electronically
with friends. Research shows that many children spend up to 8 hours each day in front of screens. It is
sobering to realize 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.
Coming in May, we look forward to planting trees with Green Legacy and seeing a performance of
“Beauty and the Beast” at Norwell. Grade 5 Earthkeepers will learn about environmental stewardship and
taking care of our planet with Norwell’s CELP group. Primary students will present poems and songs for
families, friends and classmates and Mrs. Hope will finish her “Roots of Empathy” classes with the gr. 2/3 class.
Some students will be participating in the Special Olympics. Junior and intermediate students will participate
in the Track and Field events and junior students will be learning a brand new activity. Gr. 6 and 7 students will
learn about teamwork and leadership skills at Camp Wanakita. 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. More exciting
events are shown on our May calendar and these are only some of the highlights that we can look forward to.
Our next parent education topic will be on May 26th. At 6:00 p.m. our guest speaker Michelle Campbell
will talk about UG2GO, our Board’s student portal for learning at home and at school. The School Council
meeting will follow immediately after at 6:30 p.m. We hope to see you there.
Enjoy May and keep your fingers crossed for improved weather conditions.
Wilma Shannon
ORAL COMMUNICATION, POETRY PRESENTATIONS - PRIMARY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
ASSEMBLY
At our Primary Communications Assembly on Friday, May 9th students from Junior and Senior
Kindergarten, Grade 1, 2 and 3 will be presenting poems, songs and drama presentations. Parents, family and
friends are invited to attend our assembly which begins at 11:45 a.m. in the gym.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
On Wednesday, May 7th all intermediate students, Mrs. Bastedo’s, Mrs. Pratt’s and Mrs. Black’s classes
will be going to Norwell to see the production Beauty and the Beast. On Thursday, May 8th 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 2013. The meeting for parents and students will be held in the library at 6:30 p.m.
on Wednesday, May 29th. 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.
FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT
Be sure to mark your calendar and come to Family Science Night on Thursday, May 22nd from 6:00 to
7:30. Come and participate in some science experiments with real scientists (graduate science students from
university and Palmerston Public School students). Refreshments will be served.
TRADING CARDS
We are requesting that all students leave their trading cards at home (Yugioh, Pokemon, hockey cards,
Digimon, etc.,). Unfortunately, these trading cards create a distraction in the learning environment.
Furthermore, a number of cards have gone missing and we are not able to guarantee their safety here at
school. Thank you for helping to reinforce this at home.
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 30, 2014. 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 YEAR END TRIPS
Here is some important information for Grade 8 students. Three year-end trips have been planned.
Mark your calendars! More information will be sent with grade 8 students in the near future.
Blue Jays Game – Wednesday, June 11 (all day)
Toronto Zoo—Tuesday, June 17 (all day)
Canada’s Wonderland—Thursday, June 19 (all day with a later return around 8 pm)
NEW ORLEANS PIZZA SCHOOL FUNDRAISING NIGHTS
On May 5th, 6th, and 7th New Orleans Pizza will be donating half of the money you spend to the school
of your choice. Forms were sent home last week. If you did not receive one, there are extras at the office.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, yu-gi-oh cards or beyblades.
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.
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.
GRADE 8 GRADUATION
Our Grade 8 Graduation will be held on Wednesday, June 26th. The awards will take place in the gym
starting at 6:00 p.m. Parents will be organizing a party after the ceremony.
SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD MEET
We will hold our school Track and Field meet on Wednesday, May 21st and Thursday, May 22nd for all
our Grade 4 to 8 students.
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.
CONFIRM YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION
Do you want to vote in the 2014 municipal and school board elections? Are you a new resident or
have changed your residence since the last election (2010)? Go to www.voterlookup.ca and confirm that
you’re on the voters’ list. It’s now up to you. If you don’t have the Internet, or don’t speak English call MPAC
at 1-866-296-6722 and help will be available. We can also help you at our school.
TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH!
May 4-11 is Child and Youth Mental Health Week!
Child and Youth Mental Health Week is about promoting mental wellness, increasing awareness of the
signs of child and youth mental health problems, decreasing stigma and understanding that help is available
and treatment works. The more we know about mental health, the more able we are to reach out for support.
There should be no shame in talking about mental health issues. The more we talk about this, the more we
reduce the associated stigma so that young people can get the help that they need when they need it most.
To celebrate Mental Health and Wellness, you can:
Chalk It Up! Write positive messages in chalk to spread the message of mental wellbeing and hope!
Make a Wall of Hope. Have your children and yourself write positive messages or draw positive pictures and
put them up on fridge or around the house throughout the week.
Make a Jar of Happiness. Everyday write down one positive thing that happened that day. At the end of the
week or month, open the jar and read through all the positive things that happened!
Our schools and community are taking part in many events around Child and Youth Mental Health Week
including:
Many Elementary Schools are participating in a group reading of the book “I Can Believe in Myself” by
Miriam Laundry, which inspires children to shred the “I can’t” and believe in “I Can”. You may want to read
this book with your child and figure out how to have more “I Can” in your home.
The GLOWW (Giving Light Offers Worth and Wellness) youth committee of CMHA WWD is giving bracelets to
all High School students in Guelph/Wellington. The bracelets have a positive mental wellness message on the
outside and contact information on the inside.
CMHA WWD and GLOWW are having a Walk and Family Fun Day in Exhibition Park, Guelph from 1-5 on
Sunday May 4. Everyone is welcome to come to the park and join in the walk that starts at 2.
The Dufferin Parent Support Network and DCAFS present a session on Drugs Affect Mental Health in Teens as
part of We’re Talking about Kids Mental Health. The session is May 1 at Montgomery Village Public School.
Visit www.dpsn.ca to register.
A Permanent Solution, by Tom Slater, is being presented by students from JF Ross CVI. The play
presents a poignant and hopeful look at mental health and suicide to raise awareness and bring this
discussion out of the shadows and into our communities. Performances: Guelph – May 6 at 7 pm at JF Ross
CVI; Orangeville – May 15 at 8:00 at ODSS; and Mount Forest, May 30 at 7:30, at WHSS. The performances are
free and open to the public.
Erin District High School on May 1, 2, 3 at 7:30 pm students will be presenting Paul Zindel’s play, “The
Effects Of Gamma Rays On The Man-In-The-Moon-Marigolds”. The play is both tragic and hopeful, full of
darkness and yet illuminating, sad and joyful and it cleverly depicts the complex issues of children living within
a volatile home. The cost is $8.00.
If you or your children are experiencing concerns with mental health, please contact your family
physician or contact:
DCAFS 1 519 941 1530 - Services for Children/Youth in Dufferin. Talk-in Clinic Tuesdays 1-7 pm.
CMHA WWD 1 844 HERE 247 (1 844 437 4237) - Services for Children/Youth in Guelph/Wellington and Adults
in Guelph/Wellington/Dufferin. Walk In Clinic Tuesdays 1:30-7pm.
KidsHelpPhone.ca (1 800 668 6868) for children and teens to call anytime when they need someone to talk to.
For youth there is also an online chat with a counselor on Thurs to Sun nights. The website has lots of good
information about mental wellness and mental health issues.
LEARNING DISABILITIES
For information on Learning Disabilities, please go to: http://www.ldawc.ca/
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.
MATH HELP
Check out this blog for more practical math ideas and activities for you to use at home with your
children. http://beyondtraditionalmath.wordpress.com/math-play-20-minutes-a-day/
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
THURSDAY
Day 4
2
Day 5
Earthkeepers Gr. 5
FRIDAY
Earthkpeers Gr. 5
Knights of Valour trip
5
Day 1
6
Day 2
7
Day 3
8
Day 4
9
Day 5
12
Day 1
13
Day 2
14
Day 3
15
Day 4
16
Day 5
20
Day 1
21
Day 2
22
Day 3
23
Day 4
27
Day 1
28
Day 2
29
Day 3
30
Day 4
Gr. & 8 Skills Competition
at RIM Park
19
26
VICTORIA DAY
Day 5
Camp Wanakita Gr. 6 & 7
Pizza
Pizza
Gr. 5 & 6 Green Legacy trip
Pizza
Pizza
Camp Wanakita Gr. 6 & 7
Grilled Cheese
Beauty & the Beast
Pitas
Hot Dogs
Track & Field
Camp Wanakita Gr. 6 & 7
Gr. 7/8 tree planting
Beauty & the Beast
Gr. 4 Wetland trip
Track & Field finals
New JK student & parent
meeting 6:30 pm
Primary Communication
Assembly 11:45 am
Crazy Hair Day