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 #2
October 1, 2013
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRINCIPAL
October is here already! Soon we will be celebrating Thanksgiving and planning for the School Council's
annual Hallowe'en Dance-a-thon on October 31st. We appreciate our families who are diligently selling QSP
magazines. The money raised will be used to support classroom programs.
In September Palmerston P.S. supported the fight against cancer by organizing our annual Terry Fox
run. Thanks very much to our generous students, staff, and parents who contributed $1,184.60 to this worthy
cause. Thanks to Mr. Walls for organizing the short assembly and the routes for all the eager student and staff
runners.
Congratulations to our school soccer teams who played in tournaments in September and October.
They played well as a team and demonstrated good sportsmanship throughout their games. A special thanks
goes out to our coaches: Ms Hall, Miss Horton, and Mr. Walls.
Please remember that school begins at 8:55 a.m. and it certainly helps your child start the day more
positively when he/ she arrives on time.
I wish you an enjoyable October and a wonderful Thanksgiving. As always, our school believes in
keeping the lines of communication open, and your concerns are important to the staff at Palmerston P.S. If
you have a concern, questions or a suggestion, please call your child's teacher to arrange a time to talk. Our
doors, both Mr. Cameron’s and mine, are always open.
Wilma Shannon
Principal
SCHOOL PICTURES
Individual and class pictures will be taken on Tuesday, October 29th.
OPEN COMMUNICATION
Our staff here at Palmerston feel that open communication between home and school is vital in order
for all our children to be successful. Our students are expected to write information into their agendas
including homework. We suggest that parents check the agenda daily in order to ensure the communication is
two way. Our younger students carry a “Communication Book” and parents are encouraged to write in the
book to inform the teacher of any concerns or just information to share about your child.
Our staff are very busy at the beginning of the day meeting our children as they arrive at school,
checking agendas, collecting money for various events and fund-raisers and preparing for lessons that begin as
soon as all the children are in their classes. In order to ensure that we can begin our teaching time
immediately after entrance and that we are not overcrowding our halls we ask that all parents remain
outside the school doors during this busy time. If you wish to meet with a teacher we request that you do not
just drop by their classroom in the morning or during the school day but that you call to set up an
appointment.
We thank you for your support and understanding concerning this issue.
SCHOOL SPORTS TEAMS
During the year students will be chosen to represent P.P.S. on school teams.
The criteria used for choosing students for the school team include:
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Participation with good attendance in the games held at nutritrition breaks.
Showing good sportsmanship and team play.
A positive attitude to winning and losing.
Putting forth a good effort in academics in class.
A respectful manner to peers and adults.
Students will have to pay $5.00.
EARLY DISMISSAL ON OCTOBER 25TH
October 25th is a half-day PA Day. Students will come to school in the morning at the usual time, but
will be dismissed at 12:05 p.m. Please arrange pickup for your children at this time.
Bus students will be picked up at the school approximately 3 hours earlier than usual (e.g., 12:05 p.m.
instead of 3:05 p.m. for earlier busses). Please plan to pick up your children at their usual stops 3 hours earlier
than usual. As the bus routes will not be going to the high schools in the middle of the day, there is a chance
of the busses being slightly early so it is a good idea to be at the bus stop a few minutes earlier than usual.
OTHER
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Milk tickets can be purchased when required. Tickets are sold in sheets of 10 chocolate or 10 white for
a cost of $7.00. Milk is available at both nutrition breaks.
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When sending money to school with your child please try to send the correct change.
»
Bicycle helmets are mandatory for children riding bikes. A potential hazards exists when students wear
bicycle helmets when playing on playground equipment. Please reinforce with your children the
dangers and hazards associated with bicycle helmets being worn when playing on playground
equipment.
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When there is inclement weather such as fog, snow or freezing rain, buses may be cancelled in the
morning.
BUSES AND INCLEMENT WEATHER
Board Policy – Parents
It is a parent’s responsbility to determine whether or not it is safe for their students to leave for school
in inclement or severe weather. A parent must be aware of the following:
a) When a bus does not travel a route in the morning due to fog, ice or snow conditions, it will not travel
that route in the afternoon.
b) If a parent elects to drive their pupils to school, they are responsible for their pupils’ pick-up at
dismissal time. Students will be dismissed at 3:00 p.m. School ends at 3:00 p.m. on a “no bus” day.
c) Buses will not be delayed, buses will either run or be cancelled. Students will not be sent home early
during inclement weather.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. Each driver is ultimately responsible for deciding if it is safe to complete his or her route. If they decide
to cancel or delay their route, they will ensure that every effort is made to inform parents of their
decision.
2. We suggest that if you are planning a special occasion for your son/daughter and wish other
classmates/friends to attend that you arrange to pick up everyone at the end of the day. Please make
arrangements prior to the end of the day of the event.
3. Please let us know if your child is not going home on the bus. Notification to the office is important. If
we do not have a note or call then we will send them home on the bus.
BUS TRANSFER REQUESTS
Our Board Transportation Policy does not permit bus students to ride a different bus at the end of the
day for various reasons (sleepover, birthday parties, etc.). Non-bus students are not permitted to ride a bus at
any time.
BUS LOADING AND UNLOADING
As you are aware, the school zone for Palmerston P.S. is a very busy place in the morning (8:30 a.m.)
and at the end of the day (3:15 p.m.). We have students crossing the street at the crossing guard, in front of
the school by the baseball diamond and in good weather we have students riding their bikes to school using
this crossing with the walkers. While buses are loading and unloading there is traffic in front of the school, as
well as parents who are dropping off/picking up their children. To ensure the safety of the students we need
your help and in order to keep this area safe for our students, we have the following requests and reminders
for our students, parents and neighbours:
1. Park on the opposite side of the street across from the ball diamonds if you are dropping off or picking
up students.
2. Please do not ask your child to enter the vehicle from the driver side facing oncoming traffic, and do
not load the vehicle at the crosswalk. Parents set the example for road safety.
3. Please do not cross the street except at the two designated area. Students should not be called to a
vehicle mid block, and we ask parents to use the crosswalk to set a positive safe example for all of our
students.
4. Bikes must be walked across the street in the crossing area and along the sidewalk in front of the
school.
5. Students must follow the directions of the crossing guards and the staff members on duty. We ask
parents to do the same as a positive model.
REMINDER: Cars need to stop when the buses are flashing their red lights. Failure to do so could result in a
fine.
Thank you for your support in this matter.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
The School Council will be hosting a Halloween Dance-a-thon on Thursday, October 31st at our school
during the day. More information will be coming out soon!
Our School Council executive is:
Chair:
Co-Chair:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Brenda Duimering
Ann Tooley
To be decided
Karen Goddard
A reminder that your School Council normally meets every last Monday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30
p.m. in the School Library. The next meeting will be held on Monday, October 28th. Come out and support
your child by joining the School Council.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11TH
Friday, October 11th is a Ministry Mandated Day and there is no school for students.
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY & PROGRAM
The Upper Grand District School Board places a high priority on the safety of our students. The Child
Abuse Prevention Policy is evidence of our commitment to this priority. The following is a quote from the
policy:
“Every citizen in the community shares a responsibility for our children. School officials and teachers
share this collective community responsibility for creating safe and nurturing environments for children. Under
the Child and Family Services Act, this responsibility includes the legal requirement to report to the local
Children’s Aid Society any suspected child abuse or other situations where a child may be in need of protection.
Teachers and other Board employees have a special opportunity to know and understand children during their
most influential years of development. They are in a unique position to be able to see early signs of
maltreatment, and to know or hear about the abuse and neglect that is often suffered by children.”
As required in the Policy, we will be teaching age-appropriate lessons to help our students identify
abuse and protect themselves from abusive situations. The goal is to provide children with the tools they need
to keep themselves safe. The lessons cover a broad range of safety issues including bullying, stranger danger
and abuse by a known and trusted adult.
These lessons will occur during the school year. For grades one, three and five, the lessons will be team
taught by our Child and Youth Counselor and classroom teachers. There is no formal program in grades two,
four and six, although the safety concepts are reviewed by classroom teachers informally. Students in grades
7 and 8 will also participate in a Red Cross program presented by the school’s Child & Youth Counsellor
entitled “It’s Not Your Fault”. These two hour presentations will occur in homeroom classes.
We encourage you to discuss with your child at home, the concepts taught in the Child Abuse
Prevention Curriculum.
For more information regarding the Child Abuse Prevention Policy and/or Programs please contact Jill
Hope, Child and Youth Counselor.
RECESS OUTDOOR TIMES
The morning and afternoon recesses are an opportunity for students to “burn off” some of their
energy after being in class. Often the fresh air will make a child feel better when they are “stuffed up” with a
cold. If a child is sick, the best place for this child is at home. Thanks for your cooperation.
GRADE 3 STUDENTS TO WRITE CCAT
Our Grade 3 students will be writing the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test in October. This assessment
is completed with Grade 3 students across the country and is used by our Board to screen for Gifted Students.
TIME2READ
Dear SK, Gr. 1 and Gr. 2 Parents:
Time2Read is a five week program that is designed to equip you with skills and strategies to support
your child’s reading at home. You will discover ways to connect with the school literacy programs, tips to
encourage your child’s reading comprehension and ways for you to fit learning moments into your busy
schedules.
This unique program, sponsored by our school board, invites you to bring your Senior Kindergarten,
Grade One or Grade Two child with you. The children will have their own program including crafts, snacks,
songs and stories. They will also spend part of the evening with you reading and practising the skills and
strategies you will learn in our workshops. The children will receive their own Time2Read T-shirt as well!
Our program will run for five Tuesday evenings:
► Tuesday, October 8th to Tuesday, November 5th
► 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
► Palmerston Public School Library
You will enjoy this special time with your child, connecting with other parents and discovering ways to
help your child become a fluent reader with a love of reading!
Please register by returning the form sent home already or by phoning Mrs. Bastedo, 519-343-3520,
mailbox 401.
October 2013
Preparing lunches day after day can be a challenge!
Make sure you pack lunches that have all four food groups in Canada’s Food Guide:
Include at least:
One fruit or vegetable,
one serving of milk or milk products (like cheese or yogurt)
One meat or alternative (like sunflower seeds or hard- boiled eggs)
One whole-grain item
Here are resources to help you:
Canada’s Food Guide available from your school nurse or www.wdgpublichealth.ca
Healthy eating on a budget. Visit http://www.mhp.gov.on.ca/en/healthy-ontario/healthyeating/eathealthy-budget.asp
Healthy eating resources at www.eatrightontario.ca
When we improve what we eat, we can make a big difference to our health and well-being for years to come.
About Tribes
Thousands of schools throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries have become
Tribes Learning Communities, safe and caring environments in which kids can do well! After years of “fix-it”
programs focused on reducing student violence, conflict, drug and alcohol use, absenteeism, poor
achievement, etc., educators and parents now agree, creating a positive school or classroom environment is
the most effective way to improve behavior and learning. The Tribes TLC® process is the way to do it.
Students achieve because they:
 feel included and appreciated by peers and teachers
 are respected for their different abilities, cultures, gender, interests and dreams
 are actively involved in their own learning
 have positive expectations from others that they will succeed.
The clear purpose of the Tribes process is to assure the healthy development of every child so that each one
has the knowledge, skills and resiliency to be successful in a rapidly changing world.
How It Works
Tribes is a step-by-step process to achieve specific learning goals. Four agreements are honored:
 attentive listening
 appreciation/no put downs
 mutual respect for self, others and things, and
 the right to pass/ right to participate
Students learn a set of collaborative skills so they can work well together in long-term groups (tribes). The
focus is on how to:
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help each other work on tasks
set goals and solve problems
monitor and assess progress
celebrate achievements.
The learning of academic material and self-responsible behavior is assured because teachers utilize methods
based upon brain-compatible learning, multiple intelligences, cooperative learning and social development
research. The teachers and administrators in a Tribes school or district also work together in supportive
groups. They too enjoy the participatory democratic process and creative collegiality.
(from the Tribes website for parents and educators)
During the first week of school, our students spent ½ the day in their home room classrooms with their regular
teacher to learn the routines and expectaions for their classroom. For the middle instructional block students
learned together in a short asssembly about each of the Tribes Agreements. They then worked in their colour
teams with their staff leader to complete team-building activities such as deciding on a team name,
developing a team chant and creating a team flag. They worked collaboratively in colour teams to complete
other enjoyable learning activities such as painting a rock in their team colour, writing a positive ‘put-up’
message on the rock and placing them in the flower bed outside the Library to build a rock garden. Students
also had the opportunity to spend one period with another class in the same grade.
Our students enjoyed meeting and forming a relationship with students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 in
English and French Immersion classrooms. Many staff commented on the positive role models and leadership
provided by our Intermediate students. Staff at Palmerston P.S. were trained in Tribes last June in order to
help our school implement collaborative learning communities in our school. We appreciated the opportunity
the Board provided for all of our staff to learn about Tribes.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
1
7
Day 5
14
THANKSGIVING
21
Day 3
Day 1
2
WEDNESDAY
Day 2
Pizza Lunch
Jr. Soccer Tournament
Hot Dog Day
8
9
Day 1
Pizza Lunch
Time2Read 6:00 p.m.
Gr. 7 Hep B
Gr. 8 Girls HPV
15
16
Day 4
MINISTRY
MANDATED DAY
Day 5
17
23
24
28
29
30
Day 3
11
Day 4
Pizza Lunch
School Pictures
Time2Read 6:00 p.m.
Day 3
Pita Lunch
22
JK/SK classes trip to
Mapleton Organics
Day 4
10
Cross Country Run
Day 4
4
Boys Intermediate Soccer
Tournament
Hot Dog Day
QSP magazine orders due
Pizza Lunch
Time2Read 6:00 p.m.
FRIDAY
Girls Intermediate Soccer
Tournament
Pizza Lunch
Time2Read 6:00 p.m.
Gr. 8 Girls trip to
Bingeman’s – The Power
of Being a Girl
School Council Meeting
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Day 2
3
THURSDAY
Day 3
Day 5
Day 1
18
Day 2
Day 1
25
Day 2
P.A. DAY
12:05 P.M. DISMISSAL
Day 5
Mrs. Black/Mrs. Stroeder’s
Gr. 4/5 classes trip to
Wawanosh
31
Day 1
Halloween Dance-a-thon
Everyday children go about their daily lives exploring and discovering things around them, and by doing so
they’re exposed to the world of mathematics. And since mathematics has become increasingly important in
this technological age, it is even more important for our children to learn math at home, as well as in school.
Attitude is Important
How do you as a parent feel about math? Your feelings will have an impact on how your children think about
math and themselves as mathematicians. Take a few minutes to reflect on these questions:
Do you think everyone can learn math?
Do you think of math as useful in everyday life?
Do you believe that most jobs today require math skills?
If you answer "yes" to most of these questions, then you are probably encouraging your child to think
mathematically. Positive attitudes about math are important for your child's success.
Mathematics as Problem Solving, Communication, and Reasoning
Helping your child learn to solve problems, to communicate mathematically, and to demonstrate reasoning
abilities are fundamental to learning mathematics. These attributes will improve your child's understanding
and interest in math concepts and thinking.
A problem solver is someone who questions, investigates, and explores solutions to problems. They stick with
a problem to find a solution and understand that there may be different ways to arrive at an answer and
attempt different ways to get there. You can encourage your child to be a good problem solver by involving
him or her in family decision making using math.
To communicate mathematically means to use words, numbers, or mathematical symbols to explain
situations; to talk about how you arrived at an answer; to listen to others' ways of thinking and perhaps alter
their thinking; to use pictures to explain something; and to write about math, not just give an answer. You can
help your child learn to communicate mathematically by asking your child to explain a math problem or
answer. Ask your child to write about the process she or he used, or to draw a picture of how he or she arrived
at an answer to a problem.
Reasoning ability means thinking logically, being able to see similarities and differences about math concepts
in different domains and make choices based on those differences or similarities. You can encourage your
child to explain his or her reasoning behind answers and encourage them to ask themselves, “Does this make
sense?” As you listen, you will hear your child sharing his or her reasoning.
Look forward to next month’s newsletter more about how you can help you child/children further develop
these attributes of a strong mathmetician.