530 Prospect Street, Box 430, Palmerston, ON, N0G 2P0
519-343-3520
“Be The BEST That You Can Be”
“Fais De Ton Mieux”
2012-2013
Newsletter #9
May 1, 2013
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
We are entering the home stretch of the 2012-2013 school year. The next two months will be very busy at
Palmerston Public School. It is very important for all students to keep in mind that we need to focus on our learning for
just eight more weeks.
April was an exciting month at Palmerston with students participating in Autism Awareness Day, Kindergarten
Fairy Tale Day, tree planting, basketball, the All-Science Challenge, dodgeball in intramurals and much more. May will be
exciting with a spirit day, author visit, track and field, assemblies, an intermediate Skills competition, Science Fair, Spring
pictures, Primary Oral Communication, bus patrol training, sunflower growing, Earthkeepers, intermediate basketball
tournament and our grade 3 and 6 students writing EQAO. Students are actively training for track and field and eagerly
awaiting school trips.
If you have any questions or concerns about our school, please feel free to contact Mrs. Kuchma or me directly
at the school.
Have a great month of May!
Wilma Shannon
LITTLE CAESAR’S SCHOOL FUNDRAISER
We will be selling Little Caesar’s Pizza Kits as a school fundraiser. Orders will be due at the school on Thursday,
June 6th and delivery will be Tuesday, June 18th. More information will be going home soon.
ORAL COMMUNICATION, POETRY PRESENTATIONS - PRIMARY ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
ASSEMBLY
At our Primary Communications Assembly on Friday, May 10th 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 11:30 a.m. in the gym.
SCIENCE FAIR IS COMING!!
The Grade 7&8 students will be showing off their knowledge of the Scientific Method during the Palmerston
Public School Science Fair 2013. Students have been working extremely hard on their projects and are looking forward
to showing them off Wednesday, May 8th. Science Projects will be on display to students throughout the school day,
parents will have an opportunity to come view displays between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.
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 16th. 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.
NEW ORLEANS PIZZA SCHOOL FUNDRAISING NIGHTS
On May 6th, 7th, and 8th New Orleans Pizza will be donating half of themoney 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 cooperation.
GRADE 3 AND GRADE 6 E.Q.A.O. TESTING
Our Grade 3 and our Grade 6 students will be participating in the provincial assessments in reading, writing and
mathematics.
The assessments will take place from May 28th to June 4th.
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 22nd and Thursday, May 23rd 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.
SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS
ANNUAL SCHOOL BBQ
Plans are underway for our annual school bbq on Thursday, June 6TH. You will see some big changes for this year
as we are having a year where simplicity is taking over. Plans currently have us doing our bbq, by donation, at Lions Park
Pavilion with a bake sale (donations to that would be appreciated) from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with the (yet to be confirmed)
plan for a family movie, again by donation, at the Norgan at 7:00 p.m. A letter will be going home in the next couple
weeks so we can get an idea as to how much food we will need to have available. We hope you will plan to attend!
PARENT COUNCIL ELECTIONS
Every year in June we hold elections for the positions of parent council executive. We are required to post
names of those running prior to the election so names of anyone who would like to run need to be submitted by our
May 27thmeeting.
Current executive:
Chair: Renee Beswitherick
Co-Chair: Ann Tooley
Treasurer: Karen Goddard
Secretary: Kristi Will
Environmental Chair: Barb Wakeford
Anyone can run for any position, the only one not required to be filled is the position of co-chair. I, Renee
Beswitherick, will be stepping down as chair this year as well as Kristi Will in the position of secretary. Karen Goddard
and Barb Wakeford are willing to continue on in their positions but if you would like one of those you are welcome to
run and we will vote at our June 17th meeting, you must be in attendance to have a vote. Thank you for the support you
give us as council. All are welcome to come out to any meeting with no obligations and I hope some will consider taking
on these rolls to help make our school truly the best it can be!
FUNDRAISER FOR JDRF
A letter will be coming home soon in regard to a fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Diabetes is a disease that affects many, including some of our students, and there is no cure. Any amount you will be
able to send in will be greatly appreciated and help in the research for a cure. The class that raises the most money will
be awarded an ice cream and cookie party donated by Renee Beswitherick.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
1
WEDNESDAY
Day 4
2
THURSDAY
Day 5
Grilled Cheese
Gr. 5 to Earthkeepers
FRIDAY
3
Day 1
Gr. 5 to Earthkeepers
RISE Conference
6
Day 2
7
Day 3
8
Day 4
9
Day 5
10
Day 1
13
Day 2
14
Day 3
15
Day 4
16
Day 5
17
Day 1
21
Day 2
22
Day 3
23
Day 4
24
Day 5
28
Day 2
29
Day 3
30
Day 4
31
Day 5
New Orleans fundraising
20
27
VICTORIA DAY
Day 1
New Orleans fundraising
Pita lunch
Visit by Police K9
Pita lunch
EQAO
Science Fair – all day and
5:00 to 6:00 pm
New Orleans fundraising
Grilled Cheese
Track & Field
EQAO
Spring & class pictures
Kindergarten Information
Night 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Track & Field finals
Bus Patrol Seminar
EQAO
Primary Oral
Communications 11:30 am
Hat, Tie & Sunglasses Day
EQAO
Did you know…
1 in 5 Ontario children and youth
has a mental health problem?
That’s 500,000 kids!
Minto-Clifford Public School Welcomes
Laurie Pearson
Psychological Associate
with the Upper Grand District School Board
Join us on
Tuesday, May 7 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm
to hear Laurie talk about Children’s Mental Health
and how to help parents to talk with their kids.
Children’s Mental Health Week is about:
Increasing awareness of the signs of child and you
mental health problems,
Decreasing stigma,
Understanding that helps is available and it works!
And for the kids…Author, Renna Bruce
will be here sharing her newest book:
“Jazlyn J and Quick, Quiet Quinn.”
A story to help children understand that
a little kindness and communication
can stop bullying before it starts.
We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Refreshments will be available.
Education Week
2013
This evening is brought to you by
Minto-Clifford Public School Parent Council
5804 Hwy 89, RR #1, Harriston, ON
519-338-2920
May 2013
Safe fun in the sun
As the weather gets warmer, remember to stay safe in the sun. Before you and your child head outside,
check the UV index on The Weather Network or Environment Canada websites.
When you go outside, wear sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen (SPF of 15 or higher). And if the UV index is
6 or more (high), also stay in the shade.
Keep in mind that babies and children burn more quickly from the sun. Sunscreen is not recommended
for babies under 6 months old, but is safe to use on children.
For more information about sun safety, visit Health Canada at www.healthcanada.gc.ca.
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
1-800-265-7293 | www.wdgpublichealth.ca
info@wdgpublichealth.ca