Victoria Terrace P.S. News
500 Victoria Terrace · Guelph, ON · N1M 2G5
Phone: 519-843-2720
FAX: 519-843-1558
Principal: Mrs. K. Kowch
Office Co-ordinator: Mrs. D. Wilson
October 2015
Principal’s Message
We have been so lucky to have such wonderful weather as we wrap up September and enter October, and reports
suggest that our luck may just continue! Although we hope for many lovely, sunny fall days ahead, please ensure
that children are dressed for the cooler weather. Layers are a good way to handle the variability in temperatures
from morning to afternoon. Children are reminded to bring in clothing they take off when on the yard, since our Lost
& Found bin is already starting to fill up. Please try to label all clothing (our School Council is registered with the
Elora Label Company) so we can find the rightful owners and avoid the Lost & Found bin altogether!
Victoria Terrace P.S. staff and students have done a great job beginning their learning and work together, and co curricular activities have started. Students are never at a loss for something to do or get involved in outside of the
classroom during school hours. Active kids make for good learning so encourage your child to get involved in the fun
that happens throughout the day.
Please remember that if you have any questions about curriculum, evaluation, assessment or other classroom
issues, you can call the school and request to speak to your child’s teacher. We are here to work with you to help
your children learn and grow, and we look forward to continued focus on providing enriching experiences for our
students.
Mrs. K. Kowch
Emergency Drills
Each year, schools are mandated to conduct regular emergency fire and lockdown drills to remind students about
their roles and responsibilities should an emergency occur. We have taken advantage of this great weather and
have had two fire drills already, and students and staff did an excellent job of exiting the building quickly and quietly.
We will continue to practice our safety procedures in the coming months.
Student Accident Insurance
The Board does NOT provide accident insurance coverage for student injuries that occur on school premises or
during school activities. It is highly recommended that parents purchase student accident insurance, especially if
their child(ren) participate in extra-curricular athletic activities. Under the Education Act, the Board is required to
make available an accident and life insurance program for students, and the Upper Grand District School Board has
selected Reliable Life Insurance. By now you will have received the Director of Education’s introductory letter, a
Student Accident Insurance Acknowledgment form and an application form. Please be sure to send back the signed
Acknowledgment form, even if not subscribing to the offer, so that we can be sure everyone has received this
information and offer. You may apply online @ www.insuremykids.com or complete and send in the 2015
application form that you received the first week of school.
Creative Playground Safety
As we enter autumn, students and parents are reminded that while the creative structure remains open until
November 1st (weather permitting), playground equipment is off limits first thing in the morning from 8:30 - 8:45
because of dew, frost or rain. Also, students are not permitted to play on the structures while dressed in clothing
with collar drawstrings or when wearing scarves, including decorative or dress scarves. No bicycle helmets are
permitted on the creative playground at any time. Please also be reminded that our playground equipment is for
children ages 5-12 only, and we have been advised our Board playground inspector that this rule must be strictly
enforced.
Rules for playground use:
• no pushing
• no running around play structures
• no fighting
• no eating while on the playground equipment
• no throwing sticks, stones or objects
In the event of an injury, students and staff are reminded that the injured person should not be moved, and a
supervisor must be notified immediately.
Terry Fox Walk/Run Update
As has been evident many times over, VT is a very giving school -- supporting a variety of fundraising efforts to show
what a truly compassionate community we live in. Our first fundraiser of the school year is the Terry Fox Walk/Run,
which will be held on Fri., Oct. 2nd. Students are encouraged to bring their donations into the Fox Socks in each
classroom. Thanks for your contribution to the 35th Annual Fox Walk/Run!
Notes from the Library
A reminder to parents that students may borrow library books for a two-week period, but they do have a regular
time for book exchange each week. Students are encouraged to take books appropriate for their reading level and
share them at home. Please keep our library books safe. If an accident should occur and a book becomes damaged,
it should still be returned, as we need the barcode number to clear our computer records. Lost items should be
reported to Mrs. Collier. Our library is for all students to enjoy, so let’s keep those books circulating!
Mrs. Collier, Teacher-Librarian
Please Sign In & Out
Please note that all visitors to our school are requested to stop at the office. If you are planning to stay a while,
please remember to pick up a badge to wear and sign our Visitor and Volunteer Book located on the counter just
inside the office. We also require students to be signed out if they are leaving at some point during the day. Thanks
for your cooperation in ensuring a safe and secure environment for our students!
Books for Birthdays
At Victoria Terrace, we have a “Books for Birthdays” program. Students’ birthdays are
announced on the morning announcements, and they have the opportunity to come to
the cabinet at the front of the school to pick a book on his/her special day and get the gift
of reading. These books have been collected through Bonus Coupons from Scholastic,
which help support this worthwhile initiative.
Soy Butter
An Ontario company has created a product called “Wow Butter” (previously known as “School Safe Soy Butter”).
Although it is meant as a safe replacement and alternative to peanut butter, it is difficult to tell the difference
between a peanut butter sandwich and that of one made with “Wow Butter” or “School Safe Soy Butter”. Because
staff and students cannot tell the difference between the two, and because we have life-threatening allergies in our
school, the Upper Grand D.S.B. has asked that this product not be allowed at school. Thank you for your
consideration of this difficult issue.
Drop-Offs & Pick-Ups
Thank you SO much for the effort you’ve put into following our drop-off, pick-up and parking areas. We have seen a
huge difference in supporting the safety of our students at the busiest times of the day. Please be reminded that
there is no stopping or parking on the west side of Victoria Terrace from Garafraxa St. to Forfar St. The east side of
Victoria Terrace is only designated for drop-off and pick-up and bus use until after the second driveway.
Eco-Team News
We are committed! VT’s Eco-Team is up and running with over 50 students signed up to help with recycling,
composting, energy and waste management, and goal setting for our school’s future! Students in the classroom
have been taking home their wrappers, “Boomerang!” They have also been using reusable containers and water
bottles, walking or biking to school and saving energy whenever possible by turning off lights and computer
monitors. Students are very eager to help and are willing to learn about more ways in which VT can become even
more ecologically responsible with our waste and energy consumption. A big thank you to parents at home for
making the commitment at home and for supporting a program like Boomerang and the use of reusable containers.
Stay tuned for more news as the year goes on for what VT students are doing to care for the earth!
School Council Fundraising Updates
The MacMillan fall fundraising event has become a tradition at Victoria Terrace P.S. For many years the families of
VT have helped us raise money for school projects while, at the same time, enjoying the delicious gourmet cookies,
muffins, and other products offered through MacMillan’s.
Profits from this fundraiser will be used by the Victoria Terrace School Council to fund the classroom Scientists in
Schools program.
Look for the order form Wednesday, October 7th, 2015. Order forms must be returned to the school no later than
Friday, October 23rd. Please ensure that all order forms are filled out clearly and completely including your child’s
name and telephone number.
Also, please ensure all cheques are made payable to “Victoria Terrace P.S.”. Post-dated cheques will not be
processed. All money must accompany your child’s order. Orders submitted without sufficient funds will not be
processed. Please check your orders carefully.
Orders can be picked up in the school gym on Thursday, November 26 , 2015 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Please mark
this date on your calendar as the school does not have freezer facilities to hold unclaimed orders.
th
DANCE - A - THON
Thursday, October 29th, 2015
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Please stay tuned for more details!
Chromebooks
in your public library!
Upper Grand students can now get a Chromebook to
do assignments after school, evenings and Saturdays
from the following locations:
News from UGDSB Student Support Services…
Blue Jay Fever
Have you caught Blue Jay Fever yet, or are you already thinking about the NHL pre-season? Maybe you’re not
a sports enthusiast, and instead are busy taking your children to dance, swimming or music lessons. Whatever
the case, why not incorporate math into these afterschool activities? Here are some quick and easy
connections to share with your children on those early mornings, after school or late night drives that connect
math to our everyday lives.
1. Batting average
This number tells fans how many times a player gets a hit compared to the amount of times he gets up
to bat. Simple division is used to figure out a batting average. For each game divide the number of hits
the player gets by the number of times he is at bat. The answer should result in a decimal answer.
(For example: Bautista gets up to bat 8 times, but he only hits 5 times. The equation would be 5
divided by 8 giving a batting average of 0.625.)
2. Staying out of the penalty box
Which fraction is largest: 5/4, 4/3, 3/2 or 2/1? If the Leafs have a 5 on 4 advantage, and Phaneuf has to
decide whether to draw an opponent away from the play, it's important for him to know that 4/3 is a
larger fraction than 5/4. Math tells us that 4 skaters have a better advantage over 3 than 5 skaters have
over 4.
3. Patterns in Music
Musical pieces often have repeating choruses or bars, similar to patterns. In mathematics, we look for
patterns to explain and predict the unknown. Music uses similar strategies. When looking at a musical
piece, musicians look for notes they recognize to find notes that are less familiar. In this way, notes
relate to each other. Relationships are fundamental to mathematics and create an interesting link
between music and math. Listen carefully to the music next time. You’ll definitely hear the patterns!
4. Swimmingly Mathematical
Speed of swim (measurement of distance and time), surface area of palm (area measurement of odd
shape), kicking angle of the legs (trigonometry, angle), rhythm of the stroke (sequence, counting,
pattern sector), and breathing (volume of air required, space measurement) are all about the math!
The Science of Dance
There’s the symmetry (between arms and legs, but also between bodies and within a single body), counting,
rhythm, momentum, mass, connection, sequence, and shape. Every area of math can be expressed with the
human body.
Source: https://www.google.ca
5
Go Math Go! Go Math Go! Go Math Go! Go Math Go! Go Math Go! Go Math Go! Go Math Go!
Talking About Mental Health!
Welcome to the new school year! My name is Dr. Lynn Woodford and I am the Mental Health and Addiction
Lead for the school board. Every month I write a column for school newsletters about mental health and
provide strategies and resources for families.
Hope that the transition back to school has been a positive one for you and your family. If your child or youth
is experiencing any challenges with the transition back to school, please talk to your child or youth’s teacher or
administrator.
The UGDSB has many resources available on its website: http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/ for parents and students
to access. To access these resources: click on the Parent tab then click on the Mental Health Tab. There is also
a Student tab with a Mental Health tab, which you can share with your children and youth.
Once you are on site, you will find information about local mental health and addiction resources:
•
Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington Dufferin Branch (CMHA WWD)
o To access Addictions, Mental Health (including eating disorders and first episode psychosis) and
Crisis Services (Guelph/Wellington for Children/Youth and Guelph/Wellington/Dufferin for Adults)
contact:
 HERE247 at 1 844 437 3247 (1 844 HERE247)
 www.here247.ca
o Walk in Services on Tuesdays for Children/Youth 1:30- 7:00
 485 Silvercreek Pkwy, Guelph
o wwd.cmha.ca
•
Dufferin Child and Family Services (Services for Children/Youth in Dufferin County)
o To access Addictions, Mental Health and Crisis Services
 519-941-1530
o Talk in Services on Tuesdays 1:00- 7:00
 655 Riddell Road, Orangeville
o http://dcafs.on.ca/
There is an Access to Mental Health Resources document that provides more details about counselling and
supports in Guelph Wellington Dufferin.
There are also links to useful websites with information for parents about mental health and addictions such
as:
•
Kids Help Phone (1 800 668 6868) www.KidsHelpPhone.ca provides phone and web counselling for
youth under the age of 20. Support is free, 24/7, anonymous and confidential.
•
The ABCs of Mental Health http://www.hincksdellcrest.org/ABC/Welcome
provides information related to different mental health concerns, according to developmental ages.
Hope these resources are helpful for you and your families. Hope you have a wonderful fall!
Dr. Lynn Woodford is the Mental Health and Addiction Lead for Upper Grand District School Board
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
October 2015
October is World Downs Syndrome Month
November 26: Pickup for MacMillan’s 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
November 27: PA Day
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
2
3
4
5
7:00 pm School
Council Meeting in
the Library –
Everyone welcome!
6
7
Look for McMillan’s
brochure and sell,
sell, sell.
8
9
10
11
12 No School
13
14
County Cross
Country meet at
Fergus Sportsfield
12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
15
16
17
Happy Thanksgiving
18
19
20
Soccer Tournament
Elora Public School
9:00 – 3:00
21
22
23
MacMillan’s orders
are due back.
24
25
26
27
28
29
Dance-A-Thon
Come and dance from
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Don’t forget to bring your
pledge forms at 9:00 a.m.
30
PA Day – No school
for students.
31
Please remember to check the school’s website for the latest and greatest VT newsletter at http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/VictoriaTerrace/newsletters.htm.
If you require a hard copy of the newsletter, please send your request in writing to Mrs. Wilson at the office. Thank you for being GREEN!