E-mail Address: uplands@summer.com Web Site…Address: http://sd67.bc.ca/schools/Uplands Phone: 250-770-7678
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Welcome back to all of the returning students and a special welcome to those families new to Uplands School.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new staff members this year: Ms. Kay, Mr. Kennedy, Ms.
Latham and Ms. Postlethwaite. We thank them for fitting in so quickly and helping get our year off to a great
start! We are also fortunate to have many returning staff who were hopeful to be back and are with us for
another year.
In addition to my role as principal, I will be teaching during the week. My office schedule will be posted once
it has been finalized. Thank you for respecting my teaching schedule as that is my time dedicated to working
with students.
We will be sending forms and requests for information soon. It is extremely important that our records are
thorough, accurate and meet ministry standards. I am thanking you in advance for returning these forms as
soon as possible.
The first PAC meeting is Thursday, September 17th at 7:30 pm in the Library. There are executive positions
open and we encourage all parents to consider attending meetings whether you are actively involved on a
regular basis or as members at large. We hope to see you there!
I believe strongly that educating your child is built on a foundation of open communication and look forward to
working with all students, staff and parents to meet the needs of each and every learner. Please feel free to
stop by and introduce yourself if we haven’t already met. We hope to see many parents at our Uplands Open
House – Tuesday, September 22nd. Details in this newsletter!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lisa Edwards
Principal
New Bell Schedule
Morning Bell
8:40 a.m.
Classes Begin
8:45 a.m.
*Recess
10:20- 10:35 a.m.
*Lunch
12:15 – 1:00 p.m.
*Dismissal
2:40 p.m.
Newsletters will be sent
home by email beginning
in October. If you wish
to have a paper copy
instead or you need to
update your email,
please let Mrs. Kerr
know in the office.
UPLANDS’ BELIEFS
Uplands’ beliefs are that success is built on the strengths of staff, students, parents and
community. The staff is working collaboratively to develop systems within the school that
support all learners and focus on positive attitudes, behaviour and academic progress. We
look forward to working with all of the Uplands students so that they can meet or exceed our
expectations. Setting goals, reaching milestones and celebrating success are all part of the
learning process.
VERIFICATION FORMS
Verification forms will be sent out next week. Please read the form carefully and make any
corrections of changes to your students information. It is very important that the information
we have for your student is accurate and up to date. Thank you for reviewing, making changes
and returning signed forms promptly.
VOLUNTEERING IN THE SCHOOL
Parents, grandparents and community volunteers are always welcome and needed in our school in varying
capacities. School District #67 (Okanagan Skaha) Policy #507 requires that ALL VOLUNTEERS need to have a
Criminal Record Check on file. Volunteers include anyone who will be in contact with students during any
school sponsored activities. Criminal Record Checks are online and link/access code is available at the office.
DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY/SCHOOL WIDE RUNNING
School-wide running is underway for the entire school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
at 11:45 am on the school field. Green permission forms have been sent home and must be
signed for students to participate in the neighbourhood run. For those who have not returned
their forms they will continue to run laps on the field.
BC FRUIT AND VEGGIE PROGRAM
The trucks are rolling bringing fruit and vegetable snacks to our school! Did you
know that our school is participating in the BC School Fruit and Vegetable
Nutritional Program?
Students will receive a free snack. This snack is not meant to replace food
normally consumed at recess or lunch. The goal is to increase fruit and vegetable
consumption. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals,
antioxidants and fibre that promote health and prevent disease. Studies show that Canadians in general are
not eating enough fruits and vegetables. Eating one more fruit or vegetable a day can make a difference. You
can get the school year off to a good start with healthy good tasting fresh fruits and vegetables, too. For back
to school lunches:
 Pick freshly harvested BC fruits like apples, pears, plums, grapes and vegetables like
carrot and celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, and colourful pepper slices.
 Wash fruits and vegetables before packing in lunch bags.
 Enjoy the great taste of local fruits and vegetables.
If you do not wish your child to participate in the program please return the
green permission form to your classroom teacher as soon as possible.
Div.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Teacher
Mr. Tony Biollo
Ms. Tammy Kay
Mrs. Sharron Smith
Mr. Jacob Kennedy
Ms. Judy Street
Mrs. Chris Irvine
Mrs. Carla Garrett
Ms. Liz Latham
Mrs. Alicia Moura
Mrs. Alice Hancock
Mrs.Tiffanie Naylor
Mrs. Deanna Barrett
Mrs. Mary Hamilton
Email address
Room
Grade
tbiollo@summer.com
tkay@summer.com
shsmith@summer.com
jkennedy@summer.com
jstreet@summer.com
cirvine@summer.com
cgarrett@summer.com
elatham@summer.com
amoura@summer.com
ahancock@summer.com
tnaylor@summer.com
dbarrett@summer.com
mhamilton@summer.com
21
20
18
17
26
16
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4/5
4/5
4
3/4
2/3
2
2
1
1
1
K
K
K
Principal
Secretary
Library / Music
Sp. Ed. /Learning Support Teacher
Sp. Ed. /Learning Support Teacher
Education Assistant
Education Assistant
Education Assistant
Education Assistant
Education Assistant
Counsellor
Psychologist
Speech/Language Therapist
Teacher - Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Mrs. Lisa Edwards
Mrs. Kim Kerr
Mrs. Cyndie Salting
Mrs. Kathie Bryce
Ms. Cindy Postlethwaite
Mrs. Debbie Gratton
Ms. Sheri Mahovlic
Mrs. Laurie Hepso
Ms. Poppy DeGeorgio
Mrs. Amanda Rahkola
Mrs. Lucy Stephens
Ms. Shayna Marshall
Ms. Heather McMillan
Mr. Arnold Moliker
ledwards@summer.com
kkerr@summer.com
csalting@summer.com
kbryce@summer.com
cpostlethwaite@summer.com
dgratton@summer.com
smahovlic@summer.com
lhepso@summer.com
pdegeorgio@summer.com
arahkola@summer.com
lstephens@summer.com
smarshall@summer.com
hmcmillan@summer.com
amoliker@summer.com
Custodian in Charge
Mr. Farley Villar
fvillar@summer.com
Library Assistant
Ms. Karen Hellyer
Mrs. Kim Kerr
khellyer@summer.com
kkerr@summer.com
SMOKE AND TOBACCO-FREE ENVIRONMENT (Policy #740)
Parents and Community members are reminded the School District (Okanagan Skaha) is
a Smoke and Tobacco-free environment. Please refrain from smoking, holding lit tobacco
or displaying tobacco products while in district buildings or on school property (including
while in vehicle). Neighbours are also asking us to remind you to use an ashtray to
dispose of cigarette butts and not their private property. We all appreciate your
assistance in promoting a healthy and smoke-free environment for our staff and students.
MEDICAL ALERTS
Medical alert forms are available at the office and must be updated each school year. If your child has a
potential life threatening or medical condition, a form needs to be completed immediately. Please contact Mrs.
Kerr in the office if you need forms or more information.
SAFE ARRIVAL
Please contact our office at 250-770-7678 to advise if you child is going to be away or late for
school for any reason. Please feel free to leave a message on our answering machine before
or after school hours. Mrs. Kerr’s office hours have changed and therefore she will not
always be in the office to answer the phone.
STUDENT PHOTO DAY
Real Photography from Summerland will be here to take Individual student photos on
September 30th. As in previous years, the proofs and ordering information will be sent
home 7 – 10 days after photo day. A reminder will be sent home prior to the 30th.
STUDENT PLANNERS Gr. 1 - 5
Please use your child’s planner to inform his/her teacher of important information regarding your child. If you
are picking up your child early for doctor appointments or other activities or if there is a change in normal
routine, we ask that you put a note in the planner. The planner fee is included in the $10.00 activity fee per
student. Please submit payment to your student’s teacher. Payment can be cash or cheques payable to
“Uplands Elementary School”. Thank you for sending your payment in.
STUDENT SUPERVISION
For safety reasons, please do not send your child prior to 8:30 in the morning. Outside
supervision is provided at this time. All students are expected to leave the school grounds
promptly by 2:55 pm unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Many students are
arriving well before the start of school. Please try to make alternate arrangements if necessary.
Perhaps dropping students off at a friends and having them walk to school is a great option!
SCHOOL SPIRIT DAYS… Uplands T-Shirt Friday
School Spirit Days are every Friday at Uplands. Wear your school clothes or black or red
to show your school spirit. Samples of school clothes and order forms are located in the
general office. You may view anytime between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm.
PARKING AND DROP OFF
Uplands school is a very busy place in the mornings and afterschool. We ask that
everyone keep the following safety measures in mind when dropping off and
picking up their children:
Please DO NOT stop or park where there are YELLOW markings – these are no stopping zones.
Please DO NOT drop students off in the parking lot. This is an extremely dangerous area for children to
be.
Please DO NOT stop in the parking lot unless you are in a parking spot. The bus needs to be able to
park, allow students to safely get to the curb and navigate out of the lot. Cars are blocking the bus and
delaying the arrival of students.
There a number of other safe locations to drop students off in the morning. Westminster Avenue to the
south of the school has sidewalk access to Uplands. Uplands Place and McCauley Place back on to the school
grounds and students can walk up to the field. Please leave yourself a few extra minutes in the morning to
park and walk together.
The driveway at the North end of our field is PRIVATE PROPERTY. Please be respectful and not use it as a
parking lot even for short periods of time. The wear and tear of multiple cars using it twice a day all year is
expensive and preventable for our neighbours. Thank you for your assistance with this concern.
2015-2016 To: All parents of School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
In order for students to be eligible for transportation services,
they must qualify under the following guidelines:
Grade K-3 must reside more than 4.0 km from their catchment area school
Grade 4-12 must reside more than 4.8 km from their catchment area school
Over the past years, the School District has been able to provide some students with transportation even though
they have not qualified under these guidelines. These students are classified as Courtesy Riders.
Please be advised that from time to time the School District may be required to limit the number of courtesy riders
on some bus routes.
TIPS TO MAKE BACK TO SCHOOL SUCCESSFUL
Parents play a key role during the school year by keeping their children safe and healthy. Here
are some ways to achieve this:
 Make sure your children eat breakfast every day so their minds have the fuel they need for school.
 Ensure your children’s backpacks are no more than 10 to 20 per cent of their bodyweight and that your
children use both shoulder straps.
 Make sure your children know safe routes to and from school. Start a Walking School Bus or Bicycle
Train program in your neighbourhood.
 Schedule regular dental and any necessary medical check-ups for your children
Students are often more successful in school when they develop good study habits early on.
Parents can help their children study by:
 Setting up a homework area away from the TV and with adequate supplies and lighting.
 Letting your children see you reading and setting aside time each day to read as a family.
 Keeping an assignment calendar on the fridge or bulletin board for quick reference of due dates,
exams and other activities.
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
2015-2016 School Calendar
Schools Open
School Improvement Day – schools closed
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Friday, September 25, 2015
Professional Development Day – schools closed
Monday, September 28, 2015
Thanksgiving Day – schools closed
Monday, October 12, 2015
Provincial Professional Development Day – schools
closed
Friday, October 23, 2015
Remembrance Day observance – schools closed
Schools close for Winter Vacation
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Friday, December 18, 2015 (last
day of school)
Schools Reopen
Family Day – schools closed
Professional Development Day – schools closed
Professional Development Day – schools closed
*Schools close for Spring Break
Monday, January 4, 2016
Monday, February 8, 2016
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Friday, February 26, 2016
Friday, March 11, 2016
(last day of school)
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Schools Reopen
Professional Development Day – schools closed
Victoria Day – schools closed
Administrative Day (students not in attendance)
Friday, March 25, 2016
Monday, March 28, 2016
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Friday, May 6, 2016
Monday, May 23, 2016
Thursday, June 30, 2016
PAC NEWS
“Like” our Uplands PAC
Facebook page for regular
reminders and updates!
The first 2015/2016 PAC meeting Thursday, September 17th at 7:30 pm! Two executive positions are open –
Vice-Chair and Secretary. Any parents interested in these positions, please contact Sherie Seddon at
sherie9@hotmail.com for more information.
Please come, share your ideas and visions for the school, and volunteer to coordinate or be a part of a
dedicated group of parents who work to make Uplands the welcoming and supportive community school that
it is. Our Principal, Mrs. Edwards, will also be in attendance for those of you who have not yet met her. The
more volunteers the better!
As School District funding decreases, we see the requests for financial assistance from individual schools
increase. Without the fundraising efforts run through school PACs, the ability to purchase equipment and
programs for the school becomes limited; therefore, the need for volunteers to coordinate and facilitate
fundraising events is very important. Please consider these positions for next year to help support our
children's educations.
HOT LUNCH PROGRAM
Please stay tuned for more information regarding Hot Lunch and Pizza Lunch days!
FARM BAG FUNDRAISER
Once again this year, we are pleased to be offering the Farm Bag Fundraiser, an innovative fundraising
program that earns $6 per bag for our school!!! Invite your friends and neighbors to participate. Eat healthy,
locally grown produce and raise money for Uplands!
Sign up by Sept 16th to start receiving your Farm Bag Delivery on Sept 23rd.
Sign up at www.localmotive.ca and select Uplands Elementary as your group
Bags consist of 20lbs of 7 -10 different types of local organic produce. Cost is $30 per bag. Program runs
from September to January. All orders must be received by September16th for the September shipment.
Payment can now be made online using PayPal or credit card. For more information, please see our school
bulletin board or visit www.farmbagfundraiser.com.
UPLANDS ELEMENTARY
September 2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
1
Friday
Saturday
2
3
4
5
9
10
11
12
DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING
PLEASE HAVE PROPER FOOTWEAR AT SCHOOL EVERYDAY.
6
7
8
School Wide Run
13
14
15
School Wide Run
20
21
School Wide Run
27
28
16
School Wide Run
22
UPLANDS
OPEN HOUSE &
PIZZA PICNIC
5-6pm
29
23
Farm Bag Delivery
School Wide Run
17
PAC Meeting
7:30 pm
Everyone
Welcome!
18
19
School Wide Run
24
25
26
School
Improvement
Day
No School
30
Professional
Development
Day
No School
Individual Photos
SAFE ARRIVAL 250-770-7678 Students arriving after 8:40 am must check in at the office! Thank you.