PONSONBY PUBLIC SCHOOL
#5923 Wellington Road 7, R.R. # 5
Guelph, ON N1H 6J2
Phone: (519) 824-9447 FAX: (519) 824-9041
Paul Tribe, Acting Principal
Anita Way, Office Co-Ordinator
www.ugdsb.on.ca/Ponsonby
MARCH 2016
Principal’s Message
As you would expect, much has happened over this past month. Let me highlight a few.
• STEM (Science,Technology,Engineering,Mathematics) – Regarding the grant from CH2M Hill (thanks to April
Bates), we have received a Little Bits package and Mr. Boyce is working with children, showing them how to use
the components.
• STEAM (Science,Technology,Engineering,Art,Mathematics) – The library is being transformed into a Learning
Commons where there will be a Makerspace; a location to use Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and
Mathematics. Hand-on activities for everyone K to 6. Friday, February 26 staff from the Board worked with
Ms. Cruikshank to ‘weed’ the older items. A proposed floorplan has been drawn up by the staff from the Board
and we will also be working together to set out targets for each stage of development. Staff are visiting schools
with these facilities on March 7 and 9. The Little Bits will be a major component of the new facility.
• Outdoor Classroom – Chris Earley and Alexandra Kocher from the University of Guelph visited our school, thanks
to Jill Vigers. They were here to help to develop a program to maximize the use of this fantastic facility.
Thursday, February 25 at 1:40, Alexandra visited to talk to staff about what they would like to see in such a
program. Karen Acton, the Upper Grand Environmental and Sustainability Lead, and Jill Vigers also attended
that meeting as well. The intent is to connect this program with the Makerspace initiative via bird boxes, and
the like.
• District Support Visit – Last year there was some work in the area of addressing Mathematics. We had a District
Support Visit February 8 with our Directions Team (Michelle Swan, Jason Boyce, Nancy Fischer), Gary Slater
(Superintendent), Katharine Creery, Megan Haessler and Kyla Lightfoot from the Board. The intent was to
review those goals and prepare for a full-staff planning. They talked about those goals and then did a walkthrough the school in teams of three to observe students at work. Afterwards they shared information and
developed a short term plan.
• School Improvement Plan – February 19, the full staff met and went through the plan set out by the Directions
Team; to address Mathematics. It was noted that mechanical Mathematics was done fairly well. However, the
concern was the underlying thinking; the way students actually addressed problems that was the focus. We
reviewed much literature, determined that activities would need to be designed to show how students worked
out problems. They developed them and then went into the classes and tried them out, observed them. The
results were brought back to the staff on Monday, February 29.
• School Cash Online – February 23 Mrs. Way and I received the first training for this program. People will be able
to pay for items online, including school trips, agenda. The intent is that all schools will have this by next year.
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Environmental Team – Mr. Cruickshank has an enthusiastic Green Team here at the school. They have been
involved in a waste audit, encourage us to turn out lights and to separate our garbage. They also make regular
announcements to the school. We are also initiating an Environmental Award this year to give to a student.
More information will follow.
School Climate Surveys - During the week of Feb. 29 - March 4, students in grades 4-12 will be completing a
School Climate Survey. The purpose of this survey is to determine whether or not our students feel that their
school provides a safe and inclusive learning environment. The survey asks general questions about how the
student is feeling at school, as well as specific questions about bullying. Staff and parents are also being asked
to complete a climate survey about their school. Further information will be sent to you.
School Web Site – This is being updated in March so that we will be able to edit our own site, upload our
newsletter, etc.
Time2Read – This has begun and is on 5 Tuesdays. The program has 17 families involved and is being hosted by
Mrs. Salmon and Mrs. Baguley. The feedback has been very positive. Children do activities with an adult and
parents are given tips on how to encourage and help children to read.
A reminder that our regular Spring Break is Monday, March 14 to 18th. School starts back on Monday, March 21.
Mr. Tribe, Acting Principal
Thank you so much for your continued effort to send snacks
to school with your children that DO NOT contain nuts.
ARE YOU PLANNING A MOVE ???
If you know that you will be moving and that your children will be attending another school in September,
please contact Mr. Tribe or Mrs. Way at 519-824-9447. This will help us in setting up our classes for next
year.
LITTERLESS LUNCH
Thank you Ponsonby for making our first Litterless Lunch Day a success!. We are looking forward to
continuing this success. As a part of our Waste Reduction Action Plan we are planning one or two litterless
lunch days each month, on a Friday that does not involve a hot lunch, for the remainder of the school
year. Our litterless lunch day in March will be on Friday the 4th.
The Ponsonby HUB
We have a new HUB at Ponsonby Public School! The HUB is a space for students to have body breaks, play
games or have a quiet place to learn or catch up on unfinished work. We had to be creative in finding a place
but after a lot of thought and collaboration we decided upon using a portion of the stage in the gymnasium.
Everything can be pushed back and out of the way to allow for normal use of the stage when needed.
It is a space that students love to go to. If you'd like a tour just ask!
Tracey Crewson
Educational Assistant
APPROPRIATE WINTER WEAR
It seems that due to our mild November weather, some students are coming to school unprepared for
the winter weather and our wind chill effect due to the open fields. Please encourage your child to dress
appropriately for the weather as they spend 40 minutes outside at each nutrition break. We no longer
have a clothing cupboard to borrow. Please remember to label your child’s clothing! Thank you for your support.
FEEDBACK WELCOME ON DRAFT POLICIES
The Upper Grand District School Board is welcoming public input on draft policies. Currently under
review are Equity and Inclusive Education (#504) and Alcohol and Drugs (#513). You are invited to
review the draft documents and submit online feedback at www.ugdsb.on.ca/policy. The deadline for
public input is April 13, 2016. Persons without internet access may call 519-822-4420 ext. 723 to
request a printed copy of the draft documents.
If you school attendance area is long distance from Guelph, please use this version with our toll-free
number…
FEEDBACK WELCOME ON DRAFT POLICIES
THE UPPER GRAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD IS WELCOMING PUBLIC INPUT ON
DRAFT POLICIES. CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW ARE EQUITY AND INCLUSIVE
EDUCATION (#504) AND ALCOHOL AND DRUGS (#513). YOU ARE INVITED TO
REVIEW THE DRAFT DOCUMENTS AND SUBMIT ONLINE FEEDBACK AT
WWW.UGDSB.ON.CA/POLICY. THE DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC INPUT IS APRIL 13, 2016.
PERSONS W ITHOUT INTERNET ACCESS MAY CALL 1-800-321-4025 EXT. 723 TO
REQUEST A PRINTED COPY OF THE DRAFT DOCUMENTS.
KEEPING PONSONBY STUDENTS SAFE !!
Due to the number of school buses in our parking lot during the arrival & dismissal times for students , we
ask that you do not use the full driveway at the school. Instead we ask that you ENTER and EXIT from the
South entrance of the parking lot. Thank you for your cooperation.
REPORTING ABSENCES
We are asking for your help! As a school, we are required by the Health Unit to report daily absences. Part of the
information we need to report is whether the absentees have cold or flu symptoms. If you are calling to report your child’s
absence, we ask that you leave “cold symptoms” or “flu symptoms” as part of your message. Thank you for your help !
INCLEMENT WEATHER
The decision to cancel transportation is made by 6:30 am.
School bus cancellation information is posted daily on the foloiwng web sites:
-Upper Grand District School Board: www.ugdsb.on.ca
-Wellington Dufferin Student Transportation: www.stwdsts.ca
Media
School bus cancellation and school closure information is also available by listening to the following radio
stations and watching the following news programs:
AM 570 News
AM 680 CFTR
AM 820 CHAM
AM 900 CHML
AM 920 CKNX
AM 1090 OLDIES
AM 1150 CKOC
AM 1460 CJOY
89.1 CBC KW
94.5 THE BULL
96.7 FM CHYM
98.1 FM CHFI
99.1 FM CBC
101.7 FM CKNX
102.9 FM CKLH
105.3 KOOL FM
106.1 MAGIC FM
107.9 FM CJXY
CKCO-TV
A Channel News
CTV News, Barrie
The announcement on the radio will be one of the following:
1. All school taxis and buses in Division 2 – Blue – Centre Wellington will not be operating today.
2. All schools, both Public and Catholic, are closed today.
“NO BUS” Days for Ponsonby PS !
When there is a “No Bus” day, our school will be OPEN for students. We certainly hope that as many students
as possible are able to come to school, but it is up to parents/guardians to decide whether or not it is safe to
get them here. When the buses don’t run in the morning, they won’t run in the afternoon either. Parents will
need to make arrangements for both directions: getting their children to school and making sure they get home
at the end of the day. As has happened in the past, announcements will be made early in the morning on the
radio and on the Transportation website (http://www.stwdsts.ca/) about any transportation cancellations.
Inclement Weather Policy
It is a parent/guardian’s responsibility to determine whether or not it is safe for their child(ren) to leave for
school in inclement or severe weather.
Parents/Guardians 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/guardian elects to drive their child(ren) to school on a day when buses do not run, they
are responsible for pick-up of the children at dismissal time.
c.
Walkers are expected at school on Inclement Weather Days. If your child is a walker and you elect to
keep them home please call the school and leave a message on ext. 100.
SCHOOL PLAY
Dear Parents and Families,
Time to mark your calendars! Ponsonby is doing a musical yet again! The Bremen Town
Musicians has been cast and rehearsals have begun. Want your fill of talking and singing and
musical animals as well as pirate shenanigans galore? We have it! Roosters, Donkeys, Cats
and Dogs, Police and Pirates, A Mayor, a Mayoress, and townspeople to boot!
We will be doing four performances; two mornings, two afternoons, on
Thursday, April 28 and Friday, April 29. Pick a date and a time and come out and see us!
We are so excited. It's going to be fantabulous !
Miss McPhedran and Mrs. Salmon
SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS
Welcome March! This school year seems to be flying by and with a little luck spring will be here before we know it.
Council met last Wednesday and decided on some important upcoming dates we would like to share. The annual “Get
Creative Ponsonby” date is tentatively set for Saturday April 16th. The theme for the day will be finalized once we have
confirmation from our presenters.
Elmira Poultry fundraising order forms will go home on April 19th. They are to be returned to school on May 3rd. Delivery
is scheduled for May 17th. There are many opportunities for families to assist with this fundraiser. We are looking for
help with processing orders, counting money and handing out product on delivery day. If you are able to help with this
please contact Angela F. If at any time you would like to make a donation to our school you can do so via the Upper
Grand Learning Foundation link on the Ponsonby PS website.
The annual “year-end barbecue” at Ponsonby is scheduled for June 15th. Many volunteers are needed for this event to
be a success. Council will send home a volunteer form as this event nears.
Next council meeting is scheduled for March 23rd @ 6:30pm. Remember to check the bulletin board for agendas and
minutes.
Laurie Kaczmarczyk, Council Chair
“Greatness starts within a community”
March 2016
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
1
(D1)
Wednesday
2
Pita Day
(D2)
6:00-7:30 pm TIME 2 READ
6
7
(D5)
8
(D1)
Thursday
3
(D3)
KA/KB Scientists
In Schools
4
9
((D2)
10
11
6:00-7:30 pm TIME 2 READ
14
15
16
(D3)
Basketball
Tournament
—Elora P.S.
(D4)
Saturday
5
Litterless Lunch
Day
Pizza Day
Pita Day
13
Friday
(D4)
Basketball—
Weather Date
Pizza Day
Hot Dog Day
17
18
12
19
HAPPY
M A R C H
B R E A K
ST.PATRICK’S
DAY
20
21
(D5)
22
(D1)
Pita Day
6:00-7:30 pm TIME 2 READ
27
28
29
EASTER
MONDAY
(D4)
23
(D2)
School Council
Meeting—6:30 pm
30
(D5)
24
(D3)
26
GOOD
FRIDAY
Pizza Day
31
(D1)
Pita Day
6:00-7:30 pm TIME 2 READ
25
Pizza Day
April 2016
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
DRAFT
3
4
(D3)
5
(D4)
6
(D5)
11
(D3)
12
(D4)
18
(D3)
13
(D5)
19
(D4)
PM—5B—Scientists
in Classroom
Elmira Poultry Home
20
26
27
(D5)
25
P.A.
DAY
(D3)
Pita Day
14
(D1)
(D2)
15
(D2)
21
22
(D1)
28
(D5)
School Play
Pizza Day
9
Litterless Lunch
Day
Hot Dog Day
Pizza Day
(D4)
8
Pizza Day
1A,2B,2-3A Trip
To River Run
Pita Day
24
7
(D1)
2-3A,3-4B Trip to
River Run
Pizza Day
Pita Day
17
2
Grilled Cheese Day
Pita Day
10
(D2)
Saturday
(D2)
16
23
Litterless Lunch
Day
29
(D1)
School Play
Grilled Cheese Day
TENTATIVE
Get Creative
30