the prestige
school bulletin
january 26th, 2013
volume 9
issue 17
IMPORTANT DATES
Sunday, January 27th
FAMILY LITERACY DAY
Family Literacy Day
Monday, January 28th
Last Day of High School Exams
Thursday, January 31st
Second Semester Starts for High School
Thursday, January 31st
Character Education Assembly
Thursday, January 31st
Canadian Intermediate Mathematics
Competition Assembly
Thursday, January 31st
CN Tower
Grades 3 to 7
Friday, February 1st
Bake Sale
Tuesday, February 5th
Soccer Tournament Under 12
Friday, February 8th
High School Report Cards
Sunday, February 10th
Royal Canadian Speech Contest
Thursday, February 14th
Valentine’s Day
Monday, February 18th
Family Day
School closed
Thursday, February 21st
Pascal, Cayley and Fermat Math Contest
Friday, February 22nd
100th Day of School
The definition of literacy has changed over the
years and new literacies have quickly replaced
our ideas of what our children are expected to
know upon graduation. It is now evident that
although reading, writing and arithmetic are
necessary, they are not the only skills that we
should be teaching our students. New forms of
information and communication technology are
rapidly generating new literacies and this
change seems to be constant and quick.
In order to promote the importance of literacy for all
family members, as well as the various types of literacy, Family Literacy Day was established in Canada in
1999. According to the ABC Life Literacy Canada
website, “Family Literacy Day is a national awareness
initiative created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999
and held annually on January 27 to raise awareness
of the importance of reading and engaging in other
literacy-related activities as a family”.
In order to promote and celebrate Family Literacy Day there are several
events organized across the GTA. For more information and for activities
that you can use to promote literacy in your family please visit http://
abclifeliteracy.ca/fld/events/.
page 2
HOW WAS THE CN TOWER BUILT?
Have you ever wondered how long it took to build the CN Tower? What
factors impacted its design and construction? How is it possible for a
553.33 m-high concrete tower to be a free-standing structure?
On Thursday, January 31st the students in Grades 3 to 7 will visit the CN
Tower in order to find answers to these questions, and many more,
through a graphic novel style video presentation. During their visit, the
students will participate in the Science and Technology Program Understanding Structures and Mechanisms, Form and Function, and will explore
the importance of form, function, strength, and stability to a structure’s
design. Furthermore, the children will have the opportunity to enjoy the
CN Tower, as well as the breathtaking view of Toronto from above.
Students are expected to be dressed in full formal uniform, and to bring
their own lunches and snacks for this trip.
The picture is taken from www.library.thinkquest.org
CONGRATULATIONS!
In November our students wrote essays and poems related to Remembrance
Day. Those were submitted to the Literary Contest organized by the Royal
Canadian Legion. We are very happy to share with you that several of our students won. The winners are:
Patricia B. (Grade 4): 1st place (Essay)
Lauren S. (Grade 5): 1st place (Poetry)
Shelly S. (Grade 8): 1st place (Poetry)
Paul M. (Grade 4): 2nd place (Essay)
David K. (Grade 4): 3rd place (Essay)
Ludmila T. (Grade 5): 3rd place (Poetry)
All of the first place winning entries have been
sent to the next level for judging. Furthermore,
he students who received a letter from the Royal Canadian Legion
are invited to the February 10th ceremony during which they will
receive their awards. Last but not least, pictures of the winners will
be published in the Royal Canadian Legion magazine, and the essays
and poems will be available on the website.
Congratulations! We are so proud of you!
page 3
OUR KIDS HAD FUN AT THE ACTIVE KIDS ZONE!
The first school trip of 2013 was a great success! The students in Kindergarten to Grade 2 spent the day at the Active Kids Zone. The children participated in hands-on and active learning, played some favorite games, and worked on building their teamwork skills. It was
agreed among the kids that their favorite activity was the ball
rocket.
After lunch, students participated in an art project where they
used crazy noodles to make pictures.
BAKE SALE
As most of you already know, many of us at The Prestige School love
chocolate, cupcakes, cookies, and any type of sweets in general.
Therefore, having a Bake Sale is always a reason for us to celebrate.
Our first Bake Sale of 2013 is going to take place on Friday, February
1st. The proceeds will go toward buying new equipment and supplies
for our gym.
Parents are kindly reminded to send to school baked goods that are free
of nuts and are safe for all students.
Thank you for your continuous support.
SOCCER TOURNAMENT
On Tuesday, February 5th some of our students will be participating in the Soccer Tournament Under 12 organized by the Small Schools Athletic Federation.
This is an Indoor Boys Tournament and it will take place at St. Peter’s College
from 9 to3.
The details regarding the soccer tournament will follow soon.
DO YOU TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR TEETH?
Our school was approached by a dentist who is interested in coming to our school
to do a check-up on our students’ teeth. This service will be offered at no cost to
the parents. Permission forms will be sent home and depending on the interest
shown we will decide whether to invite the dentist to our school or not.
page 4
OUR KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS HAVE BEEN BUSY
sounds.
Our students in Kindergarten have been really
busy in the past couple of weeks. They have been
working on a number of things. One of them is
the use of short and long vowel sounds, which
helps kids both with their reading and writing
skills. The children have been participating in
various activities related to their recognition of
short and long vowel
Furthermore, the children have a new reading area in the Kindergarten room. It is filled with new books, comfy pillows, and teddy
bears! The children have been picking books that they find interesting and they have been practicing reading to themselves and
reading to others.
Great job everyone! Keep it up!
ATTENTION STUDENTS IN GRADES 4 TO 12
Students in Grades 4 to 12 will be going on an over-night trip to Horseshoe
Valley Resort . The students will be leaving the school on Wednesday, February 27th at 9 a.m. and will be returning on Thursday, February 28th at
around 5 p.m.
During their time at the resort, the students will participate in crosscountry skiing lessons and will ski under the supervision of qualified instructors, will enjoy the indoor swimming pool, and will spend 3 to 4 hours
tubing.
Permission forms will be sent home this week.
HAVE YOU CHECKED THE LOST AND FOUND LATELY?
Have you lost or misplaced your gym shoes, your white button-down
shirt, your track pants or your scarf? Have you not been able to find
your pencil case, your protractor, or your compass? Have you checked
the lost and found lately?
Please take a couple of minutes when you are dropping off or picking up
your child to make sure that none of these items belong to your child.
Furthermore, remind your child to check the bin regularly.