Oak Bank Elementary
School News
May 2011
Dates to Remember
May 31: Gr. 5’s to Lower Ft.
Garry
Multicultural Day at Oak Bank Elementary
I Love May 19 2011
June 1: Mini Olympics – Gr. 1-3
June 2: Aboriginal Awareness Gr. 4
June 2: Gr. 2-5 Ukrainian
students perform at Osvita
Banquet
June 7: Olympics Rain Date
June 9: Gr. 2 and Gr. 4 Field Trip
June 10: Gr. 4/5 Sports Day
June 14: Sports Day Rain Date
June 15: Ukrainian Gr. 2-5
perform at Dugald/Hazelridge
June 16: Kindergarten field trip
June 17: Gr. 1 Field Trip
June 20: Patrol Recognition
June 23: Kindergarten field trip
June 24: Talent Show
June 28: Gr. 5 Farewell – 1:30
June 29: Early Dismissal – Last
Day of School
June 30: Administration Day –
Oak Bank Elementary 826 Cedar Avenue, Oakbank MB
No School
444-2473
Mrs. G. MacFadyen, Principal
Mr. K. Doell, Assistant Principal
Physical
Education
News
Mr. Belanger & Mrs.
Armstrong
Oak Bank Running
Club
As the weather improves,
we are now getting ready
to prepare for the
Manitoba Marathon. Our
Oak Bank Running Club
meets every Monday
and Thursday from
11:55 to 12:55.
Practices will include a
warm-up, a run, a cool
down/stretch, and will be
followed by lunch in the
gym. All students in
grades 3 to 5 are invited
to join our running club.
There is no commitment
to register for the
Manitoba Marathon, so
just come out and run for
your own enjoyment and
fitness. I would like to
remind students to bring
a healthy snack for
morning recess, as we
will not be eating lunch
until after the run.
Runners should also
remember to wear
appropriate t-shirts and
shorts on these days. All
students will be expected
to wear appropriate
footwear (no sandals,
crocs, flip flops, or
boots). Other things to
consider are sunscreen, a
hat, and a water bottle.
Happy running!
Manitoba Marathon
Many students who are
involved in the Oak Bank
Running Club will register
for the 2.6-mile Super
Run at the Manitoba
Marathon. This event
takes place on Sunday
June 19th which also
happens to be Father’s
Day. Registration for the
2.6 - mile Super Run will
be sent out later this
month and
parents/guardians are
encouraged to join their
children for this event.
Mr. Belanger will collect
and register all returned
forms. Please be advised
that there is a
registration fee that must
be paid in order to
receive a registration
number and package.
Multi-Cultural Day
As part of our celebration
for Multicultural Day held
on May 19th, students
from all grade levels
prepared a variety of
cultural dances from
countries around the
world. Each grade
performed their dance
outside for the rest of the
school to see. We
appreciated your hard
work and excellent
performance.
Mini-Olympics
Mini-Olympics is a field
event for students in
grades 1-3. The focus of
Mini-Olympics is based
around basic movement
skills such as running,
jumping, throwing and
catching in a fun, noncompetitive event. MiniOlympics is currently
scheduled for Wednesday
June 1st, 2011 and the
rain date is Tuesday June
7th, 2011. Let the games
begin!
Sports Day
Sports Day is a field
event for students in
grades 4 & 5. Sports Day
has a variety of field
events that are designed
to introduce students to
proper Track & Field
events (like the ones at
the middle school). The
focus remains on
participation, fun and is
non-competitive. Sports
Day is currently
scheduled for Friday June
10th, 2011 and the rain
date is Tuesday June
14th, 2011.
Music News
High Five Recorders
Congratulations to all the Grade 3 to 5 students who completed
their seven songs to obtain the gold star on their High Five Recorder
sheet. These students are to be commended on their hard work and
diligent practicing. You are true examples of Oak Bank Pride!
Music Monday
On Monday May 2, all staff and students gathered in the halls of the school at 9:00 a.m. to kick off the
annual Music Monday celebration. Everyone sang the official song “Tomorrow Is Coming” which composer
Luke Doucet was commissioned to write. On May 2 students from kindergarten to grade 12 throughout
Canada performed the song in choirs, in bands or in other instrumental groups. The purpose of uniting
Canadian youth with music at the same time was to highlight the importance of music education in our
schools and to celebrate the gift of music in our lives.
Multicultural Day
On May 19 Oak Bank Elementary explored various cultures from around the world. Several music groups
performed in the morning assembly. The Gr. 4 Choir will be showcasing songs from nine different regions,
singing in the native language of the country.
The Gr. 5 Drumming Club accompanied the choir on the tubanos (African drums) for the South African song
“Siyahamba”.
The Gr. 5 Orff Club presented an African folk tale called “Why the Sun and Moon Live in the Sky”. The story
is brought to life with African rhythms played on numerous Orff and percussion instruments and recorders.
Two students from Mrs. Burke’s talent development art program, Leia Jaworski and Emma Shibou-Savoie,
created shadow puppets which, when projected, will tell the story on a shadow screen. High five, girls!
Congratulations to the following students in the Gr. 5 Orff Club who devoted many noon hour rehearsals to
make this presentation a success. High Five to Shayna Baranoski, Matthew Bonikowsky, Jesse Casson,
Randene Chabluk, Aaron Dettlinger, Megan Early, Alyssa Goertz, Melissa Goertz, Hannah Jonker, Avery
Joseph, McKenna Joseph, Emily Matthewson, Milica Oravec, Sydney Plante, Alyssa Skura, Amy Therrien and
Morgan Young.
Volunteer Appreciation
A special assembly to recognize the efforts of our parent volunteers was held on May 25. The Grade 3 Choir
was the featured performers. In keeping with the theme “Volunteers Are Tea-rrific” the choir performed
“I’m A Little Teapot”, “Tea for Two” and “Getting to Thank You”. The entire school sang “We Appreciate
You”.
DRESS CODE REMINDER
As we approach the warmer weather, we remind students of the
information provided in their agendas regarding appropriate dress:
In summer, students are allowed to wear shorts of modest length to school. Ripped or torn
clothing such as shorts, jeans or cut-offs, etc. are inappropriate.
Inappropriate muscle shirts, tube tops, halter/midriff tops are unacceptable. We encourage
socks to be worn with sandals for safety reasons on the playground. Shoes with high heels
and flip flops are discouraged for the same safety reasons
Thank You!
A very special Thank You goes out to the parents who helped
with the Oak Bank Elementary Kindergarten Registration this
year. These parents were: Pat Allard, Kelly Heieie, Brenda
Dettlinger, Jaylene Enns, Wendy Augustine, and Jennifer
Gutoski.
Parent Council Meeting
Interested in the Oak Bank Elementary School Parent Council?
Please join us at our next meeting:
Thursday, June 9th at 6:30 pm in the school library.
Hope to see you there!
Oak Bank Elementary Spell-A-Thon
Congratulations to Oak Bank Elementary students, parents, grandparents, friends and
relatives who helped to make our Spell-A-Thon fundraising activity such a huge success.
During February 7 to March 23 our students were involved in studying their spelling lists
which contained grade appropriate words. Students received pledges from sponsors and on
March 17th the spelling test was written.
We are very pleased to announce that the Spell-A-Thon raised $13065.83.
students from Oak Bank Elementary!!!
High five
Fundraising projects provide our students with additional financial resources for curriculum
support materials, student leadership activities, many special presentations and activities,
and if enough money is raised, Smartboards.
Congratulations to our Manitoba Moose Backpack winners:
Matthew Kizlik, Parker McDermot, Regan Smith, Eric Stotski, Spencer Dudar, Amy Kizlik,
Abbey Bates and Talia Kohut
Congratulations to our bicycle winners:
Kira Hanstead, ,Nate Keller and Nathan Kelly.
Library News
The library has been bustling with activity!
Thank you to the students, parents and staff who supported our March Book Fair. It was a great success!
Ms. Latrofa and Ms. Lavallee’s classrooms shared the “Classroom Challenge” prize of $60 in books. Tuera
Newton (Mrs. Cheethams’s class) won the Family Event Draw of a $25 “Bag of Books” for both herself and
her classroom. Many other students were recipients of individual prizes. Congratulations to all!
“High Five” to the following students who entered a national “Why I Love My Library” essay contest:
Trinity Gowen
Ciara Tutkaluk
Haley Salamacha
Randene Chabluk
Milica Oravec
Victoria Walker
Maya Blair
Rachel Bergthorson
Rachel Haner
Cyrus Sanders
Ethan Enns
All entries were recognized with a gift!
April was “Poetry Month” and we had many grade 2 and 3 students write poems for the Springfield
Library’s first poetry contest. The judges will have a tough decision as the quality of poetry submitted was
fantastic. Stay tuned as winners will be announced on May 31st!
Enjoy the Spring temperatures everyone! Keep reading!
Mrs. Dueck
What do apple sauce, chocolate milk and fruit juice have in common?
They are all things that have been spilled on library books this year. Please help keep our collection in good
shape by keeping books in a plastic bag away from food items!
Students teach Pysanky Making
The Grade 5 Ukrainian students of Oak Bank Elementary made a presentation for the English students and
helped them all make Easter eggs or in Ukrainian, Pysanky.
The Pysanky are covered in beeswax and dyed in different coloured dyes.
The colours are yellow, orange, red, blue, green and black. You start with
white because it’s the lightest colour and then you work your way up to
the darkest colour which is black.
After you’re done with the wax and dyes, you simmer it in lard for a while.
The classes that made them were Mr. Loeb’s, Mrs. Woods’ and Mrs.Lourenco’s classes. If you don’t
handle the eggs very well, they might break because they’re not hard boiled or the yolk isn’t drained. Now
that the grade 5 students know how to make Pysanky, the grade 4 students going into grade 5 will make
them with the other classes next year.
Oak Bank Pride
Each month, we recognize those students who have demonstrated, in an outstanding manner, one of the
qualities or attributes listed below.
September – Respect
October – Courtesy
November – Organization
December – Cooperation
January – Attentiveness
February – Effort
March – Responsibility
April – Pride
May – Improvement
June – Academic
During that particular month, we concentrate on talking about that quality to our students. We discuss
what it looks like, and sounds like, in our classrooms, school and playground. We would invite you to be
partners with us, if you wish, by also talking about what that quality might look like, or sound like, in your
family, in your home, or in your community participation in outside activities.
We are so very proud of our Oak Bank Elementary students and we welcome your participation in your
ongoing family commitment to develop respectful and responsible citizens.
Congratulations to these students for receiving an
“Effort” Award for the month of February.
GRADE 1
Gracie Agnew
Kaden Doell
Kira Marshall
Nolan Hay
Sarah Dettlinger
Mikayla Lankhout
Xander Small
Trey Sellen
Salvador Tavares
Martina Robak
GRADE 2
Matthew Dzioba
Christopher Fox
Samuel Kister
John Lepp
Aleah MarshallReimer
Mariah HothemBumbry
Josh Henschel
Nate Keller
Mya Lambert
Georgia Nicol
Haley Salamacha
GRADE 3
Chloe Franklin
Kajla Farmer
Allegra Crang
Madison Hopkins
Cole Evans
Austin Dubinsky
Austin Clegg
Sera Maslechko
Adrian Piesko
Reed Dubinsky
Jacob Hibbard
Brianna Betts
Madison McCarthy
GRADE 4
Michaela Delaurier
Brittney Brown
Alina Lebova
Michelle Betz
Madison Schlag
Brittany Duthie
Kerys Novoselnik
Carter Smith
Travis Kloschinsky
Nathan Mushaluk
GRADE 5
Zach Fidler
Logan Waskul
Philipp Kister
Lydia Shingoose
Morgan Young
Julia Friesen
McKenna Joseph
Jayden Danilow
Kristen Cathcart
Randene Chabluk
Anna Jaques
Hannah Jonker
Congratulations to these students for receiving a
“Responsibility” Award for the month of March.
GRADE 1
Benjamin Adolph
Kate Heieie
Connor Evans
Daniel Kotello
Connor Toth
Cameron Malone
Kalan Sitarz
Kaden Bruchanski
Tommy Walls
Cooper Plant
Curtis Draper
GRADE 2
Abby Mathez
Abigail Fast
Halle Wessner
Jessica Haner
Haley Ras
Caroline Harnum
Kolby Kosheluk
Megan Ballegeer
Bronwyn Brosch
Jonah Frykas
Ethan Derksen
GRADE 3
Colleen Early
Kyara Friesen
Ethan McColm
Braeden Rebeck
Avery Suchar
Ethan Hanstead
Will Beaulieu
Nicolas de Jong
Meagan Relf
Ella Zbrog
Nicole Bredin
Talia McMurchy
Eric Vryenhoek
Caitlyn Steiner
Conrad Solypa
Sheldon Ballegeer
GRADE 4
Grace Brandt
Colby Steiner
Logan Doell
Katelyn Furgala
Janelle Dzioba
Evan Marshall
Lauryn Waite
GRADE 5
Wyatt Emes
Brendan Molinski
Brody Welsh
Carsen Dokken
Tyler Lesuk
Devon Weimer
Hannah Bertram
Congratulations to these students for receiving a
“Pride” Award for the month of April.
GRADE 1
Jacob Sargent
Carter Riddell
Eric Wallace
Dallas Currie
Ryleigh Miller
Mikayla Lankhout
Chelsea Dzioba
Chase Janas
Abbey Bates
Cameron Pink
Shana Kostyniuk
Talia Kohut
GRADE 2
Isabella Costa
Mikayla Valente
Amy Atamanchuk
Brayden Cranstone
John Lepp
Devin Wallace
Ryan Blair
Ilona Bullert
Kaelyn Dickenson
Colton Agnew
Len Kanzler
Tessa Cesnik
Kadyn Kohuch
Dexter Fjeldsted
GRADE 3
Cassie Kumhyr
Jenna Bonneteau
Joshua Atamanchuk
Aidan Whiteman
Benjamin McDonald
Madison McCarthy
GRADE 4
Cole Orchard
Carson Bate
Sydney Stotski
Leia Jaworski
Agnes Bullert
Cassidy Cherneski
Janelle Darragh
Sheldon Ballegeer
GRADE 5
Wyatt Emes
Emma Shibou-Savoie
Griffin Smith
Michael Kessler
Avery Joseph
Manuel Kanzler
Regan Smith
Derek Mathez
Eric Barton
Luke Sigurdson
Hot Lunch – Help Wanted
We would like to give a huge High Five to Dee Henschel and the crew
of other volunteers – Gregg Scott, Tammy Derksen, Connie Marques,
Gillian McMurchy, Brenda Robinson, Leigh Cherneski who regularly
participated in the organization, and distribution of our Hot Lunch
program. Other volunteers helped when they could and we thank
them as well. However, over the course of the year, it was very
difficult to run the program with so few involved. We do not have any
coordinators for the program next year, so hopefully there is a parent or two out there
who is willing to step forward as a coordinator, and that there are others who can make
a regular commitment to assist with counting and distribution. Unfortunately, if this
does not happen, we will not be able to offer this lunch program alternative for our
students. If you are willing to let your name stand as the Coordinator, please call the
school, 444-2473 and let the office know. Thanks again to the parents who participated
this current year.
OBE students involved in Multicultural Day Activities
The Elephant
Who Wanted
To Play Hockey
By Maya Blair Grade 4
Once upon a time, on a
planet in space, there was a
place called Ice Land. The
whole land was made of ice
and snow! That meant only
one thing… HOCKEY! All the
animal children played
hockey 24/7, except for one
kid. His name was Loonie,
and he was a baby
elephant.
One sunny morning Loonie
woke up to see his mommy
making pancakes. “Hi,
Mom,” he weakly said.
“What’s the matter,
Honey?” she asked.
“Well, I’ve decided that I
want to play hockey.”
“Have you lost your mind?”
his mother cried. “That’s
impossible! No elephant
has or will ever play
hockey! So, the answer is
NO!”
“Well,” said Loonie, “I
wasn’t really asking.”
Loonie ate his breakfast
and went out to watch the
kids play. Then, he walked
over to the dressing room
and tied his skates.
“Hey,” came a voice,
“Elephants can’t play.” It
was Fox. Fox was the best
player on the whole team.
(and the meanest.)
“Oh hi, Fox,” said Loonie.
“You scared me!”
“You can’t play, Loonie. You
don’t have proper skates.”
“But I want to try, please!”
replied Loonie.
“Well, like I said, and this is
the last time I’m telling
you, ELEPHANTS DON’T
PLAY H-O-C-K-E-Y!” Fox
yelled. “Can I try?” asked
Loonie. “No!” yelled Fox
again. Loonie ran out of
the dressing room as quick
as a mouse. He was crying.
“Hey,” whispered Fox to the
other boys and girls in the
dressing room. “I want
Loonie’s skates and stick,
so I made him leave the
rink.” The boys and girls
were shocked. They
couldn’t believe their ears!
“Why did you do that?”
yelled Turtle. “That’s so
mean!” yelled Bat
“Everyone can play
hockey!” yelled Bear.
Finally, a little mouse crept
over to Loonie’s cave.
When the mouse reached
the cave, he asked to speak
to Loonie. The mouse told
Loonie, “Fox just wants
your skates and stick!”
“What are you talking
about?” asked Loonie.
“Well,” said Mouse, “You
know how he sent you out
of the dressing room today?
He just sent you away
because he thought you’d
throw your skates out.”
“I won’t give up hockey if I
learn how to play.”
So, that night Loonie
wished he could play
hockey. When Loonie woke
up at 6:00 the next
morning, he crept over to
the hockey rink. Loonie put
his helmet and equipment
on and stepped onto the
ice. He glided over to the
net and… he scored!
“Wow!” thought Loonie. His
wish had come true!
Loonie skated until 8:00
am, and then, most of the
team started to arrive.
“Wow Loonie you’re good!”
cried Turtle. Even Fox had
to admit that Loonie was
pretty good! In the end
Loonie ended up being the
most famous elephant
hockey player ever!
And they all skated
happily ever after.
THE END!!!!! 
Hot Lunch For Japan
By: Luther Pankratz and Rachel Haner
Did you know on Friday, March 11th, 2011 Japan was hit by a disastrous
earthquake? Well if you didn’t know, it got even worse for them. After the
earthquake a tsunami came. After that most of the people of Japan were
homeless, and had little money if any, and no food. Well, the grade 4s of OBE
watched a video of what happened in Japan. The video touched our hearts, so
the Grade 4s decided to help Japan. They were going to raise money by making a
hot lunch for Japan!
A student in Mr. Humphries’ class thought of the main idea. Then the
students and teachers added on to make it better. The main idea of this was to
get food and supplies to Japan. The grade 4s raised money by sending home “Hot
Lunch for Japan” forms. We created awareness by putting up posters and making
announcements. For the announcements, two people from the same class would
write out a speech and announce it in the morning to the school. Eventually after
a week we ended up raising $1133.08!!!! All the money raised was sent to the Red
Cross. Then the Red Cross used the money to buy food and supplies to send to
Japan. Now Japan has food and supplies! We are really proud of what we did to
help Japan. Thank you Oak Bank Elementary for making our project successful
and for helping the people of Japan!
Volunteer Thank You
Oak Bank Elementary students and staff would like to thank all of the volunteers who
worked at our school this year.
Volunteers are crucial to many of the educational enrichment activities that we
provide our students, and many of the activities could not run without your help.
We greatly appreciate the time that our volunteers have given and look forward to
working with you in the future.
During the afternoon of May 25, and Volunteer Appreciation assembly and tea were
held in the honour of our many, many volunteers.
Grade 5 Day Trip to Camp Red Rock
By Kristen Cathcart and Megan McKay
If you ever wanted to go to a place where the sky is the limit, Camp Red
Rock is the place to be! When the Grade 5’s went to Camp Red Rock, it
wasn’t the warmest day ever, but we had a lot of fun!
There were a lot of activities we could have done, but we only had time
for five.
The five activities we did were: archery, nature hike,
orienteering, wall climbing and free time.
The meals at Camp Red Rock were really tasty too! For lunch we had
farmer’s sausage, perogies, salad, and a fruit platter. We also had
chocolate ice cream for dessert. For dinner we had another fruit platter,
spaghetti, Caesar salad, bread sticks and for dessert, we had chocolate
cake with smarties. We didn’t have breakfast there, but we’re sure it will
get your tasted buds jumping.
So to finish off, Camp Red Rock is for people who just want to have fun
and learn!