Sept 1 Newsletter 2011

Welcome back everyone ~~~ the link above allows you to download a Word document of the September newsletter.

We are very excited to see all of the students, staff and parents.  Please stop by to say hello at the office.  School begins on Tuesday, September 6th.  We begin at 8:45 and students will be dismissed around 10:36 a.m. on that day.

Have a wonderful long weekend. The weather channel is predicting a beautiful fall weekend.

On behalf of the staff at Robert Ogilvie Elementary School, wishing you a wonderful year filled with lots of good time, great learning, fantastic friendships and heartwarming memories.

Mrs. Scheck & Mr. Peterson

September Newsletter:

Thursday, September 1^st, 2011

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back to another great school year! We trust that you and your family had a fun and restful summer with lots of special memories.  We are all looking forward to working with your children this year!  Students will have lots of great learning activities and opportunities to look forward to throughout the year.  For each child to gain the most from the school year, we look forward to your support at home and at school.  It is crucial for success.

Please check our bell schedule below.  The first day of school is an early dismissal day.  Classes will begin at 8:45 a.m. and the day will end at 10:36 a.m.  This will allow our staff to review class lists and plan for the week ahead.  Parents are welcome to come to school on the first day.  An assembly is planned for 10:15 a.m. to introduce the new staff, welcome new students and review some of the exciting things planned for the first week.

Bell Schedule: Please see our bell schedule for the year below.  Please note the change in the morning bell to facilitate the two-week Spring Break.

8:25     Supervision begins              12:05   Lunch

8:40     Warning bell                        12:25   Warning bell

8:45     Classes begin                       12:30   Afternoon classes begin

10:15    Recess                                 2:36 Dismissal

10:30   Classes resume                     2:51 Playground supervision ends

11:45    Bell for going outside ** Students are to be home at this time**

Plans for the first week:  Students will return to their June classrooms on the first day and will remain in their June classes until Friday after recess when they will be assigned to their 2011/2012 classes.  Class lists will be posted on Friday morning around recess break time.  This week will allow our staff to work with the students and see how they interact and work with others so we can plan the best class placements for each child.  During the week we will focus on Social Responsibility and our School-wide expectations.  Students will learn and practice the expectations for different areas of the school.  Please see the Matrix of School-Wide Expectations that is attached to this letter.  There will also be special activities for the students, opportunities for them to work with teachers of their new grade and to work with their peers.  It will be an exciting week for everyone!

Staff: We would like to welcome back our wonderful staff members who are committed to supporting your children.  Unfortunately, we do have to say good-bye to Mrs. Boot, Mrs. Dunn, Mrs. Braun and Mrs. Churchill.  We would especially like to welcome Mr. Dan Davies, Mr. Gary Flury, Ms. Laurie Yates, Mrs. Leslie Wrixon, and Mrs. Mary Ann Yates. The grade assignments for staff members are TENTATIVE.  If our enrollment changes significantly, the grade assignments could change slightly.

Mrs. Shuster –Kindergarten                             Mr. Halliday – Grade 3

Mrs. Morrison –Kindergarten                        Ms. Prontack – Grade 3/4

Mrs. Forster/Mrs. Kenyon – Grade 1        Ms. Laurie Yates – Grade 4/5

Mrs. Mary Ann Yates – Grade 1/2    Mr. Davies/Mr. Flury – Grade 4/5

Mrs. Lee – Grade 2                                            Mrs. DeGroot – Gr. 5/6

Ms. Gauthier – Grade 2/3                 Mr. Peterson/Mrs. Dressler – Gr. 6

Mrs. Dressler/Mrs. Scheck– Librarian Mrs. Forster– Reading Recovery

Ms. Bragg – Learning Assistant/ Reading Recovery

Mrs. Wrixon – Counselor

Mrs. K. Martin – Support Staff – EA

Mrs. McCracken – Support Staff – EA, LPM

Mrs. Vaskic – Canteen and Meals Program

Mrs. Knight – Support Staff – EA

Ms. Nadeau – Youth Care Worker

Mrs. Rotlisberger – LPM

Mrs. Testawitch – Aboriginal Support Worker, LPM

Mrs. Campbell-Dunlop – Head Custodian

Mrs. Knott – Secretary                                  Mrs. Morin – Custodian

Mr. Peterson – Vice Principal                       Mrs. Scheck – Principal

We are also pleased to welcome Ms Mayreena Mills, a student teacher in Grade 5/6 with Mrs. DeGroot.  We would like to congratulate Ms. Crystal  Golinowski, who was married over the summer.  She will respond to Ms. G, Ms. Golinowski or Mrs. Knott, whatever is easier to remember!

Rise and Shine Clubhouse: We are excited to be able to offer before and after school care for our families! Megan Impey and Paula Labelle run the Rise and Shine Clubhouse.  For more information, contact riseandshineclubhouse@hotmail.com or Megan at 250-263-0970 and Paula at 250-261-8595.  They are full at this time, but are accepting names for a waiting list.

School Charges: Costs for school supplies and other items are as follows:

Intermediate (grade 4-6)              $60.00 (includes supplies and agenda)

Primary (grades 1-3)                                      $41.00 (includes supplies)

Kindergarten                    $40.00 (includes school and baking supplies)

Grade 6 laptop rental                                       $67.00 (non-refundable)

All supply costs include a minimal fee for buses and a minimal fee for cultural fees.  Families who opt to bring their own school supplies, will still be responsible for agenda costs, transportation and cultural fees.  These amounts are available at the office.

Additional charges that will apply to those students participating in these activities during the year:

Camp Cameron                                  $45.00

Sports teams                                       $20.00 per player per sport

Please pay for school supplies by September 30^th.  The first week of school is very busy in the office and we would appreciate it if you could send money for supplies beginning on Monday, September 12^th.

We are not able to accept post dated cheques.

A Special Thank You: to Mrs. Colleen Campbell-Dunlop and Mrs. Darla Morin, custodians at the school, for having our school so shiny and clean.  We ask that all visitors to our school help us keep our hallways clean by removing outdoor footwear in the mud rooms.  Students will need to bring inside shoes to help keep the school in great shape.  J

PAC:  Our Parent Advisory Council meets every third Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the library.  All parents are invited to attend and become involved in our school.  The first meeting will be September 20^th at 7 p.m.  Babysitting is provided at the meetings.  Please look for a P.A.C. newsletter next week which will outline how they assist the students in our school.

Volunteers: We encourage and welcome parents as volunteers in our school!  Volunteers are needed for whole school activities such as our special lunch orders.  See Mrs. Knott at the office if you are interested in assisting with special lunch orders.  Teachers also appreciate volunteers in the classrooms.  Please see your child’s teacher to arrange a time that is suitable.  It is a requirement of the School District that volunteers complete a Criminal Records Check with the school every two years.  If you will be volunteering, please come and get a form at the office.

Strong Start: Strong Start is tentatively scheduled to open on Thursday, September 14th.  The centre is tentatively scheduled to be open on Monday, Thursday and every second Friday afternoons from 12:30 – 3:00 p.m., and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.  If you have pre-school aged children, please drop in and have a look around.  The Strong Start room is a wonderful opportunity for parent and child to build solid relationships that will enhance your child’s learning through play.

Back to School Tips for Healthy, Active Students:  Please check out the following website from the Ministry of Education: http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2011EDUC0068-001068.htm for all sorts of tips healthy, active living.  There are some wonderful links for videos and pamphlets that you may find interesting.

Please check out the School District 60 website home page: http://www.prn.bc.ca/ for updates regarding school start up.  There are a few items there regarding start-up District Wide, including the Energetic Learning Campus that is being offered at the Enerplex.  If you have not seen any information regarding the ELC, and have students that will be heading into grade 10 in a few years, you may want to check this out as an option for Grade 10.

Food orders:  Subway, Panago Pizza and Booster Juice will be offered for lunch during each month. These orders will begin in October.  Please look for order forms at the end of September in a newsletter.

Canteen and Meals Program:  Both the canteen and Meals Program will begin on Monday, September 19^th.  Meals Program order forms will be sent home next week and need to be returned by Monday, September 13 for September and October orders.  Canteen items are available for order every day. We try to offer a wide variety of healthy choices and are approved by Healthy Schools as healthy choices.  Items may change periodically and students will receive the updated lists in their classrooms.

Cell Phones and Electronics:  Students are discouraged from bringing cell phones or other electronics to school because of such items being lost.  If a student does have a cell phone or electronic device, it must be turned off and put away in a backpack or pocket during class time.  Students are responsible for lost or stolen items.

Newsletters: Newsletters will be sent home monthly or can be e-mailed.  If you wish to receive the letter on e-mail, please complete the form at the bottom of this letter (even if you received the newsletter by e-mail last year).  Each month there will be a draw for students who return the bottom portion (to the school or by return e-mail) of the newsletter for a prize.   This first newsletter is sent home to all students.  Future newsletters will only be sent home to families who have not requested an e-mailed newsletter and only with the youngest student.

Medication: Any medication that your child needs must be stored and administered from the office.  An Authorization for Medication form is required, which provides written permission from both you as the parent or guardian and your family doctor.  Forms are available at the office on request.

Website: For information on happenings at our school, visit our website at www.ogilvie.prn.bc.ca!  Newsletters are posted on the website each month.  The website should be updated by September 15^th.

Medication: Any medication that your child needs must be stored and administered from the office.  An Authorization for Medication form is required, which provides written permission from both you as the parent or guardian and your family doctor.  Forms are available at the office on request.

Calendars:  Attached to this letter are the School District calendar for this year and a calendar for this month.

Important Up-coming Dates:

Oct. 10^th Thanksgiving Day

Oct. 21^st Non-Instructional Day – no classes for students

Nov. 11^th Schools closed for Remembrance Day

Nov. 30^th Early Dismissal at 1:36 p.m.

Dec. 1^st Early Dismissal at 1:36 p.m.

Dec. 2^nd Non-Instructional Day

Dec. 17  Last day before Christmas break

School Improvement Plan Goals:

After discussion and examination of the data at our School Planning Day in May, it was decided to continue with the following goals:

1. Our first goal is about Social Responsibility: to foster a community where everyone feels safe, respected and accepted.
2. Our second goal is Numeracy: to improve all students’ numeracy skills.

We look forward to working with our students and you on these goals.

Code of Conduct and Traffic Light

Following is our Code of Conduct and our Traffic Light that form the basis of our expectations for student behaviour. Please also see the School Wide Matrix that is attached to this letter.  Teachers will be teaching and practicing the expectations on the Matrix with classes during this first month of school.  Please review these expectations at home with your children.

Robert Ogilvie Code of Conduct

The purpose of our code of conduct is to maintain student rights and responsibilities with expectations for behaviour during any school related activity.

All members of the school community are expected to:

• Take care of ourselves
• Take care of each other
• Take care of our school

Rising Expectations:

As students become older, more self-disciplined and mature, expectations regarding their behaviour and responsibility will rise accordingly.   Older students are expected to set a good example for others.

Notification

Parents of student offenders and victims will be notified by school staff when it is deemed necessary to reassure parents that we are aware of the incident and are taking appropriate action to address it.  Multiple infractions of an expectation and serious infractions will be followed up with a phone call home.

You can’t just say it, you have to do it. Steven Hammel

Robert Ogilvie’s Traffic Light

Red  STOP

• I don’t listen to the teacher or do my work.
• I was disrespectful.
• I put my hands or feet on someone or tried to hurt them.
• I was swearing at someone.
• I took something that does not belong to me without permission.
• I brought illegal substances to school.
• I brought a weapon to school.
• I was harassing / threatening someone.
• I don’t treat others how I want to be treated.
• I purposefully caused damage to others’ property or possessions.
• Any yellow light behaviour that is repeated three or more times.

Yellow THINK

• I need to be reminded to listen to the teacher and do my work.
• Usually friendly, I will help someone if they ask.
• I need to be asked to join into class discussions.
• I try to say when I’m angry, but I get frustrated.
• I try to keep my temper.
• Sometimes I ask an adult when I should try to handle the problem.
• I understand the argument but need help to solve it.
• I try to use appropriate body language when interacting with others.
• I try to respect others’ personal space.
• I am usually respectful.
• I have trouble noticing that others are not being treated fairly.
• When reminded, I keep the classroom tidy and find ways to keep the environment safe.

Green GO

• I am consistently prepared, ready to learn, and use time effectively.
• I contribute and show commitment to classroom and group activities.
• I accept ownership for my problems and seek productive ways to solve them.
• I am friendly, considerate, and helpful and include others.
• I listen to others’ point of view.
• I treat others fairly and respectfully, often showing interest in correcting injustice.
• I care about our school, community and world.
• I want to make a positive difference.
• I make good choices knowing it is the right thing to do.

Blue Ribbon WELL DONE

• I am fully engaged and committed to school, classroom and group activities.
• I make a positive difference in my school community and world.
• I am honest even when it is not easy.
• I look for responsibility and follow through.
• I am trusted by both adults and peers.
• I am kind, friendly and inclusive to peers and adults.
• I am committed to making good choices, even if no one notices.

Students will be recognized for their responsible behaviour and good citizenship at each assembly and with Blue Ribbon Certificates that are presented to the deserving students.  We really enjoy catching students ‘being responsible’.

Recycle For Education: Staples currently has a recycling program for communities.  All ink cartridge for printers, fax machines and photocopies can be returned to Staples.  For every cartridge returned across Canada, Staples donates $1.00.  This fund is distributed to all schools in Canada that sign up for this program.  At the end of each year, Staples sends funds to each school.  Last year, we were the recipient of $250 for our efforts.  Please help us recycle for education ~ drop off your cartridges to the office, help save the environment and bring funds in to our school.  We appreciate all efforts to support this great project.

Allergy Alerts: We have a number of staff members who are highly allergic to scents that are put in perfumes, hairsprays, deodorants etc.  For their safety, we ask that students and parents refrain from spraying these items in the school.  Please remember that a little goes a long way in making someone else sick.  At this time, scents sprayed at home do not seem to affect the health of our staff.  Thank you for assisting us in this matter. J

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school at 785-3704.  We are looking forward to working together for a year of learning and success for each child.

Enjoy the September long weekend everyone ~

Sincerely,

Mrs. K. Scheck                         Mr. K. Peterson

Principal                                    Vice-Principal

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Calendar of Events

2011-2012

Robert Ogilvie Elementary School

September 2011

Schools open @ 8:45 a.m.

Dismissal @ 10:36 a.m.789

Students begin in new classes after recess12

School meals menus need to be returned1314

First day of Kindergarten151619

First day of canteen and school meals202122232627282930

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