Principal’s Message
This week is designated as Children’s Mental Health Week. The importance of Mental Health awareness is rising all the time, as we become more aware of how this impacts so many of our children, friends, and colleagues. And the principles behind this awareness, self-regulation, understanding your own self, accepting the strengths and challenges each of us has as individuals, are vital for every one of our children to grow up to be successful, fulfilled individuals.
You may have seen Mandalas in different places throughout the school. Ms. Smith’s class introduced these beautiful designs, and they are now decorating the fish tank and other places in the Grade 2 classroom and the school. The Mandala is Sanskrit for “circle” or “completion”, and represents wholeness.
There will be a presentation of Music and Art for Mental Health on Thursday evening at the Optimist Hall in Stratford. For more information or to look for resources to work with mental health issues, the best source is the Canadian Mental Health Association of Ontario: www.ontario.cmha.ca This site shared by a group of Canadian pediatricians has good information as well for promoting good mental health in children: http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/mental_health
During this week, students can wear green in support of Mental Health week.
Barbara Alken
Natural Learning
Clean up days are here! Saturday May 7th and 14th , 9-11 am. Bring your tools and a friend and let’s get our gardens ready for planting this spring! Mrs. Hacking will be here directing us with our trowels and shovels, along with some volunteers from the Horticultural Society. Hope to see you there!
World Festival of Children’s Theatre
Families from Avon PS will be hosting children from Colombia for the World Festival of Children’s Theatre. They will be visiting the school on two occasions. Thank you to the families who volunteered to billet these young people—it will be a wonderful international experience! To find out more about Colombian culture, come out to the Stratford Library on May 25th at 7 pm—I’ll be sharing some thoughts as I spent 10 years working in Colombia.
Play to Learn!
On Wednesday, April 20th, we had a great turnout for our night of inquiring minds. While the robotics were a big hit, children and parents enjoyed working together on many different projects in the school. Thanks to the staff, school council, and all families who came out!
Avon School Council Next Meeting: Mon, May 16th, 2016 6:15-7:45 pm in the library All parents/guardians welcome to attend!
Dress Loud Day! On April 29th Avon participated in “Dress Loud Day”. Students wore their wackiest, loudest and wildest clothing to raise awareness for children with hearing loss. We raised $489 to be donated to VOICE for Hearing Impaired Children. Thanks to everyone for their support, and Mr. Melton for promoting this day! Check out the video about the event at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Crr7E-_zY
Stratford Police Open House
The Stratford Police are having an Outdoor Open House on Saturday May 7th, 2016. It will run from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm, in the public parking lot adjacent to the Police Building. We will have 8 vehicles on display including our K-9 unit, cruisers and emergency response trucks. Also FREE POPCORN! The event is free and open to all.
Email Changes
AMDSB is changing its email platform. While all emails are being re-directed, we will likely find some delays while we work through this transition process. The new format is: [email protected]
Klomps Fundraiser
You will have received an order form for a school fundraiser for Klomps Garden Centre. Since we’re all beautifying our homes in the spring, why not support Avon PS at the same time? We do receive 25% of your purchase back to support the school, specifically going to beautifying our own yard as we move forward with our Natural Learning Project. Thanks for your support!
Congratulations and Thank you!
Congratulations to Evan Johnson for taking the initiative to sell Smencils to raise money for laptops for our Robotics program! The proceeds will pay for most of the cost of 6 small laptops to support using the Robotics kits in the classroom.
Remember to only send food within our allergy guidelines. No peanuts, tree nuts, kiwi fruit, fish, seafood, raw or undercooked eggs or anything made from these products. Thanks for your help keeping everyone safe and healthy!
Downie Central School Council presents Raising Children in a Complex World: Presented by: Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW Gary Direnfeld is an internationally known social worker with more than 33 years of experience working with parents, teens and young children. He has a parenting column in the Hamilton Spectator and had hundreds of appearances on radio and television shows as a guest expert. Thursday May 12, 2016 7:00- 8:30 pm Downie Central School (4384 Perth Line 20, RR#2 St. Pauls) Refreshments and child-care provided Help us ensure we have enough seats and refreshments. Please register at [email protected]