January 2017 Newsletter
Principal’s Message
It has been a busy and productive fall in our school and our students should be proud of the hard work and focus they have put forward. We will continue to challenge our students academically in the new year as they focus on the student outcomes (problem solving, collaboration, critical thinking, communication and creativity) and grow as learners.
On behalf of the North Woods staff, I would like to wish all of our families a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2017!
Mrs. A-G
Thank You
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of the parents and community members who helped to prepare, serve and clean up after the Christmas Dinner. What a great opportunity for all of our children.
Christmas Theme Baskets
$684.00 has been raised from the Christmas Theme Baskets! The winners are:
Chocolate Lovers KA – Thyssen Family
Snow Day KB – Forsyth Family
Movie Night Grade 1- Piper Family
Baking With Mom Grade 2 – Forsyth Family
Crafts Grade 2/3 – Joyce Alexander
Winter Workout Grade 4 – McNevan Family
Coffee & Hot Choc. Grade 5- Gaspirc/Elliott Family
Winter Sports Grade 5/6 – Dauphin Family
Winter Clothing
We encourage all of our students to come to school with appropriate outdoor clothing, including mitts, hat, winter boots and snow pants. This will help them to stay warm during our two – 20 minute mandatory outdoor activity breaks. To sled on the hill, students are required to wear snowpants. Extra mitts and socks are always appreciated for those times when the first set get wet! Please ensure that your child also has a pair of indoor shoes to wear.
School Closures and Food Days
If the school is closed due to inclement weather on a ‘food day’, students will receive their order the following day.
Electronics at School
Many students may receive a new game, or technology for Christmas. Remember the responsibility for any loss or damage is not ours. If in doubt keep it at home. We do have wireless internet in most of our classrooms but that traffic is monitored by our Board Technology support staff because it flows through our Board server.
Volunteer Offence Declaration
Just a reminder that if you would like to volunteer at the school in any capacity, a yearly updated offence declaration check is required. We sincerely thank all volunteers for their valuable assistance.
Responsibility – “Being reliable and accountable”
At school this could look like:
- being on time and organized
- turning the lights off when you leave the room
- caring for borrowed items
- picking up after yourself
- carrying out a duty and being trustworthy
- taking responsibility for a mistake when you make one
Weather Delay and Cancellation Announcements
As we head toward colder weather, it is likely that winter weather may cause school bus or school delays and cancellations. Each school in the district has a Twitter account established which will automatically post the information on the front page of the school’s website.
The Huron Perth Student Transportation website is still located at www.ourschoolbuses.ca and features RSS feeds allowing parents and students to receive instant notification of weather announcements on their home computers, email program or smart phone specific to the school or schools that their children attend. Subscribing to an RSS feed is free and easy to set up by visiting the ourschoolbuses.ca site. You may also tune into the following radio stations for news about Avon Maitland District School Board school closures and/or bus cancellations due to inclement weather: CKNX Wingham 920 AM, 101.7 FM the One and 94.5 FM The Bull.
Extended Absences from School
If your child is ill for an extended period of time or in hospital, we can apply for home/hospital instruction providing we have a medical doctor’s signature. This usually means an hour of instruction once a day at home. If you are away because of vacation or any other reason of choice, teachers are not obligated to provide study materials or catch up work.
Border Crossing Renewals
Border crossing renewals are due to the office by February 1st, 2017. Any forms received after Feb. 1 (initial application) will not be considered prior to June 30th. Siblings of current border crossers are not automatically approved.
Road to Resiliency – Stop #2
Back on the road to resiliency! Last month’s resiliency stop highlighted the importance of building a close, loving relationship with your child. This month’s stop focuses on building resiliency by being a good role model.
Young children copy what others say and do. When parents stay calm and flexible in dealing with life’s challenges, they are teaching their children positive ways to handle stress.
Let’s say you just had a very busy, stressful day at work, and then you forgot supper was in the oven. Now it is ruined, and you have 15 minutes until dance class starts. What are some positive ways to react to the situation?
- Take three deep breaths.
- Respect your emotions. It is okay to have all kinds of feelings and it is healthy to express them to your children in a constructive way.
- Use humour. It reduces stress and helps us look at challenging situations with a positive outlook.
- Be patient. It is easy to rush children and lose your patience with them when time is limited. Stay calm and stop to think before you speak or react.
- Stay positive. Look for the upside to an unfortunate situation.
- Reach out for support. Everyone needs help sometimes and it is okay to ask for help.
Looking for more? Check out Best Start’s booklet, Building Resilience in Young Children, at www.beststart.org. Kate Underwood – Public Health Nurse [email protected] 519.482.3416 ext.2247 or toll-free 1.877.837.6143
Community News
Brussels Library January Newsletter
Samirah’s Ride: The Story of an Arabian Filly by Annie Wedekind is a gripping read. Samirah is a spirited Arabian mare, who has been carefully trained by her girl Jasper. She can do anything anyone asks of her on the family ranch. When Jasper fears they might be forced to sell the ranch the two adventurers decide to run away. Will they be able to survive on their own? This book would appeal to readers in Grade 3 and up.
This January we are having a Local Author Display. Come and see the writing and art of Ryan and Colleen Ranney.
The Early Years Play Group meets at the Library every Friday Morning from 10am-11:30am.
Register for Tech Time for one on one instruction. The next session is Friday January 27. Call the library for details at 519-887-6448.
Valentine for Vets takes place in January. Drop in and make a valentine for a vet to show that you care.
Digitized Newspapers – Thousands of historical issues of Huron County newspapers are now available on-line. Access the collection via the Library website or the Huron Country Museum’s website.