Principal’s Message
On September 29 it was our annual Fall Open House, BBQ and Book Fair. It was wonderful to see so many of our Shakespeare families, despite the possibility of poor weather. Thank you for making a connection with your child’s teacher and supporting Shakespeare Public School. Thank you to our parent volunteers for helping at the BBQ and to Harvey’s Restaurant for donating the hotdogs.
Our Terry Fox Walk, on September 29, was a success! We beat our fundraising target and raised $370.00 for cancer research. While talking with students, following our walk, it was clear they made great connections to Terry Fox and our character virtues of empathy, perseverance, and respect.
The Junior Mixed Soccer team played in their Stratford tournament on September 27. Their skill was on display as they finished undefeated in their division play, and they went on to play North Easthope in the finals. The final game was very exciting, finishing in a tie. The game was decided in a shoot-out where North Easthope was able to score on their final shot and win the match. I would like to thank all of our players for doing their best, playing as a team, and displaying sportsmanship, and perseverance. Thank you to our parents who came to cheer and support the team. Thank you to Mrs. Valiquette and Ms. Horan for taking their time to coach our students.
EQAO Results
Our EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office) results for Primary and Junior Divisions have been released. Teaching staff spent the September 23 Professional Activity (P.A.) Day reviewing our EQAO results and other data to set goals and targets for this year.
In the Assessments of Reading, Writing, and Mathematics in the Primary Assessment Shakespeare’s Primary Assessment scores have increased in Reading and Writing, but have decreased slightly in Math compared to previous years. In the Junior Assessment, Reading and Writing scores increased significantly, while our Math score decreased slightly compared to previous years.
More detailed information can be found on the EQAO website at www.eqao.com
Progress Reports and Interviews
Progress Reports go home Tuesday, November 1 and Parent and Teacher Interviews are November 3 in the evening and November 4 in the morning.
Parents as Partners:
Reading Puts Children Ahead in the Classroom
Reading with your child and setting aside time for them to read at night makes a positive impact on their success at school.
An interesting website to visit is: www.readingrockets.org
This site provides Reading Tips for Parents of children from toddler age Grade 3. Further, it provides tips in multiple languages and it has reading tips for parents of children with disabilities.
At school we work hard at setting classroom and school routines at the start of the year. It is just as important to set reading routines at home.
Read! Read! Read!
Math
If you are looking for some math to work on with your child, visit www.mathville.com
Mathville is linked with the Ontario Math Curriculum. There are many different math learning games to explore. For primary math check out the free iPad app Native Numbers.
Character at Shakespeare
October’s character virtue is Empathy – thinking and feeling about others. Along with discussing empathy we will also examine: understanding, generosity, consideration, and forgiveness.
Character Assemblies and Positive Mindset
Each month we have Character Assemblies. Students in grades 1 – 6 are in mixed grade teams and they work together to discuss character questions, work on small tasks and take part in cooperative games. This year we will also be discussing Positive Growth Mindset; celebrate dedication and hard work, encourage our students to put forth their best effort, to persevere when they struggle and to see failure as an opportunity to learn, rather than giving up! For more information you can Google: Positive Growth Mindset, or visit:
http://www.thepositiveencourager.global/
and search – Carol Dweck
Emergency Drills
It is the time of year again when we practice our emergency drills: Fire, Lock Down, Medical, and Inclement Weather. Sometimes a drill can make a student nervous or may upset them. We will explain the drills to the students, show them what to do and support them in remaining calm during the drill.
Parking and Safety Patrol
Thank you everyone for respecting the no stopping or parking on Mowat Street between the pylons at arrival and pickup times. I have only had to remind a couple of drivers of our safety zone. This area needs to be clear for our Safety Patrol students to cross other students safely. Thanks again. Walking and biking are good alternatives to driving, and healthier ones too.
We do have a handicap parking space available in the staff parking lot off of Mowat Street, if it is needed.
Fundraising
Thank you for your on-going support with our school fundraisers. The profits from our fundraisers are used to subsidize class trips, purchase books and learning materials and purchase technology like iPads. If you do not wish to take part in fundraising but you want to make a donation to the school you can do this through the Foundation for Education. Your full donation goes to the school and you will receive a tax receipt. Please contact the office for more information.
School Council
“The purpose of School Council is to improve student achievement and enhance the accountability of the education system to parents.”
We welcomed some new parents to our September meeting and are always looking for more parents to come out to the meetings and bring new ideas with them. Please join us for our next meeting on Monday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the Library.
All are welcome.
Chair: Sue Dias
Secretary: Tory Anderson
Community Rep: TBA
Fundraising: Sheri Wilson, Jen Adams, Crystal Lisqum
Teacher Reps: Melanie Hahn, Colleen Rothwell
Principal: Mike Stanley
School-Based Public Health Nurse Support Services
Our school nurse, Amanda Huxtable, will be at Shakespeare every Monday. Amanda meets with students to discuss physical, social and emotional health. For more information call the school or contact Amanda at the Perth District Health Unit 519-271-7600.
Snack Program
Our Snack Program has begun and is used on a daily basis. We are able to provide students with a nutritious snack at second break lunch times if students are requiring more food to eat. The child will show the teacher on duty that they have finished his/her lunch and is still needing additional food. This program is made possible by the donations from the Ontario Student Nutrition Program and a special thank you to Beckie Lorentz for donating her time in purchasing the food for our school.
Shakespeare on the Internet
You can “follow” Shakespeare on Twitter. Learn about events that are happening at Shakespeare and get weather delay and cancellation updates: http://twitter.com/shakespearePS
Visit our school website at:
www.avonmaitlandschools.ca/shakespeare/
School Cash Online
New this year, School Cash Online allows you to pay for your child’s school fees, like food orders and field trips online. Avoid using cash and get email notifications about school fees. Register today for School Cash Online, at : https://avonmaitland.schoolcashonline.com
Three easy steps.
- • Create your profile
- • Confirm your email
- • Add a student
(student’s number is the 9 digit OEN number located on the top of your child’s report card, without the dashes)
Lost and Found – Label, Label, Label
Please be sure to clearly mark your child(ren)’s name on their clothing, hats, shoes, etc. that are brought to school. If the articles are labelled with the student’s name they can easily be returned.
Calling All 3 Year Olds!
Kindergarten Registration for 2016-2017
School Year
Registration for kindergarten students starting September 2017 will take place at Shakespeare Public School on Thursday, November 10 in the morning.
– 3 years old by Dec 31, 2017 (eligible for JK)
– 4 years old by Dec 31, 2017 (eligible for SK)
Registration packages will be ready for pick up soon.
Please call the school for more information and book an appointment time.
Medication at School
Medication that students take at school must be recorded by the school office and stored at the office. Students should not keep medication in their desks. Medication forms are available in the office and must be filled out for short and long term prescriptions, and non-prescriptions.
YMCA Before and After School Care
Hi everyone, September has settled down and we are well on our way through another great school year. By now you would have noticed the YMCA Before and After School Program around your child’s school. For more information about this program please contact the YMCA at 519-271-0480 and ask for Ashley, Lori or Alenka.
Thanksgiving is coming up and we wish you all a happy and safe holiday.
Thank You,
Ashley Rose RECE,
YMCA Child Care Supervisor
Safe Arrival Program
If you know your child is going to be late or absent from school, please phone the school before 9:00 a.m. You may leave a message on the answering service at any time at 519-271-3727.
Yard Supervision Times
Staff members will supervise our playground for the 15 minutes before morning entry at 9:00 a.m., during recesses, and after school hours for dismissal. The outdoor climbers are closed before school and can only be used after school if the child is accompanied by an adult. We ask your cooperation by having your children arrive at school during, and not before, the morning supervision period, and to leave the school property promptly at the end of the school day. Thank you.
Important Dates – See the school calendar on the school website
– Cross Country – Oct. 4 and Oct. 6
– Thanksgiving – Oct. 10
– Waterloo Science Workshops Grades 1- 6 – Oct. 14
– Factory Arts String Quartet Concert – Oct. 21
– School Picture Day – Oct. 26
– Progress Reports go home – Nov. 1
– Interviews – Nov. 3 evening, Nov. 4 morning