Mr. Rauser’s Message:
As we begin these final two months of school, I thought I would share a few simple ideas to support children that I discussed with a Public Health Nurse recently. These ideas are not “revolutionary” but rather simple ideas that we all probably know, but that we in the bustle of day to day living that we forget.
Be fully present for your children. In our highly “connected” world it is easy to become distracted or attached to our electronic devices. Just as our devices are dangerous when they take away part of our attention to the road, so too are they “perilous” when they take our complete attention away from our children. Kids are keenly aware of when we are not really listening when they are telling us something. Physically getting low and making direct eye contact with our children lets them know what they are saying is important and that we care.
Snuggle up and read. One of the most important things for parents to do with their children to support learning –kindergarten to grade eight – is to take time and curl up with a good book. Children cherish this regular time together and it teaches them to love reading. The parent is often best to read to the child or share the reading with the child. Older students still love to hear a chapter book read to them or sit and read independently while the parent also enjoys reading material.
Routine and rest are great friends for children. Regular routines (i.e. a set time we do homework, a set bedtime) let children know what to expect and that is reassuring for children and adults. Routine also reduces the number of squabbles as children argue less when they realize this is the way it is, this is what we do in our home. Children (and adults) who come to school well rested seem to get a whole lot more accomplished and have fewer disagreements. Although we are happy the days are getting longer, please send them to school “rested and ready”.
There are lots of different ways to successfully raise and educate happy and healthy children. You choose what works for your family. We appreciate the tremendous community support we receive at Sprucedale Public School.
Planning for Next Year – Written requests only please
In late May or early June, the principal, in consultation with the staff, considers the most effective groupings of students (class placements) for instruction, for all students, for the upcoming school year. Principals and staff consider a range of factors, including, but not limited to, the academic, emotional and potential social benefits or concerns when placing a child in a given class. Please send written requests for class placements to Don Rauser in the office. Requests will be considered but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate all wishes. Class placements are announced on the first day of school. Mr. Rauser will be sharing a tentative school organization with the school community in June. We do not share who is teaching what class until the fall as staffing will sometimes change over the summer.
White Elephant Sale – Saturday May 28th
Clean up the garage and closets and make room for some great bargains you might find. White Elephant Sale @ Sprucedale School on Saturday May 28th. This fun, family, school and community event is an opportunity for people to come out and find some gently used treasures, browse new items from a variety of vendors and enjoy some tasty treats at the bake sale. We expect to have a nice selection of toys, games, books, clothing, household items, sports equipment and more. We will also be hosting home based business vendors who have new items to offer you. Funds raised at this event will go to support the Sprucedale School Playground Fund. We are also having a bake sale – we need both bakers and folks to come and purchase the delicious treats. The Scholastic Book Fair has now been moved to June 7 and 8.
There is a drop box for gently used smaller donations at Your Neighbourhood Credit Union. Larger items can be dropped off at 2204 Thompson Street in Shakespeare.
If you have a home based business and wish to rent an outdoor Vendor’s table at a cost of 25 dollars, please contact Mrs. Taylor at the school @ 519 625-8722.
Students will also have the opportunity to earn a couple of “Sprucedale Sabrecat Dollars” for use at the White Elephant Sale. A limited number of Sabrecat dollars will be handed out at school for good deeds, great learning or exemplary work ethic.
Our thanks goes to Barry Nowack and the members of The Shakespeare Men’s Club for all of their initiative in organizing this event for the school and the Community.
If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact Don Rauser at the school 519 625-8722 or Barry Nowack at 519 276-9849.
EQAO
All our Grade 3 and Grade 6 students will be participating in EQAO assessment in May. Grade 3 and 6 testing will take place May 25, 26, 27, 31, June 1, 2. We ask that you avoid appointments, trips or other absences that can be rescheduled, during that week for students in those grades. Encourage them to get a good night’s sleep, arrive on time and do their best. They may like to be sure to have a bottle of water with them. Chewing gum during the assessment or nibbling on a few extra snacks can also be helpful.
Donations Needed for our Snack Program
Our snack program is used daily and it provides a little something extra for the students to eat if they finish their lunch from home and are still hungry. We have a limited amount of money to spend on the snack program and we have little left in the account to finish the school year. Anyone willing to donate healthy snacks or a monetary donation would be greatly appreciated. A tax receipt would be issued for any monetary donations that we receive if you write your cheque out to The Foundation for Education and write snack program on the memo line. We would also like to thank our School Council for supporting the Snack Program.
Grade 3 Underwear and School Supply Drive for Keara’s Kauses and Change Her World:
Can you imagine not having underwear to wear every day?
Can you imagine not being able to go to school because you don’t have underwear to wear?
That is exactly how it is for girls in Malawi. Girls are not able to get an education because they don’t have underwear to wear under their school uniforms (which are skirts). SO…the grade three class is collecting girls underwear in any size that is 100% cotton. We are also collecting various school supplies for all kids in Malawi. The underwear and supplies collected will be donated to Keara’s Kauses (Keara is a Stratford teenager who works with the Change Her World organization).
We will be collecting from May 1- May 31.
Please consider donating.