Principal’s Message
With the new year comes the opportunity to look back and reflect on 2016 and plan ahead for 2017. Looking back at 2016, I am extremely proud of the students, staff, families and community at Sprucedale Public School. When I arrived to the task of working with School Council to raise 100 thousand dollars to build a playground, I thought it was a very challenging task. The response and contributions from every school member – students, staff, parents, community groups, municipality, School Board, and business – has been remarkable. In 12 short months we have almost reached our goal. Working together on this task has given me the opportunity to get to know the various stakeholders. I have learned that there is immense pride in this community and in Sprucedale School. People are excited when they share with me that their grandchildren are the third generation to attend Sprucedale. Our community groups – The Optimists, The OptiMrs, The Shakespeare Men’s Club, the Shakespeare Athletic Association, The Shakespeare Presbyterian Church and The Shakespeare Firefighters’ Association – are strong and active and willing to do what it takes to make our community better. I see this both in what the adults have done to support the school but I also see it in the behaviour of the children who attend the school. Although there always is some conflict when you put more than 203 people together, on the whole the behaviour of our students is exemplary. In a population of 203 people you always have people who struggle in some capacity or another. The fact that there are people who struggle is common to all buildings. The defining piece is how people respond to help those who need help. On a daily basis I see children helping each other and a staff who goes above and beyond to help children learn whatever it may be they need to improve. 2016 has been incredibly positive.
Looking ahead to 2017, I am excited that we have student leaders ready and willing to start taking a more active role in planning and acting on explicit activities to help more and more students feel fully and completely connected to the school. I have been amazed by how insightful and positive the children have been when challenged with the task of building an even more inclusive school environment.
In terms of learning, staff is working to get better at teaching mathematics. Mathematics is a word that brings up negative feelings for many people in society – a sad reflection on a subject that really is not that scary. I applaud staff for being open to improving their professional practice and collaborating to find out what practices are most effective for our students.
I look forward to another fun year of learning at Sprucedale Public School. At any time, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, please come in and see me.
Most respectfully,
Mr. Rauser
School Council Report
Happy New Year!
2016 was a very busy year for our small, but mighty school council! We kicked off our playground fundraising with a spaghetti dinner on Feb 1 and have not looked back. We are very close to reaching our $100,000 goal. With a final push to the finish, we are confident that we will have a new playground for the community to enjoy in 2017.
I would like to thank our Sprucedale families, the communities of Shakespeare and surrounding area, and the community groups for all their help and support in 2016. Also, I would like to thank all members of school council for their hard work, commitment and dedication to supporting and enhancing life at Sprucedale.
There will not be a meeting in January but we will meet on February 8, 2017 at 7:00 in the school library. Everyone is welcome!
Heather Johnston School Council Chair
Playground Fund Breaks $90,000 mark. Only $10,000 to go
Thanks to generous donations from community, families who are proud Alma mater of Sprucedale, and local businesses we have hit the 90,000 dollar threshold on our road to a new playground. We are getting close. With a final push in January we hope to meet our 100,000 goal and have an exciting new playground installed in 2017. Only $10,000 dollars to go……
Most recently, our thanks go out to….The Smith Family – Steve Smith Construction
Our thanks go out to the Smith Family for their very generous donations to our playground fund. Steve and Lynda Smith, along with their sons Kyle and Kody are the proprietors of Steve Smith Construction. Kyle and Mellanie Smith’s son Weston, now in kindergarten at Sprucedale, is the third generation of Smith boys to walk the halls of Sprucedale Public School. Lynda Smith had been the chair of the Sprucedale Parent Council and worked with other parents to raise funds to build the last set of playground equipment. Steve Smith Construction has a history of supporting Sprucedale PS as they had provided excavation services for that playground project as well. The Smiths will be recognized as Platinum Supporters on the playground site.
Duane and Jennifer Dietrich & Family
Our thanks go out to Duane and Jennifer Dietrich for their generous donation to the Playground Fundraiser. Duane attended Sprucedale Public School for all of his elementary school years and now Jennifer and Duane son’s, Kole and Chase are students at Sprucedale Public School. The Dietrich’s will be recognized with permanent recognition on the playground site as Gold Supporters.
Rose and Ross Yantzi
A big thank you to Rose and Ross Yantzi for supporting our playground fundraising. Reid Yantzi and Roslyn McLaren, Ross and Rose’s children attended Sprucedale Public School. Now Roslyn McLaren’s (and husband Matthew’s) three children – Taya, Kalia and Ciana -attend their mother’s Alma mater. The Yantzis are the proprietors of Ross Yantzi’s Pavestone Plus Ltd. Pavestone Plus can be reached at 519-655-2298. The Yantzi Family will have permanent recognition on the playground site as Gold Supporters.
Sebben AG Drainage Systems Ltd.
Our thanks go out to Sebben AG Drainage Systems Ltd for their generous donation to the playground fund. Sebben AG Drainage, originally founded by Hamilton Sebben, has been providing quality drainage services for 60 years. Sebben Drainage is still family owned and operated with the proprietors, all Sebbens, being Brian and Trudy, John and Lois, and Kyle and Christy. Sebben AG Drainage will have permanent recognition on the playground site as gold supporters. Sebben Drainage can be reached at 519 465-4424.
Trudy and Brian Sebben
We greatly appreciate the support of Trudy and Brian Sebben for their donation to the playground fund. Brian began his school career on Pork Street and then finished grade seven and eight at the current Sprucedale Public School location. All of Trudy and Brian’s children, Erin (Klumper), Sara (Reath), Kendra (Lange) and Kyle attended Sprucedale Public School. Now the third generation of Sebben descendants are students at Sprucedale PS. Neely & Harlyn Lange (Jason & Kendra) and Bentley Sebben (Kyle and Christy) now attend. Trudy and Brian’s donation will be recognized on the playground site as silver supporters.
Matt and Melissa Hodgson and Family
Our thanks go out to Melissa and Matt Hodgson for their generous donation to the playground fund. The Hodgson’s sons Benson and Keagan currently attend Sprucedale Public School and their youngest, Quin, will be joining the school in 2018. The Hodgson Family will have permanent recognition on the playground site as Silver Supporters.
Steve and Gail Yantzi – Yantzi’s Feed and Seed Ltd.
Thanks to Steve and Gail Yantzi of Yantzi’s Feed and Seed Ltd for their generous contribution to the playground fundraiser. Steve and Gail are strong community supporters who proudly shared that their children Ryan Yantzi and Amber Ballantyne are both graduates of Sprucedale Pubic School. Yantzi’s Feed and Seed Farm Service Centre is in Tavistock and can be reached by calling 519 655-2033. Yantzi’s Feed and Seed Ltd will have permanent recognition on the playground site as Silver Supporters.
Theresa Scholten – Bulk Tech Inc.
Our thanks go out to Theresa Scholten of Bulk Tech Inc. for her generous donation to the Sprucedale Community Playground Fund. Please do not hesitate to contact Bulk Tech for any of your bin storage needs at 519-625-1550. Bulk Tech Inc., a good neighbor of Sprucedale PS, will have permanent recognition on the playground site as Silver Supporters.
The Cooper Family
A big thank you to Elizabeth and Steve Cooper and their sons Graham and Josh for their generous support of our Playground Fundraiser. Graham and Josh Cooper are both alumni of Sprucedale PS. The Cooper Family believe strongly in community service. Elizabeth was involved in the school supporting Early Literacy, costuming for musicals, running Book Fairs and School Council. The Cooper Family will have permanent recognition on the playground site as Silver Supporters.
Don and Carol McKay – D&D Electric Ltd.
A big thank you to the McKay Family from D&D Electric Limited of Tavistock for their generous donation to the Sprucedale Playground Fund. Although the McKay’s did not attend Sprucedale Public School, D&D Electric proudly provides quality Electrical Services to Sprucedale families and local businesses. Our thanks go out to this community minded business. D&D can be reached at 519-603-2924 and is located at 3565 Perth Road 107 Tavistock. D&D are bronze supporters.
Thank you to all for your generous support – we are going to make it.
For those still wishing to make a donation…..
Playground donations can be made online at CanadaHelps http://bit.ly/SprucedalePLAY using VISA, Mastercard and American Express. You are also able to mail or drop off at the school a cheque payable to the Foundation for Education – Sprucedale Playground on Memo Line. Cash donations are also welcome in the office. Any donation of 20 dollars or more will receive a charitable donation receipt. Donations of 250 dollars or more will receive print recognition and donations greater than 500 dollars will receive permanent on site recognition.
Elmira Chicken Fundraiser
School Council will be selling Elmira Chicken in January as a fundraiser. Order forms will go home on Friday January 13th, 2017 and are to be returned to the school by Friday January 27th, 2017. If Elmira Chicken is a product your family uses, we invite you to participate, but like all of our fundraiser, it is totally voluntary. Chicken will arrive at Sprucedale Public School on Wednesday February 15th, 2017 and can be picked up from 3 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Food Days on Snow Days
In the event of an inclement weather day resulting in bus cancellations or school closure on a Wednesday Food Day, the pizza or hot dogs or grilled cheese day will be moved to the next day, Thursday.
Kindergarten Registration for September 2017
If you missed our Kindergarten Registration Day in November, please call the school and we can get you a registration package. Please tell any neighbours or friends that have a child who will be attending Kindergarten next September.
Message from the YMCA After School Program:
Hello! We hope everyone had a warm and safe holiday spent with your loved ones. Our school age programs are in full swing, enjoying our outdoor time in the snow. Please remember to pack warm clothing and appropriate outdoor attire as we are outside in the morning and afternoon. YMCA Pre-Registration will be coming up soon. We will be running our pre-registration at the individual schools this year to help with the hustle and bustle. We will be supplying the dates in the near future so please stay tuned. Please contact Jenn at [email protected] for more information about our School Age program.
The Shakespeare Opti-Mrs are hosting a Movie Night:
When: Wednesday Feb 1/17 Where: Shakespeare Optimist Hall Doors Open: 6:30 pm Movie: 7:00-9:00 pm Ages: Grade 1-6
Come out for a movie, popcorn and refreshments.