Principal’s Message
It’s hard to believe that the 2015 -16 school year is drawing to a close. I extend my most sincere thanks for your continued support this school year. It has been an amazingly positive year. As I reflect on the past year, students, staff, parents and the community can be proud of the progress we’ve made in many areas, such as curriculum, student leadership, character development, the arts and athletics. It has been a busy school year which has allowed students many opportunities! Thank you to all the volunteers who supported our students by helping with various activities such as our school council, the snack program, meal & milk orders, track and field, fundraising, and class trips. You have enriched the opportunities for all students.
Our school is continuing the process of planning for next year. I am inviting families and the community to take time to reflect on this year and make recommendations to me on how to improve our school.
Please don’t forget to join us on Wednesday, June 8th for our 50th Anniversary and Family and Community Fun Fair. It is going to be a wonderful and exciting celebration of Stephen Central Tiger pride.
I would invite you to provide any feedback that you believe would make our school a better place. We all have an important stake in the success of our school and I hope you feel comfortable in sharing your thoughts with me.
The new school year begins on Tuesday, September 6. We wish our grade 6 students much success as they transition to South Huron District High School. Have a safe and enjoyable summer.
– Donna Gregus
From the School Council Chair
On behalf of the parent council I would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all the staff, parents, students and community of our wonderful school. We have had a great year and enjoyed working with everyone and appreciate all your support. We are looking forward to the Fun Fair- 50th Anniversary Event on June 8th and hope everyone has a great evening!! Please consider attending one Parent Council meeting next year. Everyone’s input is valuable and many hands make light work!
School Council Nominations
Included in the newsletter is a School Council Candidate Nomination Form. If you are interested in being a parent representative on our School Council for the 2016-2017 school year, please complete the form and return it to the school.
Staffing for 2016-2017 School Year
At this time of year, 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. Class placements for students will be announced on the first day of school (Tuesday, September 6) when the students are assembled in the gymnasium. Currently, our tentative classroom organization is as follows:
Kindergarten Ms. Jacy Anderson
Mrs. Catherine Beierling
Ms. Pam Rowell
Grade 1 Mrs. Heather Rempel
Grade 2 Mrs. Cheryl MacLeod/Ms Jen
Reed
Grade 2 / 3 Ms. Nicole King
Grade 3 / 4 Ms. Cindy Visser
Grade 4 / 5 Mrs. Lois Kennedy
Grade 5 Ms. Vanessa Laye
Grade 6 Mrs. Skye Peck
SERT Mrs. Heather Cameron
French Ms. Jen Reed
Phys Ed Mrs. Kim Ryckman
Family Fun Fair & 50th Anniversary of Stephen Central Public School Wednesday, June 8
Come out and enjoy an evening of fun at Stephen Central as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary and our 2nd Family Fun Fair. Festivities begin at 5:30 pm and finish at 8:00 pm. Flyers were sent home last week with all the details. You can also view our posting on Facebook. If any families are taking the bus, please remember that students must be accompanied by an adult. Thanks….and hope to see you there!
Thank You To……
…our community for supporting our annual cookie dough & magazine fundraisers. We raised just over $4300.00 (and maybe gained a few pounds)!! These funds will be used to directly benefit our students by subsidizing the cost of next year’s student planners (along with Parent Council), subsidizing field trips, purchasing outdoor equipment, etc. Thank you to our students and their families for the huge effort they put forth in selling and buying these products for the betterment of our school.
Forest of Reading
The votes are in! Over 250,000 children have participated in the Ontario Library Association’s (OLA) annual Forest of Reading program and have helped to choose the best Canadian authors and illustrators of our time.
Blue Spruce Winner 2016
If Kids Ruled the World
By Linda Bailey & David Huyck
Silver Birch Express 2016
The End of the Line
By Sharon E. McKay
Silver Birch Fiction 2016
Masterminds
By Gordon Korman
Silver Birch Nonfiction 2016
Haunted Canada 5: Terrifying True Stories
By Joel A. Sutherland
Thank you to all the students who participated in these programs. Also thank you to the parents who provided snacks for our Silver Birch voters party.
Library and Computer News
The library helpers are very dedicated in assisting throughout the school year at first recess with stamping, stickers, sorting books, putting books away and other tasks that may be required. Thank you to all library helpers for their hard work and dedication. The computer helpers are responsible in assisting before and after school each day to turn computers on and shut them off. Thank you to the computer helpers for your wonderful assistance, as well. A year end party will occur on Monday, June 13 to acknowledge the students’ commitment and hard work. All helpers are expected to continue their commitment for the remainder of this school year.
Wednesday, June 8 is the last day to checkout library books.
All library books must be back to the library by Wednesday, June 15.
Book Fair
Our book fair was a wonderful success! Congratulations to Connor M. who won the $25 worth of Free Books for the Door Prize! Thank you to all the families and students that supported our book fair. Our total sales were $1974.20. Wow what an awesome accomplishment by our school community! That gives us $918 in books for our school library and our classrooms. Stephen Central students and staff graciously appreciate your generosity. A big thank you is extended to parents Karen Moreland and Jodi Caissie, and the students that helped with the book fair. Their assistance enabled the book fair to be a successful event for our school. Also thank you to all the families that donated books to the classrooms through the Wish List program. Happy June reading!
Character Corner
The character attribute of focus for June is ‘Integrity’ – doing what is right and honourable.
Quotes About Integrity
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Values are like fingerprints. Nobody’s are the same, but you leave them all over everything you do.”
– Elvis Presley
Please continue … to use our trails over the summer. It’s a great place to get some fresh air and exercise. Your students can tell you about the various trees and animals you may see along the way. Thank you to the staff and students who have maintained our trails this year. We are so fortunate to have such a beautiful, peaceful place to enjoy nature.
Did you know…there is a YMCA Before & After School Age Program here at Stephen Central, and we are currently accepting children from JK to Grade 6. For more information please call Debbie Wingrove at 226-932-0541 or email .
Debbie Wingrove, RECE
Supervisor, Child Care School Age Goderich-Huron