October 2018 Newsletter
Principal’s Message
We are well into the school year now and we hope your child is socially and emotionally engaged at school. He or she should have settled into routines and classroom expectations, have established some peer connections and feel a sense of belonging at UTES. If this is not the case, please connect with your child’s teacher.
As you may know from twitter and emails, we had a staffing change here at UTES. Our Vice-Principal, Mr. Matt Robinson, is now the Acting Principal of Hullett Central and our grade 5 teacher, Mr. Paul Menary, is now our Acting Vice-Principal. Over the course of this week, a replacement teacher will be hired and he will assume administrative duties. Although the length of their assignment is undetermined, we wish both of them congratulations and best wishes, as they pursue their career goals.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 519-348-8472, or
Sincerely,
Paula Robinson, Principal
EQAO Results
We had 84 grade 3 and 89 grade 6 students write the provincial EQAO tests in June. The following charts show the percentage of students who achieved a level three (at grade level) or level four (above grade level) on the tests.
The results for AMDSB are below:
| Grade | Reading | Writing | Math |
| 3 | 73 | 59 | 64 |
| 6 | 82 | 79 | 49 |
These are the results of the Province:
| Grade | Reading | Writing | Math |
| 3 | 75 | 72 | 61 |
| 6 | 82 | 80 | 49 |
With the exception of Junior Math, this year’s results are lower than the province and Board. We have examined data over the last five years and determined that, overall, our trajectory is either steady, or one of slow growth. On the PA Day, we spent time looking closely at our results and setting goals for improvement.
Fundraising
School Council met at the end of September and decided to go with the following fundraisers:
- Poinsettias (beginning October 4th)
- Cheese (beginning October 4th)
- Pizza (spring)
- Mother’s Day Planters (spring)
- Family Fun Event
As always, you are not required to participate in any fund raising activities – they are entirely optional. Funds raised go to enriching the students’ educational experiences through special speakers and arts events, supporting the music and sports programs, adding technology, and adding value to the UTES community through landscaping projects. In the past, Council has supported classroom art projects, brought in motivational speakers and musical guests, purchased ukuleles, and purchased iPads for the school.
We may be embarking on a fundraising on a grander scale, as the playground safety inspectors have let us know that within two or three years, the old play structure out by the older set of swings, will need to be replaced. Stay tuned!
UTES’ Kindergarten Registration is November 20th, 2018.
Special Curriculum Initiatives
MADD Smartwheels
The MADD SmartWheels experience is designed to educate our Grade 5 and 6 students about making smart choices to prevent driving while impaired with alcohol and/or drugs. It involves 5 lessons, with one involving an interactive display from MADD. You will see the MADD RV parked in our lot on October 11th and 12th!
Microplastics Project
In August, Mrs. Maschke and Mr. Tessier participated in a workshop on Microplastics and our Great Lakes. They learned about opportunities to embed this significant topic into curriculum, and they are leading a school wide problem-based learning experience with in-the-field experience. To that end, they have participated in a webinar, and the grade 6’s are going to the Pinery for an experiential workshop.
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Education continues to be a focus in our Early Years program. Revitalizing the Nature Center is a project we are undertaking to support this initiative, spearheaded by our kindergarten educators. Potentially three excursions to Wildwood Conservation Area will supplement the learning.
Before and After School Program
As part of our on-going commitment to make the school day as seamless as possible for our families, we ask parents/guardians to share their tentative childcare needs for September of the next school year (2019) by completing an online survey. The survey can be found on the AMDSB website.
Families that are interested in Before and After school programs for their Junior/Senior Kindergarten children and/or grade 1 – 6 children are asked to complete the survey by December 1, 2018. If you require a paper copy, please contact the school.
Community Events
The Ritz Lutheran Villa invites you to an afternoon of fun on November 3 from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Come meet Paw Patrol, play games, and get your face painted! Refreshments available. All funds raised will go towards the redevelopment of the building.
– C4th Broomball. If interested,
contact: Niki Saunders at 519-345-0007
[email protected] or check out the Seaforth Junior Broomball website.
Upcoming Events for October
October 1st
Bus Evacuation Assembly
October 2nd
KD and Mrs. Mashcke’s class to WIldwood
School Picture Day!
October 3rd
School Picture Day!
October 4th
Regional Cross Country
October 8th
Enjoy Thanksgiving Monday – no school
October 10th
District Cross Country
October 11th and 12th
MADD Smartwheels Program
October 19th
Grade 6 trip to Pinery
October 26th
Poinsettia/Cheese order due
October 29th
Report cards come home
October 31st
Black and Orange Day