NORTH ELMSLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL

SEPTEMBER 2013

NEWSLETTER

Principal: Mr. Paul Hannah / Office Administrator: Mrs. Jayanna Wood Phone: (613) 267-1371 Fax: 1-855-408-0860 209 Port Elmsley Rd. Perth, ON K7H 3C7

Principals Message
Greetings and welcome back, everyone! I hope everybody had a great summer. I would like to extend a special welcome to all of our new students (kindergarten pupils and older students coming from other schools), as well as their families. You have chosen to join a wonderful school community. As noted in our June Newsletter, we have only a few staff changes this year. We are delighted to have Mr. Papple instructing in the grade 6/7 classroom for the afternoons and Ms. Kelli Hudson joining us as an additional Education Assistant for part of the school day. I will be able to announce the name of our Instructional Supervising Monitor, who helps in the kindergarten room and supervises over the recess and lunch times, in a few days when the hiring process for that position is finalized. We are also pleased to be hosting a number of teacher candidates (university students studying to be teachers) throughout the year. We are fortunate to have Ms. Vanessa Heslop and Ms. Whitney Lewis in the grade 8 and 1/2 classrooms respectively for the first week of school. They will be joining us again for several teaching blocks throughout the fall term. Our goal for this school year will include a continuation and evolution of the goals we set last year, as outlined in the School Success Plan, which can be accessed on our school blog http://northelmsleypublicschool.wordpress.com and like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/North.Elmsley.Public.School. These goals are guided by our vision: Learning for Today and Tomorrow and our mission statement: To Provide a Safe and Caring Environment Where Everyone Works, Learns, Plays and Grows Together. We are focused, in a thoughtful and determined way, to make North Elmsley the best school that it can be for our students to learn and play. We provide a harmonization of instructional methods that are proven to be effective and that prepare our pupils for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. In addition to rigorous academic programming, we place a focus on fun and exemplary citizenship. I am delighted and very proud to return for a second year as principal of North Elmsley Public School. See you soon!

Warm regards, Paul Hannah, Principal

The School Day

Our school day is the same as last year: 8:55 a.m. Student Arrival 9:00 a.m. Classes Begin 10:50 a.m. 11:30 a.m. A.M. Recess 12:50 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Lunch/PM Recess 3:20 p.m. 3:30 p.m. Dismissal Office Hours: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Drop-Offs and Pick-Ups

Please do not drop your child off before 8:55 a.m. and pickups at the end of day are at 3:20 p.m. Under special circumstances, children dropped off earlier than 8:55 a.m. will need to wait in the front foyer for the bell to ring. There is no supervision before or after school. They are not allowed to go to their classrooms or wander halls before the 8:55 a.m. bell. Please send notes to the office or call to let us know about early pick-ups and end of day pick-ups. If you will be picking up your child every day or on designated days of the week

Criminal Reference Checks

All parents and family members that volunteer at our school, even on sporting events or field trips need to have a Criminal Reference Check on file at the school. If you already have one on file with the school, there is no need to have another one done, as long as you sign the Upper Canada District School Boards Offence Declaration form every year within the yearly anniversary of your criminal reference check. If you are interested in volunteering again this year, please call Mrs. Wood and she will send a Criminal Reference Check or Offence Declaration form home for you.

consistently, please send a note to the office and your child will be placed on the regular pick-up list so you dont have to call all the time. In order to protect the safety of our children PLEASE park your vehicle in the designated areas (adjacent to the playground) and walk your child into the school. For pick-ups during the school day, please come into the school to sign your child out (book is on the office window sill). End of day pick-ups will be in front foyer by 3:20 pm.

School Year Calendar - 5 Day Cycle

Last year the UCDSB adopted a 5 day cycle Board-wide. The schedule is attached. What this means is that the timetables and schedules that the school operates on will no longer be based on the days of the week but rather on the days of the cycle. Therefore, a student will have the same subject schedule on day 1 through 5 rather than Monday through Friday. Tuesday September 3rd will be day 1. Please see the calendar attached and please give us a call if you have any questions. Schedules for things such as hot lunches and outside curriculum music lessons will continue on a Monday thru Friday basis.

Student Information Data Sheets

We are sending your childs student information sheet home to be updated. We require the most up-to-date information in our database and would like you to check the form carefully. Please record any new information or any changes directly on the sheet. Please pay particular attention to: * medical information (especially life threatening issues) * emergency contact numbers (please list someone other than parents, in case we can't reach you) * OHIP # (required for all class trips) Please make any necessary changes and return the form with a parent/guardian signature during the week of September 9th and no later than September 13, 2013. Even if you have no changes, please sign the form and send it back.

Hepatitis B/HPV/Meningococcal
The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit will be administering the following immunization program for the 2013/2014 school year. The HPV Vaccine, grade 8 girls only, and HEP B/Meningococcal, all grade 7 students; requires a three dose series. Consent forms are being sent home first week of school. The nurse will be here on Wednesday September 25, 2013 to administer the 1st shot. Shot #2 & #3 are scheduled for January 15, 2014 and April 16, 2014. Students will not be able to have their shot unless the permission form is filled out and returned to school.

Electronic Newsletter & Correspondence

We prefer sending out our newsletters and some correspondence electronically over paper copies for a number of reasons. The benefit is to significantly reduce the amount of paper used by the school. If you have not already done so, please send your email address into Mrs. Wood and she will add you to the list.

School Council
Attached is the nomination form for the new school year for members of School Council. Please return to school by Monday September 16, 2013. The 1st School Council meeting will be on Tuesday September 17
th

Student Accident Insurance

Student accident insurance pamphlets are being sent home. We would ask that parents please apply for this insurance in case of any accidents during school day activities (i.e. sporting events, class trips, etc.). The school board does not insure students and therefore, any dental or medical expenses incurred resulting from an accident will be the parents

at 5:30 P.M.

Meet the Teacher/BBQ/Open House

Meet the Teacher/Open House/BBQ will be held on Thursday September 19
th

responsibility. Please fill in the necessary information and send to Reliable Life Insurance Company or apply online at www.insuremykids.com

in the evening. Details to follow.

Scholastic Book Fair

Our Fall Scholastic Book Fair will be held on September 18th through to the 20th. Details to follow.

Transportation Questions
If you have any questions or concerns about student transportation, you may visit the Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario Website at www.steo.com or call 1-855-9250022.

Breakfast, Lunch and/or Snack

Breakfast is very important and increases learning capabilities. If, for whatever reason, your child has missed breakfast, they are welcome to come to the office for a healthy breakfast. Snack Bins will be located in every classroom with healthy choices. If any student has forgotten his or her lunch, they are welcome to come to the office.

Think Recycle
We will be continuing with our printer cartridges, cell phones, ipods, ipads, digital cameras & laptop recycling program. There is a drop box located outside the main office at the school. The school will receive all benefits of this program and this recycling program helps the environment too. We request your support in ensuring the success of this cost-free fundraising/recycling program. Your place of employment can also support NEPS by saving used cartridges and having your child return them to our school.

School Photos
School Photos will take place on Friday October 4, 2013. Retakes will be on Wednesday October 23, 2013. Photovisions will be here for school pictures. Remember to come to school looking your best and with big smiles.

Student Absences Milk and Hot Lunch Program

We believe in the benefits of having a milk and hot lunch program. We plan on having the monthly order system start for the first week of October. Hot dogs and/or grilled cheese sandwiches are being considered, however, we require volunteers to make these lunches at the school. If you are available to volunteer to help with any of the hot lunch process, please let Mrs. Wood know as soon as possible. If no volunteers step forward, then we will not be able to offer these items. Milk, Pizza (slices from Milanos), and possibly Subway will be offered through monthly order forms. A reminder that it is VERY important, for you to call the school if your child will be absent. It is part of the UCDSB Safe Schools Policy that we account for every child within the school. If you dont phone us with an absence, then we need to contact you, and will continue through all the contacts on file until we reach someone. We ask you to please access the voicemail feature on our telephone or talk with the office directly. Please call 613-267-1371. Before or after hours, please leave a message by pressing 3. Please indicate if your child has a cough, fever, and/or rash.

Swimming Lessons
We will be offering swimming lessons at the Perth Indoor Pool this year. Grades and dates have not been scheduled yet. Dates will be published when established and more info to follow.

Instrumental Music
Just one last reminder to all Grade 6, 7, and 8 students that our instrumental music program will be in ful swing beginning Monday, September 9th; and therefore all arrangements to have rented, purchased or school loaned instruments (for families in need), will need to be in place. For more information, please contact Mr.

Kindergarten Students
Parents of all Kindergarten students must remember that they MUST be at the bus stop for morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off. If you are not at the bus stop for your child the bus driver will not drop your child off. They must return your child(ren) to the school and we will call you to come and pick your child(ren) up.

Wallace at the school 613-267-1371 ext. 101 and/or Michael Pollard (St. John's Music) in Ottawa directly Toll free (877)722-3400 or 613-722-1021. Grade 6 and 6/7 Music is on days 2 and 4, Grade 8 music is on days 3 and 5.

First Time Riders and Bus Evacuation

On Tuesday September 10th at 11:30, we will be having a First Time Riders demonstration for our Kindergarten students. The workshop will show children how to get on and off the bus and how to behave on the bus. The demonstration is about 20 to 30 minutes. Also, as we do every year, we will be having our bus evacuation demonstration on Monday September 30th at 2:30 for the whole school. Both held in the school parking lot.

Pop Tab Collections

From our pop tab collections last year, we were able to donate $46.85 to the Ontario March of Dimes to help purchase mobility equipment for those in financial need. Please save your pop tabs again this year for this important program. A big thank you goes to Leigh and Rosalyn Craig for looking after this important fundraising program. This is a worthwhile cause and we thank you for your dedication. Pop Tab container inside front doors of school.

Terry Fox Run/Toonies for Terry

On Friday September 27th our school will participate in the annual Terry Fox Run here at North Elmsley. We will mark and run/walk a track in our field as in previous years. Students are asked to bring in a donation during the week of September 2428th. Students are encouraged to put the name of a loved one who fought or is fighting a battle with cancer on their paper shoe. Students should return their shoe along with their donation to their teacher. All shoes will be returned to their owners to display during our run. Please do not tape your donation to your shoe.

Medication Information
Any student that takes prescribed medication must have a medication form filled in by their Physician for prescription medications and filled in by parent/guardian for non-prescription and a new form has to be filled out every year. We must have the completed & signed form, medication in Pharmacy bottle labelled with dosage and instructions, and the pharmacist medication information sheet, on file before we can administer the medication to your child on your behalf. Please call the school for the form and we will send one home. If your child has a serious life threatening medical condition please come to the office as soon as possible and fill out the necessary forms.

Dress Code
With the continued warm weather, students were reminded about the dress code policy for NEPS (wearing appropriate summer clothing with special emphasis on appropriate lengths for skirts, shorts, tops and shirts and the three finger rule for tank/strap tops). Please feel free to call the school or talk to your childs teacher should you have any questions or concerns. As well, clothing (i.e. shirts) with inappropriate language is not allowed.

Music Lessons with Wade Foster

In-School Music Lessons for Fiddle and Guitar will be available during school hours. Free up your childs evening schedule by taking advantage of in-school music lessons. Music can be a vital part of students learning experience, both through exposure to different styles of music and the benefits of learning a new skill. Both academic and social benefits of studying music have been well documented. Meet the Teacher: Wade Foster Wade is a well-known musician throughout the Ottawa Valley not only as a fiddle player, but as a soloist, multi-instrumentalist, and recording artist. He started to play the fiddle through private music instruction at age 7, and guitar at age 13. His performance experience ranges from fairs, festivals, theatre, live radio and television with numerous bands and recording artists. Wade regularly encourages his students to perform in front of an audience of any size. This helps the students to gain self confidence and motivate them to excel at their instrument. Wades Teaching experience over 20 years of private music lessons and instruction lessons are taught using different media forms such as sheet music and personalized written and illustrated methods, ear and technique training from personalized audio and video recordings both fiddle and guitar lessons include many styles of music, and focus on music theory and proper technique for the instrument Lessons with Wade Foster are a 1/2 hour in length and cost $20 each. Fees are payable at the beginning of each month for the number of lessons in that month. Forms of acceptable payment are: cheque, cash, or e-mail money transfer. There will be no refunds for missed lessons unless cancelled by the teacher or when buses are cancelled. Make-up lessons may be arranged, when possible. Lessons are available to all students ages 8 and up. Receipts will be provided for these lessons and they qualify for the Childrens Activity Tax Credit. For more information and to arrange lessons for your child, please call (613)812-0096 or e-mail wade.foster@ripnet.com.

Walking or Biking
If your child has permission to walk or bike to and from school, please send in a note to the office indicating that they have your permission. Please include in the note if this is for the entire school year.

Voicemail

Every staff member at school has voicemail. Please clip and save the following extensions. Paul Hannah, Principal ----------- 114 Jayanna Wood (Office) ---------- 106 James MacIntosh (Custodian) ----- 105 Courtney Cluff (French) ---------- 104 Terri Madden ------------------ 117 Riko Labelle ------------------- 120

Peanut Free School

Please be aware that our school is PEANUT SAFE. Attached (for your review) is a list of safer foods to send with your child.

Julie Churchill ------------------ 135 Trina Boychuk ------------------ 118 Denise OBrien ----------------- 103 Dan Papple -------------------- 103 Debbie Chappel ----------------- 102 Matt Wallace ------------------ 101

Community News
Fundraiser for Victoria Martin-Luna
There will be a Car Wash/BBQ on Saturday September 14th starting at 10:00 am hosted by Town and Country Chrysler in Smiths Falls. Volunteers are needed! All proceeds will go to the Victoria Martin-Luna trust fund. See flyer attached.

Food For Thought Cookbooks

Food for Thought cookbooks are available at the main office for $15 each. Please support this important organization! The NEPS nutrition program would not be possible without funding from Food For Thought each year. With each cookbook sold, we keep a portion of the proceeds for our nutrition program. The Lanark County Food For Thought Partnership provides funding and support to our community schools that run nutritious breakfast, snack and lunch programs. These nutrition programs are available to all students ensuring they feel welcome and comfortable. Your business, organization or you personally can join Food For Thought by making financial contributions, or in-kind support. If you are interested in volunteering, becoming a partner, or donating; please contact Sharon Bjergso, Partnership Coordinator at 267-6833.

NORTH ELMSLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL SCHOOL COUNCIL PARENT CANDIDATE NOMINATION FORM

[ T y p e

I wish to nominate ______________________________________ for an elected position as a parent/guardian representative on the school council. Name: ______________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________

a Home Phone: _________________________ Business Phone: ____________________ q u o t I am the parent/guardian of __________________________________, who is currently registered at this (name of student) e school. f r __________________________ is the parent/guardian of _______________________ o (name of person nominated) (name of student) mwho is currently registered at this school. t h The person I have nominated is an employee of the board. e d o c u m e _______________________________________ n Nominators Signature a t q [ T No [ y T p y e p e a
Yes E-mail: _____________________________________________________________

_____________________ Date

u q o o u r Please t include a brief biography of the candidate you have nominated on a separate sheet attached to this o form. e t t e h f e r f o r s m o u m m t

NORTH ELMSLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL SCHOOL COUNCIL PARENT SELF-NOMINATION FORM

[ I wish to declare my candidacy for an elected position as a parent/guardian representative on the school council. T Name: ______________________________________________________________ y p Address: _____________________________________________________________ e
Home Phone: _________________________ Business Phone: ____________________ E-mail:

_____________________________________________________________

q u o I am the parent/guardian of __________________________________, who is currently registered at this (name of student) t school. e f r o I am an employee of the board. m Yes [ T t No y h [ p e T y e d p e a o _______________________________________ _____________________ c a q u Candidates Signature Date u m o e q t n u Please include a brief autobiography on a separate sheet attached to this form. o e t t f o e r t h e s u m r f o r m o m t h t e h e d