NORTH ELMSLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL

NOVEMBER 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
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North Elmsley School Blog: http://northelmsleypublicschool.wordpress.com

Principals Message
Hello everyone! We have had two great months here at the school, and student achievement is showing up everywhere. The walls of our hallways are covered with lovely student art and impressive work from projects in various subject areas. Our school teams have done extremely well competing in sports tournaments in the district against other schools, and I would like to thank our student athletes and staff coaches for working hard, with tremendous school spirit, to make us so proud. This week, progress reports for students in grades 1 through 8 will be going home. The Elementary Progress Report Card is designed to show each students development of the learning skills and work habits during the fall of the school year, as well as the students general progress in working towards the achievement of th e curriculum expectations in all subjects. The primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning, and we know that parents/guardians have an important role to play in supporting student progress. As our world becomes increasingly diverse and interconnected through globalization and modernization, we must ensure that our students develop those learning skills and work habits assessed on page one of the report card and that they strengthen them through the achievement of curriculum expectations. Those learning skills are: responsibility, independent work, initiative, organization, collaboration, and self-regulation. It is recognized in Canada and internationally that skills of this type are critically important to success in school and in the world of work. Students are more successful when parents and teachers model those habits of mind and make them central to student learning and character development. I would like to commend our parents and teachers of North Elmsley for doing such a terrific job with that. On a final note, I would like to, on behalf of students, staff and parents at North Elmsley Public School, express our appreciation for the recent, generous donation made by Branch 244 of the Royal Canadian Legion in the amount of $1000.00, to be used for student programming needs. This money will be used to support student fitness and improvements in mathematics across all grades. Have a great November! Sincerely, Paul Hannah, Principal

Santa Letters
Remember to write your letters to Santa and send to North Pole, H0H 0H0 Canada. He will respond to all letters written to him if received by December 5th.

Nutrition Program/Snack Bins in Classrooms

The Lanark County Food For Thought Partnership provides funding and support to our community schools that run nutritious breakfast, snack and lunch programs. These are available to all students ensuring they feel welcome and

Remembrance Day Ceremony

A Remembrance Day Ceremony will be held at North Elmsley School in the Gym at 10:00 a.m. on Monday November 11, 2013. All parents and family members are welcome to come. Final preparations are being made for a special presentation. The Legion has dropped off Poppy boxes. The Poppy box will be passed around the classrooms the morning of the 11th; donations to the Legion are appreciated.

comfortable. Snack bins containing healthy food (ie. apples, oranges, bananas, cheerios, shreddies, graham crackers, triscuits, etc.) are available to every student in every classroom. These snacks meet the nutrition guidelines of Ontario Governments Student Nutrition Program. If you do not wish to have your child(ren) participate in the snack bins, please discuss with your child. As well, breakfast is available in the office for any student, who for whatever reason, needs it. We still have Food For Thought Cookbooks on sale at the main office. Food For Thought provides financial support to

Drop-Offs in the Morning

This is just a reminder that we ask parents to not drop their children off before 8:55 a.m. There is no supervision before or after school. Under special circumstances that need to be pre-arranged, children dropped off earlier than 8:55 a.m. will need to wait in the front foyer for the bell to ring. Students are not allowed to go to their classrooms or wander the hallway before the 8:55 a.m. bell. Thank you for your attention to this matter of student safety.

schools for their nutrition program. The cost of the cookbooks is $15 each. For every one sold, our school nutrition program will receive $5. Please send in money or visit the office to get yours today. A big thank you to St. John The Evangelist Church in Smiths Falls for the $500 donation to our Nutrition Program!

Tis the Season Lost and Found

Our lost and found bin is piling up. Please remind your children to check the bin located by the library. Unclaimed items at the end of the year will be donated to the Salvation Army. With the dawning of warmer gear (toques, hooded coats, scarves, etc.), tis the season for those critters to start creeping. We would like to ask each parent to be diligent in checking their child(ren) for head lice. If head lice or nits are found, please contact the school. All eggs (nits) must be removed even if the treatment claims to kill eggs. It only takes a couple of live eggs hatching on the head to start head lice all over again. Therefore, please remember to notify the school, daycare or sports teams so other parents

Think Recycle Fundraising

Keep sending in your empty inkjet and laser cartridges, old digital cameras, laptops and cell phones. Drop box is located at the front office. Thank you to all who have sent so far.

can be diligent in checking their children daily for head lice. If you would like more information on the prevention or treatment of head lice, or perhaps would like to be a much needed member of our head check team, please do not hesitate to contact the school. Thanks for your cooperation to help ditch the itch.

Cooler Weather
Now that the cooler weather is upon us, please make sure that your child comes prepared for outdoor recesses. Extra clothing can be removed, but additional clothing cannot be added if its not brought to school. This will enable all students to be comfortable and warm for a fun recess.

Fire Prevention Week

October 7th 13th was Fire Prevention Week. We had a visit from Fire Chief, Greg Saunders, and some of the firemen that belong to BBDE Fire Department on Wednesday October 10th and practised our fire drill. Winners of the Fire Prevention Contest are 1st place Ella Maloney, (ride in the Fire Truck for Lunch at McDonalds with a friend (Hazel Robertson) and $75 Canadian Tire Gift Card), 2nd place Leah Churchill ($50 Canadian Tire Gift Card), and 3rd place Mason Stewart ($25

Halloween/Fall Harvest
On Wednesday October 31st many students & staff chose to participate in the fun activities of Halloween/Fall Harvest. For this well-deserved, fun-filled break, students/staff shared plenty of food & goodies and enjoyed one anothers company.

Canadian Tire Gift Card) on winning this years Fire Prevention Week Contest. All prizes are compliments of the Fire Chief, Greg Saunders. Way to go guys!

Dental Screening Parent Council/Grade 6 & 7 Transition to PDCI

We would be happy to see you at our next meeting. All you need is desire to help. We want to hear your ideas and would love to have your support at school functions. Our next School Council meeting is Wednesday November 27th @ 6:00 pm at NEPS. Following school council meeting, there will be an information meeting about the transition for grade 6 and 7 students going to PDCI in September 2013 starting at 6:30 pm. A registered Dental Hygienist from Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit will conduct dental screening on grades kindergarten, and grade 2s. If your child requires immediate dental treatment and you do not have dental insurance and the cost of dental care will create a financial hardship, treatment may be covered. In addition, your child may be eligible for preventative services. A summary of the screening will be sent home with each child. If your child is not in one of the above listed grades and you would like to have him/her screened, or if you wish to have your child excluded from the screening, please send a note to the office. If you have any questions about the screening, please call the Health Unit at 1-800-660-5853.

Pamper Chef Fundraiser

Beginning on Nov. 1 through to the 20 , N.E.P.S. is hosting a book/online Pampered Chef party!! When you make an order through Pampered Chef, 20% of all orders made go to benefit our school. There are 2 ways you can order. Come into the school and look through the catalogues located in the foyer, or if you prefer to browse online from the comfort of your home you can do that as well here: http://www.pamperedchef.biz/lisambrown?page=2ways-orderproducts When prompted type in NEPS in the first name section. Hit search and it should come up NEPS (Evonne Nugteren). Click on that, and now you are set to browse and make your order. If you make an order over $95(before shipping & taxes) you can receive free items!! Novembers items are the Mix N Chop, Mix N Chunk, Mix N Masher, or the Scoop N Drain. Please feel free to contact myself, Evonne Nugteren (the host) 613-482-9715, or Lisa Brown (the consultant) 613-257-9352 if you have any questions.
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Inclement Weather Bus Cancellations

Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO), the Upper Canada District School Board along with the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario are working cooperatively with the Bus Operators and Pelmorex/The Weather Network, to ensure that we have up-to-date information about local weather and road conditions. Decisions concerning the cancellation of school bus and special vehicle transportation are made based upon this information. Unless otherwise announced, schools will remain open for students and staff even if transportation is cancelled. STEO would like to advise you that we have three methods in which you can check for school vehicle cancellations: 1. Announcements regarding the cancellation of school bus and special vehicle transportation will be broadcasted starting at 6:15 a.m. on local area radio/TV stations. 2. Vehicle cancellation information can be found on our website at www.steo.ca, then click View Bus Delays & Cancellations. School vehicle cancellations will be posted by 6:15 a.m. 3. You can call our Inclement Weather phone number at 1-866629-0629 to access a pre-recorded message. School vehicle cancellations will be posted by 6:15 a.m. Please note that the message for this phone line is only updated on inclement weather days. If transportation is cancelled in the morning, afternoon transportation will not operate. Please do not call the bus companies as the radio and website reflect the most accurate information.

Mental Health Workshops

The Perth Family of Schools has organized two mental healthbased workshops to be held at The Stewart School November 20 and 27. For each workshop, light refreshments will be served at 5:30 and the speakers will deliver their workshops from 6:00 8:00 p.m. November 20
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Mental Health research increasingly is showing us that a childs ability to bounce back from difficulties is a very important factor in their future mental well-being. We also know that this resilience is not something that everyone is born with, but it is something that everyone can learn. Come out to this workshop presented by Open Doors and Public health to learn about how to help you child (and perhaps yourself) be more able to rebound from lifes challenges. November 27th Separation or Divorce has a very real and very large impact on parents and kids, since it is one of lifes biggest stresses. Come out to this workshop to learn about what normal child reactions are to separation and divorce, and what you can do as a parent to help your child cope in a healthier way with the stress of separation.

Upcoming Christmas Concerts

The grade 6-8 Instrumental music concert will be held on Wednesday December 11th with a snowdate of Thursday December 12th. The Kindergarten 5 Christmas concert will be held on Tuesday December 17th with a snowdate of Wednesday December 18th

Cross Country
North Elmsley School had a very exciting and busy cross country season. We started off with our Gr. 7/8 runners competing in two events, the Brockville Invitational meet and the Turkey Trot in Kemptville under the PDCI team. Our runners were Andrew Ferguson, Courtney Wren, Amanda Miller, Austin Jones, and Hannah LeBlanc. Andrew placed 10th overall and his team placed 1st for Gr. 8 boys at the Brockville Invitational. He also placed 3rd at the Turkey Trot in Kemptville. Way to Go Team!! We then competed in the regional meet in Almonte. Our team was Andrew Ferguson, Samson Wilkinson, Megan LeBlanc, Haddie Oakes, Hannah LeBlanc, Ida Rose Sienfield, Raija McTavish, Faith Buker, Jared Buker and Xavier Shepherd-Martin. Our small team of 10 did extremely well, and ran really great races!! Six of our runners qualified to compete in the 1st Annual Upper Canada Cup for cross country. Faith placed 1st, Andrew placed 4th, Jared placed 7th, Samson placed 9th, Xavier placed 20th, and Hannah placed 26th. Again with our small but mighty team of 6 we rocked the course at the UC Cup. All of the races had 100 or more runners in them and we did exceptionally well. Hannah finished in the top 75 runners, Xavier finished in the top 65 runners and Samson finished 23rd. Jared rose to the occasion with a third place finish putting him on the podium. Faith ran her heart out and placed 4th and Andrew completed his goal of top 8 with a 7th place finish. Thanks so much for the dedication and determination throughout the season. Coach: Mrs. Kilpatrick

COMMUNITY NEWS
Childrens Aid Society Snowsuit Campaign
Once again this year we have agreed to assist the Children's Aid Society of the County of Lanark and The Town of Smiths Falls with the annual Lanark County Snowsuit Campaign. Our goal is to ensure that all children and youth in our community have a warm winter jacket or snowsuit. Please donate your gently used, clean winter jackets and snowsuits in the drop off box located at the school ASAP. Our collective efforts can make a significant difference. Request forms are available at the school office if you know of a child or youth who requires a snowsuit or warm winter jacket. Thank you for your support.

2013 Community Flu Clinics

You can receive the Influenza vaccine from your health care provider or at one of the following community flu clinics: Nov. 7th, County Fair Mall, Smiths Falls, 2:00 6:30 pm Nov. 18th, Perth Civitan Club, 3:00 6:30 pm December 10th, County Fair Mall, Smiths Falls, 3:00 6:00 pm For more information please call you local health unit or visit www.healthunit.org.

Perth Rotary Club Educator of the Year

This award is presented to an educator currently employed with the Perth Family of Schools. Nominations from the public at large are requested and a committee of Rotarians, none ever having been employed as educators in this system, select a teacher who, in their opinion, best represents one who inspires and encourages his or her students to achieve and who may have had a significant positive impact on the lives of students and/or members of the wider public. Nominations are to be submitted by email. Nominators should go to www.perthrotary.org and click on Our Campaigns, Local Projects, Educator of the Year and Educator of the Year Nomination Form to bring up a fillable form. Nominators should give as many reasons as possible to support their nominations and assist in the selection process. Rotary Club is requesting responses no later than December 5, 2013.

October 4As Recognition Assembly

Academic Awards: Chloe Nagle, Willem Van Wingerden, Jack Lundholm, Connor Williamson, Anna Van Spengen, Megan Leblanc

Athletics Awards: Hunter Algie, Jack Van Wingerden, Zaiden Hall, Shebly Birch, Madison Hendrick, Leah Churchill

Arts Awards: Taylor Labelle, Autumn Levick-Luna, Ava FreierDupuis, Jared Ruttan, Abby Carroll, Mitchell Scissons

Attitude Awards: Jonathon Miller (Perseverance), Carter Robertson (Caring), Brittany Rhoden (Resilience), William McNeely (Responsibility), Sarah Booker (Caring), Taylor Oakes (Caring)

Cornwall Office 122 Second Street West Cornwall ON K6J 1G5

October 2013 Dear Parents/Guardians: The Upper Canada District School Board is committed to providing safe learning environments for all students, staff, school visitors and community members. When students behave inappropriately, principals use progressive discipline to help them take responsibility for their actions, change their behaviour, and learn from their mistakes. When student behaviour poses a potential threat to safety or causes serious harm, the Community Violence Threat Risk Assessment Protocol (VTRA) helps principals take further steps to protect the well-being of our students. The protocol helps schools respond quickly to threatening incidents such as: possession of a weapon or replica weapon, bomb threat or plan, verbal, written or electronic (Internet, text) threats to kill or injure oneself or others, or other threats of violence, fire setting. The Community VTRA outlines how a school responds immediately to threatening behaviour. Principals may first bring together a School Threat Assessment Team, which includes the principal/vice-principal, the designated regional lead, and police. If the situation is serious, the principal may also consult with the Superintendent responsible for the school, and call in the Community Threat Assessment Team. This community team also includes representatives of community agencies who work with us to keep our schools safe, such as local police and children's mental health organizations. Parents and guardians will be notified if their child will be discussed through the Community Threat Assessment Protocol. If a parent/guardian cannot be reached, or if they choose not to provide consent, but a concern for safety still exists due to threatening behaviour, the threat assessment may still proceed. Personal information shared throughout this process will respect and balance each individuals right to privacy with the need to ensure the safety of all. As always, student safety is our first priority. If you have any questions regarding the Upper Canada District School Board Community Violence Threat Risk Assessment Protocol, please contact your Superintendent of Safe Schools: David Coombs at 613-258-9393 (ext. 2501) or toll free at 1-888-402-3522 ext. 2501 or Valerie Allen at 613-933-5256 (ext. 4216) or toll free at 1-888-779-2559 ext. 4216