September+2008+Newsletter

September, 2008 Other forms being sent with this newsletter are the (1)Permission to Pick Up form, (2)the photo permission form and the (3)Winter School Closure form. Please get the Data Registration form sent home with your child yesterday back to us as soon as possible. (Adapted from School Health letter District 18, information from Health Canada and Rising Healthy Kids) Respectfully Yours Ann Marie Berry Wattie
 * Andover **** Elementary School **
 * I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone back to school and to extend a warm welcome to our new students. Mrs. Kelly Christensen, Our Vice-Principal, Mrs. Vicki Demmings, our Administrative Assistant, and Mrs. Cathy Longstaff, our part time Secretary and I are happy to welcome you on behalf of the rest of the Staff. I am very happy to be returning to Andover Elementary after several years at the Perth-Andover Middle School and I am looking forward to being the Principal of our great school for the next five years. **
 * We are beginning the year with approx. 347 students and 24 educators. Our Kindergarten Team of teachers is Mrs. Debbie Thomson (K1), Mrs. Marg Hansen (K2) and Mrs. Michelle Chase (K-1A). As Mrs. Chase is on Maternity Leave, Mrs. Tarah DeMerchant Lewis will be with us until March. Our grade one team is Mrs. Jennifer Rossignol (1C) and Mrs. DeMerchant Lewis as well as Mrs. Christensen and Mr. Jason Green, who will share the 1B class while also having administrative and Resource & Method responsibilities. Mrs. Laurie Sutherland is our full time Resource and Methods teacher. The grade 2 team is Mrs. Laura McCarthy Oneill (2D) who teaches the French Immersion class, Mrs. Anne Curran (2F) and Ms. Tanya Crawford who has the 2-3E class. The grade three team is: Mrs. Darcy Pelkey (3G), Mrs. Krista Christopherson, who has the 3-4H, and Mrs. Lynn Caron (3I). There is another room with grade 4 French Immersion students and that is Mrs. Nathalie Brodeur’s room, 4L, and we also have Mrs. Howland’s grade 4 class (4J). Ms. Kathy Bowmaster is our Guidance teacher and Mrs. Mary Doherty and one other employee (who will be hired soon) will work with her as School Intervention Workers. **
 * This year we will have our first Intensive French students in grade 5. The 5M class will begin the year with Mrs. Elizabeth Sullivan spending over three hours a day helping them to learn the French language. They will have Math with Mr. Baker, Music with Ms. Budrow, and Physical Education with Mr. Shannon Fillmore in English. Mr. Baker will have his own grade 5 home room, 5N. Late in January the grade 5 students will switch teachers and the IF class will have the compacted grade 5 subjects with Mr. Baker while the other class has the IF experience with Mrs. Sullivan. Mrs. Kate Scheidler will join Mrs. Carol Jarvis as Literacy Lead Teacher Team. Mrs. Tracey Fitzherbert will work out of the Math Centre in her role as Math Lead Teacher and Mrs. Maryse Michaud will operate the Community School and Volunteer Centre in our building. Our teachers assistants are Mrs. Kris Williams, Mrs. Linda Morrissey, Mrs. Robin Williams, Mrs. Rhonda Savoy, Mrs. Stephanie Hamilton and Mrs. Vicki St. Amand. Mrs. Tia Perley will be on Maternity leave this year and we wish her much happiness as she awaits the birth of her child. Ms. Ruth Somerville has chosen to be on leave this year. **
 * The next few sections of this newsletter will be useful for our new parents. There is some new information in this newsletter as well. While there is a wealth of information below, the list is not conclusive. Should you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school at 273-4761. We are really looking forward to this year and we trust you are too! **
 * This is just a reminder that we are a peanut free school. Therefore, please do not send any peanut butter and peanuts to school with your child. **
 * Due to a new financial program Province-wide, we do not keep any amount of money at the School, so we will not be able to make change. **
 * //__ 2009-2010 KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION __//**
 * The 2009-2010 kindergarten registration will be held on October 14-17 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Please call the school at 273-4761 to pick up a registration form. **
 * //__ HOT __//****//__ LUNCH __//**
 * The “__Healthier Eating Value Meal Plan__” may be purchased daily, weekly, or monthly. When 5 or more meals are purchased you will receive a .20 cent discount per meal. **
 * The prices of the “Healthier Eating Value Meal Plans” are: **
 * K-2 $14.25 for 5 meals with milk. (includes .20 cent discount per meal) **
 * K-2 $14.75 for 5 meals with fruit juice. (includes .20 cent discount per meal) **
 * Grade 3-5 $14.75 for 5 meals with milk (includes .20 cent discount per meal) **
 * Grade 3-5 $15.25 for 5 meals with fruit juice (includes .20 cent discount per meal) **
 * Small dessert with meal .15 cent extra per day **
 * The “__Healthier Eating Value Meal Plan__” may be used for any 5 consecutive or non-consecutive days. Multiple week plans are also available. Please see the cafeteria manager for details on ticket purchase and payment. Please make cheques payable to: Chadwick Food Service. Any unused meal tickets are valid until the end of the current school year. **
 * //__ School Arrival: __//**
 * Our school begins at 8:15 A.M. when the first bell rings. Parents who drive their children to school should plan to arrive at 8:00 A.M. The school is not able to provide supervision for your children prior to that time. Please do not drop off elementary students before this time. Upon arrival, students should go directly to their classroom. **
 * //__ School Departure __//****__ : __**
 * Students in Grades K-2 will board the school bus at 1:50 P.M. Parents/caregivers who pick up their children are to come at that time, as well. **
 * Students in Grades 3-5 will depart at 3:05 P.M. Parents/caregivers who pick up their children can do so at that time, as well. **
 * //__ Sign-Out __//****__ : __**
 * Safety is our first priority for our children. We have a moral and legal obligation to be aware of all visitors in our school and the purpose of their visit. Any person on school property who is not a student or staff member of Andover Elementary is considered a guest. **
 * All visitors are required to report to the office upon entering the school. Permission must be gained from the office before proceeding to any other part of the school and a Visitor’s Pass will be issued by the Administrative Assistant before guests proceed to any other part of the building. **
 * Research has clearly shown that student outcomes are directly affected by time on task. Gaining the attention of children is not as easy as flipping a switch. It is a dynamic and fragile process, which required careful planning and execution to establish and is equally difficult to maintain. Once the focus of a class is broken, it is all but impossible to regain before the end of the period. **
 * Visitors to classrooms during teaching and learning time are distracting to students and disruptive to the teaching and learning process. We asks parents **
 * to work in partnership with the school to protect and preserve teaching and learning time for our children so that they might have the best possible opportunity for success. **
 * If it is necessary for you to pick up your child early (which should be only for a medical appointment or family emergency), come to the office and we will call for your child. You will be asked to complete a sign-out form. **
 * We assume that both parents have the right to pick up a child unless you tell us differently. Custody Paper or legal restrictions which are shared with the Administration will be enforced. **
 * Please write a note to inform us if any person other than the parents has permission to pick up your child. This information should be sent in the communication book or agenda. Please do not call the school for Bus Passes unless there is an emergency change in plans. Requests for a change in busing should be made in writing and be sent to school with your child. **
 * Parents and family members who wish to volunteer in the school or join a field trip must have 701 Training. This can be done on line if you have a fast internet connection. You may also call the school and we will arrange a time when a computer will be available for you to use here, if you do not have fast access at home. **
 * //__ Community Benefit Concert __//**
 * We are anxious to share Ms. Budrow’s exciting plan for a Community Benefit Concert with Matthew Anderson who is donating his time and talent for this Concert to benefit the Music programs at the area schools. This concert will be held at Southern Victoria on Wednesday October 1st at 7:00pm. Tickets will be available at the schools for $10.00. **
 * //__ OPEN HOUSE __//**
 * We will be hosting an Open House on September 10th from 6:00 to 7:30. We will meet in the gym at 6:00 sharp at which time the teaching staff will be introduced. After this brief session, you will have the opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher and to become acquainted with classroom routines, curriculum, etc. This is not a time to discuss individual academic concerns. **
 * //__ Behavioural Expectations __//**
 * The expectations of Andover Elementary School are made for the safety and comfort of the entire school community. The expectations are meant to instruct students in appropriate behaviour and assist parents in their efforts to raise children to become happy and productive citizens. The following five simple rules are meant to ensure that students, staff and parents have a common and consistent understanding of the accepted conduct code at Andover Elementary School. **
 * Rule #1: Please treat others the way you would like to be treated. All members of our school community expect polite, respectful and courteous behaviour at all times both inside the building and on the playground. **
 * Rule # 2: No rough behaviour inside the school or when playing outdoors. **
 * Rule # 3 The use of foul or inappropriate language is not acceptable. **
 * Rule # 4: Respect for personal and school property must be shown at all times. **
 * Rule # 5 Quiet and orderly behaviour is expected at all times when moving throughout the building. **
 * If your child struggles to finish assigned work within a reasonable amount of time, check on starting time, actual work time, or other difficulties. Sometimes a two-minute question and answer session will help get things back on track. Also, let your child’s teacher know of any difficulties you encounter. Teachers generally try not to assign homework over holidays and reduce the requirement considerably on weekends. In upper elementary, longer periods of time are frequently allotted for extended project type assignments such as science and social studies projects, book reports, etc. Parents should watch for due dates and assignment guidelines for these projects and give encouragement along the way. **
 * //__ Medication for Students __//**
 * On occasion, we have been asked by a parent to ensure their child receives prescribed medication. Please be aware that in order to do so, we require the completion of the Request for Administration of Medication at School Form. This form is available from your child’s teacher and must be completed in advance before medication can be administered. **
 * //__ Newsletters __//**
 * A school newsletter is sent home on the first Wednesday of the month. The newsletter is sent home with the oldest child in each family. We will also be working on a project to post the Newsletter on line. **
 * The October Newsletter and School Wide Fundraiser information will go home on Wednesday October 1st. This fundraiser will run from October 1-20th and we are hoping you will consider buying Christmas wrap and gift items from this sale which will benefit our students. **
 * //__ Student Use of the Telephone __//**
 * Students will be permitted to call home (or calls will be made on their behalf) for emergency situations such as illness or injury. Forgotten assignments, gym clothing, skates and requests to go somewhere, other than home after school, are not considered emergency situations. Students will be encouraged to be responsible with regard to planning and preparing for their day. **
 * //__ Talk Mail __//**
 * In an effort to maintain the level of communication between Andover Elementary School and your home, we will once again be utilizing the talk mail feature. To have talk mail installed, please call NBTel/Aliant toll free at 1-800-561-6283. You will not be charged for any messages that you receive from the school. You will only pay for those messages that you send or if you reply to a message. **
 * School Pictures will be taken on Thursday September 11th. **
 * //__ AES __//****//__ Community School __//****//__ Update __//**
 * WELCOME back everyone. Our Community School Based programs will still be on going this school year. We would like to continue to improve the quality of life in our community and our school to support our families and children. We believe in caring, collaborative environments with students, parents, staff and community partners communicating and working effectively with each other. Every community has a role to play in creating a culture of learning and mentoring for children from Early Childhood Development to High School Apprenticeship. Lets get together SCHOOLS---PARENTS---COMMUNITY for Promoting Partnerships For Learning. Here a list of what will be going on and upcoming events at Andover Elementary School our Community School. **
 * *ROOM 231 is our new Community School and Volunteer Centre. This room will be for PSSC, Home and School, conferences, meetings, training, tutors, student clubs, our Grand Buddies program and more. We have a calendar of events to coordinate the use of the room. **
 * *We will be recruiting for Volunteers to help us in our different clubs and programs. If interested to be a volunteer at our school, once a year, once a week, for classroom, special activities, once a month, on a committee or more than once a week? Please contact community school coordinator. **
 * *Volunteer meeting: Monday, September 22, 2008 from 6:30-7:30 pm in Room 231. **
 * *CARS (Communities Achieving Responsive Services) 7th teleconference session training on September 25, 2008 from 5:30-7:30 pm in Room 231. **
 * *Parents Information Conference: (Acti-Move) Action based learning utilizing movement, music and brain gym. All to give parents different constructive tools for them and their family. This will be on Monday, September 15, 2008 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in Room 231. **
 * *Clubs and activities AES students recruitments, will be announce in school for AES BIZ Club, PEN PAL Club, Student Wellness Club, Student Share a Talent Club and new possibilities: Media/News Club, Environment/Green Thumb Club, Welcoming Club, Mentorship Club and Acti-Move Club. **
 * Thank you for your time and have a great day. **** J  **
 * For more information you can reach me on my cell: 273-7960 **
 * Maryse C. Michaud **
 * Community School-Based Coordinator **
 * Starting this school year, cell phones are not permitted in any District 14 school during Instructional Hours. Families are also discouraged from sending students to school with any hand held games or musical devices. Cameras are not allowed unless the teacher has given permission for a specific project. **
 * School Pictures will be taken on Thursday September 11th. **
 * __ September Dates to Remember __**
 * September 2 Students’ First Day **
 * September 3 September Newsletter **
 * September 2,3,4, Fire Drills and Kindergarten Staggered Entry **
 * September 10 Open House, PSSC Elections **
 * September 10 Agriculture Day for Grade 5 students **
 * September 11 Picture Day **
 * September 26 Terry Fox Walk and Fundraiser **
 * September 30 Student of the Month Assemblies **
 * // What you need to know about Back Packs //** :
 * Children’s back packs should weigh no more than 10% of their body weight. For example a 55lb child should carry a back pack weighing 5.5 lbs or less.
 * Try to lessen the load by distributing weight evenly across the back. Put the heaviest item in first.
 * Shoulder straps should be wide and adjustable. Adjust them so the backpack fits close to the upper part of the body.
 * Children need to wear both shoulders traps. Wearing one shoulder strap can cause leaning to one side and curving of the spine. This can lead to pain and discomfort in the back muscles.