LARKSPUR PUBLIC SCHOOL

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growing together today, for tomorrow
111 Larkspur Road
Brampton, Ontario L6R 1X2
Phone: 905-799-2952 Fax: 905-799-8109
Website:

February 2011

Dates For Your Calendar

February 4Anti-Bullying Presentation to Students

February 10Report Cards Go Home

February 14Red, White & Pink Day

February 21Family Day – No School for Students

February 24Kindergarten registration – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

April 2Family Literacy Conference

PRINCIpAL’S MESSAGE – sTUDENT SAFETY

Morning Drop-off

Parents are reminded of our Kiss N Ride lane located through the main parking lot of the school. We are asking that parents use extreme caution when travelling through our school parking lot in the morning. When dropping your child off please do not park in the parking lot. You may enter the drop off zone while your child is exiting your vehicle, then rejoin the flow of traffic. As always, please follow the direction of staff out on duty.

KINDERGARTEN AM PICK-UP AND PM DROP-OFF

Parents picking up their morning kindergarten students or dropping off their afternoon kindergarten students are reminded that there is no stopping or parking along our front driveway. Please access an assigned parking spot in our main parking lot or along the street and walk to the kindergarten dismissal area. The front driveway is reserved for buses and emergencies.

AFTERNOON PICK-UP

We do not allow cars to enter our school parking lot at the end of the day. Please find an appropriate parking spot on the street unless you are accessing one of our handicapped parking spots with a proper permit. Parents are asked to walk onto school property to get their children using assigned walkways and crosswalks.

We have been advised by the City of Brampton that there will be random spot checks done by parking enforcement officers to ensure parents are observing and following posted signs with regards to stopping and parking. Please be diligent when parking, ensuring you are using a space permitted for parking. There are also many “No Stopping” zones around Larkspur.

Our primary concern during times of high traffic is Student Safety. Please help us ensure the safety of your child during these times by following proper procedures when dropping off or picking up your child from school.

ALLERGY ALERT – Many parents have been bringing in birthday treats for their child’s birthday to be shared with classmates at school. We kindly ask that parents ensure if they are bringing in food to celebrate their child’s birthday that is clearly labeled as peanut/nut free.

Lunch Drop-Off Table

At Larkspur we encourage Healthy Living Choices, including well balanced, healthy lunches.We encourage litterless lunches, reminding students to take their garbage home and bring reusable containers whenever possible.

A lunch drop-off table is available for the days your child forgets his/her lunch. The drop-off table is located in the lower hallway outside the Student Services office. If you are dropping your child’s lunch off on this table please ensure that you have clearly indicated your child’s name and class on the outside of the lunch bag.

This table is meant to serve as a “drop-off” service and parents are requested to leave the building after delivering their child’s lunch. Any visitors/adults are requested to sign in at the main office if they have arranged to stay in the building for a prolonged time.

Family of Schools Night

On Wednesday, March 9th, 2011, Larkspur, along with Stanley Mills P.S., Hewson P.S., and Sunnyview M.S. will be taking part in a Family of Schools Night being held at Sunnyview Middle School from 6 to 8 PM.

The focus of the evening is healthy living and active games that parents/guardians can do with their children. The evening will be divided up into four different activities. The activities are indoor active games, outdoor active games, healthy lunches, and indoor interactive games (e.g., board games). Please come prepared with comfortable clothes and running shoes as everyone will be participating in movement games.

A “Plan to Attend” form will be sent home in the upcoming weeks. If you wish to attend, please return the completed form to your child’s homeroom teacher.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Ms. Kannenberg & Mr. Finlay

Intramural Quidditch

In an effort to extend the physical education program at Larkspur and to promote healthy living in general, we are offering lunch time intramurals for boys and girls in grades 4 and 5. The activity that the students chose to play is Quidditch. Quidditch is a very popular game played in the novel Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling’s. Instead of broomsticks and floating hoops, Quidditch at Larkspur utilizes scooter boards and nets.

Games will begin on February 1st from 10:10 -10:50 and 12:50 – 1:30 in the gym. Students will be organized into mixed teams and they will receive a schedule telling them what time and day they will play. If your son or daughter is interested in playing Quidditch, please have them attend a short meeting on January 25th at 10:10 in the gym.

Mr. Finlay and Ms. Kannenberg

From the Music Room

The Grade 3, 4 and 5 students will be starting our annual "Recorder Karate" programme at the end of January. This year, recorders will be staying at school during the study unit to ensure the instruments are available during every class. Parents may choose to purchase a recorder for children to practice at home.

Ms. Burlow

Winter Weather

A quick reminder to parents that Larkspur students go outside for recess breaks during the morning and afternoon. Please ensure your child brings warm clothing; hat, mitts/gloves, snow pants, winter jacket, scarf so that they are warm during our outside time. In the event of an extreme cold weather alert, we will be keeping students inside during these regularly scheduled outdoor times.

Spelling Bee of Canada

This is the final week to register and volunteer for Brampton Regional Spelling Bee. Spelling Bee of Canada (SBOC) is entering is 24th Annual School and Community Spelling Bee. SBOC program is an exceptional educational opportunity for youth ages 6 – 14 years and is now open to all children living in the Brampton Region.

SBOC is dedicated to the promotion of Spelling Proficiency and offering an extensive program that includes coaching and tutoring the students for the competition. The Spelling Bee is an incredible demonstration and celebration of our multicultural diversity; with participants from many National and Ethnic backgrounds.

If you would like more information on how you can help or register for the Brampton Spelling Bee please contact Julie at (416)746-0072, Joycelet at (905)455-6789 or visit the website at Parents can also register at Shoppers World Customer Service desk during regular mall hours.

QSP Magazine Subscriptions

Just a Reminder!!! The QSP Customer Service number is 1-800-667-2536 for any magazine inquiries. This is the number people should call if they have any questions or concerns about their magazine subscriptions ordered through Larkspur’s Magazine Fundraiser.

Should you have a need to order a magazine subscription check out QSP’s website at When ordering through this website our school continues to benefit! People can order new or renew subscriptions at any time during the year for themselves or as a gift for birthdays, mother's day, father's day etc.

Family Vacations

Just a reminder to parents - if you are going to be taking a family vacation at a time where your child will miss school, the teachers will not be expected to prepare a work package that will go along with your child. If the student will be absent for an extended time, it would be advisable to register the child in one of the local schools in the vacation location.

Keeping a journal, creating a scrapbook of interesting sites and events while away, writing postcards back to the class or creating a collection of information about the location of the vacation are good ways to keep your child reading and writing while away. For mathematics, calculating distances travelled, collecting, organizing, and/or graphing numerical data during the trip will also keep your child in touch with mathematics.

These are a few suggestions that are frequently used by students and their families for a fun and enjoyable way to continue to practice their skills as well as creating a souvenir of the vacation. Parents are asked to submit a letter to the school prior to the vacation indicating the departure and return dates.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Kindergarten Registration for Larkspur Public School will be held on:

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Children born in 2007 can start kindergarten in September 2011. We will continue with half day classes once again. When registering your child, please bring the following items with you:

  • proof of child's age- a birth certificate or passport
  • proof of address- a copy of an offer to purchase or lease agreement or a bank statement or utility bill with your first and last name and address (Note: if using a lease agreement, itmust be accompanied by a second form of proof of address)
  • proof of custody - a child under 16 must reside with his/her parents unless provided documentation supports an alternate living arrangement
  • proof of immunization - proof that your child has been immunized, according to the

recommended immunization schedule in Ontario, to protect against the following:

diphtheriamumpspolio

red measlesrubella (German measles)tetanus

Important information about immunization

In order to attend school in Ontario, your child must have an up-to-date immunization record. When you register your child for school, you will provide copy of your child's immunization record and the school will send it to Peel Health. After registration, keeping your child's records up to date is your responsibility. Peel Health reviews immunization records regularly. Students who are not completely immunized and do not have a valid exemption may not be allowed to attend school.

For information about immunization, or to get a copy of your child's record, call Health Line Peel at 905-799-7700; Caledon residents can call toll-free at 905-584-2216. Translation services are available.

Student Teachers, Co-op Students and CHILD AND YOUTH WORKER Students

Larkspur is a busy place with a lot of things going on. One of our commitments has been to find placements for young teachers in training, for college students and for our high school co-op students. Our wonderful staff give freely of their time to assist these young people in attaining their goals and, in return, Larkspur students and staff benefit in countless ways from their presence here.

Reporting process for February report card (grades 1 to 8)

Peel board supports student success with ongoing communication throughout the year

Continuing this year, there will be no school-wide parent/teacher interview day scheduled for the February reporting period—in the past, this period took place in March. Report cards will be sent home February10, 2011.

By this point in the school year, we have found that most parents are well aware of their child's progress based on the ongoing communication from the school. You will receive a letter with the February report card that indicates if your child is meeting expectations. Should your child’s progress be of concern, the teacher will contact you to discuss ways to work together to further support his/her learning needs by March 1, 2011.

Our teachers are committed to providing parents with the information they need to support their child’s success and will continue to communicate with parents throughout the school year. There is a progress report card and two report cards each year and they provide an overview of your child's progress over a period of time. The best way to see how your child is progressing in school is through the ongoing communication you receive. Some of the ways you may keep up-to-date about your child's progress include the following:

  • talk to your child about school
  • review your child's homework and agenda
  • receive copies of marks your child has received on assignments and tests
  • ongoing communication with your child's teacher.

If you have questions, please contact your child's principal.

Regional Testing

Each spring, the Peel District School Board conducts a region-wide standardized testing program. This January, students in Grade 4 will be taking the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test (CCAT). This aptitude test predicts a student’s potential for learning academic material. It answers the question, “Can the student learn it?” It measures reasoning skills and problem solving abilities common to a number of subject areas.

During the month of April, students in Grade 4 will be taking the Canadian Achievement Test, third edition (CAT-3). This test gives an estimate of a student’s present level of knowledge and skill. It answers the question, “Has the student learned it?”. It tests students on reading, vocabulary, reading comprehension, spelling, math computation and math concepts and applications.

The test scores will become available to us later in the year. These scores are used primarily to help educators plan programs to assist individual students. Standardized tests are only one method we use to determine student success. Other methods of assessment include teacher-designed tests and quizzes. Teachers observe and make judgments about the students’ achievement and performance based on their daily classroom work, projects, portfolios, presentations and displays. Teachers gain additional information through questioning and conferencing with students. You can get more information about the testing program from your child’s teacher, the school principal or by calling the Peel District School Board’s research and evaluation department at 1-800-668-1146.

Help your child prepare for tests

Many students will become anxious at the thought of writing a test. Anxiety about an upcoming test can affect a child's behaviour, thoughts and actions. Here are some ways you can help minimize anxiety at test time:

Organize & Prepare

  • Encourage your child not to leave assignments, studying and homework to the last minute.
  • Schedule time for review and work on assignments each day.
  • Establish a regular time of the day for homework, studying etc.
  • Make the home a homework-friendly environment where learning is regular routine.
  • Remove distractions like the television, stereo, telephone when studying.
  • Tell your child to make sure tests and due dates are marked in their agenda.

Practice

  • Encourage your child to think about what, when, where, why and how whenpreparing/completing assignments.
  • Develop practice tests and help them anticipate questions.
  • Review previous exercises.
  • When appropriate, encourage your child to pair up with a friend to review information and brainstorm.
  • Build learning into family activities— suggest keeping a journal, writing a report or a news article about family events, outings or trips.

Be in the know

  • Check out the curriculum for your child’s grade level (available as PDF files at
  • Ask your child’s teacher about major topics studied and how these topics are structured— homework, assignments, exercises
  • Use your child’s agenda to communicate with their teacher—ask questions, check for homework tips, etc.

Conference helps parents 'make a difference in literacy and beyond'

Make a difference in literacy and beyond – practical ways parents can boost learning is on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School in Brampton. This free learning event is open to Peel parents of students at all grade levels.

  • choose from more than 40 practical workshops designed to help you help your child succeed in school
  • purchase educational materials from exhibitors
  • receive a free lunch, giveaways and more

Registration opens in February 2011

Stay up-to-date!

For more information, look out for the conference brochure at your child's school in February. Conference and registration information will also be available in February in the "Parents Boost Learning" section of .

Help your family prepare for cold weather ahead

Canada Safety Council recommends the following tips for staying comfortable and preventing hypothermia when working or playing outdoors:

  • Wear a warm hat—most body heat is lost through the head. Children should keep an extra hat at school.
  • Wear layered clothing. Layers allow warm air to stay trapped around the body.
  • Protect your feet and hands. Wear loose waterproof boots. If the boots have liners, carry an extra pair to replace damp ones or take an extra pair of socks. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Carry an extra pair of mittens to school, on outings, etc.
  • Prevent dehydration and exhaustion, which can lead to hypothermia. Drink plenty of fluids and pace yourself when doing vigorous activities.
  • Stay fit by exercising and eating well—people who are fit are less susceptible to hypothermia.
  • If you stay indoors, avoid moving from a hot environment to a cold one. Excessive sweating caused from an extreme change in temperature increases the risk of developing hypothermia.
  • Eat high-energy food such as nuts and raisins.

If you are travelling (on the road or in the wilderness) carry emergency supplies.