BERWICK & DISTRICT SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER
September 2013
Please remember that Berwick & District promotes a scent free and peanut free school.
SCHOOL NEWS:
Early Dismissals:
Wednesday, September 18th, 2013 / Early Dismissal at 11:45 amMonday, September 30th, 2013 / Regional In-Service – No School
Principal’s Message: It is my great privilege to be the acting-principal of Berwick & District School. As a community you are very fortunate to have such a dedicated and talented staff in your local school. I have been impressed by the students’ respectful behaviour and I look forward to a year that is built on a foundation of respect and cooperation. As is the case every year, this school is off to busy start. I would encourage all students to find an extra-curricular activity to get involved in. The best news as we begin the year is that Mr. Tessier is doing very well and is gaining his strength daily.
I would like to welcome all of the new students to Berwick. I hope that you find it a great place to learn and grow. We have many new staff members who we welcome. Our new staff members are Cindy Dickie – Vice-Principal, Courtney MacIssac-Grade 7 French Immersion, Meaghan Pike-Grades 3& 4 math and health, Emily Johnson-Grades 5 &6 French Immersion, Sarah Giovannetti-Resource, Janis Young –Educational Assistant and Carla MacPherson -P/1.
Please send the registration form and the picture consent form back in with your students. It is vital that we have the most current information on your children so that we can keep them safe and so we can contact you in the case of an emergency. The picture consent is very important because without it your student’s picture can’t be published, which would include the yearbook.
As you are well aware our pick up and drop off situation at Berwick & District is tricky, at best, and necessitates that everyone needs to exercise patience and a great deal of safety. I need to insist that no cars come into the bus loop after 2:45 and until the buses leave. Please take advantage of the rink parking lot but use caution crossing the road.
Our first PTSA meeting will be Tuesday, September 24th. All are welcome. Please feel free to contact me through the year if you need to discuss an issue or concern.
Patrick Murphy
Acting-Principal
Student Support Worker: We are pleased to have Sharmay Beals-Wentzell return as our student support worker. Sharmay will work with our students of African descent. She will be with us Tuesdays- 12:00-4:00, Thursday –all day, Fridays – 8:30-10:45. We are also pleased to have Kaitlin Melanson return as our Native Student Advisor. Kaitlin will be here all day on Mondays and Fridays, as well as Tuesday mornings and Wednesday afternoons.
“Stand Up Against Bullying Day” is Thursday, September 12th, 2013 as designated by the Province of Nova Scotia. Students and staff are encouraged to wear Pink on this date.
Open House will be held on Thursday, September 19th, 2013 from 7:00-9:00 pm. Our Book Fair will also be held the same night during this event from 6:30-8:30 pm.
Band Registration will take place on September 19th, 2013 from 5:00-7:00 pm during Open House.
PTSA: The first PTSA (Parent-Teacher-Student Association) meeting for the new school year will be held on Tuesday, September 24th, 2013 at 7:15pm in the Family Studies room. Meetings are usually held the third Tuesday of each month during the school year. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to attend to learn more about our PTSA and its involvement in our school.
Terry Fox run will be held on Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 at 2:00 pm. Rain date is Friday, September 27th, 2013.
School Photo Day is scheduled for Thursday, September 26th, 2013. Students will bring home their proof with them on this day. If for any reason you required two proofs be issued, please send a note to your child’s homeroom teacher.
School Fees are due on Friday, September 27th, 2013. If you are unable to pay the full installment please contact the office, or send a note to your child’s homeroom teacher, to arrange for a payment plan.
Parents/Guardians: You can subscribe to receive email or text message notification of important announcements from AVRSB, such as school closures. To subscribe, visit www.avrsb.ca/content/notify-me
Berwick and District Volunteers - At BADS, we have traditionally offered students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 an opportunity to participate and compete in a wide variety of sports under Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation guidelines. In past years we have offered Golf, Cross Country Running, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Curling, Badminton and Track and Field. If you are interested in volunteering with a team through coaching or managing, our P.E. teacher, Mr Walsh, will be available to talk with during the Open House on September 19th. There will also be an opportunity for any school volunteer to pick up the necessary Criminal Records Check and Child Abuse Registry paperwork required to volunteer, at the Open House.
Berwick and District Visitor Policy Reminder: Please remember to make contact with the office when arriving at Berwick and District before going to your child’s classroom. This procedure helps us maintain safety within our school in case of an emergency. We thank you for your support.
Friendly Reminder: Please do not park in the bus lane when dropping off and picking up students; or in the disabled permit only parking area as this space is limited to those with a disabled permit sticker. As well, we request that parents/guardians wait in the lobby, away from the doors leading to the east wing, during dismissal time for their children due to congestion from the traffic flow in the Primary to four classrooms. We thank you for your support regarding these requests.
Phone Messages: We encourage families to discuss what the routine for the day will be before coming to school. We have a number of students asking to make calls on a daily basis to find out where they are suppose to go after school. This can create havoc for both the child/student and the office, especially when the parent/guardian can not be reached. Please remember that we do our best to advise students, however, our office is a very busy place and messages for students do have a risk of not getting to them, especially when the calls are short notice. Therefore, we ask that you call with messages for your child only if an emergency. We thank you for your support with this request.
Reminder to Parents Students who walk or who are transported in private vehicles should not be arriving until 8:20 a.m. There is no outside supervision for students.
COMMUNITY NOTICES:
Items in this section announce activities in which students or their family members are likely to participate. These are activities, which the school does not sponsor nor necessarily encourage – they are here for your information only.
The Western Kings Community Health Board, one of the 5 Community Health Boards within Annapolis Valley Health, has a mandate to improve the overall health of the community using a Population Health approach. We recognize that a healthy community is one in which barriers like income, education, physical and social environment, healthy development, etc (Social Determinants of Health) are diminished. The WKCHB is currently recruiting volunteer membership. If you live within the Western Kings catchment area and have an interest in population health and health communities, click on : Click here for more information or on the “apple” below to find information and resources on Community Health Boards and how you can get involved:
Dance ConXion is hosting a community wide DAY OF DANCE open house on Saturday September 7 from 10:00-3:00. There will be dance demonstrations, a canteen, photo booth (TLJ Photos), info on upcoming classes, meet the staff as well as 25% off all instock retail (skate, gymnastics & dance gear). Canteen proceeds will be donated to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada Atlantic Canada Region. Now is your chance to check out a new style of dance & get geared up for the new season. We'd LOVE to see you - check out your CHANCE to DANCE this season!
The “12th Annual Registration/Information Session” for all local youth groups in Berwick and area takes place Friday, September 6th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm and Saturday, September 7th from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon in the Town Hall Gym. Please contact Berwick Recreation at 538-8616 for more information.
The Terry Fox Run in the Town – Sunday, September 15 at the Berwick Town Hall. Registration at 1 pm, Run starts at 1:30. Everyone is welcome – pledge sheets are available at the Town Hall or on-line at www.terryfox.org. Please contact Berwick Recreation at 538-8616 for more information.
Learn-to-skate with CanSkate ! Lessons are led by NCCP certified Professional Coaches and will teach Fundamental Skating Skills that pertain to hockey, ringette, speed skating, figure skating and safe recreational skating. New Time! SUNDAYS from 5-5:50 pm staring Sunday, October 20th at the Kentville Centennial Arena. Cost is $200.00 (tax included). Program runs from October 2013-March 2014, ending with an ice show. Registration dates are: September 14th 9-12 noon at Cleves Source for Sports in New Minas; on September 19th 4:30-7:00 pm at the Kentvillle Centennial Arena (warm room). Space is limited to ensure Quality!! For more information contact Michelle at
Parenting concerns and questions? Not sure which way to turn on your “ parenting journey?” Talking through our parenting experiences with another adult can help to clarify our hopes and desires and decide which path to take to achieve these goals. Parenting Journey is a valuable new resource piloted by the Child and Youth strategy to help parents to do just that. The aim of “Parenting Journey” is not to “treat” the family but to enhance parenting skills and reinforce existing strengths. We recognize that all parents want to be good parents and we aim to assist parents in achieving this goal without fear of discrimination or judgment. There is no cost involved. Please contact Christine Hooper at Valley Child Development, 678-6111 for further information.
Do you find it hard to help your children with homework? Would you like to improve your reading and writing skills? Do you wish your math skills were stronger? Is your spelling a little too “creative”? Do you have trouble filling out forms? The Valley Community Learning Association is committed to help adults reach their learning goals. If you want to upgrade your skills, get your GED, or become involved as a volunteer, contact the Valley Community Learning Association (VCLA) at 679-5252, or toll free 1-866-898-7323. All our programs are free! www.vcla.ca
KMBA: For boys and girls grades P-8 (age 4-14); WEBSITE: www.kingsminorbasketball.com. Registration dates are:
Friday, Sept 6th @ Berwick Town Hall gym - 6-8pm; Saturday, Sept 7th @ Berwick Town Hall gym - 9am-noon; Thursday, Sept 19th @ Coldbrook School cafeteria - 6:30-8pm (school orientation night); and Saturdays, September 21 28th @ Coldbrook School gym - 9am-noon. For more information contact Deidre Burns at 690-5838.
Healthy Living Feature
Head Lice, although a nuisance, is no longer considered a health issue in today’s society. One preventative measure is to check your child/children on a regular basis, every two or three days. If you find lice, please treat your child/children and then return them to school.
Cut and Clip Recipe
Playgroup Granola Bars Amount Per Serving: Calories: 161 | Total Fat: 5.5g | Cholesterol: 9mg
Serving: 24 bars Ingredients
2 cups rolled oats 3/4 cup raisins (optional)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup wheat germ 1 egg, beaten
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, raisins and salt.
3. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix well using your hands. Pat
the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool
for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before
cutting, or they will be too hard to cut.