New Minas Elementary School
34 Jones Road, New Minas,
Nova Scotia, Canada B4N 3N1
Phone: (902) 681-4900 Fax: (902) 681-4904
Website: http://newminaselem.ednet.ns.ca
Principal: Eric Trahan
E-mail:
Vice Principal: Diana Dunn
E- mail:
Secretaries: Mary Gammon & Tascha Levy
E-mail:
Dear Parents/Guardians:
The 2013-2014 school year has been a very busy, productive and successful one!
Needless to say that the many academic, athletic and artistic initiatives that took place this year would not have been possible without the support of so many people and organizations. It is obvious that the students, staff and community members of New Minas School are both gracious and generous with their time and resources.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Grade 5 students who will be moving on to EMS and beyond next year. They have been tremendous leaders and role models within our school and they will be missed. I have complete faith that they will continue to be good citizens and leaders in their own unique way next year.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the staff for all of their hard work this past year. It is obvious that the best interest of students is at the forefront of all of their decisions.
The support of our parents, volunteers and local businesses is also worthy of note. Your donations and gift of time has made a huge difference and is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for supporting our students and programs.
Reminder that we will soon begin the process of creating our class lists for Sept 2014-2015.
In order to ensure the best learning environment for all of our students, staff has developed a very specific list of criteria which is used in order to determine the creation of its classes. Our goal is to create balanced and equitable classes, which we believe, will help ensure ALL students will be provided with the best educational opportunity possible.
Please note that the deadline to make a class placement request is June 6th, 2014.
One policy change that was introduced last year which will continue again this year is the decision not to inform families in which class their child will be placed for next year prior to the last week of August. Namely the week of August 25th – 29th, 2014. This is due to the frequent reconfigurations of our students / classes over the past few years. We believe that in the long run, it will be less of an adjustment should the need arise to move students from one room to another prior to the start of the school year.
Finally, if you would like to avoid the September cash crunch, we will be accepting school supply money during the month of June for next year. Rest assured that if your child does not return in September for whatever reason, a complete refund will be made.
Have a safe and enjoyable summer!
Sincerely,
Eric Trahan, Principal
PTA
It’s hard to believe that the school year is almost over and Fun Fair is just around the corner! We will have a lot of fun events and good food. Because it’s indoors, it will go on rain or shine. We greatly appreciate all volunteers as well as donations for baskets and the cake walk. This is the last PTA fundraiser of the school year, so come and enjoy and invite some friends!
We want to take this opportunity to once again thank everyone who has helped with PTA fundraisers throughout the year. Thanks to your support this year, we have been able to contribute money to help with school basketball nets, to get the new slide for the playground (yet to be installed), to re-supply the PAL cart (activity items for recess), and provide money to the teachers to use towards field trips, class items, etc. as they saw necessary. We feel privileged to be able to contribute to this amazing school and to have such fantastic support!
The Grade 3-5 Spring Concert was a huge success on all counts! It also provided our students an opportunity to showcase their beautiful voices to a very appreciative audience! A huge thank you to Ms. Frampton for her hard work.
Green Team
The many Green Team projects at our school, led by Mme McOrmond, have continued to impress upon our students the importance of conserving electricity and being more careful about reducing, reusing and recycling! Thank you Green team!
Jump Rope for Heart was a huge success! Thank you to all who participated and helped make the event so successful! New Minas Elementary raised close to $5000 for the Heart and Stroke Association.
Donations
The staff and students would like to extend a sincere thanks to the following people for their generous donations and ongoing support of our students and programs: Atlantic Superstore, New Minas Rotary Club, the New Minas PTA executive-Michelle, Melissa, Erin and Denise, Breakfast Program Volunteers- Michelle, Theresa, Kim, John & Denise.
Duck Race Lottery Fundraiser
We really appreciated your support in the purchase of our Apple Blossom Duck Race Lottery tickets. If you have not yet bought a ticket, it’s not too late. Please call the office at 681-4900.
Grade 5 Ceremony
Tuesday, June 17th at 1:00 p.m. We look forward to celebrating and honoring our graduates and invite their families to join us in this ceremony. Our students have worked really hard, and we look forward to this special afternoon for them!
Regional Heritage Fair
Congratulations to all of our students who took part in the Regional heritage fair recently.
Field Day
Thursday, June 27th please send your students to school in clothes that will be comfortable for them to be physically active. We will be both inside and outside on this day so students should also have sunscreen and/or hats!
Marking Days
Please note that there will be no school for students on June 24th, 25th & 26th.
Last Day of School-Monday, June 30th
Closing Assembly @ 9:00 am and
dismissal at 11:15 a.m. Report cards are sent home on this day.
First Day of School
Thursday, September 4th is the first day back for students for the 2014-2015 school year.
Community Events:
Sherbrooke Lake Summer Camp for Children
Are you looking for an adventure camp that provides natural play, adventure and fun? Discover an overnight summer camp for kids, located on beautiful Sherbrooke Lake. Sherbrooke Lake Camp has been focusing on the growth and development of children since 1964 and offers experiential summer programs for kids that incorporate fun, education, self-awareness, skill development, and meaningful connections to nature and the environment safe, supportive and positive place for children and youth to build self-esteem, skills and confidence, all while having fun in, and learning about, the outdoors. The children grow by participating in swimming; crafts, canoeing, campfire, Discovery Time, Vespers and our popular cross lighting ceremony.
Sherbrooke Lake Camp site includes a 1000ft natural sandy beach on the 9 mile Sherbrooke Lake with Chapel Island and Campfire Point on opposite ends. Cabins to hold 8-10 campers and their counselor(s). A large dining lodge where our home cooked meals are served. A large recreation centre for crafts and indoor activities and many acres of wooded area and trails to enjoy.
Feel free to contact our Registrar if you have any questions. For more information, http://www.sherbrookelakecamp.org/index3.html
Town of Kentville and Village of New Minas are offering several exciting spring Tennis clinics, youth and teen summer camps, adult lessons and more! For more information: www.cangarootennis.com or email or check out the town and village websites
A play dealing with the issues of bullying is being presented by CentreStage theatre, Kentville. Cynthia Myers, an artistic director with the theatre became very concerned with this issue over the past year and wrote a play, My invisible friend, to help students teachers and parents deal with it in a positive way. Twelve young people (and a few adults) will be bringing this story to the stage on June 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29th at 2pm in the Upper performance Centre. Zane MacDonald is one of the actors in the play. Call 678-8040 for reservation. www.centrestagetheatre.ca Suitable for Upper Elementary, Middle and high School.
Annapolis Valley Cheer Club 2014-2015
We have Fully Competitive teams, Pre-competitive, Recreation and Special Needs programs, as well as summer camps.
Our fully competitive team placements are June 7, 2014 at Berwick Town Hall Gym.
Recreation, Pre-Competitive programs start in September, we accept registration all summer long, classes fill quickly, so contact us to ensure you don’t miss out on. With over 30 Championship Titles and 5 National Titles in 6 short years, we have proven that we are Valley’s most successful All-Star Cheerleading program, run by Megan Shepherd, 2013’s Canadian Coach of the Year.
Classes held in Cambridge, easily accessible from many areas -30 minutes from Windsor and Greenwood. Please contact us at or phone (902) 691-3331 For more info. you can visit us online at www.annapolisvalleycheerclub.com
Vacation Bible Camp will be taking place at Kings Presbyterian Church July 14-18. This summer take a walk on the “weird side” at Weird Animals Vacation Bible Camp – July 14-18 for Kids age 4-12 - 9am to 12 noon. Registration daily from 8:30-9:00 am. God filled the world with lots of crazy creatures…including you! At Weird Animals vacation Bible camp, kids experience God’s Word in surprising and unforgettable ways! Come join us for lots of fun and live music. Bring a friend. Registration forms are available online at www.kingschurch.ca.
Canadian Parents for French (CPF) Valley Chapter will be having a French camp information night and AGM on June 3rd at 7pm at Berwickand District School. Come find out what CPF can do for you, and how you can get involved! We are also offering an 8 week Level 1 French course for Parents in
September at New Minas Elementary, so come June 3rd to find out moreand save your spot, or e-mail for moreinformation. French learning in and outside of the classroom is to becelebrated, c'est magnifique! Bring your French learners along forsome refreshments and cake, and some French games.
Tennis Lessons in Wolfville
Spring and summer tennis lessons for all ages and levels are available at the Wolfville Tennis Club, 7 Victoria Ave. For more information contact
I am an ECE and First Aid qualified parent of two school age children with 20+ years’ experience in various childcare settings. I amhave an in home daycare approved through Kings County Family Resource Center in New Minas I have one full time spot left to fill starting Jun 2, 2014. While in my care your child will have access to arts and crafts, indoor/outdoor play, circle time, music, movement, educational computer and learn through play aboutlife skills. If you so wish I am also able to do school readiness activities. I will provide nutritious snacks and lunches while here and also help your children to make nutritious choices. Ages birth to five years (school age siblingsaccepted). My rates are $30 per dayand hours are 7:30am-5:30pm. Can be somewhat flexible if needed but weekdays only. Government subsidies accepted if previously approved through Community Services. Please contact Karen at 691-0640 or via email