OCTOBER NEWSLETTER 2013
Principal’s Message:
October already….seems like September flew by, but then again…it did! My thanks to all parents and students for a truly remarkable start up for 2013. Thanks to everyone that attended the Welcome Back Barbeque was well. The DUNK TANK was definitely a highlight watching all the kids thrilled with their redemption of dunking me.
This month I write to you about being CONNECTED. I read quite a bit on Twitter and I was struck by a blog post I read by Chris Wejr, a Principal of a school in Agassiz, B.C. This quote stuck with me since reading his blog “By being more connected online, I was becoming less connected with those in front of me.” As parents, we must model how to stay connected in an extremely digital age where our smartphones and ipads can overtake the importance of the people in the room. We are a distracted generation and it is important that we FOCUS on our kids when in the presence of our kids to truly model what FOCUS is. I am guilty of telling my daughter “one minute” as I send off a text, respond to an email or tweet about a great idea. I am guilty of checking my phone in line at Winners rather than engaging in further conversation with my daughter and I am guilty of being out for dinner and forgetting that those I am out for dinner with trump the conversations virtually. We must remember to be connected with our loved ones and model for kids that technology has its place, but is never more important than a human being. It is important for all to remember that we do not need to be available at all times to all people. We need to be available to the people that are with us at that moment. We all need to model effective, respectful and appropriate use of our devices to our kids. It is a different time…and I know it is when my own mother says this summer “Wow you and Payton sure do have a lot of apparatus.” My dear mom didn’t even know that in the 21st Century all these technological inventions are called devices! Pretty funny, but demonstrates that we must educate parents and students alike to be connected to their families, their loved ones, their siblings and use appropriate etiquette when dealing with all those pieces of apparatus(I mean devices).
Sincerely,
Ms. Robb
FAMILY MATH NIGHTS
One of our school goals for the next three years is to focus on NUMERACY and build the basic facts skills, computation, common language and problem solving skills of our students. In an effort to demonstrate that math is fun and that parents are here to support our children just as much as teachers are, we are offering THREE FAMILY MATH NIGHTS at Arthur Stevenson!
Please join us (and RSVP by returning the tear away slip at the end of the newsletter) and enjoy a fun night out with your children all the while learning great strategies to use while supporting and improving skills in your child. Family Math focuses on parents and children learning mathematics together. It gives parents and children opportunities to develop problem solving skills and to build an understanding of mathematics with hands on materials. Students (that is parents and children alike) will learn how to think about a problem using such strategies as looking for patterns, drawing a picture, working backward, working with a partner, solving a problem by its components, solving simpler related problems or eliminating possibilities. Having a wealth of strategies allows for choices of ways to start looking at problems. We will also learn several mental math strategies and short cuts. We hope to see many of you on all or one of the nights.
OCTOBER 16, 23 and 30 from 6 pm to 7 pm! See everyone then!
COME READ WITH ME PROGRAM- GR.1 PARENTS
NEW THIS YEAR! Ms. Robb has organized for a PARENT WORKSHOP in order to support parents in the system who have Gr.1 students who are now beginning to read.
Mastermind reading teacher, Mrs. Fiona Clare, will give an interactive and informative workshop for parents of Gr.1 students on Tuesday Oct. 22 starting at 8:15 am in the library.
This will last until about 10 am.
Light refreshments will be served and Gr.1 students will also get to join their parent for some reading time.
A letter to employers will be provided by me as the Principal requesting your presence so that your employer releases you from work to attend.
Teachers will be sending home the invitations this week. Please be sure to send back your RSVP so we can plan accordingly.
We look forward to seeing all the Gr.1 Moms and Dads at school with us for COME READ WITH ME.
ART CARDS FUNDRAISER
This month all students at ASES will create a unique card as an Art project. This card then gets sent to a company that will transpose your child’s drawing into cards you can give to friends and family. Please talk to your child about what kind of card you would like them to design in hopes you love it and will purchase some of their greeting cards as part of our fundraiser.
Money raised with the sale of the cards will go directly back to your child’s classroom so that the teacher can buy resources and books for your child’s classroom.
Some ideas for the ART CARDS- Birthday Card theme, Christmas, Thank You Cards, or just their art work design which you can give or use as a blank card throughout the year.
Your child’s name and age will appear on the back of the card creation.
Thank you for supporting this school fundraiser.
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS- We Need A PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR Driver’s License and Insurance!
Just a reminder that if you are to ever drive for a field trip or sporting event you MUST complete the VOLUNTEER DRIVER FORM. Similarly, prior to driving children in your vehicle, Mrs. Scharien must take a photocopy of your current driver’s licence and registration. Please come see her immediately to get those photocopied and on file.
CROSS COUNTRY RUN CLUB NEWS
Special thanks to Mrs. Hawkings for coaching the Cross Country Run team as well as the Tues/Thursday 7:45 am RUN CLUB.
Thanks to all the parents that also drove children to the runs this season. The team will end the season with the District Championship run at Dallas Elementary on Wed. Oct. 9th. We wish them all the best.
ON OCT.2 WE HOST THE ASES DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY RUN AT CENTENNIAL PARK!
TERRY FOX RUN
WHAT A GREAT RUN IT WAS! Sept.26 was National Terry Fox School Run Day! Congratulations to all ASES students for running in his honor and bringing a donation. SPECIAL THANKS TO PAC AND COOPERS for the donation of 300 juice boxes!
VOLLEYBALL NEWS
Volleyball practices have begun. Tier 1 Boys are being coached by Mrs. Sharla Day. Tier 1 Girls by Mr. George Smith. Tier 2 Girls by Mr. Steve Scott and Tier 2 Boys by Mrs. Terri Hawkings. The season gets underway the week of October 15th. Permission forms and driving request letters will be sent home in the coming weeks once schedules come to us.
THANKSGIVING WEEKEND
Just a reminder that Arthur Stevenson Elementary is closed on Monday October 14th so that families can give thanks and spend an extra day together. Enjoy the long weekend and we will see everyone back at school on Tuesday Oct.15th.
HALLOWEEN- OCT. 31 is BLACK AND ORANGE DAY!
With October upon us, stores will begin the yearly tradition of selling chocolate and candy to one and all. With that said, we ask parents to be vigilant and ensure that MINIMAL, if possible, ZERO, candy is sent to school as a snack or dessert. Large quantities of sugar in large quantities of students really do affect the learning environment and tone of the school. Each classroom teacher will be doing a variety of Halloween activities so watch for special notices from individual teachers.
NEW THIS YEAR! Staff and I have discussed October 31 and this year at Arthur Stevenson OCTOBER 31 will be a SPIRIT DAY! Children are to wear as much BLACK AND ORANGE as possible!
We would ask that CHILDREN DO NOT COME TO SCHOOL IN COSTUME. Please save that costume for Halloween evening. They are often inappropriate for school, get in the way of functioning properly(sitting in a chair, on the floor or playing at recess/lunch) and distract children from their learning.
Every year costumes get ripped, damaged or pieces lost or forgotten at school which causes unnecessary grief for parents and children on the night of Halloween.
I strongly encourage students to come dressed in BLACK AND ORANGE as a SPIRIT DAY OPTION. Staff will also be participating in the black and orange day too!
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October is Canadian LIBRARY MONTH!
Oct. 2- ASES CROSS COUNTRY RUN
Oct. 2- ART CARD FUNDRAISER BEGINS (children start brainstorming their art card!)
Oct. 3/4- Kids Can Move Program Gr.3-5
Oct.4- TERM 1 OVERVIEWS sent home to parents with targeted goals for intended learning outcomes
Oct. 5- CHAPTERS ADOPT A SCHOOL FUN FAIR EVENT! 12-4 Bake Cakes!
Oct. 7- PAC MEETING
Oct.7- FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
Oct.8- LIFETOUCH PHOTO DAY
Oct.9/10- PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS
Oct. 14- Thanksgiving – No School
Oct. 16- FAMILY MATH NIGHT #1 6 pm.
Oct. 16- Power of Being a Girl Workshop- Mrs. Bonthoux organizing
Oct.17- Jack and the Beanstalk Play- some primary classes 1 pm
Oct.17- GREAT BC SHAKEOUT EARTHQUAKE DRILL
Oct. 18- ME TO WE DAY
Oct.18- Last Day to Enter Pizza with the Principal for October
Oct. 22- Come Read with Me- Gr.1 parents
Oct. 23- FAMILY MATH NIGHT #2 6 pm
Oct. 24- PAC HALLOWEEN DANCE
Oct 25-NON INSTRUCTIONAL DAY
Oct. 28- SCHOOL LIBRARY DAY IN CANADA- Drop Everything and Read 11:00 am
Oct. 28- Pizza with the Principal Lunch
Oct. 29- McLean and Hawkings to the Pumpkin Patch
Oct. 30- Recognition Assembly 9 am
Oct. 30- Big Buddy Activities school wide PM
Oct. 30 –FAMILY MATH NIGHT #3 6 pm
Oct. 31- Happy Halloween- WEAR BLACK AND ORANGE!
Nov.4- PAC MEETING
Nov.6- LIFETOUCH PHOTO RETAKES
Nov.8- REMEMBRANCE DAY ASSEMBLY 9 am
Nov.11- NO SCHOOL- REMEMBANCE DAY
PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS
Oct.9 and 10th are PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEW days at Arthur Stevenson. Teachers will be booking PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS on these afternoons. Please watch for a sign up system with your child’s teacher(some teachers will have a sign up sheet on a table outside the office, while others will email or hold their own sign up) These interviews are only 15 min. in length so please try to keep to the fifteen minute time slot that you have, otherwise it puts the teacher off schedule for the rest of the day.
*Please note that Friday October 25th is a NON INSTRUCTONAL DAY. There is no school for students.
EARTHQUAKE DRILL- GREAT BC SHAKEOUT
On October 17th Arthur Stevenson has been registered to participate in the BC GREAT EARTHQUAKE SHAKEOUT DRILL. All schools in our district are expected to hold one earthquake drill a year so why not do it on the day that BC is making HISTORY! Students and teachers will follow district policy on how to prepare and live through an earthquake. Feel free to talk to your children about this in advance.
FRUIT/VEGGIE PROGRAM
Just a note to parents that we are offering the FRUIT AND VEGGIE program again this year. Blueberries were already delivered to our classes by our volunteer parent Amanda Yaseniuk. The children love all the fresh fruit and vegetables that come to our school. Just a reminder that if you DO NOT want your child to participate you should let Amanda know. It is amazing how many fruits and vegetables get consumed on the days Amanda organizes this all. THANK YOU, AMANDA!
SAFE ARRIVAL/LATES
If your child is going to be late or absent it is imperative that parents call the school and leave a message with Mrs. Scharien. Arthur Stevenson does a safe arrival program, where we cross reference attendance with phone messages to ensure that everyone is accounted for. If your child is late or is leaving early, they need to sign IN AND OUT at the office counter. Thank you for spending the time to inform the school 250 579 9284 when your child is absent as it saves Mrs. Scharien a lot of time and eliminates frightening phone calls.
PHONE CALLS/MESSAGES FOR STUDENTS
With 283 students at our school it is helpful for the administrative assistant, Mrs. Scharien, if children have their afterschool plans in order prior to leaving for school in the morning. It can be challenging to try to get messages to all the children who have a change in plans at the end of the day. Please inform your child who is picking them up, whether they are to walk home or where the meeting spot is afterschool BEFORE saying goodbye to your child each day.
Mrs. Scharien is one busy lady and cannot act as personal assistant to students and their messages. Thank you for planning ahead.
DRESS FOR THE WEATHER
Autumn is upon us and with it has come the cooler temperatures. We were so spoiled in September, but those warm days will be gone soon. On supervision each day we are beginning to see many students not dressed appropriately. Students should be reminded to head outside at recess and lunch with their hoodies or coats. Children should not be asking supervisors for HALL PASSES to get jackets. Please discuss with your child that they need to be wearing long sleeved clothing now that October is here.
PHOTO DAY
SMILE! PHOTO DAY IS COMING! Tuesday October 8th is our school picture day. Your child will get to select the background color and pose- please send back the flyer that comes home with your child so the teacher can give them to the photographer on picture day.