Welcome to AMTB!

September 2017 Newsletter

Welcome To AMTB!

We extend a big welcome to new and returning students and staff to the 2017-2018 school year.

Please remember to check out all events and information on our school website at www.amtbes.ednet.ns.ca

After this month, the newsletter will be sent to you electronically via the email address you provide on your child’s registration form, (as well as linked on the school website). Janet will create an updated email contact list for each family to receive your newsletter. If you are not receiving them monthly, please let Janet know so we can check the email address. Please note that the HRSB server will not deliver to hotmail accounts, so when you provide us with an email, please do not use this.

Staffing for 2017-2018

Terence Bay Site

Mrs. MacInnis -Gr. P-1-2

Mrs. Pettipas – Gr. 3-4-5

Ms. Mundy - Learning Center

Mr. Campbell- Music

Mr. Comar - Phys. Ed.

Mme. Brennan- French

Michelle Ubsdell- EPA

Anita Overs- EPA

Mike Aucoin- Caretaker

Atlantic Memorial Site

Mrs. Leblanc - Primary

Ms. Woodman/ Mrs. Meers -Primary/ One

Ms. Levy- Gr.1-2

Mrs. Flinn- Gr. 1-2

Mrs. Bradbury- Gr. 2-3

Mr. Power – Gr. 3

Mrs. Doyle/ Ms. Hiltz- Gr. 3-4

Mr. Leahey – Gr. 4-5

Mrs. Slaunwhite – Gr. 5

Mrs. Banks - Resource

Ms. Darrow – Learning Center

Mrs. Kimberley - Music

Mr. Goyetche – Phys Ed

Mrs. Smith – Early Literacy Teacher

Mrs. Supple - Guidance Counsellor

Ms. Nickel- Library Support Specialist

Michele Smith - EPA

Suzanne O’Brien – EPA

Lisa Robertson – EPA

Roseanne McSweeney- EPA

Darrin Jollimore- Caretaker

Janet Blackburn- Secretary

Valerie Meers- Vice Principal

Lana Smith- Principal

Stand Up Against Bullying Day

As it has become a tradition in schools all across Nova Scotia, this Thursday September 14th, is anti-bullying day. We ask that students wear something pink this Thursday to recognize the important message this day represents.

School Supply Fee

If your child’s teacher has purchased all their school supplies, this is just a friendly reminder to please send in the $40.00 for the supplies clearly marked with your child’s name and a receipt will be issued to you from the office.

Safe Arrival

A reminder to parents to call the school when your child will be late or absent. Also, please remember to call the babysitter or daycare when your child is home sick so they do not call us in a panic at the end of the day when the child does not arrive. This is especially helpful in September, as children get use to new buses and/or babysitters. We want to make sure everyone is safe and accounted for.

Curriculum Night

Our annual curriculum night for this school year will be Wednesday, September 27th at both sites. At the AM site, we will gather in the gym at 6:30 to introduce new staff members. Please join teachers in their classrooms at 7:00pm as they share with you important information related to the provincial curriculum that will be covered this year and the routines and practices that will ensure your child has a successful year. Classroom visits have been scheduled in 2 sessions, so that parents who have more than one child can visit more than one room.

Parents - Please remember that the purpose of the evening is to discuss the program and not to have individual

discussions about your child. If you feel there are issues that need to be addressed regarding your child please call the teacher and discuss it with them in a private manner.

Parent Volunteers

As a welcoming community school, we are always looking for parents to volunteer for various reasons and at numerous events throughout the year. If you are planning to volunteer in any capacity, you must have a criminal records check and child abuse registry completed. (or have had one in the last 3 years). Please see Janet at the office for the paperwork.

Any volunteers who wish to be part of our Reading Coach program, we will have a session planned for you with Mrs. Nancy Smith, our Early Literacy Teacher in the near future.

Terry Fox Run

This year our students will once again learn about the legacy of Terry Fox and his inspirational Marathon of Hope with a Terry Fox run. A separate notice and permission slip will be coming home very soon from our Physical Education Specialists, Mr. Goyetche and Mr. Comar.

All students are encouraged to take part and contribute a small donation to support the Terry Fox Foundation. This year’s event is scheduled for Thursday September 28th .The run will take place on the ball field at the Terence Bay site and on the soccer field at The Atlantic Memorial site.

We also invite parents to participate by walking, jogging or by cheering for your children as they complete their laps.

Annual Christmas Fair

The AMTB Christmas Fair is our school’s very important and successful annual fundraiser. We will be having a meeting this Wednesday (Sept 13th) evening at 6:30 at the Atlantic Memorial site to begin this year’s planning. If you are interested in helping out in any way, we would love to see you there. If you would like to help out but cannot make the meeting, please give the office a call and we will pass along your name to the coordinators.

School Pictures

Our school pictures once again this year will be taken by Nova Scotia School Pictures (Calnen). The date is this WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th at both sites.

Children with Life Threatening Allergies

Once again we’d like to remind you that the Halifax Regional School Board has a Life Threatening Allergies Policy and we do have children in our school who have serious life threatening allergies. The safety of our children while at school is paramount and therefore we ask for your help by not sending foods containing nuts. All HRSB schools have become “nut smart” schools and your cooperation in this has been very much appreciated. There are cases of other life threatening allergies specific to classrooms and that information has been shared with you if your child is in that class. Parents please make sure that this and any other medical information is updated as required at the office.

MedicAlert’s No Child Without Program is at Our School

The No Child Without program offers a free MedicAlert membership to students who attend our school and are between the ages of 4 up to their 14th birthday. If your child has a medical condition, allergy or is required to take medication on a regular basis then you should consider a MedicAlert membership through this program. MedicAlert is your child’s voice in an emergency,

MedicAlert membership;

· Gives emergency first responders immediate access to your child’s medical information on their MedicAlert bracelet or necklet

· Enables first responders to quickly obtain up to date medical information by means of the child’s Electronic Health Record through the 24 Hour Emergency Hotline.

· Communicates with the parent or emergency contact upon activation of the Hotline

· Allows free updates of the child’s medical record as needed

MedicAlert identification can alert school staff, friends, coaches and others about your child’s medical condition should an emergency occur.

For further information you can click on the link at the bottom of our school’s webpage or go to www.nochildwithout.ca.

To register your child you will need a No Child Without brochure from the office.

If your child is already part of the No Child Without program and there have been changes to their medical condition, medications or emergency contact information, call MedicAlert at 1-866-679-3220 to update your child’s file.

Medication Administered At School

If your child requires medication to be administered during the school day, please let us know as soon as possible so we can send home the paperwork that needs to be completed according to HRSB policy. Thank you!

Cell Phones

The school policy is that children are not to use cell phones while at school. If absolutely necessary, students may have a cell phone in their possession to use after school but the phone cannot be in sight during the school day. If there is an emergency, students may have access to the school phone via Janet.

Milk and Hot Lunch Program

At AMTB, you will have the option to purchase milk for your child to have with their lunch everyday and you will have the option to purchase a hot lunch twice a week. Pizza on Wednesdays and chicken nuggets on Fridays. The cost is $1.50 for pizza and $2.00 for 6 chicken nuggets. Ketchup will be provided; however, if your child would prefer another dipping sauce, please provide that for them. The milk is subsidized by the province and you pay 40 cents for a 250ml container of 2% white milk. We also have popcorn on Thursdays and a freshly popped bag costs $1.00. As we do not have cafeteria facilities, the pizza and chicken nuggets will be delivered from Emileo’s. The order forms come home monthly. Our first milk and hot lunch program will begin in October. At the AM site the children have access to the lunch room on a rotation schedule. A calendar will be sent home telling you when your child’s class will eat their lunch in the lunch room. While there, a microwave, operated by the adult lunch monitor is available to heat up lunches.

Community Events

Dalhousie BEAM - Because Everyone’s Ability Matters

The BEAM program creates an opportunity for children with a wide range of disabilities, both cognitive and physical, to come out and partake in a variety of different activities with students studying in the health professions. This program is held for one hour on a weekly basis. Each

child is paired with a student buddy; therefore it is optional if parents wish to stay for the duration of the program. The best part? The program is FREE for children to participate in! _

WHEN?

THURSDAYS FROM 6-7PM

SEPT 21, 28

OCT 5, 12, 19, 26

NOV 2, 16, 23, 30

WHERE?

4th FLOOR

DENTISTRY BUILDING

5981 UNIVERSITY AVENUE

WHO?

IF INTERESTED,

PLEASE CONTACT:

Once again- Welcome Back…..please remember we are always happy to answer any questions or concerns regarding your child and school events!