Working Together for Success Travaillons Ensemble · PDF fileWorking Together for Success Travaillons Ensemble pour Réussir École White City School Newsletter . January –...

Working Together for Success Travaillons Ensemble pour Réussir

École White City School Newsletter January – February – March 2016

“Working Together for Success. Travaillons Ensemble pour Réussir.”

We are committed to working collaboratively with you; we are committed to creating a learning environment where students are engaged in their learning. You can count on us to provide optimal engaging educational opportunities so that children will learn to the best of their ability!

École White City School families will once again

use SchoolSoft, the on-line scheduler to schedule report card conferences (March 22-23). Information will be emailed to families about 1 week prior to Parent-Teacher-Student conferences.

Scholastic Book Fair Returns to EWCS! Watch for Book Fair

Information Flyer which will soon be sent home with students! Don’t forget to register for the draw held Monday March 21. All entry forms must be in by Friday March 18. The Book fair will be open to the public from 4-8pm on Tuesday March 22 and from 4-6pm on Wednesday March 23 during Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences. Cash, debit and credit forms of payment will be accepted for all purchases.

SCC Reading Incentive

The winner of 5/6E’s January gift card to Chapter’s was Gr. 6 student Reid Hengen for reaching the reading goal. Congratulations Reid!!

SCC Hot Luncheon Reminder Families are reminded that should your child be absent on the day during which he/she was to receive a hot lunch, (a) the parent can arrange for a sibling to take it home that day or (b) the absent child will receive the lunch on the day of his/her return.

Thursday February 11: KL, 4/5M, 5/6B, 5/6C, 5/6E, 7/8M, 7D, 8A

Friday February 12: KH, 1/2P, 1E, 1T, 2G, 2H, 3/4C, 3M, 3N, 4H

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VACATIONS DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME

Research data indicates that regular student attendance is one of the most significant factors in students being successful in achieving learning outcomes. If extended absences for holidays or personal activities occur during the scheduled instructional year important learning experiences, assignments, assessments and coursework will be missed by students. Teachers conduct instructional activities and assessments in an on-going manner. There are many variables that will determine the pacing of instruction – student understanding, materials, processing time, etc. Because a great deal of our instruction involves classroom interaction and discussion, it is difficult to replicate this learning for students when they are away. As such, please be aware that teachers are not expected to provide coursework for students missing instructional time due to extended vacations or personal activities. Once students return, they are expected to complete missed assignments or catch up on critical concepts as outlined by the teacher. In order to support students in the achievement of provincial curricular learning outcomes it is highly recommended families plan vacations based upon the holidays as defined in the school year calendar. Thank you for ensuring that your students are at school for as many instructional days as possible to enjoy the cumulative benefits of these essential daily learning experiences.

Team teaching involves a group of instructors working purposefully, regularly, and cooperatively to help a group of students of any age learn. Teachers together set goals for a course, design a syllabus, prepare individual lesson plans, teach students, and evaluate the results. They share insights, argue with one another, and perhaps even challenge students to decide which approach is better. The team-teaching approach allows for more interaction between teachers and students. Faculty evaluate students on their achievement of the learning goals; students evaluate faculty members on their teaching proficiency. Read more: Team Teaching

Mrs. Dudley, Mrs. Ashton and Ms. Morphy have recently embraced this strategy with the EWCS grade

7’s – all 40 of them! During period 3, for the past 2 weeks, mathematics has been taught in this way. At the beginning of period 3, students head down to the project room, quickly set up the tables and chairs, and get ready for instruction. Identified as the “math wizard,” it’s typically Mrs. Dudley who formally teaches the lesson. Then, when it comes time for students to practice newly taught skills, the 3 teachers circulate around the room, clarifying quandaries and check for understanding.

When asked, students shared that they like it because they “get to be with their friends and their 3 teachers to help them out!”

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The SCC Shows its Appreciation of Staff during

STAFF APPRECIATION MONTH! Lights...Camera...Action!!

"Rolling Out the Red Carpet for ÉWCS Staff"

STAR “TREAT”MENT – FEBRUARY 3 – PROVIDED BY ÉWCS PARENTS POTLUCK LUNCH – FEBRUARY 10, PROVIDED BY ÉWCS

PARENTS COFFEE & MUFFINS – FEBRUARY 22, PROVIDED BY THE SCC

AWARD WINNING RECESS TREAT – FEBRUARY 25,

PROVIDED BY THE SCC

If schools were stages,

The children would know, Each staff member would be

The star of the show!

With roles wisely chosen,

And scripts known by heart, Each school year begins With a fabulous start.

As each year progresses,

Though busy as bees,

No bright lights for staff, No names on Marquees.

You're now in our spotlight, Take a bow with this news,

Your performance has earned

Our raving reviews!

Thank you, SCC and parent members for making us feel like stars!!

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Find Hidden Apps Your Teen Doesn’t Want You Seeing

As we continue to advance down the technology highway, more and more apps are being created—

more than we parents can keep up with. Unfortunately, many of the inappropriate ones are

being downloaded by our children without us knowing about it.

Apps to Watch Out For

How do you know what to look for? Here are a few apps that are considered to be the most dangerous.

Yik Yak – This app is fairly new and already being blocked by schools. It allows posters up to submit up to 200 characters which can be view by their

closest 500 “Yakkers,” determined by GPS tracking. It’s gaining the reputation of an app that allows you to anonymously post sexually explicit and abusive language.

Down – This app has a slogan that goes something like, “The

anonymous, simple, fun way to find friends who are down for the night.” Connected with Facebook, friends are categorized in either someone they would like to hang around or someone to hook up with. Originally, this app was known as “Bang with Friends.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE

CRIME STOPPERS BULLYING REPORTS As part of government’s response to Saskatchewan’s Action Plan to Address Bullying and Cyberbullying, the Ministry of Education has partnered with Crime Stoppers to provide another way for Saskatchewan youth to

report bullying. Students can report bullying anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1‐800‐222‐TIPS, 24/7 year‐round. Students can also text Crime Stoppers between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on week days. Text TIP206 to CRIMES (274637) for Rural Saskatchewan Text TIP158 to CRIMES (274637) for Regina Text TIP193 to CRIMES (274637) for Moose Jaw

The Regina Newcomer Welcome Centre facilitates the regional Newcomer Gateway to provide services and support to immigrants, temporary residents, and refugees who reside within 150 km of Regina. There are services available both in Regina as well as in the communities around Regina as needed.

Please save this information for future reference. In addition, I have provided a link to the Ministry of Education webpage for supporting immigrants and newcomers.

http://www.economy.gov.sk.ca/immigration/immigration-gateways

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WE USE MATHLETICS AT ÉWCS. HERE’S HOW YOU CAN USE MATHLETICS AT HOME!

Meet the Mathletics Family Console

Designed to help you enhance your child’s learning experience and gather valuable insights into their progress, the Family Console is completely FREE to any parent of a child with a Mathletics

account. LINK to MATHLETICS http://www.3plearning.com/au/mathleticsparents/

• Receive a FREE weekly report of your child’s progress by email. • Support your child’s learning at home, monitor homework tasks and activities. • View reports on progress, improvement and time spent online. • Celebrate success by printing certificates earned. • Monitor all your children from the same place.

Practice Reading Strategies at Home with your Child!

Parent Pipeline Ideas and strategies are taken from: The CAFÉ Book, written by Gail Boushey & Joan Moser Written by: Allison Behne ©www.thedailyycafe.com

CAFE Strategy: Back Up and Reread Many times when reading a story, adults get to a point where they realize they do not understand what they are reading. Somewhere during their reading, they lost concentration and therefore the meaning of the story. When this happens, as adults we realize we have lost comprehension and we stop, back-up, and reread. Children are no different than we are. They need to be taught the strategies good readers use to be successful. Your child has been (more than likely been) introduced to the comprehension strategy of check for understanding. In learning this strategy, the children are taught to stop throughout the story and ask “who” and “what.” When the reader is unable to answer the questions of “who” and “what.”, the comprehension strategy back up and reread should be used. How can you help your child with this strategy at home? Model this strategy for your child. When reading with your child, stop to check for understanding. If your child has difficulty answering the “who” and “what” remind your child to back up and reread. Tell your child to read slowly and think about what is being read. After doing this, stop and check for understanding again. Remember, modeling is one of the most effective teaching strategies!

Remind your child that using the two strategies, check for understanding and back up and reread, together will help with remembering and understanding the story. Often it is easier to understand text when you read it slowly. Encourage your child to read slowly, follow the text with finger if it helps, and truly think about the meaning of the words/story. Thank you for your continued support at home.

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French Second Language Week (February 1 – 5)

“How will French come alive in your school?”

MONDAY Students wore Fransaskois colours (yellow, green and red). TUESDAY Students made snow castles

outside WEDNESDAY Mlle Crawford and Mme Leader celebrated French food with a noon buffet (escargot, tartes au sucres, crêpes, etc.). Other classes participated in “le Carnaval de Québec” activities THURSDAY Students danced to French and Fransaskois musicians FRIDAY Students played games to practice French oral language skills. Throughout the week, teachers made an extra effort to highlight the importance of French as a Second Language and also students learned about other French Canadian celebrations. Mlle Hartman made a special effort to have a classroom dialogue around how lucky students are to have the opportunity to be in a French Immersion school and that they should be proud of being a French Immersion student. Also the 2H students (FI) taught the 2G students some French words in addition to singing a cultural song to the 2G students.

What’s NEW at ÉWCS? Computer Programming (Pilot) This club is open to students in grades 7-8. Computer Programming Club is an after school club where students will learn how to use Java Script to design and create their own video games using the Greenfoot software. This is a pilot program where a trained professional who has done work all around the world is coming to instruct teacher on the basics of programming. They do not need their own computers as the school division is providing For a complete list of extra-curricular programs, click HERE

Spring Musical Noon Hour Practices

in February

9th - Act 2, Scenes 3 & 4 Rapunzel, Forest Witch, Prince, Cinderella, Snow, K&Q of South, Princess 10th - Prologue and Flashback - Entire Cast! 12th - Solos & Group Songs- Princess, Rumpel, Dwarves, Bears, Goldilocks, Cinderella, Fairy GM, Rapunzel 12th Prologue and Flashback - Entire Cast!

24th - Solos & Group Songs - Princess, Rumpel, Dwarves, Bears, Goldilocks, Cinderella, Fairy GM, Rapunzel

25th - Act 1, Scene 1 &3 Princess, Hansel, Gretel, Forest Witch & Prince

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What’s going on at ÉWCS? Mondays – Sewing Club & Writing Club Tuesdays – Computer Programming Club Wednesdays – Chess Club

Thursdays – Art Club & Computer Programming Club French Club – Feb 1, 9 Junior Choir – Feb 9, 24, Mar 3, 11, 21, Apr 7, 18, 26, May 4, 12, 24 Feb1-5 French as a Second Language Week

Feb 2 – Greenall High School meets with ÉWCS grade 7 and 8 students

Feb 4 & 11 – Gr1-3 Skating

Feb 8-12 PVSD Staff Appreciation Week

Feb 8 Jump Rope for Heart Event

Feb 9 Monthly SCC Meeting, 6:30pm

Feb 11-12 DQ Luncheon

Feb 11 Jump Rope for Heart Wind-up

Feb 15-19 PVSD Winter Break

Feb 22 Classes Resume

Feb 24 Red Cross Pink Day

Feb 29 PVSD Gr 4-8 Regina Pats Game (in Regina)

Feb 29 SLC Spirit Day – Backwards Day

Mar 2 WE Day, Saskatoon

Mar 3 SCC DQ Treat Day – KL ONLY

Mar 4 SCC DQ Treat Day

Mar 8 Grade 7 Full Band Rehearsal

Mar 10 Grade 6 full Band Rehearsal

Mar 11 Grade 8 Full Band Rehearsal

Mar 16 Presentation at Greenall High School for 2016-17 Grade 9 Students and Parents

Mar 17 Grade 6 French Immersion Oratorical Contest

Mar 17-18 SCC Susie Cinn’s Hot Lunch Day

Mar 22-23 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences

Mar 21-23 Scholastic Book Fair

Mar 24-Apr 3 Easter Break

Apr 4 Classes Resume

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School travel planning comes to École White City School

Chances are you walked to school when you were growing up. In just one generation the number of Canadian kids walking to school has fallen from 58% to 28%. There are many reasons we choose not to walk or bike to school. But the fact is, walking to school is one of the easiest ways for our kids to get a portion of the 60 minutes or more of physical activity they need EVERY day. Thanks to your input in the Family Survey conducted this fall, it was determined that positive steps are already being made. 34% of kids at École White City School currently walk and bike to get to school! We all know small changes can make a big difference! This is why the Town of White City, RM of Edenwold, White City RCMP, Prairie Valley School Division, École White City School Community Council and Saskatchewan in motion are working together to make walking and biking to school the safe and easy choice.

Our school is one of several schools in the province currently participating in a process called School Travel Planning (STP). The goals of this project are to: • Maintain and increase the number of children walking & using active modes of travel to and

from school.

• Increase safety education & awareness

• Establish the physical environment to support active modes of travel to and from school

This is a very exciting initiative for École White City School and our School Community Council. Over the coming months, the partners will work to understand the real reasons why students and families choose not to walk or bike to school and develop an action plan to come up with solutions to address them. There will be plenty of opportunities to participate in this important initiative as it moves forward. Watch for more information in this newsletter and in your child’s backpack as we work our way through the process. To learn more about school travel planning and walking to school, visit www.saskatchewaninmotion.ca.

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The theme for February is Health &Wellness. We will be discussing several aspects of our health and the importance of being healthy and staying active. We will also be

incorporating dental care and hygiene. Our “Wonder Wall” will display all the questions the children have and we will provide activities and crafts throughout the month that answer the

children’s questions and further their knowledge of Health & Nutrition.

January

January seemed to fly by. Our room was very busy with our theme Winter Around the World. We made dream catchers, snowflakes and sleds out of popsicle sticks, and pop bottle snowmen. The children enjoyed making sewing skates, which turned into sewing little homes for their stuffed animals. Some of the children also made scarves and toques with a loom as well. We spent the last week talking about Chinese New Year and creating Lanterns, Dragons and Drums.

We have an area in the room were the children can go and create science experiments or use their senses. We have added some items like flubber, baking soda, vinegar, play dough, corn starch and water, just to name a few. Your children have turned into scientists. They decided to build a Volcano one day, so they problem solved and created a Volcano out of a water bottle, playdough, baking soda and vinegar. The children have also made secret potions and food that does not look edible out of the materials that we offer. It is wonderful!

We had the opportunity to go tobogganing a couple times this month and it was a blast! Thank you to all those who were able to bring their toboggans. We will try to go a couple more times in February. Weather permitting.

February Break Camp

Did you know that Kare 4 Kids runs all-day camps at W.S. Hawrylak School in Regina (off Prince of Wales Drive) during the school breaks: winter, spring and summer? Any child in the Regina/Emerald Park/White City/Pilot Butte area is welcome to attend. Call our office for more information: 306-584-KIDS (5437).

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Dear EWCS Parents,

The parent council committee for Student Physical Activity and Environmental Stewardship (C-SPAES) is looking for volunteers. We need help for a couple of upcoming events.

During the week leading up to Earth Day on Friday, April 22, there will be a Walk to School Week. As in the past, students will be encouraged to walk to school and those students who ride the bus will be dropped off at the east end of Kingsmere Ave. These bussed students will use the sidewalk along Kingsmere Ave. to walk the rest of the way to school. To ensure student safety, parents were stationed at the four intersections along the route. This year, we will need volunteers each of the mornings of April 18-22 from approximately 8:30 till 8:50.

As well, once spring arrives, there are nine trees, one for each grade, which C-SPAES is going to plant at various locations around the school. The trees will be planted by hand and so we’ll need some volunteers to dig holes and amend the soil to help establish new trees. The date for planting hasn’t been established yet but will be early spring.

In addition to these two planned events, the C-SPAES committee is always looking for new ideas and, ideally, volunteers to make these new ideas become a reality. A few ideas we have come up with are school-wide composting and playground landscaping. If anyone is interested in developing these initiatives, or has others ideas, please let us know.

If you are interested in helping out, please e-mail Jeff Hilchey ([email protected]) or Lorelei Hall ([email protected])

Thanks!

C-SPAES Co-chairs

Jeff Hilchey and Lorelei Hall

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Thank you! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask us. Call or email: [email protected]

Kerrie Isaac

Program Supervisor K4K École White City School Program #: 306-209-7477 Office #: 306-584-5437

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