Southwood School
February 2019
Nature Playground Update
The Southwood School Nature Playground Project started with a vision many years ago. In the fall of 2014 a planning committee involving current PAC members, classroom teachers, and school administration began putting the dream into reality. Funds from parent council, local charities, government grants, and school fundraising efforts supported the planning process and development of the initial phase.
The vision was shared with a landscaping designer, who was then hired to create the drawings for an eight phased nature playground project. In August of 2015, the construction of phase one began. Phase one consisted of a seven foot hill with a tunnel, a small climbing wall, and an area for students to climb on natural elements like trees and stones. Phase one was completed with the addition of a turf covering in the fall of 2018. The total cost of phase one reached $70,000.00.
Phase two of the nature playground project began in the spring of 2017. This phase is referred to as the “outdoor classroom” and is located on the east side of the school nestled in between the school building and the portable classrooms. This phase required a great deal of work initially to create a hard packed gravel base. Two retaining wall gardens enclose four concrete tables with umbrellas and two large trees, acting as a courtyard. The retaining walls also include two outdoor sink areas and counter space for students to work on activities related to planting and gardening. The planters are filled with a variety of perennial plants as well as vegetables which are planted in the spring. Many classes enjoy the outdoor classroom environment for their regularly scheduled class time when the weather is suitable. Phase two of the nature playground project was completed by the fall of 2018.
Planning and fundraising efforts are soon to begin for phase three of the Southwood School Nature Playground Project. Donations for this project are greatly appreciated as the parents and staff of Southwood School continue to improve the learning environment for the nurture and growth of all our students.
Southwood School Chocolate Fundraiser February 25 - March 15 2019
Our chocolate sales fundraiser will begin on Monday, February 25th and will run until Friday, March 15th. The funds raised will go towards supporting school initiatives and activities. We encourage each family to sell at least one case of chocolates if possible. Each case has 30 boxes of chocolates at $3.00/each so each case is worth $90.00.
Parents can also donate if you wish to do so. Cheques must be payable to "Hanover School Division". Any donations $25.00 and up will receive an official tax receipt from Hanover School Division all money received will be allocated directly to Southwood School.
As our way of saying “thanks” for your help, we have many great prizes for the students. We will have a variety of random draws for all students. Then, students who sell 3 or more cases will receive a guaranteed prize worth $35.00. Students who sell 6 or more cases will receive a guaranteed prize worth $70.00. Prizes will be seen in our trophy case. It should be a lot of fun!
A letter will be sent home tomorrow to each student but each family will be counted as one unit. So that being said the oldest and only in each family will receive the case of chocolates sent home on February 25th. Please make sure to send back the forms as soon as possible.
Thank you for supporting Southwood School!
Reminder - Kindergarten Registration for 2019-20
If your child is eligible for Kindergarten Registration (must be five years of age on or before Dec. 31, 2019), and have not yet registered, please do so by February 15. Our new online registration process takes only a few minutes to complete. To begin, visit the HSD Kindergarten Registration page at https://hsd.ca/schools/kindergarten-registration/
Registering early will assist our school in preparation and planning for the upcoming school year. Early registration also provides parents/guardians with the opportunity to participate in upcoming orientation activities.
National Canada Flag Day
January Makerspace Challenge!
During the month of January, classes will work together on their collaboration skills to create a sculpture or structure using snow!
Classes will be taking pictures of their creations and we will celebrate their designs at the Feb. 8th Assembly.
Southwood Winter Fun Day
Southwood School will be having a Winter Fun Day on Wednesday, February 20th. Students will spend a portion of the day outside participating in various outdoor games as well as time around a fire and a class horse and wagon ride!
Please make sure to dress your child with warm winter gear for this day as we will be spending longer amounts of time outside than usual. If the weather is too cold we will postpone the date to Tuesday, February 26th. We are looking forward to a fun and engaging day where we build character and community!
Literacy Month
At Southwood School we focus on literacy every month. However, the month of February is known as “I Love to Read Month” or “Literacy Month”, so we want to take time during February to do some extra literacy activities in our school to help promote the joys of reading and writing.
We are excited to have Corny Rempel as our guest speaker/reader during a special “literacy focussed” assembly on February 5. Throughout the rest of the month, each classroom can choose from a variety of literacy based activities to do. Some of the activities include: a reading bingo challenge, a teacher swap, guest readers, reading in unique places around the school, doing a “Book Buzz” and making book recommendations….to name a few!
We are looking forward for February to get started!
Learning Expo: Celebrating our Stories
We are busy planning for our Learning Expo on Thursday, March 21 and we need your help. If you have a story to share in a classroom about your culture, please contact your child’s teacher or email Mrs. Martin (cmartin@hsd.ca). Ideas for a story might include:
Your family's immigration story
A tradition that is important to your family
An arts piece and the meaning around it (music, dance, drama, visual art, etc.)
A food dish and the story around it.
Also, if you plan to participate in the potluck in the gym, please send Mrs. Martin a quick email with the dish you plan to bring.
February:
Feb 1 - Admin/PD Day - NO SCHOOL
Feb 8 - Assembly @ 12:10 p.m.
Feb 15 - Kindergarten Report Cards go home
Feb 18 - Louis Riel Day - NO SCHOOL
Feb 19 - Assembly @ 9:08 a.m.
Feb 20 - Winter Fun Day
Feb 21 - Admin/PD Day - NO SCHOOL
Feb 22 - HTA Day - NO SCHOOL
Feb 25 - Mar 15 - Chocolate Sale Fundraiser
March:
Mar 1 - Assembly @ 9:05 a.m.
Mar 8 - Admin/PD Day - NO SCHOOL
Mar 14 - Report Cards (Gr. 1-4)
Mar 15 - Last day of Chocolate Sales
Mar 21 - Student Learning Expo
Mar 22 - Assembly @ 12:10 p.m.
Mar 25-29 - Spring Break