Annandale Public School
January 2016 Newsletter
Welcome to a new year of learning at Annandale Public School!
Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Thompson are so very proud of the accomplishments of Annandale staff and students so far this year. We can't wait to see what the remainder of the year will bring. In December, we bid farewell to Mr. D'Amico who will be moving on to Victoria P.S. and to Mrs. Mack who is retiring. We welcome Mr. Clark to the grade 2/3 classroom and Ms. Goossens to our grade 7/8 classroom.
We will be presenting our school newsletter in a variety of "tree friendly", digital formats. This month we are using www.smore.com Paper copies of this newsletter can be requested by contacting the main office.
Remember to Be Kind, Be Safe, and Do Your Best!
Mrs. Martin
Mrs. Thompson
20th Annual Band Concert
Northeast Regional Soccer Champs!
1st Annual Kindergarten Holiday Concert
Winter Weather
As we are now deep into the winter season, students are reminded to dress appropriately for the weather each day. In the event of inclement weather, please check the board website for school closure information: http://www.tvdsb.ca/index.cfm
You can check to see if your bus is running by clicking on MyBigYellowBus : http://www.mybigyellowbus.ca/ or on Twitter @mybigyellowbus
Attendance and Safe Arrival of Students
519-688-3498
If you need to sign your child out early, please send a note with your child. Parents and guardians are asked to check in with our attendance secretary upon arrival.
If you need to pick your student up at the end of the school day, please contact the school office no later than 3:00 p.m.
Thank-you for your help in ensuring our attendance information is accurate so we can ensure the safety of our students.
Full Day Kindergarten Registration
Stay up to date on school wide events with Remind
WHAT IS REMIND AND WHY IS IT SAFE?
Remind is a free, safe, and simple messaging tool that helps teachers share important updates and reminders with students & parents. Subscribe by text, email or using the Remind app. All personal information is kept private. Teachers will never see your phone number, nor will you see theirs.
Visit remind.com to learn more.
To receive messages via text, text @annancom to (289)814-3201
You can opt-out of messages at anytime by replying, 'unsubscribe @annancom
To receive messages via email, send an email to annancom@mail.remind.com
To unsubscribe, reply with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line.
Follow us on Twitter!
Varsity Sports
The co-ed soccer team had a successful season, finishing first at the Northeast Regional Tournament in October. Thanks to Mr. Brown and Mr. D'Amico for coaching.
The girls volleyball team played a short but successful season thanks to Mr. Tanton and Mr. Moore.
The intramural soccer league for junior students was a huge success. Congratulations to team Brazil - 2015 Champions! Thank you to Mr. Hodgson for organizing and to all staff who participated.
The basketball season has begun, both boys and girls teams have been chosen and games will commence this month. Thanks to Mr. Fleet and Mr. Piper for volunteering their time.
Hot Lunches are Back!
Pizza Thursdays are back! Orders are due the first week of January via www.ezlunchmenu.com
Pizza deliveries will begin Thursday, January 14th
Thanks to Mrs. Corriveau and her volunteers for providing this service.
Got Milk?
Healthy Snack Program
FDK Greening Project
From the Music Department:
Christmas Band Concerts x 2 were terrific. Thanks to all those who put in extra rehearsal time to be prepared. Special thanks to our MCs: Jacob B, Shania H, Breanna K, Mackenzie M, and Landon P. Also there were many compliments for our soloists and small ensembles. Band members - be thinking ahead for the Spring Concert scheduled for May 19th! Have you got something you'd like to do for the next concert?
Instruments taken home over the holidays should be returned Monday January 4th first thing in the morning.
Grade 8 band will be starting back up on Thursday January 7th at 8:00 am. Grade 7 band will be starting back up on Tuesday January 12 at 2nd Nutrition Break & Recess. Honour Band/Stage Band will be holding auditions on Wednesday January 20th during 2nd Nutrition Break & Recess. Grades 5 & 6 will be starting recorders sometime in January. Watch the calendar outside the music room for open hours for personal practise. All instrumental students (Grades 5-8) can expect at least one playing test sometime in January. Grade 7 & Grade 8 Bands will be focused on preparing for Festival in April.
ROOM 218: Noisy ... Busy ... FUN!
Mrs. Kingsbury
Writing with iPads - Student Sample
The Special Education Corner
By Mrs. Phillips (Learning Support Teacher)
Please visit: http://www.tvdsb.ca/programs.cfm?subpage=46
to access information about Special Education in Thames Valley!
If your child is struggling with issues and you’re not sure where to turn, OECYC in Woodstock offers FREE Walk in Counselling. Please see this website for more information: http://www.ocyc.on.ca/counselling.html
APPS FOR JANUARY
Focus: Fine Motor Skills
Easy Numbers
ABC Print
Dexteria ($)
Paint and Learn (Lite or $)
Math
If your child is struggling with math, here are some great websites that you can use at home to help them:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com
http://www.learnalberta.ca/Home.aspx
Language
If you are buying books for your children, please have a look at this leveled reading chart.
http://www.readinga-z.com/readinga-z-levels/level-correlation-chart/
*Remember: You want to pick “JUST RIGHT BOOKS” for your Child’s current reading ability!*
If you have any questions on any of this information or Special Education,
please call Mrs. Phillips, 519-688-3498Home Connections in Mathematics
Math Beyond the Classroom
Educators are working hard to help each student in Thames Valley to grow and learn in math. However, we cannot do it alone and not nearly as well as when students are supported by resources and a caring circle of adults beyond the school. Math beyond the classroom matters …a lot!
While facing 20 questions of math homework a night might present parents with an opportunity to talk about math with their child; research suggests that growth is stimulated not by the volume of practice, but by engaging in accessible problem-solving with proper tools to support the work. It is this accessibility and support that must focus our joint efforts.
EVIDENCE
The research suggests that engaging in mathematics outside of school hours has a significant impact on mathematics achievement. Crucial to that development are the level of commitment to that engagement and the nature of that engagement.
Participating in 30 hours annually of mathematics outside of school hours has been shown to correlate with significant gains in student achievement. This equates to a little over an hour each week.
More importantly, the nature of that engagement contributes to the gains. When students get to consistently engage in smaller groups on a variety of tasks (both collaborative and independent) that are accessible to them and focussed around important skills and concepts, the gains are larger.
For math beyond the classroom to have an impact, we actually don’t want it to focus on procedural drill; the gains are temporary and fragile. Research consistently shows that students master skills and concepts by building on a foundation of understanding, strategies, and confidence in solving problems.
IMPLICATIONS & RESOURCES
Encourage math talk at home and focus on understanding and strategies rather than answers.
Consider opportunities for your child to participate in math clubs or homework help clubs outside of class time.
Consider these free resources available to all parents at home or the public library:
• Inspiring your Child to Learn and Love Math
www.ontariodirectors.ca/parent_engagement.html
· Mathies ~tools, resources, and games designed for Ontario K–12 students and parents:
• Homework Help (free live tutoring online or on the phone with Ontario teachers) https://homeworkhelp.ilc.org/
• Family Resources (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) www.old.nctm.org/resources/content.aspx?id=7928
If considering investing in math beyond the classroom resources, contact your School Parent Council to see what future partnerships might be possible to support your child’s understanding and confidence in math. For more information see: www.tvdsb.ca/mathematics
Character Education - What is Bullying?
From the Board of Health: Booster Seat Safety
Did you know?
• Seat belts are designed to fit adults, not children.
• A child should use a booster seat until 9 to 12 years of age.
• All boosters must use a lap/shoulder seatbelt.
• If you are using a low-backed booster, your vehicle must have
adjustable head restraints. They should not be set lower than the
top of your child’s ears.
Not sure if your child needs a booster seat?
Complete the booster seat safety checklist below. If you answer “no” to
any of the questions, your child needs to sit in a booster seat in order
to ensure he/she is safe when travelling in a vehicle.
BOOSTER SEAT SAFETY CHECKLIST
Does your child have a sitting height of at least 74 cm (29”)?
Is your child at least 1.45 m (4’ 9”) tall
Can your child sit back against the seat with knees bent over the edge of the
seat and feet flat on the floor? (Without slouching)
Is the shoulder belt resting on your child’s shoulder and centred on the chest?
(Not across the neck, behind the back or under the arm)
Does the lap belt sit snug to your child’s hips and across the top of the thighs?
(Not across the stomach)
Can your child stay this way for the entire trip?
Don’t rush moving your child to a seat belt alone. Your child is safer in a booster
seat as long as he or she fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight limits.
Oxford County Public Health & Emergency Services
410 Buller Street, Woodstock, ON N4S 4N2 | 519-539-9800 | 1-800-755-0394
www.oxfordcounty.ca/health | facebook.com/oxfordcountypublichealth
TVDSB Trustee and Parent Forums
The purpose of the Trustee Forum is to provide an opportunity for parents, School Councils, and Home and School Associations to engage with their local Trustees:
• Learn about events and initiatives taking place throughout the school district;
• Provide feedback on local public education issues;
• Celebrate and share stories of student success;
• Network with Trustees, parents and other community members.
Forums will be hosted and facilitated by local Trustees in each of the regions:
• City of London: Wednesday, January 13, 2016, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
TVDSB Education Centre, 1250 Dundas Street, London
• Middlesex County: Thursday, January 14, 2016, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Glencoe District High School, 3581 Concession Street, Glencoe
• Elgin County: Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Parkside Collegiate Institute, 241 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas
• Oxford County: Thursday, January 21, 2016, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute, 37 Alma Street, Ingersoll
For more information please contact:
Trustee Arlene Morell a.morell@tvdsb.on.ca
Trustee Ruth Tisdale r.tisdale@tvdsb.on.ca
Oxford County French Immersion Information Night
To all Oxford County Parents of Kindergarten students:
You are welcome to attend a French Immersion Information Night
to provide information for registration in our French Immersion program
for the 2016-2017 school year.
This event will take place on Thursday, January 28th
from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.at Roch Carrier French Immersion School.
We are located in Woodstock at 840 Sloane Street.
The entry levels to our program are Senior Kindergarten and Grade One.
If you would like further information or you would like to receive a registration package,
please call 519-537-7321 or visit our website: http://www.tvdsb.ca/RochCarrier.cfm
Registration packages will become available January 20, 2016.
To all Oxford County Parents of Grade 6 students:
You are welcome to attend a French Immersion Information Night
We are hoping to open a new Grade 7 Extended French Program if enough students register for the 2016-2017 school year.
On Thursday, January 28th we are hosting an information evening for students and parents interested in Grade 7 entry to French Immersion from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.at Roch Carrier French Immersion School.
We are located in Woodstock at 840 Sloane Street
If you would like further information or you would like to receive a registration package,
please call 519-537-7321 or visit our website: http://www.tvdsb.ca/RochCarrier.cfm
Registration packages will become available after January 20, 2016.
About us
Email: annandale@tvdsb.on.ca
Website: http://www.tvdsb.ca/AnnandaleSchool.cfm
Location: 60 Tillson Avenue, Tillsonburg, ON, Canada
Phone: 5196883498
Twitter: @annandaleps