The Bears' Blog...November 13
Pine Street Elementary School
Principal's Message
Wow, hard to believe we are already two weeks into November and have already had our Parent-Teacher-Student conferences, a virtual Remembrance Day memorial and fall break is behind us! Term 1 report cards for grades 1-6 will be issued on Friday, November 25 both electronically through the parent portal, and a printed copy will also be sent home with your child that afternoon.
Students have continued to impress, being focused on their studies and exhibiting excellent behavior at the school. At Pine Street Elementary, we believe that a strong collaboration between parents/guardians and the school is critical for students to be successful. Collaboration is the most effective way to help our students, your children, show their true potential and prepare them for a successful future. If you have any questions about your child’s education, please feel free to email or call your child’s teacher. Together we can ensure your child’s education is positive and as successful as possible.
As the cold weather descends upon us, please be reminded that we do go outside for recess most of the time following the district’s Inclement Weather policy AP 131. When the temperature is below -22 (including the wind chill) we remain inside for recess and lunch hour breaks.
Here are a few little reminders to help us provide the best care we can for your children.
- Please be sure your child has warm clothing before they leave for school.
- Students should have a toque and mittens/gloves with them
- It is a great idea for students to have snow pants as classes may head outside for daily physical education as well as recess.
- Please make sure your child has a pair of indoor and outdoor shoes/boots.
Have a super month and remember to enjoy the unique fall/winter weather.
Thank you for your continued support.
Helping your child is as easy as ABC
Ask your child about the school day
Begin your child’s day with a nourishing breakfast
Congratulate your child for doing well
Discuss homework with your child
Encourage your child to read
Find a quiet place for your child to study
Give your child responsibility
Help your child to build self-esteem
Include your child in making simple family decisions
Join a library with your child
Keep your child on a schedule that includes exercise and sleep
Limit TV viewing by selecting programs with your child
Make the time you spend with your child special
Notice and discuss changes in your child’s behavior
Offer to help your child organize school papers
Provide your child with good role models
Question the activities your child shares with friends
Respect your child’s rights to have their own opinions
Share an interest or a hobby with your child
Take time to listen to your child
Urge your child to say “No” to drugs and peer pressure
Visit places of interest with your child
Work with your child to set up rules of behavior
Xerox and save records or articles that benefit your child
Yield results by encouraging your child to do better
Zoom through these activities one more time
School Advisory Council
Hot Lunch - November 25
Theme Day - Jersey Day November 25
Supporting students as they develop math basic fact fluency!
· I wonder how many socks we just took out of the dryer? How many pairs could that be when we fold them?
· If a grown-up eats 2 eggs and a kid eats 1 egg how many eggs do we need to make scrambled eggs for all of us?
· We’ve already read 16 picture books this week! How many more do we need to read to get to 20?
Addition, subtraction, and place value are three of the most important topics in elementary mathematics. It’s so important that your child has sufficient time to explore and make sense of these concepts on their way to fluency.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week takes place Nov. 14-18, 2022. The week focuses on promoting awareness and understanding of bullying and its impacts. At Pine Street Elementary, our focus this year is on Encouraging Inclusion and Celebrating our Differences. Families can support this by discussing inclusion and kindness at home.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
-Helen Keller
Inclement Weather
With the winter season almost here, we want to remind families to dress children appropriately for the weather when getting ready for school or the bus. The weather often changes unexpectedly throughout the day, so please select suitable outerwear and ensure your child is prepared for changing conditions.
If inclement weather conditions occur, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) advises families of any bus cancellations using various communications tools—automated-telephone messages, alerts posted on www.eips.ca and school websites, Twitter, Facebook, local radio stations, and notification through both the Bus Status and the Ride 360 apps. Morning bus cancellations are posted on www.eips.ca by 6:30 a.m.
Decisions regarding bus cancellations are guided by EIPS administrative procedures that state, “school bus service may be suspended…when there is a forecast or current temperature of -40 C, including wind chill factor, in one or more regions.” Other reasons for suspending or delaying school bus services include adverse weather and poor road conditions. When school bus services are suspended, schools remain open to students. EIPS believes families have the right and responsibility to make choices for their children based on their beliefs and perceptions of safety during times of inclement weather.
For more information, contact EIPS Student Transportation at 780-417-8151.
Important Dates
November 14 -18 Bullying awareness and prevention week. Encouraging inclusion and celebrating our differences.
Monday, November 14 - no PALS students today (planning day)
Sunday, November 20 - Last day to order hot lunch for Nov 25 (Pasta Pantry)
Tuesday, November 22 - School Advisory Council Meeting 6 p.m. (At School)
Friday, November 25 - Theme day - jersey day
- Hot lunch
- Term 1 progress reports published at 3:30 p.m. on the Parent Portal
Wednesday, November 30- 10 Days of Giving- razors, tampons & shampoo
Thursday, December 1 - 10 Days of Giving -canned veggies & fruit
Friday, December 2 - 10 Days of Giving- canned salmon, ham & chicken
Monday, December 5 - 10 Days of Giving -canned mushrooms, chunky soup & chilli
Tuesday, December 6 - 10 Days of Giving - sidekicks, hamburger helper, pasta sauce
Wednesday, December 7 - Early Dismissal 2:15 p.m. (No PALS today)
- 10 Days of Giving - gluten free cereal and gluten free soup
Friday, December 9 - 10 Days of Giving - jello pudding & pancake mix
Monday, December 12 - Christmas Concert at the Park Church 6:30 p.m.
- Dress Rehearsal - students bussed to church from 8:45-11 a.m.
- 10 Days of Giving - Low sodium broth & assorted crackers
Friday, December 16 - Hot Lunch
Tuesday, December 20 - Wear a Christmas Sweater/Shirt
December 21 - January 3 - School closed for Christmas Break
Strathcona County Food bank drive begins November 29!
First Nations Fridays
The stories that totem poles tell may be a myth, a legend, or honour Indigenous peoples through symbols. The crests on a totem pole belong to a family and tell its story.
Once the stories of each crest are known, the totem poles really come alive. The most common crests of the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest include… the eagle, the raven, the thunderbird, the bear, the beaver, the wolf, the killer whale and the frog.
The poles are usually raised in the presence of hundreds or even thousands of people, in locations of honour in First Nations villages and throughout the world.
In the last century, traditional pole carving nearly died-out. Fortunately, today's Indigenous carvers are bringing back the crests and stories of the poles for families and clans to pass along to their future generations.November 4
During the First World War, thousands of Aboriginal people voluntarily enlisted in the Canadian military. While the exact enlistment number is unknown, it is estimated that well over 4,000 Aboriginal people served in the Canadian forces. In World War II, Indigenous people from every region of Canada served in the armed forces, fighting in every major battle and campaign of the conflict. To serve their country, Indigenous people had to overcome unique cultural challenges. Their courage, sacrifices, and accomplishments are a continuing source of pride to their families, communities, and all Canadians.
Introducing the Young Reader's Choice Awards at Pine Street Elementary Library
The Young Reader’s Choice Awards (YRCA) is a year-long reading program for children in Grades 4 to 12 living in Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana and Washington. Sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Library Association (PNLA), it is the only award where children choose the nominated books and the winners. Three copies of each of the following titles are now available for borrowing.
Voting goes until April 15, 2023 so Vote Now for your favorite title.
Have you read an awesome book that you want to suggest for a future Young Reader's Choice Award? Suggest a title here.
1. Maya and the Rising Dark by Rena Barron
"A twelve-year-old girl discovers her father is the keeper of the gateway between our world and The Dark, and when he goes missing, she'll need to unlock her own powers and fight a horde of spooky creatures set on starting a war".
2. City Spies by James Ponti
Sara Martinez is facing years in the juvenile detention system for hacking into the foster care computer system to prove that her foster parents are crooks. But then she gets a second chance when a mysterious man offers her a chance to join a group of MI6 affiliated spies.
3. When you Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
When Lily, her sister Sam, and their mother move in with her sick grandmother, Lily traps a tiger and makes a deal with him to heal Halmoni.
4. From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
"Avid baker Zoe Washington receives a letter on her twelfth birthday from her biological father, who is in prison for a terrible crime"--Provided by publisher.
5. Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri
Nayeri weaves stories within stories in this fictionalized account of his formative years. He shares layers of rich information about life in Iran, refugee camps, and his experiences as an immigrant in the United States.
6. The Barren Grounds by David Robertson
"Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, are brought together in a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They each feel disconnected, from their culture and each other, and struggle to fit in at school and at their new home -- until they find a secret place, walled off in an unfinished attic bedroom. A portal opens to another reality, Askí, bringing them onto frozen, barren grounds, where they meet Ochek (Fisher). The only hunter supporting his starving community, Misewa, Ochek welcomes the human children, teaching them traditional ways to survive. But as the need for food becomes desperate, they embark on a dangerous mission.
7. Wink by Rob Harrell
After being diagnosed with a rare eye cancer, twelve-year-old Ross discovers how music, art, and true friends can help him survive both treatment and middle school.
8. When Stars are Scattered (Graphic Novel) by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
"Omar and his younger brother Hassan live in a refugee camp, and when an opportunity for Omar to get an education comes along, he must decide between going to school every day or caring for his nonverbal brother in this intimate and touching portrayal of family and daily life in a refugee camp"--Provided by publisher.
Pine Street Elementary School
Email: general.pne@eips.ca
Website: www.pinestreet.ca
Location: 133 Pine Street, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-467-2246
Twitter: @PNESchool