Together In Education
December 2016
Lancaster Drive Public School and Parent Council
Email: lancd@limestone.on.ca
Website: http://lancaster.limestone.on.ca
Location: 1020 Lancaster Drive, Kingston, ON, K7P 2R7
Phone: 613-634-0470
Twitter: @LancasterPSLDSB
DECEMBER NEWS....Message from Your Administrative Team
Across the school and across the curriculum, our students have been engaged in rich learning and are making connections to the world around them. At our November assembly students shared some of the minds-on thinking going on in classes around our Bully Prevention awareness week and the importance of courage in how we respect ourselves and others. A small group of junior students designed our anti-bully kindness emoji and the quote that you see in our front foyer with signatures from the students of Lancaster (even "Zumba Edward"!). Staff continue to use MEND (Mediation Ends Negative Disputes) strategies for conflict resolution to help restore relationships among students in times of conflict. On November 24th, Pink Shirt day across Limestone was strongly supported by our Lions decked out in pink.
Connections between classes have been made around joint STEM challenges this fall with students coming together to try a challenge together as learning buddies, or consolidating their learning by comparing and talking about strategies and conclusions they arrived at through the the process. Students learn a lot about perseverance and the pathways of problem-solving when they are able to "give it a go". In the area of technology, our students continue to grow in the use of Google docs as a way to produce assignments and share between home and school. Staff have been exploring technology as a tool to enhance classroom activities; exploring stop-motion animation, All-About-Me and Amazing race profiles in Core French, new teacher feedback strategies, and Hour of Code in the classroom. Our media club continues to capture special memories and activities around the school - check out their work on the newly repaired monitor in the front hall! Don't forget to follow school and classroom Twitter and Remind accounts to see more of the student learning and events happening at Lancaster.
We look forward to hearing more of the community giving initiatives that our junior and intermediate classes are exploring this month as they seek ways to help the Kingston community. We hope to see families at our upcoming Primary concert later this month and wish all of our Lancaster families many moments of warmth, togetherness and adventure over the holiday break. See you all back in January! : )
Your administrative team,
Lani Fox, Principal & Sara Wellwood, Vice-Principal
Letter from your Parent Council Co-Chairs
The holiday season is upon us and we already have received so much giving to be thankful for at Lancaster! Whether you lead a committee, help with hot lunch, volunteer in a classroom/library, attend council meetings, make a fundraiser purchase or are a part of our wonderful staff team, you all play a part in supporting the students at our school. It takes all of us giving our time and effort to make our school the best it can be. Thank you for all that you do!
Speaking of working together, our big box of cards fundraiser was a huge success!!! Thank you families for your participation. Special thanks to our parent/grandparent volunteers, Jennifer McKee, Allison Slate, Beth Trugguno, Amy Paz, Kathy Ross, Alina Kalyta, and Vinay Singh who worked tirelessly to keep all our card boxes and orders organized! Congratulations to our students who won the various draws, and to Mrs. Sidlauskaus’ and Mrs. Powers’ classes for having the best participation. Both classes enjoyed a pizza party last week. We would also like to thank our teachers for their patience and assistance in sending out demo boxes and collecting orders and returns for us. Last but not least, thank you to the office administrative staff, Mrs. Donna Jackson and Ms. Erica Groulx for helping us finish up the campaign, by support us with sending out the final orders. The funds raised will enable parent council to fulfill some of our teacher’s fall wish lists that support student enrichment at our school. Funds will also allow us to host free school wide events starting in January - stay tuned for more information about our first event from our program coordinator, Allison Slate. For complete details about our big box fundraiser see Vinay Singh’s fundraising report on the following page.
We were so excited to organise the Chapters Community Night with so many enthusiastic teachers and our dedicated Head Boy and Girl, the student council and student volunteers. Our teachers are amazing and we thank them for their participation. Our intermediate students did a fabulous job arranging the evening and welcoming all of our families. We hope your received Lancaster bookmark designed by council member Alina Kaylita and signed by our students, we thank them for their assistance with this. Also, we were very proud to learn that the three (grade 5) students who organized the student bake sale, made a wonderful decision to donate all proceeds to a local children’s charity. Parent Council also contributed to the funds for this charity. We thank Chapters for partnering with us for this awesome event and for donating 20% of the sales back to our school in books! It was a warm, giving and fun-filled evening. Way to go Team Lancaster!
Updates:
PIC News - The PIC has a new focus on communication and they are asking parents who wish to have regular communication directly from the LDSB PIC to join their group email. Please contact Scot Gillam, Supervising Principal of safe and caring schools to sign up at:
The LDSB Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) is partnering with the Learning Disabilities association of Kingston to host a spring workshop (funded by PRO Grant). They are looking for parent input regarding speakers or areas of interest for parent workshops. Please forward your requests to lynns.ldak@gmail.com
The Parents As Career Coaches workshop was well attended by our intermediate families. We came away with some great strategies to support our kids with decision making and ways to help them research secondary school options. Thanks to Lyn Sadlowski at Spotlight Learning for offering this free workshop for our families.
Communication - Our PR coordinator, Mona Rahman has our Parent Council Remind account up and running. To get all the latest up-dates please join @ldps-pc
Upcoming events:
- January 10th - 6 p.m. Parent Council Meeting. All welcome
- January 24th - 5:30 -7:30 p.m. - International Night - flyer coming home soon
It is our privilege to serve such a great community of families as your parent council co-chairs. We are grateful for your support and the support of our fellow council members. We look forward to seeing you and hearing your voice at our meetings in the new year. Please join us in continuing this work for all of our students at Lancaster.
Wishing each of you a happy, healthy and safe holiday season!
Donna Banting and Corrie Allingham
LDPS Parent Council Co-Chairs
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Dec. 15 - Zumba
- Dec. 19 - Decorate your classroom door ay (winter/holiday theme)
- Candy cane sale in the front foyer - Dec. 20 - Afternoon dress rehearsal of Primary Concert @1:30 - parents welcome
- Dec. 21 - Primary Holiday Celebration @ 6:30
- Fit Go Run and Holiday Hop (food item or $2.00 donation to food bank)
- Festive day/ugly sweater day
- - Winter/Holiday classroom doors will be judged
- Dec. 22 - Zumba, PJ Day, and carolling in the gym
- Dec. 23 - Character Ed. Assembly 8:45, Red and Green day and Intermediate Dance in pm
- Dec. 6-Jan 6 - Winter Break. See you in 2017
- Jan. 10 - Parent Council Meeting (6 pm)
- Jan. 24 - The Taste of Lancaster Drive PS (International Night), 5:30 - 7: 30 pm
(flyer below)
Kindergarten and Grade 3 Learning Buddies explore a STEM challenge
Our Kinders model inquiry-based learning every day!
Grade 4/5 students explore math concepts with on-line lego
Everyday Mathematics:
Daily Decisions. We all use mathematics daily in what we do. Involve your child in using numbers to solve problems and make those everyday decisions with you. For example:
- “Do we have enough plates and utensils for all the guests coming for the birthday party?”
- “We are doubling this recipe. How much of all the ingredients will we need?”
- “We are fertilizing the lawn. The fertilizer bag covers three square meters. How many will we need?”
- “This store is selling the game you want for 20% off of $27.00. That store is selling the same game for $19.99. Where should we shop?”
Communicating with Children Using Math Language
Talking About Math:
Talking about mathematics with your child – whatever his or her age – helps strengthen his or her mathematical reasoning and understanding. Some ways to keep the talk engaged and focused while you support your child include:
Revoice - Repeat what you heard your child say, then ask for clarification (e.g., “So you are saying it’s an odd number?”).
Repeat/Restate – Ask your child to restate your reasoning (e.g., “Can you repeat what I said in your own words?”).
Reason – Ask your child to apply his or her own reasoning to someone else’s reasoning (e.g., “Do you agree or disagree? Tell me why.”).
Adding On – Prompt your child to participate further (e.g., “What more would you add to that?”).
Think Time – Wait several seconds (try five) to give your child time to think (e.g., “Take some time to think.”). You may be surprised by how hard it is to stay silent in that time!
Early Literacy
Parents/Guardians as Partners in the Core French (French as a Second Language - FSL) Classroom
The following is an excerpt from the Ministry of Education document A Framework for French as a Second Language in Ontario Schools Kindergarten to Grade 12
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/amenagement/frameworkfls.pdf
Some parents may think that they have little to contribute to their children’s FSL education because they do not speak or read French. In actuality, parents do not need to possess French-language skills themselves in order to support children in learning FSL.
Parents and schools share responsibility for children’s education throughout elementary and secondary school, and working together increases the effectiveness of the support that each provides. Influential in shaping attitudes and values, parents help their children set goals and look to the future.
Parental interest and encouragement can be a significant factor in motivating students to engage fully in learning FSL and to continue their FSL studies throughout secondary school and beyond. FSL educators reach out to parents to build strong relationships and open the lines of communication between home and school. Grounded in mutual understanding, respect, and trust, these relationships provide the foundation upon which positive experiences in FSL are developed and long-lasting impressions formed.
It is important for parents to understand that skills developed in learning one language are transferable to the learning of others. Parents can support their children in this learning by providing a language-rich environment in the home. Having meaningful conversations and reading with children daily in their home language, as well as surrounding them with books and magazines on a variety of topics, are among the most effective ways for parents to support children’s developing skills in any language(s) they may be learning.
Parents can also support their children’s FSL learning by exposing them to French through television, movies, and cultural events. Children can be highly motivated to study FSL when they see that French is the language used by many people in their daily lives. Moreover, such experiences help nurture an enduring appreciation of French culture in Ontario, throughout Canada, and around the world.
2016-2017 Parent Council Executive
November 2016 – Fundraising Coordinator's Report
A BIG BOX OF THANK YOU!!
The BIGBOXFUNDRAISING campaign was a super success. Even though it was collectively many more (wo)man-hours spent than many other activities by the Council, it was satisfying to see that parents in the school favourably supported the campaign and made it a success. More than half of the families in the school participated, purchasing a grand total of 519 boxes to support the school. This fundraiser collectively raised $5,064.97 which also includes a family who donated $40 and decided to not take a box. The BigBoxFundraising campaign also supports kids and classes who sold a maximum number of boxes. Lani added 5 hot lunch coupons and 2 Lancaster spirit wears into the draw. Students who received either a $25 Gift Card, a Lunch coupon for 5 hot lunches or Lancaster T-shirts are Chanelle R., Reid N., Addison S., Michael P., Lucas G., Ava J., Gates M., Julia V., Quinn W. Annalu S., Elisha X.,. The grand prize of a 16GB iPOD touch went to Mackenzie M. A pizza lunch was won by all the students in classes of Mrs. Sidlauskas and Mrs. Powers for selling maximum number of boxes.
Congratulations to all. This campaign wouldn't have been possible with support from all the teachers, staff and families at the LDPS. Thank you.
A Chapters Community Night on Wednesday Dec 7th organized by Teachers, Student Council and Parents Council was a great success. Thank you to all those participated. A detailed report will follow in the next newsletter.
~ Vinay Singh, Fundraising Coordinator
Parent Council Balance
The Parent Council account balance
as of November 28th, 2016 was
$7,095.59
The Charitable Trust account
(Operation Love Lancaster donations)
contains a balance of
$530.31
Submitted by Jennifer McKee, Treasurer
Parent Council is on Remind!
Do you use Remind to keep up-to-date with classroom and school news? Well, you can now join Parent Council on Remind as well. There are several ways you can join us.
In the Remind app, join us at: @ldps-pc
Take out your phone and text @ldps-pc to this number: 613-699-6185
E-mail ldps-pc@mail.remind.com
On the web, go to: https://www.remind.com/join/ldps-pc
Help Wanted!
Parent volunteers are essential to maintaining a rich learning environment. If you can help in any way, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Laurie Gedke-Kerr at: laurie.gedckekerr@queensu.ca
Inclusive Education
Special Programs for Children with Special Needs
Children with special needs…have special needs. Therefore they sometimes need special programs. The Autism Program offered by the Limestone District School Board is great for covering school needs, but there are also some wonderful programs around town that offer up activities for the rest of the time. Check them out if you haven’t already!
SwimAbility is a great program run by Queen’s University volunteers that offer one-on-one swimming lessons for any child with a disability – and it is only $25 for nine 30-minute sessions! The next round of lessons starts January 18, with four timeslots: Wednesdays at 7:00 or 7:30 and Thursdays at 7:00 or 7:30. Registration can be done on-line and there is no deadline. Because it is one-on-one, each lesson is adapted to the individual child’s swimming level and comfort level, and there’s plenty of time for practicing skills and just horsing around. Last term I never saw anything but happy faces on all the eager little swimmers, and the volunteer instructors are an amazing bunch.
Autism Ontario’s Potential Programme offers a ton of mostly-free activities for children with autism and their families – siblings are usually invited. Some are activities that might be just too overwhelming for a child on the spectrum without certain adaptations, such as a smaller group size, calmer environment, or staff with an understanding of autism. Sometimes it is just an opportunity to join with other families facing similar issues – a chance to chat with other parents while the children play and not worry about judgement if your child acts out. Some past events that my son and I have gone to are a hands-on presentation from Ray’s Reptiles, an afternoon at the Playtrium, and a trip to Skywood Eco Adventure Park. Sign up for EventBrite email notifications through the Autism Ontario website to keep in the loop about upcoming events.
It looks like there is still space in the Building Blocks Club that takes place at Autism Ontario/Extend-A-Family at 361 Montreal St. This session runs Wednesdays from 6:15 - 7:15, January 18 - March 8. The children will be working in small groups with a volunteer to plan, build and film their very own stop-motion movie using Lego! The program is free and you can register through the Autism Ontario website or by calling Patti at 613-507-7896.
Don’t let winter hold you back – there’s lots to do out there, for everyone.
~ Emma Garrard, Inclusive Education Coordinator
School News
The e-store is now open at: http://specialtytrophies.ca/lancasterpublicschool/
Prices will go up at the end of the month so order now!
"Knowledge is power.
Information is liberating.
Education is the premise of progress,
in every society, in every family.”
~ Kofi Anan
Useful Links
People for Education
To sign up for their bi-weekly newsletter:
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www.limestone.on.ca/
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School Calendar