October 1, 2014 Principal Mr. W. VanderVaart PRINCESS MARGARET NEWS FOR PARENTS Vice Principal: Ms. L. Kendle Principal’s Message What a great start to school we have had this year. The weather has been warm and the students have enjoyed playing outside on the playground equipment and sitting on our newly installed benches. In September and now October, we as a staff, will be focusing on the positive character trait Respect. You can help us by talking to your child about what respect means to you and your family. Talking to your child about respect will help him/her understand that respect is a character trait that goes both ways. One must give respect in order to get respect. We continue to remind our students to be respectful to themselves, others and their possessions (things), to follow the golden rule and to be safe. Last year, in May our students wrote their provincial tests called EQAO. These tests were marked over the summer by trained staff in Toronto (we didn’t mark them). Our primary results are: Reading 75%, Writing 78%, Math 66% Our junior results are: Reading 82%, Writing 69%, Math 33% During the month of October, we will be looking over our results and improving our plan to increase our students’ achievement in Math. This plan is in its second year of a three year plan. Terry Fox Run Students had a great day on Friday, September 27th raising money for cancer research. We raised over $1000.00 thanks to the efforts of our wonderful students, parents, teachers and community members. A special thanks to Ms. M and her class for promoting this event by creating and reading the announcements each day. In the Office Please note that all parents coming into the school need to sign in at the office. This is for safety reasons. We need to know who is in the building at all times for fire drills and other emergency situations. Please make sure when you are picking up your child early from school that you use our new sign out procedures. All students leaving during class times, must sign out at the office with parent/guardian permission. Thank you for your cooperation as we keep all students safe. Celebrate International Walk to School Day Wed, Oct 8, 2014 International Walk to School Week is Oct 6-10, October is International Walk to School Month. Did you know, that most children can walk 1 km in only 11 minutes? There are many good reasons to walk or bike to school. It's good exercise, improves concentration, builds neighbourhood awareness, protects the environment, and promotes independence. Being outdoors and walking with family and friends is fun. School Council Update We are pleased to announce that: Ryan Grist and Shon Scott will be our CoChairs, Nicole Chafe will be our secretary and, Tanya Morphy will be our treasurer this year. There will be no need to have an election this year as the executive positions were acclaimed. Lamontagne fundraising has started. See details being sent home with students. Please make sure you return all forms even if you do not order. The next School Council meeting will be on Oct. 20, starting at 7:00 pm, in our library. Princess Margaret is a Healthy School Princess Margaret PS is committed to being a Healthy School. A Healthy School is a healthier place for learning and working. In a Healthy School children are supported by the entire school community to make healthy lifestyle choices easier. Healthy, active children are better learners. This year, we are excited to be part of Healthy School experience in partnership with Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health. Your Public Health Nurse is Johanna Monckton For more information please contact: joanna.monckton@wdgpublichealth.ca Upper Grand District School Board Page 1 October 1, 2014 Principal Mr. W. VanderVaart PRINCESS MARGARET NEWS FOR PARENTS Vice Principal: Ms. L. Kendle Upper Grand District School Board Page 2 Health October 2014 What a good feeling! Celebrate International Walk to School Day Wednesday, October 8, 2014 • Walking is good exercise. It’s a way to increase physical activity among children. • Walking keeps the air clean. It reduces the number of cars on the road, which ultimately reduces air pollution • Walking enhances stamina and gives more energy. Children who walk are more alert and ready to learn. • Walking relaxes a child, lessens anxiety and tension. • Walking to school empowers children thereby fostering independence. • Walking is economical. You will not need to fill up your legs with gas. • Walking is educational. You will better admire all the beauties in your neighbourhood. • Walking is fun and a great way to meet new friends. October 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 Pizza Day 4 5 6 Dental Screening 7 8Dental Screening 9 Dental Screening Pita Lunch Day Grade 8 Career day trip 10 Pizza Day 11 12 13 Thanksgiving (no school) 14 15 Cross— Country Running 17 Pizza Day Student Council Spirit Day Wear school colours, Royal Blue, Purple and Silver 18 19 20 Fluoride Varnish Program, P.M.P.S. School Council Mtg. (7:00 p.m.) 21 Pita Lunch Day 22 23 Pizza Day Photo Retake Day 24 25 27 28 26 16 Raindate for cross country P. A. Day 29 30 31 Pizza Day Hallowe’en 1