We Grow: In Knowledge. In Love. In Faith. Mr. K. Hanson Principal 3722 Centennial Drive Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7L 5K4 (306) 659-7210 (306) 659-2068 (fax) Newsletter #4 Mr. D. Todos Vice-Principal October 16, 2015 www.gscs.sk.ca/studentsandfamilies/schools/vac TRUSTEES: Ron Boechler Diane Boyko Jim Carriere WHAT’S HAPPENING?? Monday, October 19th ................................. Federal Election – Polling Station at Father Vachon – 7:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 20th ................................. Grade 2, 3 & EIP – Swimming – Shaw – p.m. Thursday, October 22nd .............................. Builder’s Club Leadership Symposium – Holy Cross High School PreK – a.m./p.m. – Pumpkin Maze Friday, October 23rd ................................... Builder’s Club Leadership Symposium – Holy Cross High School Book & Breakfast – 8:30 a.m. – Library Wednesday, October 28th ........................... Picture Retakes – p.m. Friday, October 30th.................................... Costume Parade & Halloween Dance – p.m. HALLOWEEN FUN DAY & DANCE - Students are permitted to wear Halloween costumes all day, however, we are asking that the costumes be appropriate for school. SCHOOL HOURS 8:40 AM 8:45 AM 10:15 AM 10:30 AM 11:45 AM – 12:07 PM 12:07 PM - 12:30 PM 1:45 PM 2:00 PM 3:15 PM Warning Bell Classes Begin Recess Bell Ending Recess Bell Lunch Break Lunch Recess Bell Afternoon Recess Bell Ending Afternoon Recess Bell Dismissal Bell 1 STUDENT NEWS TELL THEM FROM ME SURVEY - As part of our focus on school effectiveness, Father Vachon will be participating in an online school survey for students – OurSCHOOL. OurSCHOOL is an online survey that allows students to give their feedback and share their voices on their school environment, experiences at school, and any school improvement programs. From November 16 th - 20th the grade 4s - 8s will be given the opportunity and time to participate in this survey during regular school hours. Students’ names cannot be linked to their responses which allows it to be completely anonymous. Results will show all student scores combined together – it is not possible to single out individual students in the results. The student survey will be completed electronically and will require approximately 35-40 minutes to complete. The student survey Measures include such topics as emotional and social well-being, physical health, and behaviours and attitudes linked to student success. The survey also allows students to give their thoughts and feedback in open-ended question responses. If you would like more information, please contact Kris Hanson or Lauralee Sutherland at 306-659-7210. LIFETOUCH - Lifetouch will be in our school for retake photos on Wednesday, October 28 . th NUT ALERT – We have a number of students at our school that are highly allergic to peanuts and nut products. Anaphylaxis is a medical condition that causes a severe reaction to specific foods and can result in death within minutes. Because of the seriousness of this danger, we ask that you are careful to avoid sending food to school that contain nuts. A reminder that if you have a child that needs medical treatment that is life threatening, please contact the principal at the school. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation. STUDENT ATTENDANCE/ABSENCE: Please notify the office (659-7210) if your child is away from school. Please leave their name, their grade, their teacher’s name and a reason for the absence. Thank you. MILK SALES: Milk is sold at Father Vachon School daily. Milk may be purchased for 75 cents each or a milk card can be purchased for $15.00. EDUCATIONAL MATTERS FIRST STUDENT RIDERS –Father Vachon School has been allocated two busses to assist in transporting students in our attendance area. Students must live the minimum distance of 800 meters from the school to qualify. Eligible families will receive a call from the bus driver. Drivers are responsible for sharing information about the bus stop locations and times. It is also important that First Student has your bus registration form. If you have not turned one into the office at school, please do so as soon as possible. For the safety of all students, please regard the NO PARKING ZONE in front of the school. ROOM PARENTS - We will be looking for Room Parents for each classroom. Room parents serve as a link to our CSCC and to assist the teacher if needed in the planning of special classroom events. Please let your classroom teacher know or the front office if you could help out by serving in this capacity. SPEED ZONES - The 30 km/h speed limit is in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, September to June – including statutory holidays. School zones are marked by reflective, fluorescent yellow-green signs, and begin at these signs, and end at a sign indicating a greater speed limit (normally 50 km/h). The city will be monitoring the effectiveness of school zone speed limits to allow for additional education and enforcement in problem areas. It’s up to you to obey the rules of the road and drive courteously. Twelve seconds – the difference could save a life. CATHOLIC SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEWS The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4th at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. ST. PATRICK PARISH NEWS SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION (CONFIRMATION, RECONCILIATION, EUCHARIST) On Tuesday, October 20th, there is a meeting for parents of children grades two and up who are eligible for Confirmation, Reconcilliation, and First Communion. Registration will take place at St. Patrick’s Parish starting at 7:00 p.m. and running till 8:00 p.m. The meeting, intended for parents only, will provide an overview of the course, important dates and handouts. The suggested donation to help offset the total cost of the three workbooks and other material that will be given to your child throughout the year is $40. Please bring a copy of your child’s baptismal certifgicate to the meeting. If you have any questions, or are unable to attend the meeting on the date given please contact Fr. Gerard at the parish (306) 384-1100. Thank you. COMMUNITY NEWS 2 Pumpkins in the Park Festival will be held Sunday, November 1st from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Rotary Park Peace Flame. Free hotdogs and hot chocolate. Bring your Halloween Jack-o-Lantern to the Annual Pumpkins in the Park Festival. Add it to the pumpkin-lit trail for all to enjoy! 3