GETTING READY FOR WINTER…..

How do I know when buses are cancelled and/or my school is closed?

We all know that winter is just around the corner and with it comes the occasional winter storm.

Huron Perth Student Transportation Services is making it even easier this year to get your school bus delay and cancellation information. Already you can follow the announcements by going to our website ourschoolbuses.ca or by following your school’s twitter account. You don’t need to have a twitter account to get this information, as the latest Tweet appears on the main page of your school’s website.

 HPSTS has launched a  smart phone App - called HPSTS.   This App is available for iPhones, Android Smartphones and Windows OS Smart phones and is absolutely free. This App will bring you all the latest announcements regarding school bus or school delays and cancellations.

The HPSTS App is available in the Android Market for smartphones using the Android OS.  For iphones and Windows OS phones go to the following link to install the app: womple.com/HPSTS or you can use your smartphone to scan the QR code  to install the app.

As in the past, you can also monitor local radio stations during inclement weather for the latest announcements on cancellations or delays.

For further information please contact Huron Perth Student Transportation Services at 1-888-871-7722 or visit our website at ourschoolbuses.ca.

WE DID IT!!!

Thanks to Kempston and Werth Realty Ltd of Listowel for their donation this morning of $29 968, we have reached our Playground Building fundraising target of $85000!!.  Their total donations to this campaign total $34 968 -- that's over 41% of our fundraising from this generous local company.

MOVEMBER

Mr. Uhler, Mr. Webster and Mr. Bracken are growing moustaches for Movember.  On Mondays they'll be hosting MO-Mondays.  Gr. 6 students will be doing face-paint moustaches for 25 cents at recess to raise money for prostate cancer research.  

Yesterday we had 88 moustaches painted on little faces.

Cute!

Silent Auction Items

THE AUCTION IS NOW CLOSED.  THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED AND TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS.  YOU HAVE HELPED RAISE OVER $1200 FOR THE EASTDALE PLAYGROUND FUND.  THANK YOU 

Item # 1 Donated by Dynafit - 3 month subscritption to Dynafit - Current Bid - $150

Item # 2 Donated by Vines - A votive candle, holder and napkins
Current Bid - $5

Item # 3 Donated by Ideal Supply - Portable DVD Player - Current Bid - $75

Item # 4 Donated by Donegan's Haulage - Serving tray with glasses, bowl, napkins and dip
Current bid - $25

Item # 5 Donated by Keeso - one pickup load of bark mulch ($40 value) - Current bid - $30

Item # 6 Donated by Keeso - one pickup load of bark mulch ($40 value) - Current bid - $30
Item # 7 Donated by Keeso - one pickup load of bark mulch ($40 value) - Current bid - $30
Item # 8 Donated by TD Bank - Computer speakers
Current bid $10

Item # 9 Donated by Elmira Farm Supply - John Deere truck and trailer - Current bid $40

Item # 10 Donated by TSC - $25 Gift Certificate at TSC

Current bid $25

 Item # 11 Donated by CIBC - CIBC pencil case with supplies and Frisbee

Current bid $5

Item #12 Donated by Tim Horton's - Sydney Crosby 150 piece jigsaw puzzle with 3 mugs

Current Bid $15

Item # 13 - Donated by Bakelaar's - Indoor / Outdoor Clock  Minimum bid $30

Current Bid $60

Item #14 - Donated by McCutcheon Family - $25 I-Tunes gift card

Current Bid $30

Item #15 - Donated by BK's - $25 in-store gift certificate

Current Bid $25

Item #16 - Donated by Spinrite - Gift basket of yarn and knitting supplies

Current Bid $40



 Item #17 - Donated by Giant Tiger - 30 piece glassware set

Current Bid $20

Item #18 - Donated by Taylor Family - Two piece buffet server

Current Bid $15

 Item # 19 - Donated by Filsinger's Organic Farms - Gift basket with Apple Cider, Apple & Pear butter and Apple Spread

Current Bid $35

 Item #20 - Donated by Taylor Family - Partylite candle and glass coasters

Current bid $26

Item # 21 Donated by Dairy Queen - Gift certificate for a Frozen Cake

Current Bid $31

Item # 22 Donated by Taylor Family - 16 piece Bar-b-que tool kit

Current Bid $15

Item #23 Donated by Newry Coach Lines - Kids Bicycle

Current Bid $76

Item # 24 Donated by Tony Gangl - Hot / Cold packs

Current bid $20

Item # 25 Donated by Spencer Family - Antique painted wooden shelf

Current Bid $15

Item # 26 Donated by Stoltz Farm Equipment - Lawnmower service and inspection.  Current Bid $55

Item #27 Donated by McDonalds - 2 extra value meals

Current Bid $11

Item # 28 Donated by Trillium Mutual - "Bleacher" sports chair

Current Bid $35

Item #29 Donated by Trillium Mutual - Sport Blanket

Current Bid $10

Item # 30 Donated by Doug Berfelz Electric - Johnny Borton CD and Rayvec LED Light

Current Bid $10

 

Item # 31 Donated by Don Hamilton Royal LePage - "Chateau de la Brissonne" sign

Current bid $25



Item # 32 Donated by Keil-Dadson - Embi Escents candle warmer and fragrance tarts

Current bid $20

Item #33 Donated by Canadian Tire - Kids bike with training wheels

Current bid $41

 Item # 34 Donated by Co-operators - Roadside emergency car kit

Current bid $25

Item #35 Donated by Corley Sports - Backpack

Current Bid $40

Item # 36 Donated by Jill Fowler - Crochet kids hat

Current Bid $15

 

Item # 37 Donated by Jill Fowler - Crochet kids hat

Current Bid $15

 

Item # 38 Donated by Jill Fowler - Crochet kids hat

Current Bid $15

Item # 39 Donated by North Perth - One day Family Swim Pass

Current Bid $5

Item # 40 Donated by North Perth - One day Family Swim Pass

Current Bid $5

Item #41 Donated by JoAnne McKay - Five (5) dozen Christmas cookies (10 varieties) delivered in December.

Current bid $25



On-Line Auction Terms and Conditions

 Please review the following terms and conditions prior to submitting a bid and check for updates through out the auction period.

 

1. All bids must be submitted to ledscc@fc.amdsb.ca via e-mail or by fax to 519-291-1982
2. Auction closing date will be 6:00 pm on Friday November 9, 2012.  Time will be determined by the Avon Maitland Server.
3. Bidders shall include their name, address and phone number with each bid for the bid to be considered accepted.
4. A reasonable attempt will be made to review all bids received prior to 6:00 pm on a daily basis.  Any bids received after 6:00 pm will be processed on the following day.
5. The blog website bid list will be updated with the bids received from the previous day.
6. An e-mail confirmation will be sent to the successful bidder only.
7. In the case of duplicate bid (i.e. same $$ value), the first bid received on that day will be accepted.
8. All bids submitted are deemed to be final.

 

Tips for starting Kindergarten

This post is copied and pasted rom the Peel District School Board site at http://www.peelschools.org/parents/tips/trans-to-k.htm
I think it contains good advice -- advice I could have used for my own kids.  When my son started school his concept of time was limited to morning, afternoon, and evening -- and he kept asking the Kindergarten teacher when "later" fit into the clock because I would often tell him "we'll do that later."  Life went much more smoothly when he learned the concept of time and clocks!

Mrs. B

Help your child prepare for the transition to kindergarten

---

At the Peel District School Board, we are excited about having your child in school. Making sure all students start school ready to learn is an important goal. This tip sheet will provide some ideas to make sure your child gets off to a good start.

Make the 'big day' a happy one

School will be an exciting experience, but it is difficult to be away from home and may be a little scary for your child. Here are some ways you can make the first day a happy one:

• Focus on the positive. Talk openly about your child's feelings.
• Remind your child of the visit you took to kindergarten earlier in the year.
• Make your child feel more secure. Walk or drive the bus route your child will take to school, especially in the days leading up to the first day of school.
• Security also comes from knowing what to do in an emergency. Tell your child what to do when hurt, scared or when help is needed finding the bathroom.
• Establish a routine. For a week before school, practice getting up at the new time and getting ready for school.

Help your child understand the concept of time

Young children often have trouble with the concept of time. Your child may not know what "a few hours" means. Here are some ideas to help your child learn about time spent in school:

• Draw a clock. Talk about what your child does at various times each day and colour in the time spent on each activity.
• Draw another clock. Fill in the hours that will be spent in school.
• In another colour, show any time that will be spent in child care after school.
• Have your child colour in the days of the week at school on a calendar.

Kindergarten is easier when children have some basic skills. Your child should:

• know their name, address and phone number
• be able to put on their shoes and get their coats and boots on and off
• be able to use the bathroom and wash their hands
• know how to co-operate with other children through sharing and taking turns

You can help your child develop language skills

Another way you can help your child do better in school is by working on language skills. Experts agree that language is the key to learning. Here are some ways you can help your child develop language skills.

• Talking about things you see and familiar items in your home. Try to spend about 30 minutes a day talking with and listening to your child.
• Helping your child to learn the words that will be read some day. A child who has seen an airplane for example, will be more likely to understand words like airport and travel.
• Buying or making hand puppets. Help your child put on a puppet show of a favourite story.
• Reading aloud to your child every day. Your reading time doesn't have to be long -- 10 or 15 minutes each day is fine, but it's important that reading is a regular part of your day.

Play time is learning time

To a child, there is nothing as exciting, or as much fun, as learning something new. Here are some fun things you can do with your child to prepare for kindergarten:

• Look for shapes. You might say, "I see a blue square. Can you find it?" Your child can ask you find the next item.
• Cook together. Basic math skills can be taught through measuring ingredients.
• Fill your sink with water. Let your child find the objects that sink and some that float.
• Give your child opportunities to finger paint, colour, draw and cut and paste.

Premier's Safe School Award

The Premier's Safe Schools Awards recognize exceptional and innovative work being done in schools to create a safe and caring school environment. This year, ten safe schools teams have recognized, two of them from the Avon Maitland District School Board. Listowel Eastdale and Listowel Central Public Schools received the honour on Thursday, June 28, 2012 from Perth Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece at a special ceremony at Eastdale.

Check out the link to learn more about this honour and the work that Central and Eastdale have done at http://blog.amdsb.ca/2012/06/29/listowel-eastdale-and-central-share-safe-school-award/

Giant Cookie Recipe for the Fun Fair

 Recipe
Cream together: 1 cup softened butter – 1 cup packed brown sugar – ½ cup white sugar
Add: 2 beaten eggs – 2 tsp vanilla
In a separate bowl, stir together: 
2 ½ cups all purpose flour 
½ tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture
Add: 2 cups chocolate chips
Bake at 300F at least 25 minutes or until done
When cool, decorate as you wish

RULES
1.  Make the cookie recipe below and bake the cookie in a round greased pizza pan.
2.  Decorate it with whatever you want (icing, candies, cereal, marshmallows, paper, etc.).  Let your imagination go wild!
3.  Put the decorated cookie on a cardboard circle. 
4.  Cover your cookie with plastic wrap
5.  Have your cookie to school by 10:50am on Friday, June 1 for judging.  

Cookies will be displayed at the Fun Fair and will be used as prizes at a Fun Fair game called THE COOKIE WALK (Therefore, your cookies become the property of the Fun Fair game committee.)  
    Play THE COOKIE WALK game at the Fun Fair...If you win you choose one of the Great Big Cookies as a prizes.

Thank you, Kempston and Werth Realty Limited. 
Today Kempston and Werth donated $5000.00 to our playground building fund!!

Mark your calendars!

Please join us for our

4th Annual Eastdale

FUN FAIR

Friday, June 1, 2012

5-8pm (rain or shine)

Events:

• games
• Giant 17' Air Slide (new this year)
• BBQ
• fish pond
• Mini-manicure booth (new this year)
• races
• popcorn
• face painting
• Giant Cookie Contest
• basket raffles
• silent auction for a ride to school in a limousine!
• tattoo booth
• dessert auction
• raffles
• Cookie Walk 

Proceeds go to the Playground building fund

All proceeds go to the Playground Fund -- join us!

Spring

I can't believe we're wearing shorts and sandals to school in the middle of March...

The green grass and sunshine make doing yard duty a joy not a chore.   The thing about spring though is that it is even more glaring that we don't have a playground to play on.  The kids are wonderful about filling their recesses with skipping, soccer, foot hockey and the usual playground games, but they are definitely missing the playground to climb on.

This is a playground that is not just about our school, but about our neighbourhood.  There isn't a park in the whole south east quadrant of the town.  This school yard is used by the North Perth Parks and Rec. department, Listowel soccer club and many community groups on a regular basis.

We are just shy of $30 000 in our fundraising efforts with the Kinsmen and several businesses in town promising to make donations in the near future, so that number will rise soon.

Please consider supporting the playground by buying a subscription to the Listowel Banner (see post below) or by making a donation to the playground.  Forms are available at the school, or you can donate online at CanadaHelps.org (indicate Listowel Eastdale campaign in "fund/designation."

Thanks for your support!
Happy Spring
Mrs. B

 

Listowel Banner helps with the playground campaign.

Please consider a subscription to the Listowel Banner. 

Playground Update

So as of today we are just under $27 000 dollars raised for the playground. 

Here's what the School Council has been working on for this campaign:

Most recently Cowan's Country store ran a great promotion over Christmas by offering eco-friendly gift wrapping with donations going to the playground. 
The Listowel Independent sent 6000 flyers with the paper to homes in Listowel.  I have been so impressed with the donations that have come from this effort -- it is very rewarding to see how many people in our town feel a connection to Eastdale and have made donations to support us.
The Listowel Banner is going to help us with a campaign in February -- it will be "unveiled" soon!
School Council members made presentations to the Town of North Perth requesting financial assistance as so many North Perth Parks and Rec programs that use our school would benefit from the playground.  This request was recently turned down.
School Council also made a presentation to the Listowel Kinsmen, and we are keeping our fingers crossed on this one!
We recently received a grant from the Carnegie Family Fund through the Stratford Perth County Community Foundation.
We've applied for another grant, and are working on the forms for another.
The chair of the fundraising committee has been busy soliciting businesses for their donations.
Our students have also been regularly visiting my office with ideas for fundraising.  The recent Gr. 4/5 Pie in the Face contest raised $400 and saw Ms. Martin wear a pie!

This playground will come, and it will be an awesome addition to the school and neighbourhood!
If you are interested in donating, or if you have ideas to support the campaign, please call the school.  Donations are tax deductible through the Foundation for Enriching Education.