Construction is underway...

Weather has not been in our favour, but we are making progress on the new kindergarten classroom addition.  I say "we" but my only role is worrying about finishing on time and taking pictures...

Here's a glimpse at what's been happening....

Before......

We moved 2 of the trees from the garden around to the reading garden.  This is the hole the tree movers dug -- ready to plant the tree.  Miss Versteeg is checking out the hole.  Below, site supervisor, Mr.  Dale,  keeps his "helpers" back from the hole.

Laying the footings on May 12.

Our Kindergarten registration day, known as CATYO (Calling all three year olds) is on Nov. 29.  See below for a link that explains more about CATYO.
CATYO link

Please call the school if you have children who are eligible for Kindergarten in Sept. 2014.  We have registration packages and information for you to pick up before the 29th.

Reading strategies

I've posted an explanation of our Decoding strategies for reading on the "Reading Support" page.  Check it out.  We've come a long way in teaching how to read words from when I was in school.  I still remember my Grade one teacher preaching "sound it out" when I came to the word "fright."  Tell me, does that make any sense at all?  We have a whole bunch of strategies we teach now -- no more sound it out or forget it.....

Check out the Strategy poster and explanation on the Reading Support page.

Recess view

Monday was the perfect day for snowman building.

This is Ms. Versteeg's view from recess yard duty.

Report Cards

I'll start by saying what follows is MY opinion, not the opinion of any other teachers, principals or school boards....

Report cards are my least favourite time of the year.  It is stressful to write them; it is stressful to read them.  I think I speak for all teachers when I say we would rather teach than evaluate.  It's so hard to mark a little ducky that you know has worked hard, has made gains but just isn't there yet.  It's sometimes hard to find just the right words.

Here's what's involved.  We teach according to the Ontario Curriculum.  In all subjects there are standards for knowledge and understanding, thinking, communication and application that must be levelled according to proficiency level 1,2, 3 or 4.  Level 3 is the provincial standard (that shows up on report cards as a "B.")
"B" is good.  "B" is what we are striving for.  "A" is rare, very rare, because it means you are consistently performing at a rate that is higher than the provincial standard, that is, higher than what we are teaching you.  Some say "B" is the new "A."

Teachers collect marks and comments throughout the term.  When they go to write the reports there is an emphasis on most recent and most consistent demonstration of proficiency.  It takes quite an amount of time to review marks, current work, and compile comments that reflect the curriculum documents and the child, and do it in a way that parents understand what they are reading.  I think teachers, myself included, often don't do a terrific job of making the language on the report card "parent friendly."  With limited space, specific direction about including strengths, needs and next steps while also following the Ministry and Board assessment documents it is sometimes more prudent to use "edu-lingo."  So if you don't understand clearly what the teacher is trying to say, please ask.

When I wrote class sets of reports it usually took me around 20 extra hours to write and proofread a class set.  I usually had to do them after I put my kids to bed so I could concentrate on what I was doing.  It was a better time for me to write -- but late nights often meant I found more typos the next day....

Report cards are written on a computer program available via internet.  This means I can pop into the report cards any time to check things over for teachers and to see how the  progress is coming along.  This is also how I read them when they are done.

Teachers email me to tell me that they have finished writing and  proof-reading. They will finish that by Sunday evening.  Then I get to read them.  EVERY one.  I read each report card on-line and try to catch typos or errors.  This also gives me a good sense of each student in the school and how they are doing.  My family likens report card reading time to income tax time -- mom is tired and grouchy.  It usually takes me about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to reach each class set.  I have 11 sets to read starting Monday.  They need to be done by Thursday so they can be printed Friday morning ready to go out on the 11th.  Also, I pray all week that there are no computer glitches...

We take a great deal of time and effort to write report cards.  There is much discussion and thought that goes into every one.

If ever you have questions about what comes home on the RC, please ask.

Mrs. B

Snow days 2

I first posted about snow days in 2010.  The link to that post is here.

Little has changed since then.  Now I wait for the call from Esther from S&K instead of John from Newry as we have a different bus line now.  Sometimes I miss John's deep, cheery voice so early in the morning.

Yesterday we didn't have a snow day, but many others around us did.  Angie at Central and I agonized over this, put the info we had together and decided that we should to stay open.  We always tell our staff to use their best judgement in coming; if they can't make it in then they call us.

No matter if we decide to stay open, or to close due to the weather it is not an easy decision for principals.  I worry about snow days for all the same reasons I did in 2010.  I also worry about asking staff to drive in less than perfect weather, and kids walking in the cold, wind and snow when we stay open.  Regardless of the call that we make at 6am, someone is always upset with the decision.  Very often that includes my husband who would prefer I not drive through the weather myself....

I know that sending your kids or keeping them at home on a blustery day is your call as parents; I get it.  But also know that the decision to stay open wasn't made lightly, foremost in my mind is the balance between safety and the importance of academics, because that is the business I am in.

Stay warm.

Kathy

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.