March 2017 MARCH BREAK MATH FUN In the car, estimate how many kilometres or how much time it will take to get to your destination, esti-

mate how many cars you will see in 5 minutes, or how many licence plates it will take to see all the num-

bers from 0 to 100.

Play Tic-Tac-Total by drawing a tic tac toe board and having each player print the numbers 1 to 10 off to

the side. Players take turns crossing out one of the numbers and writing it in the board. The player who

makes 15 first wins.

Play Bizz Buzz as follows. Players generally sit in a circle. The player designated to go first says the number

"1", and each player thenceforth counts one number in turn. However, any number divisible by three is

replaced by the word bizz and any divisible by five by the word buzz. Numbers divisible by both become

bizz buzz. You may change the numbers to counting by2’s and 10’s or divisible by 6 and 2 etc., for varia-

tions. Players may either be eliminated if they make a mistake or you may play co-operatively.

Bake with your child. Have them work with you to halve or double a recipe. Play card games and board

games. Build with blocks, found materials or a model kit.

Pam Spero Principal

905-734-3208

Amy Morocco Vice-Principal 905-734-3208

Wes Hahn Superintendent 905-641-1550

Sue Barnett Trustee

905-734-7110

11

Critical Literacy

Four Resources

Model

Cell Phone Policy

At Diamond Trail, we recognize the fact that many of our students bring cell phones to school, and also that parents may prefer that their children have phones with them on the way to and from school, for safety reasons. We certainly support anything that contributes to the safety and well-being of our students. However, we also take into consideration that cell phones can have a negative impact if they are misused in the school environment. A student with access to a cell phone during a lesson can become distracted from his or her learning. There have been numerous accounts of students texting one another during class. There have also been accounts of cyber-bullying occurring during the school day through cell phone communication.

With this in mind, our policy is to allow students to bring cell phones to school, provided that they remain out of sight and are not used on school property without teacher ap-proval. If a student needs to call home, they will be allowed to use the school phone. If parents need to contact their child, they may call the school. Should a student refrain from complying with the cell phone policy by using their cell phone without permission at school, the following steps will be taken. The first time, the student will be asked to put the phone away. The second time, the phone will be taken away and returned to the student at the end of the day. Parents will be informed. The third time, the phone will be taken away and the parent will be asked to come and pick up the phone. Thank you for helping to support student success.

DREAMBOX LEARNING MATH PROGRAM

Diamond Trail School has purchased DreamBox Learning’s Math Program. This is an exciting and fun

online math program that helps all students achieve better, faster math proficiency. Your child can access DreamBox from any computer, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no software to download. All you need is a high-speed internet connection and Adobe Flash. Adobe Flash is free and is included with many internet browsers. The link to use from home is https://play.dreambox.com/login/42cv/diamondtp You can also receive additional support by contacting DreamBox Client Care at 877-451-7845 or email support@dreambox.com.

Immunizations

Immunization begins in early infancy and continues throughout life. Your child will receive the majority of his or her immunizations between the ages of two months and six years of age. Please take a moment to check your child’s Immunization Record (yellow card) to be sure his or her immunizations are up-to-date. Immunizations work best when given on time. For more information on childhood immunization, including the immunization schedule, speak with your doctor or visit www.health.gov.on.ca. If you have further questions, please call the Vaccine Preventable Disease Program at Niagara Region Public Health at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7425 to speak to a public health nurse.

MARCH BREAK 13th-17th

DRAGON’S DEN RECOGNITION ASSEMBLY

Wednesday, March 8th at 11:30am

PARKING LOT SAFETY Before and after school our parking lot seems to be quite busy. We are asking parents to please be patient and careful while driving through the parking areas around the school. Often students are getting off the buses and are not thinking about the vehicle traffic that may be coming between the buses. We want to see every child arrive safely to school. PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE HANDICAP spaces unless you have a Handicap Parking Permit.

The Diamond Trail Branch library is open Monday-Thursday from 3:30pm-8pm and on Saturday from 11am-3pm. You can use your library card – and return items – at both the Diamond Trail Branch and our Main Branch downtown. We also offer weekly programs for children and adults. Come check out the fun that awaits you at the library! Weekly Children’s Programs Mondays*: Techno Mondays (5-12 years) @ 4:00 pm Discover and explore our new gizmos: littleBits, Sphero, Scratch, MaKey MaKey, Green Screen, Lego, iPads, Xbox One, Minecraft and more! Wednesdays: Craft Attack @ 4:00 pm Come by every Wednesday for a surprise DIY craft. Create and take home! Free program. Thursdays: Movie Thursdays @ 4pm Bring your friends and make Thursday after school a ‘movie night.’ Free popcorn! Saturdays: Songs, Stories & Smiles @ 1:00 pm Join our family story-time with crafts and activities. Stay tuned for March Break programs happening all week long from March 11-19!

LUNCH/PIZZA/SUB ORDERS Order forms are sent home on Wednesday’s and are to be returned no later than Friday mornings.

MARCH BREAK March 13 –17

GOOD FRIDAY—PA DAY April 14

EASTER MONDAY - HOLIDAY April 17

ANIMALS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

This is a respectful reminder that animals of any kind are not allowed on school property. Thank you for

your cooperation in this matter.

SICK CHILDREN When to keep your child at home. Please keep your child at home and away from others if he or she has any of these symptoms:

Fever Diarrhea Vomiting Rash Frequent coughing or sneezing Yellow or green discharge from the

nose, ears, or eyes Sore throat

Contact your family doctor for advice about care and treatment. For more information, talk to your school nurse or go to

Thanking Our Community

We would like to thank this year’s sponsors for their generous donations to our “Diamond Trail Sponsor a Family Christmas Fundraiser”. Together our community was able to help make a memorable Christmas for many of our families. We would not have been able to do it without them. A big thanks to: Welland OR/PARR Department Welland Diagnostic Imaging Department Melina’s Family Restaurant 7-Eleven Welland OPP Numerous anonymous donations from community members & staff

BELL TIMES

Time Activity Instruction Time

8:55-10:35

Instructional Block 1 100 minutes

10:35-11:20

Fitness/Nutrition Break

11:20-1:00 Instructional Block 2 100 minutes

1:00-1:45 Fitness/Nutrition Break

1:45-3:25 Instructional Block 3 100 minutes

Stop The Spread of Infection 1. Stay home if you are sick and return when

you are well

2. Wash your hands with soap and water or

use a hand sanitizer

3. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue

or in your sleeve

4. Keep your distance

5. Get a flu shot

For more information, talk to your school nurse

or go to www.niagararegion.ca/health

DIAMOND TRAIL SCHOOL COUNCIL

Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May,

18th @ 11:30 am. Please mark this date in your

calendar and plan to attend our meeting in the

Library conference room followed by an

Appreciation Luncheon.

There may be times during the school year where inclement weather or other situations could cause transportation cancellations or school closures. At times when student transportation has been cancelled and schools remain open, the decision of whether or not to have children in school on that day rests with the parent or guardian. Should you decide not to send your child to school in the event that transportation is cancelled but schools remain open, or if your child is ill or late, please ensure that you call your child’s school to inform them of your child’s absence. A key resource in any emergency is the DSBN Emergency Information form that you filled out at the beginning of the school year. Please let the school know of any changes in contact information or procedures you wish to be followed throughout the school year. For secondary schools it may become necessary to cancel late buses. Notice will be provided via school announcements and on the websites and subscription features by 11:30 a.m. Information about transportation cancellations and school closures will be available as soon as it is available through the following channels: Websites: www.dsbn.org www.nsts.ca Subscription Features: DSBN Facebook or Twitter NSTS Transportation Delay or Cancellation Alerts Phone: Niagara Student Transportation Services 905-346-0290 Voice Auto Attendant Radio Stations:

Television Stations: CHCH – Hamilton CTV Toronto CityTV Breakfast Television Cogeco Channel 10

CKTB (610 AM) St. Catharines CHRE (105.7 FM) St. Catharines

WAVE (94.7 FM) Hamilton CHTZ-FM (97.7 FM) St. Catharines

CKOC (1150 AM) Hamilton CKEY (105.1 FM) Niagara Falls/Fort Erie

CHML (900 AM) Hamilton K-LITE-FM (102.9 FM) Hamilton

CHAM (820 AM) Hamilton GIANT FM (91.7 FM) Welland

CJXY-108(107.9) Hamilton

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES

BREAKFAST CLUB NEEDS YOUR HELP!!!!

MORE STUDENTS ARE ATTENDING OUR PROGRAM AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

FOOD DONATIONS

Whole Wheat Bagels, Whole Wheat Bread, Whole Pitas,

Whole Wheat English Muffins, Raisin Bread, Yogurt, Yogurt Tubes, Cheese Slices, Mild Brick Cheese,

Mozzarella Cheese, Shreddies, Life Cereal, Multi-grain Cheerios,

Blueberry or Whole Wheat Waffles, Pancake Mix, Syrup, Cereal Bars,

Whole Wheat Crackers, Oatmeal Cookies, Ranch Dip, Mild Salsa, Jam, Cheese Whiz, Carrots, Celery, Cucumbers,

Apples, Oranges, Any Fruit

MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR

SUPPORT!!!

ATTENTION PARENTS!!!!

MAKING SAFE LUNCHES AT HOME School takes time and energy but taking the time to follow these tips could prevent a foodborne illness in your family.

CLEAN Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water before preparing any

meal. Make sure you routinely clean countertops, utensils and any lunchboxes or lunch

bags. Raw fruits or vegetables can be contaminated with bacteria. Wash them with clean

water and a scrub brush before eating.

KEEP COLD FOOD COLD Foods like meat, chicken, seafood, eggs and dairy products must stay cold to stay

safe. Use frozen freezer packs to keep food at or below 4C (40F). Use an insulated lunch box/bag and keep it away from heat sources. Place freezer

packs between food that needs to stay cold. Refrigerate items the night before to get your lunch box/bag off to a cool start.

KEEP HOT FOOD HOT Hot food must stay hot at above 60C (140F). Use insulated containers and keep them close until ready to eat, or take your food cold and reheat it in a microwave. Please keep in mind that any leftover food items coming home in your child’s back pack can carry bacteria or have the ability to support bacterial growth. These bacteria can grow rapidly to harmful levels when food safety precautions are not followed.If these items have not been properly stored, place them in your green bin, do not consume them.

March is Nutrition Month! Make Cooking A Family Affair.

Your kitchen doubles as a classroom that equips kids with life skills galore.

Cooking with kids is a great way to teach important life skills. Learning to cook now prepares

them to cook for themselves when they grow up. It’s also a fun hands-on activity that teaches

literacy, science and math. It doesn’t have to be complicated – start simply and build skills.

Younger kids can help measure ingredients and stir. Older kids can help peel and chop vegetables.

Once they’re confident, they can help bake, broil or sauté. It might be messy. That’s okay! Your

kids can also help clean up.

Cooking with kids can take a little more time, but it’s worth it! Learning how to cook helps

kids develop healthy eating habits, increases self-confidence and teaches life skills. Here are a few

tips to keep cooking with kids relaxed:

Give kids easy tasks, such as stirring, when you’re in a hurry

Cook on weekends, when you can take more time to teach skills

Choose easy-to-follow recipes with lots of tasks kids can help with

Prepare some ingredients before you start cooking

Source: www.dietitians.ca