October Newsletter 2012

Roland Michener Public School 100 Penfield Drive, Kanata, Ontario, K2K 1M2 Newsletter #2 October, 2012 Telephone: 592-2126 Fax: 592-3254

J. Eastman, Office AdministratorA. McClure, Office AssistantM. Morrow, Chief Custodian

C. Laine, PrincipalC. Laine, PrincipalO. Grigoriev, SuperintendentO. Grigoriev, Superintendent

Principal’s MessagePrincipal’s Message

September and October have been very busy and positive months here at Roland Michener September and October have been very busy and positive months here at Roland Michener Public School! Teachers have been getting to know the strengths and learning styles of their Public School! Teachers have been getting to know the strengths and learning styles of their students and we are well into the academic year. Reminder to parents that a progress report will students and we are well into the academic year. Reminder to parents that a progress report will be coming home to you in early November.be coming home to you in early November.

Thank you to all who attended our “Welcome Back” information session on September 22nd. It Thank you to all who attended our “Welcome Back” information session on September 22nd. It was wonderful to see so many of you there! Your input and involvement in your child’s education was wonderful to see so many of you there! Your input and involvement in your child’s education is so valuable to us. In order to serve you better I am going to seek your input once again. I am is so valuable to us. In order to serve you better I am going to seek your input once again. I am thinking of modifying the monthly newsletter by changing the format to a blog with updates to our thinking of modifying the monthly newsletter by changing the format to a blog with updates to our website. As the lead learner here at RMPS, I am presently looking at different options and will website. As the lead learner here at RMPS, I am presently looking at different options and will communicate the changes with you soon. If you have any suggestions about this or any other communicate the changes with you soon. If you have any suggestions about this or any other ways as to how we can better serve our families, please don’t hesitate to contact us in the office.ways as to how we can better serve our families, please don’t hesitate to contact us in the office.

School Council has held their elections and we now have a few executive roles filled. If you feel School Council has held their elections and we now have a few executive roles filled. If you feel you can contribute to your School Council please email me at your earliest convenience. We you can contribute to your School Council please email me at your earliest convenience. We invite all parents to feel welcome in joining us for any school council meeting. The next meeting invite all parents to feel welcome in joining us for any school council meeting. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 13will take place on Tuesday, November 13thth at 6:30 PM in the staff room. Please email me a week at 6:30 PM in the staff room. Please email me a week in advance if you require childcare. (cassia.laine@ocdsb.ca)in advance if you require childcare. (cassia.laine@ocdsb.ca)

We are continuing to use our Restorative Practices and STAR strategy in our classrooms and on We are continuing to use our Restorative Practices and STAR strategy in our classrooms and on the yard. Both strategies foster understanding, while attending to the needs of all parties. The the yard. Both strategies foster understanding, while attending to the needs of all parties. The Restorative Questions are listed in the newsletter for your use at home if you so choose.Restorative Questions are listed in the newsletter for your use at home if you so choose.

We are pleased to introduce our 8-week Ukulele Kids Club starting on Nov 1We are pleased to introduce our 8-week Ukulele Kids Club starting on Nov 1stst . For more . For more information, and to register, go the Ukulele Kids website at www.ukulelekids.org. Register by information, and to register, go the Ukulele Kids website at www.ukulelekids.org. Register by October 24October 24thth and get a discount! and get a discount!

As always, our heartfelt thanks to all our parent volunteers who dedicate what time they have to As always, our heartfelt thanks to all our parent volunteers who dedicate what time they have to supporting our students and staff. supporting our students and staff. Thank you to all for remembering to come to the office to sign Thank you to all for remembering to come to the office to sign in and pick up a volunteer badge/sticker when you come in to help. Safety is our number one in and pick up a volunteer badge/sticker when you come in to help. Safety is our number one concern at RMPS.concern at RMPS. Your contribution is greatly appreciated!Your contribution is greatly appreciated!Enjoy the beautiful fall colours!Enjoy the beautiful fall colours!Cassia LaineCassia Laine

On September 28th, the entire RMPS community On September 28th, the entire RMPS community took part in the Terry Fox Run. Together we raised took part in the Terry Fox Run. Together we raised around $1297! Thank you to Mme Cournoyer for around $1297! Thank you to Mme Cournoyer for organizing this event and to all staff and parent organizing this event and to all staff and parent volunteers who helped to make this day a success!volunteers who helped to make this day a success!

Don’t forget that Fridays are “Wear your Don’t forget that Fridays are “Wear your school colours days”! Wear something school colours days”! Wear something black, white, and/or red on Fridays and black, white, and/or red on Fridays and let’s celebrate!let’s celebrate!

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Each month classes are nominated to have the honour of Each month classes are nominated to have the honour of hosting our huge stuffed Roland Michener tiger named hosting our huge stuffed Roland Michener tiger named “Stripes” in their classroom for the entire month. This “Stripes” in their classroom for the entire month. This honour is given to the class that displays the characteristics honour is given to the class that displays the characteristics exemplified by the Roland Michener slogan “ROAR” which exemplified by the Roland Michener slogan “ROAR” which stands for Respect, Open, Attitude and Responsibility. stands for Respect, Open, Attitude and Responsibility. September’s winner of Stripes was Mme Cassandra’s September’s winner of Stripes was Mme Cassandra’s

class. “class. “ROAR”ROAR” to the SK pm EFI class! to the SK pm EFI class!

Religious HolidaysIf your child will be absent due to a religious holiday, please call the Attendance

Line on our voicemail system and specify the

reason. Your child will not be marked absent but this will be specified as a “G” day which is not shown on

the report card.

Student Accident Insurance

Creating a caring and safe environment for our students is our top priority. Unfortunately, despite all reasonable precautions being taken, accidents can still happen. Some injuries may result in medical, dental or other expenses that are not covered by provincial health care or employer group plans. As a parent/guardian, you become responsible for these expenses.

Student accident insurance is available for purchase, on a voluntary basis, through Reliable Life Insurance Company. Forms can either be picked up from the school office or downloaded at www.binks.ca, or you may apply online at www.insuremykids.com.

The OCDSB encourages all parents/guardians to consider purchasing this insurance. If your child is involved in after school related sports activities or is participating in any field trips out of the province you may wish to seriously consider the coverage options, which range from $13.00/year to $31.00/year. This coverage is for the entire calendar year and also applies outside of school hours. If you have any questions, please call Binks Insurance Brokers directly at 613-226-1350.

  

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There have been two School Council meetings since the start of this school year. At the SeptemberThere have been two School Council meetings since the start of this school year. At the SeptemberCouncil meeting these positions were filled by acclamation:Council meeting these positions were filled by acclamation:ChairChair – Jiangbin Yang – Jiangbin YangSecretarySecretary –Sue Davidson –Sue DavidsonTreasurer Treasurer –Mikael Vihtari–Mikael VihtariFundraising ChairFundraising Chair – Sue Davidson – Sue DavidsonHot Lunch CoordinatorHot Lunch Coordinator – Sue Davidson – Sue DavidsonThe School Council meets on the The School Council meets on the second Tuesday of the monthsecond Tuesday of the month. Meetings are held in the Staff room at . Meetings are held in the Staff room at 6:30 and last only about one hour. Childcare is also available. We welcome all parents and guardians to 6:30 and last only about one hour. Childcare is also available. We welcome all parents and guardians to attend and learn more about your child’s school!attend and learn more about your child’s school!

Support your school with Roland Michener’s newest fundraiser of wool character hats and mittens! Support your school with Roland Michener’s newest fundraiser of wool character hats and mittens! Simply click on this link to view 31 different styles! View Knit Wits Style Guide, print and complete Simply click on this link to view 31 different styles! View Knit Wits Style Guide, print and complete the Knit Wits Order Form and send it, with payment, to school with your child by Nov 9. All the Knit Wits Order Form and send it, with payment, to school with your child by Nov 9. All cheques must be made payable to “ROLAND MICHENER SCHOOL COUNCIL.”cheques must be made payable to “ROLAND MICHENER SCHOOL COUNCIL.”

Dental Screenings

Every year, many kids miss school because of dental problems. The good news is Ottawa Public Health dental hygienists screen over 40,000 children every year at school. They

look for those in need of dental care and help families get the care they need. The dental screening done at school does not replace regular check-ups at the dentist. Children can

develop dental problems that parents may not know about. If your child missed the screening at school, you may book a dental screening at an Ottawa Public Health Dental

Clinic. Also, please see the tricks, treats & cavities flyer from Ottawa Public Health.

For more information on these clinics or the dental program, contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 or visit www.ottawa.ca/health.

Yard SupervisionYard SupervisionYou are reminded that yard supervision begins fifteen minutes before classes begin in the morning i.e. 8:30 a.m. For You are reminded that yard supervision begins fifteen minutes before classes begin in the morning i.e. 8:30 a.m. For

safety reasons, students cannot be dropped off earlier than this time. Classes are over at 3:15 p.m. At this time, all safety reasons, students cannot be dropped off earlier than this time. Classes are over at 3:15 p.m. At this time, all students should proceed to the busses or start to walk home. There is no supervision after school for students who remain students should proceed to the busses or start to walk home. There is no supervision after school for students who remain

on the school grounds.on the school grounds.

As indicated by signage in the school as well as school and class newsletter reminders, all parents/guardians should be As indicated by signage in the school as well as school and class newsletter reminders, all parents/guardians should be aware that this is a nut-free school. We have several students in the school who are highly allergic to various nuts as aware that this is a nut-free school. We have several students in the school who are highly allergic to various nuts as well as others who are allergic to other food items such as dairy products and sesame. If you are not sure if there are well as others who are allergic to other food items such as dairy products and sesame. If you are not sure if there are food allergies in your child’s classroom, please check with the office or your child’s teacher before you send in food food allergies in your child’s classroom, please check with the office or your child’s teacher before you send in food for the entire class.for the entire class.

Important Dates to RememberImportant Dates to Remember

OctoberOctober3131 HalloweenHalloweenNovemberNovember8 Field trip to the Museum of Science and Technology Grades 1 to 68 Progress Reports homerogress Reports home9 Remembrance Day assembly9 Remembrance Day assembly13 School Council Meeting at 6:30 pm in the Staffroom13 School Council Meeting at 6:30 pm in the Staffroom1616 PA Day (no school for students) – Parent/Teacher InterviewsPA Day (no school for students) – Parent/Teacher Interviews

We, the staff at RMPS encourage all parents to read with their children. Sharing a great story, an We, the staff at RMPS encourage all parents to read with their children. Sharing a great story, an article from the newspaper, a recipe or instructions from the Internet for a craft is a great way to article from the newspaper, a recipe or instructions from the Internet for a craft is a great way to connect with your child while developing a love of reading. As we work together through this new connect with your child while developing a love of reading. As we work together through this new school year we will be sharing tips throughout the year to encourage our students to become critical school year we will be sharing tips throughout the year to encourage our students to become critical thinkers and to share their thinking. When choosing texts, try to find ones with multiple perspectives. thinkers and to share their thinking. When choosing texts, try to find ones with multiple perspectives. Asking open ended questions is also valuable. Here are some examples of questions to ask children to Asking open ended questions is also valuable. Here are some examples of questions to ask children to further develop and deepen higher order thinking: further develop and deepen higher order thinking: Why is this type of book interesting to you? What Why is this type of book interesting to you? What might happen next in the book? Why do you think that? Describe your favorite part? Why was this of might happen next in the book? Why do you think that? Describe your favorite part? Why was this of interest to you? Whose voice is missing from the story?interest to you? Whose voice is missing from the story?The focus of our School Improvement Plan for Student Achievement is “point of view.”The focus of our School Improvement Plan for Student Achievement is “point of view.”Here are some titles suggested by our Instructional Coach that have multiple perspectives:Here are some titles suggested by our Instructional Coach that have multiple perspectives:““Hey Little Ant”Hey Little Ant”““No David”No David”““How Full is My Bucket?”How Full is My Bucket?”““The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.”The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.”

Also check out Google Art project at www.googleartproject.com if you want to engage your child in Also check out Google Art project at www.googleartproject.com if you want to engage your child in some interesting conversations about the artwork from Galleries around the world. some interesting conversations about the artwork from Galleries around the world.

Restorative Practices Guiding PrinciplesRestorative Practices Guiding Principles:: Foster understanding, seek to repair the harm, Foster understanding, seek to repair the harm, attend to the needs of all parties, actively involve the affected person/s as much as attend to the needs of all parties, actively involve the affected person/s as much as possiblepossible

Restorative Questions to help your child solve conflictsRestorative Questions to help your child solve conflicts..1. What happened?1. What happened?2. What were you thinking about at the time?2. What were you thinking about at the time?3. Who has been affected by your actions?3. Who has been affected by your actions?4. What have you thought about since then?4. What have you thought about since then?5. What do you think needs to happen to make things right 5. What do you think needs to happen to make things right