Thursday, May 31, 2012

On Tuesday, we welcomed Max Dean, an artist who Mrs. Hall and Mr. Blais worked with this year on a project involving many schools in the south-west Family of Schools. Both classes submitted a photo album to Mr. Dean's exhibition. The "FotoBug" took the albums on tour to different schools.  The students had a great experience over the last few months.

As many of you know, the end of the year brings staff changes. We will put all staff changes on the last blog of the year, but I did want you to know that Mrs. Seitz will be retiring at the end of the school year. Mrs. Seitz had a very successful career and she is to be congratulated for her commitment to her students and the community.

The grade 3 and 6 students finished writing EQAO this week, and after talking to them, it seems like most were confident they did the best they could; we are very proud of them for their efforts! Congratulations on a job well done!

P.S. I missed thanking Debbie Steggles and Susan O'Reilly who assisted with the Tomboo

game at Springfest!

JUNE

4th-Grade 6-8 Music Night @ 7:00 p.m.; Author Visit: Hugh Brewster

5th-Senior Cricket; Grade 1-8 Sharing Assemblies
6th-Eco-Warriors Meeting; Sr Soccer Finals
7th-Grade 3s to Kortright Conservation Centre; Ultimate Frisbee Finals ; Volunteer Tea Breakfast @ 8:00 (Library)-All Volunteers Welcome!
8th-Pizza Lunch; Last Day for Instrumental Music (Grade 6-8)
12th-Track and Field Finals
13th-Jr Soccer Finals; Grade 2s to the Zoo
14th-Cricket Finals
15th-Grade 8 Graduation
18th-22nd-Grade 8 Quebec Trip; Kindergarten Sharing Assembly
20th-Grade 1-7 Sharing Assembly
26th-Reports Go Home
28th-Year End Assembly and Lunch on the Lawn (Pizza Lunch)

SEPTEMBER 2012
4th-School Begins; Kindergarten Open House
5th-Beginning/Safety Assemblies
7th-All Kindergarten students present; September Forms returned from home
10th-Terry Fox Assembly @ 9:00 a.m.
11th-Curriculum Night
28th-Terry Fox Rain Date

OCTOBER 2012
1st-3rd-Grade 7 Outdoor Ed Trip
8th-Thanksgiving
9th-Remembrance Day Assembly
16th-Individual Education Plans (IEP) go home
24th-Photo Re-take Day (a.m. only)
31st-Hallowe'en Parade

NOVEMBER 2012
16th-PA Day

DECEMBER 2012
7th-PA Day
24th-January 4th-Holidays



Thursday, May 31, 2012

We'd like to thank Mrs. McGee and the Parent Council Literacy Committee for another successful Book Fair. We love having Book Fairs as the students get so excited! The fairs are a great motivational tool.

Staff are finishing up completing our TDSB reading assessments with the students. The primary teachers use the Developmental Reading Assessment and the junior/intermediate staff implement the Canadian Assessment Strategies Interest. We will publish those results, along with the CTBS results in a couple of weeks. As a staff, we compare the Fall and Spring results to determine overall student growth. It gives us a "snapshot" of student achievement over the year.

We are also busy working on Long Range Plans for 2012/2013. As a staff, we had the opportunity to speak to the plans in grade teams (i.e. the kindergarten teachers collaborated with the grade one teachers).  This will allow consistency across the school and provide information to next year's teachers when programming for their students. We will also be completing our School Improvement Plan with the main focus being on professional development. The teachers will continue to collaborate in moderated marking sessions; math will be the focus first term, followed by language in second term.
Good luck to the grade 3 and 6 students as they complete EQAO next week!

May
28th-30th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO; Eco-Warriors Executive Meeting

29th- Artist visit for Mrs. Hall and Mr. Blais
30th-Safety Meeting @ lunch; Grade 1s to Harbourfront
31st-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Sr Ultimate #1 Tournament; Mr. Ross goes to the movies!

June
1st-PA Day
4th-Grade 6-8 Music Night @ 7:00 p.m.; Author Visit: Hugh Brewster
5th-Senior Cricket; Grade 1-8 Sharing Assemblies
6th-Eco-Warriors Meeting; Sr Soccer Finals
7th-Grade 3s to Kortright Conversation Centre; Ultimate Frisbee Finals ; Volunteer Tea Breakfast @ 8:00 (Library)-All Volunteers Welcome!
8th-Pizza Lunch; Last Day for Instrumental Music (Grade 6-8)
12th-Track and Field Finals
13th-Jr Soccer Finals; Grade 2s to the Zoo
14th-Cricket Finals
15th-Grade 8 Graduation
18th-22nd-Grade 8 Quebec Trip; Kindergarten Sharing Assembly
20th-Grade 1-7 Sharing Assembly
26th-Reports Go Home; Athletic Assembly
28th-Year End Assembly and Lunch on the Lawn (Pizza Lunch)

Friday, May 25, 2012

We had such a great time at Springfest. I'd like to take this time to acknowledge the parents who were on the committees:
LKS Springfest 2012 Committee Members : Silent Auction: Stephen Montano, Alexa Murphy, Dee Shepherd, Jessica Nash, Karen Dockrill, Lisa Jones, Pearse DolanSara Beveridge: Games: Greg Albrecht (co-chair), Greg Cunningham (co-chair), David James, Jeanette Gallagher; Tombola: Jody Greifenberger (chair), Dianne Quintal, Jenn Abbott, Joan Dawson, Jocelyne Johnston, Kristi Karens, Nori Ayer; Food: Leslie Thomas (chair), Barb Busch, Bernadette Saumur, Jill Whelan, Kathryn Owen, Milena Forte; Communication: Sheryl Macdonald; Volunteers: Sarah Olynick (please let me know if I missed anyone)!

Mr. Samotowka would like to remind you of our Grade 6-8 Concert that will be held on Monday, June 4th at 7 p.m. Students are to arrive for warm up and tuning at 6:15 p.m. The students are to dress in "concert dress"; white dress tops and black dress bottoms - no jeans or t-shirts. Thank you.

Our teachers are wrapping up some third term assessments. We have just completed our grade 3-8 Canadian Test of Basic Skills and some reading assessments from K-8. These assessments are one piece that we look at when analyzing our students' achievements. Our grade 3 and 6 students will be writing the Provincial EQAO assessment in a couple of weeks.

We have finalized our year calendar for 2012/2013 indicating the days of the cycle and the grade 6-8 instrumental days. It is on our website (located on the sidebar).

Have a relaxing long weekend!

May
21st-Victoria Day

22nd-Track Meet #2 at Centennial; Book Fair until Friday
24th-Grade 8 Hep B/HPV
28th-30th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO
29th- Artist visit for Mrs. Hall and Mr. Blais
30th-Safety Meeting @ lunch; Grade 1s to Harbourfront
31st-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Sr Ultimate #1 Tournament

June
1st-PA Day
4th-Grade 6-8 Music Night; Author Visit: Hugh Brewster
5th-Senior Cricket; Grade 1-8 Sharing Assemblies
6th-Eco-Warriors Meeting; Sr Soccer Finals
7th-Grade 3s to Kortright Conversation Centre; Ultimate Frisbee Finals ; Volunteer Tea Breakfast @ 8:00 (Library)-All Volunteers Welcome!
8th-Pizza Lunch
12th-Track and Field Finals
13th-Jr Soccer Finals
14th-Cricket Finals
15th-Grade 8 Graduation
18th-22nd-Grade 8 Quebec Trip; Kindergarten Sharing Assembly
20th-Grade 1-7 Sharing Assembly
26th-Reports Go Home; Athletic Assembly
28th-Year End Assembly and Lunch on the Lawn

Friday, May 11, 2012

Yesterday afternoon was an interesting day in the community. Please scan my previous few blogs if you haven't heard about our day. Just as a reminder that we go to Lambton-Kingsway Church in case we really did need to evacuate. Depending on the situation, we'd get the information to you through our blog or grade parents. The police would also be able to give you information, depending on the situation. It's amazing how fast news travels as so many of our older students have cell phones and are able to access home instantly. They do come in handy in emergency situations.

We actually had a scheduled practice lockdown this morning. It went quite well again as the students and staff have practiced these for a few years. During a practice, everyone stays in the classroom until we are finished checking for locked doors. We post a note on the front door stating that we are having a practice and there in no entry at that point. It usually lasts about 10-15 minutes. Again, it is really important that the students experience these simulations, just in case we have to do one for real.

I'd like to thank all of you who came to Springfest. The kids really love it, and they looked like they were having a great time! I'd like to thank Mrs. Needham who chaired the committee this year. It takes a lot of time and energy to co-ordinate the many parent and student volunteers it takes to plan such an event. Thank you to the parents who volunteered to be on the committees or just for the day. You are to be commended.

Mrs. McGee organized a speaker to talk about bullying to our students from kindergarten to grade 5. The presenter acted out a book, Just Kidding by Trudy Ludwig. It was a refreshing approach to the topic and the kids were really engaged. You may want to follow up at home.

Congratulations to all the students heading to the second Track and Field Meet.

Happy Mother's Day!

May
14th-Parent Council @ 7:30 p.m.
15th-Scientist in the School-Mrs. Raymond; Forest of Reading Lunch
16th-Jr and Sr Boys Soccer Tournament
17th-Sr Ultimate Frisbee; Jr Girls Soccer Tournament; Grade 3s to Black Creek
18th-Jr Ultimate Frisbee; Artist in 159
21st-Victoria Day
22nd-Track Meet #2 at Centennial; Book Fair until Friday
24th-Grade 8 Hep B/HPV; Author visit
28th-30th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO
29th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly; Artist visit for Mrs. Hall and Mr. Blais
30th-Safety Meeting @ lunch; Grade 1s to Harbourfront
31st-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Sr Ultimate #1 Tournament

June
1st-PA Day
4th-Grade 6-8 Music Night
5th-Senior Cricket
6th-Eco-Warriors Meeting; Sr Soccer Finals
7th-Grade 3s to Kortright Conversation Centre; Ultimate Frisbee Finals
8th-Pizza Lunch
12th-Track and Field Finals
13th-Jr Soccer Finals
14th-Cricket Finals
15th-Grade 8 Graduation
18th-22nd-Grade 8 Quebec Trip; Kindergarten Sharing Assembly
20th-Grade 1-7 Sharing Assembly
26th-Reports Go Home; Athletic Assembly
28th-Year End Assembly and Lunch on the Lawn

Lunch Incident Update

Here is an update on the "pipe bomb". Apparently, a robot went in, disrupted the unit and it was found to be a geocaching system (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocaching). No danger to the community. Roads reopening.  Thank you to all the parents who kept us informed.

Lunch Incident

I just walked down to the church and spoke to a duty officer. Everything seems quite calm and the students I saw made it home alright. I'll let you know if there is anything new later.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Just to let you know we just called 22 Division as we heard they were blocking traffic at Bloor and Prince Edward. Apparently, there was a small "pipe-bomb" attached to a lamp pole. They assured us there was little danger to the community. They did turn students back to the school who were walking home for lunch. If you need further information, please call them at 416-808-2200.

May 4, 2012

We're awaiting the arrival of the "Annie"cast. They should be here within the hour; it is the last performance. I'd like to congratulate the students on their talent, confidence and commitment to the arts. They have worked so hard over the last few months and they should feel proud of themselves. When talking to some of the kids lately, they didn't even know they liked performing until this opportunity; isn't that why we continue to provide these experiences to the students! As a teacher, those comments are priceless.  I'd like to thank Mrs. Stefanowicz, Mrs. Sheppard, Mrs. Whale, Mrs. Zappi, Mrs. Younger, Mrs. Olson, Mrs. Adair, Ms. Sunde, Ms. Moser, Mrs. McGee, Mr. Samotowka and finally Ms. Hoffman for making this year's production of Annie a success. Mrs. Finney and Mrs. King also need to be thanked for contributing to props, costumes and music. As parents, we know that you are so busy with your own lives, so we really appreciate your efforts.

It's been a busy week with Annie, track and field, soccer, cricket, dental screening, pizza lunch (Friday) and the much anticipated Springfest on Saturday. I think we are all going to take a deep breath on Sunday.

Hope to see you this weekend!

May
7th-First Track and Field Meet @ Centennial
8th-Kindergarten Sharing Assemblies
10th-Bullying Sessions for grade K-5 in the library
11th-Grade 6 Soccer Tournament; Bullying Sessions for grade K-5 in the library
14th-Parent Council @ 7:30 p.m.
15th-Scientist in the School-Mrs. Raymond; Forest of Reading Lunch
16th-Jr and Sr Boys Soccer Tournament
17th-Sr Ultimate Frisbee; Jr Girls Soccer Tournament; Grade 3s to Black Creek
18th-Jr Ultimate Frisbee; Artist in 159
21st-Victoria Day
22nd-Track Meet #2 at Centennial; Book Fair until Friday
24th-Grade 8 Hep B/HPV; Author visit
28th-30th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO
29th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly
30th-Safety Meeting @ lunch; Grade 1s to Harbourfront
31st-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Sr Ultimate #1 Tournament

June
1st-PA Day
4th-Grade 6-8 Music Night
5th-Senior Cricket
6th-Eco-Warriors Meeting; Sr Soccer Finals
7th-Grade 3s to Kortright Conversation Centre; Ultimate Frisbee Finals
8th-Pizza Lunch
12th-Track and Field Finals
13th-Jr Soccer Finals
14th-Cricket Finals
15th-Grade 8 Graduation
18th-22nd-Grade 8 Quebec Trip; Kindergarten Sharing Assembly
20th-Grade 1-7 Sharing Assembly
26th-Reports Go Home; Athletic Assembly
28th-Year End Assembly and Lunch on the Lawn