they learn new healthy eating recipes. This is being translated into other areas as students also bring healthy lunches to school. Our daily Physical Education Program is providing students with the skills they need to be active and healthy daily. This Program also gives our Grade 5/6 students opportunities for Leadership Skills. We are also very vigilant as students work and play together. They receive daily reminders about making good choices. Any form of Bullying Behaviour is not tolerated. Students also receive skills to help them to be assertive and to resolve conflicts peacefully. They are taught to solve problems by talking through the conflict with the help of an adult. Some students now use these skills independently. We encourage you to attend the next Parent/Teacher meetings on February 18th from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and the Parent Advisory Council Meetings on February 17 and March 17, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. Child Care is provided. Your input is important to us. Finally, we wish you all the best during the Spring Break from March 29, 2010 to April 2, 2010. School re-opens on April 5, 2010. Sincerely, Mrs. L. Maxwell-Joseph, Principal.

Dear Parents/Guardians: We wish to extend a big thank you to the ‘Think First’ team, who taught us about head and spinal injuries which are much more likely to occur when you don’t wear a helmet while riding your bicycle. Every student in the school received a helmet. During the Holiday Make & Take event, the families had a chance to share good food and make holiday themed crafts. Santa was here for pictures Our Literacy Based Program and our Math. Program continue to be a major focus at our school. The many activities included in these Programs provide an excellent opportunity for students to receive direct instruction to help improve their Reading and Math. Skills. Throughout the school year we continue to encourage students to respect themselves and all those around them. Some students require more reminders than others to make good choices. However, good communication skills help change these students’ behaviour as they learn to solve problems with respectful language. We wish to thank all our parents who come to our many after school activities, including Parent Teacher Conferences. It is so rewarding to see our students and parents participating in school activities. The Cooking Club is also popular with the parents as

115 River Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3L 0A8 (204) 475 5057 Fax: 477-9050

Parents - Students - Teachers working together towards academic excellence

Next Meetings • February 17th at 6:00 p.m. • March 17th at 6:00 p.m. Child care and snacks are provided during Parent Council meetings. Next Pizza Days • February 23rd • March 23rd

Parent Council

Dates to Remember

February-March 2010

• February 8-12 - Spirit Week Activities

• February 15 - Louis Riel Day: NO CLASSES

• February 17 - Parent Council Meeting

• February 18 - Parent/Teacher Conferences

• March 17 - Parent Council Meeting

• March 29-April 2 - Spring Break • April 5 - School reopens

Page 2

Classroom News

Dear Nursery/Kindergarten Parents, The Early School Years (E.S.Y.) classes will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on Friday, February 12. Valentine’s Day is a day when we tell people that we care about them. During the month of February we will be discussing the variety of ways people can show others that they like/appreciate them through words and acts of kindness. On Valentine’s Day, we will celebrate with our friends in class by dancing, singing and eating red and pink snacks. Please allow your child to wear something red if possible. If you wish to send a small treat for our party, please send enough for your child’s entire class, (21 K morning class, 21 N/K afternoon class). Cookies or flavoured crackers are preferred. No soda drinks please. We will provide milk. *Please remember, No nuts or peanut butter are allowed because of allergies.* Feb. 12 is also Winter Fun Day so dress your child with snow pants, boots and mittens so we can play outdoors that day. We will be converting our classroom into a Post Office and Card Shop in February. Valentine cards will not be handed out by our staff members on February 12. This task takes a considerable amount of time away from our educational program. Please send a snack for the class instead. Our students need to practise drawing and printing so both classes will be creating their own personal hand-made Valentine cards to give to their friends. Your child will be allowed to play Postal Worker and mail the cards in class to classmates. If you have any questions about this month’s activities or how your child is progressing in school, please speak to me in the hallway after class or phone 475-5057. A private Parent-Teacher Meeting can be arranged after school on February 18 if necessary. There are no report cards for Nursery or Kindergarten at this time. However, I may be requesting a meeting with some parents to discuss concerns I have. “Show Your school Spirit” Week is February 8-12 . Participation is optional. Spirit Week is simply a way for the whole school to be silly and have a few laughs during one of our coldest winter months. Watch for a note to be sent home from the office in February with details about silly activities planned for the whole school for Spirit Week. February 12 is Wear Red Day and Winter Fun Day. The school will be closed all day in honour of Loui s Riel on Monday, February 15. February is also I Love To Read month. We will have Guest Readers (staff Members and special guests) reading to the students throughout the month. If you are willing to come in and read to our class (your favorite children’s story), please let me know and we can sc hedule a time for you. We would be delighted to have you celebrate reading with us. Everyone’s participation in the Home Reading Program is encouraged for I Love To Read Month. ***More participation in our Home Reading program would be beneficial to your child.*** Tests are given to every student (Nursery to Grade 6) every year in October to deter mine your child’s ability to listen carefully to st ories, understand the content, retell the story and answer questions, (story comprehension). Children who are read to at home regularly score higher on these tes ts in Grade One. Back-packs or book bags should be sent to school every day. If your child does not have a back-pack, he/she received a Book Bag from the E.S.Y. Program as a gift when he/she joined our class. This bag can be carried to school daily for Homework, mail and Home Reading books. Thank you for your support in this matter. Throughout January both E.S.Y. classes (Early School Years Nursery/Kindergarten) participated in the “Mat Man” Program. This program is part of a special program developed by an Occupational Therapist to teach proper printing skills. It is designed to teach children to hold a pencil /crayon correctly, draw pictures with important details and eventually print letters correctly. All these skills are very important to learn before Grade One. Please ask your child to tell you more about Mat Man, Jump Frog Letters, and Magic C. Please watch for worksheets and review/practise these skills at home with your child every day for a few minutes. You will be pleasantly surprised by the end of June by your child’s progress in drawing and printing! Your support at home is always appreciated! Have a great frosty February! Pennie Derksen E.S.Y. Teacher

Page 3

Classroom News

This is important for safety!

Mrs. Hentig’s phone number

at school is 475-5057.

Room 208

Ms. Millard

We will soon begin our Journey across

Canada.

Share with your child the places you

have been and send any photos to

school of those visits.

Homework

Some students will have a Power of Ten

Math booklet for basic addition and

subtraction.

Every student will have a ‘What we did

this Week at School’ book on Friday.

Please help your child make it a

routine to place their homework into

their backpack when homework is

complete.

In Room 14 we are starting a unit on

biographies. We will be learning about

famous Canadians who have made

important contributions to our country. Here is one

important Canadian. See if you can guess who it is.

1. He won the Nobel Prize in 1957.

2. He was Prime Minister from 1963 to 1968.

3. His government introduced the current Canadian

Flag. Answer: : Lester B. Pearson

Page 4

Classroom News

Attention Parents/Guardians:

Families will soon have to choose where their child will be attending

grade 7. There are several events coming up, showcasing several high

schools. Students will be visiting Churchill High School on January 27

from 9:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., to tour the school and experience some of

the programs provided at the school. Lunch will be provided. Both

grades 5 and 6 will be attending. Students need to be on time for

school on this day or they will miss the bus and will not be able to

attend.

The grade 6 students have also been invited to Gordon Bell High

School in February. More information will follow (see also page 8 of

this newsletter). Furthermore, there is an open house for parents at

Grant Park High School on Thursday, February 18, 2010 from 6:00-

8:30 for students and parents.

Please take advantage of these opportunities to learn about the

schools to choose the best program for your child!

Page 5

School News

I was able to borrow cross-country skis from the School Division. We will do some cross-country skiing during March. I hope to plan a cross-country ski trip to Windsor Park Nordic Center for grades 2 – 6 in the second or third week of March. At that time, I will be requesting that each child bring $2.00 to school to help cover expenses. Fitness Training It is very important that children be introduced to fitness concepts. All children will be taught how to use a variety of equipment to improve their fitness. They will be exposed to body balls, hurdles, agility ladders, weights, and other fitness equipment. Grades 1 – 3 The children will be introduced to rolling skills and folk dance. Each class will learn some simple mass dances. The children may learn to strike some tennis balls using racquetball and tennis racquets. Both types of racquets are modified so that there is no shaft. The handle of the racquet is connected directly to the racquet head. This makes it easier to hit the ball. Grades 4 - 6 The children will complete the basketball unit. Each class may learn some simple mass dances. The children will learn racquet

Physical Education Mr. Baxter

racquets. The children will be introduced to one wall racquetball, a lead-up game to tennis, racquetball, or squash. A version of badminton might be taught. I may also be able to arrange for some instructors from Curling Manitoba to come to the school to run a clinic. The curling unit would end with a day on the ice at the Granite Curling Club. Athletes of the Month November Colin (Mrs. Davis’ class) Raven (Ms. Millard’s class) December Prince (Mrs. Savinkoff’s class) Shaynata (Mrs. Hentig’s class) Winter Recess Programs Snow hockey, giant inner tubes, sleds, and shovels will continue to be used at recess as long as there is snow on the ground. Board Games I have purchased a number of board and card games. I have taught the children how to play the board games during Physical Education classes so that the children will be able to play them during indoor recesses. Cross-Country Skiing Program This year, the skiing program has been expanded to 15 children. We will go to Windsor Park Nordic Center every Thursday to learn how to cross-country ski with children from William Whyte School.

Keeping Our Students Safe A reminder that our patrols are available to assist students at:

8:40 a.m.-8:55 a.m. 11:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m. 12:40 p.m.-12:55 p.m. 3:25 p.m.-3:40 p.m.

Please assist us by having your child arrive as close to these times as possible. Throughout the year we will be training students in various safety strategies such as: Fire Drills, Emergency Evacuation and Lock Down Procedures, etc. It is important that students learn to listen and follow instructions from all adults within the building during these training events.

Monthly Lunch Program fees are due the first week of every month. Thank you for your monthly payments. We, however, still have a few outstanding payments due to us.

LOST AND FOUND ITEMS

Please remind your child/ren to claim “lost and found” items. We have many good items which should be claimed. All items are cleared out of the bin at the end of every month.

Page 6

School News

REMEMBER

Enter To Win !! Complete Entry Form.

I received The Fort Rouge Times entry coupon to Win! (Return coupon to school.) Student Name

Room #

Parent’s Signature

skills using racquetball and tennis

Should They Be At School?

If you are aware of children in your community who are not attending school, please let us know. Contact us if: • You have seen a child in the

community during school hours, without his/her parents on more than one occasion. (A student may be away from school due to an in-service day).

• The child lives within the Winnipeg School Division boundaries.

Information we will need from you: • The child’s address and name (if

known). • Dates, times and location where

you have seen the child. What we will do after you call: • If the child lives within the

Winnipeg school Division boundaries, we will check to see if he or she is registered, or should be registered at one of our schools. If registered, we will follow up with the local school and we may ask attendance officers to help as needed. If not registered, we will try to find out why.

Your call or e-mail is confidential: • When you contact us, we will

keep your name confidential. Thank you for helping us to ensure

all kids are in school.

To report a child

not attending school: Phone: 789-0400

E-mail:

attendancehelpdesk@wsd1.org

Children Who Are Sick We know that everyone gets sick at some time. If your child(ren) is/are sick and are coughing, sneezing etc…, please keep them at home so that they can rest and get better. Sending sick children to school only leads to them feeling uncomfortable. They also help to spread cold viruses around to others.

CHILDREN WHO ARE SICK

Congratulations to our Parent Council Elected Officers! They are as follows: Co-Presidents: Lorraine Nepinak and Yvonne Hill Vice-President: Kim Anh Secretary: Janice Grouby Acting Treasurer: Marion Kathwaroon. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month. We always welcome parents as we value their suggestions! Remember that our Parent Room is equipped with a Computer and a telephone for your use, if you so desire. Stop by Rooms 112 and 209 and speak to Tammy and Carolyn who always have useful information to share with all

S.M.I.L.E. plus S.M.I.L.E. plus Children’s Dental Program is now accepting new patients. We provide low cost dental services to children in Winnipeg under 18 years of age. Must meet our income requirements or have Social Assistance or FNIHB coverage. Call 940-2090 to make an appointment. We are at Machray School, 320 Mountain Avenue. The cost is $20.00 per visit. As much dental work as possible is done at each appointment. As a clinic patient, your child will be called for regular check-ups every 6 months and will be offered additional care as needed, as long as they continue to meet eligibility requirements. This Public Health Service is provided by the WRHA in partnership with the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Dentistry who provide the Dentist services.

Even though peanuts and other nuts are a healthy snack, there are some students at our school who have Nut Allergies. As this could be life-threatening, we ask parents to refrain from sending food with Nuts, especially, Peanut Butter sandwiches, to school with your children. Thank you!

Peanut Free School

Page 7

November � James - Room 207 � Kyle - Room 208 � Faith - Room 14 � Chloey - Room 15 � Logan - Room 207 � Thomas - Room 208 � Raven - Room 14 � Jabari - Room 15 December � Anthony - Room 207 � E.J. - Room 208 � Colin - Room 14 � Clarissa - Room 15 � Eva - Room 207 � Thomas - Room 208 � Kisis - Room 14 � Chloey - Room 15 January � Emmanuel - Room 207 � Tyler - Room 208 � Dany - Room 14 � Nic - Room 15

All Star Behaviour Winners

School News

We currently have spaces available for children 6-12 years of age. Government subsidy is available. Please call 287-8242 for further information.

Music/French/Computer/Library Ms. Bouchard

Thank you to all students and parents who made our Winter Concert a success. This month in music Room 207 and 208 have been preparing to go to the symphony. They’ve been listening and moving to some great classical music. Room 14 and 15 have been getting some song stories ready to share with the younger students during I love to read month in February. Our library is becoming well used as it is a great space for many worthwhile activities such as study groups, guided reading, project research, as well as a quiet space for individual or pair reading whether it be with an adult or another student. In French classes we have been working hard at developing our French vocabulary and we’ll be focusing on French culture during the month of February highlighting the Festival du Voyageur in the process.

In-Services For Parents and Volunteers

Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) Seminars Presenter: Karen Naumiuk Parent Resource Coordinator Location: Garden Grove School 2340 Burrows Avenue Seminar 1: The Power of Positive Parenting Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2010 Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Seminar 2: Raising Confident, competent Children Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Seminar 3: Raising Resilient Children Date: Wednesday, April 7, 2010 Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Location: Glenelm School 96 Carmen Avenue Seminar 1: The Power of Positive Parenting Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Time: 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Seminar 2: Raising Confident, competent Children Date: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 Time: 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Seminar 3: Raising Resilient Children Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Time: 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. We Have Ways of Making Them Talk Location: Dufferin School 545 Alexander Avenue Date: Thursday, March 11, 2010 Time: 1:15 - 3:15 p.m. Presenter: Kathy Gerylo, Speech Language Pathologist Child Guidance Clinic

To Register Call: 453-1748

Please Register Early to Ensure Your Place.

Winners of the Hamper Draws Congratulations to Tra-Shawna H. and Dennis A., who were the lucky winners of the hamper draws during our winter concert.

Page 8

Churchill High School Open House Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

7:00-7:30 Welcome and Overview of Programs in Senior Gym 7:30-8:00 Information session for new grade 7 students in the Library, Information session for grade 9 students in Room 47. 7:30-8:30 School Wide showcase: Information sessions of academic and co-curricular programs in various classrooms in the Classrooms. Churchill High School, 510 Hay Street, Phone 474-1301.

Grant Park High School Open House-“Showcase 2010”. Thursday, February 18, 2010 from 6:00-8:30 p.m.

6:00-8:30 Department displays throughout the school. 6:00-7:00 Tours, and Cheerleading Demonstration in the Senior Gym. 7:00-7:45 Middle School Program Presentations in Senior Gym: Greetings, Middle school General Program, Special Education/Resource Program, Middle School Advanced program, Middle School Flexible Learning Program (Questions and Answer Sessions in break-out rooms following all presentations). 7:00 & 7:45 High School Presentation (grades 9-12) in Room 32. Enriched Programming and Advanced Placement Presentation (grades 9-12) in Library (Room 33). Grant Park High School, 450 Nathaniel Street, Phone: 452-3112 Fax: 477-5633, www.wsd1.org/grantpark.

Page 9

Counsellor’s/Resource Teacher’s Report - Mr. Smith

Winter Greetings to our entire school community. In this report, we join our school Parents/Guardians in reviewing with students the rules for Winter safety in our area. It is extremely dangerous for children to play on the back lane snow banks. So, too, the so-called “bumper shine” is an extremely dangerous activity for anyone to attempt. Students are advised to stay away from the river banks and to not walk on the rivers except with parents/guardians in pre-approved areas established by the City. In addition, Child Find Manitoba has produced for Parents/Guardians and community advocates a list of personal safety strategies which teach children to act smart, strong and safe through every season. Here’s a quick summary from our Kids In The Know program: What Parents Need To Know Know where your children are at all times. Be familiar with their friends and daily activities outside of school. A child should never trade objects, accept or offer gifts without your knowledge. Children should walk in pairs/groups and never be left unsupervised during recreational play. This includes any visits to the malls, movie theatres, video arcades or parks. Encourage open communication with your children. Let your children know that they can talk with you openly about any situation or any noticeable changes in their behaviour. What Children Need To Know Use the “Buddy System” and never go places alone. Always discuss with your parents before going anywhere with anyone or accepting gifts. No adult should be asking a child for assistance, directions, or to keep a “special” secret. . Trust your instincts about personal safety. Your body is special and private. Be assertive around negative peer pressure. Just say No! Use your “Be Cool!” confidence. Then Run and Tell a parent or teacher immediately. Remember you are smart, strong and have a right to be safe. Together with Child Find Manitoba let us work responsibly to safeguard the children of our school community and teach them the skills necessary for personal safety. For more information visit www.childfind.mb.ca We celebrate daily all our young people who display the courage not to stand by, but will Stand Up, for others! Our character pledge at Fort Rouge is to say simply “No to Bullying!” and “Yes!” to the practice of peaceful citizenship daily through acts of caring, kindness and respect. The goal of our entire social skills programming at Fort Rouge is to empower students with this “Be Cool!” confidence. Our many enrichment programs are in full swing throughout the Winter season. We applaud the year long commitment of our Career Trek students who are attending the University of Manitoba every Saturday during their term 3 program. So, too, a weekly art expression class is held with Ms Nancy Hutchison of the Winnipeg Art Gallery Studio for select students. In addition, a Saturday Morning Art Class at the WAG Studio is scheduled throughout the Winter months for registered students of Fort Rouge. Our intermediate level students will be attending a special performance of the acclaimed “Black Violin” at Manitoba Theatre for Youing People on February 3, 2010. Remember that “The Light Is on!!!” every Monday evening from 5.45 – 7.30 p.m. in our school gym. All pre-teens and teens in the Mayfair area are welcome to attend. “GREAAT!!! Fun, Friends, Games, Music, Snacks and Prizes every week!” We are delighted to share our partnership with Macdonald Youth Services team for this weekly Youth Drop In Recreational Program. Registration forms for the 2010 Magic C.A.M.P. are now available. Students in rooms 14 and 15 are invited to participate in this exciting March Break event. Application forms are availavble from the Counsellor’s office. Space, however, is limited. Parents are encouraged to submit the completed forms ASAP. After March Break, Frontier College will continue its support of literacy and English as an Additional Language with our new immigrant families through its “Families Learning Together” program every Tuesday evening from 6:00 – 7.30 p.m. . Thank you to the wonderful volunteer team and participating families for their dedication and commitment to our unique community language learning program each week. New learners are invited to enroll for the Spring term . In the meantime, may all our school families and community readership enjoy with wonder, joy and safety our prairie Winter season. Take good care, stay warm, and be well!

Page 10

How do you know if school buses are cancelled? When the wind chill reaches -45 C at about 6:15 a.m. according to Environment Canada, school buses will be cancelled. (Buses are also cancelled in the case of dangerous road conditions). If the forecast calls for wind chills in the -40 C range, parents should look to media outlets in the morning for possible school bus cancellation reports. The following media outlets are requested to carry the messages: 89.3 CBC FM; 990 CBC AM; CKSB 89.9 FM (French); CJOB-680 AM; Power 97-FM; 1290 CFRW; 99.9 BOB-FM; Curve 94.3 (formerly Q94-FM); 92 CITI FM; 102.3 CLEAR FM; Hot 103; QX 104 FM; CTV News; CityTV; Winnipeg Free Press website. Please note that some media outlets will broadcast and post the information to their websites.

Budget Consultation Process In the last week of January, it is anticipated that the 2010/2011 level of provincial support will be announced by the Minister of Education. Following the announcement, the Board will release a draft budget and will consult with Division stakeholders: parents/guardians, students, employees, residents and taxpayers. The budget process will be very challenging this year due to the expected effects of the slow economy on the level of provincial funding for education. Budget discussions may also be more complicated this year because of property reassessment. The opportunities for stakeholders to provide input to the Board regarding the budget are as follows: • District Parent Advisory Committee meetings will be

held in early February to provide opportunities to discuss programs and services included in the 2010/2011 budget as well as the potential property tax levy for 2010.

• Discussions by parent councils and school staffs. • A Public Budget meeting will be held on February

22, 7:00 p.m. at the Administration Building No. 1, 1577 Wall St. East, to share information and receive feedback.

• Information about the draft budget and a survey will be posted on the Division website for easy access by residents of the Division.

The Board will review feedback generated from these meetings, discussions and the survey responses. The Board will ensure that the Division will continue to provide high quality educational programs for children and adhere to the guiding principals to direct decisions that need to be made in establishing the budget. Considerations in establishing a comprehensive school division budget includes programs that are leading education and innovative, provide high quality education for all students, builds stronger children, families and communities, educates the whole child, employs qualified, caring and competent staff, practices sustainable development, and ensures safe learning environments in schools. The Division budget accomplishes all these goals while managing tax dollars responsibly. The budget for the 2010/2011 school year must be finalized by March 15 in order to provide the City of Winnipeg with the Division’s 2010 property tax levy.

Page 11

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

1

9:30 a.m. Literacy Month Assembly

2

3 4

Grade 4-6 Cross Country Skiing

5

8

9 10 11

Grade 4-6

Cross Country Skiing

12

1:00-3:30 p.m. Winter Fun Day

Norwood Flood Bowl

15 16 17 Reports Cards Home

6:00 p.m. Parent Council Meeting

18 Grade 4-6

Cross Country Skiing

4:00-8:00 p.m. Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent Room Open House

19

Alternate 1:00-3:30 p.m. Winter Fun Day

Norwood Flood Bowl

22 23

Pizza Day

24 25 1:30 p.m. Celebrating Learning Assembly

Grade 4-6

Cross Country Skiing

26

NO CLASSES Teacher Inservice

February 2010

Louis Riel Day

NO CLASSES

Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 1 Day 3

Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 2

Day 1 Day 4 Day 3 Day 2

Day 3 Day 2 Day 1 Day 6 Day 5

Page 12

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

1 1:30 p.m. Celebrating

Reading Assembly

2 3 4

Grade 4-6 Cross Country Skiing

5 10:00 a.m. Assembly

8 9 10

Room 208 Cross Country Ski Trip

Windsor Park Nordic Centre

11

Room 14 Cross Country Ski Trip

Windsor Park Nordic Centre

12

Room 15 Cross Country Ski Trip

Windsor Park Nordic Centre

15 16 17

6:00 p.m. Parent Council Meeting

18 19

22 23

Pizza Day

24 25 5:00-7:30 p.m. Family

Learning Olympics

26

29 30 31 April 5 - School Reopens

March 2010

Last Day of

School

Spring Break

Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 1 Day 2

Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 1 Day 3

Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 2

Day 1 Day 4 Day 3 Day 2 Day 5