highlights...

September 2016

BELL TIMES FOR 2016/2017

Grades 1-5: (Warning Bell goes at 8:28 am)

8:30 am - 12:00 pm, 12:40 pm - 3:20 pm.

Friday Dismissal is 11:36 am

Kindergarten :

8:30-11:40 am & 12:10-3:20 pm (Monday to Thursday)

Early Education Program (EEP):

8:30-11:40 am & 12:10-3:20 pm (Monday to Thursday)

Fees are due the first month of school. All fees

must be paid through School Cash Online -

https://lethbridge.schoolcashonline.com.

Please DO NOT bring money to the school.

If your child is going to be absent or late, please notify

SafeArrival in one of 3 ways:

1. Website lethsd51.schoolconnects.com

2. The Safe Arrival App

3. Call Toll Free 1-866-879-1041

Calls to the school to report your child late or absent

will not be accepted.

The staff at Nicholas Sheran welcomes back returning families and sends out new greetings to new

members to our school community. Most faces will be new to the new teachers and support staff and to

the new administration team. Both Mrs. Kathy Mundell and myself, Mme Deborah Constable are looking

forward to our new adventure at this great west side elementary school.

The school’s focus on academic achievement and the Leader in Me®, from Kindergarten to grade 5, offer

you children enhanced learning and leadership opportunities. Excellence in teaching, coupled with the 7

Habits® of Happy Kids, provides your child with the best possible learning environment. Nicholas Sheran

School is officially recognized, worldwide, as a Leader in Me School®. We continue to use Leader in Me®

with your children as the foundation for critical thinking in leadership, citizenship, responsibility and

problem solving. The opportunity for growth and celebration of student progress in this rich learning

environment are ever expanding. We are dedicated to progressive initiatives which effectively combine

with our many teaching strategies to achieve excellence and success for your children.

We endeavour to work cooperatively with parents to provide the best learning environment and

opportunities for all students. We invite parents and family members to be active, engaged partners in

the learning experience. Together we can make a difference for every child in the school community.

Take a moment and review the handbook to help inform yourself on what Nicholas Sheran has to offer

and plan on implementing some strategies to help your child and yourself have a successful school

year. Thank you for sharing your children with the staff at Nicholas Sheran. We look forward to working

with you in the 2016-2017 school year.

Mme Deborah Constable, Principal

http://ns.lethsd.ab.ca sheran@lethsd.ab.ca 403.381.1244

Student Information System - helpful support from parents requested

As a school system, we strive for effective parent-school communication. In support of this process, we would like to share with all parents that our District has been transitioning to a new student-information system. Many of you know when there is a shift in technology, even in your homes, there can be difficulties from time to time with moving information from one system to another.

To assist our schools through the Student Information System shift, we are ask-ing parents of any student who has had a change of address since June of 2016 and/or students who request to be identified as a preferred name (over their legal name), to please contact the school where your child will be registered at, and confirm this information.

Our schools are working closely with Administrative Assistants and Counselling staff on our new Student Information System. We wish to ensure we have a smooth school start-up with our student data, and your support as a parent will

be instrumental to ensure we have a successful start-up for our students.

New

After School Plans - Please be sure to make arrangements with your child(ren) regarding after school plans before school starts every day. If you will be picking up your child(ren), please be sure to have a meeting spot arranged outside. Thank you for helping to minimize the number of students that require assistance in the office at the end of the day.

upcoming & ongoing...

Please make sure to visit our website http://ns.lethsd.ab.ca to get the latest information on:

September 6 - First Day of School!! Welcome Back!!

September 12 - First Day of Kindergarten & EEP!

September 14 - Meet the Teacher Night at 6 - 7 pm

September 20 - School Council Meeting at 6:30 pm

September 21 - 8:45 am assembly

September 23 - Terry Fox Walk at 9:30 am

September 27 - Picture Day!!

September 28 - Hot Lunch Day!

September 30 - Orange Shirt Day!

October 5 - 8:45 am assembly

October 7 - Heap the Jeep

October 10 - Thanksgiving Day - No School

October 11 - Assessment Day - No School

* Bell Times

* Attendance Reporting

* School Handbooks

* 2016-17 Supply List

* Administration of Medication

* Transportation/Bus Routes

* Calendar of Events

* 2016-17 Registration

* School Cash Online

* Blast Program

Alberta Curriculum...Here is an easy, one-stop-shop for parents to learn what the Alberta curriculum includes for students, all the way from Kindergarten to Grade 12. At http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/mychildslearning/ parents can find a wealth of information.

Inside Scoop

http://ns.lethsd.ab.ca sheran@lethsd.ab.ca 403.381.1244

Park & Walk

What: Our school is encouraging families, who

normally drive, to park and walk a short distance from the

school when they drop-off their children in the morning and

when they pick them up after school.

Who: Everyone Plays a Part in Park & Walk. **Even if you

must drive and don’t have time to Park & Walk, you can

help by telling a friend about the campaign, carpooling, or

partnering with a neighbour who walks their children to

school.

Where: Please choose a safe walking route near our school.

Why: There is traffic congestion and safety concerns in

front of our school during student drop-off and pick-up time

each day. To promote healthy living.

When: Whenever you can, every little bit counts.

For more information we have attached an introduction

letter for parents to this newsletter.

Busing - The 2016-2017 Bus Routes, from The City of Lethbridge, have now been finalized. To take a look at the routes for the coming year for all Lethbridge School District No. 51 schools, please click on the following link: http://www.lethbridge.ca/living-here/getting-around/Transit/Pages/Lethbridge-School-District-51.aspx

Bus tags will be handed out the first day of school. The bus students will meet in the gym for a daily bus orientation the first week of school before the 3:20 pm dismissal bell.

Parents we really need your assistance with the traffic and safety concerns occurring in the morning and after school. With our new program ”Park and Walk” we are aiming for all parents to park a block or so away from the front entrance of the school building and make that the drop off and pick up for your child. We are lucky enough to have great parking around our Nicholas Sheran park therefore students can walk through the field to meet you parked on the school side of Columbia or Laval. Please note where the bus areas are (Laval – 1 north cross walk and 3 south

park area).

For a quick drop off during this early season you may drive up to the front door and leave your child on the front sidewalk. No parking allowed

what so ever as this is a fire route. Pick up should be at the loop in the front of the school as traffic jams up due to vehicles waiting for kids.

Please locate your “Park and Walk” site and begin using that safe area.

Key Benefits of a Park and Walk Campaign

Why Park & Walk???...?

PHYSICAL HEALTH

1. Walking to school contributes to a healthy heart, as well as strong bones and muscles.

2. Daily exercise decreases the risk of chronic diseases (including cancer, diabetes and heart disease).

3. Even physical activity in 10 minute bouts contributes positively to overall health.

4. Physical activity positively influences optimal growth and development and the maintenance of a healthy weight.

STUDENT FOCUS

5. Physical activity is linked to improved academic performance.

6. Students who have an active morning journey arrive at school more alert and ready to learn.

LIFE-LONG HEALTHY HABITS

7. Fitness habits formed prior to age fourteen lead to greater physical activity and health in adulthood.

MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SUSTAINABLE HAPPINESS

8. During active school travel, a child develops independence, appreciation for natural surroundings and community connectedness.

9. Walking a block gives you time to talk!

10. Walking is a healthy way to cope with stress.

11. A short morning walk starts the day off with a small dose of quality one-on-one time.

12. Physical activity primes the brain for learning.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

13. Reduced vehicle trips lower emissions and contribute to a decrease in greenhouse gases that are a key ingredient in climate change.

14. Walking instead of driving improves air quality in local neighbourhoods.

15. While walking, kids can explore their natural world, gain a greater understanding of its beauty, its gifts, and it’s fragility.

16. Kids will be more likely to care about our environment if they are exposed to nature. Walking to school allows kids to interact with nature.

IMPROVED SAFETY

17. More walkers means more “eyes on the street”

18. Walking or biking groups ensure that children are not alone, and in a group they are easier to see in traffic.

19. Fewer vehicles around schools means less traffic congestion and improved safety for pedestrians.

Healthy Children Parent Newsletter

September 2016

To find an electronic copy of this newsletter, visit: www.albertahealthservices.ca/csh.asp

Healthy Fundraising = Healthy Rewards Most schools choose to fundraise. There are many options for fundraising and choosing healthy fundraisers sends a message to children that health and wellness are important. Children need healthy environments, like playground equipment, healthy food, and a welcoming environment to learn and develop, so think about how fundraising can contribute to the health of students, staff and families. Here are some examples of what you can suggest to your school for healthy fundraising ideas:

Parents are an important part of the school environment. You can play an active role and help your child’s school by attending School Council meetings, sharing ideas you have about healthy fundraisers, and be a positive role model by making healthy choices. For more information about how to help visit:

http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/nutrition/if-nfs-healthy-fundraising.pdf

Bowl, bike, walk, skip-a-thon

Art showcase

Sell items that promote physical activity (e.g. water bottles, gym passes, pedometers)

Car washes

Plants, flowers, seeds, and bulbs

Fruit and vegetable boxes, baskets or bundles

Talent night

Walk Safe

The new school year means many of you will be walking with your child to school. Walking has many benefits, like physical activity, quality time together and familiarity with your community and neighbours. Even if you live too far from your school to walk there from your home you can still give your child the walking experience by parking five to ten minutes away from the school.

Walking with your child and negotiating neighbourhood streets with them provides an experience and opportunity to develop traffic safety awareness and to practice safe pedestrian behaviours. Until they are at least 9 years old, most children will need supervision to walk to school. Did you know that 26 judgement skills are required to cross a street safely and that many of these skills have not fully developed in a young child? For example, they may think that a car can stop instantly or that if they can see a car, the driver can see them. Children are also often easily distracted and may underestimate dangerous situations. Make it a rule to:

Only cross the street at pedestrian crosswalks or corners, and to cross railway tracks at designated crossings

Always walk on the sidewalk or as far away from the street as possible, facing traffic.

Never play on the street or around or between parked cars.

Point, Pause and Proceed: o POINT across the road with your arm to tell drivers that you are ready to cross o PAUSE until all vehicles stop and you have made eye contact with drivers o PROCEED with your arm out, and keep looking both ways as your cross

For more information on pedestrian safety and childhood injury prevention visit: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Alberta/Pages/pedestrian-safety-for-children.aspx and www.albertahealthservices.ca/injuryprevention.asp

Reminder: At the beginning of September, routine immunization consent forms for all Grade 5 and Grade 9 students are either sent home with your child or mailed home. Please complete the consent forms within one week and either return them to the school or mail them to your local Public Health office using the enclosed stamped envelope.