NORTH ELMSLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER

MAY 2013

Principal: Mr. Paul Hannah / Office Administrator: Mrs. Jayanna Wood Phone: (613) 267-1371 Fax: 1-855-408-0860 209 Port Elmsley Rd. Perth, ON K7H 3C7
North Elmsley School Blog: http://northelmsleypublicschool.wordpress.com Like us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Elmsley-Public-School/138471299648287

Principals Message
With warm weather upon us, children will be outside more often for longer periods of time with less adult supervision. Now is a good time to consider discussing streetproofing tips with them. We live in a safe community, but it is prudent for schools and parents to help make personal safety second nature to students daily activities. We need to teach children to trust their own instincts and keep their radar up. Stree tproofing skills help children recognize and respond wisely to situations that are uncomfortable, unwelcome or dangerous. They help build the confidence and independence needed as students mature and spend more time away from their parents. A Streetproofing Tips Guide is provided below to help parents provide guidance to their children about personal safety. I urge you to consider reading it with your child/children and discussing the contents. Streetproofing is an essential skill for all students. Although it is most often taught at the elementary level, it is also important for older students to remain vigilant as they travel on their own to and from school, in malls, or around the community. With awareness-training, schools and parents can help children prepare for situations that are uncomfortable or may pose a threat to their safety. The following are some tips that you can share with your child. In an age-appropriate way, students should learn: their name, age, telephone number and address; a secret family password to identify when someone different will pick them up; how to reach a parent, guardian or family contact in an emergency; how to contact police, fire and ambulance personnel; to let a parent or other responsible adult know where they will be at all times; to never say they are alone if they answer the phone; to never invite strangers into their home; to not enter anyones home without a parent/guardians permission; to not accept gifts from strangers; to say no to an adult, especially if that person wants them to do something they have been taught is wrong; that no one has the right to touch any part of his or her body that a bathing suit would cover. The exceptions may be people who are trying to keep them clean (assistance in the washroom) or healthy (doctors or nurses); to tell a parent or guardian if someone has asked them to keep a secret; to never play in deserted buildings or isolated areas; to never take shortcuts through empty parks or fields; to never approach or enter a strangers car; to never hitchhike; about the Block Parent Program and Logo; that adults should not be asking children or young people for help (A common technique to lure youngsters is to pretend to be searching for a lost puppy or kitten.); that if they become separated from parents at a store or in a mall, they should go to a cashier, security guard or counter clerk; that if they are being followed, they should run home, or go to the nearest public place and yell for help; to report to a parent, school authority or police officer anyone who exposes private parts; that police officers are their friends and that they can rely on them if they are in trouble; that if someone does something bad to them, parents/guardians will not be angry with them, but will need to know what happened. Sincerely Paul Hannah

VIRTUE OF

THE
MONTH:
PERSERVERANCE is having the courage and strength to never give up.

JK/SK Registrations
Even though the official registration date and Welcome to Kindergarten Night has occurred, it is still not too late to register your child for All Day/Every Day Kindergarten.

Dress Code
With the coming of the warmer weather, students are reminded about the dress code policy for NEPS (being: wearing appropriate summer clothing with special emphasis on appropriate lengths for skirts, shorts, tops and shirts and the three finger rule for tank/strap tops). Please feel free to call the school or talk to your childs teacher should you have any questions or concerns.

Upcoming Events
Every Friday is Team Colour Day Hot Dog Days - $1 each May 6th, 13th & 27th Pizza Days May 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, & 29th (pre-ordered) Munch N Lunch May 3rd & 17th (pre-ordered) Mini-Subs May 10th & 24th (pre-ordered) Tuesday May 14 Tuesday May 21
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EQAO Assessment (Gr 3 & 6)

From May 27th to June 7th EQAO Assessments (Grade 3 and Grade 6 testing) will occur. The Grade 3 assessment will be held the week of May 27 May 30, followed by the Grade 6 assessment June 3 - 7. Staff and students alike have been preparing extremely hard (learning and reviewing all aspects of the curriculum) and though the assessment is just a small snapshot of our students level of knowledge and skills, it is important that our students be prepared, put forth their best effort and show all that they know. We all play a vital role in contributing to the success of our students and things you might consider doing at home to help may be the following: * Consult with your child and childs teacher about areas of difficulty or challenging concepts that extra practice may help clarify. * Try to avoid arranging appointments during your childs assessment week (consistent, punctual attendance is paramount to proper instruction and student success). * Encourage your child to get a good nights sleep and eat a healthy breakfast and diet (restful, well fed minds are productive minds). * Encourage, praise and celebrate with your child when they have done their very best!

- Last Day Swimming for grades 1-5 - Poetry Night, 6:30 pm - Parent Council Meeting, 5:30 pm - Fun Fair Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm
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Wednesday May 22 Friday May 24

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4As Assembly, 2:30 pm - Yearbook Orders Due - EQAO Testing grade 3s - Summer Semester Presentation, gr. 7&8s - PA Day no school for students - EQAO Testing grade 6s - 6/7 class trip to Camp Otterdale - Ottawa Fury Soccer Workshop all classes - NEPS Fun Fair (details to follow) - Rain date for Fun Fair - 4As Assembly, 9:30 am

Week of May 27th Thursday May 30 Friday May 31

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Week of June 3 Monday June 10

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Thursday June 13th Friday June 14

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Monday June 17

Wednesday June 19 Thursday June 20 Friday June 21

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Kindergarten Graduation, 9:30 am - 7/8 class trip to Montreal - 4/5 class trip to Carleton Place Canoe Club - Kindergarten & 1/2 class trip to Saunders Country Critters

Monday June 24

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- Grade 8 Graduation, Code Mills - Report Cards go home

Tuesday June 25

Wednesday June 26th Last Day of School for Students

NEPS Fun Fair

North Elmsley's Annual Fun Fair will be held on Thursday June 13th (raindate Friday June 14th). Parent Council is now looking at organizing our annual Fun Fair. In order to make this day a success we need volunteers! We will be meeting on May 21 at 6:30 (Council meeting is at 5:30). This would involve attending the meeting and/or helping organize games and activities for the Fun Fair. Along with organizing there are many other aspects in which help is needed. There is set up, admission/ticket sales table, cakes for the cake walk, taking a shift supervising a game, donations for our auction, getting business sponsors, helping out with the BBQ, and cleanup crew. If you feel you can help in any aspect, be part of the committee, or have any suggestions regarding the Fun Fair, please contact Lesa Jones at lesamjones69@gmail.com by Sunday, May 19th. This is also a great opportunity for any high school students to get some volunteer hours. Watch for more information to come in regards to the Fun Fair.
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Ontario Medal For Good Citizenship

Nominate a deserving citizen for the 2013 Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship. The Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship honours Ontarians who, through exceptional, long-term efforts, have made outstanding contributions to community life. Nominations can be made by visiting the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigrations website at: www.ontario.ca/honoursandawards. You may submit your nomination online by choosing the Nominate Online option or download the PDF and submit by mail. Nominations must be received by July 17, 2013.

Draft Multi-Year Calendars

The Boards Committee of the Whole received for information, draft school year calendars for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years. Here is what the draft calendars look like: Draft 2014/15 School Year Calendar:

Yearbook Cover Contest

Its time for the Yearbook Cover Contest. Put your talent to good use and design the cover for our 2012/2013 Yearbook. All entries must be 8 1/2 x 11 vertical and can be in colour. The winning designer will receive their yearbook FREE. Winners from each class will be recognized. All entries must be submitted no later than Tuesday May 21, 2013. * Note: Some designs may be subject to slight modifications due
to technical requirements.

* The 2014/15 calendar provides for 196 possible school days between September 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015 * Labour Day falls on Monday, September 1, 2014, allowing for a possible September 2 school start date and June 26, 2015 as the last day of school * The Ministry designated Christmas Break is Dec 22 Jan 2, 2015 * The Ministry designated March break is March 16-20, 2015 * Stat Holidays as indicated * PA Dates TBD Draft 2015/16 School Year Calendar: * The 2015/16 calendar provides for 197 possible school days between September 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016 * Labour Day falls on Monday, September 7, 2015. It will be necessary for school to start prior to Labour Day * The Ministry designated Christmas Break is December 21 Jan 1, 2016 * The Ministry designated March break is March 14-18, 2016 * Stat Holidays as indicated * PA Dates TBD

North Elmsley Paparazzi! We are requesting pictures from school events that we may not already have. Please send your best 3 pictures from each event to Lesa Jones at lesamjones69@gmail.com. Yearbook order form and payment due by Friday May 24th. Yearbook delivery date is June. Cost is $25 each. Any questions may be directed to NEPS Council Chair: Lesa Jones at lesamjones69@gmail.com.

COMMUNITY EVENTS
Mothers Day Brunch
The 1 Elmsley Scouts invites you to join them for Mothers Day Brunch. Sunday May 12 , 10:30 am 1:00 pm Port Elmsley Community Hall Tickets available at the Door. Adults - $8, Children 5 and older - $5, under 5 no charge.
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FaeryFest 2013
Bring the family for crafts and Faery fun. Wear Your Favourite Faery Costume. Sunday June 2nd, 10 am 4 pm Perth Civitan Club, Hwy 43 All Proceeds from Door will go to L.A.W.S. Artists, Facepainter, Henna Body Art, Glitter & Tempory Tattoos, Buskers, Faery craft area, oracle readers, healing treatments and sessions, natural body & health products, and much more. For more info contact, Cheryl Sinfield 613-2839877 or faeriecece@hotmail.com.

Ladies Self Defense Seminar

This is an interactive seminar. Wear comfortable street clothing, no jewellery and nails cuts short. Take action now so it doesnt happen to you. Knowledge is power. Your safety begins with education. Saturday May 11, 2013 Port Elmsley Community Hall 2:00 4:00 pm $20 per person, ages 14 & up. Space is limited to register call Sensei Lisa Carroll @264-0847.

Ontario Early Years Centre Workshops

To register for workshops please call Ontario Early Years Centre at 283-0095. For more info visit their website at: www.crowoeyc.com Children and Technology May 22nd, 6:30 8:00 pm Algonquin College, Lab Room 114, Perth Positive Parenting May 29th, 6:30 8:30 pm Ontario Early Years Centre, Smiths Falls Touch A Truck May 26th, 1:00 2:30 pm Chimo School, Smiths Falls

Bee A Runner! Run

Drummond Central School Parent Council 7 km Walk/Run OR 1 km Event. Saturday June 1st. Registration at Drummond School at 8:00 am 9:15 am. Start Times: 1 km at 9:30 am, 7 km at 10:00 am. $10/adult, $5/child or $25/Family. For more info please call Dawn Kirkham at 264-0165.

Playgroups

Champions 4 Kids Raffle Win a Jeep!

Tickets still available at the office for Champions for Kids Raffle through June 14, 2013. This fundraiser is in support of our Champions for Kids Foundation which supports our most at-risk students. 1 prize is a 2013 Jeep Wrangler ($22,000 value). 2 3
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Mondays, 9:30 11:30 am, Perth Dance Studio Mondays, 9:30 11:30 am, DJ Schoular School, Smiths Falls Tuesdays, 9:00 12:00 am, Ont. Early Centre, Smiths Falls Tuesdays, 9:30 11:30 am, Rosedale Hall, Montague Wednesdays, 10:00 11:30 am, Perth Library Wednesdays, 9:30 11:30 am, Smiths Falls Trinity Church Wednesdays, 9:00 11:00 am, Ont. Early Centre, Smiths Falls Thursdays, 10:00 11:30 am, Perth Library Thursdays, 9:30 11:30 am, Smiths Falls Trinity Church Fridays, 9:00 11:00 am Ont. Early Centre, Smiths Falls

prize is a trip for 4 to Disney ($5,000 value), and

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prize is a 50-inch LED TV, valued at $1,000. Tickets are

$20 each or 3 for $50. The draw will be held July 3 , 2013.

Champions 4 Kids - Home Run Derby

2nd Annual Home Run Derby Fundraiser for Champions 4 Kids. Thursday May 30th, 5:00 7:00 pm, registration and warm-up 4:00 5:00 pm. Teams of 4 with at least 1 female per team. Finch Ball Diamond, Finch, ON. Price $40 per team or $10 per individual and you will be added to a team. Cash BBQ, 50/50 draw, and prizes! This is open to students and public. To register please visit - http://2013-c4k-hrd.eventbrite.ca

Host a Japanese Student

Looking for a new Family Adventure? Share your home with a student from Japan. Host Families Required July 29- August 11, and August 6- 31, 2013. Learn foreign customs, create lifelong friendships, have fun, compensation provided. For more information please call JoAnn @613-264-8843, jcampbell@mliesl.com, or visit www.mliesl.com