École Arbour Vista
Kirk Runciman, Principal
Catherine McNinch, Vice Principal
Anne Bonnar, Office Co-ordinator
200 McCann St, Guelph, ON H1G 0C5
School Website: www.ugdsb.on.ca/arbourvista
Tel: 519-766-4555
Fax: 519-766-0705
Newsletter for October 2015
From the Principal’s Desk
Another busy September is over as well as the classroom reorganization. This year seventeen students moved to
new classrooms with a new teacher. I wish to thank everyone, including students, parents and staff for their
patience as we worked through this process. I would also like to thank the group of twenty-seven parents who
attended our first School Council meeting of the year on Thursday, September 17th. During this Council
meeting the following parents were acclaimed to executive positions; Michelle Watterson and Tina McLeod as
co-chairs, Emmy Hull as treasurer and Adriana Jenkins as secretary. Congratulations on your positions, the
school staff look forward to working with you! I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Madame
Dupuis to Arbour Vista. Madame Dupuis will be teaching Grade 8. We are also pleased to welcome Madame
Merilees to the Arbour Vista teaching staff, effective October 5th. Madame Merilees will be taking over for
Madame Ward who will be off work on a maternity leave.
K. Runciman
Principal
From the Vice-Principal’s Desk
It has been an absolute pleasure over the last month to get to know the students, staff and families that make up
the Arbour Vista community. The portion of my position which involves teaching dramatic arts, dance, health
and writing to grades 4, 4/5, 5/6 and 6/7 has afforded me the privilege of being directly involved with the
thinking, interests and values of our junior and intermediate students. My role as resource support to the school
has enabled me to assist students to reflect upon their unique learning styles and to offer some strategies to meet
their individual needs.
For those who have not met me, I would like to take this opportunity to share some information about myself.
This is my fourth year as a vice-principal. For the three years prior to coming to École Arbour Vista P.S., I was
vice-principal at Rickson Ridge P.S. I have worked with the Upper Grand District School Board since 1998. I
have taught in primary (K-3), junior (4-6), intermediate (7-8) and special education. Prior to teaching, I worked
as a clinical therapist, counselling children and families in mental health and psychiatric settings.
I believe strongly in the inherent value of each student’s unique contribution to our school’s identity. I view this
as central in driving our instruction and our day-to-day interactions with one another. My door remains open to
students of all grades on a consistent basis. There are no questions which I consider small or unimportant. If
something matters to you or your child, it matters to me. Please feel free to call or chat at any time. I look
forward to the days and the year ahead.
All the best,
Mme. McNinch
Kiss and Ride Area of the Staff Parking Lot
Parents are reminded not to park in the kiss and ride area of the staff parking lot. This area is designed for
parents to drop their child(ren) off and then vacate the area. As our school enrollment has increased by sixtyfive students this year, there is more traffic in this area. Please respect the expectations associated with the kiss
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and ride area and do not park there. This will help to ensure the safety of our students, your children, and allow
for the free flow of traffic.
Taking Children to Class in the Morning
To help reduce the number of people moving in the halls at the start of the day, parents are reminded to drop
their children off outside of the school. Our expectation is that students walk to class independently. Thank you
for your compliance with this request.
Balls to Donate?
With the fall cleaning season upon us, do you have sports balls in your garage, basement or shed that you would
like to donate to the school? We are looking for basketballs, soccer balls, footballs or other bouncy balls that
can be used safely on the school yard during recess. If you have items to donate, please send them to the school
with your son/daughter or drop them off at the office for distribution to classrooms.
End of Day Pickup
The end of the day is a very busy time in the school as students are using the hallways to get to the gym on time,
to make the dismissal of their bus lines. If you are picking up your son/daughter, we respectfully ask that you
stay outside on the tarmac. All students, with the exception of our bussed students, exit at the rear of the school
and this is the best location to meet your child(ren).
Parents Dropping of Items During the Day
If you are dropping off school work, lunch or perhaps a new set of clothes for your child, please leave your
items with Madame Bonnar in the office. The office has slips of paper for you to complete, indicating your
child’s teacher and the item you are leaving for him/her. During the subsequent break, we will have your child
come to the office to collect their belongings, therefore reducing the number of interruptions during the day.
Remembrance Day Assembly
This year at our Remembrance Day assembly, there will be a slideshow presentation to honour those individuals
past or present who have served with allied forces. If you have a past or present relative that has served with
allied forces and would like him/her to be mentioned in our slideshow presentation please email Monsieur Uger
the following information at [email protected]
-Name of Arbour Vista Student and relation to soldier
-Soldier’s name and rank
-Where and when he/she served
-Pictures of soldier *Pictures must be in “.jpg” format sent as an attachment*
Information and pictures will be accepted until Thursday, November 5th.
Thank you.
Monsieur Uger
From the School Council
We would like to welcome all of our new families and welcome back all our returning families. School Council
is in full swing and we would like to thank everyone who was able to attend our first meeting. If you were
unable to attend, don’t worry, we meet the third Thursday of the month. Meetings start at 6:45pm in the school
library. Child care is provided by our senior students or high school students within our school community. If
you are unable to attend, but would still like to participate, we have several committees looking for volunteers.
We welcome your input and expertise. Feel free to contact either Michelle or Tina our school council co-chairs.
Please note submissions for council meetings are due the week prior to each meeting.
Meeting Dates
October 15th
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November 19th
December 17th
January 21st
February 18th
March 10th * second Thursday of the month
April 21st
May 19th
June 16th
From School Council Fundraising Committee
This year the Fundraising Committee has many great activities planned to help raise money for our school. Our
school is in need of many things and funds raised will go directly to the purchase of items that will enhance
your child's school experience. The following is a list of items that we will be raising money for this
year: Shelter in the Kindergarten play area, an outdoor classroom, library materials, the music program, and
greening our outdoor space (please keep in mind that this list is a starting point and more can be added as the
year progresses).
Our first fundraising event is a Dance-a-thon to be held on October 29th, 2015. The students will be
collecting pledges for this event, and have fun dancing in the gym that will be decorated with a Halloween
theme. Please look for pledge sheets in your child's backpack the week of October 5th. We are also asking
for donations of halloween decorations for the gym. We require items such as streamers, balloons, wall
decorations etc. If you have anything to donate, there will be a box in the office where donations can be
placed. Also if you are available to help during the day of this event please contact Liz James at
[email protected]. Thank you in advance!
Our second fundraising event is a Night of shopping at Chapter's Stone Road Mall on November
25th. Mark your calendar's, as Chapter's will donate 10% of sales that night to our school. Please look for
flyers in the near future in your child's backpack outlining this event.
Our third fundraising event is an online shopping site - Fundscript.com. More information will follow
regarding this program.
Again this year we will host a Spaghetti Dinner on Thursday February 4th. Mark your calendar's as this
event was a lot of fun and a great success last year!
We will also be hosting a Movie Night, a Parent’s Night Out and a Family Fun Night. Further, we will also be
selling ice-cream at various times during the school year.
The more school community involvement we have in these events the greater their success. Please check your
child's backpack, the school website and the school council bulletin board in the front hall of the school for
information on these events.
Let's have a great year!
Thank You,
The School Council Fundraising Committee
Upper Grand Learning Foundation
Lately the school has had a number of requests from parents and community members who would like to donate
money to the school. As a means to assist the school with financial donations, parents are encouraged to utilize
the Upper Grand Learning Foundation. Charitable tax receipts will be provided for donations of $20 or more,
when the donor's name and address are provided in full. For more information regarding the Upper Grand
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Learning Foundation and the process through which to donate, please visit
www.uppergrandlearningfoundation.com
IB INFORMATION NIGHT
All Grade 7 and 8 parents invited!
Guelph CVI is proud to be an International Baccalaureate Candidate School. Parents interested in learning
more about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, the Grade 9 Preparatory Program and the
application process are invited to attend our Information Night.
Thurs Nov 19th 7pm • GCVI Auditorium • 155 Paisley Street • Guelph
Monthly Environmental Newsletter Inserts
October's Environmental Theme: PROTECT OUR EARTH
This year we will challenge ourselves to LIVE green every day, because one small change one day at a time
adds up to a world of difference. The environmental theme for September is sustainability. ‘Sustainability’
means protecting our Earth and using Earth's natural resources carefully, like forests, water, minerals, and
fossil fuels.
Part of living in a sustainable way is using, buying and eating only what you really need. This saves
resources and cuts down on waste too. For example, do you really need a new pencil case or pencil crayons
or a brand new eraser every year, or do your old ones still work? Do you throw your leftover lunch items in
the garbage at school, or do you take them home and eat them for a snack after school? Do you buy vintage
clothing or wear hand-me downs? Do you eat meat every day, or do you eat vegetarian at least once a week,
like those who have accepted the 'Meatless Monday Canada' challenge.
To find out how carefully you use the Earth's resources, Google the following words: “zero footprint
calculator” and take the footprint calculator quiz. It will tell you how many Earths we would need to survive
if everyone lived like you!
Slogan of the month: Sustainability – choosing to live better with less!
Talking About Mental Health!
Welcome to the new school year! My name is Dr. Lynn Woodford and I am the Mental Health and Addiction
Lead for the school board. Every month I write a column for school newsletters about mental health and
provide strategies and resources for families.
Hope that the transition back to school has been a positive one for you and your family. If your child or youth is
experiencing any challenges with the transition back to school, please talk to your child or youth’s teacher or
administrator.
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The UGDSB has many resources available on its website: http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/ for parents and students to
access. To access these resources: click on the Parent tab then click on the Mental Health Tab. There is also a
Student tab with a Mental Health tab, which you can share with your children and youth.
Once you are on site, you will find information about local mental health and addiction resources:

Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington Dufferin Branch (CMHA WWD)
o To access Addictions, Mental Health (including eating disorders and first episode psychosis) and
Crisis Services (Guelph/Wellington for Children/Youth and Guelph/Wellington/Dufferin for
Adults) contact:
 HERE247 at 1 844 437 3247 (1 844 HERE247)
 www.here247.ca
o Walk in Services on Tuesdays for Children/Youth 1:30- 7:00
 485 Silvercreek Pkwy, Guelph
o wwd.cmha.ca

Dufferin Child and Family Services (Services for Children/Youth in Dufferin County)
o To access Addictions, Mental Health and Crisis Services
 519-941-1530
o Talk in Services on Tuesdays 1:00- 7:00
 655 Riddell Road, Orangeville
o http://dcafs.on.ca/
There is an Access to Mental Health Resources document that provides more details about counselling and
supports in Guelph Wellington Dufferin.
There are also links to useful websites with information for parents about mental health and addictions such as:

Kids Help Phone (1 800 668 6868) www.KidsHelpPhone.ca provides phone and web counselling for
youth under the age of 20. Support is free, 24/7, anonymous and confidential.

The ABCs of Mental Health http://www.hincksdellcrest.org/ABC/Welcome
provides information related to different mental health concerns, according to developmental ages.
Hope these resources are helpful for you and your families. Hope you have a wonderful fall!
Dr. Lynn Woodford is the Mental Health and Addiction Lead for Upper Grand District School Board
Blue Jay Fever
Have you caught Blue Jay Fever yet, or are you already thinking about the NHL pre-season? Maybe you’re not
a sports enthusiast, and instead are busy taking your children to dance, swimming or music lessons. Whatever
the case, why not incorporate math into these afterschool activities? Here are some quick and easy connections
to share with your children on those early mornings, after school or late night drives that connect math to our
everyday lives.
1. Batting average
This number tells fans how many times a player gets a hit compared to the amount of times he gets up to
bat. Simple division is used to figure out a batting average. For each game divide the number of hits the
player gets by the number of times he is at bat. The answer should result in a decimal answer. (For
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example: Bautista gets up to bat 8 times, but he only hits 5 times. The equation would be 5 divided by
8 giving a batting average of 0.625.)
2. Staying out of the penalty box
Which fraction is largest: 5/4, 4/3, 3/2 or 2/1? If the Leafs have a 5 on 4 advantage, and Phaneuf has to
decide whether to draw an opponent away from the play, it's important for him to know that 4/3 is a
larger fraction than 5/4. Math tells us that 4 skaters have a better advantage over 3 than 5 skaters have
over 4.
3. Patterns in Music
Musical pieces often have repeating choruses or bars, similar to patterns. In mathematics, we look for
patterns to explain and predict the unknown. Music uses similar strategies. When looking at a musical
piece, musicians look for notes they recognize to find notes that are less familiar. In this way, notes
relate to each other. Relationships are fundamental to mathematics and create an interesting link
between music and math. Listen carefully to the music next time. You’ll definitely hear the patterns!
4. Swimmingly Mathematical
Speed of swim (measurement of distance and time), surface area of palm (area measurement of odd
shape), kicking angle of the legs (trigonometry, angle), rhythm of the stroke (sequence, counting, pattern
sector), and breathing (volume of air required, space measurement) are all about the math!
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The Science of Dance
There’s the symmetry (between arms and legs, but also between bodies and within a single body), counting,
rhythm, momentum, mass, connection, sequence, and shape. Every area of math can be expressed with the
human body.
Source: https://www.google.ca
Go Math Go! Go Math Go! Go Math Go! Go Math Go! Go Math Go! Go Math Go! Go Math Go!
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Chromebooks
in your public library!
Upper Grand students can now get a Chromebook to
do assignments after school, evenings and Saturdays
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