BERWICK & DISTRICT SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER
April 2016
Berwick & District School is a scent, coconut oil, shellfish&
nut aware school. Please do not bring or have these products in our school.
Thanks very much. We appreciate your help.
Follow us on Twitter @BerwickSchool
Check out the website http://www.berwickschool.ednet.ns.ca/
Early Dismissals/No School:
Thursday, April 14th, 2016
NO SCHOOL – In-service in AM and
Parent/Teacher PM
Principal’s Message:
Happy Spring everyone!
We hope you enjoyed your March Break and the recent Easter long weekend. Those 2 holidays
along with our multiple snow days in March, meant that learning was a bit slower and most often
“interrupted”. We look forward to a good solid block of teaching and learning time in April and
May! The sun will shine brighter and with daily attendance and getting to school on time our
students’ confidence will sky rocket!
We just finished some very worthwhile events in our school – the positive effects of project
based learning are well known and we are happy to report that the quality of both Science Fair
and Heritage Fair projects were unbelievable! So much to be proud of! Thanks for all you do to
support your child in these opportunities.
Diversity Day was last Thursday and with sessions on Poverty, Privilege, Mi’kmaq Culture,
African Nova Scotian history, Me to We service in Ecuador, Acadia’s SMILE Program, Visual
Impairments, Gratitude, Bullying, Homelessness and Syrian Newcomers … you can imagine how
much we all learned! We even have a presenter on Gaelic Culture coming in April to further
expand our learning in this area. Our motto for the day was the more you learn, the more you care
and the more you care, the more you want to do for others. Great words to live by!
This month is going to be about getting outside and doing things that are great for our health.
Garden update: We are partnering with the Berwick Community Gardeners to get our new &
improved BDS Garden underway. While we wait for our raised boxes to be built we will start our
seedlings inside. A Classroom Lottery will determine which class is going to be responsible for
which parts of the garden this season; more info to follow about that. But, FYI parents, there will
be volunteer opportunities with your child’s class once our planting is done. Do you love
gardening? This just might be for you!
Get ready to help your child move away from the screens in their lives (TV, Computer, phones,
ipods…) and get outside for physical activity! Our Unplug and Play Challenge is designed to
help all of us focus on exchanging screen time for activity – great prizes can be won so encourage
your child to participate! Starts on April 11th – info to come home soon.
Report Cards are coming soon – we will see you at Parent Teacher either in the afternoon or
evening. Please plan on coming – your child’s learning benefits when we stay in close contact.
Have a great month everyone!
Cindy Dickie
SCHOOL NEWS:
Cafeteria Update – keep sending in your orders and trying out new dishes as they become
available. We so appreciate your support and … the best sellers are the meals that are repeated.
We just want to make the cafeteria menu something that you really enjoy and consequently will
use! I don’t want to speak too soon but our promotion and encouragement seems to be
working! Keep it up families!
CHECK OUT THE NEW MENU FOR APRIL!!! 
Cafeteria News (from Sherry and Janey):
Our Meal Card draw winners for the month of
March were - at the Elementary level Cole Weagle and at the Jr High level Emma Sentis! All
you have to do to win is purchase a meal card and your name is entered to win a free lunch of
your choice! Having a meal card makes it easier for the students! You will see on the April
menu that we are introducing new options; they are Baked potatoes with salsa and sour cream and
Chicken Alfredo! During the month of April on Thursday's at recess we will be offering
Strawberry Smoothies for $2.00
Please note that milk is now not included in the meal cost! Due to rising cost of food we have
had to make milk a separate cost from the meal!
Thank you to everyone who has been supporting the Cafeteria we really appreciate your support!
Parents have you ever wondered what is a Zinger? A Zinger is a wrap with bread chicken, cheese
topped with a sweet chili sauce!
Thank you Janey and Sherry
In the Middle… our Grade 7s and 8s get to go on NSCC campus visits to learn
all about what trades are available to them there and to experience a showcase
of the skills involved. What an amazing opportunity for your son or daughter!
Please discuss the experience with them – who knows, one of these visits could
spark the kind of interest that will follow them through High School and beyond.
It is Elementary… do you have your volunteer documentation up to date?
Hoping to go on a class trip in the spring? Please make sure that your Child
Registry and Criminal Record Check information is appropriately renewed and on
file with us. Soon, teachers will be mobilizing for volunteers – always better to be
prepared.
For all students … now that the weather will soon be warming please make
sure that your child is dressed appropriately for a public place like school. Our
helpful tips on dressing appropriately are on the website – please review with
your child. Thanks very much. Also, don’t forget to ensure rain boots, extra
changes of clothes and maybe even 2 extra pair of socks for the little ones, are
available each day. Puddles, mud and wet surfaces are a reality of the spring!
We will do our best to not have to bother you at home for dress related issues.
Outdoor Classroom Update – remember our massive fundraising dinner in the fall? Remember
how we announced all of the support that local families and businesses had given us by
sponsoring a bench or table or bleacher??? Well, exciting for us … all items have been ordered
and are due to be installed early May!! Wow! Can’t wait!
PTSA: The meeting for April will take place on April 12th at 6:30 pm in the Hive.
GrandMa’s Kitchen
For the month of April we are in need of 100% juice, either
Apple or Orange. We could also use some Mini-Wheats
and Multi-Grain Cheerios.
We Thank you for your support of our Breakfast
Program 
The Makery:
Beginning this month the Makery has moved to Monday nights from 6-8:00pm.
The schedule for April is as follows:
 Monday April 4 - Backyard Chickens -Would you like to have fresh eggs every day
from a few of your own hens? It might be fun, let’s chat about chickens and do some
hen-related crafts too.
 Monday April 11 - Garden Planning - Where do the tall flowers go? How do I start
tomatoes? Are strawberries and onions friends? Come on by and talk about gardening,
gardens and all things bright and beautiful!


Monday April 18 - Homemade Pizzas - Come hungry, and learn to make pizza dough
and pizza sauce from scratch! An easy weeknight dinner idea that the whole family can
enjoy together!
Monday April 25 - Adult Colouring Night - Are you a grown-up with a new colouring
book? Join us for tea and hanging out while we relax and work in our colouring books
and calendars.
COMMUNITY NOTICES:
Items in this section announce activities in which students or their family members are likely to participate. These are activities,
which the school does not sponsor nor necessarily encourage – they are here for your information only.
Berwick & District Nursery School - A non-Profit Parent co-operative 538-9680 [email protected] is
now accepting Registration for The 2016-2017 School Year! Morning classes available and Afternoon classes are
Dependent on enrolment. Your Child will…….be nurtured by a well planned environment. ….begin working with
numbers & letters.….build a positive self-imagE. ….participate in arts, crafts AND SHARING TIME.….have fun! Fully
qualified and trained ECE staff: Get your child ready for elementary school!
Opening Doors End Family Violence – Thursday March 31, 2016 at 7:00 pm in the Louis Millett Centre in New Minas.
Admission is FREE. A traveling workshop aimed at providing rural areas in Nova Scotia with information and
resources to better understand mental illness and addictions, and their link to family violence.
Attendees will leave with a greater understanding of mental illness, prevention and treatment strategies, and a list of
resources. Keynote speaker, Dr. Selene Etches, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at the IWK Health Centre Assistant
Professor at Dalhousie University’s Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Etches will be sharing insight into youth and mental
illness. Emceed by Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia President & CEO, Starr Dobson, this event will also
feature 2015 Let’s Keep Talking Outstanding Individual award recipient, Bob Ransom; local entertainment by Kevin
Davison; information about an Evangeline Club grant funded by the Foundation; and takeaway resources.
mentalhealthns.ca/openingdoors | #ODEFV
SOCCER PLAYERS WANTED!!!! Somerset and District Soccer Club will have summer soccer registration at the
Somerset and District Elementary School on Saturday April 2nd 9:00am- 12:00pm and Sunday April 10th 12:00pm2:00pm. Please visit our website for costs and additional information (www.somersetanddistrictsoccer.com).
Efficiency NS: Free Product install<http://www.efficiencyns.ca/energy-solutions/home-installation-solutions/> Absolutely FREE, Trinity will install energy efficient products in your home such as: LEDs or other efficient lighting; LED
nightlight and Smart Power Strip. If you currently heat your water with electricity, you may also receive: Water saving
shower heads and aerators & Electric hot water tank & pipe wrap Call Trinity Inspections Service 1-855-6953010tel:1-855-695-3010 Home Warming Program<http://homewarming.ca> - FREE energy assessment and FREE
home upgrades to income-qualified homeowners. Call Efficiency Nova Scotia at 1-877-434-2136<tel:1-877-434-2136>.
Based on max household income on line 236 on Notice of Assessment: 1 person $20,952; 2 to 4 people $38,931; 5 or
more people $55,444
PARENT SUPPORT GROUP - WOLFVILLE!!! Third Wednesday each month, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Starting October 15th.
Boardroom, KC Irving Science Centre Building, Acadia University Campus, Wolfville... If you are a caregiver of a child,
teen or adult with autism and would like to get together with others to share your experiences, consider stopping by
for our first meeting on October 15th. The group will be led by Annapolis Valley Chapter of Autism NS Co-Chair,
Valerie Wohlmuth. If you'd like to attend, just drop us a quick RSVP at 375-3031 or [email protected] so we know
how much coffee, tea and snacks to bring!
VALLEY SPEED SKATING CLUB Like to go fast? Looking to learn to skate or improve your skills? Valley Speed Skating is
the place to be! We are a club for all ages and abilities! We offer a learn to skate program. We are accepting
registration for the fall session! Skate rental is free for the first year. We are at the Credit Union Centre in Kingston on
Saturdays from 10am - 12pm! You can find us on facebook at Valley Speed Skating Club or email us at:
[email protected]
Do you find it hard to help your children with homework? Would you like to improve your reading and writing skills?
Do you wish your math skills were stronger? Is your spelling a little too “creative”? Do you have trouble filling out
forms? The Valley Community Learning Association is committed to help adults reach their learning goals.
If you want to upgrade your skills, get your GED, or become involved as a volunteer, contact the Valley Community
Learning Association (VCLA) at 679-5252, or toll free 1-866-898-7323. All our programs are free! www.vcla.ca
FREE COMMUNITY LEARNING OPPORTUNITY Is your child perfectly healthy? Do you want to learn how to ensure
they stay that way? How do you know if your baby/toddler/child has a properly functioning nervous system? Early
signs a young nervous system is not functioning at its maximum potential include: -Hyperactivity -Oversensitivity
-Agitated or fretful -Lack of appetite -Ear infections -Irregular/Poor Sleep -Bedwetting -Colic -Bowel movements
less than 2-3 times a day
Relay for life Middleton will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2016. This year the event will be held indoors at the
Middleton Arena from 6pm-12 Midnight, with Survivor reception at 4pm.If you are interested in entering a team(
which can be any size), registering as a survivor or looking for more information please email [email protected]
or Shannon at 363-2276. www.relayforlife.ca
Join Dr. Keltie Warren D.C. on Tuesday April 5th from 6:30-7:30pm at The CottonTale Cafe for "Life By Design kids" to
learn how your nervous system communicates with the rest of your body, how to make it part of a wellness lifestyle
and how it can help improve the above-mentioned areas in your children! Registration is FREE but please let us know
if you plan on attending so we can save you a spot. Please email [email protected]
Ladies chocolate event April 8, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Coldbrook Lions Hall. Girl Guides of Canada is calling all
ladies to attend a chocolate-themed challenge evening, featuring crafts, fudge, skits, taste testing, games and more.
Earn the crest! Find out what Girl Guides do with chocolate. For info, contact Kristy, Harvest Trail Area membership
advisor, at [email protected]; or check out the event page on Facebook.
8th Annual Valley Youth Fun Run: Join us Saturday May 14th 2016 for the 8th annual Valley Youth Fun Run in
Canning. Youth between the aged of 6 and 15 can run either the 3k or 5k distance. Registration is only $5 and
registration forms can be picked up at your school or recreation department. The run takes place rain or shine.
Participants who register by April 29th will be guaranteed a t-shirt. The run starts at 11 am. We are also looking for
volunteers. Please contact Nichole Gilbert if you would like to volunteer: [email protected] or 902-6906124 We hope you will join us!
BRING THE WORLD HOME - The Nova Scotia International Student Program is looking for host families within the
Annapolis Valley Regional School Board for a group of students from Thailand ranging ages 11-17 years who will be
coming to NS from April 11 - May 6 2016. We are also seeking families for the 2016/17 school year ranging from 2 –
10 month stays. To Welcome the World in Your Home please contact Christa Ryland by phoning: 902-599-0844 or
email: [email protected]
Berwick and District Refugee Settlement Group: The Berwick & District Refugee Settlement group has formed in the
Berwick area in response to the ongoing global refugee crisis. Our goal is to mobilize the resources of the community
through service clubs, schools, churches, businesses and private citizens in order to resettle a refugee family in our
community. It is not certain where the refugee family will come from. While the Syrian crisis may be top of mind
there continues to be high needs for assistance to people fleeing violence from a number of regions around the
world.
Sponsoring a refugee family requires resources. The cost of sponsoring a family of six for a full year is estimated to be
just over $30,000.00. A separate account under the Berwick United Church, Berwick, NS has been established and all
support from the community is appreciated.
How can I help? To start, there are several fundraising events coming up and we hope to raise the funds by the end of
June. We need your support.
Upcoming/current events for this cause include:

GoFundMe - donations may be made to the Berwick and District Refugee Settlement . Please be sure to Like
and Share on Facebook. https://www.gofundme.com/4gvbmvyk

April 2nd - Variety Show - Free will offering- United Church in Kingston, NS. 7pm proceeds to Berwick and
District Refugee Settlement Fund.

April 16th - Berwick Lionettes Tea - 10am - 12 Please bring a friend and enjoy this spring event! Berwick
Lion's Hall

April 23rd, Saturday- Roast Beef Dinner 6:00pm Tickets $25 each; Aylesford United Church

Donations: A separate account under the Berwick United Church, Berwick NS has been established. Cheques
should be directed to the Berwick United Church and made payable to Berwick and District Refugee
Settlement Group. Donations over $10.00 will receive charitable tax donation receipts.
Watch for other events and dates to be announced (TBA): Windemere Jam Session TBA, Foodland event TBA, Film
viewing "Salom Neighbor" TBA, and many more!
Remember, "Everyone Can Do Something"- Mother Teresa
Healthy Living Feature
Green Tip:
When purchasing seeds for your garden look for seeds that are labeled either “heirloom or heritage seeds”.
The terms heirloom and heritage are synonymous. An heirloom plant is an open-pollinated, cultivated plant,
or cultivar. Heirloom plants are not used in today's large-scale agricultural operations, but they were
traditionally grown during earlier periods in human history. The term "heirloom vegetable" is often used in
place of "heirloom plant" because the most well-known heirloom (or heritage) plants are vegetables.
What is the difference between open-pollinated and hybrid seeds? Open-pollinated plants are pollinated by
birds, insects, wind, or other natural means. Under these conditions the plant will produce seeds naturally.
When these seeds are harvested and re-planted they will reproduce the same plant as the parent.
Conversely, a hybrid plant is the result of controlled pollination of inbred parent plants. The plant's seeds
are often sterile and, if they do germinate, they will not reliably produce the same plant as the parent.
Cut and Clip Recipe
Cranberry Glazed Meatballs
From Strive for Five NS
Preheat oven: 350
2-11 inch x 17 sheet pans
Meatballs:
2x2 lbs
Healthy Choice Meatballs
Sauce:
2 x 11oz bags
3 cups
3 cups
1/2 cup
Fresh cranberries
Granulated white sugar
Water
Vinegar
Yield: 40 Portion: 3 meatballs
1/4 cup
1/4 cup
1 Tbsp
Brown sugar
Prepared mustard
Worcestershire sauce
1. Spread the meatballs out in the pans
2. In a large saucepan dissolve the white sugar in the water. Bring to a boil. Add the cranberries and return to a boil. Reduce heat.
Continue to boil gently until cranberry skins break (about 10 minutes). Cool slightly.
3. Add vinegar, brown sugar, prepared mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Combine ingredients well.
4. Evenly distribute the cranberry mixture over the meatballs. Bake in oven for 30-40 minutes, until meatballs are heated through and
nicely glazed.