Volume 7—March 2012
THE RIVERSIDE SPLASH
Riverside ACTS!
Assertive, Considerate & Trustworthy in Service
30 John Street North
Mississauga, ON,L5H 2E8
(905) 274-1515
The Riverside Splash is published monthly for the parents, teachers, and students of
Riverside Public School.
AROUND RIVERSIDE:
Happy 91st Mayor! Riverside P.S. choir
Sings Happy Birthday to our mayor at the
Port Credit Retirement Residence. CHOIR:
Shauna Subject, Emily Tsin, Natalia Sliwa,
Paige Parsons-Reid, Charlette Mercer, Ania
Lato, Humera Hamid, Aaliyah Hiddleston,
Shahad El Hamas, Yara El Hamas,
Merjam Brljak, Alisa Brljak, Layal Al Harthy, Alexandra Rydlewski, Taylor Pierce,
Senija Repuh, Spencer Agard, Scott Hossack, Adi Vugdalic, Odesssa Fleming, Jordan Reeves,
Rachel Purdy, David Fleming, Sagar Al Harthy
Our primary students enjoyed a day of celebration as we
reached 100 days of school. Students rotated through a
variety of activities to better understand the concept of 100. Many of our
primary students were recognized with ACT awards for
demonstrating our many VIRTUES.
GR 1: Amro Hassan, Alexsia Madden, Nur Munajjed, Ali Hussain
GR 2: Richie Liciu, Blerta Ademaj, Rehan Hashmi, Faith Craigon
GR 2/3: Danielle Dietsch, Mackenize Irving, Rhys Harrington, Jacob Tsin
GR 3: Kiley Butterfield, Tea Zdjelar, Hayley Prentice, Bailey Reid
INTERMEDIATE SKATING:
Our older students enjoyed demonstrating their skating
talents at the Port Credit Arena.
RIVERSIDE CITIZENSHIP:
A Principal’s Award for Generosity was handed out to Ethan Dunn in class 7A for his
strong support of our SOAR Campaign
Our Character Virtues for March are:
Tact, Flexibility, Tolerance
March 28 at 1:00 pm is our next assembly!
We have collected $300 for African Orphans. Thanks for
supporting our SOAR campaign that helps those impacted by AIDS.
Reading At Home
Apps for Literacy
The ultimate goal of reading is good comprehension. We've gathered information about apps that provide practice with
specific comprehension skills, including sequencing, differentiating between fact and opinion, developing word awareness
(through antonyms, synonyms, and homophones), as well as several mind mapping apps.
Aesop's Quest, based on Aesop's Fables, is a learning game where the student must remember elements of a story to complete a level. At the end
of each story segment or level, the student is rewarded with puzzle pieces. After solving the puzzle, the story is complete and the child can continue to
the next story. Developed in association with the Virginia Department of Education.
Price: Free
Grade Level: 2-6
Skill: Reading for detail
Device: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
In Opposite Ocean, Luna and Leo must master the magic of words by correctly identify the antonym that is the opposite of the given keyword. Children earn pearls when they drag the correct bubble word to the enchanted clam. Developed in association with the Virginia Department of Education.
Price: Free
Grade Level: 2-6
Skill: Word meaning (antonyms)
Device: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
MORE SUGGESTIONS TO FOLLOW…..
School Council Report:
We have had another busy month planning for the Move-a-thon on March 2nd. This is our ninth year and we have
always had great success with it. It is a week of activities for all the students with Thursday being the big event for
Kindergarten students and Friday for the Grades 1-8. Not only is this event a fundraiser but it also promotes school
spirit and fun for the whole student body. Some of the money that we raise from the Move-a-thon is used to purchase
outdoor equipment for each classroom as well as for essential items for the gym program.
We would like to thank all the families who contributed to our Move-a-thon and we hope that all the students enjoyed the
activities. We would like to also thank our parent volunteers as well as the staff at Riverside for making this event a
success.
Also, we would like to thank Cindy McFadden, who again this year, was responsible for collecting and handing in the
receipts from Samko. We greatly appreciate the 10% from sales that we receive from Samko.
Our next meeting date will be March 7, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the school library. We hope that more parents will take the
time to come out and help us with our next big fundraiser.
FRANTIC FRIDAY FUN FAIR
FRIDAY MAY 25, 2012
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
We would like to ask all parents to take a few minutes and see if you can help us with the fun fair as it is a big event that
takes many people to ensure it is successful.
Volunteers – we need high school students, parents and teachers. There is the set-up, the actual event and the clean
up. If you are available to help us please call the school at 905-274-1515 or send a note in with your child and we will
be in touch with you.
Haunted House – we would like to borrow some Hallowe’en decorations for our haunted house. If you are able to lend
us some items please call the school.
Bake Sale – once again we will be counting on our wonderful bakers to donate baked goods the day of the fun fair.
Silent Auction – we are hoping that some parents will be able to obtain items for our silent auction from their employers, friends or relatives. Gift certificates, baskets, art work or any other item you think would be good would be greatly
appreciated.
Media Room – if you have CD’s, DVD’s, electronic games or books we would appreciate them for our Media
Room. This is a new addition to our fun fair.
Corporate Sponsorship – if your company would like to sponsor our fun fair please call Louie Manzo at 647-588-7508.
Our next fun fair meeting is March 7, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the school library. Babysitting for school age children
is provided.
ODE TO A FRIEND:
In loving memory of Queen Sierra by Aaliyah & Brianna Hiddleston
God saw she was getting tired and a cure was not to be found. So he put his arms around her and whispered “come
with me”. With tear-filled eyes we watched her suffer and slowly fade away. Although we loved her deeply, we
could not make her stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working paws put to rest. God broke our hearts to
prove to us, he only takes the best. We love you Queen Sierra.
Staff Professional Learning:
Our Primary Division teachers attended a workshop on Curriculum Mapping which supports
alignment of skills and concepts which focus on student learning.
Our intermediate teachers attended a session with our Port Credit colleagues looking at issues
around mental health and supporting learners. This is one of several partnership workshops
used to build relationships and support a smooth transition of students from the intermediate to
senior divisions.
Teachers from Tecumseh, Lorne Park, Owenwood and Riverside continued the work on
developing a rich collaborative inquiry to support student achievement. The focus of their
work was on developing numeracy tasks which offer real life applications for students.
YMCA Exchange Between Riverside P.S. and Netsilik School, Nunavut March 20-29, 2012
Riverside exchange students are continuing their preparation for their adventure north to visit their partners.
Students have had a formal presentation by Alana Farber, a volunteer from ADVENTURE
CANADA, on proper Arctic gear for the climate. We have had a dry run of our equipment as noted in our
group photograph. The Netsilik organizers have prepared a variety of activities for our students including
“How to build an Igloo” and “Ice Fishing”. Our students will get the opportunity to see several other
communities on our way up north. We will visit Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven and Yellowknife during our
exchange week. Our students will be updating their classmates while in the Arctic.
Our student council has decided to do a fundraiser to support one of our families who are dealing with the
devastation of a house fire. They are going to hold a dance on Thursday, March 8th and we are hoping that
you are able to support this worthwhile endeavour.
The grade 4 students are keeping medieval journals, written in first person.
Sean writes as Shawn, a squire to a knight:
May 20, 1209
Hi my name is Shawn Granter. I am 16 years old. I am also a squire. I was a page from 7 to 14. I was trained by a gifted
knight, who taught me manners and discipline. He took special interest in me and gave me my own combat training. Me and
all the other squires I guess would do the same as me which is putting the lord to bed, taking care of his clothing. I am brave
and able to sing. I wonder what it would be like to be a knight.
Emily's medieval persona is Iris, a 14 year old girl from a noble family. Here, Iris describes preparations for an upcoming
invasion:
June 7th, 1209
Right now, I am getting ready for war. What I have to do is I have to make sure that there is a lot of food for the people who
are coming into my castle. I also have to make sure there is room for the people who are staying in the castle.
One very important thing I must do is get bandages, leeches and herbal medication for the injured and sick people.
Ardian's character is Ezio, a knight who lives in a castle:
May 23rd, 1209
I sense there is a siege coming. As I look out my balcony I see horses charging at the castle. I say to the king, we are being
invaded. Now I am shooting arrows from the top of the castle. Every time I shoot, a life is gone.
I see a spear coming towards me. I catch it and throw it back. We finish off the final enemies. The siege is over.
School Attendance Hotline
If your son or daughter will be absent from school, please contact the school at 905-274-1515
prior to the beginning of the school day to let us know. An answering machine will collect
messages when office staff are not available to answer your calls. It is important that you
report all absences. PLEASE leave your child’s name, grade, teacher and reason for absence.
YOUR CALL IS MOST APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.
UPCOMING EVENTS: *****
March 12th to 16th—March Break
March 20th—30th—Nunavut Student Exchange Trip
April 6th—Good Friday Holiday
April 9th—Easter Monday Holiday
April 26th—Arts Alive Production—Junior / Senior
May 11th—P.D. Day
May 21st—Victoria Day
May 23rd—June 6th—EQAO testing
Principal: Mr. P. Officer
Office Manager: Mrs. S. Sedlezky
Office Assistant: Mrs. V. Jurkovic
Superintendent of Education—South Field Office: Mrs. W. Dowling 905-366-8800
Trustee: Mrs. J. McDougald 905-278-1402
Conference helps parents 'make a difference in
literacy and beyond'
The Peel District School Board is hosting its 11th annual parent literacy conference on Saturday,
March 24, 2012 at Rick Hansen Secondary School in Mississauga. The free conference, Make a
difference in literacy and beyond – practical ways parents can boost learning, features sessions
by leading experts who will provide helpful tips and ideas.
This free learning event includes lunch and is open to Peel board parents of students at all grade
levels. Parents, this is your chance to learn practical ways to boost learning.
Take one day to:
•
experience a powerful keynote presentation by Monique Howat, a youth motivator
•
learn from Peel educators recognized throughout Ontario as experts in literacy
•
explore valuable exhibitors representing community organizations, regional services and
educational products and browse publisher displays of children's' books and educational
resources
Register online in the 'Parents Boost Learning' section of
www.peelschools.org
Free MONEY for your kids. Yes, really!
Was your child born after 2004? Is your family income less than $42,707 per year?
If you answered yes to both of these questions, then your child is entitled to receive $2,000 in
FREE money provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada Learning Bond (CLB)
- Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). Eligible children will receive $500 at registration
for the RESP, and an additional $100 annually until they reach 15 years of age. No parental
contribution is required.
The Peel Post-Secondary Strategy: Enrolled By Six is a regional strategy to engage all sectors
and partners to enrol every child in Peel for the CLB. Learn more about how you can register
your child(ren).
Visit us online at: www.pcyi.org or call our information line: 905-890-9432 (local),
905-890-8089 (TTY), 1-888-836-5550 (long distance).
March Break Maple Syrup Days at the Jack Smythe Field Centre
Open Wednesday, March 14 to Saturday, March 17
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature as Spring blossoms. Jack Smythe Field Centre offers an
exceptional family experience with a visit to its Maple Syrup Bush. Join in on an authentic
Canadian tradition.
For a number of years the Peel Field Centres have invited the public for an awe-inspiring visit to
our outstanding Maple Sugar Bush during the March Break. Individuals and families are invited
to get involved as Spring comes to life. Help empty sap buckets, tap trees or sample some freshly
made maple syrup as we celebrate the new syrup season. Take a hike along our tranquil trails and
feed the friendly chickadees by hand.
A teepee and early settler site will also be set up to show how syrup was collected and produced
in centuries past. Use pioneer tools or listen to an Aboriginal tale around the campfires. No visit
would be complete without a trip to the sugar shack where the sap is boiling and clouds of sweet
smelling steam billow out of the chimney. Learn how modern day syrup operations are
conducted with an industrial evaporator and tap line system. Have a taste of the freshly made
syrup. It's going to be sweet!
The cost is $5.00/adult and $4.00/child 12 and under. Lunch will be available for purchase. It
will include: hot chocolate, cookies and hotdogs for you to roast over an open fire. For more
information, please contact the Jack Smythe Field Centre at
1-905-877-7771.
Directions to Jack Smythe Field Centre, 14592 Winston Churchill Blvd., Terra Cotta:
North on Mississauga Rd, Left on King Street (You will see Credit View P.S. on your left),
Right on Winston Churchill Blvd (You will pass the Terra Cotta Conservation Area on your left)
to the top of the hill and left into the Jack Smythe site.
Volunteer and make a difference at our school
Parents play an important role in the development and education of their children and in the
success of the school community. Studies indicate that parents are the most important influence
in a child's life outside of school.
At Riverside Public School, we welcome and encourage participation of parents and community
members. Of course, we also recognize the time and energy these volunteers give.
There is a common misconception that volunteering in a school requires a huge commitment and
a lot of your free time. There are many volunteer opportunities available at our school that are
flexible and range from a few hours per month to five hours a day, depending on your schedule.
Examples of various volunteer opportunities include (but are not limited to):
•
accompanying students and teachers on field trips
•
preparing classroom materials from home, e.g. cutting, tracing, collating, etc.
•
field trips, preparation for events, e.g. baking, cooking, making telephone calls, etc.
•
lunch time supervision
•
reading with students individually or in small groups
Come visit us in the office if you're interested in volunteering at our school.
Help us to encourage and enhance parent involvement in Peel
Apply for a position on the board's Parent Involvement Committee
Under the Ministry of Education's Parent Involvement Policy, all boards must have a committee
comprised of a majority of parents that is directly linked to the director of education and trustees.
The Peel board Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) meets regularly throughout the school year
to review the board’s plans for parent involvement as they relate to parent, family and
community engagement, and to make suggestions to schools, councils and the board regarding
additional parent outreach.
As mandated by the ministry, the purpose of Peel board's PIC is to:
• support, encourage, and enhance meaningful parental involvement within schools and across
the district, including, outreach to parents who find involvement more challenging
• work collaboratively with the school board to support student success
• seek out the advice and ideas of school councils, and other parents and partners as they
plan and implement strategies to involve more parents at the regional level
• develop strategies for enhancing parental engagement and outreach
Membership is a majority of parents, reflecting the diversity of the parent community. Parent
representatives will be required to serve two-year terms, beginning in September and ending in
August.
We are now in the process of inviting parents to apply for four positions on the committee. In
early May, a selection sub-committee consisting of current parent and trustee members will
review all parent applications and select representatives using the following Parent Member
Selection Criteria as a guide:
• reflects the diversity of the community
• understands the importance of parent, family and community engagement
• has experience working with newcomers to Canada, Ontario or Peel
• has volunteer experience – including experience on school council
• has previous experience in Peel board parent involvement activities
• demonstrates advocacy and community development skills
•
•
has a present level of involvement in the education system
demonstrates a keen interest in public education
For more information about the PIC and to download the application package, visit
www.peelschools.org. Under the ‘Parents Boost Learning’ menu, select ‘Get Involved’ and
‘Parent Involvement Committee’.
Forms must be returned by April 13, 2012.