Website: rck.rcdsb.on.ca Twitter: @RockwoodSchool
Happy January and Welcome 2016 !!
… a caring place to learn
T. Burwell, Principal
S. MacPhee, Vice Principal
Happy New Year everyone and welcome back after I trust was a tremendous Christmas break spent with friends
and family. We enjoyed a milder than normal Fall which culminated in a highly successful Christmas concert led by Ms.
Verch and our Grades 6-8 students. Thank you to everyone who were able to join us for our completely sold-out concert; an evening that once again showed the Rockwood community’s commitment and support to their children’s education.
With the birth of a new year comes many new beginnings in our school as well. We’ve welcomed several new
students to our Rockwood family and two staff members as well. We welcome back Ms. Buelow who is returning after a
maternity leave, and we want to thank Ms. Verch for stepping in and delivering a top-notch program for all of her students. Secondly, Rockwood will be joined by another Educational Assistant but at the time of this printing, the job advertisement had not yet closed.
Term 1 report cards come out on February 17th, so I strongly encourage all of our students to push hard to the
end of the first term. As you already know, your direct involvement in your child’s education is extremely important to
their future success. Close communication with your child’s teacher, along with open and honest dialogue with your
child, is a recipe for success. I will be the first to say that after a long day at work it is sometimes hard to set aside time
at night to ensure that all of our kids’ work is completed and that they’re aware of upcoming deadlines, because life is
busy and our evenings are short. However, it’s an investment of time that must occur because the rewards they will later
reap in life are immense. In short, thank you for the continual sacrifices you make each and every day.
Terry Burwell
Principal
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Parents are reminded that there is no supervision on the school grounds before 9:05 in the morning.
We ask that students not come to school before 9:05 unless there is a special circumstance
PLEASE REMEMBER OUR SCHOOL DAY STARTS AT 9:25.
If your child needs to be picked up during the day, please try to do so during nutrition/activity blocks
11:25 –12:05 and 1:35-2:15 to reduce classroom interruptions.
STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO GO OUTSIDE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS
UNLESS THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW –22 °C ( WITH THE WIND CHILL). Please dress
appropriately. It is also a great idea to send in a spare pair of mittens and socks in case the first
pair gets wet. As well, students should be wearing winter boots and snow pants if they wish to
play on our snow hills or in the fields.
FRENCH IMMERSION
The notification and application process for Grade 4 students interested in French
Immersion for next year will soon begin. More information will be forthcoming.
Busing Regulations—Transportation is authorized for pupils from home to school and return. Changes
to this schedule will only be authorized for emergency situations and approved by the Principal. Please
do not abuse this privilege. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
THANK YOU to all of our families who donated money to the Children’s Wish Foundation in lieu
of staff gifts at Christmas time. We raised $1458. We appreciate your kindness and generosity.
Also, thanks to all who purchased during our Norcard fundraiser; $3265 was raised to go towards
class trips. Our appreciation goes out to Tanya Maschke for organizing this event and other ongoing
activities.
JANUARY UPCOMING EVENTS
January 5,12,19,26—Gr 5 Swimming
January 11,12,13—JK, SK, Gr. 2 Dental Screenings
January 15—PIZZA lunch, 1st break
Jan 20—Gr 8 Parents’ Night at Fellowes HS 5:30pm
Jan 20—RCDSB PIC meeting at Fellowes HS 6:30pm
January 25—February 5—Kindergarten Registrations
Jan 26—Gr 8 high school course selections
January 28—SUB lunch, 1st beak
January 29—P.A. Day . No school for students
January 22-30—Alice in Winterland carnival
Popcorn will be sold every
Thursday afternoon at 2nd break
$1/bag
Registration for JK/SK Children – January 25 – February 5
There are three ways to register your JK/SK child for school next year.
1.
Online Registration – Registration is now easier and quicker than ever before. Use our new online system anytime to register your child
starting JK/SK September 2016 by visiting http://www.rcdsb.on.ca/en/parents/registration-and-transfers.asp. Access RCJTC's Bus Planner
application at www.onthebus.ca/en/student-rider-info/Which-School-do-I-Attend.asp to find out which school you would attend. Please be
sure to complete the School Based Extended Day Program Family Survey that is at the end of the online registration if you are interested in
a licensed child care program. You will receive a confirmation email after submitting your online registration.
2.
Fillable pdf Online - Completing registration forms from a fillable pdf format from the school or RCDSB website - Registration and Transfers
page from the Parents drop down menu to bring to the school between 9:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, January 25 to Friday, January 29 and Monday,
February 1 to Friday, February 5 .
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3.
In Person - Visit the school for a registration package between 9:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, January 25 to Friday, January 29 and Monday, February
1 to Friday, February 5 . If you are interested in a licensed child care before and after program, complete the School Based Extended Day Program Family Survey that is included in your registration package.
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All three registration methods require you to bring the required documents to your school to finalize the registration process.
Required Documentation (bring to the school):

Completed, signed and dated registration form (if previously completed online or on a fillable form)

Proof of address (driver’s licence, utility bill or proof of ownership/ tenancy)

Proof of student’s birth date (birth certificate, passport, birth registration, citizenship card or statement of live birth)

Child’s immunization records (Students entering from outside Renfrew County should contact Renfrew County and District Health Unit at
613 735-8666.

Proof of custody where applicable (custody orders, court ordered Guardianship)

Immigration documents where applicable

If registering to attend a school outside your home address zone, please complete the Cross Boundary Transfer Request.
If you have questions about the registration process, please contact us at 613-732-3789.
APPOINTMENTS ARE NOT NEEDED TO REGISTER AT ROCKWOOD
Extended Day Program for Children between Ages of 3 - 12
The Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) and your school may be offering a School Based Extended Day Program for students (from JK up to
age 12) starting September 2016. This School Based Extended Day Program will operate within the school by an Early Childhood Educator before and
after school and is meant to compliment the regular day program.
The School Based Extended Day Program is contingent on sufficient enrolment and is funded from parent fees. Subsidies may be available from the
County of Renfrew http://www.countyofrenfrew.on.ca/_documents/childcare/FeeSubsidyApplicationForm.pdf.
The School Based Extended Day Program Family Survey form can be completed from the Online Registration portal, Google Survey link https://
goo.gl/yJg6rA, at the Board’s website http://www.rcdsb.on.ca select the Extended Day Program page from the Programs drop down menu, and also at
your elementary school.
Dental Screening scheduled at Rockwood January 11, 12, 13 for JK, SK, Gr 2 students. Other
students can be screened as well upon request.
Please remember to replenish your child’s
school supplies ie pencils
Thank you
Website!
rck.rcdsb.on.ca
If you haven’t already, please check out our website. It
features an interactive calendar highlighting upcoming
activities and events as well as an on-going news section to help keep you up to date with the Happenings at
Rockwood! You’ll find all kinds of information and
photos and links to other resources.
Moncion Metro Receipt Program
The Moncion Metro receipt program continues!! Please have your
grocery receipts over $25.00 stamped by the cashiers at grocery
store. There is a drop-off blue box in the foyer at Rockwood.
Thank you to all who have been dropping off their receipts. We are
then able to redeem them for grocery items used for special events.
Thank you to Moncion Metro!
SSC corner
One of the roles of a School Support Counselor is to monitor student attendance. There is a close connection between student achievement and absence. Students are often absent from school for a number of reasons including appointments, illness or other events. Typically students who miss
more than 15 days of school require a closer examination of why they are
not attending school. This can be done through a phone call or letter.
Continuation of absences from school may require further intervention up
to and including informal meeting with parent and child as well as formal
meetings at the board level to determine causes of absence and to outline
steps to support interventions that will help the student remain at school.
C. Ingram, SSC
With great pride, our Grade 8 girls VOLLEYBALL team won the County Championship on December 9 at the Tournament of Champions at Champlain Discovery PS. The girls continued to get stronger and stronger in their play as they
moved through the round robin. They defeated St. Michael’s, Cobden and Renfrew CIS by scores of 25-22, 25-22,
and 25-15, respectively. With a 3-0 record, the girls found themselves with a bye to the semi-finals where they took
on St. Michael’s again. In this best of three, the girls all equally contributed to the victory, with winning scores of 2519 and 25-15. This victory put the girls exactly where they wanted to be... a finals rematch against Highview. As expected, the best of three match went to the final game. Our girls came out strong in the first game and held on for a
25-21 win. The second game was as equally close, but Highview was able to claim a 25-20 victory. This brought it to
the final game. Losing the toss for serve, Carly C made a very strategic decision and had our team switch sides for
the final game. This decision put a smile on the girls’ faces and set them up for a spectacular final game. The Rockwood girls proved to be too much for Highview and won the Tournament of Champions with a score of 15-10. This is
a repeat championship for Rockwood, as last year’s team also won.
Even more important than being champions of the sport, our girls played with heart, determination and pure sportsmanship. Coach McLaren thanks the girls for all of their hard work and commitment.
Team members are: Mya H, Kylie M, Emily P, Carly C, Emily B, Gillian D, Mackenzie S, Emma B, our ultimate cheerleader Mikayla L, and coach Mr. McLaren.
See all of our volleyball news and pictures on our website www.rck.rcdsb.on.ca under News
Pembroke Observer article http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/2015/12/10/rockwood-jeanne-lajoie-win-championships
Greening Committee—outdoor education green space at the swamp
Rockwood has been very lucky to have Sue McKee (Nana to a couple of our students) take the lead on our schoolyard greening
project. Sue is an environmental research associate at the University of Ottawa and has a passion for Science education at all
levels. She has been volunteering doing some hands-on Science activities in the school over the past year through a program
called ‘Let’s Talk Science’ which she has been volunteering with for 17 years in Ottawa.
Sue has been assisting Rockwood with some funding proposals and applications for grants to fund the plan for improvements to
the Swamp area. This will make it more accessible and will include an outdoor classroom and learning play areas.
We would like to establish a ‘greening committee’ to oversee the requirements of any funding we receive (e.g. ensure the trees
get planted as per the guidelines, helping to find volunteers who will do some of the work, someone with financial skills to oversee the budget, etc.). We need your passion and commitment in helping to make our outdoor space around the Swamp into an
education space for our children and community. Our Green Club will assist with the project, and we can include a couple of
students on the committee as well.
If you are interested in being on the committee or would like more information, please email Sue at [email protected]
We look forward to working with you.
To see more information on the project, see our news article on our website http://rck.rcdsb.on.ca/en/news/index.aspx?
page=3&newsId=e8d85360-fdc2-4078-8888-bfe4a0ccb969
Guitar Lessons offered on Tuesdays at
Rockwood Public School by Ron Resmer
Certified Fretlight Guitar Teacher, combining computer technology with musical instruments
Contact Ron
at [email protected] 613-7356243 or 613-401-6243
https://www.facebook.com/lvaliceinwinterland or
http://www.laurentianvalleytwsp.on.ca