DONWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
River East Transcona School Division
Donwood School
400 Donwood Drive
Winnipeg, MB R2G 0X4
Phone: (204) 668-9438
School Hours:
8:55 - Entry Bell
9:00 - Start of Day
10:15-10:30 - Recess
11:45-12:45 - Lunch
2:00 - 2:15 - Recess
3:30 - Dismissal
Principal:
Mrs. C. Anderson
Vice-Principal:
Mr. R. Francis
Administrative Secretaries:
Mrs. D. Coppen
Mrs. L. Reimer (AM)
Donwood Lunch Program:
Mrs. J. Garofalo
Community Connector:
Mrs. C. Brown
Laugh & Learn Daycare:
(204) 668-3050
River East Transcona School Division
589 Roch Street
Winnipeg, MB R2K 2P7
(204) 667-7130
Transportation Department
(204) 669-0202
Winter 2016 Edition
Happy New Year and welcome back! However you chose to
ring in the New Year, we hope that you made special memories
with family and friends. Reflecting upon 2015, we have much
to be grateful for and anticipate great things at Donwood
School in 2016!
Our winter concert celebration on December 15th was a huge
success. We had well over 900 people attend 1 or more of our
3 performances! Again, thank you so much to everyone involved. Our students did a wonderful job of entertaining their
audience! Congratulations to Alex Omsen & Gary & Cynthia
Light, our lucky winners of the winter concert raffle baskets.
Our community was very generous in donating many items for
hampers and Winnipeg Harvest. Thank you all for your generosity.
We have had a mild and beautiful start
to our winter. “Winterpeg” has arrived!
I would like to remind all students to
dress appropriately for the cooler temperatures. All of our students have two
15 minute recesses as well as a ½ hour
lunch break opportunity to play outdoors. Please ensure that all children
are dressed appropriately! If you are in
need of mittens or hats, please do not
hesitate to inquire at our office. Our friends at the Bank of
Montreal (Springfield) decorated their Christmas tree with
mittens and hats and generously donated them to our school.
Winter 2016 Newsletter
Administration Report
As the weather welcomes our winter snow, please be mindful that it may hinder our vision.
Parents please continue to be mindful of safety when dropping off and picking up your children
from school. Thank you to all parents for your support in our efforts to maintain the safest possible environment for your children by following the signs for drop off when you are in your vehicle. Our patrols do need the crosswalk areas clear. Thank you for following the street signs
and parking accordingly. Kudos also must go out to all of our patrols who give so much time to
help make our school a safe place!
Our students soon will be celebrating I Love to Read Month in February. We have many exciting events and guests visiting our school. We are grateful to the many readers from our
community that are sharing this special time and celebrating the joy of reading with our students.
In the month of February, we are looking to our community to donate gently used books to our
school that will be used as travelling book bins within classrooms and also to provide summer
reading opportunities for our students. We will graciously accept your donations at the school
office.
Although it’s cold outside, inside at Donwood School our students have been engaged in many
learning activities. We have been working on literacy in all of our classrooms. Our students are
very excited about their writing projects. Our school will be hosting a classroom book launch in
our library on February 24th at 6:30 P.M. More information will be forthcoming. Please save
the date!
Kindergarten and completed Middle Years registration forms along with In-Division School of
choice applications will be accepted on Monday, March 7th, beginning at 8:00 A.M. Please
pass the Kindergarten registration information along to your neighbors in the community that
have children that will be 5 years of age on or before December 31, 2016. Our German Bilingual Kindergarten presentation for Princess Margaret and Donwood schools will be held on
Tuesday, February 9th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Library at Donwood School. Please join us
for an exposure to the German Bilingual program 5:30 to 6:30 pm in our gymnasium. Students
from Donwood, Princess Margaret, Chief Peguis and River East Collegiate look forward to sharing their learning with you.
Winter 2016 Newsletter
2
Administration Report
Our students have demonstrated their many gifts and talents with their continued efforts in
academics, our music program and athletics throughout the school year. We are all very proud
of their dedication and hard work in making our school and community the best it can be.
We look forward to celebrating your child’s learning with you during our Student Led Conferences on Thursday, March 17th, 4:00 – 7:30 and Friday March 18th 1:00 – 3:30. Our students
have been working hard and are excited to share their learning with you. It is a wonderful opportunity for you, as parents/guardians, to display a positive interest in your child’s learning.
Thank you for supporting your child’s academic progress by being an integral part of setting
goals for next term with your child and their teacher. We know that we are more effective as a
team of learners when strong partnerships are established between students, parents and
teachers.
We are very fortunate to have so many parent and community volunteers. We cannot thank
you enough for your partnership in your child’s learning! Thank you to all of our families as
you continue to help us with student safety by reporting to the office if you need to speak with
a teacher or drop off something for your child. We are happy to assist you.
Dressing for the Weather
Parents please help us ensure your child is warm when he/she goes out for recesses.
The fresh air and time to exercise are important even during winter months.
All children are required to go outside for all recesses, including lunch recess, unless
the temperature reaches -27C or the wind chill reaches -27C.
On cold days, before each recess, we will check the Weather Forecast found under the
Helpful Links located on the Donwood School website for accurate information about
the temperature and the wind chill factor.
Dressing warmly and staying dry are essential to prevent frostbite.
Children should wear:
A hat
A neck tube or other covering for the face (covering the mouth and nose)
Mittens or gloves
Winter 2016 Newsletter
3
PAC News
All parents are most welcome to attend our Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
meetings without committing to a PAC executive position. Donwood
School’s PAC plays an important role in your child’s school life. We are an
active and committed group of parents with the purpose of fostering the
well-being and effectiveness of our school community. PAC organizes the
Hot Lunches, Staff Appreciation Luncheon, participates in Movie Night,
and fundraises for various projects around the school to help make this a
great place for our kids to learn and grow. This is a perfect opportunity to
volunteer at our school, outside of the school day. Great work has been
done with our PAC and school staff working together, such as our greening work and playground initiatives. We are currently working on enhancing literacy with our students by volunteering to read in classrooms and also establishing a book exchange that will allow great new books into all of
our students homes over the summer months.
Please see our website or call the school to get information regarding upcoming meetings.
Beginning
March, 2016 the PAC agenda’s will be posted 1 week
prior to the meetings on the school website in the PAC
link. If you have a great idea you would like to bring forward for discussion, please contact our chair of PAC,
Connie Janzen-Winter at [email protected]. She
is available to discuss your request in consultation with
our administration and add your agenda item to the business arising portion of our agenda.
We would like to invite you to our final PAC meeting this school year on
Tuesday, May 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Family Room at Donwood
School. The meeting will be approximately one hour in length. Many wonderful ideas to support our students have come from our PAC members
and we hope to hear yours too! Elections for officers will be held at our
May 10th meeting. All positions are open to new members. If you would
like more information on the elected positions please check the Parent Association tab of the Donwood website for copies of the Minutes or call the
school to be connected with a PAC rep.
We look forward to seeing you!
Winter 2016 Newsletter
4
WINTER MUSIC NOTES...
Joseph Family Ensemble
On the last day before Christmas break, Donwood students were treated to a short musical
performance by former students, siblings,
Cuinn, Connor, Kara and Kristian. The family
ensemble entertained us through their shared
love of singing, with some Christmas selections and some other songs, often singing in 4part harmony. They spoke of their musical
roots at Donwood, and how they have all gone
on to pursue music in one way or another.
They were wonderful role models for our students, and our students welcomed them with
attentiveness and polite audience behaviour.
We are so proud of our students!
Winnipeg Music Festival
The grade four and five choirs are currently preparing for a performance at the Winnipeg Music Festival in March. It is a perfect opportunity to work towards achieving a
high level goal as a group. Other choirs, of the same age level, will be participating and
will have the chance to listen to each other. The performance will be at Westminster
United Church on Maryland Ave. Parents are welcome to attend the performance,
however, please note that there will be a minimal admission charge. (free for 12 and
under). Permission slips will be sent home closer to the event.
What do children learn from the process of preparing for the music festival or a concert?....
TEAMWORK…..as they blend their voices, collaborate and work together. They
learn to understand differences and diversity and realize the ways that teamwork contributes to a great performance or goal.
COOPERATION AND SELF-CONTROL…..as they work within a large group towards a common goal and use self-discipline and persistence to get there.
PATIENCE……as they repeat and refine phrases of music through the practicing
process.
RISK-TAKING…..as they take a deep breath and sing in front of peers and adults,
gaining confidence as they go.
PRIDE AND SELF-ESTEEM ……as they experience success and joy in performance.
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT STUDENTS HAVE ONLY TO GAIN FROM INVOLVEMENT IN THE ARTS.
Con’t…..
Winter 2016 Newsletter
5
WINTER MUSIC NOTES...
WSO Recorder Ensemble
A small group of grade 5 students have been diligently preparing for a performance
with the WSO on February 11th at 1:00 p.m. The students are part of our Donwood
WSO Recorder Ensemble. Students have committed to rehearse at lunch or recess
times and also at home. They will be performing Chariots of Fire by Vangelis, along
with students from Princess Margaret School and Lord Wolseley School. Congratulations to those students persevering with this challenging goal.
Adventures in Music Field Trip
Students in 5E and 5T will have the opportunity to prepare for and attend this year’s
WSO Adventures in Music Concert on Tuesday March 8th, 2016. The concert is specifically designed to complement the grade five music curriculum. The music has an
Olympic - themed focus. All the selections will be studied in class prior to hearing the
music live at the field trip. Permission slips will be sent home closer to the event.
MAKING THE MOVE
Planning has begun for the final phase of “Making the Move”, RETSD’s initiative to reconfigure all schools in the division into early (K-5), middle (6-8), and senior years (912) groupings.
Beginning in September 2016, schools within the Miles Macdonell Collegiate catchment area will be grouped this way:
Early Years (K-5) at Angus McKay, Lord Wolseley Elementary School, Neil Campbell
School, Polson School, Prince Edward School
Middle Years (6-8) at John Henderson Junior High School, Munroe Junior High
School,
Senior Years (9-12) at Miles Macdonell Collegiate
To find out more, click the “Making the Move” link on the division website at
www.retsd.mb.ca
Winter 2016 Newsletter
6
DONWOOD SCHOOL
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
THURSDAY, JANUARY 28TH
6:30 P.M.
Admission is free
But you must register forms will be sent home
with students!
SNACKS OF
Popcorn $.75 and
Water $.75
will be
Available to
Purchase.
**ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED
AND ACTIVELY SUPERVISED BY AN
ADULT**
All proceeds go to
Support
Doors will open at 6:00. Movie
bEgins at 6:30. All doors will be
locked at 6:45
Winter 2016 Newsletter
7
LUNCH PROGRAM NEWS
Families that chose the "2 Payment Option" for paying their child's lunch fees, a reminder that the second installment was due on January 4th. Thank you to those who
have already paid, and a reminder to those who still need to.
Receipts for payments made from September to December 2015 will be sent home by
February 29th.
Lastly, just a friendly little reminder to have your child come with the utensils needed
for eating their lunch. The program does not supply forks or spoons.
If your child was born in 2011, it is time to register
If your child
was
born in 2011,
it isyear.
them for Kindergarten
for the
2016-2017
school
time to register them for Kindergarten
When you come to register for
your the
child you
2016-2017
need to bring:school year.

2 pieces of identification for proof of residency (eg. Driver’s Licence, lease agreement)



Manitoba Medical Card
Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate or valid Treaty Card
Passport/Landed Immigrant papers if child was born outside of Canada
Kindergarten registration begins
Monday, March 7th, 2016 at 8:00 a.m.
in the school office
Winter 2016 Newsletter
8
NEWS FROM ROOM 20
We have had a great start to term 2 in 4/5H!
In Science, we completed our unit on Sound. The class participated in
exciting experiments to learn how sound is produced, and how sound
travels. We went step by step using the design process to create our
very own unique instruments! Our creations ranged from guitars and
maracas to drums and full drum sets! We were amazed at how creative every student was.
In Social Studies, we discussed how lucky we are to be Canadian! We
played a new class favourite, Canadian symbols bingo, and talked about
symbols that are uniquely Canadian. Students created a Canadian silhouette, highlighting things in their own lives that make them thankful to
be Canadian.
Art has been exciting and challenging. During our first project, we took
a closer look at snowmen. Each student created their own snowmen
perspectives, drawing in detail 4 different angles of their snowman. All
students created individual and extremely creative drawings!
Our second project, cardinal birds in winter, involved a lot of steps.
First, we painted a winter sky using watercolour paint. Students
added a salt detail for a special effect. Next, we drew, in pencil,
branches with our cardinal birds sitting peacefully. We added colour to our art by using oil pastels and glitter, making our birds really pop! We were delighted with the final product!
Winter 2016 Newsletter
9
We have been working really hard in English! We have
read and written a lot of winter poetry, such as name poems, acrostic poems, limericks and a 5 senses poem. It
was a challenge to think of rhyming words! We decorated
our Poet-Tree with acrostic poems in the shape of snowflakes, skates, snowmen and candy canes. For our final
poetry project, we wrote 5 senses poems imagining we
lived in a snow globe. We created our snow globes, and
even got to include ourselves stuck in the snow globe. We
had a lot of fun creating a visual to go with our writing.
Tuesdays and Thursdays have become exciting with the addition of Cup Stacking
Club. Students have created cup towers taller than Ms. Koehn! The rules of cup stacking club are- we share cups, we work together, we help clean up, and we build on the
floor. Students have been excellent at following the rules and enjoying the club!
On Fridays, we look forward to Peaceful Drawing Club. Students quietly draw, colour
and create illustrations of whatever they choose. Students have created very beautiful
drawings, and have enjoyed staying in and relaxing on
some of the colder days!
We are looking forward for what’s to come in 2016!
Ms. Hemphill, Ms. Koehn and the students of 4/5H
Winter 2016 Newsletter
10
Bird’s Hill, Dr. Hamilton,
Emerson, Maple Leaf, Sun Valley,
John Pritchard, Donwood
Donwood Elementary School
400 Donwood Dr.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
2–6 p.m.
Winter 2016 Newsletter
11
Please join us for an exposure to the
German Bilingual program at
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Donwood School
gymnasium. Students from Donwood , Princess Margaret, Chief Peguis and River East
schools look forward to sharing their learning
with you.
German Bilingual Kindergarten
Information Evening
will be held in the Library at
Donwood School
400 Donwood Avenue
on Tuesday, February 9th, 2016
from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Donwood School Stay and Play
Orientation for English and German
Bilingual Evening
May 31st, 2016
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
at Donwood School
Winter 2016 Newsletter
12
Safety Initiatives at Donwood School
Playground supervision begins at 8:40 a.m. and students should not be arriving unsupervised at school before that time. If you are picking up your child during the school
day, we ask that you send a note to your child’s teacher which indicates the time and
specifies who is coming.
Based on the need to monitor ALL visitors, for safety of all the children in the building
we would like to remind you of these practices.
If you walk you child to school, please drop them off at their designated door. The
teacher will meet the students at the door and escort them inside. To avoid congestion in the stairway/hallway and for student safety, we ask you to say your goodbyes
outdoors.
Please have your child report to the office when arriving late, and our staff will have
students report to the office if they are leaving early. We have a sign-out procedure to
keep track of early leaving and late arrival to ensure the safety of your children.
If you are dropping off items for your child (e.g. lunches, forgotten mitts, etc), please
bring them to the office and we will ensure that you child receives them.
We are fortunate to have many volunteers! If you are volunteering or visiting in the
school, please sign in at our office and we will provide you with a visitor or volunteer
lanyard. If you need to see/speak with a teacher, after school, please check in at the
office and we will be happy to let the teacher know that you are here.
FOR THE STUDENTS WHO WALK TO AND FROM SCHOOL
The safest practice when walking to and from school is to walk with at
least one friend. Always come straight to school and go straight home after school, unless alternate arrangements have been made. Always walk
where there are patrols to cross you. Our daily patrol schedule is:
8:40-8:55
3:30-3:45
11:40-11:55
12:30-12:45
Thanks patrols!! You are doing an awesome job!!
Winter 2016 Newsletter
13
Grade 5 Farewell
Wednesday, June 29th
1:00 p.m.
River East Transcona School Division Board of Trustees
Name
Ward
Colleen Carswell (Chair)
Jerry Sodomlak
John Toews
Rod Giesbrecht
Eva Prysizney
Wayne Ritcher
Peter Kotyk
Brian Olynik (Vice-Chair)
Michael West
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
Email address
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Winter 2016 Newsletter
14
LIBRARY NEWS...
HOW DOES READING MEASURE UP?

Reading has an impact on every part of Canadian life. Our democracy, our economy, and the quality of our daily lives are all enhanced by reading well critically

Individuals demonstrating higher levels of literacy were more likely to be employed, work more weeks in a year and earn higher wages

Literary readers are much more likely to perform volunteer work than non-literary
readers


Reading fiction predicts empathic accuracy

Reading was proved 68% better at reducing stress levels than listening to music;
100% more effective than drinking a cup of tea; 300% better than going for a
walk; and 700% more than playing video games!
Reading books is associated with better health, volunteering and strong satisfaction with life
will be
Monday, March 21st to Thursday, March 24th
in the Art Room
Winter 2016 Newsletter
15
Century Skating Club would like to invite you to join our CanSkate program offered at Terry Sawchuk Arena. Our CanSkate program runs on
Tuesday afternoons from 4:45 to 5:30 pm starting January 5 and continues weekly until March 8 2016.
CanSkate is a dynamic learn-to-skate program that focuses on fun, participation, and skill development. Based on Sport Canada’s long term athlete
development (LTAD) principles, CanSkate centers on physical literacy and
the fundamental skills needed to take part in any ice sport or to skate as a
recreational activity.
Our Tuesday afternoon program is open to all participants who are wishing
to improve their basic skills whether their focus is figure skating, hockey,
ringette, speed skating, or just for fun! CanSkate is a great opportunity for
all willing participants to stay active, build friendships, and of course have
fun!
If you would like more information regarding our program please visit our
website, www.centuryskatingclub.com or email us at [email protected]
Winter 2016 Newsletter
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Phys-Ed News
Gymnastics
The Donwood gymnastics club is well underway and there is a
lot of excitement about gymnastics. The club is for students in
grades 3-5. We have 40+ participants. We will learn a warm
up routine, a creative routine, and tumbling skills.
We practice in the morning (creative routine) and at lunch
(tumbling skills). Please check the schedule for morning practices.
We will perform at the annual RETSD Tumbling Rally at River East Collegiate one
night in March.
Dance Club
During January and February Donwood students are invited
to dance in the gym during the afternoon recess (2:00pm)
2X per week. This is a great time to enjoy some dance and
exercise with friends.
Outdoor Activities
Please be sure to be prepared for outdoor physical education times outside during
January, February, and March. We sometimes go outside for tobogganing and games,
weather permitting.
Cross Country Skiing
We will have a grade 5 cross country ski club in February. Our
meeting times will be from 3:30 – 4:30. Dates for this will be sent
home with a permission note.
Jump Rope Club
Students in grades 3 - 5 will be able to participate in a jump rope skills
club. This club will be for students who would like to learn new jump
rope skills and improve at jump rope. This activity will be held during
lunch hour recess times (2X per week) during February and March.
Winter 2016 Newsletter
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JUNIOR HIGH/MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES
CHIEF PEGUIS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Thursday, February 11th at 6:00 p.m.
JOHN HENDERSON
Tuesday, February 16th at 6:30 p.m.
JOHN PRITCHARD
Thursday, February 18th at 6:30 p.m.
ROBERT ANDREWS
Wednesday, February 3rd at 6:30 p.m.
SALISBURY MORSE PLACE
Wednesday, February 3rd at 6:30 p.m.
VALLEY GARDENS
Tuesday, February 9th at 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
TIPI TEACHINGS
On January 11th a tipi was set up in Donwood’s school library for 3 weeks. We
are very excited about the opportunity to teach our students about the Teachings of the Lodge and the significance of the tipi. Through morning announcements and displays throughout the library our students learned more about this
important structure.
Winter 2016 Newsletter
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TIPI TEACHINGS
Tipi Teachings
Did you know that traditionally women were in charge of setting up the tipi?
Each pole of the tipi has an important meaning and message. The Cree people use 15 poles to make the structure of the tipi. For every pole in that tipi,
there is a teaching.
OBEDIENCE
Obedience means accepting guidance and wisdom from others. We use our
ears before our mouths and learn right from wrong by watching our parents.
Behaviours
RESPECT
Respect means giving honor to our Elders and fellow students, to the strangers
that come to visit our community, and to all of life. We must honor the basic
rights of all others.
HUMILITY
We are all equal and we all belong.
HAPPINESS
After the tripod is up, the fourth pole completes your doorway. This fourth pole
teaches us happiness. We must show some enthusiasm to encourage others.
Our good actions will make others happy.
LOVE
Love means to be good and kind to one another and to ourselves.
FAITH
We must learn to believe and trust others as well as trust that we can make it
through good times and times that are hard.
Winter 2016 Newsletter
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TIPI TEACHINGS
KINSHIP
Our family is important to us. This includes our parents, brothers and sisters, who
love us and give us roots that tie us to the lifeblood of the earth. It also includes
extended family: grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, and their in-laws
and children. They are also our brothers and sisters and give us a sense of belonging to a community.
CLEANLINESS
Today when we talk about cleanliness, most people think hygiene, and that’s
very important. But years ago, when old people talked about cleanliness, they
meant spiritual cleanliness. With a clean mind and sense of peace within we
learn not to harm others. Good health habits also reflect a clean mind.
THANKFULNESS
We learn to give thanks: to always be thankful for the Creator’s bounty, which
we are privileged to share with others, and for all the kind things others do for
us.
SHARING
We learn to be part of a family and community by helping each other out.
Through the sharing of responsibilities we learn the value of working together.
STRENGTH
We are not talking about physical strength, but spiritual strength. We must learn
to be patient in times of trouble and not to complain but show understanding.
GOOD CHILD REARING
Children are gifts from the Creator. We are responsible for their wellbeing, spiritually, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.
HOPE
We must look forward to moving toward good things. We must believe that
others will help and support us.
ULTIMATE PROTECTION
This is the ultimate responsibility to achieve the balance and well being of the
body, mind, emotions and spirit for the individual, the family, the community
and the nation.
Winter 2016 Newsletter
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TIPI TEACHINGS
CONTROL FLAPS
The control flaps on a tipi teach that we are all connected and that we depend on each other. Having respect and understanding for this connection
creates balance. When we don’t know how to use the flaps, it gets all smoky
inside the tipi, and you can’t see.
POLES
For every time that a pole is added, a rope goes around to bind that pole into
place. You have to be there and see it to appreciate that teaching. That rope
is a sacred bond, binding all the teachings together until they are all connected.
From:
homepage.usask.ca/~las323/TIPIS.html
RETSD PATROL COLD WEATHER POLICY
During extremely cold weather, the following River East
Transcona School Division guidelines for an abbreviated
student patrol schedule will be followed:
Windchill
-27 °C to -34 °C
It is recommended that time on post not exceed 10 minutes. Warm clothing is essential. Facial protection is recommended.
-35 °C to -40 °C
It is recommended that time on post not exceed five minutes. Posts located more than a five-minute walk from the school will not be patrolled.
Warm clothing and facial protection is essential.
Below -40 °C
No student patrols on post. The school will notify the students and parents
of this abbreviated patrol schedule.
Winter 2016 Newsletter
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PATROLS
Patrol Posts and Duty times
To keep everyone safe on their way to and from school,
we provide patrols. They are provided with training from
both the school staff and the police department. They
have an important job to do and we need to support them
when we can. Please respect them and encourage them.
They are on post in all kinds of weather and at the following places and times:
Posts: Parking Lot
Crosswalks (in front of the school)
Edelweiss
Bus loop
Brian
Quiring
Times: 8:40-8:55am
11:45-11:55am
12:30-12:45pm
3:30-3:45pm
If you have any questions, please contact the school at
204-668-9438.
Thanks to our Street, Kindergarten and Bus Patrols!!
You are doing an AWESOME job!!
Winter 2016 Newsletter
22
CONNECTOR’S CORNER
PUMPKIN CARVING NIGHT
In October, we had our first family pumpkin carving event. It was a huge success.
Each family that came was given one pumpkin along with their own pumpkin carving
kit. We had over 100 people come out. For a few families, this was the first time they
had carved a pumpkin. ……
FUN FUN FUN!!!
GINGERBREAD HOUSE EVENING
In December, we had our annual gingerbread house evening. Forty-five families came
out to build their own gingerbread house, while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate and
listening to Christmas carols. For some families this too, was the first time they had
built a gingerbread house. What a WONDERFUL NIGHT!!!!!
Winter 2016 Newsletter
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CONNECTOR’S CORNER
FREE FAMILY LEARNING EVENT
On February 16, 2016, join us for our FREE Family Learning Evening, called
EUREKA. Parents/caregivers and their children, play learn and laugh together. During this evening program, you will have an opportunity to make crafts, play games,
read books, exercise, enjoy a healthy snack and socialize with friends and neighbours.
There will be 15 exciting stations that are math and science based. EUREKA!!!! Excitement for the whole family.
STAY AND PLAY
Every Thursday from 1:00 TO 3:00 PM parents/caregivers can bring their children,
birth to 5 years and themselves, to the Family Room at Donwood School. This is an
afternoon filled with crafts, snacks, singing songs, reading a story, and lots and lots of
free play. This an opportunity for the parents/caregiver to meet other parents from the
neighbourhood. There is no registration required and the program is absolutely
FREE.
Winter 2016 Newsletter
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CONNECTOR’S CORNER
HANDLE WITH CARE
On February 3, our Community Connector will be facilitating a Handle with Care program. This is a program designed to help parents/caregivers to promote mental health
of young children of all ages.
What is mental health?
A positive state of wellbeing. This is a positive resource that can benefit EVERYONE.
Mental health is part of our own and our children’s overall health. It is about how we
feel, think and behave. How we cope with up and downs of everyday life. How we
feel about ourselves and others in our lives. How stress affects us. How we deal with
negative things that happen in our life. How secure we feel about where we belong in
this world.
In this program you will learn about building trust and attachment, building and enhancing self-esteem, expressing emotions, and relationships with others.
Since there is limited space, I will take first come first serve.
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SUN
3
MON
4
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
5
6
7
8
9
12
13
14
15
16
Grades 4
Immunizations
Early Dismissal at
2:45 PM
First day of classes
after break (Day 1)
SCHOOL OPENS
10
11
Hot lunch
PAC Meeting at
7 PM
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30/31
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SUN
MON
1
TUE
2
WED
3
THU
4
FRI
5
SAT
6
Co-ordinated Day
NO CLASSES
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
17
18
19
20
24
25
26
27
German Bilingual
Kindergarten Information Evening
14
21
15
16
Louis Riel Day
NO SCHOOL
Eureka - Family
Learning Event
22
23
Early Dismissal at
2:45 PM
28
29
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SUN
MON
TUE
1
WED
2
THU
3
FRI
4
SAT
5
AM classes as usualPM no classes
6
7
8
Kindergarten registration begins
PAC Meeting
9
10
11
12
Hot Lunch
Report cards go
home
13
14
15
16
17
18
Evening Student Led
Conferences
Co-ordinated Day
(No classes)
19
Student Led Conferences (PM)
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
Good Friday No School
27
28
29
30
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30