April 2015 newsletter - Charles Bowman Public School

CHARLES BOWMAN
PUBLIC SCHOOL
http://charlesbowman.kprdsb.ca
(905) 697-1777 (905) 697-1558 Fax
195 Bons Ave, Bowmanville, On L1C 0L3
APRIL 2015
NEWSLETTER
Stephen Fisher, Principal,
stephen_fisher@kprdsb.ca
Peter Knierim, Vice-Principal,
peter_knierim@kprdsb.ca
Kim Hancock, School Council Chair, kimhancock@rogers.com
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Cyberbullying
Many parents have expressed concern
to teachers or to myself about computer
usage, specifically, Facebook. For those
of you with older children, you know that
Facebook is a social networking program.
While it is very motivating for many
students to engage in this type of reading
and writing activity, it is a double-edged
sword. While most students send
innocuous messages to each other, others
engage in vicious, cruel, vile and/or
profane interactions. There is a perception
of invisibility when using the internet and
young people are often careless about
their words, believing that s/he cannot be
caught. Hiding behind the anonymity of
the internet emboldens some students who
feel free to say things on a computer
screen that they would never say face to
face. The term “cyberbullying” has been
coined to describe the sending or posting
of harmful or cruel text or images using the
Internet or other digital devices. Most
cyberbullying originates on home
computers, often right under the noses of
unsuspecting adults. Parents, who foot the
Cathy Abraham, Trustee, 905-987-1833,
cathy_abraham@kprdsb.ca
Sarah Bobka, Trustee, 289-356-2133,
sarah_bobka@kprdsb.ca
Shelly Roy, Supt. of Student Achievement, 905-623-4687,
ext. 221
shelly_roy@kprdsb.ca
bill for their children’s electronic toys, often
remain oblivious of the dangers for misuse.
It is important for parents to get and remain
involved in the use and possible abuse of
computer technologies. Although the
school can support you, parents remain on
the front lines for protecting children at
home. Stay involved with your child’s
online experiences. Parents have a moral,
as well as legal obligation to ensure that
their children are engaged in safe and
responsible behaviour, including online
behaviour. Here are some strategies
parents can implement:




Learn about new technologies. If you
are unfamiliar with the internet, now is
the time to start surfing the Web.
Learn the many ways that children
can bully electronically through social
networks, instant messaging, emails,
blogs, digital photos and videos,
twitter;
Keep the computer in a public place
in the house. Periodically check on
what your child is doing;
Watch out for secretive behaviour as
you approach the computer, such as
rapidly switching screens, and for

attempts to hide online behaviour,
such as an empty history file;
Be up front with your child that you
will periodically investigate the files on
the computer, the browser history
files, and your child’s public online
activities;
www.responsiblenetizen.org/cyberbullying/
www.bullying.org
Class Placements for 2015/16
As we get closer to the end of the school year,
I know many people start to think of where their
child will be in the following year. Requests for
particular teachers will not be gathered
because it is very difficult to honour such
requests, and we as a staff spend a lot of time
dividing up classes and looking for best fit for
student and teacher for the following year.
Agency Fair. It will be on Thursday, April 16th
from 7 – 9 p.m. in the Charles Bowman gym.
There will be many different agencies such as
Resources for Exceptional Children and
Kerry’s Place here to offer support and
assistance to parents in the community.
EQAO PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed to scribe for individual
students in grade 6 and 3 during EQAO
If you are available to help our Special
Education Resource Teachers (SERTS) during
the last week of May and the first week of
June, please call the school and speak to
Jenny Gardiner or Tara Bond.
FROM THE LIBRARY
If you have a request for your child to be
placed in a class with a particular student, we
will gather these requests and do our best to
honour them. Please hand these requests into
the office, in writing, by May 30th. You can also
email them to me at
Stephen_Fisher@kprdsb.ca
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our
school from April 22nd – 29th. This is a great
fundraiser for the library since we are able to
keep a percentage to spend on new materials.
Information about the hours and the Classroom
Wish List Program will be sent home later this
month, along with flyers containing a preview
of some of the exciting titles available. The
Book Fair will also be open on April 23rd from
5:30-6:30 p.m.
SAFE ARRIVAL
SCHOOL COUNCIL
Thank you to all parents and guardians who do
call in to the school when your child/children
are ill or out for appointments. This enables
the attendance to be completed in a timely
manner and then we know that all of the
students at Charles Bowman are safe. Please
note that call answer is always on for your
convenience.
AGENCY FAIR
The Charles Bowman Special Needs Parent
Committee has once again organized an
School Council wants families to “Save the
Date” – April 23. During that evening we will
feature an Anti-Bullying Magic Show for
parents and children to come together and
enjoy a fast paced, funny magic show that
delivers an inspiring message about
understanding and overcoming bullying.
Kim Hancock
School Council Chair
Next Council Meeting: Tuesday, April 28,
2015 @ 6:30 pm in the School Library. All
parents and community members are welcome
to attend! Agendas and meeting minutes can
be found on the School Website under School
Council.
If you would like to receive a paper copy of the
newsletter and haven’t already notified us, please call
the school. Thank you.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Come Try Ringette
Free event for ages 4 and up. Come and try
ringette on Saturday, April 11th at 12:00 noon,
Oshawa Legends Arena, Pad 2, everyone
welcome. Pre-register at
www.cometryringette.ca Equipment required:
helmet, skates & gloves, and enthusiasm, we
supply the rest. For further information contact
Megan Campbell at
oshawacometryringette@g.mail.com