giant`s head elementary school june newsletter

GIANT’S HEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
JUNE NEWSLETTER
Principal's ' Message
Here we are at the end of another school year. It's not just another year for me as it is the end of a
most enjoyable thirty-one years in education. I feel most fortunate to have wrapped up my career in
such a great school. I would like to thank parents, students and staff for their efforts in making this
a most successful year.
This is an extremely busy time of year and we would ask that you refer to the attached June
calendar to keep track of all of the activities. We hope that you all have a safe and enjoyable
summer and we look forward to seeing our returning students on Tuesday, September 6, 2011.
----------------------------------------------------------BELL SCHEDULE
8:40
8:45
10:20 – 10:40
12:15– 12:30
12:30 – 1:00
2:35
1ST Bell
Classes Begin
Recess
Lunch
Outside
Dismissal
OKANAGAN INTERNATIONAL
CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
On May 26th & 27th our students had the
wonderful opportunity to attend this great
event featuring musicians, dancers, actors,
comedians and storytellers.
Funding for this
event was made possible by our Mathathon fund
raiser.
SAFE ARRIVAL
To
Lori Decharmes,
Martina Smid,
Tammy Van Delft,
Caralee Robertson, Deanna Stockmann and Erin
Annett our wonderful volunteers who come in
one morning each week to make calls home to
ensure that all students are accounted for and
safe! Please continue to call 250-770-7671
when your child will be away. This makes our
volunteers’ job a lot easier.
LIBRARY
All library books are due June 17,2011. Please
help your child return all their library books by
that date. If your child has a lost library book,
please pay the replacement cost of the book.
If the library book is found, your money will be
returned to you – even if you find it over the
summer and return it in the fall!
DISTRICT TRACK MEET
Grades 4 and 5 students attended the track
meet on June 1st. Unfortunately it was rained
out and students returned to the school halfway
through the day.
PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR
It may seem like a long way off, but we are in the
early stages of planning for next year. You can help
us by:
• Letting us know if you are planning
to move before September 2011.
• If you know people who have
moved into our area, but have
kept their children at another
school for the rest of this school
year, have them register at Giant's Head now
for next September.
• If you know people with kindergarten aged
children, encourage them to register now for
next September.
The seventeen grade 3 students who
represented Giant’s Head at this run were:
Sophia Kim
Laurel Bossert -6th
Blythe Mckelvie
Saki Smith
Mary Benoit
Paige Russill -4th
Karrah Roelfsema Tessa Nesdoly
Kinga Kotulska
Sawyer Maddock
Luke Usher
Chris Resh
Issac Jonsson-Good
Koen Buckingham
th
Stephen Searcy-7
Nicholas Bidwell
Cameron Miller
Thank you to all the parents for coming out to
cheer on the team. Thank you to Mrs. Krieger
and Ms. Shiosaki for coaching the team.
HEALTH FAIR
Thank you to all of our volunteers who helped at
our second annual Health Fair event this Friday.
A special thank you to Mary Ann Chartrand who
introduced Zumba to our students as well as,
Lisa Hallquist with Pilates, Jenny Mitchell and
Nadeen Hall with fun fitness activities, Jake
Evans with Hip Hop dancing, Megan Payne with
Juggling, SSS students with soccer skills, and
Chris Bailey with skateboarding. We'd also like
to thank our keynote speaker, Ellen Woodd for
inspiring our students to set goals and make
healthy choices. Dr. Sarah Broder was also at
our school speaking to our intermediate
students about remaining tobacco free. Thanks
also to our group of parent volunteers who ran
our various Educational Stations as well as to a
group of leadership students from both SSS
and SMS.
Thank you to Mrs. Shanner & Mrs McIntosh
for organizing this great event!
WESTBENCH GRADE 3 RUN
On Wednesday May 11, West Bench School
hosted the cross-country run for Grade 3
students. T he 2 km cross country run is over
and down hills. It started at 3:15 p.m. The
students took the bus there. The grade3 girls
ran then the grade 3 boys ran. All 17 students
finished the run, had fun and did their best.
KALEDEN RUN
The district Kaleden Run took place At the
Pioneer Park in Kaleden on Friday, May 20th. A
group of 22, Grade 4 and 5 students
represented Giant’s Head’s School on this 3.1 km
run. The students took the school bus at 8:35
a.m. They ran on the Trans Canada Trail from
Kaleden towards Penticton for 1.5 km then after
reaching the turn around point they returned to
Kaleden. All 22 students did their best and
completed the run. Thank you to Mrs. Berekoff
for coaching the team. Thank you to the parents
who came out to cheer on the runners.
Grade 5
Emma Fetterer
Tula Thurlin
Jessica
Michaud
Grace Stewner Brook Ure
Ethan Stewner
Carter Tower -2nd
Takeshi Smith
Remy Houde
Simon Carter
Grade 4
Haleigh Bach
Rayman Klar
Ally Handfield
Rachel Berekoff
Alissa Hogg
Avery Mckelvey
Jason Scherban - 6th
Ethan Sands
Simon Groot
Riley Hanley
Liam Trewhitt
Brendan Mcwatters
The running club met regularly for
practices onTuesday and Thursday
mornings at 8:00 a.m. The students
would do a warm up, run and do cool
downs. We started running on April 12
and ran until May 19. We are impressed
by the participation of our students and
appreciate the support of Mrs.
Brickenden, Mrs. Berekoff, Ms. Barton,
Mrs. Shanner, Mrs. Krieger and
Ms.Shiosaki.
Running members are:
Grade 5
Emma Russill
Emma Fetterer
Remy Houde
Darien Maddocks
Hannah Lusted
Courtney Solar
Jessica Michaud Carter Tower
Lacey Blake
Nicholas Westbrook
Brook Ure
Simon Carter
Keegan Foley
Grace Stewner
Madison Hilgersom Kayla Deane
Vayda Poetsch
Megan Rogall
Ethan Stewner
Emma Fetterer
Ben Westbrook Michael Johnstone
Mikayla Matsumoto Tula Thurlin
Raina Whitfield Takeshi Smith
Adrian Wilkinson Ryann Buckingham
Grade 4
Haleigh Bach
Mitchell Gove
Rayman Klar
Katarina Sterk
Ally Handfield
Riley Hanley
Bella Gayan
Liam Trewhitt
Rachel Berekoff Simon Groot
Alissa Hogg
Avery Mckelvey
Natalie Benoit
Ethan Sands
Mickey Joynt
Tieran Foley
Jason Scherban
Faith Fraser
Haley Michaud
Jack Taylor
Brendan Mcwatters Payton Preston
Grade 3
Sophia Kim
Laurel Bossert
Blythe Mckelvie Tessa Nesdoly
Chris Resh
Saki Smith
Mary Benoit
Nicholas Bidwell
Kayla Rogall
Cameron Miller
Paige Russill
Stephen Searcy
Devyn Slade
Kinga Kotulska
Kayln Smith
Morgan Hilgersom
Karrah Roelfsema Jaiden Silvius
Luke Usher
Blayne Gard
Gurkamal Rathore Sawyer Maddock
Hannah Harbor
Koen Buckingham
Issac Jonsson-Good Tessa Nesdoly
Special Runners:
Amy Berekoff, Tessa Poetsch, Emma
Carter, Kooper H. Desmond D., Aaron M.,
Abby, Kiera S., Kaylee B., Lazar, Noah,
Kaila, Brooklyn, and
Mrs. Mckelvey.
BIKE SAFETY PROGRAM
Students from Mrs. Krieger's, Mrs. Rudisill’s and Ms. Shiosaki’s classes
participated in a bicycle safety program at the Penticton Safety Village
in May. At the Penticton Safety Village, the students had their bike
helmets checked, looked at the parts of the bike and practiced safe bike
riding skills and road safety. The students also practiced 911 calls and
fire safety drills. Constable Lefebvre came to the school and talked
about road safety and bike riding rules. The students watched a bike
helmet video and checked to see if their helmets fit properly.
The students concentrated on three important areas:
1
2
3
rules of the road
bicycle maintenance
safe handling skills
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Children born in 2005 are eligible to enter kindergarten in September 2010. Parents,
who feel their child is not yet ready for kindergarten, may defer enrollment for one year.
Please contact Wendy Hyer (770-7700) at the School Board
Office for information on this.
Placement in your neighborhood school kindergarten is based
on your address and registration date. The earlier you
register, the more likely your child will attend a school close
to your home.
Register at your neighborhood school during regular school
hours.
A birth certificate and proof of address will be required
WELCOME TO SUMMER SCHOOL!
As you make plans for your summer, please remember that summer school is a fantastic opportunity for
students to strengthen the learning that has occurred over the past 10 months. Courses that are offered
during Summer School focus on reinforcing concepts and skills through games and fun hands-on activities.
Students who have participated in Summer School in the past have enjoyed the time they have spent and felt
good about what they have learned.
Summer School courses will be funded by the Ministry of Education and School District #67.
Elementary school programs will run July 4th to 15th from 8:30am until 12:30 pm at Wiltse Elementary
School.
* Please note: Registration into remedial programs (reading, math) will now require a teacher referral as
well as teacher/principal signature confirmation.
Course information & registration forms will be available in schools beginning in May and on the district
website at www.sd67.bc.ca. Please register at your child’s school before the registration deadline of June 17th
The Breakfast Clubs last day for the school year is Friday June 24th. The club will re-open in mid September
to Feed the Body, Feed the Mind.
I would like to thank Jon Alexander, owner of Interior Inc Works for the Breakfast for Learning aprons. Our
little ambassadors love to wear them. Tammy Carters group from Summerland Girl Guides gave the
program cookies for a snack. Thank-you! We are very grateful to Heather Martin, president of the Kinette
Club of Penticton for a generous donation to the Breakfast Program this month.
I would like to thank my volunteers and sponsors for helping make this year a success:
Sponsors:
Volunteers:
Penny Lane Bargain Outlet
Barry and Maureen Scholes
Nester’s Market
Martina Smid
Breakfast for Learning
Carol Mullis
Summerland Sweets
Crystal Wiens
Summerland Asset Development Initiative
Dallas Karnish
Parent Advisory Council
Dorothy Deane
Mazon Foundation
Mike Wright
Rotary Club
Joanne Altina
Bluegrass Music
Melisa Algar
Kinsmen
Anne Phillips
V-Line Construction Ltd.
Food Emporium
Cake Box
Fruit Tree Project
Kinette Group of Penticton
Nesters Market has provided the opportunity for people to donate their grocery points towards Breakfast for
Learning. We are able to use these points to buy food items for the program. If you want to donate your
points, please tell the cashier at the time of checkout. The points program offer shoppers to participate,
creating a community interest in a sense of supporting our local children.
Thank you for caring about today’s children. Looking forward to seeing you all in September!
Program
Valerie Wright
Coordinator
NEW PLAYGROUND
A special thank you goes to Cheryl Bird, Barb Nightingale and Julie Planiden. We appreciate the
generous contribution of their time to find grants and to fundraise to make our new playground
possible.
PAC NEWS
Help Required
Volunteers are needed to prepare desserts for the Grade 5 Leadership lunch on June 14th, we require help to
prepare food and set up and take down for the staff appreciation lunch on Thursday June 16th as well as hot dog
purchasers & cooks for the Primary Fun Day on June 23rd and Intermediate Fun Day on June 24th. Please email the
PAC at ghspac@summer.com to help out.
Fun Lunch
The upcoming fun lunches will be June 3 - Subway; June 10 – Hot Dogs; June 17 - Murray’s Pizza; Thursday June 23
Intermediate students - Murray’s Pizza and Friday June 24 Primary students - Murray’s Pizza.
Next PAC Meetings
• Our next PAC meeting will be on Tuesday June 7, 2011 at 6:45 pm in the school library.
• The first PAC meeting of the 2011/2012 school year will be on Thursday September 15, 2011 at 6:45 pm in
the school library.
Thanks
Giant’s Head Elementary School is not only the largest elementary school in the district, but in our opinion, the best
elementary school in the district! The reason we are the best can be attributed to having an amazing staff, involved
parents and guardians who can volunteer time or contribute in some other fashion and students who have such
great attitudes.
• We would like to thank all of the staff for a great year. Mr. Smitten, Mr. Edwards and Mrs. Wolff have all
provided us with tremendous support throughout the entire year. Our custodians, Mr. Brotto & Mr.
Ricketts, are always available to help us after school hours without hesitation. Every teacher has helped us
with our fundraising by handing out and collecting forms and packages from all of the students. All of the
educational assistants and other support teachers and staff give us encouragement and contribute to the
great learning environment at our school. Mrs. Robb was patient with us and provided support to us for our
Book Fair. You are all a wonderful group of people who provide an incredible service to our school.
• Many of the activities our students enjoy such as swimming and busses for field trips are funded through
our fundraising efforts each year. Our largest fundraising program at our school is our Fun Lunch program.
We would like to thank the Fun Lunch committee and Friday Fun Lunch helpers for their commitment to our
Fun Lunch program. This dedicated group of volunteers have done a fantastic job and have built a strong
foundation for our Fun Lunch program.
• There were many other fundraising events held throughout the school year including: Mini Entertainment
Books, Theme Baskets, Family BBQ, Valentine’s Dance, Magazine Sales and a Book Fair. None of these
events would have been successful had it not been for the countless volunteers who helped make them
happen. Thank you to everyone who was able to contribute time to these fundraising events.
• Our school has a safe arrival program. We would like to thank Lori Ducharme, Martina Smid, Tammy Van
Delft, Caralee Robertson and Erin Annett who arrive at the school each morning to ensure that every
student who should be in school has arrived safely.
• It takes many volunteers to help the PAC run smoothly and organize PAC sponsored events. There are many
individuals who have contributed time and/or resources to the PAC and school. We would like to
acknowledge those individuals and thank them for their dedication to our school.
• As we are all aware, Mr. Miles Smitten will be retiring at the end of the school year. We would like to thank
Mr. Smitten for his vision and commitment to our school and wish him all the best as he starts this new
chapter in his life.
• Mr. Darcy Mullin will be joining us as our new Principal. We would like to extend a warm welcome to Mr.
Mullin and we look forward to working with him next year.
We wish our grade 5 ambassadors, who will be moving on to middle school, all the best next year. Your dedication to the
school and smiles and “hellos” to all students in the school, regardless of their age, has set a wonderful example for our
younger students to follow. We are excited for our grade 4 student’s to move into the grade 5 ambassador roles, as we know
you will continue to be fantastic ambassadors of our school. Have a wonderful and safe summer - we look forward to seeing
everyone next year!
•
APPROVED
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
2011-2012 STANDARD SCHOOL CALENDAR
for all Schools
Schools Open
Thanksgiving Day – schools closed
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Professional Development Day – schools closed
Remembrance Day observance – schools closed
Schools close for Winter Vacation
Friday, October 21, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011 (last day of
school)
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
(last day of school)
Monday, April 2, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Schools Reopen
*Schools close for Spring Break and Teachers’ Professional
Development Days
Schools Reopen
Good Friday – schools closed
Easter Monday – schools closed
Victoria Day – schools closed
Administrative Day (students not in attendance)
•
•
•
Number of Days in
Session: 193
Number of Days of
Instruction: 186
Number of NonInstructional Days: 6
Number of Administrative
Days: 1
Notes: *School District No. 67
schools are closed for the
provincial spring vacation
week, March 19 through March
23, 2012 and for the following
week, March 26 through March
30, 2012. This second week of
spring break occurs as a result
of four teachers’ professional
days
and
one
school
improvement planning day,
normally taken throughout the
school year, being taken prior
to the beginning of the school
year.
2011-2012 Secondary Provincial Examination Schedule:
Monday, January 23 through Friday, January 27, 2012
Wednesday, June 20 through Thursday, June 28, 2012
2012 Middle School “I” Days:
Middle School (Grades 6 – 8) pupils excused from attending school except for “I Day” assigned time(s) (June 25, 26 and 27, 2012). Students
attend school on Thursday, June 28, 2012.
CULTURAL OPPORTUNITY
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Requires
HOMESTAY FAMILIES
School District No. 67 is looking for prospective homestay families in Penticton and Summerland to host
international students for one year, one semester, or on a short term (respite) basis. Placements are
needed for both male and female students from Germany, Mexico and Japan, who will be attending one
of our local secondary schools. Host families must be English-speaking and have a desire to welcome
the student into their home as part of the family. Close proximity to a secondary school is an asset.
Host families are expected to provide:
o
a fully furnished private bedroom;
o
a clean, safe, caring environment conducive to student studies;
o
meals;
o
the opportunity to participate in Canadian family life; and
o
a completed criminal record search for all adult members residing in the home.
School District No. 67 will provide:
o
support and guidance by a homestay coordinator who will monitor the student/homestay;
o
monthly compensation of $675; and
o
temporary placement/respite homes for host families, if required, for holidays and emergencies.
If you are interested in this great opportunity to exchange cultural experiences with an international
student, please pick up an application form at the School Board Office, 425 Jermyn Avenue in
Penticton, download the form off the District website at www.sd67.bc.ca, or contact Ms. Bev Skinner,
Homestay Coordinator at (250) 494-1537, or by email skinners@shaw.ca
UNE
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
1
District
Track Meet
Rotary Track
9-2:30
Friday
Sat
.
2
3
Shiosaki
FUN LUNCH
1-2 Keehn
10-11
4
HEALTH FAIR (AM)
5
6
7
PAC Meeting
Krieger
11-12
13
McIntosh/
Rudisill
KVR Station
10:00-1:30
Grade 4
N’Kmip Cultural
Centre (day)
19
20
Berekoff
Safety Village
8:45-11:30
Tracy/Shanner
KVR Station
10:00-1:30
26
27
KKeehn/Xenis
/Skinner/
Balfour
Peach
Orchard
Beach
9
Shiosaki
1-2
10
11
FUN LUNCH
McIntosh
9-10
Keehn 10-11
Grade 1
SSS Science Lab
10:00-11:45
Rudisill
1-2
12
8
Tracy/Shanner/
Rudisill (Gr2)
Peach Orchard
Beach (am)
Grade 3
Vaseaux Lake
9:00-2:15
14
Lea
Leadership
Conference
GR5
15
One to One
&
Read to Me
Pizza Lunch
21
22
Berekoff &
Brickenden
Safety Village
8:45-11:30
Skinner/Barton
Biking to
Summerland
Sweets &
Rodeo Grounds
(day)
Gr5 to SMS
@ 10:00
29
28
BBQ
11:30- 1:30
TShirts-Gr4
Assembly
9:30
Students
Dismissed @
11:35 &Busses
@ 11:45
16
Shiosaki 1-2
FUN LUNCH
23
24
17
Intermediate
Fun Day
Gr 3-5
Primary
Fun Day
Gr K-2
FUN LUNCH
For grade3-5
30
FUN LUNCH
For grade K-2
18
25