POINTS OF INTEREST:
Meet the Teacher BBQ 5:30-6:30, Class-room Visits 6:30 to 7:30 SEPTEMBER 17TH First Time Riders
Program 9:30 am SEPTEMBER 18TH
Cyber Buster Presen-tation 1:00-2:00 pm SEPTEMBER 19TH School Council
Election Meeting 7:00 pm in the Library. All
parents welcome SEPTEMBER 23RD
Bus Evacuation
Program 9:30 am SEPTEMBER 25TH Terry Fox Walk—1:30
pm on school
property SEPTEMBER 27TH
Pizza/Milk Order Forms home Sept 16.
Program begins OCTOBER 1ST
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
The school staff and I would like to extend a warm welcome to all families returning to R. Tait McKenzie and to the many new families who have joined our school community. We look forward to working with you to support your son/daughter at school.
As you can imagine, Mrs. Brzezynski has been very busy in the office both last June and this past week as she completes registrations for so many new students, while looking after everything else that needs to be done for the September start-up. All of the forms, papers and lists have been typed, sorted, filed and organized for the beginning of a new year. Many thanks to Mrs. Brzezynski for her hard work! Special thanks to Mrs. Geller who has looked after all of the year-end budget procedures while ordering all of the supplies needed for our new school year.
We look forward to seeing all of you at our Meet the Teacher Night on Tuesday, September 17th from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Sincerely,
Dean Fournier Like us and remember to check us out on Facebook
SCHOOL PHOTOS
Wednesday, Sept 18th— AM Room # 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 31, 32,33
Thursday, Sept 19th— AM Room # 03, 04, 08, 09, 10, 12, 20, 21
The Student Transportation for Eastern Ontario is committed to the safety of students. For this reason, it is very important that accurate and up-to-date information is maintained concerning students who travel on the bus. STEO has also made it easier for parents to check on their children’s transportation Information by maintaining a special Busing Hotline Number: 1-866-895-8480 until September 30th, 2013.
Information regarding transportation can also be located clicking on the transportation icon on the Board website, www.ucdsb.on.ca.
First Time Riders program is scheduled for September 18. At this time, bus safety procedures will be reviewed with our kindergarten students.
R. TAIT MCKENZIE PUBLIC SCHOOL
Electronic Newsletter — Save a Tree www.facebook.com/rtaitmckenzie175 Paterson St., Almonte, Ontario Phone 613-256-8248 Fax 1-855-428-1500
SEPTEMBER, 2013
September 2013 R. Tait McKenzie Public School ROUTINES/IMPORTANT INFORMATION…
Supervision on school yard begins at 8:45 a.m. Please ensure that children on not on the yard before the time stated in order to ensure the safety of the students
School begins at 9:00 a.m.
Morning recess: 11:30 a.m.to 12:10 p.m. Kindergarten to Grade 3 Lunch: 11:30—11:50
a.m.
Grades 4 to 6 Lunch: 11:50—12:10 p.m. Afternoon recess: 2:30 to 3:10 p.m. Dismissal: 3:20 p.m.
All school doors will be locked during the school day. Please enter by the front doors. Our school buzzer is located by the doors
Should you wish to pick up your child before the end of the day please ensure that you contact the office prior to 2:30 p.m. This will prepare the staff and students for their pick-up
If your child will not be attending school please contact the school at any time. An answering machine is available. You may also email the Office Administrator. If we do not hear from you the office will be contacting you at home or at work to ensure your child’s safety.
Medical Conditions
As we begin a new school year we would like to inform you that R. Tait McKenzie is an allergen aware school. There are children in attendance who suffer from severe and life threatening allergies to certain foods or items, such as peanuts and nuts. Exposure to the smallest quantities can cause severe life threatening reactions. Anaphylaxis is a severe and life threatening allergic reaction. Students in the affected classes have been made aware of thenecessary precautions and lunchtime accommodations are in place. It is good practice for all students to wash their hands after eating.
If your child has an allergy or medical condition that could put his/her life health in jeopardy and you have not advised us, please do so immediately. If your child rides the school bus, this information will also need to be shared with the bus driver.
Special medical form from S.T.E.O. Transportation (life threatening) were distributed to families on September 3rd. If you require prescription medicine to be administer please contact the office for the form which is to be sign by the doctor.
The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit continues to work with schools and school boards to keep our schools healthy. Controlling the spread of infections in schools can help reduce the spread in the community. Infections include respiratory illnesses such as influenza, which can cause fever, cough and/or sore throat, and gastrointestinal illnesses such as Norwalk, which can cause diarrhea and/or vomiting.
The Health Unit encourages parents to teach children how to avoid spreading infections by:
Cleaning hands often with soap and water, or hand sanitizer Not sharing personal items or drinks.
If your child is sick, please keep him or her home from school and daycare. Sick children and teens should not go to public places including sporting activities and social clubs.
As with previous years, when your child is sick with influenza-like symptoms (fever and cough), please let you school’s office assistant know that they have these symptoms. Each school will report absenteeism due to influenza-like-illness to the Health Unit. This will help the Health Unit monitor the amount of illness in the community.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, please visit our website at
www.healthunit.org or call the Health Action Line at 1-800-660-5853 to speak with a Public Health Nurse.
Student Information Verification Forms
The Student Information Verification Forms went out to parents the first day of school. If you have not yet returned the forms, please do so as soon as possible. This will ensure that we have up to date information for each student.Thank you for your co-operation and in ensuring the safety of our students.
Open Doors
For Lanark Children & Youth
Same Day Counselling Clinic (Walk In or Call Ahead) LOCATION: DAY/TIMES
Almonte, Health Unit Thursdays 79 Spring St, Unit 2 613-256-1203 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
R. TAIT MCKENZIE PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL 2013-2014
The R. Tait McKenzie School Council serves in an advisory capacity to the principal and also serves to give parents and others in the community a formal voice in how their schools operate. Parental input is critical to the on going success of your child’s school. Under the guidelines established by our Board, membership must reflect the following standards: Parents must form a majority on council.
The School principal; One teacher;
One non-teaching educational support staff member; A community member.
A “School Councils” regulation under the Education Act,
which came into effect in December 2000, requires that school council elections take place during the first 30 days of each school year. Please complete the attached ballot to nominate someone or to self-nominate yourself as a potential council member. Please return the completed nomination form to the school office by September 20th.
First Meeting of the RTM School Council Monday, September 23rd 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
School Library
DRESS CODE REMINDERS
As the warm weather continues, we thought it would be a good idea to remind everyone of appropriate footwear and dress for school. Please remember that in spite of sandal season, children still need to keep a sturdy pair of shoes at school for gym classes, to protect feet and to prevent slips, trips and falls. As well, please remember that the Dress Code calls for tank tops that have straps that measure the width of three fingers. Following this expectation consistently from grades 1 to 6 makes it easier for all of us, staff and parents, in the long run. The Dress Code is outlined in the Parent-Student Handbook which is found in the student agendas.
Students MUST have proper footwear for phys.ed.
(no flip flops please).
DROP-OFFS, PICK-UPS & PARKING The front of the school is a designated Bus Zone everyday between 8:30 to 9 a.m. and 2:45 to 3:35 p.m. Parents may park in this area ONLY
between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. To avoid congestion at dismissal time,
parents are asked to wait outside for their children. If you need to pick your child up early, please come to the office and Mrs. Brzezynski will make arrangements to have him/her sent down or brought in from outside.
IMPORTANT NOTICE RE: STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Dear Parent or Guardian:
The Upper Canada District School Board does not provide
accident insurance coverage for student injuries that occur on school premises or during school activities. Accidents can and do happen. Some injuries incur medical, dental or other expenses that are not covered by provincial health care or employer group plans. As a parent or guardian, you become responsible for these expenses. We do make available an Accident and Life Insurance Programme for students. Participation in such a programme is voluntary and the costs are to be paid by the parent or guardian. For your convenience, we have arranged a Student Accident Insurance Policy exclusively through Reliable Life Insurance Company. This programme offers a variety of plans and benefits at affordable prices. Benefits included are:
dental expenses (resulting from an accident)
paralysis/loss of use
total and permanent disability
special disability benefits
death benefits.
If your child participates in co-curricular activities or activities
outside the school day, there is a plan tailored to your needs. All rates are one-time annual premiums. Family rates for 3 or more children are also offered. The
insurance agreement is between you and Reliable Life
Insurance Company. If you wish to subscribe you can
apply directly on-line at: www.insuremykids.com.
Any questions should be directed to Reliable Life
Insurance Company toll free at 1-800-463-KIDS (5437).
Student Accident Insurance is especially valuable for today’s active children.
BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS! These tips may be helpful for your child’s success!
1. Speak positively about school and your child’s ability to learn. Don’t put extra pressure on your child or make unrealistic demands.
2. Set goals and work towards them. Don’t let students get away with excuses for not meeting goals set. 3. Play down any fears your child may have about the coming year.
4. Set up a quiet and clean area for your child to study at. Ideally the area should be closed off to siblings, pets and enticing distractions.
5. Students should have a solid, flat surface to work at.
6. Develop a consistent homework routine early in the school year. Set aside a common “study time” period for studying, reading and quiet activities.
7. If there is no homework keep this as a quiet time. Encourage reading to be done. 8. Communicate with the teacher.
September 2013 R. Tait McKenzie Public School
“About Mabel’s Labels!
We are moms who were frustrated by the amount of stuff that left our houses, never to return. After lots of research and testing we created the perfect fun, durable labels for the stuff kids lose!
Our sticky labels and clothing labels, which are dishwasher, microwave and laundry safe, are not only practical, but also designed to be very special to each child. The labels are customized with a child’s name, favourite mix of colours and an icon (animal, symbol, etc.). We have also expanded our product line to include personalized stationery products, ID wristbands and household labels.”
We strive to continuously design innovative labels for babies, kids and grown-ups alike. You’ll be amazed at what you can label!”
Mabel’s Labels is a R. Tait McKenzie School Council Fundraiser
See attached flyer for more information.
The School Council would like to thank you in advance for your support.
For Families:
Getting out of the door on time. The return
of school also means the return of the morn-ing routine for the entire household. The key to overcoming chaos in the morning is
organi-zation. The place to start is to get yourself
ready first, before your child. Some other tips include:
Prepare some things the night before and go to bed at a reasonable hour so you will wake up early.
Involve children in the process of getting ready. When children can do some tasks independently it can free up time for you to do other parts of the morning routine.
Try using the “beat the clock game”. Set a timer for a reasonable amount of time and challenge your child to be ready before it goes off.
For more information on morning routines or other parenting tips, visit
www.triplepontario.ca or call 1-800-660-5853.
Adapted from Triple P Ontario Parenting Tip Sheet “Getting out of the door on time”
R. Tait McKenzie School Advisory
Parent Nomination/Self-Nomination
I wish to nominate: _______________ for an elected position as a parent/guardian representative on the RTM School Council for 2013-2014.
My name is: __________________________ Signature: __________________________
I wish to declare my candidacy for an elected position as a parent/guardian representative on the RTM School Council for 2013-2014.
Name of Person Nominated/Self-Nominated: _________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Home phone: ______________ Business phone: ______________
E-mail: __________________________________________________
Nominated person is a parent/guardian of _________________________, who is currently registered at R. Tait McKenzie Public School.
I am an employee of the board. Yes No
_____________________________________ _____________________
