CVESC Newsletter

The Entertainment Book Sale was a HUDE SUCCESS!!!!!!!! We raised more than $11, 500 towards our new playstructure. A big thanks to Marg Clunie, Laurel Perry-Hapli and Natasha Robb-Burrows for their work in organizing this sale. Thanks also to the teachers and office staff for contributing to the success of the sale and CV council would like to like to thank the parents of our community for their support. Top seller prize winners are Harry K., Cassandra J. and Andrew G. The prize alley prizes and 67's tickets will be handed out in November. Congratulations and thank you everyone!

If you missed out and would like another Entertainment Book, please contact Natasha Robb Burrows.

Playground Improvement Project-Next Fundraisers

The next fundraisers that the school council has decided to participate in will be the SAMKO MIKO TOY SALE AKA: The Landsdowne Park Toy Sale and also the QSP magazine fundraiser. School Council would like to stress that participation in these initiatives is voluntary, and by offering a wide range of fudraising programs, one or more may appeal to you and your family. These 2 events will go very nicely for those partents trying to do Holiday shopping and also help contribute to the school playstructure fund. Information packages went home this week with students and questions can be adressed to Marg Clunie, Caroline Stevenson or Laurel Perry-Hapli.

Adopt a Flower Bed Update and Picture

CVES parent Tracy Lager and her son, Derrick in SK recently adopted a flower bed at CV and are pleased to show off their before and after pictures. Thank you Tracy and Derrick for your beautiful work! Any parents interested in adopting a flower bed are much appreciated and asked to contact Ginny Steele.

PRO Grant for CVES- Monday, November 22nd

Castor Valley is pleased to announce that it applied for and received a $1000 Parent Reaching Out (PRO) Grant from the Ministry of Education to host a series of parent information evenings again this year. The first information evening, Literacy at Home, will be held Mon. Nov. 22 from 6:15 to 7:30 and is targeted to parents of JK to grade 3 students in French immersion. Come and learn from the pros, our primary teachers, who will discuss strategies to help you teach your child how to decode words and understand what they read in French and English. Childcare to be provided in the gym and we are working on setting up an opportunity for our young readers to learn about online books provided through the Ottawa Public Library (please bring your library card). We will also have the President of the Ottawa Chapter of Canadian Parents for French, Monika Ferenczy, join us for the evening so parents can learn more about how this organization supports parents of French immersion students. To register, please email Kim Sheldrick with the number of adults who plan on attending and the number and ages of children requiring childcare. Please see e-flyer attached.

Leaves Needed for Winter Mulch at CVES

Great effort has been put into our flower beds thanks to Ginny Steele and her team. They are now in the process of preparing for winter by mulching. Mulching helps protect the plants over winter, spring and summer and also keep weeds down and moisture in the bed. Shredded leaves are best, but whole leaves work too. If families are interested in donating their bagged leaves to the school instead of of leaving them for curb pick, please contact Ginny Steele.

Canadian Parents for French

A reminder that CVES is now a member of Canadian Parents for French organization (CPF) and resources such as tutoring, workshops, play groups and links to other materials are available via their website, Canadian Parents for French. Laurie Rail will be discoursing with CPF to discuss specific events and sessions CVES may wish to host in the near future, please contact for further information.

Vow of Silence for Child Rights- Novemeber 19th

Three CVES students, Lydia, Emma and Paige, along with Mr. Mott and Mme. Abboud have taken on a meaningful project on the charter of rights and how it impacts youths their age. The students have decided to undertake a Vow or Silence to raise awareness of the plights of children who experience poverty, war and oppression. This vow entails no talking, texting or emailing. Pledges for their 24 hour vow will be collected for Free the Children Free the Children. They are inviting CVES students in Grades 6 to 8 to participate in a 50 minute vow of silence during the last part of the day on November 19. There is also an auction to vote on one teacher to participate in this 50 minute vow of silence (8 teachers have volunteered). For more information please see Lydia's Vow of Silence

checking email

Constitutional Amendments to our School Council

A number of constitional amendments were made at the October council meeting. These included:

The amendments included the number of parents elected to council. This number has now been changed to a maximun of 30 Members at Large and their is no limit to the number of Non Voting Affiliate Members.

In addition amendments were made so that in the event that the number of candidates for Member at Large is less than the maximun outlined in the constitution, all candidates will be acclaimed as council members and the election will be cancelled. If the number of candidates exceeds twenty, an election will occur with all non-elected Members becoming Non Voting Affiliate Members by acclamation.

An additonal portfolio of Class Representative Coordinator was added to the Council Executive.

It was also amended to include a position of a non-voting affiliate member to council. These members do not serve as an officer and their responsibilites can be changed by a simple majority vote of Council.

An amendment was also passed to to ensure that quorum is not affected by the number of presence or absence Non Voting Affiliate Members.

Anyone with questions regarding these consitutional amendments can speak to Kim Sheldrick.

Rememberance Day Displays and Visits to CVES

On Tuesday November 9th, our school will be host to two unique Military displays and visits. The first one will be from the Swords and Ploughshears Museum whom will display several of their historic Canadian Military Vehicles. Students will be able to ask questions and have their picture taken with the vehicles. The second group is the the International Plastic Modellers Society, Ottawa Chapter. They will display Canadian Military Models and students will be able to ask questions to the modellers. Thanks to our school Librarian, Coreen Atkins-Sheldrick for organizing these events at CVES. Parents are welcome to come to the school to see these displays and also to attend the School Rememberance Day Assembly.

Invitation to Parents to Input on Schools for the Future

The OCDSB wants to hear your thoughts and ideas about how it can better deliver its programs and services in the coming years. There are 4 forums in the months of November being held in various schools. These forums are open to anyone in the community and will last approximately 2 hours long. For more information, go to OCDSB and follow the Schools for the Future link.

Employment Opportunity at CVES

Nutrition Break Monitors - support for recess and nutrition breaks

CVES is looking to employ adult individuals to fulfill the role of NUTRITION BREAK/ RECESS monitors for the remainder of the school year. Monitors are expected to provide general supervision and monitoring of students during nutrition breaks and yard duties.

10:55-11:20 - Recess assistance

11:20-11:40 - Nutrition break assistance

and/or

1:20-1:45 - Recess assistance

1:45-2:05 - Nutrition break assistance

Monitors will be hired as Casual Union Exempt employees of the Ottawa Carleton District School Board. The pay rate is $11.50 per hour plus 4% vacation pay. Candidates will require First Aid certification, a police check and TB test.

At this time, 1 of the 2 afternoon shifts has already been filled and the

there is some flexibility with the scheduling of these shifts ie. morning only, 2 or 3 days per week onlt, etc.

Candidates should submit their interest with a resumé to Marnie Patterson, Principal, Castor Valley Elementary School, 2630 Grey's Creek Rd, Greely, ON, K4P 1N2, email Marnie Patterson or fax 613-821-7937.

CVES Website still under Construction

Please stay tuned as a number of our parents are working diligently on our new school website

Volleyballathon at CVES

CVES will be hosting our ever popular Volleyballathon this year again after such success last year. This year it will be held on Friday, November 19th from 4 pm to 8 pm. Stay tuned for more information.