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Members with Portfolio
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Class Rep Coordinators
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COUNCIL WEBSITE
| | Check out our Council website for up to date info on school events, news, calendars, fundraising, forms, parent resources and much much more! www.castorvalley.ca |
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NOVEMBER 18TH
| Don't forget Friday is a PD day! There is no school for students, however the school will be open for parent - teacher interviews.
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CLASS REPS
| Thanks to everyone who volunteered to be a class rep this year! A complete list of class reps and their emails can be found on our Council website here.
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NUT FREE SCHOOL!
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Due to the large number of students that have nut allergies, Castor Valley continues to be a nut free school. We ask families not to include nut items in snacks - this is for the safety of our anaphylactic children. Should you be unsure as to the contents of a food item, please do not send it. If you'd like more information on the government of Ontario's anaphylaxis policy, please click here and you can read about our new request regarding soy-based *nut* butters here.
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NEW NUTRITIONAL GUIDELINES
| The Ontario Ministry of Education's new School Food and Beverage Policy came into effect on September 1st, 2011. For information on this new policy, please visit www.ontario.ca/healthyschools and for a great resource for nutritious lunches and snacks, visit www.eatrightontario.ca.
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POP TABS
| We are collecting pop tabs again this year. The tabs are recycled for cash and the proceeds sent to Ontario March of Dimes to provide a wheel chair for someone in need. Please send your tabs in with your child. There is a collection can in each homeroom class. To date, Mme LaCharity's class has collected the most, followed by Ms. Reeb's class and Mme Beaupré's class. Keep collecting!
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Welcome!
The CVES Council newsletter is sent out mid-month from September to June. If you have any items you would like to have included in our next newsletter, please send them by December 13th to castorvalleycouncil@gmail.com. THANKS! |
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SOCIAL NETWORKING SAFETY 101 FOR PARENTS!
| On November 28th, Paul Davis, an Internet safety expert, will host 3 presentations at our school. Two age appropriate presentations will be held during the day to grades 4 - 8, and then a presentation in the evening to parents entitled *Social Networking Safety 101 for Parents*.
The presentation will begin at 7pm and will run for 90 minutes plus time for Q&A. With the defining message of *the overall safety of your child online - and the impact on your family and your household*, topics will include: Facebook, Cyber-Bullying, Hand-Held Devices, Texting, Legal Matters, and a common sense approach to dealing with the technology your children have, or are asking for! Please click here for our flyer (also sent out via backpacks to grades 4-8)..
Please note:
- All parents are welcome! You do not need to be a Castor Valley parent to attend, so please feel free to invite friends!
- This presentation is for adults only, and due to the anticipated numbers attending, there will be NO childcare available at this event.
- Please make sure you register for this presentation by emailing castorvalleycouncil@gmail.com.
Our speaker, Paul Davis, brings 22 years of IT knowledge and expertise to his speaking engagements and has presented to over 48,000 students from Grade 4 - 12, in just under two years! 
This presentation is part of our Parents Reaching Out (PRO) grant *Castor Connections* series and is presented in partnership with Castor Valley Elementary School Administration. |
CRITICAL NEED FOR PAID LUNCH/RECESS MONITORS for nutrition breaks/recess (11:45-12:30 and 2:10-2:55)!
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As you may know from previous newsletters, CVES was given funding this year from the OCDSB to hire Lunch/RecessMonitors for our nutrition breaks/recess. Unfortunately, because we have been unable to fill all the positions, the OCDSB is prepared to pull this funding in 2 weeks (and allocate it to other schools), and chances are, we won't get it back next year!
Currently, there is one duty teacher who supervises the grade 1/2 hallway - that's 7 classrooms! The duty teacher checks in periodically with each class during the 20 minute nutrition break, and there are also 3 student nutrition break monitors from grade 6 in these classrooms. The reason there are 3 is to ensure safety in the event of an emergency - 1 to stay with the student in distress, 1 to get the duty teacher, and 1 to supervise the class.
The grade 3 students, most of whom are in portables, also have the 3 student nutrition break monitors and there are 2 duty teachers who supervise the 7 portables.
Grades 4 - 8 do NOT have student nutrition break monitors, and rely solely on the duty teacher in their hallway or outside in the portables for supervision.
We know that the supervision and safety of your child is very important, and that's why we feel it's so important to have paid Lunch/Recess Monitors to help supervise the classrooms. Having them means we have TWICE the supervision, and means there is an extra visible adult to ensure routines and rules are being followed. They can provide guidance and support to help ensure our anaphylaxis policies are being followed, and in general, help ensure the health and safety of our students, both during the nutrition breaks and outside at recess.
We have funding to hire TWO Lunch/Recess Monitors for both nutrition breaks 5 days a week, however currently we only have 1 paid monitor who covers Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 1 who works on Fridays, both in the primary hallway.
The role involves an hour and a half commitment per day, split between the 2 nutrition breaks (11:45-12:30 and 2:10-2:55), and although we realize the schedule is not entirely convenient for parents of a rural school, the administration is prepared to very flexible with the schedule - they will work with you to try and make the role fit for you! One of our monitors just works on Fridays and last year one monitor came in only for the afternoon break.
If you'd like more information on the position and what it entails, please email Laurel Perry-Hapli, a CVES parent who has been a paid Monitor for the past 2 years, and is very passionate about what she considers a very necessary and rewarding role in our school.
If you are interested in applying for one of these positions, or know ANYONE who would be - a friend or grandparent (it does not have to be a CVES family), please contact the office either by email or phone (821-1272).
We feel so fortunate to have been given this funding and this is our last chance to keep it. If we don't use it this year (and within the next 2 weeks!), we will not receive it at all next year, leaving our kids with minimal supervision. We know many parents have had concerns about nutrition break supervision, and here's your chance to get involved and help us make our school as safe and healthy as possible!
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FALL ( & ONGOING ) FUNDRAISERS
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- Thanks for all your MacMillan orders - they have been processed and all that cookie dough will be delivered to the school on November 24th! Your items will be available for pick up after 3:30 and must be picked up by 6:15 at the latest. If you will not be able to make the pick-up, please contact Susanna Penning IN ADVANCE, and she will try to make alternate arrangements.
- If you had the chance to shop at the Samko & Miko Toy Sale last week, please don't forget to either bring in your receipts to the office or send them via backpack to your child's teacher - THANKS!
- Don't forget you can order discounted Ottawa Senators tickets on our Council website! Next game is Sunday, November 27th - click here for more information.
- We continue to offer on-line discounts through our website on QSP magazines - they make great Christmas presents! When you order your QSP magazines, please make sure you use our code: 10727.
- Need labels? Don't forget you can order Mabel's Labels directly through school council. By clicking on the Mabel's Labels widget on our website (in the right column), we automatically receive a portion of your purchase. Thanks!
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CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DAY
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It is that time of year again for our school's special holiday tradition...
Christmas Shopping Day!
On Tuesday, December 20th, and for only a toonie, JK to grade 6 students will be able to shop for their family members - picking from new or gently used items donated by our school families!
For more information on the event, how and when to donate, and how to volunteer for the event, please read our flyer.
New this year - Grade 7 & 8 students will be able to choose to either participate in the all new Gingerbread House Making Contest, help the little ones with Christmas Shopping Day, or do both!! More info on their Activity Day here. |
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*PALS* at CVES!
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We are pleased to report that PALS is a *go* for the primary grades (1-3) at Castor Valley! PALS stands for Playground Activity Leaders in Schools and is a leadership program that encourages all children to participate in activities regardless of their gender, size, or ability.
A Public Health Nurse trains volunteer staff and students to implement the program. School staff then supervise the program, with the Public Health Nurse providing ongoing support. Students from grades 4 to 6 with leadership qualities are trained to act as playground activity leaders for younger students. These students will plan and lead fun and safe activities on the playground.
Schools who run the PALS program have observed:
- increased physical activity in participating children
- decreased playground conflict and bullying
- increased leadership ability and self esteem in students through skill development in leadership, communication, problem-solving, organization, and cooperation
- increased community building between primary and junior grades
Many of CVES' grade 5 students have stepped forward wanting to develop and expand their leadership skills, and the school is working on bringing in a public health nurse to train them (and staff)! For more information, please click here. |
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NOTICE: SOY-BASED & 'NUT-FREE' PRODUCTS IN OUR SCHOOL
| Our principal, Mme Bonneville, sent out a letter this week (via class reps) requesting that parents not send in soy-based or 'nut-free' products that look and smell like peanut butter due to the difficulty in discerning them from the real thing.
If you have any concerns or questions, Mme Bonneville has provided her contact information in the letter. |
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ENVIRONMENT TEAM
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During the week of November 14th, the classes of Mme Ryan, Mlle Bernfeld, Mme Makuch & Mme Allard planted over 300 tulip bulbs in the planters at Castor Valley! Thanks to the parents who donated bulbs and helped supervise our young gardeners. Special thanks to Shannon Oaks for lending a nice collection of gardening tools for the students to use. The kids will get a special treat when they see the results of their great work bloom next Spring!  We are looking for a few families to "adopt" a planter each for spring/fall cleanups and occasional weeding. No experience needed. Please contact Ann Arden if you are interested. |
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CHEO CONNECTS PRESENTATION
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CHEO Connects!
Free Information Series for Parents
*Middle Childhood Matters*
For parents of children 6 to 9
November 28 @ 7:00 pm
Adult High School, 300 Rochester Street @ Gladstone
Attendance and parking are free
For more information or to pre-register, please visit their website and/or read their brochure or poster.
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VOLLEYBALL-A-THON
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Come out and enjoy an evening of volleyball!! 
On Friday, December 2nd, students in grades 4-8 and their families and friends can participate in a volleyball-a-thon from 4pm to 8pm. The cost is $3 per student and $5 per adult per one hour block.
To register, please complete and return the form that will be sent home (to grades 4-8).
Funds raised will go towards purchasing phys. ed. equipment to be used by all students at our school. |
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LOST & FOUND
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Lost and Found items are currently on display in the Atrium of the school. Whatever is NOT picked up by November 18th (TOMORROW!) will be washed and either sent for consignment or donated. Make sure you check the tables when you come in for your parent-teacher interviews!
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LIBRARY UPDATE
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Now that Remembrance Day is over, special displays have been set up with books about Christmas and Winter/Winter sports. Circulation has been brisk.
Parent volunteers have been assisting our librarian with getting the last books back on the shelves as well as preparing and entering new books into the computer. It has felt like a never-ending task and she sends out a HUGE thank you to all who helped - it is greatly appreciated! |
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PARENT SUPPORTED LITERACY PROGRAM - volunteers still needed
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Our program will be getting underway this coming Monday! Reminder to our tutors to fill in your reading slot while you are at the school for parent/teacher interviews! There will also be a "procedures" checklist posted.
Thanks to all those who have volunteered so far, but we are always looking for more tutors! We have 13 parent / grandparent volunteers, for about 45 children in the program.If you are able to come into the school periodically to read with the children, please contact Heather Wyche by email or phone (613) 821-4518. There is a sign up sheet outside of Mrs. Archer Farrell's office, so you can just pick your time. It can be as often as 2 or 3 times a week, or as seldom as once a month. We need volunteers to read in English and in French. "Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart." ~Elizabeth Andrew
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PARENT VOLUNTEERS!
| Thanks to all of you who filled out our volunteer survey and who offered their time to volunteer. Upcoming events include MacMillan's pick up day (November 24th) and Christmas Shopping Day (December 20th). Just a heads up that our volunteer coordinator may be in touch with you to see if you can help out at either of these events! THANKS AGAIN - we rely on, and greatly appreciate, your support!
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GRADE 7 & 8 AMBASSADEURS
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The grade 7 & 8 Ambassadeurs are still collecting clean and warm snowsuits in support of The Snowsuit Fund. They're accepting gently used snowsuits, sizes ranging from infant to adult, in the school foyer until Tuesday, November 22nd. Please also send in any hats, mitts, gloves, scarves and boots.
Please note: before donating anything, ask yourself, would you wear it?
Merci,
Les Ambassadeurs
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LUNCH PROGRAM DATE CHANGE
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Attention Grades 5 to 8 Parents! Please note that the Hot Potato Lunch (grades 5 to 8) that was scheduled for Wednesday, December 21st will now be held on Monday, December 19th.
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BABYSITTERS NEEDED
| School Council is looking for student volunteers who have completed their babysitters course to help with childcare at upcoming evening events to be held at the school - dates to be announced. We will check that you are available before each event. If interested, please contact Jen Danby McDonald. Permission forms will be required and will be made available in the office prior to each event.
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IMPORTANT PARENT RESOURCES
| | As a school council, we are regularly updated on information, events and initiatives put forth by various education-related associations, as well as by our school board. We think it's important that these resources are shared with you! So for the next few newsletters, we will highlight one of these associations, explain what they do and how they support parents. All the information shared here will also be available on our website under the *resources* tab. This month, we are highlighting:
The Ontario Parent Involvement Policy, announced by the Ministry of Education, was established to support and enhance parental involvement in education. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board's Parental Involvement Committee is working to support, encourage, and enhance meaningful parental involvement within school and across the district and has 10 voting members including 7 parent members, two trustees, and the Director of Education.
The mandate of the Parental Involvement Committee is to
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- To support, encourage, and enhance meaningful parental involvement within schools and across the district, including, outreach to parents who find involvement more challenging due to language, recent immigration, poverty, newness to the system, or other factors;
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- To work collaboratively with the school board and ensure linkages between parents, the Director of Education and trustees;
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- To develop strategies for enhancing parental engagement and outreach;
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- To hold district-wide meetings and to engage in inter-school communications;
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- To participate in the promotion, application, and implementation of grant applications and projects funded under the Ministry of Education Parents Reaching Out (PRO) program (CVES is a recipient of this!).
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For more information, you can read the Parental Involvement Committee's Booklet and/or visit their page on the OCDSB's website
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Other organizations we like and will highlight in the future are: Ottawa Carleton Assembly of School Councils Ottawa Carleton District School Board Canadian Parents for French (highlighted in our October newsletter) People for Education (PFE) If you know of an organization that has helped you support your child's learning, please let us know! |
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We hope you found this newsletter helpful and relevant :)
Sincerely, Communication Coordinators
Castor Valley Elementary School Council |
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