Walking School Bus Information Night, 25th April

Posted April 18, 2019

Sandhills is excited to inform you that running alongside our Arts Night on Thursday, 25th April 2019 (running from 6.30pm to 8pm), there will be a workshop with our Walking School Bus Coordinator, Colleen Cooper. 

Information will be presented from 6:00-6:30pm – before our Arts Night becomes the focus. 

There will be door prizes and a limited number of free trees to plant as a takeaway and a thank you for your interest in the Walking School Bus program. Continuing from 6:30-7:00pm there will be a free flowing info session for folks who couldn’t make the workshop portion, or who just want to learn more. 

Colleen will be announcing some expanded routes, and answering questions about the roles of volunteers and walkers. Hope to see you there!

Have a terrific weekend.

Read more about Walking School Bus Information Night, 25th April »

What’s the Scoop? 18th April 2019

Posted April 18, 2019

LOOKING AHEAD………..

Apr 19 & 22 – Good Friday & Easter Monday – No School

Apr 23 to 26 – Earth Week Activities

Apr 24 – Terra Cotta Cookie Order Deadline

Apr 25 – JUMP (Grade 6) Parent Meeting & Arts Night at Sandhills

Apr 26 – Spirit Day – Blue/Green Day and Jump Rope for Heart Kick Off

A Safe and Happy Holiday Break

Staff at Sandhills would like to wish students/parents/caregivers a safe and happy holiday break. For more information on what you can do during the 4-day weekend might we suggest the City of Kitchener website, which includes upcoming events, information on parks and recreation and park trails to explore and enjoy the first signs of Spring.

City of Kitchener Events Page

Arts Night Update

We can’t wait for our Arts Night which is taking place on Thursday April 25th from 6:30-8:00pm. This is always a wonderful time to showcase the many talents of our incredible Sandhills Suns students.

Alongside this great event there will be a Parent/Guardian Information meeting about the Grade 6 JUMP trip from 6:00-6:30pm in the library.

Also in parallel with Arts Night there will be a workshop with our Walking School Bus Coordinator, Colleen Cooper. Information from 6:00-6:30pm – before our Arts Night becomes the focus. There will be door prizes and a limited number of free trees to plant as a takeaway and a thank you for your interest in the WSB program. Continuing from 6:30-7:00pm there will be a free flowing info session for folks who couldn’t make the workshop portion, or who just want to learn more. Colleen will be announcing some expanded routes, and answering questions about the roles of volunteers and walkers. Hope to see you there!

Landscaping at Sandhills

Sandhills Public School is looking to ‘freshen up’ the gardens at the main entrance and the front of the school and would like to commission a local company to help us realize our goal.

We are reaching out to our community to see if we have any Landscapers or Landscape Companies that would be interested in completing this job for us.

Sandhills is a proud supporter of local businesses and would love recommendations for a suitable company.

Please call the school if you have recommendations or a local business owner who might be interested. 519-744-4430.

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Earth Week Activities

As you know Earth Day this year is scheduled for Monday April 22 and so Sandhills will be partaking in a week long initiative to educate, inspire and motivate our students to protect our planet. There will be school-wide activities occurring throughout the week from Tuesday April 23rd – Friday April 26th. We would love to have as many of our students participating as possible. Please support your child with the following as best as you can.

Tuesday April 23rd, 2019

Lights-free Tuesday: Each class is challenged to conserve energy by turning off their lights. Can you do it for the entire day?

Wednesday April 24th, 2019

Walk to School Wednesday: How many students from your class walks to school during this day?

Thursday April 25th, 2019

Trashless Thursday: Students will be encouraged to bring a lunch stored in reusable containers. All organic matter can be composted when the students return home from school.

Friday April 26th, 2019

Blue and Green Earth Day Spirit Day (students and staff encouraged to wear blue and green). Also, Clean-up Friday: Classes will have the opportunity to clean our beautiful school yard. Thanks to our School Council, we have been equipped with garbage bags and gloves for all of our students to participate in a yard clean up.

We will have a spirit assembly and celebrate our accomplishments for Earth Week on Monday April 29th.

Spirit Wear Coming Soon

Sandhills is proud to announce that coming late April/early May students, parents/caregivers/families and staff will have the opportunity to purchase Sandhills’ branded spirit wear for the Summer/Fall. We have taken considerable time to ensure that our spirit wear is good quality and perfect for all the family. Ordering will be easy with a direct link to our supplier. In addition, our wonderful Grade 6 graduates will have the chance to purchase a T-shirt and/or Hoodie with ‘Class of 2019’ on the front and a design of signatures from their graduating year on the back.

This is a unique and practical way to remember their years at Sandhills; one which, we are sure, will be popular. Items for purchase will include (for staff and students): Hoodies, baseball shirts, t-shirts, sports pants, golf shirts, toques, baseball caps and sweatpants. As if that wasn’t enough, we are also including the opportunity to have your child’s first or last name placed on the back of your spirit wear t-shirt or hoodie. This is optional and will incur a small charge.

Keep a lookout on school-day and our website for more information. We will, of course, send notification to all parents/caregivers when the ordering website is up and running.

Umbrella Project

As we draw close to the end of our Autonomy month, we hope you have enjoyed connecting with your child about how they have incorporated Autonomy into their daily life. At the end of the month we shall be introducing Intrinsic Motivation at our assembly.

In the meantime, we thought you might be interested, if you have not yet visited the Umbrella Project’s website, to take a look at their blog page. This blog includes helpful tips on how to communicate with your child regarding all the traits we have learned so far and information to better understand how the traits guide and shape their overall well-being.

Umbrella Project Blog Page

Website: Umbrella Project Parent Resources

Twitter: @umbrellapjct

Facebook: The Umbrella Project

Read more about What’s the Scoop? 18th April 2019 »

Minutes Now Available – Southwest Kitchener Secondary Boundary Study Working Group Meeting #7, Meeting #8 Deferred

Posted April 16, 2019

Consultations for the Southwest Kitchener Secondary Boundary Study are on hold as we await further direction from the Ministry of Education. We expect school capacities to change with proposed class size changes. We would like to have the most accurate information available prior to making a recommendation on boundary changes. The agenda, minutes and presentation […]

What’s the Scoop – 11th April 2019

Posted April 11, 2019

April 11, 2019 – Weekly Update

LOOKING AHEAD………..
Apr 19 & 22 – Good Friday & Easter Monday – No School
Apr 24 – Terra Cotta Cookie Order Deadline
Apr 26 – Spirit Day – Blue/Green Day
May 8 – Walk in Their Sneakers
May 10 – Yearbook Order Deadline (please log on to School-Day and reserve your copy!)
May 17 – Jump Rope for Heart
May 20 – Victoria Day – No School

A Message from Staff at Sandhills

Dear Parents/Guardians,
Thank you to those who are diligent in calling our Attendance Line when your child is absent or going to be late. For those who are not familiar with calling the attendance line, we would greatly appreciate your help in calling this every time your child is going to be away, has an appointment or is just running late.
The telephone Attendance Line can be reached by calling the school directly at:
519-744-4430, select extension 1.
Alternatively, you may email shl-attendance@wrdsb.ca.
Both options are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are the best ways to ensure communication regarding your child’s absence is received and recorded for our Safe Arrival Program. Please do not call the office directly as mornings can be an extremely busy time in our office.
In addition, if your child arrives at school after the 8:35 am start bell, they MUST come to the office to be signed in and given an admit slip before heading to class.
Our priority is the safe arrival of your children and your cooperation in following these procedures will help to greatly reduce the number of unnecessary phone calls our office needs to make in order to ensure the safety of your children in a timely manner.
Thank you again for your understanding and support!

Terra Cotta Cookie Orders

May Cookie Madness – Order your Cookie Today on School-day (http://www.school-day.com/en/home)

Sandhills’ students have the opportunity to purchase a cookie from the Terra Cotta Cookie Co. for the month of May. Parents/caregivers may purchase a cookie for their student and the cookies will be distributed at 2nd Nutrition Break each Friday (May 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th). The cost for your student to have a Terra Cotta Cookie each Friday in May is $6. This order is for the whole Month of May. Unfortunately, you will not be able to purchase a cookie for just one week. Deadline for Orders is Wednesday, April 24th.

The Terra Cotta Cookie Co. is a forerunner to providing healthy, lower fat, trans-fat free, peanut and nut free snacks to schools across the GTA area. They are dedicated to manufacturing exceptionally delicious cookies, which are made from scratch, using only the finest ingredients, with no added preservatives. A percentage of each cookie sold will go towards the school. Everything at Terra Cotta Cookie Co. Ltd. is guaranteed to be 100% peanut and nut free.

This is an ONLINE product only. Cash orders will not be accepted through the main office.

Click here for Nutritional Information.

Options of Cookie are:
CHOCOLATE CHIP DELITE
WHITE CHOCOLATE FUDGE DELITE

Did You Know?

Did you know that our www.wrdsb.ca website has information regarding Digital Citizenship, the WRDSB strategy on Digital citizenship and why it is important to promote safe online behaviours? A good digital citizen is someone who behaves appropriately and responsibly while using digital tools. Beginning the school year 2019, cell phones will be banned in all WRDSB schools.

Why is it important?

Citizenship education is important for all students as it relates to all facets of life. We are citizens of many different communities, including those online, and we need to understand how to behave appropriately in order to be successful members within these communities. To this end, many classrooms are incorporating a variety of technological tools into learning activities to encourage students to be good digital citizens.
Digital Citizenship can only be learned through active participation in the digital world.

Click on the link below to learn more information and how our School Board approaches this ‘hot’ topic.

https://www.wrdsb.ca/learning/digital-citizenship/

Umbrella Project
Have you asked your student how they are showing Autonomy during their school day?
Don’t forget, our statements for Autonomy include:
I can do things independently.
I can make choices for myself.
I am proud of myself.
https://umbrellaproject.co/category/autonomy/

Website: Umbrella Project Parent Resources
Twitter: @umbrellapjct
Facebook: The Umbrella Project

Read more about What’s the Scoop – 11th April 2019 »

April 12 is a PD Day for all teaching and paraprofessional staff

Posted April 8, 2019

Friday, April 12, 2019 is a professional development (PD) day for elementary and secondary school staff. Students will not attend school, and all Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) operated before and after school programs will be closed. Elementary Teachers will participate in a full day of professional development planned by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation […]

What’s the Scoop? 5th April 2019

Posted April 5, 2019

LOOKING AHEAD………..

Apr 10 – School Council Meeting – 6.30 (Library)

Apr 12 – PD Day – No School

Apr 19 & 22 – Good Friday & Easter Monday – No School

May 10 – Yearbook Order Deadline (please log on to School-Day and reserve your copy!

A Message from Staff at Sandhills

Unfortunately, cold and flu season is not over and we seem to have several friends who are sick with fevers, cough and runny nose. Parents frequently ask when it’s ok for their child to return to school. It’s a good idea to be at least 24 hrs fever free (and after vomiting/diarrhea). It’s very important that children are able to participate fully in our program.

We encourage a lot of hand washing, coughing/sneezing into an arm to help minimize germs being spread and passed around.

Thank you for keeping your child home if they are unwell.

Rest and snuggles from a loved one are the best medicine.

Coming Soon

Spirit Wear is coming soon, including Grade 6 Graduation Hoodies. Keep an eye on the ‘Scoop’ and School-Day for information on how to order and what is available.

Mark your Calendar – The Sandhills Fun Fair is Thursday, 20th June 2019.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the Waterloo Region District School Board has a wealth of information about our schools and our community?

Not only does it contain all the information you may need on Registrations, French Immersion, policy and procedure but it also has an extensive library on health and wellness and community links, including e-flyers such as summer camps and what is going on in your area.

If you have not taken a look recently here are some links to help you navigate this amazing tool and, hopefully, provide you with information you may find useful.

Community Flyers

Community Links

Health and Wellness

Umbrella Project

April is Autonomy month.

Statements for Autonomy include:

I can do things independently.
I can make choices for myself.
I am proud of myself.
We encourage you to talk to your student about Autonomy and how they use it in everyday life to help them at school and at home.

Umbrella Project Autonomy

Website: Umbrella Project Parent Resources

Twitter: @umbrellapjct

Facebook: The Umbrella Project

Read more about What’s the Scoop? 5th April 2019 »

Minutes Now Available – Southwest Kitchener Secondary Boundary Study Working Group Meeting #6

Posted April 3, 2019

The Southwest Kitchener Secondary Boundary Study Working Group met at Forest Heights CI on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. The meeting agenda, presentation and approved minutes are now available. Agenda Presentation Minutes The working group met again on April 2, 2019 to continue to review and discuss scenarios, the minutes will […]

EXTENDED: Our Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) is looking for new members

Posted April 3, 2019

We have extended the deadline for applications to Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. Our Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) is looking for new members. They invite parents/guardians of students currently enrolled in one of our schools to apply. The fundamental fact is that parents + engagement = student success. Your involvement with PIC can help us optimize […]

A Message from our School Council…….

Posted March 29, 2019

March 2019

Dear Community Member,

Sandhills Public School has done many fundraising events in the past to help offset the costs of supporting school programs and materials such as our greening initiative, outdoor learning space, and kindergarten play area, just to name a few.

On Thursday, June 20th 2019 we will be hosting our Sandhills Fun Fair from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. We hope to make the fun fair a great success thanks to the generosity of companies like yours.

This year we will be having a raffle, selling food, and hosting many other activities to raise funds. If you are able to donate items or services to our raffle, or food to be sold, you will be helping us to raise the funds needed to support our school programs. If you would like to support us in another way, you could sponsor an attraction in part or in full. Last year a small business sponsored our petting zoo and made it a free attraction for attendees.

In return for your kind donation, you and/or your business will benefit from advertising at our fun fair. This will ensure our community is aware of your support and would generate goodwill for your business by having publicly supported our school fundraising event.

Any form of support either by donation, services or sponsorship of any dollar amount from your business would be greatly appreciated to help us reach our fundraising goals.

We hope to make this event not only a successful fundraiser but also an affordable, fun, family night out for our community members. We look forward to hearing from you. If you’re able to attend, please bring your family out for a fun evening of rides, raffles and games.

Thank you for making our community such a great place to live.

Sincerely,

Kerri Paranosic

on behalf of the Sandhills Fun Fair fundraising committee

Email: kerri.para@gmail.com ; Phone: 519-577-1174

Read more about A Message from our School Council……. »

What’s the Scoop? 29th March 2019

Posted March 29, 2019

LOOKING AHEAD………..

Apr 2 – Autism Awareness Day

Apr 10 – School Council Meeting – 6.30 (Library)

Apr 12 – PD Day – No School

Apr 19 & 22 – Good Friday & Easter Monday – No School

Message from the Principal

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Madame Van Klink who leaves us on 1 April to start a new position. Saying goodbye also means we say ‘hello again’ to Ms. S. Lammert who will be joining us for a few weeks in 5F.  I am sure you will all join me in welcoming Ms. Lammert and wish Madame Van Klink best wishes in her new adventure.

Did You Know?

A recent media report highlighted the negative impact on learning when students miss 10% or more of the school year, equal to just two absences per month or absences that accumulate through extended periods such as a prolonged vacation.

Here are our most recent attendance statistics. Keep in mind, at this point in the year, more than ten absences equates to missing ten % of the school year (or more). Of our 686 students:

168 students (24%) have missed 10.5 to 15 instructional days this year
111 students (16%) have missed 15.5 to 20 instructional days this year
118 students (17%) have missed more than 20 instructional days this year
This puts 397 of our 686 students (57%) at risk for lost learning time at this point in the year. There is a correlation between student absenteeism and students who do not make school board targets in Reading, particularly in the early grades (Kindergarten to Grade 3).

So what can you do? We want to work with you to ensure your child’s success:

Make sure your child attends school every day.
Make sure your child arrives on time and remains until the end of the day so they do not miss out on any learning.
To the extent possible, schedule appointments for before or after school, or on weekends.
Schedule your vacations during the school calendar year (Seasonal break in December and March Break).
Reinforce with your child that being punctual and attending school every day increases their chances for success.
Be a good role model for your child when it comes to attendance and punctuality.

Umbrella Project

At our Spirit Assembly on Friday, 29th March we introduced Autonomy and Independence.

Excerpt from the Umbrella Project Website – Learn your Own Brain:

Teach your children to learn about their own brains and what makes them function at their best. For some, it might be more quiet through the day. For others, they need to move their bodies more to stay focused. In my house, one of my kids is particularly sensitive to low blood sugar and the other needs extra sleep to be in tip-top shape.

The more our kids know about their own unique brains, the more they will be able to take charge of their own success. This means they do not rely on others to create success for them.

It’s easy to expect that our children’s classrooms will be formatted for great learning. Too often, we rely on this to ensure our children are getting what they need from their education. In truth, it is extremely difficult for one teacher to attend to everyone’s unique needs. Autonomy is just the skill needed to help our children take more responsibility for their own learning.

Umbrella Project Autonomy

Website: Umbrella Project Parent Resources

Twitter: @umbrellapjct

Facebook: The Umbrella Project

Read more about What’s the Scoop? 29th March 2019 »

1 … 89 90 91 … 145