What’s the Scoop – 23rd November 2018

Posted November 23, 2018

WEEKLY UPDATE – LOOKING AHEAD….

Tues, 27 Nov – Extended Day Open House, 3:30pm to 5:30pm

Thurs 29 Nov – Swim to Survive Grade 3 – Last day – Bring a Swimsuit and a Towel

Mon, 3 Dec – Dental Screening for JK, SK, Grades 2 & 4

Tues, 4 Dec – Grades 2 & 3 Humanities Theatre Trip

Wed, 12 Dec – School Council Meeting – 6:30pm

Wed, 19 Dec – Holiday Concert – 1.30pm

(Please be advised that parking is NOT permitted at the school for the Wednesday Holiday Concert performance)

Thurs, 20 Dec – Holiday Concert – 6:30pm

Winter Break – 24th December to 4th January – Return to School, 7th Jan 2019

STUDENT DROP OFF & PICK UP IN THE PARKING LOT

First and foremost a HUGE thank you to all of the Sandhills Community who have been doing their part in promoting safe, healthy options for student travel to and from school each and every day. Options, like walking to school informally or taking part in the Walking School Bus, and using the “Drive to 5” options MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE!

You may remember our “Taking Back the Parking Lot” campaign back in September. It was successful in that it spread the word about parking lot safety and several community members made adjustments to their routine to do their part.

Unfortunately, with the return of the winter weather, we have had an increase in issues surrounding student drop off and pick up in the parking lot. A particular issue is that parking spaces are being taken up in the afternoon by folks waiting to pick students up at the end of the school day such that our afternoon staff have nowhere to park, which creates a barrier to their service. The biggest concern though continues to be student safety. There are simply too many vehicles driving about in a small space at the same time – we don’t want anyone to get hurt.

We wanted to remind the community that the expectation is and continues to be that there is no student drop off or pick up in the school parking lot. This does not apply to special circumstances like an appointment throughout the school day, or special circumstances that have been pre-arranged with the office.

We also wanted to give the community some advance notice that as of Monday we’ll be making another push in our “Taking Back the Parking Lot” campaign efforts.  As part of this we will be turning vehicles away from the parking lot, so please make alternate arrangements for drop off and pick up – “Drive to 5” is a great option that keeps vehicles a safe distance from the school, and builds independence in students and their ability to walk to school. A map is attached for your convenience.

Thank you for your assistance and ongoing support of all we do here at Sandhills!

Sandhills traffic safety booklet Nov 18

ATTENDANCE

With the winter weather upon us, we acknowledge that it takes extra time in the morning to get your student(s) dressed for school with the appropriate clothing. We want to extend our sincere thank you to parents for this and the extra effort in adjusting your schedule to allow for extra time in the morning to ensure students arrive on time for the start of school (8:35 am) to assist in our safe arrival process. If your child is going to be late due to an appointment don’t forget to call ahead on 519-744-4430 – extension 1, or email shl-attendance@wrdsb.ca. If you are running a little behind and get to school a few minutes after the school bell please go directly to the office and pick up a late (green) slip.

DID YOU KNOW?

Healthy snacks are as important to your child’s growth and development as healthy meals. Young children have small stomachs and can’t get all the nutrients they need from just 3 regular meals. Older children need snacks to stay alert and energetic throughout the day. Because snacks give children calories, these calories should come with nutrients.

If you have some time, please take a look at the attached link which gives useful information on healthy snacks and links to healthy eating guides, which detail recommended serving sizes and food groups. REMEMBER, we are a peanut free school. Any snacks brought into the school should be healthy and peanut free.

Caring For Kids Link

Snacks that meet the grade

UMBRELLA PROJECT

We are so proud of our students this month. Our Gratitude Character trait has been a wonderful success and we celebrated our achievements on Friday, 23rd November at our Spirit Assembly. We also introduced our next trait which is G.R.I.T. We are using this acronym to help students understand the meaning of Grit:

G – Give it your Best

R – Redo if necessary

I – Ignore the Urge to Quit

T – Take the Time to Do it Right

Read more about What’s the Scoop – 23rd November 2018 »

What’s the Scoop – 16th November 2018

Posted November 15, 2018

WEEKLY UPDATE – LOOKING AHEAD….

  

Mon, 19 Nov – Fresh from the Farm – Orders available for pick up at school after noon

Mon, 19 Nov – Grade 6 trip to the Registry Theatre – ‘The Bullying Effect’

Wed, 21 Nov – Junior Trip to WLU/UW Hockey Game

Thurs, 22 Nov – Grade 3 Swim to Survive Trip

Fri, 23 Nov – Picture Retake Orders Due

Fri, 23 Nov – Spirit Day & Assembly (Crazy Hair & Moustache Day)

Tues, 27 Nov – Extended Day Open House, 3:30pm to 5:30pm

  

School-Day

Do you have a School-Day account?  School-Day is a wonderful online program that allows you to complete consent forms and pay for school trips, pay for school products such as pizza and keeps you up to date with activities, fundraising and announcements from Sandhills.  If you have not received / or would like a copy of your Secure Match Key with instructions on how to register with school-day please send a note with your student for their teacher.  Get connected with us!!

Did You Know?

One in four children does not get the sleep they need to sustain them through a day at school.  In fact, our own Sandhills’ survey revealed recently that 63% of our students are not getting enough sleep.  Children need adequate night time sleep:

Infants (4 to 12 months old) 12-16 hours 

Toddlers (1 to 2 years old) 11-14 hours 

Children (3 to 5 years old) 10-13 hours 

Children (6-12 years) 9-12 hours

Teenagers (13-18 years old) 8-10 hours

Please find attached two helpful links which provide information regarding the benefits of sleep to ensure the physical health and emotional wellbeing for our students.

https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/healthy_sleep_for_your_baby_and_child

sleep-infographic

Umbrella Project

Our Spirit Squad has been hard at work making posters for each class to include the “I Can” statements for the Gratitude character trait this month.  Members made posters and delivered them to classrooms so that they can be filled out with some of the great things that students have been doing in class related to gratitude (e.g. gratitude journals, letters, saying please/thank you etc). Ask your student about Gratitude this month and how they have made a difference.

Parent Workshop:  Creative Solution & Support for ‘in Risk’ Students

The WRDSB is hosting a Workshop on Monday, 26th November (7pm-8:30pm) at the Family Centre in Kitchener.

The workshop will provide information regarding:

WRDSB student supports found in secondary schools.
Overview of WRDSB new Anxiety Protocol School Supports and Parent Support Guide.
An example of one’s school’s creative approach for credit accumulation.
Please see attached link for more information.

https://staff.wrdsb.ca/special-education/2018/11/13/parent-workshop-creative-solution-and-supports-for-students-in-risk-students/

Information Evening:  Understanding High School for Students on the Autism Spectrum

An information evening is being held on Tuesday, 4 December (7pm to 8:30pm) at the WRDSB Education Centre in Kitchener.

Parents and students are invited to discuss what high school will look like for Waterloo District School Board children with Autism including:

Supports available in high school.
What to expect from the transition process.
What to expect once you start high school.
Registration is required. Click on link for more information.

https://staff.wrdsb.ca/special-education/2018/11/13/understanding-high-school-for-students-on-the-autism-spectrum/

Read more about What’s the Scoop – 16th November 2018 »

What’s The Scoop – 9th November 2018

Posted November 9, 2018

LOOKING AHEAD….

Mon, 12 Nov – Progress Reports go home

Tues, 13 Nov – Monarch Woods Walk, 7pm

Wed, 14 Nov – School Council Meeting – 6.30pm (Library)

Fri, 16 Nov – PD Day – No School but Parent Interviews in the afternoon only (please contact teachers personally to arrange an interview)

Mon, 19 Nov – Fresh from the Farm – Orders available for pick up at school after noon

Bullying Prevention Week

Here at Sandhills Public School and throughout the Waterloo District School Board community, we are committed to providing a safe, caring and inclusive learning environment for all students – each and every one.

Ontario’s Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week runs from November 18 to 24, 2018.

The week is an opportunity for us all, at school and at home, to reinforce clear and positive messages that bullying is not acceptable in our schools and communities.  Many schools have activities and events planned for Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week so stay tuned as you may be hearing a lot about it from your student over the coming weeks.

Did You Know?

November is Gratitude month

As part of the Reconciliation Act, Sandhills acknowledges daily that the land on which we gather is the lands traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Neutral people. We do this proudly and as an act of gratitude for what our Indigenous people so kindly share. If we didn’t have the land, where would we have begun?

Swim to Survive for Grade 3 Students

We are looking forward to the start of our Swim to Survive program on 15th November 2018.  Our Grade 3 students will attend Forest Heights Pool each week for 3 weeks to learn the minimum skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water.

These are expressed in a skill sequence in the Canadian Swim to Survive standard:

ROLL into deep water
TREAD water for one minute
SWIM 50 metres
A big thank you to Mrs Krupicz for her time and commitment to organize this wonderful and lifesaving program each year.  Don’t forget to bring a towel and a swimsuit!

The Carousel Dance Centre

We are so pleased to announce that the Carousel Dance Centre is returning to Sandhills for another dance performance on Thursday, November 22 from 1:30-2:15pm in the gym. Our JK to Grade 3 classes will enjoy this year’s performance based on the book, The Lorax.

Global issues Photo Booth

A big thank you to all those who participated in the GLOBAL ISSUES PHOTO BOOTH last week as part of our Carnival Celebration.  We are proud to announce that we raised $195 for a Girls’ Orphanage in India.  This wonderful fundraising activity built upon our Global Issues Awareness and the kids had a great time taking part.  

Read more about What’s The Scoop – 9th November 2018 »

What’s the Scoop, 2nd November 2018

Posted November 2, 2018

LOOKING AHEAD….

Mon, 6 Nov – Safe Caring Inclusive Schools team meeting

Wed, 7 Nov – Indigo Fundraiser, Fairway Road, Kitchener

Mon, 12 Nov – Remembrance Day Assembly

Mon, 12 Nov – Progress Reports go home

Tues, 13 Nov – Monarch Woods Walk, 7pm

Wed, 14 Nov – School Council Meeting – 6.30pm (Library)

Fri, 16 Nov – PD Day – No School

SAFE CARING INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS (SCIS)

Community members are invited to take part in our first SCIS team meeting of the 2018-19 school year on Tuesday November 6th from 3:30 – 4:30pm in Sandhills Library.

This team meets throughout the year to review data and plan and implement the school’s Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan.

We look forward to seeing you there!

THE UMBRELLA PROJECT

As you know, this school year, your child will be participating in The Umbrella Project. The Umbrella Project is a curriculum designed to help your child learn the skills of emotional well being. This year we will be focusing on gratitude, grit, self-compassion, autonomy, mindfulness, resilience, intrinsic motivation, integrity and hope. Please see the attached Welcome Letter for more information on tips/resources and how to sign up for newsletter and facebook updates.

Welcome Letter Umbrella Project Parents

Feeling excluded can be painful and a difficult part of childhood. Gratitude is a useful skill for helping to build and nurture relationships. It can help our children use more inclusive behaviours towards others.

Help your child notice when their peers do something kind for them to boost their gratitude towards others. Point out these moments whenever you can. This will help to guide your children to social behaviours that include instead of exclude.

For more information on today’s top please click the following link:

Umbrella Project Tips

ADHD COMMUNITY WORKSHOP – 25 NOVEMBER

The Centre for ADHD Awareness is hosting an ADHD Community Workshop on November, 25th in Kitchener, Ontario.

Flyer to be attached

The workshop is geared to parents of children with ADHD, adults with ADHD and their families, and educators. For detailed information, visit 

ADHD flyer-2018

Topics include;

Executive Functioning and ADHD: Keeping the Balls in the Air
Self-Regulation and ADHD: From Chaos to Smoother Sailing
ADHD Goes to School
ADDventures at Home
Understanding ADHD’s Impact on Adult Relationships
Understanding ADHD in the Workplace
PRESENTERS:

Dr. Megan Smith, Ph.D. in Child Clinical and School Psychology, has worked with diverse client populations in community, outpatient, residential, and inpatient settings at Youthdale Treatment Centres, the Toronto District School Board, and in private practice.

Heidi Bernhardt RN, Founder, and President of CADDAC and past Executive Director of CADDRA, has over the past 25 years helped raise awareness and understanding of ADHD among parents, educators, health care professionals, industry leaders, and government officials through presentations, conferences, media interviews, and advocacy work.

Read more about What’s the Scoop, 2nd November 2018 »

What’s the Scoop – 19 October 2018

Posted October 18, 2018

WEEKLY UPDATE

LOOKING AHEAD………..

Mon, 22 Oct – Municipal Elections (School Gymnasium)

Fri, 26 Oct – PD Day – No school

Fri, 2 Nov – Junior Choir Rangers Game – tickets will be sent home soon.

Fri, 2 Nov – Picture Retake day

Wed, 7 Nov – Indigo Fundraiser

UMBRELLA PROJECT

Empathy is the ability to understand and appreciate how someone else is feeling. This past month, Sandhills students have been provided with opportunities to learn about empathy through the Terry Fox run, Orange Shirt Day, and other activities in their classes and around the school.

The statements we have been asking students to demonstrate are “I know how you feel” and “I care how you feel.” Many of our students have demonstrated the skill of empathy in a variety of ways, and have been recognized with a Sunny Salute. The Sunny Salute cards have been posted on the bulletin board across from the main office. On Friday 19th Oct we hosted an assembly where we will celebrated all of the students who have demonstrated this skill. Be sure to watch next week for statements on Gratitude!

Check out the bulletin board display across from the main office that highlights our monthly trait.

HALLOWE’EN

Hallowe’en is fast approaching and your staff at Sandhills thought it might be a good time to remind families about the expectations regarding costumes. As always, students’ costumes should not be of the ‘violent’ type nor should they include weapons of any type. Face masks are also not to be worn inside the school. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

WATERLOO REGION FAMILY NETWORK CONFERENCE

The Waterloo Region Family Network is hosting a family conference on November 3rd, 2018 – 9:30am to 3:00pm at Bingemans Conference Centre – 425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener. Please see attached flyer for more information.

HOLIDAY CONCERT

SAVE THE DATE! Holiday Concert for 2018 will take place on Wednesday 19th December at 1:30pm and Thursday, 20th December at 6:30pm. Stay tuned for more details………….

PD DAY 26th OCTOBER – EXTENDED DAY REMINDER

Please remember to bring identification to pick up your child from the Extended Day program taking place on Friday, 26th October. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Read more about What’s the Scoop – 19 October 2018 »

What’s the Scoop? 12 October 2018

Posted October 18, 2018

LOOKING AHEAD……….

Mon, 15 Oct – Farm to Fresh Order Deadline!!!!

Tues, 16 Oct – JUMP TO MATH – 6pm to 8pm

Mon, 22 Oct – Municipal Elections (School Gymnasium)

Fri, 2 Nov – Junior Choir Rangers Game – tickets will be sent home soon.

Fri, 2 Nov – Picture Retake day

Wed, 7 Nov – Indigo Fundraiser

IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR MORE FUN AT SANDHILLS!

Jump2Math – Tuesday, 16 Oct, 2018 – 6 to 8pm

Following the success of READ Literacy Night on Tues, 2nd Oct, we are proud to present our next Family Night………………………Jump2Math is a kinesthetic, multi-sensory approach to teaching math that incorporates physical exercise, cooperative learning, and giant math stations. This active math program allows parents, students, and teachers to enjoy active learning together while traveling to each interactive math station.

****BRING YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY****

NO REGISTRATION NECESSARY

PLEASE WELCOME TO SANDHILLS…….

We are excited to announce that Stephanie Johnson will join us on Monday, 15 October as our new 2F and 2/3F teacher. Stephanie is looking forward to meeting students and connecting with our community. Please join us in welcoming Stephanie to our Sandhills Family.

BOARD GAME CLUB

Board Game Club will be a new initiative starting this Fall and in preparation for this awesome new program we would like to ask for donations. If you have ‘appropriate’ new or gently used board games that you no longer use, and wish to donate to Sandhills, you can drop them off at the Main Office. More details will follow over the next few weeks. Stay tuned……

INDIGO FUNDRAISER

We are delighted to share our next Fundraiser with you. Wed, November 7th at the INDGIO location on Fairway Road, Kitchener (6pm to 8pm). Sandhills School Council encourages you to partake in some early holiday shopping and help raise money for school initiatives. 20% of all purchases will go towards the school if you tell your check out assistant that you have a student at Sandhills Public School. As an extra treat for our Sandhills Community, our JUNIOR CHOIR will be performing at 6:45 pm. Come and cheer on our wonderful Junior Choir and show your support. We will see you there!!

UMBRELLA PROJECT

This school year, your child will be participating in The Umbrella Project. The Umbrella Project is a curriculum designed to help your child learn the skills of emotional wellbeing. This year we will be focusing on several characteristic traits including gratitude, grit, self compassion, autonomy, mindfulness, resilience, intrinsic motivation, integrity and hope. Developing these skills will help your child lead a happier, more successful life. Learn more on the umbrella of emotional wellbeing on our website here:

UMBRELLA PROJECT VIDEO

In September our students focussed on Empathy and this month, Gratitude is our main focus. Keep a look out for more information regarding The Umbrella Project as more details will follow shortly. In the meantime, caregivers are encouraged to talk with their students about the trait of the month as your participation will help to deepen your child’s understanding of these important skills.

You can also follow the Umbrella Project on social media for additional tips, resources and information. Find all the details here: 

UMBRELLA PROJECT PARENT RESOURCES

SCHOOL WEBSITE – STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Over the next few weeks, our Sandhills Website (shl.wrdsb.ca) will go through an update. We shall be updating the Extracurricular Activities tab to reflect School Activities that students can participate in for this school year and the School Calendar with important dates such as school council meetings, school events, pizza and tuck shop days.

It is hoped that all this information will help towards keeping parents and students informed about our wonderful school and community.

Read more about What’s the Scoop? 12 October 2018 »

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