March News from W.J. Berezowsky School

It’s difficult to believe we have completed about 60% of the school year! March brings our second round of Report Cards and Parent/Teacher interviews.

We hope you will set aside some time to come and meet with your child’s teacher(s) and discuss both academic progress and work habits.

At the same time, we will be hosting a book fair in the library AND celebrating our uniquely wonderful Science Lab with an Open House.

You may also wish to check out the newly renovated canteen area which will allow us to expand our food preparation and host cooking activities such as Community Kitchens. 

 WJB school is very fortunate to have been on the receiving end of these facility facelifts!

Safety first

Safety concerns and tips surrounding discarded needles in P.A.

10h ago

Liquor stores must change hours

Prince Albert limits liquor store hours

13h ago

skin care +

LUXE22 Clinic : Elevating Beauty with Expert Treatments

14h ago

A huge thank you goes out to the staff at WJB for all they do for the students including the many extras! The staff would like to thank the School Community Council for providing a lunch for them during Staff Appreciation week.

We are all celebrating Mrs. Lysitza’s trip to Phuket, Thailand next week! She won the trip through Microsoft’s Partners in Learning by entering a computer project she created with her students last year! We are very proud of Mrs. Lysitza and hope the week long forum will be an exciting learning experience!

A huge thank you to the City of Prince Albert and the Urban Aboriginal Grant Program for the $4000 grant that has allowed us to form the East Flat Recreation Club and purchase 17 pairs of skis and 5 pairs of boots! The students have been out in all kinds of weather developing skills and having fun!

Congratulations go out to our Character Education Award winners for their display of Trust.  The recipients of this award for this month are:
Kindergarten – Tayson Joseph-Bear
Grade 1 – Ethan Sanderson
Grade 2 – Trinnidy Ballantyne
Grade 3 – Danica Thomas
Grade 4 –   Ben Clarke, Brenden Gunn
Grade 5 – Christian Martin, Sharmayne Reding
Grade 6 – Garren Desjarlais
Grade 7 – Jared Settee
Grade 8 – Kiana Nawakayas

Our next character trait that we will be focusing on is: Diligence.  Diligence is working hard and doing the best job you possibly can.   Diligence helps you get things done with excellence and enthusiasm. It leads to success.

Thank you to all of the families that supported Helping Hands for Telemiracle!

Computer/ Internet/ Video Game Safety:
The ways a child spends their time after school hours often filters into the school through the ways they interact with each other. Violent or adult movies, electronic games and internet sites have been listed by our students as one of their reasons for  inappropriate interactions.

With computers, Internet, games and various media being common in homes, it is easy to become comfortable with the amount of time our children spend plugged in and tuned in, and to be unaware of the types of sites and games they are involved or how these sources of entertainment might be affecting them.

Here is a link to a Canadian website with information to help remind families to be attentive, to provide supervision and reasons to set limits regarding Internet use.

Many of the ideas for Internet use can also support parents to make wise decisions about the electronic games their children play, the music that is listened to and the TV programs that are watched. http://www.thedoorthatsnotlocked.ca/app/en/

Spending time with your child, either by sharing a game or tv show can provide awareness for you. 

On the other hand, unplugging and spending time together in the outdoors can be the foundation of a healthy lifestyle for your child.

SOME INFORMATION TO TAKE NOTE OF AS WELL AS DATES TO REMEMBER:

1. Report cards will be sent home on Monday, March 14.

2. Parent/Teacher interviews will be held on Wednesday, March 16 and Thursday,
March 17 from 3:30- 6:00.        Please try to attend to support your child(ren).

3. The library will host a Scholastic Book Fair: (the book fair will be closed at noon and
at recesses).
       Monday, March 14, 9:00– 3:15 p.m.
       Tuesday, March 15, 9:00– 3:15 p.m.
       Wednesday, March 16, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
       Thursday, March 17, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

                                                                 
4. School Community Council meets Tuesday, March15 at 6:30 p.m. in the staff room. Everyone is welcome!

5. Love of Learning: We will be hosting a Winter Carnival for K through Grade 8 students on the morning of Friday, March 18. More information will be forthcoming.

6. Early dismissal is at 11:45 on Friday, March 18th  so that staff may have their monthly staff meeting.

7. Grade 8 students will be involved with tours of the three public high schools Wesmor, Carlton and PACI on Thursday, March 17.  Students will be bussed and busses will be leaving at 9:00 a.m.    Lunch will be provided.

8. There will be NO CLASSES on Monday, March 21 and Tuesday, March 22 for Teachers’ Convention.

  Please check with your child(ren) about their school supplies.  A lot of the   supplies that were purchased in August have now run out and need to be replenished.  THANK YOU!

  Also, please keep the school informed of any change of address or telephone numbers and contact information.

PREKINDERGARTEN APPLICATION / KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
If your child, or someone you know, will be five years old by December 31, 2011, it’s time to start thinking about Kindergarten.   As well, our Prekindergarten class is accepting applications for 3 and 4 year old children for the 2011/2012 year.    For information or to pick up a registration or application form, please contact W.J. Berezowsky School.

Science Lab:
Be part of the Grand Opening for our new state-of-the-art one of  kind Science Lab at WJ Berezowsky School during Parent-Teacher Interviews.  It will be open for viewing both nights, March 16 & 17, 3:30-6:00 p.m.     Cupcakes and juice / coffee will be provided with thanks to our School Community Council.

After-School Program
The kindergarten class just celebrated the 100th day of school which means we are halfway through our school year. Wow! Our After-School Program has been going quite strong. We have had very good attendance quite consistently throughout this school year.

It has been very impressive and it feels good that the kids have wanted to come. I also would like to congratulate the kids on their good behaviour. Some groups are definitely more active than others and can tire me out but I really do enjoy all of them.

Our program’s direction has changed somewhat because of our connection with agencies such as the ‘Lakeland District for Sport, Culture and Recreation’ and ‘Community Kitchens.’ I believe it has been a very positive change giving the kids options in their program.   This allows them to have time with their peers and have fun as well as learning the benefits from being involved in a healthy lifestyle.

Our Grade 5/6 After-School Program Floor Hockey team has played 2 games so far. We have been lucky to win both of the games against Westview and Riverside!! This team is quite energetic and could probably play the game for at least another hour. They are having lots of fun and the bus trip to PAGC gym is pretty cool, as well.

Our older students have also been involved in Destination ImagiNation. We have done quite a variety of challenges so far. Students are given directions and limited materials and are asked to complete different tasks. They must use their creativity and imagination as they work with a team to create what they have been directed to do so.

Some of these challenges have been mind-bending! The kids have really impressed me with what they
come up with. Lots of thinking and talking with each other happens and hard work as work towards completing the required task. The end result usually is quite amazing!! We are very fortunate to have a chance to compete against other schools at the end of March.
More news will follow about the competition!!

The little kids still continue to come in large numbers with lots of enthusiasm.   We have gone outside to play as long as the weather permits. They really enjoy the snow-saws as they love building forts. (Thanks, Mr. Arpin for making these for the school!)  Movie and Popcorn sessions are still so popular and are great for allowing larger groups as many siblings attend as well.

I thank the parents for being flexible as some of the programs have to change their day within the month to accommodate the Floor Hockey Schedule. Feel free to come and join us at any time. If a parent would like to come in and share their talents with our students,feel free to contact me here at school. Our phone number is 763-7404.
Bev Shewchuk, After School Program Coordinator