Message from the Principal

Fall has arrived at Queen Victoria!  Our playground is covered with fallen leaves in autumn colours and looks absolutely beautiful.  Autumn also brings lots of rain, but our students don't seem to mind the mud puddles. 

 October was a busy month at Queen Victoria with students involved in many different events.  The Running and Walking Club - with about forty students - was a great success.  A large number of these students participated in the Cross-Country Running Event held on Tuesday, October 6^th.  Our Junior Soccer Team competed on Wednesday, October 13^th.  Our Grade 5's participated in Race Against Drugs (with one of our teams winning a competition) on Wednesday, October 28^th.  In each case our students demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and represented Queen Victoria in an appropriate manner!  Thank you for the effort shown by the staff and students involved.

November is sure to be an equally busy month.  Some of the events taking place this month include Report Cards (Monday, November 23^rd) going home, Parent and Teacher Meetings (November 26^th after school and November 27^th in the morning), the MacMillan's Fundraiser begins on November 2^nd, and there will be a Movie Night on December 3^rd (the movie to be played is not yet determined). 

Don't forget that Friday, November 6^th is a PA Day for our students.  While students enjoy a day off from school, teachers will be working hard on Report Cards.

Thank you to the nearly half of our parents who have signed up for the e-mailed version of this newsletter!  If you are interested in receiving the e-mailed version of the newsletter (rather than the paper version - which helps the environment) please complete and return the form at the end of this newsletter.

Darin Parish

Principal

School Council News

Parent Council met on Wednesday, October 14^th.  A number of topics were discussed, including our upcoming Movie Night on Thursday, December 3^rd, Hot Lunches and the MacMillan's Fundraiser.

Our next Parent Council meeting will be on Tuesday, November 24^th at 6:00 p.m..  As always, all parents are welcome to attend our meetings.

The MacMillan Fundraiser for the School Council began on Monday, November 2^nd and will be continuing until Friday, November 20^th.  All order forms must be returned by the 20^th so that the order can be placed.  The MacMillan Fundraiser was again chosen as it provides parents (and other buyers) with a variety of options from which to choose.      

Last year, the MacMillan Fundraiser was highly successful - which is another reason it was again chosen!  The pickup date for products purchased will be on December 3^rd beginning at 2:15 p.m.. 

Profits from the MacMillan fundraiser are used in a variety of ways, including the purchase of technology to support learning in the school (e.g., SmartBoards or data projectors), music equipment and the support of field trips.  Last year, the Parent Council paid for the buses used in the year end trips. 

Thank you in advance for your support of this fundraiser.  Should you have any questions feel free to contact the school.

Flu Update

As you know, the occurrence of flu is increasing as health units warned it would.

During this time, we would ask that you be vigilant in keeping sick children at home, and modeling safe and healthy behaviours such as hand-washing and coughing into your sleeve or a tissue.

Your child's school is sharing this direction, and watching all students for signs of flu and calling you for immediate pick-up if your child is ill.

Signs of the flu include:

respiratory symptoms

fever

cough

sore throat

muscle aches

joint pain or weakness.

In children under 5, gastrointestinal symptoms may also be present and fever may not be prominent.

For more information, please visit the Board website, www.tldsb.on.ca, for links to the Health Unit resources.

Please be sure to update your phone number(s) (home, work and cell phone) so that you can be reached if your child is ill.  When a child is ill at school he/she should be picked up as quickly as possible as the office does not have facilities to look after children in this situation.  As well, the longer an ill child is at school the greater the possibility of others becoming ill as a result of this.

Please also update your emergency contacts.  If you are unable to pick up your child there should ALWAYS be an emergency contact who is able to do so.  Again, it is critical that students be picked up as quickly as possible.  

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Report Cards will be going home on Monday, November 23^rd. 

Parent-Teacher Interviews will be taking place on the night of Thursday, November 26^th and during the morning of Friday, November 27^th.  Additional information regarding the interview dates and times will be sent out later in November.  Please be sure to fill out and return these forms, as parent-teacher interviews are a critical means of communication.      

October Praise Assembly

Our October Praise Assembly took place on Wednesday, October 28^th.  In this assembly we celebrated the successes of our students in the Character Trait of Respect. 

Praise Certificate winners for October were: Brandon Smith, Hanna Gowan, Breanna MacInnes, Austin Welles, Kira Peel, Callie Whitehead, Haley Garrow, William Hall, Tess Morasse, Andrew Brown, Brianna Billings, Dante Pio, Janelle Lane, Alyssa Denyer, Nathan Clifton, Tamara McQuade, and Denise Bennett.     

Thank you to Mr. Jewell for assisting in handing-out praise certificates!

November's Character Trait is Citizenship.  Students were encouraged to show Citizenship by helping other students (e.g., perhaps a student who needs help, making sure that paper is recycled, or speaking with others in a polite and respectful way).

Race Against Drugs

On Wednesday, October 28^th, Ms. Hein's Grade 5 class participated in the Race Against Drugs organized by the OPP and the City of Kawartha Lakes Police.  The Racing Against Drugs program, developed by the RCMP, encourages students to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles.  Students received information on the dangers of substance abuse, the benefits of healthy alternatives and the importance of personal safety.

Students participated in "Pit Stop" sessions run by police services, health agencies, businesses and educators.  The students rotated around the venue spending time at the interactive "Pit Stops." 

Congratulations to Keianna Clifton, Robert Williams, Alex Craine, and Joliene Nickel who won the car race (the team with the most car laps won)!   Ms. Hein said that these 4 students showed great patience in having their car go "at just the right speed" to not crash!

Winter Coats Available

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes have coats available for pick up at the Boys and Girls Club of Kawartha Lakes at 107 Lindsay Street South in Lindsay from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

At the time of this note (October 26^th) the Club indicated that they had coats/leggings/hats/mitts/scarves available in all sizes (adult and children).

Coats will be available until they run out. 

Eco Schools

Thank you to all of the parents and students who are participating in the Litterless and Bounce Back Lunches!  It is amazing to walk into classrooms during our nutrition breaks and see so many students who are bringing Litterless Lunches to school or who doing the "Bounce Back" by putting wrappers and paper/cardboard snack containers in their lunch bags and taking it home.

How can you help?

• Drinks can be brought in a re-useable bottle (rather than a "one-use" water bottle).
• A sandwich could be sent in a "Tupperware" container rather than a sandwich bag.
• Rather than buying "one-use" yogurt containers, consider buying yogurt in a large container and putting it in a re-useable container.

Another Successful Season for QVPS's Running Club and Cross Country Team

Ms. Dickson and Mrs. Nielsen would like to congratulate all of the members of this years running club that came out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning to get some exercise. 

On Tuesday, October 6th thirty students travelled to Ken Reid to compete in TLDSB's Cross Country Run.  Although we did not have any top 10 finishes, we had several personal bests and a great deal of sportsmanship.  Way to go Queen Vic!  Special mention goes to Caitlyn Watson who received a special "Spirit of the Day" award for her sportsmanship and perseverance.  Congratulations Caitlyn!

Running Club Members included: Matthew Dollimore, Miranda Detering, Sarah Foster,  Mitchel Burgess, Ethan BigCanoe, Cameron Coles,  Deidre Jorgensen, Karson Toth, Griffen Penny, Rhys VanHoudt, Mitchell McKinnon, ShayLyn Smitheram, and Emily McKinnon.

Running Club and Cross County Team Members included: Ashley Bacon, Tanner BigCanoe, Ben Boyd, Dylan Boyd, Andrew Brown, William Burgess, Keanna Clifton, Melody Clifton, Nathan Clifton, Alex Craine, Alyssa Denyer, Sarah Dollimore, Jordan Falkner, Kallie Falkner, Patience Fleming, Jason Foster, Brandon Fraser, Jon Fraser, Kendyll Jones-McGowan, Brandon Kennan, Dylan Kennedy, Janelle Lane, Dylan Masters, Rachel McKinnon, Kaitlyn Meek, Paula Smitheram, Kayla Taylor, Liam VanHoudt, Caitlyn Watson, and Jacob Watson.

Keep running and we look forward to improving our scores even more next year,

Ms. Dickson & Mrs. Nielsen

Participating on the Cross-Country team requires tremendous dedication (lots of early mornings running!) - your efforts are appreciated!  Thank you to Ms. Dickson and Mrs. Nielsen for organizing and coaching the Cross-Country Team.

Mr. Parish 

Soccer Team

Wilson Field in Lindsay was the cold and windy setting for the Junior Boys and Girls at the Zone Soccer Tournament, on October 13, 2009.

There, chilly fans witnessed some pretty passing, some spectacular saves, and some crucial kicks.

In all, the Queen Vic Vipers managed to win one out of their three games.  Shay Lynne Smitheram made some excellent saves, and was also helped out by the defensive line of Denise Bennett, Marissa Curell and Karson Toth.  Pushing the ball forward for the girls was the front line of Keianna Clifton, Cristina Marois, Sara Foster and Ashley Bacon.  Great goal in game 2, Ashley!

The boys made their mark with two goals by Jason Foster and one by Alex Craine who were both played with great heart along side Mark Saville.  Dylan Boyd and Dylan Kennedy made great efforts to move the ball past the opposing team along with other forwards such as Liam Van Hougt, Robert Williams and Steven Readman.  In back tending the goal and making many saves was Nate Perritt.

Mr. Whalen is very proud of all the great sportsmanship that was shown by the Queen Vic Vipers at all times, as well as how they represented our school at the zone sporting event.  Great job, everyone!

Thank you to Mr. Whalen for coaching this year's Junior Soccer Team!

Grade 3 Swim to Survive

Thanks to the sponsorship of Risk Watch the Grade 3's were able to take part in a 3 lesson swim program called "Swim to Survive."  Mrs. Nielsen's Grade 3's travelled to the Lindsay aquatorium October 14th, 21st, and 28th to receive three, one-hour lessons.  Each lesson taught students the basic swimming skills necessary to be safe around water.  Highlights included diving off the diving board, learning to tread water, learning what to do when you fall out of a canoe, and working together as a team to master the "giant" surfboard.  The Grade 3's would like to extend a HUGE than you to Risk Watch for providing this amazing opportunity.  We had a blast and learned a lot too!

Photo Retakes and Class Pictures

(Photo Retake Day is November 4^th)

The Lifetouch photographers were at QVPS on September 18^th and 25^th for our school photos.  All students should now have returned their orders to the school. Life Touch will be coming on November 4^th for those students who were absent and for students requiring retakes.  In order to have retakes you must return the proofs with a note stating that you would like retakes.

Nutritional Snack Volunteers

Thank you to Mrs. Christie BigCanoe and Mrs. Gwen Foster, parents of students at Queen Victoria, who are again looking after the Nutritional Snack program at our school.  They come in each morning at about 8:00 a.m. and prepare the snack for our students.  Their efforts are appreciated by students are staff alike.  If you see Mrs. BigCanoe or Mrs. Foster be sure to thank them!

Parents in the School

We are always pleased to welcome parents into our school, however, for safety reasons, we require that all visitors, including parents, check in at the office upon arrival at the school.  In order to protect the safety of the children, parents/vistors are not permitted to go to the classrooms without permission from the office. 

Pick Up and Drop Off Routines

Please remember that there is a "No Parking" area in front of the school in the parking lot and on the south side of John Street.  In order to ensure the safety of our students and to avoid traffic congestion, we ask that you do not park in these areas.  As well, you are reminded that parents picking up students at the end of the day in cars are asked to park on the North Side of John Street. 

Parents needing to come on the yard at the first or second nutrition break recesses reminded to check in at the office first and then speak with a staff member on yard duty before approaching the children on the yard.  This process is in place to ensure the safety of all our children.

Queen Victoria's Fourth-Annual Turkey  Shoot  

Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! During the Nutrition Break recesses from September 30th to October 7th the gym echoed with the sounds of children laughing, basketballs bouncing, and the swish of success. Everyday, during first Nutrition Break recess, students from Kindergarten through Grade 3 gathered in the gym to try their luck at sinking the most baskets. Junior students had their chance during our second Nutrition Break recess. Every morning an update was announced, letting the students know what the magic number to beat was.

On the afternoon of October 8th, just before our second nutrition break, everybody was invited to the gym to watch the Primary and Junior students have their basketball shoot off.  Before the shoot off began, Julia Cunnington (Grade 1) was recognized for getting all 10 baskets in and winning the turkey for the JK-Grade 1 division. 

After the Primary shoot off began. Kole Mcllmoyle (Grade 2), Dean MacInnes (Grade 2), and Tanner BigCanoe (Grade 3) all took part.  After a very exciting 3 person competition, Dean MacInnes was the lucky winner, sinking a total of 9 baskets! Everyone else received a round of applause and a mini-basketball for their hard work.

Next the students watched Jason Foster (Grade 6) and Aaron Clifton (Grade 6) competed for the Junior Turkey.  After an extremely close shoot off, Aaron Clifton was the lucky winner, sinking a total of 7 baskets. Jason received a round of applause and a mini-basketball for his efforts.

The students then watched Ms. McReelis and Ms. Hein compete for half of the special Thanksgiving dessert. After much cheering, Ms. McReelis was announced the winner.

Thank you to everyone who helped to make this year's turkey shoot a big success. A special thank you goes out to all of the teachers, Co-op students and Grade 6 volunteers who came down to help out every recess. Without your help the turkey shoot would never have run so smoothly! Keep your eyes open for the Fifth Annual Queen Victoria Turkey Shoot to return next year one week before Thanksgiving.  Mrs. Nielsen J

Thank you to Mrs. Nielsen for again running this excellent activity - the students definitely enjoyed it!

Milk Purchases and School Store

Milk is available in the school store between 12:45 and 12:55.  Students may order milk on a weekly basis, as they have been able to in past years.

Our school store will also be open each day between 12:45 and 1:05 for students to purchase snack items.  A variety of snack items will be available for purchase, including Crispers and SmartFood Popcorn.   The cost for each snack pack is $1.00.

City of Kawartha Lakes Public Library - November Events

Lindsay Library

One Book, One Community

City of Kawartha Lakes Reads!

One Book, One Community invites everyone to "get on the same page" and read Kenneth Oppel's book "Silverwing".  This program will until November 30.  Everyone is encouraged to read "Silverwing" and take part in the many activities planned at library branches throughout the City of Kawartha Lakes.  When you have read "Silverwing" be sure to let the Library know so your name will be included in the weekly draw.  Brochures outlining all events are available at your local branch library.        

Storytime

            Wednesdays at 2 pm

Thursdays at 11 am

            Age 3 - 5 years

            Advance registration required.

            Family Storytime

Fridays at 10:30 am

Everyone welcome

A "Bat-tastic" Show

With Mrs. Twist, Balloonologist

Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 pm

Make a Batty Bookbag

Friday, November 6 & 20 at 2 pm

Read to the Dogs

Saturday, November 7 & 21

from 10 am - 12 noon

Advance registration required.

Enjoy Batty Crafts

Saturday, November 14 at 10:30 am

Art Creations 101

Thursday, November 19 6:30 pm

Age 7 years and up

Advance registration required

Science Fun with Dee

Tuesday, November 24 at 6:30 pm

Age 7 years and up.

Advance registration required.

For information or to register please call the Lindsay Library at 324-9411 ext. 332.

Search the Library Catalogue at www.city.kawarthalakes.on.ca\library