Message from the Principal

Welcome to another wonderful year at Queen Victoria Public School!  The start of the school year is always exciting (and a little nervous for many of us) and I am sure many of our children feel the same way.     

First and foremost - congratulations to Mrs. Nielsen (formerly Ms. Lancia) who was married over the summer!  She and Mr. Nielsen (Andrew - many of you have seen him around the school) celebrated a wonderful wedding in July.  On behalf of the entire school community I would like to congratulate Mrs. Nielsen and wish her and her new husband all the best!

Perhaps the biggest change to Queen Victoria for the 2009-2010 school year is the implementation of a "Balanced Day."  A letter was sent home last year indicating that our school would be adopting a Balanced Day this year.  Further information on the Balanced Day is provided in a notice going home with your son/daughter today.  Unlike previous years, there won't be a 15-minute morning recess and a 60-minute lunch hour.  Instead, there will be 2-40 minute breaks during the day.

In addition, Queen Victoria will be moving to (like most schools in our board) a 6-Day Schedule.  Our school will be constantly cycling through this 6-day Schedule.  This mostly impacts Kindergarten students.  Junior Kindergarten students will be attending on Days 1, 3 and 5 and Senior Kindergarten students will be attending on Days 2, 4 and 6.

QVPS saw many improvements over the summer.  Numerous areas of the school were repainted and a custodial room was added beside Mrs. McMullen's classroom.  Our gym received significant renovations.  The gym roof was redone and all of the lines were repainted on the gym floor.  Our gym looks excellent as a result!  As usual, Mr. Daynes and Mr. Evans have outdone themselves in preparing our classrooms and school! 

With the floors in excellent condition, we remind families that that all students should have an indoor and an outdoor pair of shoes.  The indoor pair must be suitable for gym classes (which usually means not having black soles).

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome new families to our school and to welcome back our families from last year.  Our staff are a dedicated group of individuals who will work hard to ensure the best for your child socially, emotionally and academically.  The school was never quiet over the summer as many of the staff were in preparing for September.  I am proud to be a part of such a caring, dedicated group of individuals.

I encourage you to take an active role in your child's education.  When questions or concerns arise, it is always best to set up a time to meet with the teacher to discuss the issue before little issues grow into big ones.  By working together we can make this a great year for your child!

I hope that the 2009-2010 school year is a great one for your family.

Yours truly,

Darin Parish

Principal

QVPS School Council

This week, nomination forms for the School Council will be sent home.  Please read the form carefully and give consideration to being a part of this year's council.  This is an excellent opportunity for you to become a part of your child's education and it will allow you the opportunity to meet other parents.  Nomination forms are due by Tuesday, September 29th.  This is the date of the first Council Meeting.  Our Council meeting will take place at 6:00 p.m..

Agendas

Each Grade 1 to Grade 6 student at Queen Victoria will be receiving an Agenda (as in previous years).  The cost for the agenda will be $5.00.  Please send this money into your child's homeroom teacher as soon as possible.  The agenda is an invaluable tool for helping students remain organized by being able to write homework, assignments and other information onto the appropriate day.  As well, it is an invaluable tool for communication between home and school.   

Staffing

There have been a number of staffing changes from last year (particularly with teachers moving to different grades) and I would like to take this opportunity to update you on our staffing news.

Mrs. Wotten is teaching the Grade 1 class this year.  She is excited about the switch - but will miss the Grade 3's!

Ms. Hein is moving from Grade 6 and teaching Grade 5 this year.  Her experience in teaching Grade 6 should prove beneficial in preparing our Grade 5's for the following year!

Mrs. Barrow has left Queen Victoria for Parkview.  The move allows Mrs. Barrow to focus even more on her passion for literacy.  Mrs. Barrow did want me to relay to the school community that her move was a very difficult decision and that she has nothing but wonderful thoughts for Queen Victoria.

Mrs. Barrow's leaving will result in the hiring of a new teacher.  When this has taken place I will inform the school community.

Ms. McFaul is returning as a .5 Grade 4 teacher - team teaching the class with another teacher.  At the year's end it appeared that Ms. McFaul would be moving onto another school; however, it worked out that she would be able to return!  We are happy to have her back!

Ms. Nielsen (previously Ms. Lancia) is teaching Grade 2/3 this year.  It seemed at the end of last year that Ms. Nielsen would only be at Queen Victoria on a .5 basis; however, events transpired to bring her back on a full-time basis!  We welcome her back!

We are also welcoming 2 new Educational Assistants to our staff: Mrs. Leanne Grof and Mrs. Debbie Bowman.  Welcome to Queen Victoria!

QVPS Staff 2009-2010

Mr.   D. Parish Principal

Mrs. J. Gignac            JK (Days 1, 3 and 5)

Mrs. D. McMullen       SK (Days, 2, 4 and 6)

Mrs. Wotten                Grade 1

Mrs. K. Stockley         Grade 2

Mrs. S. Neilson           Grade 2/3

TBA                             Grade 4 and Lit Coach

Ms. K. McFaul            Grade 4 (shared)

Ms. Hein                      Grade 5

Mr. D. Arnold              Grade 6

Mrs. P. Dickson          Resource Teacher

Mr. S. Whalen             French

                                    Grade 4 (shared)

Ms. Lautenschlager    Library

                                    Prep Coverage

Mr. P. Fleming            Educational Assistant

Mrs. D. Thurston         Educational Assistant

Mrs. R. Winterbottom Educational Assistant

Mr.   J. Jewell             Educational Assistant

Mrs. L. Grof                Educational Assistant

Mrs. D. Bowman         Educational Assistant

Mrs. G. Webster         Head Secretary

Mr. D. Daynes            Head Custodian

Mr. P. Evans               Night Custodian

Peanut and Tree Nut Safe School

Queen Victoria endeavours to be a "Peanut Safe School."  We encourage all parents to NOT send food containing peanut, peanut products, or tree nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, etc...) to school.  Some students are highly allergic to these types of nuts.

Should a student mistakenly/accidentally bring a food item to school that contains or has come into contact with nuts, they will be asked to place the item back in their lunch bag.  Should the student absolutely need to eat that food item, they may do so in the office.

Should you have any questions regarding our Peanut and Tree Nut Safe School Policy feel free to contact the office.

Head Check Volunteers Needed!

Once each month the entire school will be checked for head lice.  In order to complete this task, we require volunteers to assist with the monthly checks.  All volunteers receive training in recognizing and detecting nits and eggs.  We hope that each volunteer will choose one or two classrooms to check for the year.  Each volunteer would come in once a month. The volunteers would be responsible for the classrooms they choose.  Checks take approximately 20 minutes per class.  Confidentiality and discretion are obviously essential.  Please contact the school if you are willing to assist with this important task.

School Schedule

Yard supervision begins at 8:30

Line Up Bell at 8:40

School will begin at 8:45

Nutrition Break 1 at 10:25 to 10:45

Recess Break 1 at 10:45 to 11:05

Nutrition Break 2 at 12:45 to 1:05

Recess Break 2 at 1:05 to 1:25

Dismissal time will be at 3:05

Our teachers begin their teaching time at 8:45 each day. Students who arrive late miss key information and important learning.  We ask that you do your best to ensure that your child arrives before the line up bell at 8:40.

In the event that your child will be arriving late, it is important for your child's safety that there is communication between home and school.  Students who arrive late should be signed in at the office by a parent or guardian.  Parents could also phone the school or send a note.  If a student arrives late without explanation, the student will receive a late slip to be signed by the parents/guardians.  If the slip is not returned the next day, the student will receive a detention. This process will continue until the slip is signed or the parent has contacted the office. 

Meet the Staff Night

Our annual Meet the Staff Night has been Tentatively Set for Thursday, September 17th.  Our school will be providing an ice cream cone for students and parents of QVPS.  This will take place between 5:00 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. in the gym.  A short assembly will take place at 5:45 p.m. and last until about 6:00 p.m..
After this parents can visit their child's classroom and teacher.  The night will end at 7:00 p.m.  Further details about the evening will be sent home soon. 

Picture Day

Student and class picture day will be on September 18^th for Junior Kindergarten students and September 25^th for SK to Grade 6 students in the a.m..  Lifetouch, the company that took the photos last year, will be taking our pictures again this year.

Terry Fox Walk: "A Toonie for Terry"

Our annual Terry Fox Walk will be taking place on Friday, September 25^th in the p.m..  The raindate will be Monday, September 28^th.  We are asking that each student donate a Toonie to support the worthy cause of Cancer Research. 

The walk will be taking place at 2:00 p.m. and should last about 45 minutes.  We are encouraging parents to come out and walk with us this year. 

Milk Purchases and School Store

Milk will be available during the first week of school.  Students will be able to come to the school store between 12:45 and 1:05 to purchase milk.  Beginning the second week of school, students will be able to order milk on a weekly basis as they have been able to in past years.

Our school store will be open each day between 12:45 and 1:05.  Items for purchase will be available later this week.  A variety of snack items will be available for purchase, including Crispers and SmartFood Popcorn.   The precise cost for these items has not yet been determined, but will likely be around $1.00 for each snack pack.

FORMS! FORMS! FORMS!

Today you will receive a number of forms to be filled out and returned to the school.  It is very important that you complete the required information and return them to the office as soon as possible.  Most of the forms will be very familiar but some are new and some have a new look:

• - Parent Permission to Access The Ontario Student Record (OSR): Once again we are sending home, in the package of forms, to fill out the form for permission to access the OSR. This forms allows TLDSB board consultants permission from you to access your child's OSR. This would happen in rare cases where a consultant is in the school to assist with programming for your child and would like to see the educational history of your child. Of course, you will be notified and kept informed during the process. This is a voluntary form and we recommend you signing it as consultants sometimes arrive with short timeframes and we do not have sufficient time to have the paper work sent home and returned signed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms Dickson, the resource teacher, at the school.
• - Student Walking Forms have been included in the package. Signing these forms acknowledges that you agree to allow your child to participate in walking trips in the community with their class. As part of our goal to ensure physical fitness, many classes participate in daily and weekly walks known as 'The Trillium Trek.' Classes participate in a supervised walk in the neighbourhood. When you sign this form, you give permission for your child to participate in these walks. Longer walks in the community would be recorded in your child's agenda or in a class newsletter prior to the excursion.
• - Student Insurance Forms

Although the school sets rules and practices in place to ensure safety, accidents do happen.  Choosing the student insurance plan ensures that you will have coverage for unexpected costs related to injuries that might occur.  You are strongly encouraged to consider taking out this coverage.

• - A lunch form is also included. Please complete this form to indicate whether your son/daughter will be remaining at school for lunch or returning home on particular days. It is critical that we know where students are at all times during the day, which includes lunch.
• - An Attendance Check (Safe Arrival) Form is included in the package.

Junior Soccer Team Tryouts

The Junior Soccer Team will be holding try-outs soon!  If your child is interested in trying out for the team (and is in grade 5 or 6), be sure to encourage them to listen to announcements for when the sign-up will take place and when try-outs will begin.  Be sure to fill out the permission form and return it promptly.  Proper running shoes and phys ed clothing are required.  Ms. Hein will again be bringing her considerable soccer experience and skills to this year's soccer team!    

Cross-Country Team Tryouts

The Cross-Country Team will also be holding its try-outs soon!  If your child is interested in trying out for the team (students in Grade 1 and up can participate), be sure to encourage them to listen to announcements for when the sign-up will take place and when try-outs will begin.  The permission form will need to be completed and returned before students can participate.  Ms. Dickson will again be coaching this year's team.  Proper running shoes and phys ed clothing are required.

No Pets at the School, Please!

I would ask that parents do not bring pets onto school property.  This would include pets such as dogs and cats.  A number of problems can come from pets being brought to school.  Students may be scratched or bitten (even the best behaved pet can react unexpectedly), animals may have diseases, and there could also be allergy issues for students or staff members.