NEWSLETTER
CARMAN, MANITOBA William Bunka Principal
745-2623 Dan Saunders Vice-Principal
e-mail – carmanel@cici.mb.ca Bonnie Hooper Secretary
Website – www.cici.mb.ca/carmanel
Greetings Everyone! October 23/00
The beautiful weather has been greatly appreciated. Our students seem to get along much better in mild temperatures. It has also resulted however, in an abundance of clothing articles being collected in our LOST and FOUND bins. Sweatshirts, jackets, T-shirts along with many other items are bountiful in the bins. Are YOUR children missing any items?
Spirit Day:
Thursday, October 26/00 is our school-wide WESTERN DAY. Staff and students are encouraged to dress up in their favourite jeans and shirt. A cowboy hat, a kerchief or scarf around the neck, a string tie, leather belt, boots of any kind, fringes on a shirt or pants, a vest or anything denim including skirts/dresses, even a stick horse. Use your imagination. Come dressed Western and show some SCHOOL SPIRIT.
A group of representatives from the grade 5 & 6 classes have met to choose one spirit day during each month of this school year. There will be announcements and reminders each month to keep parents and students informed of the activities.
Name the Mascot:
It’s been suggested that we have a "School Mascot" as part of our "School Spirit" venture. The School Mascot Committee has a stuffed toy in mind. You and your family are invited to enter a Name the School Mascot contest. Entries can be placed in a container by the school office. Entry deadline is Thursday, November 9/00. A prize will be awarded for the entry chosen.. On a piece of paper write the name that you would suggest for the Mascot and your name and classroom.
Student Safety:
Bus Evacuation drills, fire drills, safe bus riding habits and railway safety are topics that have been stressed with our students this month.
For bus riding, having the children remain seated at all times when the bus is moving, feet and bodies out of the aisles are very important safe bus riding habits. Your assistance in reinforcing these safety habits would be greatly appreciated.
Railway safety, (in particular,
for those students from the north end of Carman who cross the railway tracks
by the west end of the Community Hall) has been mentioned a number of times.
Some children have been crawling under the train cars when they block their
path. Please stress with your children, that when the train is around or
train cars are parked obstructing this walkway, that they should walk around
by the Legion Hall. It’s not that much further and it’s a lot safer. Train
cars are being loaded and moved in that area. It’s not safe for the children
to cross.
Crosswalk Safety: (from Cst. Larry Barr RCMP)
Although crosswalks are placed at intersections for the safety of pedestrians, both pedestrians and vehicles have duties and responsibilities. Most of these are set out in the Highway Traffic Act and most are, for the most part, common sense.
When approaching a crosswalk area,
it is the duty of the pedestrian to enter into the crosswalk area in such
a manner as to make it possible for the driver of the vehicle to yield
the right of way. This is pointed out in Section 141(4). In other words
do not walk or run into the crosswalk
Crosswalk safety continued:
- always ensure that the vehicle will be able to stop in time. Never assume the vehicle driver has seen you. Always take an extra second or two to make eye contact.
It is also a Highway Traffic infraction if a pedestrian crosses in such a manner as to obstruct traffic unnecessarily. This is pointed out in Section 140(2) of the Highway Traffic Act. Don’t intentionally doddle across the crosswalk.
It is the responsibility of the driver of the vehicle to yield the Right of Way to the pedestrian who is in the crosswalk and is on the half of the highway on which the vehicle is travelling. It is the duty of the vehicle driver to take steps to stop the vehicle and let the pedestrian cross. In this case it is also an infraction for a vehicle approaching from the rear to overtake and pass the person who is stopped for the pedestrian. This is pointed out in Section 139 of the Highway Traffic Act.
When approaching a crosswalk, ensure
that it is safe to leave the curb area by checking for oncoming traffic
and signal your intention to cross by putting out your hand to tell the
drivers that you are intending to leave the curb to cross. This gets the
driver’s attention and ensures he/she knows you feel it is now safe to
enter the crosswalk. Be aware of traffic from both directions and cross
safely. Remember that big trucks take longer to stop—so wait for them to
do so before crossing.
Social Skills Development:
Mr. Stobbe, in addition to teaching Physical Education, is also assigned to work with teachers and students in the area of Social Skills Development. The following is his report of progress to date;
In our on-going commitment to teach and reinforce healthy social behaviour we have structured weekly lessons into the curriculum. We believe that children can be taught to handle most problems if they Stop, Think, then Act and Review their choices ( STAR ).
During the past several weeks we have covered the topic of "Teasing" and how to stop it. While not a huge problem in our school, it can lead to bullying if left unaddressed. Future lessons will cover such topics as: Expressing Feelings, Problem-Solving(decision-making), Dealing with Anger, Saying No/Accepting No, Dealing with Being Left Out, Solving Arguments, Playing Fair and Acts of Kindness.
We will be applying these lessons to the themes of: Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Kindness, Fairness and Citizenship.
Halloween:
For the past two years Halloween activities have been limited to having a party after last recess on October 31. Various activities and snacks are enjoyed with the children. There are no costumes. This format has proven to be less hectic for parents and teachers, so we will continue with it this year. We have found the children to be more manageable for the day and the children still had a great time.
Infectious Control:
The flu season is upon us. Our Public Health Nurse stresses that good hand-washing is one of the best ways to keep the flu from spreading. Please encourage your children to follow this practice after bathroom use and before eating.
Grade 4 Hepatitis B Immunization:
Public Health Nurse Susan Mooney will be having an information evening for parents on Tuesday, November 14/00 at 7:30 p.m. ( in the Mac Lab) regarding the Grade 4 Hepatitis B immunization program for Grade 4 students. These immunizations will take place during the week of November 20th. A letter will be forthcoming.
Parent-Teacher Conferences:
Once again, Parent-Teacher Conferences will be offered on Thursday evening, November 16 from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. and Friday morning, November 17 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Some teachers will be trying Student – Led Conferences. They may have to be scheduled earlier in the week. More information will be forthcoming regarding who will be doing what and when.
Watch for a notice early in November.
From the Physical EducationDept:
Wow, what great weather to be outside and active! During the month of October, after completing the unit on Olympic Activities, we have been developing soccer skills. The grade 5 and 6 students will have volleyball and curling units in November.
Grade 3 – 6 students have been using heart rate monitors (HRM) in daily classes and have really improved quickly in their handling of this new technology. Unfortunately the students’ own personal elasticized chest straps have still not arrived, but I will continue to work on this matter with the supplier. Watch for an announcement for an "Active Evening" later in the year. In the meantime,
"Keep that family active and let’s hope this excellent fall weather continues."
Note: Outdoor soccer begins this week at noon recess (Gr. 3 – 6 )
Indoor noon intra-murals will commence when the cold weather sets in. (Gr. 1 – 6 )
Carman Elementary Indoor Soccer Skills and Games:
Grade 1 – 3 students may join indoor soccer to be held on Wednesday during November and December in the school gym. Jarrod Chamberlin, one of our parent volunteers has initiated this activity. He has coached youth soccer in Winnipeg prior to moving to Carman. Jarrod would welcome other parents to help with this venture, even if they can come only occasionally. If this activity proves to be successful, it may carry on into the new year. Please return the registration forms that have been sent out. Jarrod can be contacted at 745-3503.
From the Music Department:
* Grade 5& 6 Choir Performances:
Nov. 9 - School Remembrance Day Program
Nov. 15 – Trip to Choral Fest/ Pan Am Pool in Winnipeg
Leave school at 8:30 am and return by 3:30 PM.
Dec. 3 - Christmas Cheer Board Carole Fest. 2:30 PM
Carman Mennonite Church
Choir Attire: Bright white top, black pants.
"I have been very pleased with the choir’s attitude, attendance and enthusiasm. It makes working with them a joy. I would like to thank Mrs. Hand for volunteering her time and her expertise by accompanying the choir on the piano."
- from Mrs. Broeska
* Winter Concert
Dec. 20th with Grade 3 & 4s
7:30 PM
Carman Collegiate Theatre
Adm. $1.50/seat or $5.00/family
NEWS FROM THE LIBRARY:
The Olympic Spirit was evident not only in the gym but also in the library. The library promoted a short 4 day "Read Around the Olympic Rings" program. Students read 1153 newspaper/magazine articles and books during the 4 days as they "starred" their way around the Olympic Rings numerous times.
A variety of Olympic books and athlete biblios were on display in the library. Hopefully we all gained a little more "Olympic" knowledge.
Our fall Book Fair will take place in the library November 15, 16 and 17. Hours will be:
Wednesday, 9 AM-4 PM and Thursday 9AM-4PM and 6PM-8:30 PM and Friday 8AM-Noon.
Please stop in and browse through
the display. This would be a great opportunity to do a little Christmas
shopping.
Pre-School Survey:
We are in the process of determining
future
enrolments for our school. If you have children at home who are not
yet attending school, would you please help us by completing the attached
pre-school survey form (newborns – 4 years old). If you have a child who
will be attending Kindergarten at Carman Elementary next fall, it is particularly
important that we hear from you because numbers affect our staffing.
Sincerely,
William Bunka, Principal
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PRE-SCHOOL STUDENT SURVEY
FAMILY SURNAME:__________________________________ TELEPHONE:_________________
FATHER:_____________________________ MOTHER:___________________________
MAILING ADDRESS: _______________________________________ SEC/TWNSHIP/RGE__________
POSTAL CODE: _________________________
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NOTE:
If you are aware of families that have pre-school children
at home, but do not have older children in school, please phone 745-2623,
so that a questionnaire may be mailed to them.
Sincerely,
William Bunka, Principal