November 2008 Newsletter

Band News

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Wolverine Words

Hope your Hallowe’en was enjoyable! We all had a “spooktacular” time at our annual Van Walleghem Hallowe’en Circuit in the gymnasiums. Students were challenged to participate in several different Hallowe’en themed activity stations in both gyms. Many thanks to the terrific grade 5 and 6 Sports Leaders who were assigned to set up and dismantle the circuit over the three day event. We’re already looking forward to our Christmas Circuit.

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Fall Classic

The 2008 Linden Woods Fall Classic is now in the books! Congratulations to Jeffrey Booth (38:40) and Monica Young (42:10), this year’s 10 k winners. We would also like to congratulate Dominique Calabro and her family for making it back-to-back wins for the Early Bird Turkey Dinner Draw!

Although the numbers are not quite finalized, it looks like the Fall Classic will have another very good year in terms of funds raised. A huge Thank You must be extended to all of our sponsors for their donations and their spirit of community building. A complete listing of our sponsors can be found on the Fall Classic web site (www.lwfc.ca). Check them out, visit them, and thank them for their support.

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Koats for Kids

This year our school will once again be collecting gently-used winter outerwear for the Koats for Kids Program.  The Koats for Kids program is a cooperative community effort where businesses, the media, government, the general public and human care agencies collaborate to meet an identified community need. Since 1989 over 100,000 winter outerwear items have been distributed to Winnipeg children in need of warm winter wear.  If you have any gently-worn winter outerwear to donate please drop it off  at the school office.  From there Mrs. Swintak's kindergarten class will be sorting the items and then dropping them off at our local Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Station. 

Thanking you in advance for donating to this wonderful cause and keeping a few children warmer this winter!

Counsellor's Corner

Hello to all Van Walleghem students and their families.

I'd like to formally introduce myself as your new school counsellor, Ms. Lewis.

I have been in the school for the month of October trying to get to know everybody, but it is large place. You can help me with this by introducing yourself to me when you see me in the school. I am in the building every day. My office is located across from the library between the girls' and boys' washrooms.

If you feel that you would like to speak with at any point throughout the year feel please free to stop by my office to see if I am available. You may also reach me by telephone at the school at 489-0995 extension 1972 or by email to klewis@pembinatrails.ca .

I look forward to meeting and getting to know all of you.

Sincerely,

Ms. K. Lewis

Community News

To get involved in outreach programs, craft sales,

early years education and more volunteer opportunities . . .

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Administration Message

“btw we dont take perfect squares until grade 10 – I blew the math test.”  That text message came from my oldest son last week in the middle of the day.  (btw = by the way)

He had been up late working on his Grade 9 math homework a few days prior and I had helped him work out a couple of problems.  It felt great to finally be able to help him with his homework – and now this text message.  Obviously, he just got a test back and something I had “taught” him did not help him on the test.  It certainly did not feel good being in a situation where my support was … not supportive. 

In the end, my help had only cost him a few points on the test – phew!!!

Although this newsletter does not provide direct homework help, it is packed with great information on our triumphs in October and our plans and projects for November and the rest of the year.  For homework questions, please see your child's class web page.

We had a successful session of Parent-Student-Teacher tri-conferences.  There were 776 conference reservations made online.  The online booking system worked well and we have already made many improvements for the next round.  We have made it easier for you to log on and will include the teacher's role with their name.  We will also email out the invitation to parents with 3 or more children in advance to allow them to book appointments back to back.

Our school plan has been finalized and will focus on various initiatives under the priority areas of: Build and maintain safe and caring school community that promotes a positive and respectful learning environment (Olweus Bully Prevention Program) and Enhance the success of all students through the identification of relevant learning targets, differentiated instruction and valid assessment practices.  (Clear targets, Continua, Collaborative Resource Model).  The complete plan is available on our web site ( www.pembinatrails.ca/vw ) by following the parent link.

Please enjoy your November VW eNews.

Brad Burns

Principal

Library Links

"Pyramid of Books" Book Fair a huge success!

Thank you, Merci to the Community of École Van Walleghem School for their tremendous support during the Book Fair!

Classroom Wish List- Over 60 books were purchased on behalf of families as donations to classroom Libraries.

Teachers were thrilled to receive the "Gift of Reading". Thank you!

Student helpers- Once again, students in grades 5-8 helped our younger students visit the Book Fair and create "Wish Lists."

Congratulations to our Winners- Kimberly won our Family Draw. Genevieve and Leena won for the closest guess for the number of candy in the jar.

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Plastic Bag Roundup Challenge

École Van Walleghem School is happy to announce that it will be participating in Take Pride Winnipeg’s "Plastic Bag Roundup Challenge".

Classes will be collecting all clean plastic bags (No Ziplocs) until Friday, November 7th. These bags will then be picked up on Monday, November 10th and shipped off to the company Fortune Bay in Orillia, Ontario to be remanufactured as Frisbees!

Each participating school will receive 50 free Frisbees, and the schools that collect the most plastic bags (based on total weight) will be awarded prizes.

Please help us inspire our students to reduce their waste and consider reusing, recycling and remanufacturing options.

Thanks for your support,
The Van Walleghem Green Team

Parent Council Update

The next meeting of the Parent Council takes place on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m. in the school library. Some of the topics to be covered at the next meeting are:

Report from Brad Burns and Cheryl Chuckry updating parents on events and educational endeavours occurring in the school:

-determining new initiatives and fund raising goals for the Parent Council;
-report from the Parent Council Co-Chairs on a meeting with the Pembina Trails School Board Trustees regarding safety concerns for our children in the continuing use of elementary schools as election polling stations;
-planning of upcoming social events for Van Walleghem families; and
-review of a 3-D model as a possible addition to our new play structure.

We welcome all parents to attend the November 18th meeting and look forward to meeting you.

Ron Banister & Debra Poskar
Co-Chairs