GORDON PUBLIC SCHOOL, 468 Thorold Road West, Welland ON, L3C 3W6 DECEMBER & JANUARY

Tony D’Alessandro Principal

905-734-3730

Greg Watson Vice-Principal 905-734-3730

Wes Hahn Superintendent 905-641-1550

Sue Barnett Trustee

905-734-7110

Holiday Wishes!

My oh my how the time has flown by. The winter season has given us a taste of what the next few months may be like. Please encourage your child to dress appropriately for outdoors. It is very important for our students to get movement breaks and fresh air in order for them to be at their best. We also en-courage all students to eat as healthy as possible so they can ―feed their brain‖ and it can continue to grow. As a staff we continue to emphasize a ―Positive Mind Set‖ each and every day. We hope you can encourage this at home also. There are times when students will struggle. This is OK. We must look at this as an opportunity to teach as par-ents, and learn as students. When we struggle with something….we learn. When we learn….we feel confident… when we feel confident...we succeed. Please encourage your child to continue to work hard and be their best each and every day. That is all anyone should ever ask of them. The holiday season is upon us, so please plan to spend as much time with your family as possible. It is a wonderful time of year, enjoy it. Best Wishes T. D’Alessandro and the Gordon Staff

TAKE A MATH HIKE

You can help your children continue to learn and stay active by taking a math hike. Walk or bike to-gether through your neighbourhood or along one of the many beautiful trails or bike paths in our area. You may want to use a pedometer to track your steps. You can also have children help to plan the outing by discussing how far you might go, how long it will take and how fast you might travel. Children can be math detectives as they consider and dis-cuss some of the following:

Can you find leaf or petal clusters in groups of

3,4,5,6....?

Can you find spirals?

What geometric shapes can you find, manmade

or natural?

What patterns can you see?

What equations might you use to describe the

patterns you see?

How could you estimate how tall or wide some-

thing is?

Do you see symmetry anywhere?

Are there arrangements that make it easy to

count how many objects you see?

Can you guess the angles formed by branches or

leaves? How did you estimate?

Do you see numerals anywhere? What do they

tell us?

BEST WISHES MRS. SUTCH! We are sad to announce that our sec-retary, Mrs. Sutch, has moved on from Gordon, accepting the position of sec-retary at Nelles School in Grimsby. Mrs. Sutch has been with us for the past four years. We will miss her friendly smile and her tremendous energy as well as her high degree of professionalism. We wish Mrs. Sutch all the best in her new job.

FRENCH IMMERSION REGISTRATION

The French Immersion program (offered at French Immersion sites) is open to all students in Senior Kindergarten inter-ested in enrolling for the 2016-2017 year. If you want your child to develop a high proficiency and fluency in Canada’s two official languages, French Immersion has a great deal to offer. Features of the French Immersion program:

Development of French language skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing from grades one to twelve; Designed to be a second language program for children whose first language is NOT French; Current enrolment of over 2,500 elementary students; Certificate of French Immersion Studies awarded upon successful completion of the elementary and secondary

Immersion program; Promoting understanding of different cultures; Providing additional opportunities for employment using French as the working language; An increased ability to communicate and interact with confidence in French.

Registration will open January 4th, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. and will close February 16th, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. For more information about French Immersion in the District School Board of Niagara visit www.dsbn.org/fi or speak to your school principal. Parent Information evening sessions will be held in January:

School Information Evening Session

Dalewood French Immersion Public School

Principal: Mme J. Tye

Vice-Principal: Mme K. Kiemele

61 Duncan Drive, St Catharines, L2N 3P3

Wednesday, January 6, 2016, 6-7 p.m.

Garrison Road Public School

Principal: Mr S. Webb

Vice-Principal: Mr P. Stephenson

1110 Garrison Road, Fort Erie, L2A 1N9

Wednesday, January 6, 2016, 6-7 p.m.

Jeanne Sauvé French Immersion Public School

Principal: Mme C. Sitko

Vice-Principal: Mme P. McIntee

91 Bunting Road, St Catharines, L2P 3G8

Wednesday, January 6, 2016, 6-7 p.m.

Princess Elizabeth Public School

Principal: Mme S. Niznik

Vice-Principal: Mr B. Mayhew

330 Scholfield Ave, Welland, L3B 1P2

Wednesday, January 6, 2016, 6-7 p.m.

Gordon Public School

Principal: Mr T. D’Alessandro

Vice-Principal: Mr G. Watson

468 Thorold Rd. W, Welland, L3C 3W6

Thursday, January 7, 2016, 6-7 p.m.

Central Public School

Principal: Mr M. Zeoli

Vice-Principal: Mme J. Donato

10 Livingston Ave, Grimsby, L3M 1K7

Thursday, January 7, 2016, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

John Marshall Public School

Principal: Mme J. Slade

3910 St. James Ave, Niagara Falls, L2J 2R3

Thursday, January 7, 2016, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

McKay Public School

Principal: Mme R. Grenier

Vice-Principal: Mme H. Hurd

320 Fielden Ave, Port Colborne, L3K 4T7

Wednesday, January 13, 2016, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Grade 1-8 Holiday Concert

Date: Tuesday, December 15th, Time: 6:30 p.m. Where: Centennial Secondary School Auditorium

INTERMEDIATE BOYS VOLLEYBALL Congratulations to the Intermediate Boys Volleyball Team who participated in a fun-filled, skill-building, season this year! The boys always kept their heads held high and cheered each other on! They had many challenges and successes throughout the sea-son. Team Members: Jon K. Isaac B. Ben C. Tim S. Peter M. Bryce D. Branden B. Dylan C.

KINDERGARTEN CHRISTMAS CONCERT AND JOY DAY All 3 Kindergarten classes, will be having a combined mini-concert here at Gordon, in the gym, on Tuesday, December 15. The concert will begin at approximately 9:00 a.m. ending at approximately 9:30 a.m. Immediately following the Kindergarten mini-concert, we will run our Kindergarten "Joy Day" . Parents/Guardians are welcome to accompany their child to the classroom where they will create Christmas crafts and have a special snack together. Joy Day activities will finish at approximately 10:30a.m. The Kindergarten teachers will be sending a note home soon outlining all the details for their Kindergarten Mini-Concert and Joy Day.

Last day of classes is Friday December 18, 2015. Classes resume Monday, January 4, 2016

P.A. Day Friday, January 15, 2016

INTERMEDIATE GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Congratulations to the Intermediate Girls Volleyball Team for a great season! The girls won 5 out of 6 of their season games. They also went on to play in the playoffs, coming in 3rd place. The girls also played at the DSBN tournament and represented Gordon with pride and school spirit. What an amazing season! Team members: Emily B. Beverly W. Brooke G.

Rielly J. Mac N. Emilie P.

Ella T. Tayler M.

“mathies”

The Ministry of Education is reintroducing the "mathies" website. It has great games, learning tools and parent supports. It can be accessed at www.mathies.ca .

Remembrance Day

LEGION ART CONTEST A big congratulations goes out to Christian N. who won 1st place and Nolan H. who won 3rd place at the Legion’s Annual Art Contest. Way to go!

TOP 10 TIPS TO HELP YOUR CHILD WITH MATH

1. Connect math to daily life-Let them know the importance of math! Talk about how you use math in your day-to-day life (at the store, in your job, around your house).

2. Counting can be fun and entertaining-Show them math can be fun! Sing songs (One, Two, Buckle My Shoe) and play games (card games, hopscotch, board games, dominoes, chess).

3. Start Easy and Work Up! - For example, after they’ve got counting by 1’s, talk about skip counting and count by 2’s, then 5’s and 10’s. Don’t jump ahead too fast.

4. Use household items for practice-Practice adding and subtracting with objects from the house like spoons or pots and pans.

5. Tap into your child’s curiosity—Go on a num-ber hunt in your house.

6. Talk about time - Talk about seconds, minutes and hours, then count days and weeks. Ask them questions: How long until bedtime? How many ―sleeps‖ until the weekend?

7. Practice mental math using coins—Count money or have them show you how much an item costs and practice making change for when they’re at the store.

8. Play the estimating game—Estimate measure-ments, distances, time and grocery bills and then compare to the actual.

9. Sports and Math—There is a lot of math in sports, such as batting averages, points per game and save percentages (discuss these as you watch the games or read the newspaper.

10. Computers + Math = Fun (there are lots of great computer games available to explore math).

STUDENT PICK UP AND DROP OFF

Regardless of whether students are late or leaving early, we ask that all students check in at the office. This enables the office staff to ensure that all stu-dents are arriving safely to class or being dismissed to the appropriate person. Furthermore, we would like to re-quest that parents/adults wait at the office at all times. If your child requires assistance getting to class, one of the office staff would be happy to escort them. Any in-formation you would like to convey to teachers can also be conveyed by the office or through your child’s agenda. Once classes have started we want to minimize the disruption to other students that are participating in the instructional day.

PARKING

Our back parking lot off Clare Ave. is reserved for staff parking and bus loading and unloading. Our buses will board immediately upon dismissal and depart Gordon at approximately 3:15 p.m. each afternoon. Parents dropping students off prior to the start of school may also use this lot if they wish. Our front parking lot off Thorold Road will be available for all parent and visitor parking. Students picked up or dropped off during the school day should enter/exit and sign in/out at the office. At the end of the day, Kindergarten students will exit out the Kindergarten door and students in Grades 1-8 will exit at the main of-fice. Thank you for keeping our students safe!

PARENT PARKING CONSIDERATIONS

Please respect the areas designated No Parking., Fire Routes, Laneways and Handicapped only.

Please use the designated sidewalk and paths at all times.

Please be patient in our parking lot.

Be safe and watch for children at all times.

Consider parking away from the school (ie. side street) and walking.

VISITING? SAY HI AT THE OFFICE!! Whenever you are coming to Gordon, please be sure to stop in the office first to say hi. The safety of every student in this school is im-portant to us. As a part of our Safe School policy all visitors MUST sign in at the office.

class TEACHER CHARACTER - Responsibility ACADEMIC

1-1 Mrs. Jones Joshua K. Ryland W.

1-2 Mrs. Filion Quinn T. Cooper L.

1 FI Miss Sauve Lily T. Seth T.

2-1 Ms. Degelman Elizabeth M. Abby M.

2 FI Mr. Verwey Riley R. Hunter D.

2/3 Mrs. Rosito Ayla B. Hailey P.

3-1 Mrs. Moore Jack I. Joe M. Jordan G.

2/3 FI Mme Benson Brookelyn T. Natalia L.

4-1 Ms. Hudak Laura B. Jake V. Hannah D.

3/4 FI Mme Gardiner Lauren C. Riley G.

4/5 Mrs. Coholan Shrey P. Faith R. Elizabeth R.

5/6 Ms. DaCosta Aidan C. Jackson N. Larissa R.

5 FI Mme Stickles Ivy C. Emma W.

6-1 Mrs. Slaght Thea A. Ethan R.

6 FI Mme Corriveau Katharine D. Mason T.

7-1 Mr. Charles Joshua D. Brooke E.

7 FI Mr. Munderich Zoe P. Lily C.

8-1 Mrs. Rush Brandon R. Abigail B.

8 FI Mrs. Timlock Ian B. Abigail L.

OCTOBER RECOGNITION RECIPIENTS

Communication to Schools

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES

There may be times during the school year where inclement weather or other situations could cause transpor-tation cancellations or school closures. At times when student transportation has been cancelled and schools remain open, the decision of whether or not to have children in school on that day rests with the parent or guardian. Should you decide not to send your child to school in the event that transportation is cancelled but schools remain open, or if your child is ill or late, please ensure that you call your child’s school to in-form them of your child’s absence. A key resource in any emergency is the DSBN Emergency Information form that you filled out at the beginning of the school year. Please let the school know of any changes in contact information or procedures you wish to be followed throughout the school year. For secondary schools it may become necessary to cancel late buses. Notice will be provided via school an-nouncements and on the websites and subscription features by 11:30 a.m. Information about transportation cancellations and school closures will be available as soon as it is available through the following channels: Websites: www.dsbn.org www.nsts.ca Subscription Features:

DSBN Facebook or Twitter NSTS Transportation Delay or Cancellation Alerts Phone: Niagara Student Transportation Services 905-346-0290 Voice Auto Attendant

Radio Stations:

Television Stations:

CHCH – Hamilton CTV Toronto

CityTV Breakfast Television Cogeco Channel 10

CKTB (610 AM) St. Catharines CHRE (105.7 FM) St. Catharines

WAVE (94.7 FM) Hamilton CHTZ-FM (97.7 FM) St. Catharines

CKOC (1150 AM) Hamilton 2DayFM(105.1 FM) Niagara Falls/Fort Erie

CHML (900 AM) Hamilton K-LITE-FM (102.9 FM) Hamilton

CHAM (820 AM) Hamilton GIANT FM (91.7 FM) Welland

Y-108(107.9) Hamilton

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW! For the safety of all, Gordon School’s expectation is ―leave it on the ground‖. Please reinforce this at home. For the safety of all students, we ask them not to throw or kick snow. We have a ―1-2-3‖ policy. If a student

throws snow, a letter goes home and the incidences are tracked. The 1st time is a warning, the 2

nd time is a detention /

loss of privileges' and parent contact . The 3rd

time involves suspension. Each situation is dealt with considering mitigat-ing factors. Using progressive discipline, formal suspension may result.

Responding to Your Child’s Writing Keep it Positive! Look first for what is well done, and praise this work lavishly. Remember the wise words of Pulitzer prize win-ning author and teacher Donald Murray who reminds us, ―We learn to write primarily by building on our strengths.‖ So often, in the name of helping, we feel tempted to point out all of the problems and errors we see in others’ writing. This approach tends not to work well. If overdone, criticism makes young writers feel both hopeless and defensive. It is usually much more effective to help them see what they are doing well. Be Excited! No kidding – this is one of the most important things you can do, Who wants to read a piece of writing aloud to someone who’d rather be doing something – anything – else? Eager listeners usually get more and better writing next time. So, let your student writer know you value his/her efforts, and cannot wait to hear the next piece. When There is a Problem… Don’t get the idea that writers do not need suggestions for improvement. Of course they do. But the power of your suggestions may lie a great deal in how you phrase them. Avoid beginning comments with ―You‖ or ―Your writing.‖ Such comments tend to sound accusatory, even when we do not mean them that way. Instead, try focusing on your own response as a reader and begin with ―I saw‖ or ―I felt.‖ Instead of ―You need a stronger opening here.‖ You could say ―When I read this opening comment on horses, I ex-pected your paper to be about that. I felt confused when you switched topics. I wonder if other read-ers would feel that way. Be the Coach - - Not the Writer Tempting as it is to help by ―doing,‖ it’s important for you to know when to back away and say to your writer, ―Run with it.‖ You can help your young writer by: ~ Brainstorming topics and ideas ~ Talking through a story or informational piece ~ Providing ideas on how/where to get information ~ Being a listener – or reader – during the writing process ~ Asking questions to guide revision ~ Brainstorming possible leads or endings ~ Sharing correct spelling of words, correct use of punctuation, or other editorial tips.

Encourage Your Child’s Social and

Emotional Learning

Teaching children healthy coping strategies when they ex-

perience big feelings (mad, sad, scared frustrated etc.) is im-

portant for their social and emotional well-being and can

help prepare them to manage challenges throughout their

lives.

Let your child know all emotions are okay. You can help

them find healthy ways to express them by:

• Offering hugs and signs of affection when they are upset

• Pointing out the emotions they are expressing, “It looks like you are mad/sad/frustrated…”

• Being there for them when they are ready to talk

• Listening to your child; gently ask them to tell you what is wrong

• Helping your child think of things to do that will help them feel better (such as: practicing

deep breathing, kicking a ball against a wall, listening to music, drawing a picture)

If you are concerned about your child’s social and emotional health please discuss your con-

cerns with your child’s teacher. Your child may need some extra supports that can be made

available within the school or in the community.

Join us for an information night for you and your family to learn

more about this exciting program.

DATE: Thursday, January 7, 2016

TIME: 6:00 -7:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Gordon Public School 468 Thorold Rd. W, Welland We will be accepting online applica-tions for French Immersion beginning January 4, 2016. How do I get more information? Visit our website: www.dsbn.org/fi

FOOD DONATIONS and the MITTEN TREE This year we have two dona-tion barrels that we hope to fill with food items to help families in our community through the Holiday Season. The bins will be in our front hallway until the middle of December. Any help you could provide would be appre-ciated. Thank you! We also encourage families to donate mittens, hats, and scarves to

Are your kids being Hooked by Hollywood?

Kids and teens look to celebrities as role models and often copy their fashion and behaviours, even if those

celebrities are just acting. Movies have a powerful influence on young people’s deci-

sions especially when it comes to seeing smoking in movies. Research shows that the

more kids and teens see smoking in movies, the more likely they are to start smoking.

Ways to Protect our Kids:

Be aware of what your children are watching and find out which movies are smoke-

free.

Talk to your children about effects of tobacco use and teach them to be aware of

what they are seeing in the media.

Show your support for smoke-free youth-rated movies in Ontario at Canadian

Cancer Society’s Take Action for Smoke-Free Movies

(www.takeaction.cancer.ca).

Join the conversation online and talk to other parents through Hooked by Hol-

lywood on Facebook (www.facebook.com/hookedbyhollywood) and Twitter

(@Hookedhollywood).

To learn more about the influence smoking in the movies has on kids and teens and to find out what mov-

ies are smoke-free, visit: www.hookedbyhollywood.ca

For more information, talk to your school nurse.

MOVIE NIGHT Gordon School Council would like to invite you to a Holiday Movie Night on December 10th. We will be showing the beloved film "ELF". Doors open at 6:00pm and the movie will start promptly at 6:30pm. Admission is free. We will have beverages and snacks available. Bring your blankets, sleep-ing bags and pillows and feel free to come in your ugly Christmas PJ's. Fun will be had by all!

DREAMBOX WORKS!!!!

Students at Gordon regularly have the opportunity to improve their Math skills by using Dreambox. Research has shown that students who use Dreambox regularly, both at school and at home, have demonstrated greater confidence and profi-ciency when engaged in Math learning.

HOW STUDENTS ACCESS DREAMBOX AT HOME

Students log in to their school accounts from home the same way they log in at school. Just like at school, students can use a desktop, laptop, iPad (2 or higher), or Chromebook.