Monday 5 November 2012

Whats coming?

SMART GOALS
The teachers are focusing on Writing as a Smart Goal this year.  Don't be afraid to ask your classroom teachers about how you can help your children at home. 

MOVIE NIGHTS
This Thursday at 6.30pm is the start of the movie nights with a choice of Movie for grade 2 and 3.  Kindergarten and Grade 1 night will be on the 29th November.

CALL OUT FOR DONATIONS
Christmas Craft Fair donations from local companies are accepted, if you know someone contact us soon.

Christmas Craft Fair is coming and anyone who wishes to help out please contact Sherri Bruce.

Voting for the Movie Night

After the Home and School meeting tonight we are still not decided on a movie for Movie Night.  Choose from the following...

Arthur Christmas OR
Madagascar 3 OR
Ice Age 4

Decisions will be made on Wednesday night at midnight :)  Vote on Facebook page...check it out :)

Sunday 26 August 2012

New term just around the corner....

So with a new term just around the corner are you ready?   Done the back to school shopping?  Registered the kids on the right bus?  What have you done over the summer?  Let us know all your stuff on the facebook page... https://www.facebook.com/groups/148506278612216/218217628307747/?notif_t=group_activity

Thursday 28 June 2012

End of school :)

So the end of the year is done and dusted we are now in the summer holidays.  Enjoy them and see you in the new (academic) year :)  Don't forget to post any good ideas on the facebook page on how to keep the children entertained.

Friday 1 June 2012

School Calendar Question


Attention: Home and School Presidents / Members

The PEI Home and School Federation is trying to measure the cost to Island families of Professional Development Days (PD Days) for childcare, babysitting or other activities. We are doing this because the School Calendar is in the process of being reviewed, and we want to ensure that the true cost to Island parents of PD Days is considered when decisions are being made.
We have developed a one question survey using Survey Monkey on a Facebook page and would like you to help us spread the word about this survey to everyone in your school family.
Presidents are asked to:
1. Respond to the survey yourself; and
2. Forward this message using your Facebook account or email, to families (parents and
teachers) in your school, asking them to do the same.
Here is your direct link to the survey: http://tinyurl.com/pei-school-calendar
NOTE: It takes only 1 minute (or less) to click on the survey link, read the question, fill in the box and click Done.
Deadline: June 13th/12
Thank you.

Friday 20 April 2012

Keep Blogging

Minutes of the meeting are posted here and on facebook page, check them out and come along to the next meeting in May.

April 10, 2012 Minutes GSP Home and School Meeting

Next meeting: Monday, May 14 at 6:30pm – Children are welcome – activities will
be set up for them.

Attendance: Kathryn Rajamanie, Danielle Boyce, Linda MacLean, Lindy McQuillan,
Shelley Mokler-Clark
Administration: Marilyn MacLean, Pat Campbell
Home and School Executive: Alanna Taylor, Sherri Bruce, Lisa Kiley, Kara Jain, Natalie
Fraser
Welcome by Sherri Bruce. Motion for approval of agenda and minutes by Kathryn
Rajamanie; seconded by Kara Jain.

Principal’s Report by Pat Campbell
1. Report Cards – went out before March Break
2. Easter Seals – over $1000 raised so far
3. Drama Festival – Grade three students are taking part in the Drama Festival at
Confederation Centre in April
4. Welcome to Kindergarten Session – Happened over the last couple of weeks.
5. Kindergarten – 143 registered for September 2012
6. Yearbook – Viewed the yearbook draft - looks wonderful – all students in the school
will have a candid shot included plus their school picture. Each class has a page.

7. Literacy Bulletin Board – The school is still looking for photos of Glen Stewart
families reading together to post on the bulletin board.

Pat discussed the amazing professional development course she had in Toronto as part of
the award she won as one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals.

Treasurer Report by Lisa Kiley
Lisa shared the balance sheet.
Currently $29,000 in our account.
$1090 was raised from cupcake sale to go towards the purchase of an oven.
The Home and School asked Ms. Campbell to communicate to the school staff
that all money that was allocated at the February meeting be spent by June 1,
2012.
Kara Jain will work on purchasing school oven prior to next meeting.
Natalie Fraser will work on getting three quotes from landscaping companies
prior to next meeting.

Chair’s Report by Sherri Bruce
Sherri led the discussion of a number of events that will be coming up in the next months.
Spring Fling
Lindy McQuillan, Spring Fling chair, updated us on the progress of this fundraiser
coming up in June.
A number of new volunteers will be needed to start this year to shadow a position
so they can take over next year:
o New To you (chair for this year with past chair to help)

o Carnival Games (shadow for 2012 and lead in 2013)
o Food Court (shadow for 2012 and co-lead in 2013)
o Co-chair (shadow for 2012 and co-lead in 2013)
The Rotary club has been approached for a donation. We are waiting to hear back
from them.
Keep your eyes out for cans of juice that go on sale. We will need to purchase as
much juice on sale as we can!
Cadets are coming to help out as volunteers for the night of the Spring Fling.
Classes will be asked to contribute to the Raffle Baskets this year. We will give
grades a theme and ask students to bring in items to contribute to their basket.

Grade 3 year end celebration

Ms. Campbell will speak with teachers and update us at the next meeting on what
they would like to have happen for this event.

PEI Home and School Federation AGM

This meeting is being held April 14. Sherri Bruce and Lisa Kiley will be
attending.

New Business
We discussed the possibility of doing a whole school celebration at the end of
the year funded by the home and school. Sherri Bruce agreed to look into costs
for serving hot dogs to all students in the school and the possibility of having an
outdoor event that could involve music during the school day. She will report
back with costs at the next meeting.
Kathryn Rajamanie raised some points about fundraising. She questioned if
there were so more unique fundraising activities we could do in the future since
the coupon books are done by a number of schools as are things like pancake
breakfasts.
Kathryn Rajamanie who currently manages the home and school blog
(homeandschool-glenstewart.blogspot.com) raised the issue of promoting the
blog. We talked about asking teachers to put the address in their weekly update.
The address has already been sent out on several occasions to all parent emails
from the school office.
Kathryn also shared with us a postcard she created that promotes the home and
school that could be sent home with students in the new school year. It has the
blog address on it and a little information about the home and school.
We discussed the creation of creating a facebook page for parents of Glen Stewart
Primary to have friendly discussion around ideas and events relating to our
children. Kathryn was to set up the page.

Tuesday 10 April 2012

Planning for the Spring Fling

Planning is underway for the Spring Fling to be held June 1st. Given that this is the 6th year for the event, planning is pretty well down to a science; however the event requires key individuals to be responsible for specific activities. We attempt to have individuals who are in their last year working on the Spring Fling Committee (because their children are graduating from GSP) “shadowed” so that there is a seamless transition.
For this year, we are looking for individuals to participate in the following key roles:
- New To You
- Carnival Games (shadow for 2012 and lead in 2013)
- Food Court (shadow for 2012 and co-lead in 2013)
- Co-chair (shadow for 2012 and co-lead in 2013)
While this is a major event in the school year, it does not require a significant investment of time. There will be some meetings but for the most part, the work is completed on your own time. If you are interested please contact lindymcquillan@msn.com.
This event is a highlight of the school year but can only occur with parent commitment!

Meeting Tonight

Glen Stewart Primary Home and School Meeting Agenda – Tuesday, April 10, 2012 6:30pm
1. Welcome
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Reports
a) Principal’s report – Pat Campbell
b)Treasurer’s report – Lisa Kiley
4.Spring Fling
5.Grade three celebration
6.Purchase of new items (stove, landscaping)
7.Update on past fundraisers (coupon books, cupcake sale)
8.PEI HSF annual meeting
9.New items
10. Adjournment

Monday 26 March 2012

Minutes from the Annual Meeting of the Home and School Team

February 27, 2012 Minutes for Annual General Meeting
GSP Home and School

Attendance: Monique Mader, Kara Jain, Danielle Boyce, Lindy McQuillan, Patricia Callaghan, Lynn Hufnagel, Natasha Doiron, Patrice Drake
Administration: Marilyn MacLean, Tanya Jenkins
Home and School Executive:  Alanna Taylor, Sherri Bruce, Lisa Kiley, Natalie Fraser

Welcome by Sherri Bruce.

Motion for approval of agenda by Patrice Drake; seconded by Danielle Boyce.

Motion for approval of meeting minutes from January by Natasha Doiron, seconded by Kara Jain.

Principal’s Report by Marilyn MacLean
Regrets from our Principal, Pat Campbell. Pat is in Toronto this week attending an executive leadership course at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. She gets her Canada’s Outstanding Principal award tomorrow evening. 
1. Lockdown - we had a successful lockdown practice on February 10th. We were assisted by two members of the RCMP.
2. Literacy Day Assembly - January 31st, kick-off for family literacy, started a bulletin board in hallway outside kitchen area for students to bring in and post pictures of them reading with their family. 
3. Mini-stick league - Chris Meuse has started a mini-stick league for our Gr. 2 & 3 students during recess times. They have rules to follow and these will be coming out in our March newsletter. 
4. Staff Appreciation Week - absolutely amazing week enjoyed by all. Many comments from staff that it was the best one ever! Can’t thank everyone enough for all your efforts and treats throughout the week. Thank-you card from staff to share! 
5. Green Team - litterless lunch on Wednesday 
6. Respect Week - February 13-17; showed respect video which included many students sharing what respect means to them and Ms. Campbell’s Happy Dance!
7. Tour - Literacy Lab, Numeracy Lab – Ms. MacLean shared a sample set of books that are in the literacy lab for guided reading. She stressed the high cost of these materials. She also showed us the Numeracy Lab which has a number of math resources that are shared between all teachers in the school.
Treasurer Report by Lisa Kiley

  • Lisa shared the balance sheet.
  • Funds are being set aside for a grade three celebration which will come out of money raised from movie nights.
  • There is $14, 888.74 available for allocation at the meeting for resources within the school and there was $5465.40 (spring fling funds) available for allocation for outdoor improvements.

Chair’s Report by Sherri Bruce
  • There is a plan to spend Home and School fundraised money at more frequent times of the year. Instead of voting on spending money only at the AGM in February, we will vote at the November, February and May meetings to spend funds.
  • Sherri led the meeting in a review of the wish list items that came from the staff and administration of Glen Stewart Primary. Ms. MacLean highlighted areas of importance.
  • We discussed the importance of equitable distribution of funds among grade levels and to try to fund the areas that the greatest number of students will benefit from.
  • After discussion, it was decided to allocate funds to these areas:
-           Hard cover easy section books for the Library                     $1500
-           Remo Health RHYTHMS essentials collection for Music    $2500
-           Trapezoid, incline foam balls, small parachute for Phys Ed            $1600
-           Literacy materials for Resource                                            $1000
-           FM System for Computer Lab                                              $1500
-           Math lab materials                                                                 $  500
-           Various materials for each grade level $1500 x 4 grades    $6000
-           Coffee urn for home and school and school use                    $    75
                                                                                                            _______
                                                                                                            $14675
  • There were also parent suggestions to purchase an oven and utensils for the staff room. It was decided a separate cupcake fundraiser would be held on March 15 for these items.
  • It was decided and voted in that $3000 would be allocated to landscaping to clean up the various flower beds that have been developed at the school. This has typically been done by a small number of volunteers on the long weekend in May. It was agreed that we needed a professional to help clean up these beds so that there upkeep would be less in years to come. It was agreed the home and school executive would get three quotes from landscaping businesses before proceeding with this. It was also agreed that we would allocate $2000 for the purchase of outdoor equipment such as balls, skipping ropes, bubbles, nets to be used for all students at Glen Stewart Primary at recess time. This money will be taken from the Spring Fling funds.
  • The allocation of all funds was moved by Patrice Drake and seconded by Lindy MQuillan. All in attendance voted in favor.
  • Elections were held for Home and School Executive positions. Sherri Bruce stated that this would be her third year for being chair of the home and school and that her term should be completed. No one volunteered to take over this position, so she will continue in her role.  All executive were voted to stay as is: Sherri Bruce, Chair; Lisa Kiley, Treasurer; Alanna Taylor and Natalie Fraser, co-secretaries. The executive is pleased to welcome Kara Jain to the executive. She was voted in as the new Vice-Chair.

Upcoming GSP events
  • Lindy McQuillan, Spring Fling chair, updated us on the progress of this fundraiser coming up in June. She stated that Stratford Elementary offered for this event to be a Glen Stewart Primary event only. This means Stratford Elementary will not be involved in this event in years to come, but Liz Pendergast (Stratford Elementary past co-chair) has agreed to assist Lindy with the planning of the event for this year. Lindy explained that she was in contact with the Town of Stratford to get more volunteers for this event. 

New Business
  • There was a discussion of changing the meeting time of the Home and School from 7:00 pm to 6:30 pm, now that there was the possibility of taking your children to the meeting. We agreed to send out a notice to parents to advise of this time change.
  • There was a discussion about how to access Glen Stewart morning announcements. They can be accessed by going to the Glen Stewart Primary website and clicking on Announcements on the main page. This will tell you what classes are in intramurals, whose birthday it is and other special things happening around the school.

Next meeting: Tuesday, April 10 at 6:30pm

Sunday 4 March 2012

March break is on its way

What will you be doing over the March break with your child/ren?  Holidays? Crafts or taking in the activities on the island.  Share your thoughts with us.

Thursday 23 February 2012

Movie Night

 

Finally the day has come...There is a movie night for grades 2 and 3 students on Friday, February 24 at 6:30 in the gym. 
The movie will be Dolphin Tales.
Snacks will be on sale.

Annual Meeting

I have met a few parents around at different events and many saying they would like to get involved with the Home and School.  For all the Home and Schoolers out there check out the Annual General Meeting for the Glen Stewart Primary Home and School.  It will be held Monday, February 27 at 7pm in the Literacy Lab at the school. All parents are welcome to attend.

Voting for the executive of the home and school will happen at this meeting - if you are interested in being involved in the home and school executive, please contact Sherri Bruce at senn@bellaliant.net.

We will also vote on the allocation of money from home and school fundraisers at this event. The school staff has submitted a list of resources that they would like purchased for the school and we will vote on which items we will purchase. We also welcome ideas from parents. Contact Sherri Bruce at senn@bellaliant.net with suggestions.

Wednesday 8 February 2012

Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up on February 13-17. We would like to show our appreciation to Glen Stewart Primary's teachers by providing a lunch on February 15 and by giving out daily prizes to teachers during the week. We need volunteers to make baked goods (i.e. biscuits, cookies, jams, cakes etc.) for the prizes drawn for during the week. We also need food (salads, casseroles, desserts etc.) for a lunch provided to teachers on Wednesday, February 15. If you are able to make food for this week, please contact Patti Lynn Jenkins at 569-2914 or by email at markjenkins@islandtelecom.com Please contact her by this Thursday Feb. 9. Thanks for your support with this event

Thursday 2 February 2012

Urge to Purge


On this nice snowy day, are you cleaning your basement, garage or closet?
The Spring Fling will be here before you know it and we will be asking for items for the “New to You” sale. We’d appreciate your donations!
Set up a spot in your house now and just keep adding to it. Suggestions include gently used toys, puzzles, games, household items, electronics, collectibles, tools, jewellery, scarves, knick-knacks, artwork, Christmas decorations, sports equipment ..... (no clothing, thanks)
Spring Fling at Glen Stewart Primary June 1st

Monday 30 January 2012

Icy outdoors!

 This is a great website for safety on the icy streets at the moment.  Check it out :) http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/outdoor/winter_safety.html

Movie Night :)

The movie night for grades 2-3 that was rescheduled for Tuesday, January 31st, has been postponed again till Friday, February 24th.

Friday 27 January 2012

Weather Issues

Movie Night Grades 2 & 3 ---- Due to the weather forecast for Friday, the movie night has been canceled. It has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 31st at 6:30. Dolphin Tales will be playing. Movie is free and snacks will be for sale.

Thursday 26 January 2012

How to post your comments!

I know there are some of you trying to post and being unsuccessful (I'm sure you are out there!)  Posting a comment is easy but you need to be a follower/sign in first.  Then you choose your profile and write your comment.  I would really like to get some conversation going and sharing good practice of things we do at home.  Home and School is about being that community of people to help our little ones achieve and to help the school do its best so lets do it :)

Wednesday 25 January 2012

Literacy at home

So being the parent of a child in Kindergarten I went along to the Literacy night at Glen Stewart last night.  A big THANKS to the teachers for doing it.  I don't know about the rest of you but I do find events like this really useful and I am considering making/finding some resources to help my son at home.
Do you do anything good with your child/ren.  We have sight words on the wall, we read as much as we can and I even had Hayden reading signs when we were out in the car!
If you have any good strategies why not share them on here for all to see?

Wednesday 18 January 2012

Movie Night :)

Home and School will be hosting a Movie Night for students in Kindergarten and Grade 1 on Friday, January 20th at 6:30 p.m. in the school gym. The movie that will be showing is Cars 2. Movie night for students in Grade 2 & 3 will be held on Friday, January 27th at 6:30 p.m. in the school gym. The movie that will be showing is Dolphin Tales.
Bring your pillows, blankets, wear your P Js. There is no cost for the movie and there will be a sale of popcorn and juice. 

Tuesday 10 January 2012

Award Reminder :)

AWARD DEADLINE REMINDER:
Friday, January 13, 2012 is the Deadline to:
Nominate a Teacher/School Staff Person for the
EXTRA MILE AWARD

The Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation's Extra Mile Award recognizes teachers and/or staff personnel, who exemplify going the extra mile - over and above the call of duty for students.
Two recipients will be announced and a presentation made at their respective schools during National Teacher/Staff Appreciation 2012.

Print the on-line nomination form and submit by this Friday, January 13, 2012 at:

Wednesday 4 January 2012

January Meeting

Home and School Meetings welcome everyone involved with the school.  The next meeting will be on Monday January 9th at 7pm in the Literacy Lab at Glen Stewart.  See you there :)

Happy New Year

Happy new year to all Home and School Blog followers :)  Apologies in advance for not writing anything over the holiday period but busy busy...I'm sure you all agree.
So what will 2012 bring to you, did your child/ren make any new years resolutions?