News & Notes, Volume 13, No. 5

News & Notes

Volume 13, No. 5

October 20, 2017

 Hallowe’en Festivities

We invite all of our learners and staff to wear orange and/or black on Friday, October 27, 2017 and on Monday, October 30, 2017, we invite everyone to wear a Hallowe’en hat (or headband, etc.).  Our learners can wear their costumes in the afternoon session on Tuesday, October 31, 2017. (Please see note below regarding costumes.)

 

Hallowe’en Parties

Before we know it, we will be head and ears into Hallowe’en festivities in our school and in our community.  Our classes will hold Hallowe’en parties during the last hour of the day on Tuesday, October 31, 2018.  As you and your child(ren) plan costumes and such, please remember that costumes and costume props (i.e., axes, guns, etc.) of a violent nature are not permitted.

While we appreciate the many kind gestures like treat bags, loot bags, cakes, and cupcakes that come our way on Hallowe’en, experience has taught us to say, “No, thanks!”.  If you wish, you can provide a snack for your own child(ren); however, we cannot accept containers of cakes, cupcakes, loot bags or other treats for the whole class due to the number and types of allergies we have in our school.  And, because of the sheer number of items we have seen in the past, we have found ourselves spending our afternoons distributing treats and contending with the massive cleanup that ensues.

Thank you for your cooperation in adhering to these expectations.

Field Trips

We pride ourselves on supplementing classroom experiences with educational excursions to various sites within our region.  Please note the following as you prepare yourselves for these special events:

  • A signed consent form from parents is required in order for our learners to participate; we will no longer accept permission over the telephone. In the interest of avoiding disappointment and having you come to the school to sign the form on the day of the field trip, please be prompt in submitting the required forms.
  • Should teachers require parents to volunteer as chaperones, we require a current certificate of conduct with the vulnerable sector check completed. If this documentation is not in place, you may still attend the field trip; however, you may only chaperone your child.

Basketball Program

Our basketball program is up and running once again for our learners in grades three and four, thanks to our many dedicated parent volunteers.  If you have questions about the program, please direct them to bcegirlsbasketball@gmail.com or bceboysbasketball@gmail.com.

Fire Prevention Education

We extend our congratulations to Jacob (grade two) and Isaiah (grade four) who were recently selected by the Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s Fire Department as fire chiefs for the day.  This was but one aspect of Fire Prevention Week which we marked here at the school with education sessions and fire drills skillfully conducted by fire department members.  Jacob’s and Isaiah’s classes were treated to pizza parties compliments of the fire department.

On your behalf, we acknowledge and thank this community minded organization for its kind support of our learners and our school.

50/50 Lottery

We will hold two 50/50 ticket lotteries this year, with the first draw being held on November 17, 2017 and the second one on December 15, 2017.  Funds raised from these initiatives will offset the costs associated with our ArtsSmarts program, BrainPop subscription, and our literacy and technology programs.

We are currently awaiting our lottery license, after which we will get our tickets printed and distributed.  If, for reasons of personal conviction, you do not wish to participate in this, please return all tickets to the school promptly.

Telephone Messages

We will happily deliver any telephone messages to your children as long as they are received by 1:00pm; we are unable to guarantee delivery of messages received after 1:00pm.

School Council Election

We extend a warm welcome to Susan Keough, our newest parent representative on our school council.  Susan was elected out of a field of five candidates who put their names forward for consideration.

Beachy Cove Mascot

We thank all of our families for their submissions to our “Name the Mascot” inititative.  Our mascot has now been “introduced” to all of our classes and will appear at an assembly very soon where its name will be announced.

Remembrance Day Assembly

Our annual Remembrance Day assembly is scheduled for Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 1:30pm.  This year’s assembly will be hosted by our grade four learners and they warmly welcome family members to attend.

Parking Lot Volunteers

We are looking for a few volunteers to assist us on our parking lot during the morning drop-off.  We’re looking for adults to open up car doors for parents to facilitate efficient drop-offs in our “kiss n’ ride” lane.  If you have a few minutes to spare on weekday mornings, please let us know and we will get you set up to assist; even those who can do this for a morning or two a week would be warmly welcomed.

Allergies

We have many learners with life threatening allergies to peanuts and tree nuts. Consequently, peanuts, tree nuts, and products containing them, including peanut butter, are banned schoolwide.

You should also be aware that soy butter products which have been formulated to have the same consistency and taste as peanut butter is also banned.  This is to avoid any potential for confusion and mistakes in consumption by our learners with allergies.

Another of our young learners has a life-threatening allergy to sesame seeds; however, while we don’t have a ban on sesame seeds and products containing them, we strongly encourage our families to bear this in mind when shopping for and packing lunches and snacks for school.

We have another learner who has a life-threatening allergy to kiwi fruit; however, it is not an airborne allergen.  Consequently, kiwi fruit, like sesame seeds and products that contain them, are not banned but we encourage caution when packing them. 

Finally, cooked eggs (i.e., boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, fired eggs, poached eggs, egg salad sandwiches or in any other stand-alone form) are also banned.

All of the families affected by these allergens extend their thanks and appreciation to our entire school community for adhering to these expectations.

Twitter

Our school, and many of our teachers, have active Twitter accounts.  We use this to communicate short bursts of timely information.   Our main school account (@beachycoveelem) has 2014 followers which means that this system works well.

If you don’t have an account, you are encouraged you to get one and follow us so that you can stay informed.

Late Students

We extend a big “Thumbs up!” to all of our learners and their families who arrive at school on time for the beginning of our instructional day.  Ensuring that we are at our desks, ready and organized for learning by 8:30am each morning is really an important life lesson that is reflective of promptness and respect for others as no one is interrupted by late arrivals.

Recycling Blitzes

We accept recyclable beverage containers at our recycling shed every Tuesday morning during morning arrival.  Thank you so much for your anticipated support and cooperation.

If you are interested in volunteering with us on our parking lot from 8:10am-8:30am each morning, please let us know as soon as possible.

Upcoming Events

Please note the following dates for various events scheduled for this year.  We reserve the right to change these dates with advance notice to you.

 

Remembrance Day Assembly (grade four) – Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 1:30pm;

Remembrance Day Holiday (no school) – Friday, November 10, 2017;

Remembrance Day Holiday (no school) – Monday, November 13, 2017 (yes, both days);

Term I Progress Reports Released – Monday, November 27, 2017;

Term I Parent-Teacher Interviews – Thursday, November 30, 2017 (school closes at 11:00am);

Professional Development Day (no school) – Friday, December 1, 2018

Grade 3/4 Christmas Concert – Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 1:00pm;

School Closes for Christmas – Friday, December 22, 2017 at 12:30pm;

School Re-Opens following Christmas Break – Monday, January 8, 2018 at 8:30am;

KinderStart Parent Orientation – Tuesday, January 10, 2018 at 3:30pm;

Grade Four Immunizations – Thursday/Friday, January 11-12, 2018;

KinderStart # 1 (no school for K) – Friday, January 26, 2018;

Professional Development Day (no school) – Friday, February 9, 2018

Mid-Winter Break (no school) – Friday, February 16, 2018;

Mid-Winter Break (no school) – Monday, February 19, 2018 (yes, both days);

Education Week – February 18-24, 2018;

Skating Sessions (details to follow) – February 20-23, 2018;

KinderStart # 2 (no school for K) – Friday, February 23, 2018;

Term II Progress Reports Released – Monday, March 19, 2018;

Term II Parent-Teacher Interviews – Thursday, March 22, 2018 (closing at 11:00am);

KinderStart # 3 (no school for K) – Friday, March 23, 2018;

School Closes for Easter Vacation –  Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 2:40pm;

School Re-Opens following Easter Break – Monday, April 9, 2018 at 8:30am;

Earth Day Assembly (grade three) – Friday, April 20, 2018 at 1:30pm;

KinderStart # 4 (no school for K) – Friday, April 27, 2018;

Art Day (details to follow) – Friday, April 27, 2018;

Spring Concert for grades 1/2 – Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 1:00pm;

Kindergarten Spring Concert – Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 1:00pm;

Professional Development Day (no school) – Friday, May 18, 2018

Victoria Day (no school) – Monday, May 21, 2018;

KinderStart # 5 (no school for K) – Friday, May 25, 2018;

School Leaving Ceremony for Grade Four – Friday, June 1, 2018 at 1:00pm;

K-2 Sports Day – Tuesday, June 19, 2018;

3-4 Sports Day – Thursday, June 21, 2018;

Alternate Day for K-2 Sports Day – Friday, June 22, 2018

Alternate Day for 3-4 Sports Day – Monday, June 25, 2018;

School Closes for the Year – Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 12:30pm.

 

A respectful community of leaders and learners. 

Une communauté de modèles et d’apprenants qui se respectent.

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