Senator Gibson News

December 2017

Senator Gibson

4944 John Street,

Beamsville, L0R 1B6

P (905) 563-7431

senatorgibson.dsbn.org

Principal

Mr. Simon Hancox

Vice Principal

Mrs. Kelly Phillips

Important Dates

December 1st Food Drive

and Family Baskets begin

December 13th Last day for

Family Basket Donations

December 7th & 21st

Pita/Sundaes for Kids

December 15th Pizza

December 14th Mistletoe

Market/Kinder Marketplace

December 15th Choir @

Fairview Mall

December 21st Christmas

Concert & Carol Sing

December 22nd

Lunch Lady/FestiveSweater

Next SAC Meeting:

January 23rd @

6:00 p.m.

Dear Senator Gibson Families, It’s hard to believe that December is here already! We have enjoyed a mild November, however, the cooler weather is on its way. Extra mittens and hats are always a good idea!

Communication between home and school is a large part of how we ensure students are successful. As a staff, we value the ability to work together with parents and families to ensure we are doing what is best for students. With the availability of technologies such as email, Class Dojo, Remind App, D2L and more, we hope you feel better connected to our school than ever before. We are always pleased to receive your questions, comments, and suggestions. We would like all parents to know we are committed to responding to all inquiries within 24 hours. This year, we have noted an increase in the number of emails and other communication in the evening hours. While we are pleased to receive your questions and feedback, we feel it is important for staff to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Therefore, any evening communication received will be responded to during school hours the following day. As a school, we are committed to being partners with you in your child’s education. We would like to work proactively with you to resolve all issues in a timely manner. We appreciate your support and understanding. If you have any questions about this guideline, please feel free to contact Mr. Hancox at the school at 905-563-7431. We would like to thank you for attending our parent-teacher conferences. These conferences are a wonderful opportunity for you to learn about what your child is doing at school as well as for us to learn more about your child. The Progress Report is an important indicator as to how your child is doing in each subject area. Please remember to take some time to set and review goals with your child(ren) and talk about all the great things that are happening at school. Your continued support is much appreciated!

December will be a busy month with lots of extra-curricular activities for our students to enjoy… some of which include Choir, Volleyball, Basketball, Robotics, Mad Science, Me to We Food Drive and Family Baskets, Mistletoe Market and Kindergarten Outdoor Market Place.

On behalf of the staff at Senator Gibson, we would like to wish all of our students and their families a wonderful, relaxing, safe winter break. We look forward to seeing everyone back on January 8th, 2017!

Sincerely, Mr. S. Hancox & Mrs. K. Phillips

School Advisory Council Corner

MISTLETOE MARKET! Our SAC members have been busy organizing our 2nd Mistletoe Market to be held on December 14th! Students will have an opportunity to purchase items for their pet, mom/grandma/caregiver, dad/grandpa/, brother/sister. There will be a maximum limit of 5 gift purchases per student. All items will be priced at $1 or $2. A list will be sent home with students prior to the 14th so that parents can pre-determine, with their child, who they will be buying for. We are anticipating a visit from Santa as well

Thank you to our SAC for organizing this for our students!

Is your child working on Dreambox at home? Here are a few tips: • If your child is stopping to talk to someone or perhaps going away from the computer to visit the washroom, be sure that he/she pauses the game he/she is playing. If the game is not paused, the program determines that your child required that much think time to solve the problem and will adjust the programming to a lower level as a result. • Time on Dreambox does not count unless a game is completed. Be sure that your child doesn’t bounce from game to game but completely finishes one before moving onto another. Login : 42cv/senatorgp Remember… It’s okay for students to struggle a little bit with lessons

School Advisory Council

We look forward to our next SAC meeting on Jan. 23rd , 2018. All are welcome to attend and babysitting will be available.

Holiday Concert and Sing-A-Long

Senator Gibson will hold its annual Holiday Concert and Sing-A-Long on Thursday, Dec. 21st at 11am and 6pm. The primary students will provide the artwork and the Junior/Intermediate students will provide the music. All students in Grades 4 - 6 are expected to attend both shows. The evening show is optional for the grade 7 and 8 students, however, they are encouraged to attend and share their talents. Doors will open at 5:30 pm and students are asked to go to their assigned rooms until the show begins. We look forward to great show!

Congratulations to our November ‘I Matter’ Students of the Month!

Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Holly F. Vince B. Katherine K. Ryan C. Zafer H. Noah A. Jordon H. Sydney R. Nathan S. Owen C. Keegan R. Lola K. Samara K. Zac P. Caleb W. Myra T. Hillary T. Cody S. Keisha U. Luke B. Callie O. Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Jayde R. Abigail K. Lindsay A. Connor R. Nathan H. Leah Noyes Angelica M. Emma H. William D. Tanner N. Grace G. Katie D. Kyle T. Andrew D. Scarlett A. Brianna D. Emily B. Abby S. Jackson B. Seth R.

Jillian L.

The community of Senator Gibson Public School is committed to creating an inclusive

environment where students are educated, inspired and challenged to be critical

thinkers who contribute in our changing society.

French Immersion Registration The French Immersion program (offered at French Immersion sites) is open to all students in

Senior Kindergarten. 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;

Congratulations to our November/December Kindergarten “I MATTER”

Award Recipients!

Mrs. Bosnic/Mrs. Thompson (K-1) Paige D., Yusuf A., Callum R., Gracie A., Mrs. Stayzer/Mrs. Bannister (K-2) Tayah G., Trystan H., Finley C., Ashlynn A., Mrs. Bogucki/Ms. Goddard (K-3) Oliver H., Ellie O., Caroline D., Skylar D., Mrs. Keus/Mrs.Worville (K-4) Charlotte K., Paris K., Deegan S., Athena C., Grayson M.,

Clean Hands! ~ from Niagara Public Health Cleaning your hands is the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs. Regular hand cleaning with soap and water, or an alcohol based hand sanitizer will reduce the risk of getting sick. Cleaning your hands should occur: · Before eating · After using the washroom · After coughing or sneezing · After blowing your nose · After playing with pets · After playing outdoors Use warm water and soap and lather and scrub for at least 15 seconds if your hands are visibly dirty. For more information, talk to your school nurse or go to www.niagararegion.ca/health.

Community Matters at Senator Gibson!

Me to We Community Care Food and Gift Baskets

Dec 1st - Dec 13th

For the past several years, our Senator Gibson school community has come together to help brighten the

season for families and individuals in our communities who are in need. Year after year, we are

overwhelmed by your immense generosity. Please join us again this year as we help support our

community through the Community Care Food and Gift Baskets.

The purpose of the food and gift baskets is to supply families in our community with a holiday meal and

treats, to show that our community cares. A group of classes will be assigned to one family profile, and

together, students can bring in items to create a food and gift basket for the family to enjoy during the

holiday.

This year we will be supporting 8 families in our community. Notes will be sent home on Dec. 1st with

details of family needs. Any questions, please contact Mrs Pitre.

Character Trait for the month of

December… CARING

Anti Bullying Awareness Week was filled with many group discussions and activities that are related to the topics of bullying. For example; What does bullying look like, sound like and feel like? How do we differentiate between bullying and regular conflict? How do we get help and deal with bullies? What can bystanders do? It was great to walk down the school hallways to listen to discussions and see the meaningful work presented by our students in their classes. We also had a poster challenge, Kindness in Action day and paper chain making, which will be displayed on February 28th – Pink Shirt Day. Thank you to Mrs. Cressey and Mrs. Dick for organizing these activities, and thank you to Aidan T. / Liam B., Mrs. Pitre, Mr. Carnegie and Mr. Hancox for working together on a meaningful slide show which was shared all week, for all to see, in our school foyer. Thank you to Nadia T. and Mikaleigh K. for writing and sharing Anti- Bullying announcements all week.

Up-Coming Events:

Sundaes for Kids - Dec 7th and 21st

Anti Bullying Awareness

Week

Nov 20th - 24th

Me to We Social Justice Club

Food Drive Update: We donated over 700 pounds of canned goods! Thank you to our Senator Gibson students and their families, and to Ms. Nicole Sutherland for sharing with our students where the donations are going, at our November SOM assembly.

Donation Update: Since September, Me to We has been busy fundraising and bringing awareness to various issues - Kids Mental Health, Anti Bullying, Poverty, Hurricane Victims and Families in Need. Using proceeds from Sundaes for Kids, we have been able to donate:

$250 - Kids-Helpline (Proceeds from Sundaes for kids & Pink Shirt sales) $500 - Red Cross Hurricane Victims (Proceeds from Sundaes for Kids & Special Hat day) $1000 - Rylee Gofundme (Proceeds from Sundaes for Kids)

Me to We is so glad to be able to help out Rylee.

Stay Strong Rylee!

The DSBN Academy is a Grade 6 to Grade 12 public school designed to support and empower students to be the first in their family to graduate from college or university.

The faculty and student body are committed to excellence and the belief that, with hard work, they can achieve their dreams. Come learn how our unique program prepares students to succeed at college and university and how your child can benefit from the opportunities offered at DSBN Academy. All families are invited to attend a parent information session in your community. Please see below for dates, times and locations.

Parent Information Sessions Time

January 15, 2018 Harriet Tubman, St. Catharines 6:30 - 7:30pm

January 16, 2018 Diamond Trail, Welland 6:30 - 7:30pm

January 18, 2018 Valley Way, Niagara Falls 6:30 - 7:30pm

January 23, 2018 Dewitt Carter, Port Colborne 6:30 - 7:30pm

January 25, 2018 Senator Gibson, Beamsville 6:30 - 7:30pm

January 30, 2018 Peace Bridge, Fort Erie 6:30 - 7:30pm

February 6, 2018 Open House at DSBN Academy 6:30 - 8:00pm

Admission Requirements

DSBN Academy recruits and enrolls students from all 12 municipalities within the Niagara Region. Eligible applicants must meet the following requirements, both at the time of application as well as at enrollment:

Student must be entering Grades 6, 7 or 8 in September.

Student would be the first in their family to graduate from a college or university program. If a sibling of the student has attended a post-secondary institution but the parent(s)/guardian(s) have not, the student is still considered a First Generation Student.

Student must be achieving current grade level expectations or just below.

Student has demonstrated the potential for achieving "good" or "excellent" learning skills, particularly initiative, independent work and responsibility.

Student must be willing to attend a school location that may be out of his/her community.

Student understands that there is a mandatory after-school program which includes enrichment opportunities and academic supports.

Families must understand that it is a single track pathway beginning in grade 9 (Academic Level Only).

Families understand that there is a parent engagement requirement of 15 hours each year.

Applicants must submit a completed application to their current school by February 9, 2018.

Is DSBN Academy a good fit

for your child?

Inclement Weather There may be times during the school year where inclement weather or other situations could cause transportation 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 inform 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.

Information about transportation cancellations and school closures will be available as soon as it is available through the following

channels:

Websites:

http://www.dsbn.org/inclementweather/

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:

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