Atlantic Memorial Terence Bay School Newsletter

January 2020

Reminders:

Jan. 6: Back to School

Jan. 14: School Advisory

Council 6:30

Jan. 26– Feb. 2

Family Literacy Week

Jan. 27: Family PJ Event

1:15

Jan. 28 Lunch Orders Due

Principal’s Message

Welcome back to a New Year and new decade! We are looking forward to many

new and exciting learning opportunities for both teachers and students. Many

teachers will be spending time over the next few weeks giving students opportuni-

ties to focus on developing goals that will bring about positive change; whether it is

personal, academic or social.

As we move into our new decade, here at AMTB we are going to do our small part

to reduce waste and single use plastics, starting with plastic spoons. On a daily basis

we hand out an average of 5-7 spoons to students. Please help us by packing a

spoon for your child if they have an item in their lunch that requires a utensil.

Thank you.

Our first day back was a reminder to us that winter has arrived in Nova Scotia.

With the “winter freeze” that has begun students are reminded to dress appropri-

ately according to the temperature and weather conditions. Whether they are in

pre-primary or grade five, some students just seem to be attracted to water and

slush. We understand that many parents are working and unable to drop off dry

clothes at a moment’s notice. We encourage you to consider packing an extra pair

of mittens, pants and socks in your child’s bag. Students are expected to wear or

bring their snow pants in the event they wish to play in the snow. Please see the

additional information attached regarding decisions about outdoor activity.

Once again, welcome back. We look forward to seeing you in the coming weeks!

Warm Regards,

Shelly Smith

Website: amc.hrce.ca

Twitter: @amtbschool

AMTB Joins Healthy

Hunger

Beginning in February

families will have more

lunch options as our

school has joined

Healthy Hunger. Please

see the notice sent home

for more details or check

out:

www.healthyhunger.ca

Mansion On The Hill Music Lessons

Music Lessons, Right in your Neighborhood (Brookside) 30 years Experience, Certified, Bonded Guitar, Drums, Piano, Mandolin, Violin, Bass, Ukulele

Private, one on one lessons

All ages Children through Adult

Contact: John 902-229-4688

E-mail: john@mansiononthehill.ca Web: www.mansiononthehill.ca

Page 2 Atlantic Memorial Terence Bay School Newsletter

Counsellor’s Corner

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with the time for rest, relaxation, and connection. As we enter into 2020 many of us are setting goals for the new year. Whether you are planning for yourself or helping your children set goals, remember the acronym S.M.A.R.T.! A S.M.A.R.T. goal is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. You can assist your child in turning almost every goal into a S.M.A.R.T. goal, but remember that children often need help and support from adults to reach their goals. Below are some important tips on how adults can help their children to reach their goals:

• Have your child write down the goal he or she wants to achieve and hang it or put it somewhere he or she will see it regularly, like the refrigerator.

• Develop a plan with your child about how he or she is going to reach his or her goal.

• Reward your child for steps in the right direction and for accomplishing his or her goal. (Rewards can be verbal praise, adding a sticker to a sticker chart, a tangi-ble prize, doing something special like going to a movie, or some other type of reward that will motivate your child to reach his or her goal.)

• Be patient with your child when he or she does not reach his or her goal. En-courage your child to try again, and help your child adjust his or her goals when they become too easy or difficult.

• Set a good example for your child by also setting and writing down a S.M.A.R.T. goal for yourself. (This may boost your child's self esteem while also helping you to reach your goal at the same time!).

(adapted from Westfield Elementary Counseling Newsletter January 2012)

At AMTB we continue to work toward creating a culture of kindness where friendships bloom and learning is celebrated. To help us on our journey to being the best we can be, we focus on ten key expected behaviours. All classes learn about and review these expected behaviours reg-ularly.

AMTB Top Ten

1. Pay kindness forward- with your words and actions. 2. Listen to learn and understand. 3. Quiet voices and walking feet in hallways and classrooms. 4. Take care of your belongings (pick up, put away). 5. Help is always available-don’t be afraid to ask. 6. Use the bathroom properly (go, flush, wash). 7. Stay at your desk while eating and clean up your space afterwards. 8. Follow safety boundaries of school property. 9. Be mindful of your choices. 10. Always try your best.

School Rules 1. Listen to and follow directions

2. Use school appropriate lan-guage

3. Hands, feet and objects to self.

January is Literacy Month

Family Literacy Week 2020 will take place from January 26th to February

2nd. The theme for 2020 is “Let’s Read Together!” It will focus on families

reading together to connect, discover and enjoy. We hope you can help us

kick off Literacy Week at our Family Pajama Party on Family Literacy Day

Monday, January 27. More details to come!

What is family literacy? Family literacy refers to the ways families develop

and use literacy skills: reading a book at bedtime, playing word games, writing an email or letter to a relative

or friend, making a shopping list or using a recipe.

Family literacy and school success: Research shows children who engage in early literacy activities at home are

better prepared for school and achieve at higher rates than children who do not. Having a parent read aloud

helps children learn listening, vocabulary and language skills, and develop imagination and creativity.

A Canadian Winter:

Generally speaking, when the temperature reaches -15C or below we assess the appropriateness of sending children outside. We also consider wind chill factors. Wind chill is the cooling sensation caused by the combined effect of temperature and wind. Environment Canada advises there is an “increased risk” of frostbite and hypothermia with a wind chill below -27C. School administration consults the Environment Canada weather website frequently and

uses the guiding principles in The Wind Chill Protocol when determining whether or not students should be outside on a given day. We also consider the length of time students will be outside, their activity level (heat generation), and exposure to wind and sun (the sun does have a warming affect, even during the winter months). Whenever possible we do like to see our students being given the opportunity to socialize with friends, rather than being confined to their classrooms for extended periods of time. Student safety, health and well- being are always paramount. Parents are encouraged to dress their children appropriately for the weather and possible outdoor play, just as they would at home. Dressing in layers is always helpful along with extra hats and mittens.

The following chart is based on guidelines from Environment Canada. Keep in mind that the guidelines were de-veloped for healthy adults; young children may be more sensitive to the cold.

If the wind chill then…

0°C to –20°C take care in deciding whether it is appropriate to send students outside

–21°C to –27°C seriously consider whether it is appropriate to send students outside

below –27°C do not send students outside