Welcome to our new school year! We hope you had a wonderful long summer. A special welcome to the families who have just joined our Sperling community – we look forward to getting to know you here at Sperling! We value the fact that parents play a critical role as active participants in the education of their children. The involvement is important to both the children and the staff. Your inter-est, encouragement and support help us work together to provide the best education possi-ble for your child. By being involved with the school through attendance at school events, the Parent Advisory Council, volunteering help at the school or simply discussing your children’s education with their teachers you reinforce to your children that their education is very important. Please do not hesitate to phone us at any time with any questions or con-cerns you may have. Your input and suggestions are always welcome. School opening is a time to review what’s important and to make commitments and reso-lutions to ensure success at school. Sitting down together with your child to discuss and agree upon routines, such as homework, television, screen time and bedtime, is important at this time of year. Establishing routines early will help get students off to a good start. It is also time to discuss the importance of being involved and participating in the many op-portunities that Sperling School has to offer. Getting involved in a wide variety of activi-ties, setting realistic goals and following through on commitments are life skills that will serve students well and help ensure that Sperling School is a rewarding place to be. I am pleased to announce the following staff members will form the École Sperling team for the 2016-2017 school year:

Principal: Mme Karen Floyd Head Teacher: Mme Alex Spence Secretary: Mrs. Susie Bonvino

NEW STAFF I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new staff members. New to Sperling this year: Alexis Cassap-Hanson, Chantal Day, Sonia Lupinacci, Elixa Neuman in the French Im-mersion program and Ashley Hanna, Music & Gr. 7 Band teacher, and our new school coun-sellor Katie Dereus. I would also like to wel-come Whitney Nakamura, Educational Assis-tant, to our school staff.

ÉCOLE SPERLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2200 Sperling Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. V5B 4K7

(604) 664-8836 Fax (604) 664-8651 http://sperling.sd41.bc.ca/

Principal: Mme K. Floyd Head Teacher: Mme Alex Spence Secretary: Mrs. S. Bonvino

Days to Remember:

SEPTEMBER

First Day of School

First full day for Kindergarten students

Individual School photos

PAC General meeting @ 7pm

Terry Fox Run @ 1pm

28 Intake Interviews Gr. 1-7 (3-6pm)

EARLY DISMISSAL @ 2pm for intake interviews (Gr. 1-7 only)

Pro-D Day - Students do not attend

September 2016 Bulletin #1

Hi!

Classroom Teachers

C. Cera Intermediate Rm. 16 D. Kelsey Intermediate Portable #2 J. Altman Intermediate Rm. 19 A. Spence/A. Cassap-Hanson Intermediate Rm. 15 E. Neuman Intermediate Portable #4 D. Millar Intermediate Rm. 12 J. Marriott Intermediate Rm. 14 S. Godel Intermediate Portable #3 L. Stringer Intermediate Rm. 17 K. Ricker Primary Rm. 13 M. Lo Primary Rm. 1 I. Cirka Primary Rm. 4 M. Schiffo Primary Rm. 8 L. Errico Primary Rm. 5 S. Fogliato Primary Rm. 11 M. Lee Primary Rm. 3 C. Day/S. Lupinacci Primary Rm. 6 D. Lucarino Primary/Kindergarten Rm. 9 A. Yee Primary/Kindergarten Rm. 7 A. Underwood Kindergarten Rm. 10 A. Therrien Kindergarten Portable #5

Teacher Librarian S. Hunger LSS A. Spralja & A. Cassap-Hanson ELL A. Huang Counsellor K. Dereus (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) Music/Band K. Hintersteininger & A. Hanna Custodians B. Johnson, R. Sin & R. Chan Educational Assistants J. Crampton, J. Chow, K. Yuen & W. Nakamura Noon Hr. Supervisor R.Lupinacci, M. Solteiro, S. Page Elementary School Asst. C. Kemp

School Opening As in previous years, students have been placed in primary and intermediate groups for the first three full days of school (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) to encourage new friendships, develop leadership skills and meet Sperling staff. We plan on having students in their permanent classroom on Monday, September 12th.

Considerations for organizing classes (please share this information with your child if they are concerned about their placement):

Class organization – How are children placed in classrooms? Teachers put a lot of thought into organizing classes that will provide good learning environments. A number of criteria are considered such as academic and social strengths and needs, learning styles, friendships and leadership qualities. We also try to maintain a balance of boys and girls in each class. With these guidelines in mind, children are grouped into classes. While the friendships of students are always considered, this is not the most important factor in the de-cision-making process.

Combined classes – Will my child learn grade appropriate skills and content? Yes. All classes, whether one or two grades include children with a wide range of skills, knowledge, interests, learning styles, and personalities. Their needs and abilities, and of course, the curriculum expectations for the grade level(s) determine the programs(s) for the year. Please feel free to talk to your child’s teacher about any aspect of the year’s curriculum.

We will try to keep you informed of your child’s activities at the school through conferences, information meetings, parent bulletins and sometimes the occasional phone call. We look forward to a great school year!

SCHOOL PLANNERS

Our school planner has been successfully used school-wide for many years. It is "personalized" with all the information and dates pertinent to École Sperling School. We are selling the planners this year at a cost of $8.00. These planners supports the Health and Ca-reer Education Curriculum and all students (currently gr. 1-7) are expected to use them. An order form will be sent home with your child next week.

Lunch

If your child will be go-ing home for lunch, please let your class-room teacher know. Written permission from

a parent must be received by the school before we allow students to leave the grounds during noon hour. Those who bring their lunch are expected to display appropriate behaviour. All students eat in their own classroom.

SCHOOL BELL SCHEDULE

8:50 am ..... First bell - students enter school 8:55 am ..... Students are in their seats and ready for work 10:30am .... Recess Begins 10:45am .... Recess Ends 12:05 pm ... Lunch break 12:20pm .... First Bell to go outside 12:30pm .... All students to be outside—unless it is an inside day 12:58 pm ... Lunch ends 1:03 pm ..... Classes resume 3:01 pm ..... Classes dismissed for the day

Student Arrival Usually there is little need for students to arrive before 8:45am. During inclem-ent weather students should arrive as close to the 8:50 bell as possible. Classes begin promptly at 8:55am. Students arriving after the 8:55am bell must pick up a late slip at the office to ensure at-tendance is correct.

ATTENDANCE If a student is going to be absent or late for

school, please call the school at 604‐664‐8836

and leave the following information on the

voicemail (24 hour system):

Child name

Teacher name

Division

Reason for ab‐

sence/lateness

2016-2017 SCHOOL CALENDAR Number of Non Instructional Days 7 Dates of Non Instructional Days: September 30 April 24 October 21 May 19 November 25 June 2 February 17 School Opening Day: September 6 Thanksgiving Day: October 10 Remembrance Day: November 11 Winter Break: Dec. 19, 2016–Jan. 2, 2017 First Day back from Winter Break: Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Family Day February 13 Spring Break: March 13-24, 2017 First Day back from Spring Break: Monday, March 27, 2017 Good Friday April 14, 2017 Easter Monday April 17, 2017 Victoria Day May 22, 2017 Sports Day June 1, 2017 Last day for students June 29, 2017 Year-end Administrative Day June 30, 2017 School office hours 8:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

We now offer the ability to pay your child(ren)’s school fees online. During the course of the year you will be able to pay for field trips, performances, and extra curricular activities.

Order forms will be going

home in the next couple of weeks with

Sperling Storm items.

Stay tuned for more information!