hool News Dundas Central Sc

al Education is Centr

B. Morlog, Principal 73 Melville Street 2A2 cipal ndas, Ontario L9H Du J. George, Vice-Prin Fax (905) 627-3522 1 Phone (905) 627-352 ntraldundas www.hwdsb.on.ca/ce

January 2010

From the Principals Desk - Good thingsFor an electronic version of this newsletter (and to keep up to date with current DC Public news) please go to the website, and click on subscribe.

happening at Central.1. Facility Improvements UpdateThings are moving along! The contractors are completing the replacement of pipes, valves, thermostats, upgrades to heat and ventilation. We are currently replacing all the lights in the gymnasium to make it brighter and energy efficient. This Saturday December 19th, we will begin replacing the windows the older section of the school (both floors). This project will continue throughout the holidays. If all goes well it may be completed by the first week in January. These windows are energy efficient, tinted for the suns intensity and screens will be constructed in January/ February to be installed in March. Two Smart Boards will be Mrs. Lawsons JK/SK class prepares for the Holiday concert. arriving for the New Year. We are also addressing the heating unit for the gym, exploring stripping the gym floor and putting together a proposal for new hallway lighting throughout the school. It is fantastic to see the Boards and Provinces investment in our school and the face lift of this historic grand old building.

Inside this issue:Making Music in the Community Ideas for Fun Family Activities During the Making Reading Resolutions in 2010 Annual School Play Auditions January Book Fair Survey Contest Winners Home and School Update 1 2 3 3 3 4 4

2. Grade Eight Transition to ParksideWe have been working with Parkside to assist our students with transition to secondary school. Back in November the Parkside staff introduced themselves and the school by meeting with our grade eights on the 10th and hosting a Parent / Student Open House on the 30th. They introduced Course Streaming on Thurs. Dec. 15th and will present an Option Sheet explanation on Jan. 5th at 9 a.m. A Parent Information Night will be hosted at Parkside on Thurs. Jan. 21st at 7 p.m.

3. Holiday FestivitiesMany thanks must be extended to all those involved with our concerts and presentations during the last week of December. Thanks to our staff members for their classroom presentations, to Mrs. Waller for the musical presentations by the band and choir along with Mrs. Shupes middle school drama

Making Music in the CommunityThe grade 4 choir performed for the residents of the Dundas Retirement Centre on December 15th. They sang a variety of songs under the direction of music teacher Mrs. Waller and her fabulous assistant Miss Moulden (student teacher), accompanied by parent volunteer Mrs. Thomlinson on the piano. The song A Christmas Wish was a particular highlight and included a solo by flautist Danniella Waller. Residents of the centre celebrated the season (and thanked the students) after the performance with holiday treats. Many thanks to our Mr. Bell and Mr. Varady for their support on the sidelines!

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Dundas Central School News

Education is Central

From the Principals Desk (cont)presentations. They were well received by our school community. It was also great to see our myself. It was also great to see our choir perform for the senior citizens at the Dundas Retirement Home on the afternoon of Tues. Dec. 15th. Lastly, we wish to take this opportunity to thanks the students, staff, parents, Home and School for their efforts with the Food for Thought Program, canned food and toy drive and the gift basket program. Thumbs up to our Cougar Community! It is better to give than receive and follows a school and Rotary Club motto: Service Above Self.

4.

Directors VisitIt is better to give than receive and follows a school and Rotary Club motto: Service Above Self.

On Thursday January 7th, our Director John Malloy will visit our school. Tentatively, he will tour our school and discuss Provincial, Board and School thrusts with Ms. George and myself. We hope he enjoys his visit and we can benefit from our discussions.

5.

Next School Year 5 Day Schedule

We need to announce to our families that the Boards Administration is looking to have schools move to a 5 day rotational schedule. Some schools in our Board are currently utilizing this schedule and others have adopted this in September or October of this year. Our school has traditionally been on a Monday to Friday schedule. Starting on Tues Sept. 7 /10 we will begin with Day 1 and that following Friday will be Day 4. The following Monday will be Day 5 and Tuesday will be Day 1 again. This schedule shifts by a day when we have a holiday or P.A. Day.

There are a number of factors that have resulted in the change and uniformity among schools. Some of the issues pertain to equitable and consistent program delivery, schools sharing teachers and loss of teacher preparation time (e.g. same classes get missed because of holidays and P.A. Days) Other Boards of Education (like Halton) have moved to similar types of scheduling shifts. At this time, we are uncertain how kindergarten classes will operate. They may still continue with the A / B format or an alternative will be chosen by the Board. We felt it was important to inform you of these up coming changes so you can plan ahead. We will continue to update you as this process evolves.

6.

Happy Holidays

On behalf of our staff, we wish you a Happy Holiday Season, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Enjoy the time with family and friends. Well see you on the first day of school on Monday January 4, 2010!

Ideas for Fun Family Activities During the Winter BreakThe holiday break is festive, fun and hectic! It can also be a great time for the whole family to spend some time together. Make exercise a family affair! Here are some easy ways Here are some simple ideas to create some great family memories to help your children become more physically active: and traditions. Active children become healthy adults. To learn more about how Look through the family archives or the local video store for a to be active, check out www.kelloggsnutrition.com/live-healthy/ great family favorite. Find a holiday special or just a movie activity-ideas. Health Canada recommends that children between the family used to watch years ago. Make some popcorn and the ages of 6- 14 years old should gradually increase the time cuddle up for the show. they currently spend being physically active to at least 90 minutes of physical activity daily. Complete a huge puzzle, charades or play a board game.

Play video games. Whether dusting off the old X box or play- ing the latest Wii game, video games are always good enter tainment. Sometimes playing a game that hasn't been played for years brings back fond memories and old competitions. Make sure the cooks get out of the kitchen and play too.

Take the dog for a walk together. Shoot hoops, toss a football or play tennis in the driveway. Focus on enjoyment, not competition. Put some music on and dance around the living room. Play hide-and-seek instead of watching TV. Go to the park and play tag. Go skating at the local community rink. Go skiing, hiking or tobogganing!

Check out what activities are available around the town. Most towns have both indoor and outdoor events available and listed in the local newspaper.

Enjoy the magic of Christmas lights. Go for a walk or drive to an area of town that is all decked out for Christmas.

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January Book FairMme CohenIts book fair time again! The book fair will run from Wednesday, Jan20 to Friday, Jan 22. The students will visit the fair with their class on Wednesday and fill out wish lists to take home. On Thursday they will have a chance to purchase the books with their class. Friday the fair is open for anyone who still wants to buy books. JK and SK do not have set times to visit the book fair. Parents with students in these classes are welcome to come to the book fair with their child Wed, Thurs or Friday at any time. The hours are: Wed Jan 20 Thur Jan 21 Fri Jan 22 8:40 am 8:00 am 8:00 am

Umbrella Family and Child Centres of HamiltonGood care educates. Good education cares. The Umbrella daycare still has spaces! For more information please call Linda 905.973.7472

As in past years we will need parent volunteers to help out. The fair cannot run without your help. Last year we were able to purchase $2, 500 worth of books for our library from Scholastic with profits from the book fair. More details will follow after the winter break. Happy holidays!

iddle g all M ts! n Callin stude hool Sc

Annual School Play Auditions

Wanakita Parent Night Q&ATues. Jan. 5th 6:00 7:00 pm Rm 202

All Middle School students are invited to try out for the school play starting in January. The play will be performed the first week in May. We practice every day (usually first nutrition break) except Friday so students need to be aware of the time commitment. Students are asked to listen carefully and read the bulletin board outside the gym to find out if/when they are 'called back'. Students will have a number of opportunities to audition in the month of January. All tryouts occur during nutrition breaks except the dance auditions. There will be ONE dance audition in January on a Friday night. Since dance practices take place most Friday nights from 3:00pm to 4:45pm students are asked to consider previous commitments before coming out for this extra curricular activity. ( A safe way home at the end of each practice is imperative also.) It should be noted that any Middle School students who want to be part of the school

play will be included......even if they do not have 'speaking roles'!

st C o nt e urvey S

rs Winne

The winners of the Tim Horton's gift cards, for filling out the survey and sending it in, are: Rylee Green in Mrs. Pierce's room Lexi Weir in Mrs. Groves' room Thank you to all families who sent in their information of how they access the school newsletter.

A BIG HELLO FROM HOME & SCHOOLWho are we busy parents just like you! What we do keep the fu n in fundraising whilst learning about our ch ildrens environment, so that the children and families of Dundas Central benefit fro m improved educational facilities and com munity. Why we do this is because school is a major part of our childrens lives. How we do this is by weav ing what little time we can spare into activities H&S are hosting.

Home and School UpdateQSP update The prizes are in and going out this final week of school! Well done QSP team! $1563.45 represents one third of the value made by H&S and was handed over to Mr. Morlog for the benefit of the children, at our last H&S meeting. The remainder will provide some budget for coming years H&S functions, but predominantly will be used on School Wish List Items. Forest Reading Programme The Programme has 4 levels, which cover all age groups, the younger ones having the books read to them. These are the top 10 Canadian books of the year with enough copies for all years to have a chance to read them. A student that reads at least five of the ten books can vote for their favourite. Mme Cohen runs this scheme for the children and we have had the opportunity to support this wonderful programme using H&S funds to the tune of $842.57. Wreaths & Poinsettias We hope that everyone who ordered is enjoying their Wreaths and Poinsettias this year. They were excellent value! Only one store managed to meet our Poinsettia price after taxes and then they only had red ones. We had a lovely range of colours and the prices were up to $5 less than most shops! WOW! Our total profit was $637.20 although the Graduation Fund portion of this has yet to be calculated. The H&S portion will go towards the School Wish List. Salvation Army Food & Toy Drive If the target is reached Mr Morlog has pledged to dress as an Elf.

Why Not Join Us?This Elf campaign is progressing well!! If we achieve this, photos will follow! Keep up the excellent work everyone. Ho! Ho! Ho! Holiday Baskets Ticket Sales have been going well. Thursday and Friday together totalled 308 Wow! Our aim is $1000 for the Food 4 Thought programme to help keep our childrens minds healthy and working hard during school. The draw took place on Wed. 16ththank you to all those who participated. Come on out! Food 4 Thought 2010 New Year helpers are badly needed as some of our year long elves go on to different commitments and we thank them and wish them well. So, if you have a couple of hours on Monday mornings or Fridays, 1pm onwards, please contact our Food 4 Thought Team Lead: Mary Gillis (SK/JK teacher). H&S Seekers H&S is pleased to present our new Seeker Team lead by Parrish Crawford. This team of bargain seekers are checking out gently used items that are on our Teachers board games/toys list. In just a few weeks they have got all that has been requested into classrooms amazing work! These items will be particularly helpful during wet Recess.

On behalf of Home and School thanks to everyone who supports our activities and Happy Holidays, From the whole team!