DATES TO REMEMBER!

April 4 - Day in Lieu of con-ferences, NO CLASSES!

April 5 - Classes resume!

April 15 - Grade 9-12 Pro-gress Reports!

April 20-26 - Dental Health Nurse visit (grade k-8)

April 25 - Teacher Prep Day, NO CLASSES!

May 4 @ 1:00 - Spring Arts Matinee Performance!

May 5 @ 7:00 - Spring Arts

May 18 - Conference “A” track meet for grade 7-12. Griffith Stadium!

May 20 - Teacher Prep Day, NO CLASSES!

May 23 - Victoria Day

May 26 - Elementary Track Meet

May 27 - District Track Meet for the grade 7-12 stu-dents who qualify. Griffith Stadium

June 23-28 - High School Final Exams

June 28 - Last Day of Clas-ses!

June 29 - Grade 12 Gradu-ation ceremony at Wald-heim school gymnasium (7:00)

June 30 - Progress Report

April, 2016

WALDHEIM SCHOOL Box 367

Waldheim, SK

S0K 4R0

Principal: Chris Mason

Vice-Principal: Reg Pauls

Website: www.blogs.spiritsd.ca/waldheimschool

Phone: 306-945-2211 Fax: 306-945-5445 E-mail: corinne.neufeldt@spiritsd.ca

The signs of spring are all around us. The snow on the playground

is melting. Little calves can be seen on farms. There are hundreds of

geese flying overhead. Badminton season is winding down and track and

field will soon be ramping up.

We appreciated seeing many parents and students at our last

parent/teacher/ student conferences. It is very important to take ad-

vantage of those times to meet. It ensures clear communication and ena-

bles us to have a strong team approach to our students’ learning. Thanks

for making that night a success. Please don’t hesitate to call the school if

you have questions regarding your child’s learning.

We will be having our School Community Council elections at 5:00

on Tuesday, May 3. We have a wonderful SCC. They work very hard for

our school. In the past few years they have become more and more in-

volved in the learning that takes place at our school. We are very thankful

for all they do. If you are interested in joining this amazing group please

contact the school.

Improving student literacy is a goal that we have been working on

for the past three years. We are very excited to have another literacy

event at our school. The students will be invited to participate in a reading

bingo challenge. Our fantastic library technician, Danielle Bergen, will be

sharing the details with each classroom next week. We will culminate our

challenge with a hot dog lunch, Scholastic book sale, and reading party at

the end of May. Enjoy reading!

Chris Mason, Reg Pauls

Cora Reddekopp…

I have had the privilege of doing what I love for

25 years! I enjoy teaching, interacting, and

building relationships with the kids and staff.

Kids are open, honest, and entertaining. They

grow and change so much in one year! I look forward to the years ahead.

Marla Laskowski….

Happy Spring Everyone! I say that in hopes of soon seeing the green grass and blooming trees I just saw in Van-

couver when I visited over the break for a softball tournament. Spring is around the corner and so is softball sea-

son which means life goes from busy to berserk. My evenings are filled with travelling all over the northern part

of the province conducting clinics for parents and coaches, as well as running practices for my own team, and

others. I hope to be out working with some of the local teams here in Waldheim again this year.

Spring also means BBQ season and another BBQ unit for my grade 10, 11 and 12 students - you'd be surprised

how difficult grading BBQ meat, potatoes and vegetables can be! (I love my job!)

Steve Kitchen…. Over twenty years ago, I came to Waldheim School to interview for the grade six teaching position, however, be-

fore the interview was over I had accepted the high school English position and it has been one of the best deci-

sions of my life. I’ve travelled highways 12 and 312 hundreds of times, but as I tell my teaching colleagues in

Saskatoon, “A school alive is worth the drive.” I now have the unique privilege of teaching the children of former

students and what keeps me coming back to our school each day (other than the need to provide the basic ne-

cessities of life for our own teenagers) is the love of learning that permeates the building. My colleagues’ enthusi-

asm revitalizes my own teaching and spending every day with teens keeps me young while simultaneously mak-

ing me feel old (you’ve gotta love a good paradox). If I could somehow invent an app that took care of marking

assignments, my job would be perfect.

Chris Mason…

In our staff spotlight this year we were supposed to write about a funny memory from our time in schools

or what we like and don’t like about our jobs. I am going to write about a funny memory. I have taught for fifteen

years. There are so many funny things that I have done and seen happen. I have spent most of my career teach-

ing elementary students. Students do say and do the funniest things. They also like to see their teachers do hilari-

ous things. It seems like every time there is a fundraiser at the schools where I have worked I am easily con-

vinced to do something silly. I have shaved my head, worn a dress for a day, and been pied a few times. It is al-

ways a lot of fun. The students get a real kick out of it.

Staff members also like to play tricks on each other. I remember a year when I was teaching grade two in

Melfort. During this particular year we had two interns at our school. They often worked late into the evening. One

time, when they were working late, I had to go to the school to pick something up from my classroom. I remem-

bered talking to the interns about working late and how schools can be eerie at night. I knew we had a bullhorn

at the school. I was able to shut the lights off in the school without them noticing. They were working together on

this particular evening. I hid around a corner and I turned the bullhorn on as loud as it would go. The two interns

came flying out of their classroom and ran down the hallway screaming. I laughed and laughed. I shut off the bull-

horn and turned on the lights as they neared the other end of the hallway. When they noticed it was me they were

a bit mad and came running after me. It was even more fun retelling the story the next day in the staffroom.

We have been enjoying an exciting and dynamic year in Grade

5! Like most of the other classes, it is hard to believe that

with Easter being over, the end of the year is approaching. We

will still have many adventures together, but here are some

highlights so far this year:

Many science experiments – the most talked about and memorable is probably the tug-of-war to learn about un-

balanced and balanced forces

Math stations – we love this new format of learning and we enjoy experiencing math in different ways

Novel study – although we are just beginning this section, this is our first opportunity to really explore what nov-

els are

Writing projects – from our first “Truth about Parent’s Rules” article to our Photostories we have had a lot of fun

creating projects

Canada – this is such a big topic to explore in Social Studies, but something that was unique this year was being

able to follow the federal and provincial elections

Challenging our fitness levels in Phys. Ed.

As you can see we have been busy! As the year continues we are looking forward to Spring Arts, warm out-

side weather, and class trips. It promises to be a great ending to a fantastic year!

“We’ve been researching countries on books and computers” - Mary

“We learned about the colour wheel!” - Griffin

“We’ve been writing stories in Writer’s Workshop” - Emily

“We’re learning how to express ourselves in art” - Tilly

“We’re learning about how to make a stable bridge” - Kent

“We’re learning how to count money” - Zachary

“We’re learning how to use our imagination in art” - Sasha

“We’re learning about fractions” - Jaxon

“We’re reading a lot” - Brianne

“We are doing recorder karate in music” - Jenna

“We learned the writing process” - Lawson

“We’re learning the importance of art” - Liam

“We’re writing” - Leland

“We’ve been making bridges in science” - James

“We are learning how to read with fluency” - Kristalyn

“We’re learning new games in gym” - Reed

“We’re practicing our reading stamina” - Ashley

“We’re learning about adjectives” - Annika

“We’re doing adding and subtracting” - Isaiah

“We’re learning line artwork” - Jonny

“For body break we play soccer outside” - Regan

“We’re learning how to write stories” - Alaina

“We’re learning not to give up” - Danika

Reading /Bingo Challenge - April 20—May 27

We are very excited to be hosting another reading challenge beginning

April 20. Students will be given bingo cards with various reading activ-

ities on them. Students who get a bingo will get a book as a prize!

Near the end of the challenge, we will be holding a Scholastic Book

Fair (June 1-3). Profits from the book fair will go toward prizes and

classroom libraries.

The reading challenge will wrap up with a Reading Party on June 3.

Any parents/guardians, grandparents, or invited persons are welcome to join us!! The reading party is a chance

to visit your student’s classroom, and an opportunity to sit down and read with your child! You can listen to them

read, share a story, or be a reading role model. Feel free to bring your own book, a newspaper, or magazine you

can share with your child! We will also be having a hotdog sale (all profits to classroom libraries) from 12:30-

1:30 followed by the reading party from 1:30-2:30. More information will be provided closer to the date.

Our last reading party was very well attended! We’d love to see even more of you out for June 3!!

Fluoride Varnish – Follow-Up Visit to Waldheim School

Dear Parents and School Staff, The Population and Public Health – Oral Health Team will be returning to your school and of-

fering the follow-up free fluoride varnish to students. It is recommended that fluoride varnish

be applied to your child’s teeth two times per year. We plan on being at your school starting April 20th, 2016.

If your child had fluoride varnish earlier this year, great! There is no need to sign up again. If

you did not enroll the first time but are interested in participating, please contact the Oral

Health Program at 306-655-4462.

School Community Councils A primary link between the home, community and school

Our School Community Council (SCC) supports student learning success and well-being and encourages

parent and community involvement in the school. Prairie Spirit School Division believes that involvement with

SCCs is a rewarding and meaningful activity for parent and community members. If you would like to make a dif-

ference at our school, please consider running in the upcoming SCC election. Parents and members of the com-

munity are eligible to run for the local SCC.

Our School Community Council has 6 positions open for members for two-year terms beginning fall, 2016.

We have 3 members who will be remaining for their second year for 2016/17.

Our SCC election will be held May 3, 2016 @ 5:00 in the school

Please contact the school office for more information and for nomination forms.

APRIL 2016

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25

Teacher Prep Day,

NO CLASSES!

26 27 28 29 30

Day B (K1)

Day C (K2)

Day E (K2)

Day F (K1)

Day A (K2)

Day A (K2)

Day D (K1)

Day D (K1) Day F (K1)

Day A (K2)

Day E (K2)

Day D (K1)

Day C (K2) Day B (K1)

Day C (K2)

Day E (K2)

Day B (K1)

Day F (K1)

K1 - Mrs. Kitchen’s class

Days B, D, and F

K2 - Ms. Lehmann’s class

Days A, C, and E

Day A (K2)

Please note: This counts as a day, but there are no classes!!! Ms. Lehmann’s class resumes Wednesday!

Grade 9-12

Progress

Reports

Dental Health Nurse for grade 1-8

Reading

Challenge

Begins!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20

Teacher Prep

time,

NO CLASSES!

21

22 23

Victoria Day!

24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

May 2016

Day C (K2) Day E (K2)

Day E (K2) Day D (K1)

Day B (K1) Day D (K1)

Day C (K2) Day A (K2) Day B (K1)

Day A (K2)

Day B (K1)

Day F (K1)

Day C (K2)

Day E (K2)

Day F (K1)

Day C (K2) Day D (K1)

Day B (K1)

Day F (K1)

Day A (K2)

K1 - Mrs. Kitchen’s class

Days B, D, and F

K2 - Ms. Lehmann’s class

Days A, C, and E

SPRING ARTS

PERFORMANCE

7:00 P.M.

SPRING ARTS

MATINEE

PERFORMANCE

1:00

Conference “A”

track meet,

Griffith Stadium,

Grade 7-12

District Track for

those who

qualify,

Griffith Stadium,

Grade 7-12

Local Track

meet,

Grade 1-6

Poems at HomeRoses are redViolets are blueWe like poetryHow about you?

While our poetry may not be very good, our ideas for sharing it with young kids defi nitely are! National Poetry Month is a time to celebrate poets, rhymes, rhythm, and word choices that make poetry fun for kids.

Sharing poetry with kids is a great way to highlight language. Poems include humor, interesting words, tongue twisters and alliteration (the same consonant sound at the beginning of each word). Choral reading of poems, where more than one reads the same thing at the same time, and several rereading of the same poem also builds fl uency.

How to Plan a Family Poetry Jam

Start with playful, rhyming poetry about topics that are familiar to your child like animals, food, and bedtime. Nursery rhymes and Mother Goose collections are early favorites.

Read the poetry aloud slowly. Emphasize the sound of the words and the rhymes. Read dramatically to emphasize the breaks and phrasing of the poem. Have fun with the colorful language and word play.

Reread the poem several times. Many popular poets for kids (for example Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky) have several of their poems online. These can be printed and used for rereading. Favorite ones can be arranged into a family poetry notebook.

Once a poem is familiar to your child, take turns reading! First you read one line or one stanza, and have your child read the next. See if you can do that while maintaining the rhythm of the poem.

Plan your own family poetry jam. Have each member of the family choose and practice a favorite poem to share with the family. Set aside a special time to celebrate poetry by having each person share their poem.

While April is National Poetry month, there’s enough excellent poetry for kids to share all year long. Ask your local librarian for help fi nding poetry collections that are a good fi t for your child.

For more ideas, read Nursery Rhymes: Not Just for Babies!www.ReadingRockets.org/article/14017

Helpful information about learning brought to you by Reading Rockets, Colorin Colorado, and LD OnLine

Reading Rockets, Colorín Colorado, and LD OnLine are services of public television station WETA, Washington, D.C. Reading Rockets is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Offi ce of Special Education Programs. Colorín Colorado, a web service to help English language learners become better readers, receives major funding from the American Federation of Teachers. Additional funding is provided by the National Institute for Literacy and the U.S. Department of Education, Offi ce of Special Education Programs. LD OnLine is the world’s leading website on learning disabilities and ADHD, with major funding from Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes.

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Reading for Meaning with Your Child

Reading with comprehension means understanding what’s been read. It takes practice, time, and patience to develop reading comprehension skills. Families can play an important role in helping a child learn to read for understanding.

First, make sure your child is reading books appropriate for their reading level. If a book is too hard, all your child’s energy will be put into decoding and reading word for word, with less energy available to figure out what the book means. Books that your child can read with 98-100% accuracy are good choices for comprehension building.

Reading comprehension skills can be developed using a before-during-after approach. Below are a few suggestions that will help build comprehension skills. BeforeYour goal is to help your child build an understanding of and purpose for what they’re about to read. Look at the book’s cover. Ask, “What do you think this book might be about? Why? Can you make some predictions?” Guide your child through the pages, discuss the pictures, and brainstorm what might happen in the story. Talk about any personal experiences your child may have that relate to the story.

DuringYour goal is to help your child be an active reader. Read together and talk about what’s happening as they’re reading. Stop and discuss any interesting or tricky vocabulary words. Talk about any surprising or sad passages, and help them visualize parts of the story. Ask your child, “Do you understand what’s happening here? What do you think will happen next?” If your child seems unsure, stop, go back and reread if necessary. Discuss any confusing parts.

AfterYour goal is to help your child reflect on what they’ve read. Summarize and share your favorite part of the book. Have your child rate the book on a scale from 1 to 10 and say why. Have your child reread their favorite part or act it out.

Take the extra time before and during reading to read with your child this way. You’ll soon find yourself reading with a child who is motivated to comprehend and learn from everything they read.

For more information about reading comprehension: www.ReadingRockets.org/article/12376

Helpful information about learning brought to you by Reading Rockets, Colorin Colorado, and LD OnLine

Reading Rockets, Colorín Colorado, and LD OnLine are services of public television station WETA, Washington, D.C. Reading Rockets is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. Colorín Colorado, a web service to help English language learners become better readers, receives major funding from the American Federation of Teachers. Additional funding is provided by the National Institute for Literacy and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. LD OnLine is the world’s leading website on learning disabilities and ADHD, with major funding from Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes.

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