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Monthly Newsletter– October 2009 |
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October 1st – 7th is Safe Schools Week in District 18. During the week, we will be practicing two fire drills. One fire drill, with a false barrier, will be one activity introduced to teach the children the importance of leaving the building quietly with attention on their teacher at all times. As the leader in front of the line, the teacher will redirect their class to an alternate exit. On Friday, October 2nd our students will have a presentation on fire safety from Cst. Shannon. This is a great time to review your own fire exit plans at home! On Monday, October 5th at 10:30am, the children will be walking to the Corbett Avenue Wesleyan Church (Kids Korral Daycare), which is designated as our emergency evacuation site. Riding the school bus safely will be reviewed with the children. To reinforce safety on the bus, a school bus evacuation simulation will take place on Tuesday, October 6th beginning at 8:30am. Bus drivers will instruct the children on the bus about safe evacuation in the event of an accident. On Wednesday, October 7th, the children will be practicing a school lock down procedure, “a secure-the-building drill” in case of an intruder. Teachers will cover this area with age appropriate directions. Teachers will plan and rehearse appropriate actions on a pre-arranged signal. In order not to cause alarm, the teachers will explain that their students are always to return to their classroom when they hear the password over the intercom. Teachers will close their classroom doors. The children will sit quietly beside an inside wall away from view of a potential threat. It is not our intent to alarm the children but to give them strategies to maintain their safety. Throughout the week, teachers will be discussing various safety issues in their classrooms. If you have any questions concerning our Safe School Week activities, please contact the school at 453-5402.
PSSC & HOME & SCHOOL MEETING REMINDER – OCTOBER 5TH
The first PSSC Meeting will be held on Monday, October 5th at 6pm in the library. All parents are welcome to attend.
The first Home & School Meeting will follow the PSSC in the cafeteria at 7pm. All interested parents are welcome to attend.
2010 – 2011
If you or your neighbors have any students who will turn five years old between September 2nd and December 31st, 2010, they are eligible to begin Kindergarten in September 2010. Registration will take place at Barkers Point School between 8am and 4pm the week of October 13th – 16th or at the District 18 Office on Prospect Street on Wednesday, October 21st between 5 and 8pm. Documents required include: Proof of age - (birth certificate, baptismal certificate with the seal of the church, NB Medicare card), Proof of Immunization – record to date and Medicare card.
We have had a few cases of head lice at Barkers Point and we would encourage you do regular checks of your child’s hair. The school district public health nurse has given each school a fact sheet on head lice which is available from the school office upon request. These are some highlights: What are head lice? Head lice are tiny insects that live on the human scalp. These insects lay eggs called nits, which stick to the hair close to the scalp. Head lice are not a health risk, do not spread disease and can affect people from all walks of life. Head lice can be eliminated with persistence and good information (Harvard School of Public Health). How are head lice spread? Head lice are spread by head-to-head contact with another person who has head lice. They cannot fly, jump or swim. Brushes and combs can transfer mature head lice. Lice are not likely to leave a warm head to lurk in clothing, furniture and bed linen where it is cold and there isn’t any food. Therefore these items are less likely to spread head lice. What are signs of head lice? One of the first signs may be itching or scratching Crawling head lice are hard to see because they can run quickly. Adult lice are usually dark brown and about 2-3 mm long. Young lice are often a lighter brown and about 1-2 mm long. Eggs (nits) are easier to see. Nits are grey-white, oval in shape and are about the size of a grain of salt. Nits are firmly attached to the hair close to the scalp... Nits may look like dandruff but cannot be flicked off. Prevention Activities/Ideas to Help Prevent Infestation Check your child’s hair every week for head lice and eggs (nits). Be particularly watchful after sleepovers, camp, after school breaks and at the beginning of the school year. Tie long hair back – braid and/or put up if possible. Consider applying hair gel or mousse – these do not prevent or repel lice but help keep stray hair strands from contact with other heads. Avoid sharing combs, brushes, hats, hair bands, scrunchies and head sets. Remind your child to try to avoid head to-head contact with other children, e.g., when working at the computer with others, or when playing, or hugging. Encourage children to put hats and scarves in the sleeves of their coats.
We all have to work together to help reduce the spread of head lice. Regular inspection of your child’s scalp is the best possible measure for prevention.
LOST AND FOUND
There are a number of clothing items gathering in our Lost and Found boxes in the office. If your child has misplaced a jacket, sweater or other item, please have them check the office. The items will be on display in the cafeteria every Wednesday.
CAFETERIA
Our School cafeteria is now up and running. The lines to purchase food can be so long we are asking parents to please send loonies and toonies as counting small change can be very time consuming. We ask that if you are using small change, please have it rolled or counted with the amounts on the envelope. This will help ensure that students have adequate time to eat their lunch.
PICTURE DAY
Barkers Point School’s picture day is scheduled for Monday, October 26th. Bring your best smile!
PD DAYS
Please note, there is no school on October 8th and 9th as teachers will be involved in professional development activities.
FAMILY FUN NIGHT Friday, October 16th (Details will follow) |
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