Ross Public School, 358 Niagara St., Welland, ON. L3C 1K9 Phone: 905-734-4273 Fax: 905-734-1788 Superintendent: Wes Hahn Principal: Patti Lott Trustee: Sue Barnett Secretary: Ronna Murphy

December 2014

A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE…

On behalf of the staff at Ross, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season! Hopefully you will find Special Dates: some time to take part in winter activities and spend some quality time December 1: M&M School Shop with friends and family members. The last day of classes will be held on Day Friday, December 19, 2014. Classes will resume in the new year on Janu-

December 5, 12: Pizza Days ary 5, 2015. We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy new year! Thanks to our community of volunteers… December 10: Holiday perform- ance by Centennial HS for Gr. 6– The support from our community and parent volunteers has been over- 8 students @ Centennial High School whelming. I would like to thank the many individuals who help our stu- dents every day. We are blessed with parent volunteers that read and December 10-12: Baskets on display and raffle tickets for work with our students on a regular basis. We also have parents and sale. grandparents that assist with our daily breakfast program. Many thanks to the parents who take the time to drive to all of our sporting events as December 15: Ross Holiday Con- cert—6:30 PM @ Centennial, well; without your help, student participation would be limited. Even our doors will open at 6:00 lunch room supervisors are always willing to lend a hand, their time and efforts are always appreciated. Also, thanks to the parents that pop in December 18: Swiss Chalet hot lunch supported by our SAC to the school to help on special occasions (i.e., Halloween, gift basket wrapping, and pizza days). I would like to thank the members of our December 18: Movie & Popcorn day, holiday sweater spirit day School Advisory Council who give up their evenings to support school ini- tiatives. Finally, I would like to thank all of our community members for Christmas Break: December 22, their generous donations for our Christmas Basket Raffle… THANK YOU! 2014 to January 2, 2015

January 5, 2015: return to school We Day Winter is coming… Snow, snow, th On the 20 of November we had an snow! amazing opportunity to go to Water- loo and attend We Day along with The snow has arrived! Ross others students from across the School’s rule is to leave it province! We had to be at the school on the ground. Please re- for 6:30 am, stay on a bus for the longest time and freeze but it was definitely worth it! This day was so powerful, with many inforce this rule at home. speakers that told us so much about the world. It gave us a new For the safety of all stu- understanding about what is going on. dents we ask students not

The speakers there influenced us to help out and support other to throw or kick snow. parts of the world that need help! Last year’s Grade 8 class We have a 1-2-3 policy. Each time a student throws earned us our tickets by doing the We Scare Hunger food drive, snow, a letter goes home and the incidences are as well as supporting a global cause in Africa. This year, our tracked. The first time is a warning, the second Grade 7/8 class will be doing the same for next year’s group by helping with the Free the Children campaign this holiday season. time is parent contact with the loss of recess, and We Day was created by Marc and Craig Kielburger. Celebrities the third time is parental contact and an in-school like Karl Wolf, Neverest, Virginia to Vegas, Alyssa Reid and more time-out. Each situation is dealt with considering were all there and gave awesome performances! mitigating factors.

The whole day was full of excitement and inspiring moments. Using progressive discipline, formal suspension could We are so glad that we had the chance to go, and will make sure result. that we earn tickets for next year’s intermediate students at Ross. It’s a day we will never forget! By Shannah Marr and Madison Cowell Anti-Bullying Awareness Week We had a lot students show their commitment to A special thanks to Mr. Furtney for taking on this initiative to help our students become aware of global issues and to think of standing up against bullying by wearing their pink others around the world. shirts last month. Some classes were involved in: dra- matic role-plays, pledges, brainstorming activities, reading responses and watching videos that empha- sized the importance of anti-bullying awareness.

Dressing the kids for the weather…

Students are outside for two—20 minute breaks every- day. Hats, gloves, boots, snow pants and warm jackets make this time more enjoyable. We strongly encourage parents to send an extra pair of mittens and socks and indoor shoes during the winter months. Thank you. French Immersion Registration

The French Immersion program (offered at French Immersion sites) is open to all students in Senior Kindergarten. If you want your child to develop a high proficiency and fluency in Canada’s two official languages, French Immersion has a great deal to offer. FEATURES OF THE FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM:  Development of French language skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing from grades one to twelve;  Designed to be a second language program for children whose first language is NOT French;  Current enrolment of over 2,000 elementary students;  Certificate of French Immersion Studies awarded upon successful completion of the elementary and secondary Immersion program;  Promoting understanding of different cultures;  Providing additional opportunities for employment using French as the working language;  An increased ability to communicate and interact with confidence in French.  Registration will open January 5th, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. and will close February 17th, 2015 at 9:00 a.m.

For more information about French Immersion in the District School Board of Niagara visit www.dsbn.org/fi or speak to your school principal. Parent Information evening sessions will be held in January. Parent Visitations to the Grade 1 French Immersion classrooms will occur during designated daytime hours if desired.

*N.B. – With recent revisions to the French Immersion program at the DSBN, McKay Public School in Port Colborne, is the only site accepting Grade 4 entry registrations. Please note, beginning September 2016, the DSBN will be a single entry pro- gram with French Immersion starting only in Grade 1.

Welland Princess Elizabeth Public School (Grade 1 entry) Parent Information Night: Wednesday, January 7, 2015 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Grade 1 French Immersion Classroom Visits (if desired): Thursday, January 8, 2015 11:10 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.

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AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES

There may be times during the school year where inclement weather or other situations could cause transportation cancellations or school closures. At times when student transportation has been cancelled and schools remain open, the decision of whether or not to have children in school on that day rests with the parent or guardian.

Should you decide not to send your child to school in the event that transportation is cancelled but schools remain open, or if your child is ill or late, please ensure that you call your child’s school to inform them of your child’s absence.

A key resource in any emergency is the DSBN Emergency Information form that you filled out at the be- ginning of the school year. Please let the school know of any changes in contact information or proce- dures you wish to be followed throughout the school year.

For secondary schools it may become necessary to cancel late buses. Notice will be provided via school announcements and on the websites and subscription features by 11:30 a.m.

Information about transportation cancellations and school closures will be available as soon as it is available through the following channels: Websites: www.dsbn.org www.nsts.ca

Subscription Features: DSBN Facebook or Twitter NSTS Transportation Delay or Cancellation Alerts

Phone: Niagara Student Transportation Services 905-346-0290 Voice Auto Attendant

Radio Stations: CKTB (610 AM) St. Catharines CHRE (105.7 FM) St. Catharines

WAVE (94.7 FM) Hamilton CHTZ-FM (97.7 FM) St. Catharines CKOC (1150 AM) Hamilton CKEY (105.1 FM) Niagara Falls/Fort Erie

CHML (900 AM) Hamilton K-LITE-FM (102.9 FM) Hamilton CHAM (820 AM) Hamilton GIANT FM (91.7 FM) Welland Y-108(107.9) Hamilton

Television Stations: CH – Hamilton CTV Toronto CityTV Breakfast Television Cogeco Channel 10

Milk Program at Ross Junior Girls Volleyball The Milk order forms for January will be The junior girls volleyball team sent home at the end of next week had a fantastic season! (December 5) , so that milk is available on They won 4 games and tied the first day back at school in 2015! Orders their last game of the season. will be due on Wednesday, December 17th. They played hard and improved each game. The girls finished their regular season in Breakfast Club 1st place. They get an automatic spot in the final playoff game on Wednesday, December 3rd at Ross Students who participate in student nutrition and the girls earned a spot in the DSBN tournament on Tuesday, December 9th at Jeanne Sauve. programs are improving their quality of life two‐ Good Luck to the girls!! fold. Not only are they optimizing their aca- Mlle. Schram demic and behavioral performance during the school day, but they are also securing long‐term health by learning healthy eating habits that will benefit them for a lifetime. Team members: Makayla Armstrong, Ezrah Bacon-Butler, Taylyn Our Breakfast Club at Ross is open every day Bazylewski, Avery Girling, Pavanaa Jeyaratnam, Ka- from 8:35 until 8:55. We provide healthy break- tie Mazurkiewicz, Mackenzie Mitchell, Ella Peters, fast choices each day, including cereal, toast, Kaitlyn Pottle, Ava Savio, Emma Smith, Emma Weasner, Margaret Young yogurt, cheese, veggies and dip and fresh fruit. Our program is supported largely through fund- ing provided by the Niagara Nutrition Partners, who facilitate fundraising through the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Community Care, Breakfast for Learning and many other corporate sponsors. Our own program is also supported through school fundraising events, such as Rockin’ for Ross, 2014, and through the generous donations from families in our school community. Thank you so much to Mrs. Mary It’s that time of year again... M&M Meat Shops,

Smith, whose dedication to Ross Breakfast Club located at 30 Rice Rd. will donate 10% of their is unwavering, and also to Andrea Smith and profits back to Ross School! All you need to do is Brad Shea who have joined us this year when- ever their schedules allow. Thank you to Mrs. go in to the Rice Rd. location between 9:00 a.m. Young, the Venne family and Elijah Lopez’s fam- and 8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 1st and iden- ily for their kind and generous donations also. tify yourself as a supporter of our school and You are all greatly appreciated! make a purchase. Thank you for your support.

Mad Science, the world’s leading provider of educational and entertaining science programs for children is coming to Ross Public School. Their mission is to spark the imagination and curiosity of children everywhere by providing them with fun, entertaining and exciting activities that instil a clear understanding of what science is really all about and how it affects the world around them. They use exciting activities and spectacular demonstrations to capture the attention and imagination of children as we found out during our assembly.

Both the students and teachers will be thrilled on 08/Jan/2015 at 1:50 PM when Mad Science comes to the school to do a Spectacu- lar Science show. The assembly will be educational, entertaining and also the kick off to the Mad Science Club. The Club is a 6- week science enrichment program offered to the students.

Students who join the science club will go on a voyage of discovery designed to support the Ontario Science and Technology cur- riculum. They will explore various topics in science including Chemical Mystery, Current Events, Fundamental Forces, Science of Magic, Stunt Planes and Super Structures . The Club will take place on Wednesday Lunch, Jan 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, 25, Mar 4 from 1:00 PM - 1:40 PM.

For those of you who have been in the Mad Science Club before, this is a different club than last year with exciting experiments, cool demonstrations and amazing take home activities.

Mad Science also performs Birthday Parties, Camps and Special Events. Give them a call at 905-937-1878 and watch out for them in Malls, at Fairs, Festivals and Scouts and Guides. www.niagara.madscience.org

TRY AT HOME ACTIVITY ZOOM BALL  Scissors

 Two 1 litre plastic pop bottles

 Masking tape

 Optional: Coloured construction paper  Optional: Ribbons  Ribbons

 Two 2.4 metre strings

 Two plastic ring six pack holders

Instructions: Ask your adult helper to cut the bottoms off of the two plastic soda bottles. Fit the bottles together so there is a neck on either end. Tape the bottles together to form a football shape. Cover the bottles with construction paper and ribbon if you want to decorate your zoom ball. Thread the two strings through the bottles. Take the six-pack holders and cut the rings apart to make four two-loop handles. Tie a set of handles to the ends of each string. Get at friend and you are ready to play. Each player holds onto two handles and pulls on the strings until they are tight. Slide the zoom ball to one end. When it is at your end snap your hands apart to send the zoom ball back to your friend. To catch the zoom ball, keep your hands together.

Explanation: The pushing action of the strings sets the zoom ball in motion. When the zoom ball reaches the other end of the strings, an opposite pushing ac- tion, this is your friend snapping the strings, stops the ball for a moment and then sends it in the reverse direction. November Student Recognition Grade/Teacher Academic Integrity

ELP—Bolduc/Cohoe Mackenzie Taylor Vincent Cupolo

ELP—North/Duffin Deven Simpson Shiloh Collin

Grade 1—McNeil Aaron Boyko Kayla Young

Grade 2—Bida-Sawyer Alannah McIntyre Haley Venne

Grade 3/4—Collins Kya Cowell Madeleine Sloan

Grade 4/5—Dickson/Trussell Dighlan Byers Jacob Thomas

SSP—Barker Thomas K.

Grade 6/7—Medwin Jackson McNeil Shayla Rowsell

Grade 7/8—Furtney Chloe Peters Jessica Acaster

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Students return to class on Monday, January 5, 2015

Did you know???

 Quinne Gordon won last month’s newsletter draw, she received 2 free slices of pizza. Congratulations!  Both of our intermediate volleyball teams had the opportunity to participate at the DSBN tournament, great effort by both teams.  Holiday Raffle Baskets will be on display at Ross beginning Wednesday, December 10th to Friday, Decem- ber 12th. Students may purchase raffle tickets before and after school as well as during first break. $2 per sheet of tickets—25 tickets on each sheet. The baskets will be on display for families to purchase tickets at our holiday concert on Monday, December 15h at Centennial High School at 6:30 PM. Hope to see you there! Doors will open at 6:00 PM, general seating.  Our Junior Girls’ Volleyball team finished in first place and has qualified for the tournament.  Our whole school is invited to attend the Wizard of Oz performance at the Scotia Centre in Niagara Falls on Friday, December 19th (AM). $15 per ticket, parents are welcome to join us, first-come, first-served.  Congratulations to Shannah Marr for being selected as a winner for the Director’s Holiday Card Contest.  Swiss Chalet Hot Lunch on December 18th, thanks to Mrs. Kelly for organizing this event.

______

December Newsletter Draw

I have received and read this newsletter. Winner receives two slices of pizza on the next Pizza Day at Ross School.

Student’s Name: ______

Student’s Grade/Class:______

Comments: ______School Advisory Council

A special thank you to council mem- bers for wrapping the raffle bas- kets, supporting our school and for attending our meetings regularly. HOLIDAY CONCERT New members are always welcome DATE: Monday, Dec. 15th to attend our monthly meetings. TIME: 6:30 PM Hope to see you there! LOCATION: Centennial HS The SAC will be offering a Swiss Raffle baskets will be on sale during Chalet hot lunch this month on the performance. Thank you for your Dec.18th. Thanks to Mrs. Kelly support and donations! for organizing this opportunity. Doors open at 6:00 PM Next meeting:

Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: Ross Staff Room Hope to see you there !

Candy Grams are back… Starting Monday, December 8th, and running until Friday, December 19th, stu- dents from the Grade 7/8 class will be selling candy grams for 50 cents each. These candy canes (they will be the larger ones) can be sent to a friend, or pur- chased for the individual student. Proceeds will be donated to the Free the Chil- dren holiday campaign which benefits children and families in Africa, as well as our end of the year trip to Camp Wahanowin. Thank you for your cooperation and support. Mr. Furtney and the Grade 7/8 Class On Thursday December 18th, the Intermediate leadership team will be hosting a screening of Disney’s Frozen in the school gymnasium. For $2.00 you can join in on the fun and that will also include a bag of popcorn! Also, don’t forget to wear your favourite winter/holiday sweater so that you are as comfy as possi- ble! We hope that you all can participate in the Popcorn and a Movie/ Winter Sweater spirit day! By Gillian Durfy (Grade 8)