13266 – 70B Avenue, Surrey, BC V3W 8N1Tel: 604-594-1135 Fax: 604-594-8769

Principal: Ms. K. McMillan V.P.: Mr. F. Sommer

November 29, 2013

Honesty – Caring – Leadership

Message from the Principal

As this first term is drawing to a close (less than two weeks to go before the winter break!) I thought I would take a moment to recap some of the highlights.

We extend a warm Kinvig welcome to Kari Ansell who assumed her position as our new head secretary a little over a week ago. We are delighted to have her as part of our team.

The Clothes on Wheels event was very well attended. We hope to have another one in the spring.

Our literacy family night was a huge success and so much fun! Thanks to everyone who attended. By our count more than 200 students and parents came.

We held our first-ever Kinvig Christmas Craft Fair two weekends ago. I was so impressed with the caliber of items that were being sold. It really was amazing. Now that the word is out I foresee a line-up of people trying to rent tables for next year! Thanks to our PAC for all their hard work organizing and setting up for this fundraising event.

An unfortunate thing happened on that same weekend, though. When we came back to school that following Monday, we discovered that several classrooms had been broken into and some iPads and laptops were stolen. As there weren’t any signs of an outside entry, we can only assume that this theft must have occurred while the craft fair was going on; in spite of the due diligence we paid to making sure that security safeguards were in place. It is sad to think that an event like this – something to support our students – could be marred by someone’s thoughtless actions.

This unfortunate event has brought the matter of the security of our school even more to the forefront than it usually is and I would like to ask for your help in this area by making sure that you check in at the office when you enter the school. If you are visiting the school you need to wear a visitor’s badge so that both the adults and children know that you have been “cleared” to be here. Thank you for your cooperation.

A big day is coming up this Friday – first term report cards go home! Please take time to read your child’s report card with them and let them know how proud you are of their successes. There will be an opportunity for you to discuss your child’s progress with their teacher on our early dismissal day on the 17th. You can make an appointment by contacting your child’s teacher directly.

Kate McMillan

Thanks to Mrs. Kaila and Mrs. Friel for coaching the school Volleyball team. The team had a strong season and represented our school at the District Playday held on Tuesday, November 26 at Bridgeview Elementary where they won FIRST PLACE IN THE DISTRICT! Thanks also to the parent drivers who were able to help with transportation.

Our team members are:

Jagrup Bajwa Tanuj AroraGurjeevan Mann Ayo LadoTanaka Geza Amrit JhujVita Dervari Anmol BolaSagldeep Bola Eden AdaraTheo Nsiku Colleen McDonaldAngela Zepeda Escobar

Our school’s first-ever PJ Literacy Night was a huge success! Over 200 students and parents met in the school gym on Thursday, November 7th from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. for cookies and games, all designed around making reading fun. Thanks to all parents who supported their children by coming to this great evening event.

We have had some coyote visits in the last few days at school and have been in touch with BC Conservation and Wildlife staff. Urban coyotes are rarely a danger to people but please remind your child not to feed coyotes or drop any food on the playground. Coyotes will move away if they don’t find an easy source of food outside our school.

Christmas Sing-a-long at KinvigParents – you are welcome to sing some favourite Christmas songs

with your child on December 19 at 1pm.

Come and celebrate this special time of year with us!

Report Cards go home on Friday, December 13. Remember to ask your

child for his/her report card.

PAC Meeting Dates:Child Minding is provided. Meetings held in the Library.Thursday, January 9th – 7:00 p.m.Thursday, March 6th – 7:00 p.m.Thursday, May 1st – 7:00 p.m.Thursday, June 5th – 7:00 p.m. (Annual General Meeting)

Early dismissal – All students will be dismissed at 1:30 on Tuesday,December 17. Parents, please talk with your child’s teacher if you would like to schedule a meeting.

Our very own KINVIG CHOIR will be performing on Wednesday, December 18 at Princess Margaret school with their choir. Join us for this Christmas treat if you can, starting at 6:30 pm.

Library CornerNotes from Ms Ferguson

What is Early Literacy?

Early Literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write.

Teaching Tips for Parents:

• Choose a quiet spot for you and your child.• Read aloud at least 15 minutes a day to your child.• Establish a routine time and place to read to your child (not just at

bedtime).• Talk with your child when you play and do daily activities together.• Visit the library/bookstore with your child to attend story times,

choose books to read at home, etc.• Obtain library cards for yourself and your children.

"The more you read the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places that you'll go."

Dr. Seuss, "I can Read With My Eyes Shut!"

W.E. Kinvig Elementary is now proud to offer a lending library for families to use. The lending library is situated outside the office and allows families to sign out any of the books on the three shelves to take home and read. There is a binder in the lending library where a book can be signed out, and then back in when returned.The lending library is provided to W.E. Kinvig families from the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation.

Engaging activities for you and your child to explore different ways to support literacy at home. Please join us in 6 sessions spread throughout the year.

Next session – December 04

Strong Start NewsMiss Bobbie

If you would prefer to receive future Newsletters by email, please fill out and return this slip:

Student Name: _______________________________________________

Home Email: _________________________________________________

It`s time to Register for KINDERGARTEN

Children who will turn five years old before January 1, 2015 are eligible to begin school in September, 2014.

Registration begins in Surrey schools on Monday, January 20, 2014.

Parents – it’s COLD outside!

Although the sun is bright, it is not warm. Please be sure that your child

dresses for the weather – coats, hats, scarves, boots and gloves might be needed on some days. Children play

outside, even in the winter.

And remember – you can send a hot lunch to school for your child in a

thermos – unbreakable is best!

This is COLD AND FLU SEASON

Parents, please keep your child at home if he or she is not feeling well. Remember to call the school if your child is staying at home.

Here is how you can help to prevent the “flu” from spreading:

• Wash your hands. Frequent hand washing can reduce the risk of all respiratory infections.

• Cover your cough. You can also reduce the spread of germs by practising safe coughing and sneezing techniques.

• Stay at home. Anybody who thinks they have an influenza-like illness (i.e. fever and cough) should remain at home and limit exposure to others.

On Friday, November 1, 2013 as part of Crime Prevention Week, the “Gang Prevention – A Parent’s Quick Reference Guide”was launched. The guide is a new resource created by the City of Surrey, Surrey RCMP and the AT-CURA Project at Surrey’s Kwantlen Polytchenic University and has been developed through the use of research and best practices. Highlights of the guide include

recognizing and preventing gang involvement; questions parents can ask themselves and what parents can

do to reduce gang involvement; potential risk factors; resources and where to find support.

For parents it is important to recognize at the earliest possible stage when our children might be exploring a negative path and to know how to intervene. All parents can benefit from learning to recognize the signs of at-risk behaviours so they can help their kids get back on a positive path.

To download the guide, which is available in various languages, go to http://www.surrey.ca/community/12408.aspx.

You can also find this guide on the W.E. Kinvig webpage under our “Publications” tab!