April 13, 2015

Millarville Community School

130 Millarville Road 403-938-7832

http://millarville.fsd38.ab.ca

Principal’s Message Welcome back from Spring Break! Believe it or not, we are in the last few months of the school year, with only a little over 2 and half months left! We look forward to making this short amount of time for learning both memorable and exciting. We started the year with the three phrases - Be Awesome, Be Better and Be a Team Player. This time of year, it is important to reflect on what each of these phrases, to dig a little deeper into what these mean for each one of us, so we continue to work together to support and improve our school and community. You have probably all heard the famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi - “be the change you want to see in the world.” I have a great friend who really exemplifies this philosophy. When I think of being awesome, I think of him and how he treats others. Everyone around him is given his undivided attention and he really listens with all of his heart. When you are with him, not only does he show thoughtfulness, but he also seems to magnify your strengths. You are so well supported by his actions, words and encouragement that you feel you could take on any challenge. I would encourage you to be like my good friend: listen, be thoughtful and help to magnify the strengths of those around you. In this way, you will make our little part of the world a better place.

Glenn Gibson (gibsong@fsd38.ab.ca) Be Awesome, Be Better, Be a Team Player

Upcoming Events:

April 14th - 3:00 pm Fundraising Meeting - 7:00 pm School Council April 17th – 9:30 am Grade 3 Assembly May 1st – Staff Learning Day May 14th – Volunteer Tea

We still need 20 volunteers for the Casino June 18 and 19th. Please call or email Ms.

Davis ASAP! We need you! davisk@fsd38.ab.ca

Support the Active Living Recreation Centre! Make Your Opinion Count

nwfoothillsrec.com

April/May 2015

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Sunday

13 14 15 16 17 18/19 Fundraising (3pm)

and School Council (7pm) meetings Grade 7 and 8 Band day

No grade 7 band today.

Grade 7 Badminton Divisional @ Edison School

Grade 3 Assembly 9:30am Kindergarten Screening for 2015/16

20 21 22 23 24 25/26

Grade 8 Badminton Divisional @ Edison School Technology Advisory Meeting 3:00 pm

Beginner Band Festival (Grade 6) Senator Riley School

Kinder Friday Grade 4 Mini Business Day

Grade 8 Hotdog Fundraiser at Sobey’s Okotoks 10:30 to 4:30

27 28 29 30 May 1 2/3 Next Millarville

Messenger Staff Learning

Day

4 5 6 7 8 9/10

Fundraising (3pm) and School Council (7pm) meetings

Kinder Friday

School News Briefs

Summary of March 2015 School Council Meeting

1. Q&A with John Bailey, FSD Superintendent a. Review of PAT and SLA tests – Gr. 6 SLA tests

not ready yet, so Gr. 6 will do PAT this spring. Gr. 3 will continue with SLA in fall.

2. Presentation by Scott Carey, Principal and Markes Fredriksen, Vice Principal at Oilfields High School.

a. Upcoming Driller for a Day transition day on April 1 for Gr. 8 students

b. Student body about 400 students, about 65 per grade (7-12)

c. Athletics include basketball, volleyball, rodeo, hockey, golf, curling, rugby, track and field, other

d. Academics – high completion rate, Quest and other cross-curricular studies, 101 students with Honour Role/Honours with Distinction, 3 computer labs

e. Some options possibly available in Gr 9 and high school (varies based on interest): Hockey Canada Skills Academy, band and jazz band, digital technology, food/fashion, drama, industrial arts, Spanish, CHAPS (rodeo), fitness, environmental and outdoor ed, science enrichment, Quest program (Gr 10-12)

f. Contact Scott or Markes at 403-938-4973. 3. Upcoming meeting topic: Evergreening – Technology

and the Future. MCS is making decisions for next year on how our technology and computer resources will evolve. James Aitchison, FSD Director of Learning Technology to be involved.

4. School Business Highlights: a. Mrs. Pam Irving is retiring this spring b. Gr. 6 PAT’s happening this spring c. Basketball – Gr 7/8 – Boys First Place, Girls

Second Pl! Yea! Watch for Assembly dates/times in Messenger

and on school sign – all welcomed.

What is Happening at Parent Council

April 14th, 2015

Did you know? - New Learning Coach at MCS! Please welcome Karli

Alm. She will be invaluable in helping to meet the needs of

all students in their specific needs for learning. She is filling

Pam Irving’s position.

- What kind of technology will MCS buy next year??? If

you would like input into this topic, please come to the casual

info meeting on April 21st, 3-4pm at MCS.

- Pinterest can help you with helping your child?! -

Check out Team Thrive on Pinterest - set up by Adele

DePauw. This week, there is a new pin regarding the MIND

UP program. This is all about emotional regulation and the

ability to pay attention and focus on what you are doing. This

is help for kids, teachers and parents!

- New High School to be built in Aldersyde? This high

school, slated to open in approx. 3 years, will house ALL of

the high school kids in Okotoks. There is also another two

schools likely to be built in the Darcy Ranch - a shared school

site with the Catholic school division. Two schools, one

site.

- MD is pursuing a new RECREATIONAL COMPLEX very

near the racetrack! Right where the new baseball diamonds

are going up. Please visit the online

survey: nwfoothillsrec.com - they need input! Survey takes

maybe 2 minutes.

- Next Meeting: May 5 - Come on out to learn about Money

Matters with your kids! A presentation by the Grade 4s, as

well as some presentations from the Parent Council.

Grade 6 Provincial Achievement Tests

The Government of Alberta has decided to continue with the grade 6 PATs this spring. All grade 6 students will be writing these benchmark tests this spring on the following schedule.

May 13th – Language Arts (Writing) June 17 – LA (Comprehension) June 18 – Math June 19 – Science June 22 – Social Studies For more information:

http://education.alberta.ca/parents/resources/exams.aspx For additional practice and examples: https://questaplus.alberta.ca/

Volunteers Needed!

The school is presently looking for volunteers to work a CASINO! The students directly benefit from this fundraiser with all funds going to the school for field trips, athletics, outdoor pursuits, band, etc. The CASINO will be at Century Casino on Thursday, June 18

th and Friday, June 19

th. Both day shifts start

at 11:00 am and end at 7:00 pm. Both night shifts start at 6:30 pm and end at closing time. If you are available to work one of these shifts, please contact Ms. Karla Davis at davisk@fsd38.ab.ca Your time and volunteering is appreciated!

MILLARVILLE HORTICULTURAL CLUB 2015 JUNIOR PROGRAM

Do your children like to play in the dirt? Have they ever wanted to grow their own vegetables or flowers? Please join us on Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00pm in the Learning Commons to find out more about a program geared for junior gardeners.

• Information on garden location, soil, plant care, harvest • If you like what you hear, register yourself and your child in the junior program • Junior participants meet their garden mentor (our members who will help you through the season) • Select seed packages that fit individual interests Register for the info session by April 17 on the sign-up sheet in the Learning Commons. Each child needs to bring an adult to the meeting. Adult Program participants must be Hort Club members ($15/year memberships available at the meeting). For more information call Suzanne Sills 403-931-0334.

The Grade 4's have been inspired by our current class novel, Lunch Money, and our current unit of inquiry, How We Organize Ourselves. We are creating our own mini businesses! These mini businesses demonstrate true entrepreneurial ambition by the Grade 4's and they wish to raise money to have a year-end pizza celebration. All other monies raised will go to supporting the Alberta Children's Hospital. Our businesses will be open Friday, April 24th. The businesses will be selling: paper airplanes, painted/coloured rocks, mini booklets, art cards, loom bracelets, pom pom puffs, etc. Our products are priced at a very reasonable range of $.25 -$.50. Please listen and watch for more information and start saving those quarters to support our endeavour!

If you have not ordered your 2014-15 Yearbook, please contact Mrs. Gregson in the office.

Books are $25.00 – order deadline is June 15th!