WHITEWOODSNEWS NOVEMBER2017

Wow, it’s already November! The month of October flew by and we had a lot of fun and exciting learning opportunities at White

Woods! Thank you to the incredible staff at White Woods for organizing so many great events for students and families. Also, a

thank you to parents and guardians for giving your time when possible to help volunteer at the school, and supporting the many

initiatives we have going on. Welcome, Mrs. Vander Wall A warm welcome to Mrs. Vander Wall who will be teaching grade 3/4. Mrs. Vander Wall is replacing Mrs. Jenkins who has taken a full time teaching position at Woodland in North Bay. Mrs. Vander Wall is excited to join us at White Woods! Welcome, Mrs. Bennison With changes to staffing we were unable to secure Mrs. Colby’s short term position. We now welcome Mrs. Bennison as the permanent prep teacher. She will take over Mrs. Colby’s teaching subjects for mainly junior and intermediate students. Mrs. Colby will still be seen around the school as she is happy to be able to continue to supply teach as much as possible!

Congratulations Mrs. Vander Wall and Mrs. Bennison!

WHITEWOODSNEWS NOVEMBER2017

We Remember

Our Remembrance Day ceremony will be held on Wednesday, November 8th at 11:45 am. Parents are welcome to join us. The Legion Branch 225 will also be in attendance. If students belong to Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Girl Guides,

Cadets, and other community youth groups, they are encouraged to wear their uniforms to the ceremony.

Character Education Trait

This month our Character Education Trait is Service. Service is doing

things for others and with others. Service is serving individuals or groups in the community. The community can be school or town.

Our Service assembly is on Thursday, November 30th at 10 am. Parents

are welcome to attend.

Treaties Recognition Week (November 6-12, 2017) The first week of November is Treaties Recognition Week to promote public education and awareness about treaties and

treaty relationships. Students in grades 5-8 will be attending a presentation by

George Couchie at Northern Secondary School to enrich their learning about the histories, cultures, contributions and

perspectives of First Nation, Metis and Inuit people in Canada.

WHITEWOODSNEWS NOVEMBER2017

Collecting Non-Perishable Food Donations The Take Action Team will be doing their annual food drive for the local Food Bank. It will run from November 7th to November 21st. Students can bring in non-perishable food items any day of the week and it will be added to our collection.

Non-perishable food ideas: pasta (canned or dry) and pasta sauces, canned meats and fish, canned goods (beans, vegetables, soups, fruits), powdered milk, cereal, baby food. The Take Action Group would like to express a huge thank you for supporting their first ever Slushie Day! They raised $435 to donate to Red Cross. THANK YOU!!!

Hotdog Day

When: Wednesday, November 22nd (served at 2nd break)

Option of purchasing a hotdog combo or hotdog(s)

§ Combo: Hotdog, drink, chip or cookie $5.00

§ Hotdog $2.00 each

Thank you for supporting the grade 2/3 end of year trip.

WHITEWOODSNEWS NOVEMBER2017

Bullying Prevention Week (Nov 19-25, 2017)

White Woods Public School will be recognizing Bullying Intervention and Prevention Week Nov 19-25th. If your child is being bullied, or sees someone who is being bullied, please encourage them to seek help at school as soon as possible (for example, if it is outside, go to an adult wearing an orange safety vest, or tell an adult at the school such as the classroom teacher, an EA, the Principal, the lunchroom supervisors, etc). We have caring adults in the school and we want to help. During Bullying Prevention Week we will be doing a variety of school wide activities to raise awareness and prevention. Please stay tuned for more details. We will be posting the White Woods Bullying Prevention Plan to our Website soon.

WHITEWOODSNEWS NOVEMBER2017

Progress Reports and Parent-Teacher Interviews

Progress Reports and will be sent home on Monday, November 20th. Please read them carefully and take advantage of the opportunity to connect and have a conversation with your child’s teacher(s) during Parent-Teacher interviews, which will be held on Thursday November 23rd

during the evening, and Friday November 24th during the day. Teachers will be connecting with you to setup an appointment, in the very near future. If these dates/times do not work for you, and you would still like to connect with your child’s teacher, please reach out to them to make arrangements.

Check out our NEW SCHOOL WEBSITE and FACEBOOK This month we will be launching our new school website. It should be live by the middle of November. Please check it out at: https://www.nearnorthschools.ca/white-woods/ In the meantime, please check out our Facebook page for regular updates and reminders.

WHITEWOODSNEWS NOVEMBER2017

Inclement Weather

It’s that time of year again when the weather starts affecting school bus transportation. To find out if your child(ren)’s bus is cancelled due to inclement weather, please listen to any local radio station or go to www.npssts.ca

A reminder that if buses are cancelled in the morning, they will not run in the afternoon. Schools remain open but you are responsible for your child’s transportation on inclement weather days. If you decide to transport your child to school, please be aware that you can not drop your child off before 8:30 am, as there is no supervision before that time. Similarly, please ensure your child is picked up no later than 3:05 pm as there is no supervision beyond that time. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Science Night

Science North came to White Woods Public School on Oct 25th for an evening filled with fun learning and science! We look forward to offering more opportunities like these for students and their families in the future. Stay tuned!

WHITEWOODSNEWS NOVEMBER2017

MindUp Training in the Classroom

Last month we practiced Five Finger Breathing. This month try Balloon Breathing. Step 1: Inhale Fully Place your hands on your belly. Breath in slowly through your nose to fill your lungs all the way to the top, as you feel your belly, abdomen and chest expanding out like a big balloon….

Step 2: Exhale Fully Now open your mouth and slowly blow all of the air back out of your lungs, letting your belly sink down flat, as if deflating that imaginary balloon. Repeat, but the next time close your mouth and practice breathing in, and out, through your nose, as you feel your belly expanding and shrinking.

Extra Curricular Updates

§ Chess Club has started! § Grade 4, 5 and 6 Boys’ and Girls’ Junior Basketball has started! § Take Action Initiatives continue! § Running Club had a GREAT fall season. Thank you parents and

families for encouraging your children. Thank you to coaches for devoting their time to practices and organizing a great running season. Our White Woods runners were AMAZING! Running Club will begin again in April.

WHITEWOODSNEWS NOVEMBER2017

Code of Conduct

The White Woods Code of Conduct will be going home the first week of November. Teachers have reviewed it with their students. Please review it with your child(ren) as well. Please sign and return the last page by November 10, 2017.

Important Dates

• Monday, November 6- Professional Development Day (No school for students)

• November 6-12th- Treaties Recognition Week • Nov 7-21st- Take Action Food Drive • Nov 8th- Remembrance Day Ceremony at 11:45 am • Nov 8th- Grade 7 Immunizations • Nov 13th- Picture Retake Day • November 19-25th- Bullying Prevention Week • Nov 20th- Progress Reports sent home • Nov 22nd- Hotdog Day • Nov 23rd (evening)- Parent-Teacher Interviews • Nov 24th- No school for students *Parent-Teacher Interviews PD

Day • Nov 30th- Character Education Assembly (Service) at 10 am

Pizza Order Reminder: Please place pizza orders online for December. Online order opens November 27th-Dec 4th.