I n s i de t h i s I n s i de t h i s I n s i de t h i s I n s i de t h i s

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DSBN Road

Race

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Chess Club 2222

Westdale

Reads

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Literacy Info 4444

Prom Project 5555

Graduation 5555

Westdale Public

School

A p r i l 2 0 1 1A p r i l 2 0 1 1A p r i l 2 0 1 1A p r i l 2 0 1 1 N E W S L E T T E RN E W S L E T T E RN E W S L E T T E RN E W S L E T T E R

Superintendent:

John Dickson

905-641-1550

Ext. 54120

Principal:

Mrs. G. Harris

Vice-Principal

Mr. W. Dixon

Secretary:

Mrs. P. Pickering

Check out Check out Check out Check out

this this this this

newsletter newsletter newsletter newsletter

for events for events for events for events

happening happening happening happening

at Westdale at Westdale at Westdale at Westdale

this month!this month!this month!this month!

Provincial EQAO Assessments are scheduled for Grades 3 and 6 stu-

dents for six days during the period of May 30 - June 10, 2011. Stu-

dents in these grades will be writing these mandatory assessments for

approximately one hour per day for 5 days. Watch for more information

to come home toward the end of April regarding the specific schedule.

Please try not to schedule any appointments for students during this as-

sessment as it is difficult to make up missed time.

Grade 3 & 6 EQAO Grade 3 & 6 EQAO Grade 3 & 6 EQAO Grade 3 & 6 EQAO

Easter VacationEaster VacationEaster VacationEaster Vacation

Easter Vacation is Friday April 22nd to Monday,

April 25th. Students will return to school on

Tuesday, April 26th. Have a great Easter!

P a g e P a g e P a g e P a g e 2222

DSBN Road RaceDSBN Road RaceDSBN Road RaceDSBN Road Race

The Westdale Tournament team participated in the Area 3

Tournament held at Grand Avenue School in Grimsby on

March 9. Congratulations to all team members for their fan-

tastic efforts and exemplary behaviour at the tournament!

Team members included Rachel T, Emily C, Basher R, Alysha

B, Daniel E, Reem M, Taylor D, Victoria M, Alecia S,

Cassidy G, Jacob S, Adrian B, Austin C, Maxim C, Donovan

L and Dakota C (Aziz B and Camryn S were unfortunately

absent for the Tournament). Special congratulations to our

medallion winners, Taylor D, Daniel E and Dakota C who will

represent Westdale at the DSBN Tournament on April 11.

Good luck!

380,000! This is a great

opportunity for our students

to become involved in their

community. Mark it on your

calendar now and watch for

more details and registration

packages to come. Any

questions - see Mrs.

Hildebrandt or Mrs. Kor-

nelsen.

We are excited to once

again be part of the school

challenge for the 5th Annual

Rankin Cancer Run. The

event, scheduled for Satur-

day May 29th includes both

a 1 km and 5km route. Last

year, over 6000 participants

raised $445,000 for cancer

patients right here in Niag-

ara! In the last four years,

this event has raised $1,

schools through the

Education Foundation

of Niagara and Niagara

Nutrition Partners.

The Road Race is a fun

family activity that

promotes a healthy

lifestyle. In addition to

the 1km fun run and

5km road race, there

will be a BBQ and a

fun fair. Participation

and volunteer forms

will be available online

and from Mr. Strick-

land. You can also visit

www.dsbn.org for

more information and

links to the participa-

tion forms. Please

mark Sunday, April

25th on your calendar!

Don’t give up on those

New Year’s resolutions

just yet! The 2010

DSBN Road Race

takes place on Sunday,

April 25th at 10 a.m. at

the DSBN Education

Center. You can be a

‘Learner in Action’ and

help your community

at the same time.

Money raised supports

programs in DSBN

Another way Another way Another way Another way

to get in shape to get in shape to get in shape to get in shape

and help our and help our and help our and help our

community!community!community!community!

W e s t d a l e P u b l i c S c h o o l

Chess Update

Rankin Cancer RunRankin Cancer RunRankin Cancer RunRankin Cancer Run

You’re The ChefYou’re The ChefYou’re The ChefYou’re The Chef

P a g e P a g e P a g e P a g e 3333 N E W S L E T T E R

Last month, our Grade 4-8’s enjoyed the Carousel

Player’s production of “Danny, King of the Base-

ment”. One of our students commented that it was

the best play he had ever seen! This month, our

primary students will be treated to “Saving Lone-

some George”. Thank you to the School Council

for covering the costs of these theatrical produc-

tions.

Forest of Reading Book ClubsForest of Reading Book ClubsForest of Reading Book ClubsForest of Reading Book Clubs

Do you shop at Zehr’s? Please save your cash register

receipts and send them in to the school with your child.

For every $450 in receipts, the school gets $1. An easy

way to raise funds!

Zehr’s SaveZehr’s SaveZehr’s SaveZehr’s Save----AAAA----Tape ProgramTape ProgramTape ProgramTape Program Carousel PlayersCarousel PlayersCarousel PlayersCarousel Players

Campbell’s LabelsCampbell’s LabelsCampbell’s LabelsCampbell’s Labels

Campbell’s Labels for Education program is a

great way to earn FREE merchandise for our

school, and label collection and redemption is so

easy.

Participation in the program is simple – save la-

bels from eligible Campbell products and send

them to the school.

Westdale’s Spotlight on LiteracyWestdale’s Spotlight on LiteracyWestdale’s Spotlight on LiteracyWestdale’s Spotlight on Literacy

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.”

- Walt Disney

Our primary students at Westdale will be doing an author study for the month of April. Stu-

dents will be reading the wonderful books written by best-selling children’s author Robert

Munsch. As you snuggle up and read with your primary aged children at home this month,

you may want to try out some of the following storytelling tips offered by Munsch himself:

1.Be yourself, develop your own style. 2.First read the story, then write it down. Then tape yourself telling the story. 3.Start telling the story using your own words. 4.Tell stories on the bus, during bath time or while cooking with the family. 5.Make your voice loud and clear. 6.Include simple songs or chants to bring the story to life. 7.Use repetition of a word or a phrase. 8.Move around to act out the story. 9.Have your child pick a favourite toy or use one of your own stuffed animals to be a charac-

ter in the story. 10.Relax and have fun! (For more ideas, visit Robert Munsch’s link at ) www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca

What about our older children? Research shows that there is a predictable reading

slump that happens at or around grade four. We often think by this age that kids can read

well enough on their own, and we are therefore less likely to spend time reading with our

children. However, it is at the point where our children become independent readers that the

books start to become longer and the words begin to get harder.

For the month of April, try to set aside at least 15 minutes each day to read with your

children, even if they are in grades 4 to 8! Try some of the following tips to enrich your

reading experience:

1. Take turns sharing the role of narrator.

2. Set a monthly goal for the amount of reading min-

utes your child should achieve. Log the minutes on

a chart and celebrate attainment of the goal.

3. Try a variety of genres such as adventure, mystery,

fantasy and poetry.

Remember: it is never to late to foster a life-long love of

reading!

Happy Reading Westdale!

Mark this date on your calendar! Our Grade 8 graduation ceremony is scheduled

for Thursday, June 23rd at 6:30 p.m. It will be held at Amici’s Banquet and Confer-

ence Centre, which is located on 2740, Merrittville Hwy, just past Brock University.

Our Graduation Committee is beginning to plan this special event and we’re looking

forward to sharing this milestone in your child’s life.

Grade 8 GraduationGrade 8 GraduationGrade 8 GraduationGrade 8 Graduation

LAUNCH OF 3RD ANNUAL PROM PROJECT NIAGARA

The Education Foundation of Niagara is pleased to announce the launch of the 3rd Annual Prom Project Niagara formal wear collection that provides outfits for underprivileged stu-dents who may not be able afford to outfit themselves for formal, prom or graduation cere-mony. Prom Project Niagara celebrates the achievements of students who have overcome adversity by matching them with an outfit free of charge so they can walk proudly on their special day. This year’s event will take place at Thorold Secondary School on Saturday, May 14 from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Prom Project Niagara requests the help of the community to donate new or gently used formal wear including dresses, suits, shoes and accessories to ensure the success of the initiative. All formal wear is required however there is a significant need for small men’s suits, pants, shirts and shoes. Formal wear can be dropped off to Bev’s Dry Cleaning Depot in St. Catharines and many other dry cleaners across Niagara from now until April 29.

In the past EFN has received donations of clothing and items from places such as Brock University, Ridley College, Moores Clothing, Queen Fashion Must Haves and many other commercial and public organizations. Most items have been received by private individuals just by raiding their own closets. Folks who have nothing to donate will often support with cash donations to help offset the cost of running the program.

The Education Foundation of Niagara (EFN) provides funding for projects designed to en-hance student opportunities, using new and creative approaches for students served by the District School Board of Niagara. EFN supports its educational community through many programs and initiatives, like Prom Project Niagara. Over $500,000.00 has been distributed to student need since 2007.

For more information on Prom Project Niagara or drop-off locations, please call 905-641-2929 ext. 54103, visit the website at www.efnonline.ca or email efn@dsbn.edu.on.ca.