Pam Spero Principal

905-734-3208

Amy Morocco Vice-Principal 905-734-3208

Wes Hahn Superintendent 905-641-1550

Sue Barnett Trustee

905-734-7110

Diamond Trail - School Improvement Plan

School self-assessment is a collaborative process in which all staff members systematically gather and analyze evidence about how well students are doing and then use this evidence to assess and develop a School Improvement Plan. The DTR staff has gathered and analyzed EQAO data as well as specific diagnostic assessments to determine the direction of our School Improvement Plan for this school year. Our staff will also be engaging in Professional Learning opportunities that will directly influence instructional practices being used in DTR classrooms. Linking home and school, we will feature Literacy and Numeracy tips, information and/or activities in our newsletter so you can work with your child(ren) at home. Listed below is DTR’s identified Literacy and Numeracy goals for the 2013-2014 school year. LITERACY GOAL: To increase the number of students reading at or above grade level by implementing targeted small group instruction. NUMERACY GOAL: To develop life-long mathematicians who have the knowledge, thinking skills, confidence and perseverance to solve problems in their current and future lives.

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

11

Critical Literacy

Four Resources

Model

April 2014

Kindergarten math problem

GRADE 1

Answers available on the“Math Stars Answer Key” link provided on the DTR website.

GRADE 2

Answers available on the“Math Stars Answer Key” link provided on the DTR website.

GRADE 3

Answers available on the“Math Stars Answer Key” link provided on the DTR website.

GRADE 4

Answers available on the“Math Stars Answer Key” link provided on the DTR website.

GRADE 5

Answers available on the“Math Stars Answer Key” link provided on the DTR website.

GRADE 6

Answers available on the“Math Stars Answer Key” link provided on the DTR website.

GRADE 7

Answers available on the“Math Stars Answer Key” link provided on the DTR website.

GRADE 8

Answers available on the“Math Stars Answer Key” link provided on the DTR website.

PIZZA LUNCH

Check out the monthly calendars to see when we will be offering our pizza days. Reminder that pizza is pre-ordered, forms go home on Friday and are due back first thing Monday morning. Pizza is $1.00 per slice. Our Pizza days are usually held on Wednesdays but some months may change so please consult your calendar. On April 23, 2014 we will be having Ravioli and a Roll.

Inclement Weather Conditions

The following radio/tv stations will announce any bus cancellations or school closings starting at 7:00a.m. The bus company that serves our area is First Student. We ask for your support in listening to the radio/tv announcements. Please do not call the school to see whether it is open or closed. CKTB 610 CHTZ 97.7 CKEY 105.1 CHSC 1220 CKOC 1150 KLITE 102.9 CHML 900 CHAM 820 Y WAVE94.7 SPIRIT 91.7, 107.9 CHCH TV CITY TV

ALLERGIES!!! Please be advised there are a number of students attending our school this year with severe allergies which can cause an anaphylactic reaction. An anaphylactic reaction is an allergic reaction so severe that in some cases, it can be life threatening. At this time, we are insisting that no products containing nuts be sent to the school and if these products are consumed at home that students wash their hands and brush their teeth thoroughly prior to arriving at school. It is crucial that we work together to ensure the safety of all students.

RECOGNITION AWARD ASSEMBLY THURSDAY, APRIL 3 @ 9:15 a.m.

REMEMBER TO DRESS FOR THE COLD WEATHER!!

Although we are all hoping for an early spring, we are still feeling the full force of winter. It is still extremely important to dress appropriately for the weather. Please be sure to dress your child for the weather!! All students should be prepared and dressed to be outside for 20 minutes. This means students should be

wearing winter coats, boots, hats and mittens. For younger students it is recommended to send an extra pair of mittens and socks. We want all our students to be warm and enjoy their time outside and being dressed for the cold will certainly make if more enjoyable!!

What Do You Know About Eastdale?

Recently Eastdale received a grant to revamp, rethink and refresh the

Cafeteria. They were the only secondary school in the DSBN to receive this

grant!

Gr. 10's will be writing their Literacy Test March 27th and all Gr. 9's will be writing

a practice test Eastdale is providing a breakfast to the students before the

Literacy Test.

• April 17th the Senior Basketball team will be hosting the Police Basketball team

and two of our Gr. 6 students will play in a pregame with other Gr. 6 students

from the feeder schools!

Nutrition Program/Breakfast Club/Special Lunches

Our Nutrition Program and Breakfast Programs will be offered for the students here at Diamond Trail Public School. Breakfast Club begins at 8:30 and healthy breakfast items are served. Our nutrition program is held daily during our first nutrition break. Students are provided with healthy snacks. These snacks are available for all students; however students may choose to bring their own ‘nut free’ snacks. The snacks provided are from 3 food groups usually consisting of a grain, fruit/vegetable and dairy. SPECIAL NOTE: Volunteers are needed for these programs to help prep and serve. If you are interested and would like to help us out, please contact Sherri at the office.

Absenteeism

Thank you for your cooperation in calling the school when your child is going to be away. If your child is going to be from school, please call the school to provide a reason (i.e. sick with flu, cough, cold, appointment, etc.) Please note the answering machine is always available for parents to call in absences. If your child is sick, please do not send them to school, this will help avoid the spreading to other children and staff.

Reminder to all parents/guardians:

DO NOT PARK in the school bus loading zone, we have many parents pulling up and dropping their child/ren closest to front door, this is for BUSSES ONLY so please use other parking areas. We have received many complaints recently and we are asking for your cooperation in this matter.

Campbell’s Soup Labels

Diamond Trial Public School is collecting Campbell’s soup labels. The Bin is at the office so please send your Campbell’s label’s in with your child. For more than 38 years, the Labels for Education®program has been committed to helping schools earn FREE educational merchandise, like art supplies, sports equipment, classroom resources and much more. Please remember that the labels must have the barcode on them.

Have you visited Welland Public Library’s Diamond Trail Branch yet? Public Library Hours

Monday 3:30 to 8:00pm, Tuesday 3:30 to 8:00pm, Wednesday 3:30 to 8:00pm, Thursday 3:30 to 8:00pm Friday - Closed Saturday 11:00am to 3:00pm Upcoming Events @ the Library

NEW! Before Fun ‘n Games

Mondays, January 6- April 7*: 5:30-6:00pm

Kids…fight boredom! Join us before Fun ’n Games to enjoy exciting activities.

*No session March 10 due to March Break

Before Fun ‘n Games Mondays, until April 7*: 5:30-6:00pm

Kids…fight boredom! Join us before Fun ’n Games to enjoy exciting activities.

*No class March 10 due to March Break Programs

Get Started! Homework Resource Help

Tuesdays, March 4 – April 29*: starting at 4:00pm

Drop-in and use our space for doing your homework. If you need assistance to get your research started, staff will help you

find the resources and materials that you need.

* No class March 11 due to March Break Programs

Board Games and More (7-12 yrs)

Wednesdays, March 5 – April 30: starting at 4:00pm

Bring your friends and drop-in for a special free play session. Board games, card games and more will be provided.

*No program March 12 due to March Break Programs

Safe as Houses Book Club (ages 9-12)

Thursdays, April 3 to May 29: 6:00-7:00pm

What would you do if in the middle of a stormy night, while you were babysitting two children, the whole neigbourhood

was suddenly flooding and within a few hours, the whole house is under water? Read this book and share your ideas on

what you would do.

Fantastic Flicks

Start time: 1:00pm

April 5 – Justin and the Knights of Valour [rated PG: 90 minutes]

April 19 – Open Season 3 [rated PG: 75 minutes]

*The Hobbit begins at 12:00pm and a caregiver must obtain tickets for children 13 and under.

Pyjama Storytime (Family)

Wednesdays, April 2 – May 28: 6:30-7:00pm

Families cuddle together as we read stories, sing songs and get ready for a good night sleep.

Drop-in, no registration required.

Makers Club (ages 5-11)

Every other Saturday: 1:00-2:00pm

Join this exciting new club that will have you exploring new subjects, creating works of art and more. Drop-in, no registra-

tion required.

April 12 – Recycled Art, April 26 – Loom Bracelets

2014 Make Change for Children Campaign At The Education Foundation of Niagara we work all year long to raise funds to dedicate back to students in need so that every student has equal access to education regardless of their financial constraints. All funds raised from the campaign go directly to requests by schools on behalf of DSBN students in need. This initiative supports the extraordinary, emergency, personal and school-related needs of individual students brought about by financial hardship. Our Make Change for Children Campaign will be March 24 to April 4.

Grade 3/4 & 5/6 Fundraiser The grade 3/4 and 4/5 classes will be having a Dragons Games Day on Thursday, April 17th as a fundraiser to off-set the cost of their year end trip to Medieval Times in Toronto! The classes will be creating and running fun and educational games for the rest of the school to play. Tickets for the games will be $1 each or 10 for $5. What a deal! With each game only costing one to two tickets to play, there will be plenty of fun for all! Exciting prizes will be available for contestants. Forms will go home the first week of April and all money must be collected by Friday, April 11th. We thank you in advance for your support in making our trip possible.

Grade 7/8 Fundraisers Easter Baskets: As a fundraiser for the Gr. 7/8 Camp Wahonowin Trip, we will be having an Easter Basket raffle. There are a few different themed baskets that we will be raffling off including a spring toy basket, a craft basket, a mom basket and a dad basket. Raffle tickets will be for sale from Monday, April 7 until Wednesday April 16. Prizes will be drawn before the Easter Break on Thursday, April 17. More information about the baskets and the price of tickets will be sent home soon. Beach Day: Our April 25 spirit day will be a beach day! Get out those tropical clothes and lets turn up the heat. A $1 donation is requested to help support the Gr. 7/8 students that are going to Camp Wahonowin in June.