We had a very busy and exciting month at Robertson! We started off the month with our first assembly in our new gym and we were so pleased to be able to comfortably fit the whole school in at once. Monthly assemblies will take place on the first school day of each month and we will alternate between morning and afternoon times to allow all nursery and kindergarten students the opportunity to attend. At this time we will introduce our theme for the month that is based on one of the “Seven Teachings”. For the month of November our focus was on showing courage and we had many Robertson students recognized for their acts of courage with their names displayed on a paper bear and pinned on our new Seven Teachings bulletin board. Welcome to two new staff members; Ruth Goulden, an educational assistant in grade 5 and Joey Tiede, our computer teacher. We are very pleased to have both of them join our Robertson team of educators. A huge thank you to Mrs. Le Grand who did a wonderful job of organizing our Remembrance Day Assembly on November 10th. Thanks also to room 105 and everyone else who contributed to this assembly and helped us to remember our soldiers past and present and the importance of their sacrifice. Our parent/teacher conferences held on November 26th and 27th were once again a huge success. An impressive 90% of parents came out to discuss and celebrate their child’s efforts and to discuss goals for the next term. Your ongoing support and interest in your child’s school progress really helps to improve their attitude towards school and their level of commitment! Once again, our dedicated parent volunteer, Lisa Graham, organized and ran a very successful Scholastic Book Fair in our library during our Student-Led conferences. Thanks to her hard work and enthusiasm, we will be able to purchase many more books for our new library! The students from grade K - 6 also had the opportunity to see a ballet performance in our school gym performed by a very skilled and talented troop from our Royal Winnipeg Ballet. What a wonderful performance! Our Robertson singers will be singing at St. Joseph Residence on December 9th.

The month of December will also be a very busy one with the theme of “Humility ” as a focus. We will also continue to foster a “caring school community” at Robertson and one of the ways that we do this is to once again collect food and toys to fill hampers to be given out to families in need. Stay tuned for more information… Our 4 and 6 students and room 149 will be attending the MTYP play “The Forbidden Phoenix” (THANK YOU to Parent Council for their support and to Nancy Adkins for the organization of this event!) on Dec. 10th. As part of a community event our grade one to three students have been invited to attend the movie Monsters vs. Aliens on December 9th at Northgate Plaza free of charge. Thank you to Northgate Plaza for this opportunity and for the free popcorn! A reminder to all our families that our annual Community Conference will be held at Robertson on January 21st, 2010. The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. with complimentary pizza and salad followed by an informative and timely presentation about the use of Facebook and internet safety for the adults and a dog show for the children. Thank you to Canadian Centre for Child Protection and to Canada’s Canine Academy. Be sure to reserve this date! More information to follow. You are, of course, all invited to our official opening of the addition and newly renovated Robertson School on Thursday, December 10th at 7:00 p.m. The evening promises to be very exciting with many dignitaries, an official ribbon cutting ceremony and songs by our very own Robertson School choir. We look forward to seeing many of you there! At the end of the month we are looking forward to the annual Winter Concert that will take place on December 16th and 17th. The students will be practicing throughout the month and we invite all of you to attend a performance and see the talented students of Robertson School in our new gym!!! On behalf of the entire staff, Mrs. Ball and I wish you and your family a joyful, safe and peaceful holiday time! Mrs. E. McKenna

HERD OF ROADRUNNERS?

Robertson School Newsletter “A community of learners—working together”

VICE-PRINCIPAL ’S MESSAGE

Robertson Roadrunners

Robertson School 550 Robertson Street Winnipeg, MB R2X 2C4 Ph: 589-4745 Fax: 589-7293

Robertson School 550 Robertson Street Winnipeg, MB R2X 2C4 Ph: 589-4745 Fax: 589-7293

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Patrols have had a fun filled November. They have gone to Wheelies roller skating rink for a morning of fun. The patrols were also offered a free movie at St. Vital Centre and a Manitoba Moose hockey patrol night at the MTS Centre. The patrols have earned these offers for their hard work and dedication. The weather is becoming colder so I would like to ask all patrols to bundle up. You are expected to be outside during your patrol times. Patrols will receive hot chocolate when the temperature (with or without wind-chill) hits the -25 degree mark or colder. If the temperature with wind chill is –40 or colder, patrols will not be on duty. Operation Frostbite will be in effect on those cold days. There will be limited crossing by teachers and EA’s on those days. Reminder patrol schedule times: 8:40 a.m. to 8:55 a.m. Please be on time for your post. 11:55 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. 12:40 p.m. to 12:55 p.m. 3:20 p.m. to 3:35 p.m. Thank you. R. Sabatini M. Olson Patrol Supervisors

During the December 1st assembly, a wooden rocking chair will be dedicated in memory of our former teacher, Cyndi Pascoe. A “reading corner” in our new library has been set aside where the large wooden rocking chair will be available for students to sit and read. We honour her memory and Ukrainian heritage with this special area, as Cyndi loved to read.

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December Music News from Mrs. Le Grand

December has arrived and winter concert preparations have begun. The excitement of the upcoming holidays and the anticipation of winter are evident throughout the school. The Robertson Singers will be performing at St. Joseph’s Residence on Wednesday, December 9 at 1:30 p.m. This will be our ninth holiday season spreading good cheer. The students enjoy this experience just as much as the seniors, maybe even more. The Grade 4-6 Choir will be performing at the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday, December 10th at 7:00 p.m. Those choir members who said they were able to attend should come to the multi-purpose room at 6:45 p.m. on the evening of the opening. The grade 4 classes will be starting recorder in January. Notes will be going home about the purchase of recorders. The price is $6.50 which is the best price for a quality instrument in Winnipeg. Students can bring $6.50 to Mrs. Le Grand at any time to get a recorder. Remember, the students will use them in grade 5 and 6 so it is a very inexpensive purchase. They also make a great gift! Grade 5 classes will play the recorder in March so start looking for your recorder now or purchase one while supplies last. The Winter Concerts will be on Wednesday, December 16th and Thursday, December 17th. Please read the preceding notice and write on your calendar when your child will perform.

At Robertson School, it’s time to

“Celebrate” Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Nursery and Kindergarten Concert

2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Grade 1-6 Concert Rooms 152, 150, P2, 149, 134, 103, 105

Thursday, December 17th, 2009 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Rooms 153, 151, P1, 133, 101, 102

Silver collection in support of Winnipeg Harvest!

Page 4 Page 4 Robertson School Newsletter

Thank you so very much to all of our new volunteers who attended orientation sessions with our Volunteer Coordinator, Carmen Court. Many of our new volunteers are busy helping out our classrooms with small group centre work, home reading organization, preparing and organizing classroom materials, small group work with math, and helping in the library and book room. We really appreciate your involvement and assistance by volunteering in our school and your children love having you here! Anyone else who would like to volunteer, please see Nancy Adkins in Room 148. Family Room Our Family Room located in 148 continues to be a busy place. Many families are taking advantage of the opportunity to visit our room, meeting other parents in the community, sharing ideas, tea, coffee and snacks. Their children are enjoying the books and toys and look forward to seeing each other. It has become quite a gathering place for parents and children, especially at the beginning and end of the day. Feel free to join us, even if your children are older and more independent. *There are lots of books, toys, games and computers. The Family Room is available for everyone, - not just the little ones. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Parent and Three-Year-Old Child Play Group

This program, for 3 year-olds and their parents, takes place in the Family Room 148. This is an opportunity for parents and children who are three years old to get to know each other and provide learning opportunities in readiness for Nursery School next year. Nancy Adkins, the Early Years Support Teacher, facilitates this Play Group.

REMINDER: Parents of all Children in Robertson School

You’re Invited to a “Parent Drop-In”

Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. in Room 148 – The Parent Centre

Come and listen, or talk with other parents. Share your ideas about topics for future drop-in sessions.

Look forward to seeing you!

Coffee and Snacks! Plus, a Weekly Door Prize!!

HOW TO READ WITH YOUR CHILD This programs provides instruction on how to read with and assist your children in developing literacy skills. It is being offered Friday mornings from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in Room 148 by Nancy Adkins, Early Years Support Teacher. (Feel free to bring your children).

All are welcome - see you then!

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Page 5 Robertson School Newsletter

All varieties within each size shown are eligible for redemption.

473ml V8 Splash 10oz/284ml condensed soup

10oz/284ml Chunky soup

168g, 180g, 190g, and 200g Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers

900ml Ready to Use broth

19oz/540ml Ready to Enjoy soup

28oz/796ml condensed soup

Chunky soup 19oz/540ml, Chunky

chili 14oz/425g

1.36kg Pepperidge Farm Goldfish

Crackers 48oz/1.36L condensed

soup 1.89L V8 Splash

* Be sure to include the UPC and and front label * UPC is required only for Pepperidge Farm products and Ready to Use Broths * Ready to Serve soup also includes Healthy Request

Institutions such as school cafeterias, hospitals and restaurants use Foodservice Products.

Case UPC can be found on the cardboard box that Foodservice Products are shipped in.

Product What to Save Label Value

48 oz. Red & White Soup label + UPC three Eating Smart Soup (4/case) Case UPC nine

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PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION/ DRESSING FOR THE WEATHER…

Robertson staff supervise the playground and play structure from 8:40 to 8:55 in the morning and from 12:40 to 12:55 during the lunch hour. Please be aware that students who arrive before these times will be unsupervised. Except for rainy or very cold days, we respectfully remind students and parents that students are expected to wait outside until the bell rings. We are also asking students, at the end of the school day, to go straight home and check in with parents as to whether or not they can play in the playground area. This is a safety issue as there is no supervision on the playground after school.

Thank you very much for your cooperation.

OPERATION FROSTBITE (if OPERATION FROSTBITE (if OPERATION FROSTBITE (if OPERATION FROSTBITE (if ––––40 with wind chill)40 with wind chill)40 with wind chill)40 with wind chill)

Due to the extreme temperature and wind chill, the safety of all our students is important. On days where the temperature with wind chill is –40 or below, we would like to have all students who are going home for lunch to get dressed at 11:45 a.m. Once they are dressed, they will proceed to the school door that is closest to their house. There will be two patrols at every door to ensure the students remain inside. When the school bell rings, all students and patrols will walk as a group together. Please inform your children of this OPERATION FROSTBITE plan and ask them to stay behind the patrols when walking home, walk quickly and go straight home. Please also advise them that when they return from lunch, there may not be any patrols on post because it is too cold for them to stand out there for that long. Staff will be stationed at posts near the school. If the temperature does not let up by the end of the day, this plan will also be in effect at 3:15 p.m. We will make an announcement over the PA in the afternoon to let you know if we are proceeding with OPERATION FROSTBITE! NOTE: If the temperature with wind chill is –40 or colder, patrols will not be on duty. Staff members will be on duty at Machray, Robertson and Cathedral.

Page 7 Robertson School Newsletter

Emergency Procedures – Severe Weather Conditions

In the event it is necessary to close the schools on a given day because of severe weather conditions, the following procedures will apply: The decision to close the schools will be made by the Chief Superintendent in consultation with the Chair of the Board. Students, staff and parents should listen carefully to the radio for the announcement. The announcement will be broadcast over the following radio stations: CBC CJOB CBC - French The Team 1290 and CHIQ-Q94 FM CKY 58 and 92 CITI FM Bob 99.9 FM CKMM HOT 103 and CFQX 104 FM

Winter can be a wonderful time for play. Participating in winter sports will help keep the whole family healthy, but injuries can spoil the fun. Here’s how to keep kids safe during winter play. Clothing for outdoor play: All winter activities require warm, dry clothing. To prevent frostbite, children should be dressed in warm clothes, including: • a hat. (warm, close-fitting and covering the ear lobes; not a “fashion” hat or baseball cap) • mittens. Gloves do not keep hands warm as effectively as mittens. • loose layers (an absorbent synthetic fabric next to skin, a warmer middle layer and a water resistant/repellent outer layers) • socks. A single pair of socks, either wool or a wool blend [with silk or polypropylene] is better than cotton, which offers

no insulation when wet. Avoid extra thick socks as they can cause cold feet by restricting blood flow and air circulation around the toes.

• boots. Be sure boots are dry and not too tight.

Page 8 Robertson School Newsletter

Block Parents are at work every day, helping to make your community safer for

everyone - especially children.

For more information on how to become a Block Parent contact

your local police or call 284-7562.

Dear Robertson Community,

Our students are collecting aluminum cans to help fund raise for upcoming activities. Please drop off any cans at the white bucket just outside of Room 136. Bags of cans are also accepted.

Last year we raised over $80.00 from the aluminum cans which were turned in. The money went towards grade 6 camp fees.

Thank you for your support. The students and staff of Room 136

PLEASE SAVE YOUR

ALUMINUM CANS ! . . . . . from the Nurse

36

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who came to our Scholastic Book Fair. Our sales were over $2,000.00. With the profit from the book fair, we will be able to purchase many books for Robertson School. Congratulations to the lucky students who won some awesome books for themselves in one of the draws and to the student who won $25 in books for their family and $25 in books for their classroom. Also, thank you so much to the grade 6 volunteers. You did a great job! Lisa Graham Scholastic Book Fair Chairperson

A huge Thank You to Robertson Before and After School Program for their generous donation of a big screen T.V.

for our multipurpose room!

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We have a number of children at Robertson School who have a severe allergy to peanuts, nuts and fish. Even exposure to a tiny amount of these items could be very serious and life threatening. We can all play a role in preventing such a dangerous and frightening situation at school. Although our children who have severe nut allergies and their families must take responsibility to avoid exposure to nuts and nut products, Robertson School staff, other children and their families can also help to make the Robertson School environment safer. • Please check the list of ingredients on items you send to school. • Avoid sending peanuts or items containing nuts with your child to school. • Discourage your child from sharing lunch or snack foods at school. • Teach your children to respect this very serious situation: discourage teasing or threatening of children

with serious allergies. Please realize how important your cooperation is, even though it may seem like an inconvenience for you. We thank you for your cooperation. Pam Ball

ALLERGY ALERT!

The United Way Koats for Kids program will be providing free warm coats, jackets and snowsuits to Winnipeg children and families again this year.

This year, we hope to have good quality winter outerwear for children available by early November. Members of the public are invited now to drop good quality used children’s winter outerwear at any Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Station or Perth’s locations in the city. The clothing will be cleaned and made available free of charge for distribution through schools, day cares and other community organizations which work with children and families.

For ordering coats, if they are needed, parents may call the school at 589-4745 or the Koats for Kids line at 586-5628 and place orders which can be picked up at the school.

Page 10 Robertson School Newsletter

PEANUT / NUT & SEAFOOD FREE SCHOOL There are students who come to our school who have severe life threatening allergies to either PEANUTS,NUTS or SEAFOOD, so we are reminding you not to send these in you child’s lunches.

Mitts or Gloves Needed - Lunch Program will often lend mitts or gloves to students who forget to bring them to school, so if anyone has extra to donate to us we would greatly appreciate it! Special Lunch Hour Activities - Please do not send a warm up on the days that your child is in choir or any other lunch hour activity.

Substitute Lunches - Lunch Program provides a substitute lunch for students who forget or do not bring a lunch. A note is sent home the day that the student received the lunch. It then

needs to be signed and returned with $1.00 the following day.

Spoons - Please remember to pack a spoon in your child's lunch. We give out too many spoons during the lunch hour. My suggestion is to pack a bunch of spoons in a small snack

bag and keep it in your child’s lunch kit.

Notes - Students who are full time in the lunch program and will not be staying for lunch on a certain day need a note or give a verbal consent from a parent or guardian. If they don’t

have a note or consent they with not be able to leave the school . Warm-ups-Please try not to send warm ups every day. All food must be pre-cooked. (No raw meats or uncooked noodles-i.e. Kraft Dinner or Mr. Noodles).

.

Full Time Lunch Program Fees For DECEMBER Are Now Due. 1 Child - $23.00 * 2 Children -$41.00 * 3 Children - $50.00

Part Time Daily Fees Send $2.00 Daily

* Everyone who attends the lunch program must fill out a blue registration form and pay the $5.00 cash registration fee. * Please mark all envelopes: Lunch Program, Student’s Name, Room #, Date.

Thank you for all you cooperation. Lunch program coordinators,

Sherry Bednarski & Cindy Griffin

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Dear Parents/Guardians, It’s hard to believe we are entering the last month of the 2009 year. Time sure goes by quickly. Our catalogue fundraiser was a great success. Thank you to all who participated. We were able to raise approximately $2000.00. Everyone should have their orders; if there is a problem with any of the items you ordered please contact me as soon as possible. I look forward to seeing everyone on December 10th at our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. It’s a very exciting evening and we hope that everyone will come out and celebrate the evening with us. Our Robertson Choir will be singing a few songs, one of which our very own Mrs. Le Grand wrote herself. I hope that everyone will have an opportunity to come out to enjoy the Winter Concert. The students work very hard and are so proud to show off their talents to their family and friends. Parent Council will once again be selling their chocolate suckers during the Winter Concert, as well as the wonderful bracelets that we sold at our BBQ, Robertson School water bottles, and our Robertson School Community Cookbook. Our next Parent Council meeting is December 9th at 6:30 in the Library. On behalf of Parent Council I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday. Sincerely, Bonnie Janzen #589-4745

ROBERTSON SCHOOL PARENT COUNCIL ‘WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE CHILDREN”

550 Robertson Street 589-4745

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

Day 5 1

JUNGLE GYM RM. P1

12:00 noon

Day 6 2

Day 1 3

Day 2 4

Parent Council Pizzaland

Hot Lunch Day

Day 3 7

N - Gr. 3 Rm. 149 & Rm. 115 NO CLASSES

Day 4 8

JUNGLE GYM RM. 150 12:00 noon

Hep. “B” and HPV immunization 1st dose (a.m.)

Day 5 9

The Robertson Singers to St.Joseph’s Residence

at 1:30 p.m.

Gr. 1-3 to Northgate Monsters vs Aliens 12:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Parent Council

Meeting - 6:30 p.m.

Day 6 10

Gr. 4’s, Gr. 6’s and room 149 to MTYP at 12:45 p.m.

The Forbidden Phoenix

Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 7:00 p.m.

Day 1 11

Day 2 14

Day 3 15

Day 4 16

No Morning N or K Classes N/K performance

1:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Winter Concert 2:00 p.m & 7:00 p.m.

Grades 1 - 6

Day 5 17

Winter Concert 2:00 p.m & 7:00 p.m.

Grades 1 - 6

Day 6 18

Dental College a.m.

Last Day of School

3:30 p.m. dismissal

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Jan. 4 - Return to School (day 1) Jan. 21 - Community Conference Jan. 15 - NO CLASSES - Math In-service WINTER BREAK Dec. 21/09 - Jan. 01/10 Robertson Roadrunners