important dates for DEC 18 - JAN 12

ISSUE 8 DECEMBER 18 2017 - JANUARY 12 2018

Holiday WishesAs the Holidays approach, we would like to wish all Whitney families a very happy and joyful break. Friday December 22nd will be the last day before the two week holiday. 

During this time of year, there are many cultural celebrations and traditions that take place. We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and a prosperous new year. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s, Eid, Ashura, or another, we wish you lots of love, joy, kindness and caring. May the most that you desire, be the least that you accomplish!

Enjoy the time with your families and friends. We look forward to seeing everyone on January 8th, 2018.

 

DEC 19 - KINDERGARDEN HOLIDAY CONCERT @ 9:15 AM

JAN 10 - WALKING WEDNESDAY

JAN 8 - BACK TO SCHOOL!

Whitney Word EditorKate Viner

whitneyword@gmail.com

Whitney School Council ChairAshley Rutledge

whitneyschoolcouncil@gmail.com

Whitney Public School Principal Chris Rzepa

Christopher.Rzepa@tdsb.on.ca

JAN 12 - STEP DAY + PIZZA LUNCH

DEC 22 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL BEFORE WINTER BREAK

Chris Rzepa

Wednesday January 10th is our next Walk to School day. We encourage everyone to walk, cycle, scooter, or skateboard - even toboggan! - on this day. The class(es) with the highest percentage of walkers receives the Golden Shoe award!

from the principal

Winter Holiday ConcertThe Holiday concert this past Thursday was an incredible success! Congratulations to the Junior Choir, the Grade 6 Band, and the many classes that presented as well. Thank you to Mr. Marshall for his work to prepare the band students. They played so well.

Thank you to Ms. Werbitsky for her leadership, expertise and talents. We appreciate the time, skill, and dedication that go into preparing such an incredible concert. Last but not least, thank you to the primary staff members who gave of their time to help the concert run so smoothly. We are grateful to have such a wonderful team!

And Kinder Parents don’t forget:Our Kindergarten Holiday Concert will take place on December 19th beginning at 9:15 am in the gym. We hope you will join us!

STEP Day January 12 (Room 305)

Our next STEP day takes place Friday January 12th at 10:30 am. Room 305, one of our Grade Three classes, led by Mr. Conway, will be presenting and focussing on our January theme of TEAMWORK.

The Spirit Day will be Beach Day. Parents/Guardians are always welcome to join in on the fun and attend our assembly.

During the month of December, our focus was on KINDNESS and CARING. Over the past month, staff discussed this theme in the classroom, and students shared quotes over the announcements that were reflective. Character development at Whitney P.S. is about helping our students learn and practice positive character attributes which will help them not only to do their best, but to be their best. We have been looking out for student actions and language that demonstrated kindness and caring both inside and outside the classroom. And we will recognize those students who demonstrated Empathy during the month of December at this assembly.

A reminder that the Envelopes for Teacher Gifts this year are in the Office. If you haven’t done so already, please pop by to sign the appropriate cards and contribute to the holiday collection for your child(ren)’s teacher. Make sure to check the box on the envelope after you have signed the card on behalf of your family.

These Holiday Gift collections are a simple but wonderful way to show our teachers that we appreciate them and wish them a happy holiday! In addition, there are Envelopes for the Non-Classroom and Specialty Teachers including Mr Wittenberg, Ms Werbitsky, Jackie Walker and Ms Meyer in HSP, Ms Hall in the Library and our incredible Office Administrator Allison Walker.

The collection will continue until Wednesday December 20th - please have your contributions in by then!

Thank you.

Whitney Parent Council

Thanks to the primary classes the library is looking very festive these days! Every student had an opportunity to share their favourite book and hang their decoration on our “Holiday Book Tree” or around the room. Pop in anytime and have a look! 

Over the last few months the library has acquired over 150 new books so we are bursting with great reading material.  Everything from The Guinness Book of World Records 2018, to more of the popular Captain Underpants, Magic Pony and Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and so much more!

In the new year we will be launching Whitney’s Annual “Battle of the Books” for grade 4 - 6 students.  While every junior class will be getting a copy of each of the ten books in the competition, I have included a link to the titles in case you are looking for a last minute gift, or wish to purchase a book or two for your child to read over the break.

http://www.accessola.org/web/OLA/Forest_of_Reading/Awards_Nominees/Silver_Birch__Fiction_Nominees_2018.aspx

Happy Holidays and Happy Reading Everyone!

Heather HallTeacher-Librarian

News from the Library!

The winter hot lunch forms are due Friday December 22nd. If you are unable to meet the deadline but still want to participate, kindly send the caterer a note at

tricia@thelunchmom.com.

HOT LUNCH

WITTENBERG’S WALL

Girls Basketball (Tournament Team)Congratulations to the members of the girls basketball tournament team on a wonderful performance this week. Whitney welcomed the girls from Bruce PS, Market Lane PS and Church St. PS for a fantastic day of basketball. The girls from all four schools mixed things up in the morning, as they worked through four different workshops: shooting, passing, dribbling and defending. The afternoon portion of the day included a round robin against the three other schools. The girls definitely developed their skills throughout the day, and have challenged their parents to a game next week! Good luck girls!

Whitney Wildcat HockeyAfter two gruelling tryouts, the Whitney Wildcat hockey team has been selected for the 2017-2018 season. The team has an exhibition game on Wednesday December 20th at 8:00 at Bill Bolton, before the regular season opens up in the new year. An ENORMOUS thank you goes out to Mike Weaver for running two incredible tryouts and a fantastic practice.

Girls Basketball (Travel Team)Congratulations to the members of the girls basketball tournament team on their big victory against their parents last week. The girls fell behind early in the game, but with a rock solid defense, and some slick passing in the 2nd half, the girls rebounded well and walked off the court with bragging rights! Thank you to all of the parents who were able to come out and make it such a fun experience for the girls.

TWO WEEKS SPORTS SCHEDULE

AT A GLANCE

MONDAY December 18

Grade Six Girls Volleyball Practice (7:30 am)Div 3 Boys Basketball Practice (3:30 pm)

TUESDAY December 19

Div 1 Boys Basketball Practice (7:30 am)

WEDNESDAY December 20

Grades 4/5 Volleyball Clinic (7:30 am)

Whitney Wildcat Hockey Game @ Bill Bolton (8:00 am)

THURSDAY December 21

Div 1 Boys Basketball Practice (7:30 am)

FRIDAY December 22

Grade Six Girls Volleyball Practice (7:30 am)

MONDAY January 8

Div 1 Boys Basketball Practice(3:30 pm)

TUESDAY January 9

Div 3 Boys Basketball Practice (7:30 am)

WEDNESDAY January 10

Grade Six Girls Volleyball Practice (7:30 am)

THURSDAY January 11

Div 1 Boys Basketball Practice (7:30 am)

FRIDAY January 12

Grades 4/5 Volleyball Clinic (7:30 am)