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Principal & Vice-Principal’s Message

It is hard to believe that December

has already arrived! This is always a wonderful month at school. In addition to our schoolwork and regular activities, we also take the oppor-tunity to celebrate the many joys of the season. As we head into December, we see celebra-tions happening all around the world. At this time of year, some different faiths and cultures take time to give thanks and share in special oc-casions with family and friends. Christmas, Ha-nukkah, Diwali, and Kwanzaa are but a few. One thing that most winter celebrations have in common is the theme of Light. From Christ-mas trees to Diyas to the Menorah, Light is a common theme shared at this time of year. Not surprising, considering this month also holds the longest night of the year. Once we return from the break, daylight hours begin to lengthen and before we know it, Spring is around the corner! This year, we hope you join us at our Deck the Halls event. It is booked for Dec 10th, from 6:30-8:00pm. Please come out and enjoy the fun organized by our awesome School Council. Our in-school caroling assemblies take place during the last week of school. Hope to see you there! ILPS wishes you and your family all the best during this season, and whether you cele-brate a special occasion or not, we hope you and your family have a wonderful Winter Break to-gether. Have a wonderful December and a happy and healthy New Year. Mr. Sean Singh (x223) Mrs. Janice Dampier (x 224)

50 Oak Ridge Drive, Orangeville ON, L9W 5J6 519 941-3292

Principal: Michael Johnston

Fairness, Honesty, Respect, Compassion and Responsibility

http://www.ugdsb.on.ca/islandlake/

Island Lake Public School

December 2015

Inclement Weather For bus students, remember to check local sta-tions such as 680 CFTR AM, 1460 CJOY AM or 98.1 CHFI FM if concerned about the weath-er. Also check the Transportation website www.stwdsts.ca for bus cancellation infor-mation. Even if buses are not running, we do expect walkers to be at school as we carry on with academic programs on inclement weather days.

This year, instead of a Toy Drive, ILPS is par-

ticipating in a Holiday Book Drive for Kids.

ILPS will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair from

Wednesday, December the 9th until Friday, De-

cember the 11th (please see the info on page 3 for

more details re: times).

During the Book Fair, families are welcome to

browse for books for themselves and, if they

wish, purchase a book for a needy child this holi-

day season. Books will be donated to the Or-

angeville Police Toys for Tots program.

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The ILPS Gr2-8 CHOIR Many thanks to Ms. Andrews, Ms. Jamieson and Ms. Pickett who started the ILPS gr 2-8 Choir in November. The Choir will be performing at our upcoming Deck the

Halls event and our caroling assemblies. They will sing a variety of fun Christmas songs. We look forward to their performances!

Bruce Langford

“Our Respect programs focus on virtues which are proven to be an integral part of showing respect to

others and consequently being respected. We emphasize how YOU can make a difference by using re-

spectful behaviour to reach out to others.”

As part of our Bullying Prevention week activities, ILPS was treated to 3 outstanding per-

formances by Bruce Langford. Students from all divisions participated enthusiastically in

the discussions and the interactive show. Bruce connected with all of the students in a

positive, energetic manner. His message was easy to follow and was enjoyed by all.

Thanks to our CYC, Gayton Fairfield for organizing the event and our Bullying Preven-

tion Week Activities and thanks to our Superintendent, Bonnie Talbot and our School

NOTES from the LIBRARY LEARNING COMMONS

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to ILPS!

This is an opportunity to purchase new books at school, with a significant percentage of the pro-ceeds coming back to our school library. You can also make a donation of a book to the ILPS Holiday Book Drive. All books will be donated to the Orangeville Police Toys for Tots Program.

The Book Fair will run from Wednesday, December the 9th until Friday, December the 11th.

Hours: Wed. Dec. 9th - 8am - 8:45am, 11:10 - 4pm (Closed from 12:50-1:35 for lunch) Thurs. Dec. 10th - 8am-8:45am, 1:35 - 8pm

Fri. Dec. 11th - 8am - 8:45am, 11:10 - 4pm (Closed from 12:50 -1:35 for lunch)

Please stop by when you are in the school and see what we have to offer - books make excellent Christmas and birthday gifts! We will also be selling a limited number of the new ILPS re-usable cloth BOOKBAGS for $3.00.

Parent volunteers are needed to help run the fair - please contact Ms. S. Fraser at 519-941-3292

x419 if you are able to help.

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Water might seem like an endless resource. It covers more than 75% of our planet, but only 1% of the water on planet Earth is

fresh, usable, and drinkable. The rest is either saltwater or frozen. And now the 1% that is drinkable is being threatened by

pollution because of humans.

We need to conserve the water that exists on planet Earth. Did you know that almost 1 billion people do

not have access to clean water? That is really hard for us to understand because Canada's most valuable

natural resource by far is freshwater. While we have only 0.5% of the world’s population we have ap-

proximately 20% of the world’s fresh water resources. But unfortunately Canada is also one of the highest

fresh water users in the world. Of 29 nations studied, only the United States uses more water than Canada

on a per capita basis. Canada’s consumption is an alarming 65 per cent above the average!

What are some of the ways we can reduce water pollution? At home, purchase environmentally friendly, non-toxic cleaning

products. Or clean with baking soda, lemon or vinegar. Conserve fresh water by collecting rainwater in barrels. Use it to water

your lawn and garden or even indoor plants. Don’t pour chemicals or paint or oil down the drain, and especially not into the

storm drains on the street, as it goes directly back to our rivers and lakes. Using natural products that are biodegradable, for

example, is a great way to go. Most importantly, don’t waste the clean water that we have. Turn off the taps when you brush

your teeth, take shorter showers, and know that lawn watering is now no longer cool!

Slogan of the month: Conserve our water - it's all we have!

Talking About Mental Health – December 2015 31 Days of Taking Care of Ourselves In December, as the days get shorter and colder, we all need to take some time to do something good for ourselves. Taking a little time

each day to take care of ourselves makes so much difference to keeping in good mental health. You may choose to do some activities on

your own or with your family or with a friend. Try one or a few or try them all. Enjoy!

December 1 : One Minute – Take deep breaths, in and out, for one minute.

December 2 : Two Minutes – Smile at yourself in the mirror.

December 3 : Three Minutes – Listen to a favourite song.

December 4 : Four Minutes – Eat some fresh fruit.

December 5 : Five Minutes – Light a candle and quietly watch the flame.

December 6 : Six Minutes – Sit quietly for six minutes.

December 7 : Seven Minutes – Enjoy the taste of a holiday snack.

December 8 : Eight Minutes – Spend fun time with someone, a person or pet .

December 9 : Nine Minutes – Think of the best things that happened this week.

December 10 : Ten Minutes – Take some time out with a cup of tea. Sip slowly and enjoy.

December 11 : Eleven Minutes – Sing along with your favourite songs.

December 12 : Twelve Minutes – Send an email to a friend setting up a time to meet up during the holidays.

December 13 : Thirteen Minutes – Draw, paint or doodle.

December 14 : Fourteen Minutes – Go outside and breathe in the cool, crisp air.

December 15 : Fifteen Minutes – Read a favourite story.

December 16 : Sixteen Minutes – Call or skype with someone.

December 17 : Seventeen Minutes – Do something active: dance, walk, run, skip, play.

December 18 : Eighteen Minutes – Make a cup of hot chocolate and pay attention to the flavor and warmth as you sip– add marshmal-

lows if desired.

December 19 : Nineteen Minutes – Help someone else out who needs some extra help in the holidays.

December 20 : Twenty Minutes –Watch the sunset on the shortest day of the year.

December 21 : Twenty One Minutes – Enjoy the holiday decorations in your neighbourhood.

December 22 : Twenty Two Minutes – Reflect on traditions you have enjoyed or currently enjoy.

December 23 : Twenty Three Minutes –Make your favourite meal and enjoy every bite.

December 24 : Twenty Four Minutes – Enjoy a bubble bath or extra long shower.

December 25: Twenty Five Minutes – Take a walk to appreciate nature and being outside.

December 26: Twenty Six Minutes – Take a nap, lie down and take a rest.

December 27: Twenty Seven Minutes - Watch your favourite TV show that makes you laugh.

December 28: Twenty Eight Minutes – Spend time with friends or family.

December 29: Twenty Nine Minutes – Go to the library and take out a new book, CD or DVD.

December 30: Thirty Minutes – Take some time to do a hobby or something you enjoy that you have not done for a while.

December 31: Thirty One Minutes – Make a list of all the things you were grateful for this year.

Dr. Lynn Woodford, Psychologist, is the Mental Health and Addiction Lead for Upper Grand District School Board

Follow me on twitter: @drlynnwoodford

December's Environmental Theme: WATER POLLUTION

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“Progress Report Language”

Like all professions, educators sometimes use language specific to teaching and learning. On the Progress

Report that will be coming home, we have made every attempt to use language that is meaningful to parents.

We want you to know and understand what we are doing at school, and how you can help support your

child’s learning. Below are some of the terms you may have read on the Progress Report or heard at the

Parent/Teacher interview.

Learning Goal: A learning goal is a stated or written goal the teacher provides to help students know

exactly where they’re heading in a lesson.

Success Criteria: Success criteria often start with the words “I can ….”. Success Criteria lists what the

student needs to do/accomplish for the lesson or unit of study.

Descriptive Feedback: Descriptive feedback can be oral or written. It is provided by the teacher and

offers the student information on how he/she is doing. Descriptive feedback lets students know what

their next steps are and what they can do to improve.

Guided Reading: Guided reading is small group learning where the teacher helps students practice and

improve his/her reading skills. The instruction, strategies taught and reading material are carefully

chosen to meet the needs of each student.

Three-Part Problem-Solving: Three-part problem-solving is students learning mathematics and devel-

oping an understanding of mathematics through reasoning and working through a problem. It has 3

distinct stages:

1. Before – Getting started or Minds On is introducing and practicing mathematical ideas and strategies

that connect to the day’s learning goal.

2. During – Learning or Action is solving the lesson’s problem in pairs, small groups or individually.

The students develop their knowledge, thinking and strategies while the teacher pushes and guides

their learning using questioning and feedback.

3. After - (a) Consolidation is a whole-class discussion where the teacher and the class analyze the solu-

tions the students came up with to the problem. Together they highlight key mathematical ideas and

strategies. (b) Independent Practice is the students solving a problem(s) similar to the lesson to prac-

tice the same skills and try out the new ideas.

Adapted from: “A Guide to Effective Instruction in Mathematics, Problem Solving and Communication, K-6”’

“Bansho (Board Writing)”, Capacity Building Series, 2011

“Communication in the Mathematics Classroom”, Capacity Building Series, 2010

“Early Reading Strategy, The Report of the Expert Panel on Early Reading in Ontario”, 2003

“Grand Conversations in the Junior Classroom”, Capacity Building Series, 2011

“Growing Success, Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting in Ontario”, 2010

“Making Room for Talking to Learn”, Adolescent Literacy: Engaging Research and Teaching, Literacy Gains Alert, 2012

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December 2015 Mon

Tue 1

Wed 2

Pizza Day

Thu 3

Mrs. Teo’s class

to Kiwanis

luncheon

Fri 4

7 Hanukkah begins

Photo Retake

Proofs due back

8

9

ILPS Book Fair

8- 8:45am

11:10 –12:50pm

1:35—4pm

10

Mrs. Gear & Ms.

Sanders Gr 2/3

skating

Deck the Halls

6:30-8:00pm

ILPS Book Fair

8- 8:45am

1:35—8pm

11

Progress Reports

go home

ILPS Book Fair

8- 8:45am

11:10 –12:50pm

1:35—4pm

14 9:00-9:35am Assembly - Carol Sing/Holiday Book Drive Presentation to Orangeville Police

15 Gr 4 to 8 Theatre

Orangeville

16 9:00-9:35am Assembly - Carol

Sing

Pizza Day

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18 9:00-9:35am Assembly - Carol

Sing

21

Winter Break

begins

22

23

24 25

Christmas Day

28

Kwanzaa begins

(Dec 26)

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30

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ILPS WISHES

YOU

January 1

2016 School begins on

January 4!

The holiday season is a great time to learn about the many different winter celebrations around the world!

Just surf the web to start the conversation and inquiry. Here is a link to start

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/peopleplaces/winter-celebrations/