THE GARRISON ROAD GAZETTETHE GARRISON ROAD GAZETTEOctober Edition 2009

FROM THE PRINCIPALS DESK

It’s hard to believe that our first month of school has already flown by! By now our students andstaff have settled into their routines, and all kinds of great learning experiences can be seenthroughout the entire school. So much has already been accomplished, and we are only gettingstarted. Thanks to all the parents and family members who participated in our ‘Family FunFair/Drive in Movie’ night. Your support of events like that is what gives our school thecommunity and family feeling that we are so famous for. A special thanks to Mrs. Renshaw,Mrs. J. Tummillo, and Mrs. Gates for all their hard work in setting up and running the evening. Also, thanks go out to Mr. Schnitzen, our neighbor across the street who allowed many of ourfamilies to park their car in his parking lot. Today, your child received an updated ‘Code of Conduct’ with some changes. Please go overthis new document with your child, as it clearly outlines the rights and responsibilities ofstudents, parents, and staff. Thanks to our school council for their input. We see the code ofconduct as an integral component on our personal and professional conduct, classroom teaching,and discipline. Thank you everyone for the great start to our year, we all look forward to more fun and learning! Ms. S. Cocco, PrincipalMr. M. Burns, Vice-Principal

TOP STORIES!

Grade7TriptoFort

George

"History is all about old guys who are dead" That isa quote from one of my students and usually the firstresponse of most Intermediate students. That is onereason why the Grade 7's visit Fort George for ahands on educational adventure of history. Despitethe itchy soldier coats, and the possibility of ghostencounters, students had a great time. They lived inthe soldier barracks and ate the traditional foodserved in the 1800's. Time was spent learning aboutmarching, artillery and students had the chance toclimb Brock's monument and tour Laura Secord'shomestead. Thank you to parents for their support inthis overnight excursion and all our wonderfulchaperones (Mr. Burns, Mrs. MacNally and Mr.Sherk). --

Mrs. Mancuso, History Teacher

Attention All Parents and Care-Givers

In order to ensure the safety and security of all of ourstudents, the school will be locked during the lunchrecess from 11:45 to 12:25.

Parents and care-givers who need to get in touchwith their children during this time MUST sign in atthe staff room window with one of our staff.

Thank you for helping usto ensure that ourstudents are safe at alltimes during our schoolday.

SCHOOL COUNCIL & PARENTASSOCIATION

We are pleased to announce this yearsSchool Council, and parent association:

School Council ExecutiveChair: Brenda DaneykoVice-Chair: Kerry JewellSecretary: MeaghanCoopmanParent Association ExecutivePresident: Kelly wingerTreasurer: Chad GatesSecretary: Jody Gates

Bingo Co-Chair: Dennis WingerHot Lunch Chair: Sandy Miskolczi

SCHOOL & PARKING LOT SAFETY

For everyone’s safety, parents and visitors arereminded to ALWAYS check in at the Office whenentering the school during instructional hours. Please do not go into the hallways or the classroomsbefore checking in at the office. We must monitor alladults in our building. We would be mostappreciative if parents would wait patiently in ourfront lobby until the classes are dismissed at 3:10pm.

Just a reminder to parents who need to drop childrenoff or pick children up, they may do so by using themain entrance by the office. Parents are requestedto come into the school via the front door to pick uptheir children. Visitor parking is located on the northside of the school parking lot. Please do not park in the semi-circular section of ourschool driveway. This is a very busy section of ourparking lot during the school day, especially at arrivaland dismissal times and every attempt must be

made to keep this section safe and clear.If you are picking up your children, do not leave yourvehicle unattended in this area. We appreciate your cooperation concerning thesesafety matters.

Student Absence Please call the school office in the morning and leavea message on our answering machine if your child isnot going to be at school that day. It helps immenselywhen doing our attendance. If your child is home withflue-like symptoms (fever, cough) please inform us of

this when you call.

Popcorn Sales

Thanks to the fund-raisingefforts of our grade 7 and 8classes, we will once againbe able to sell popcorn onTuesday’s and Thursday’sfor $.50 a bag. All

proceeds go towards the end of the year trips. Thanks for your support!

Garrison Road Breakfast Club

Now available 5 days a week!Healthy breakfast with foods from at least 3 foodgroups are now Available to everyone.Still no cost to students! Thanks to all theparent and staff volunteers that make thispossible. If anyone is available, or has agrandparent that might be willing to help, pleasecontact the office.

STUDENT COUNCIL ELECTIONS

What an amazing year for Garrison Road School andstudent council. Greyhounds should be very proud ofour two presidential candidates this year. After two

inspiring speeches and two weeks of campaigningthe voting commenced. Katie W was voted into thePresident position, with Steven S. as Vice -President. Congratulations Katie and Steven. Welcome ChynaF, Sarah W and Sarah G toexecutive student council. Class representatives will beelected on October 2 for Grade4 to Grade 7. We look forwardto a great GRS year.

SMOKING ONSCHOOL PROPERTY

Did you know that smokinganywhere on school propertyincluding sitting inside a vehiclecould cost you $305? Did you know that supplying or sharing cigaretteswith anyone under 19 can result in a minimum fine of$365?This law applies to everyone, students and staff, atanytime - 24/7! This includesthe parking lot, cars in parkinglot, sports field, driveway, andcourtyard.The ‘Smoke-Free Ontario Act’is designed to reduce thenumber of youth who startsmoking and to protectOntarians from second-hadsmoke.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Curriculum NightOctober 7th is our annual CurriculumNight! Parents are invited to come inand learn about the curricularexpectations of their child’s grade, aswell as much of the programmingoccurring in our school. Babysitting willbe provided. The evening will run from 6:30 - 8:00.

Professional Activity DayOctober 9th is a scheduled Professional Activity Dayfor staff, so students will not be attending school.Teachers will be engaged in team meetings andschool growth planning throughout the day.

Thanksgiving MondayOctober 12th is ThanksgivingMonday, and is a holiday forstudents and staff.

Family Halloween DanceNightCome one and all to our spookyHalloween dance party on October23rd , from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Parents, students, and

the whole family are encourage to dress up andcelebrate the scariest holiday of the year! Therepromises to be some good funfor the whole family, but thescariest part of the night willbe Mr. Burns’ dance moves!Tasty treats and glowbracelets will be sold.

BOOK FAIRStudents will preview the newbooks on Tues Oct 6 and eachclass will visit to makepurchases on Wed Oct 7 or Thurs Oct. 8. It will alsobe open Wed. Oct 7 from 6 - 8 pm.

Thanksgiving Food DriveOur students council will be running their annualThanksgiving Food Drive from October 1st, to Octoberthe 7th. Students are asked to bring in canned goodsand non-perishable food items for the local food bank. The class that brings in the most canned will earn aFREE popcorn party! Let’s all do our best to help ourcommunity, and have a little fun too!

Haunted House & Halloween ParadeOn Friday, October 30th students will be treated to aspooky haunted house by our students council. Allstudents are invited to change into their Halloweencostumes at lunchtime. The students will thenparticipate in a costume parade through the schooland around the property. Parents who wish to viewthe parade are welcome to bring a comfy chair andwatch from the school yard.

AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORINGGarrison Road School has received information fromavailable tutors in the area. Parents who are lookingfor extra support after school with homework or helpwith basic skills are encouraged to contact Mr. Burnsfor a referral. Times are flexible and some sessionmay be able to take place at the school, or at home.

TERRY FOX RUNThanks to all the parents, students and teachers thatparticipated in our annual Terry Fox run. We had oneof most successful, and spirited runs ever! Thanks tothe donations of the Garrison RoadCommunity, we raised over $400dollars for cancer research. Terrywould be proud!

SCHOOL TEAMS & CLUBS

Cross Country ClubAll 10 members of the Cross-Country Running club have beenworking tremendously hard everyday to prepare for the regional meeton October the 6th. Keep up the greatwork team!

Niagara Elementary Instrumental MusicIf you are interested in having you student participate ininstrumental music this year, be advised that the programhas extended it’s ‘Early Bird Special’ rate for beginnerstudents. The cost is $250 if the students has their owninstrument, or $350 if the student would like to rent onefrom the DSBN. This program offers a wide variety of instruments to

choose from including Flute,Oboe, Clarinet, Alto & TenorSaxophone, Trumpet, Trombone,French Horn, Baritone Horn andTube as well as Violin, Viola,Cello & String Bass.Unfortunately, BeginnerPercussion is completely FULL forthe 2009/2010 music year. If you have any questions or concerns about the instrumentalmusic program, please contact the secretary Sandi at 905688-2949 or please check out our website at:www.freewebs.com/niagaramusic

Intermediate Co-Ed SoccerThe Intermediate Co-ed Soccer team has been practicing hardto get ready for their upcoming tournament at Niagara FallsHome for Girls Soccer Club on October 5th. The teamconsists of: Boys GirlsDakota M. Zoey P.Damon K. Katie W.Jordan P. Carly M. Cole S. Nikki P.Connor M. Rykelle B.Bradley P Kathleen J.Zack H Jamie L.Jordan K.

A special thanks goes out to Mr. Periera and Mr. Winger forvolunteering their time during lunch hour and after school tomake this team a success. Go Greyhounds! I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff,students and parents at Garrison Road for making me feelwelcomed in this learning community. I am sure I will seeyou passing through the halls again. Best wishes for a greatschool year!

Miss TonnosIntermediate Soccer Coach,Grade 2 Teacher

COMMUNICATION MATTERS“Smart talk from your DSBN Speech-LanguagePathologists”Communication is at the core of learning and developing self-esteem. Learning how communicate effectively with others iscritical for social and academic development. Knowing therules, communication, and behaviours that will help studentsto learn and live more harmoniously with others may be themost important tools they will acquire throughout their yearsin school. Children become more receptive to learning whenthey feel good about themselves, and when they feel goodabout themselves, they are more willing to risk academicallysince making mistakes is less devastating. Goodcommunicators do the following:

• use eye contact• observe before they communicate• notice body language - • listen • take turns• use a polite tone of voicespeak clearly • use an appropriate rate of speech• act interested• remain on the topic• allow adequate space between the listener

and speaker .To help your child focus on good communication, yourfamily might spend some time noticing all the ‘habits’ goodcommunicators use. For example, if someone accidentallyinterrupts you and apologizes, you might comment on theirgood communication. You might also like to have eachfamily member identify their best communication skill. Dadmight be a good listener, while mom might be a good turn-taker. Once everyone is aware of communication, enhancingand learning new communication will be far easier.

KIDS QUEST & FORT ERIE PUBLICLIBRARY

This year, the Fort Erie library, and Kids Quest program havecollaborated to create an after school program designed tohelp children with homework, school projects and socialskills. This fantastic program is completely free, and hasworked wonders for many students in our area. The programis also looking for volunteers to help facilitate the program. The program is available to all students from grade 3 and up. Space for this program is limited, so please fill out theattached sheet and return it to the library or school as soon aspossible. Any parents who are looking for extra support fortheir children’s academics are encouraged to look into thisprogram.

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NEWS LETTER DRAW FOR ICE DOG TICKETS!! Thanks to our great partnership with The Ice Dogs Junior ‘A’ hockey club of St. Catharines, we have FREE tickets to watch alltheir home games EVERY MONTH!! For a chance to win a pair of tickets, all you have to do to win is sign,and return this portion of the newsletter to the office. We will contact you if your ballot is drawn. GoodLuck!

Parent/Care-giver signature:___________________________________