Pam Spero
Principal
905-734-3208
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Amy Morocco
Vice-Principal
905-734-3208
Wes Hahn
Superintendent
905-641-1550
Sue Barnett
Trustee
905-734-7110
June 2015
Our school goals for this school year include:
Literacy:
* Building confidence, risk taking, and a community of readers and writers
* Students thinking about reading and communicating their thinking
* Students being able to organize and express their ideas in writing (including topic
development)
Numeracy: * Building a community of mathematicians - celebrating mistakes, explaining our thinking,
justifying our answers, being risk takers, and building confidence
* Students being able to solve multi-step math problems
y
2
Every child can learn mathematics.
Mathematically literate students understand and value the mathematical information they
encounter in the world outside school, and have the knowledge and confidence to make sense
of this information.
To be successful in many occupations and function well in today’s knowledge-based
economy, the ability to process and interpret data, communicate effectively and apply
mathematical reasoning is essential.
x
=m
Mathematics students are problem solvers
Math involves solving problems and investigating mathematical patterns and relationships. A
successful problem solver questions, investigates, and explores new situations to gain new
understanding of a problem.
+b
Mathematics students persevere
Students who persevere through a problem when the answer is not readily available have a
greater chance of success. Students are encouraged to recognize that there is probably more
than one way to solve a problem and that there might be more than one correct answer.
Mathematics students apply what they
have learned
Students need to be able to apply mathematics
to everyday situations and recognize that
mathematics is present in the world around them.
Students who are able to make links with their prior
knowledge to help solve unfamiliar problems have a
greater chance of being successful in mathematics.
Mathematics students communicate
effectively
2
Students need good communication skills to explain
mathematical ideas, listen to other people’s interpretations, and to use those ideas to increase their own understanding. Students who know the answer but cannot
communicate their solution strategies, usually have a
limited amount of knowledge and are likely to be
unsuccessful when working with new or more involved
problems.
Mathematics students have solid
foundational skills
Certain mathematical skills have to be automatic in order
to successfully investigate relationships and solve problems. Students must have a thorough grounding in basic
skills and concepts e.g., the ability to perform simple operations such as multiplication and division - as a foundation for more advanced exploration and problem solving.
m
=
y
b
+
x
Do engage in math related home activities;
2

Play games - Chess, Checkers,
Cribbage, Bridge, Euchre, Memory Games, Backgammon…

Play games - Chess, Checkers,
Cribbage, Bridge, Euchre, Memory Games, Backgammon…

Make puzzles.

Involve your child with shopping.

Engage in the mathematics of cooking and baking.

Plan and execute home renovations.
Do explore your child’s thinking process:
m
=
y
b
+
x

Why did you…?

What can you do next?

Do you see any patterns?

Does the answer make sense?

Tell me in a different way…

What would happen if…?
Do appreciate the value of not knowing
and use these occasions as opportunities for growth rather than anxiety.
Develop strategies and resources for getting help with the problems.
Do encourage your child to experiment with different approaches to a
problem. We learn a lot from our errors when we examine them.
Source: EduGains, Ministry of Education of Ontario
Dreambox Learning
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Do you want to help teach your child math at home, overcome math anxiety,
boost math learning, erase math boredom, or just help your kids to love math?
You'll find the answer inside Dreambox Learning! Children think it's a fun adventure game, but parents know it's a highly effective and individualized math program.
Dreambox Learning provides your child with a deeply personalized online math
learning experience that differentiates content, pace, and sequence. This
adaptive program meets your child at the mathematical level they are at and
guides students to a deeper understanding and increased achievement in
mathematics. This program is perfect for all learners. Consider this program to
be your child's personal “math tutor” that will provide just the right lessons at the
right time.
Here at Diamond Trail PS we are fortunate to have a school Dreambox Learning
Math license for all our students. This program has been purchased by DSBN as
a highly proven strategy to help better students achievement in mathematics. In
our classroom students have access to the program on a daily basis. We try to
ensure that all students are on this program between 15-20 minutes per day.
However, this is not always possible due to scheduling. I strongly encourage you
to allow your child access to this amazing program at home for them to get the
most out of the program. Students can access Dreambox Learning 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week. The current license allows all of our students access until
the end of October 2015.
Students will be able to go on all summer long!!!
Students can use Dreambox on a desktop, laptop, or iPad and student progress will be synced across all devices. Please be advised that this program is
tailored for each individual student to complete on their own. It adjusts as they
play based on their abilities. If you assist or help, the program will begin to give
your child games at a level that becomes frustrating.
How to Access Dreambox Learning From Home
Using a laptop or computer:
https://play.dreambox.com/login/42cv/diamondtp
Using an iPad:
download the free app from the app store and put in code: 42cv/diamondtp
Review our child's academic progress with a Dreambox Parent Account. Please
follow these steps to create your free parent account:
Go to http://play.dreambox.com/login/42cv/diamondtp
Have your child login to their profile just as they would at school.
Click Setup Parent Access at the bottom of the page.
Follow instructions to create a new login and password.
Read terms of use and privacy policy, and then click “submit”.
Log into your home account after set up:
Go to http://play.dreambox.com
Enter your email address and password.
To see student progress, click the “Parent Dashboard” button.
For more information please feel free to contact me!
APPROPRIATE DRESS CODE
FOR WARM WEATHER
With the warm weather approaching we would ask that you please review appropriate dress with your child while at school. You can refer to our school’s Code of Conduct on our
website and/or your child’s agenda.
EXTRA CLOTHING:
In effort to limit calls home and interruptions at work we encourage parents to consider
providing your child with extra socks etc. during this time of year. Although we try to
make appropriate decisions not to let the students play in the field when it is extremely wet,
sometimes accidents happen.
SHORTS:
If students are wearing shorts, we request that the shorts be worn to at least the
length of your son/daughters arms while they are at rest at the side of their body.
SLEEVELESS TOPS:
If sleeveless tops/halter tops are being worn to school the width of the straps must
be equal to the width of your son/daughters three fingers.
Dressing for success means that no staff member or student should be showing
undergarments/underwear at anytime. If the dress attire is not appropriate then the
individual will be asked to change their clothing and/or clothing will be provided.
STUDENT PICK UP & DROP OFF
Reminder to families that we have supervision beginning at 8:35a.m. and students should
not be arriving on school property prior to this for their own safety.
DOGS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY
While we love dogs, it is also the Policy of the DSBN that pets are not to be accompanying families on the school property when they drop off / pick up their children. Unless
the dogs are kept in the cars, please refrain from bringing your dogs to the school.
SKATEBOARDS AND ROLLERBLADES
Long-boards, skateboards, rollerblades, etc. are not permitted on school property as
per the Diamond Trail School Code of Conduct. If these items are brought to school
the school is not responsible if they are lost or stolen. They are to be fastened up
and used off of school property only.
BICYCLE SAFETY
As the nice weather approaches we are aware that students are anxious
to ride their bicycles to school. It is important to remember the importance of bike safety and proper use of the safety regulations and school practices
when travelling to and from school.

Walk your bike at busy corners and on school property
Obey all traffic signs and signals
 Drive on the right hand side of the road


Drive single file on the road

Carry parcels in your carrier
Never ride with two on a bicycle
 Be sure to give correct hand signals when you are going to stop or turn
 Lock your bike to the bike rack, preferably with a combination lock
 Stay away from parked bicycles during the day
 Safety helmets are required by students riding to and from school

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.
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.
The sun is back!
RECOGNITION AWARD ASSEMBLY
THURSDAY, JUNE 4 @ 1:45pm.
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.
Snack Shack Thursdays
Reminder: the snack shack is open every
Thursday during both breaks in room
108. All items are $1 and the selection
includes a variety of baked chips,
popcorn, goldfish, trail mix and more!!
Proceeds are used to assist the class
with their trip. Thank you for your
continued support. The last day for snack
shack is June 12.
The sun is shining and it’s time to get outside to
play! But before you run outside, make sure you remember your 5 S’s…
Slip: on some clothes that will protect your skin from
the sun (loose-fitting and tightly woven are best).
Slop: on some sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 and
filters UVA & UVB rays (broad-spectrum). Put sunscreen on 20 minutes BEFORE you go outside, so it
can soak in. Don’t forget your ears, nose and feet if
you are wearing sandals! Lips should also be protected with SPF 30 lip balm.
Slap: on a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face,
ears and neck
Seek: shade when outside between 11am-4pm
Slide: on some sunglasses that have 100% UVA &
UVB filters.
Attention moms, dads, coaches and caregivers:
sun damage can happen quickly, so make
sure youth remember sunscreen for lunch
break, gym class, track and field and other
outdoor activities.
For more information, talk to your school nurse.
Summer Information
From June 28 to August 24, Diamond
Trail School will be closed for summer
vacation. For parents new to
kindergarten information will sent
directly to your home in early August
with details about starting school. For
transportation inquires please visit
www.nsts.ca or call 905-346-0290. For
other DSBN information please visit
www.dsbn.org or call 905-641-1550
between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. We
thank you for your cooperation.
Nutrition Program/Breakfast Club/Special Lunches
Our Nutrition Program and Breakfast Programs is offered to the students at Diamond Trail. Our breakfast
program begins at 8:25am so please do not send your children in until this time. 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.
BREAKFAST and SNACK PROGRAM Reminder
Our breakfast and snack program will finish on June 12 for the school year. That means breakfast and
morning snack will not be served the last two weeks of school (from June 16 - June 27).
Our breakfast program and snack program has been a huge success this year. We serve an average of
70-80 breakfasts every morning and we serve approximately 250 morning snacks everyday. This would not
be possible without the help of our volunteers. We are so very thankful to have such a dedicated group of
volunteers. The work they do with our breakfast and morning snack program has a direct impact on the
learning that happens in the classroom. Please take the time to thank these people when you see them in
school or in the community. They are all involved in some aspect of the buying, planning, preparing,
delivering and/or cleaning of our programs. Thank you; Rose Colombe, Pamela Doyle, Devon Keddy, Dee
Comfort, and Harold Cook. We would also like to thank our Educational Assistant Team for helping with
Breakfast Club in the morning everyday.
Campbell’s Soup Labels
Diamond Trail 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
Grade 8 Grad
Grade 8 graduation will be held on June 23rd in the Diamond Trail
gymnasium. The ceremony will begin promptly @ 6pm with the presentation of
graduation certificates, followed by all awards. Immediately following the
ceremony parents and grads are invited to the main foyer of the school to celebrate with a light snack.
On Monday, June 2nd we will have a light luncheon for our grade 8 grads
followed by an intermediate dance.
If you are a parent (guardian) of one of our grade 8 students, please plan on
attending our ceremony and enjoying this event.
Summer HEAT 2015
We are pleased to offer SUMMER HEAT, a primary Summer Learning Program, again this
year. The program will run from Monday, July 13th to Friday, July 31st for students entering JK
to grade 4 in the fall of 2015. Kindergarten Kick Start is for students entering junior and senior
kindergarten in the fall, while Funshine Kids is for students entering grades 1, 2, 3 and 4. This
three week program is entirely FREE, but space is limited so please be sure to register early.
Registration can be done online starting Friday, May 1st. The program will begin at 8:15 a.m.
with breakfast provided, and it will end at 12:15 p.m. Students will be involved in a variety of
learning opportunities throughout the morning, with a focus on literacy, numeracy and active
living. We are excited about being able to offer this amazing program to our families. Check it
out on the DSBN website at www.dsbn.org/summerheat
Summer HEAT will be offered at the following sites:
St. Catharines - Edith Cavell (literacy and mathematics site), Connaught (literacy and
mathematics site), Lincoln Centennial (literacy and mathematics site), Grapeview (Aboriginal
site with literacy)
Welland - Diamond Trial (literacy and mathematics site)
Niagara Falls - Simcoe Street (literacy and mathematics site), Valley Way (Aboriginal
site with literacy)
Port Colborne - De Witt Carter (literacy and mathematics site)
Fort Erie Area - Crystal Beach (literacy and mathematics site), Peace Bridge (Aboriginal
site with literacy)
NEW sites:
Beamsville - Senator Gibson (literacy and mathematics site)
Welland - Princess Elizabeth (Aboriginal site with literacy)
CONFLICY VS BULLYING
http://bullying.about.com/od/Basics/a/Normal-Conflict-Or-Bullying-How-To-Tell-The-
Difference.htm
Conflict is a normal part of life. And learning to deal with it helps kids master the social skills they will need as adults. But bullying is not normal
even though many people mistakenly believe it is a "rite of passage" for kids as they grow up. In fact, there are some distinct differences between
bullying and peer conflict. Being able to identify these differences will help parents and teachers know how to respond.
Characteristics of Peer Conflict
There are a number of ways to identify peer conflict. First, when a conflict occurs, both people involved have equal power in the relationship. And
while both people are emotional and upset neither one is seeking power or attention. They just happen to disagree.
Also, when people experience conflict they likely will feel remorse and take responsibility for what they did wrong. They just want to solve the
problem so that they can start having fun again. Lastly, conflict happens occasionally and is usually not serious or emotionally damaging to either
person.
Characteristics of Bullying
There are a number of ways that kids can be hurtful to one another but not all of it is bullying. Sometimes it is simply unkind behavior. The best
way to identify bullying is to realize that it is a deliberate act with the intention to hurt, insult or threaten another person.
There’s also an imbalance of power in the situation. Bullies usually exert control over other people either by intimidating them, insulting them or
threatening them.
Bullying also is repeated and purposeful and poses a threat of serious emotional or physical harm.
Typically, when bullying occurs, there is very little emotional reaction from the bully but the target is usually visibly upset. Additionally, bullies
may even get satisfaction from hurting people because it gets attention. Lastly, there is usually no remorse from the bully and no attempt to resolve anything. Bullies are not interested in having a relationship with the intended target.
Differences in Addressing Conflict and Bullying
Conflict is an important part of growing up but bullying is not. Conflict teaches kids how to give and take, how to come to an agreement and how
to solve problems. But bullying only wounds kids.
When it comes to conflict, it’s good for kids to learn conflict resolution skills. These skills promote listening and working together to come to an
agreement that both parties can agree to. But conflict resolution is not appropriate for bullying situations. In fact, it can be particularly dangerous
and damaging to the target of the bullying.
Conflict resolution works based on the assumption that both people are in part responsible for the current problem and need to work it out. In
this situation, both kids make compromises and the conflict is resolved. Usually when kids have a conflict, it is best to allow them the opportunity
to work it out on their own.
But bullying is different. It’s about the bully making a choice to intentionally target another person. There is nothing to work out there. Besides
bullies usually don’t negotiate with others. They blame others. Even if an adult can extract an apology, the bully will often retaliate when no one
else is around. As a result, it is crucial that parents and teachers recognize the difference between conflict and bullying.
When bullying occurs, the bully is fully responsible for the situation. And the bully bears all the responsibility for change. Forcing a target to participate in conflict resolution or mediation is not recommended. Instead, there needs to be an intervention process in place that ensures the
safety of the student being targeted. For instance, bullies need to be told that their behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. They also
need to experience consequences for their behavior. Likewise, targets of bullying need to be reassured that they didn’t cause the bullying and
that they are not to blame. They also should receive interventions that will help them overcome the negative impact of bullying so they can regain self-esteem.
DSBN Silver Birch Celebration of Literacy
Student Conference
Members of our 2015 Silver Birch Book Club travelled to Club Roma
in St. Catharines to participate in a full-day student conference. They
joined 400 students from across the DSBN to participate in workshops
ranging from Rocket Launching to Ice Cream Making, and Kite Creations to Mmm Chocolate. Highlights of the day included
Eight Diamond Trail students spent the day in fun-filled workshops
that were created as an extension of the books that were read in our
book club. Two students even stayed to run 8 kilometers with ultramarathoner – David Carroll. The ride back to our Dragon's Den was
filled with the excited voices of students talking.... about the books
they bought.... their favourite workshops and..... the authors they got
to meet!!! This was one very special event that these students are
sure to remember for a long time.
library books
Distinguishing marks: a diamond trail,
Mathews, Crowland, or welland public
library barcode
location of barcode: on the cover, the
first page or the back of the book
Return them to the school
as soon as possible