May 2015
Talking About Math With Your Child
Talking about mathematics with your child – whatever his or her age – helps strengthen his or
her mathematical reasoning and understanding. Some ways to keep the talk engaged and
focused while you support your child include:

Revoice - Repeat what you heard your child say, then ask for clarification (e.g., “So you are saying
it’s an odd number?”).
 Repeat/Restate – Ask your child to restate your reasoning (e.g., “Can you repeat what I said in
your own words?”).
 Reason – Ask your child to apply his or her own reasoning to someone else’s reasoning (e.g., “Do
you agree or disagree? Tell me why.”).
 Adding On – Prompt your child to participate further (e.g., “What more would you add to that?”).
 Think Time – Wait several seconds (try five) to give your child time to think (e.g., “Take some time
to think.”). You may be surprised by how hard it is to stay silent in that time!
EduGAINS.ca
Planning Today to Energize Education for Tomorrow
DSBN Trustees are supporting student success by revitalizing our public schools. An important part of
this process is the role of Accommodation Reviews.
On March 26, 2015 the Ministry of Education released revised Pupil Accommodation Review Guidelines
(PARG) and the DSBN has revised the Accommodation Review Policy to align with the new Ministry
Guidelines.
You are invited to provide your comments on this new policy. From May 6 to June 3, 2015 please go to
www.dsbn.org and click on the “Accommodation Review Policy Feedback” button. You may also provide comments via mail. Please send to Lora Courtois, Superintendent of Planning, District School
Board of Niagara, 191 Carlton St. St. Catharines, ON, L2R 7P4.
Dreambox
Students in KG to Grade 8 have access to DreamBox Learning's Math Program, an online, Intelligent Adaptive Learning (tm) program that helps all students work towards a better understanding of how numbers work with each other and creates an environment that fosters faster
math proficiency.
Reminder of how to access from home:
Your student can access DreamBox Learning from any computer, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
using this link: https://play.dreambox.com/login/42cv/granda OR by going to our school’s homepage:
grandave.dsbn.org and clicking on the DreamBox link on the right side of the page. To access DreamBox on iPad, go
to http://www.dreambox.com/ipad, or search for "DreamBox Math" in the App Store. When prompted in the app,
use this school code: 42cv/granda
May 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
1
Character
Focus:
Cooperation
3
Fri
Day 2
Sat
2
Sub Lunch Day
4
Day 3
5
Day 4
6
Day 5
Int. Badminton
@ Brock
University
Pizza Lunch
Orders Due
Mobile Dental
Clinic @ Grand
7
Day 6
Mobile Dental
Clinic @ Grand
8
Day 7
9
KG—Muffins with
Mom @ 2:15 PM
DSBN Education Week
10
17
11
Day 8
18
12
Day 9
24th-Grand
Ave. School
Council Garden
Clean Up-All
Welcome 9-12
31st-Grand
Ave. School
Council Family
Picnic 1-4 PM
25
Day 6
Day 10
14
Day 1
15
16
DSBN Support
Staff
Recognition Day
Golf Club @
Twenty Valley
GC
Pizza Lunch Day Professional
Activity Day—
No School for
Students
19
20
21
Day 2
Victoria Day—
No School
24/31
13
26
Day 7
School Council
Meeting @
6:30 PM
Day 3
Day 4
22
Day 5
Recognition
Assembly @ 11:25
AM
Spirit Day—
What I Want to
Be When I Grow
Up
Golf Club @
Twenty Valley GC
Regional Track
Grade 5/6D and and Field Meet @
7/8W to NOTL Niagara Olympic
Trip
Club in SC
27
28
Day 8
Golf Club @
Twenty Valley
GC
EQAO Week
23
Battle of the
Books
Competition AM
Day 9
29
Day 10
Pizza Lunch Day
30
School Watch Program
In an effort to try and reduce school vandalism, graffiti, and after-hours unauthorized activities on DSBN
property, we earnestly seek your cooperation in our on-going School Watch Program. Should you observe
unusual activity at the school, please call in confidence the following emergency number:
905.563.1293
The cost of vandalism comes directly from Facility Services funds-funds that maintain and improve our
schools. Therefore, there is a direct benefit in reducing vandalism. Thank you.
Grand Avenue Track and Field Training and Try-Outs
The Track and Field try-outs have begun. Interested students in Grades 3-8 have been training and now trying
out for the following events:
Track: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m
Field: High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, and Shot Put (Grade 7 and 8 only)
Training will be held during Fitness Breaks and students are asked to make sure they are wearing the proper
athletic clothing and footwear. If your child qualifies for the Regional Track and Field Meet, held on May
22nd at Niagara Olympic Club in St. Catharines, a permission form will be sent home soon.
Student Recognition
April
Mrs. Howe/Miss DeGraaf (KG1)
Nathan F., Cayden C.,
Annie H., Evelyn M.
Mrs. McNaugton/Mrs. Koppejan/
Mrs. Morin (KG2)
Travis B., Olivia L.,
Taya V.
Mrs. Arghittu (Gr. 1)
Jackson A., Ajay C.,
Lucas M.
Mrs. Height (Gr. 1/2)
Hannah M.,
Thaddeus M.
Miss Esau (Gr. 2/3)
Lucy B-C.
Miss Jones (Gr. 3/4)
Kate M.
Mme Lemke (Gr. 4/5)
Emily B., Payton C.
Mr. Dodman (Gr 5/6)
Bradley J., Sarah S.
Miss Whittal (Gr. 7/8)
Hannah R., Colin T.
Mr. Nicholls (FSP)
Ashley B.
Special congratulations goes to Hannah R. (Gr. 8) for her
participation in the Niagara Regional Science and Engineering
Fair. Hannah earned an award from the American Meteorological
Society and a NRSEF Junior Bronze Medal from the Consulting
Engineers of Ontario. We are extremely proud of you, Hannah!!!
Safety is the Key!!!
Student Entry and Exit
(Student Agenda—Page 3)
Students are not to arrive at school
prior to 8:30 a.m. because supervision
for students is not provided until this
time. Students will be permitted to
enter the school building after this time
during inclement weather. Students are
to leave the building via their assigned
outside doors immediately following
dismissal (12:55 p.m. and 3:20 p.m.).
The parking lot is out of bounds to
students for obvious safety reasons
(unless accompanied by an adult).
Students are to enter and exit the
school grounds by walking on the
sidewalk at either side of the front yard
of the school. Students are further
directed to use city sidewalks and street
crossing guards for safe travel to and
from school.
School Cash Online is Here!!!! Our Goal is 100% Participation
We know you have many different priorities competing for your
attention each day. To respect your time, we’d like to help you save
both time and effort. You’ll are able to approve permission forms
and pay for school items, such as field trips, food orders, Spirit
Wear, etc., online.
It takes just five minutes to register for this service. You can access
the service by visiting our school website and clicking on “School Cash Online”. You will need your child’s
OEN number to register. It can be found on their most recent report card. You can use School Cash Online
with confidence; it is a safe and secure portal.
Using School Cash Online, you may never have to search for spare change again! Thanks for your support.
Please contact the office if you require any support.
September’s Closer Than You Think!
We’re already looking ahead to the new school year and will soon begin the process of organizing next year’s classes.
In developing our new class structure, our goal is to ensure your children have an outstanding educational experience
and the opportunity to develop lasting friendships with their classmates.
Much like a family, our classes work best when they include members of differing interests, abilities, and
perspectives. This gives students the opportunity to learn from and about each other. These experiences help to open
students’ minds to new ideas and new possibilities, allowing them to test limits and develop their true potential.
To do this, it’s important for us to look at a number of factors, including:
Learning Style: We consider how students learn best and what kind of classroom environment will best support their
needs.
Ability, Interests, and Talents: All children are unique and have their own set of strengths and abilities. Having a
grouping of students whose strengths complement each other will help enhance everyone’s learning.
Relationships: We aim to create groups that allow for strong friendships to develop and an environment for effective
learning.
Parent Input: As parents, you have a unique perspective on your children and their school experience. If you have any
information that could help inform our decision, please send it in to the office, in writing, attention to W. Bobinski,
Principal by June 1st, 2015.
Your input will be considered in relation to the criteria listed above.
If you are aware that you are moving over the summer and will not be returning to Grand Avenue in the fall, please
let the office know as this helps in class set up. Thanks for your support!
Grade 8 Graduation—Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015
Mark your calendars!!!! Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015 we will be recognizing our Grade 8 Graduates.
5:30 PM Graduation Ceremony
7:00-7:30 PM Reception and Personal Pictures
7:30-8:00 PM Dinner for Graduates and Staff
8:00-9:30 PM Dance
Come and share this special evening in recognition of our Grade Eight Graduates.
Try to set aside blocks of time at your computer
every day for your child(ren) to practice math.
Our most recent fundraiser, World’s Finest Chocolates, was a great success! We would like to thank
all of the families that supported this fundraiser through their sales or donations. We raised $5,162
which enabled us to contribute $5000 toward technology upgrades in our school.
Funds from this and all other School Council fundraising initiatives have supported the following:
Classroom Allowance $2300.00
Nutrition Program $200.00
Field trip/event subsidy ($10/student) $2310.00
Playground maintenance $226.56
Technology updates $5000.00
Our School Council works together to implement several fundraisers each year. As a School Council,
we discuss goals and objectives for spending the proceeds from these fundraisers. We are looking for
some fresh ideas for next school year. If you are interested in being a part of our fundraising
subcommittee or would like more information, please contact Marloes Barendregt at
[email protected]
NEXT SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING
SPRING GARDEN CLEAN-UP
SUNDAY, MAY 24TH
9 AM—12 PM
Please join us on this day
to help prepare our
gardens for more mulch.
Any help is appreciated as
many hands make light
work.
Let’s help keep our school
looking “Grand”.
Tuesday, May 26th
6:30 p.m. - In the School Library
Upcoming Special Lunch Days
Thursday, May 14th & Friday, May 29th
Thank you to Nicolette Cullen for all of her hard work
coordinating our special lunch days and to parent volunteers
for making these special lunch days possible. Your
commitment and hard work is greatly appreciated!
Save the
Calling all Grand Avenue families…
Date!
You are invited to our 2nd Annual
GRAND FAMILY
PICNIC
Enjoy fun, quality family time and meet other families in our
school community.
There will be many fun activities like jelly bean guess, potato
sack races, water balloons, and so much more. There is no cost to
this event, so pack a picnic or choose to purchase from our BBQ
menu options (details on food order will follow).
Where: Grand Avenue School
When: Sunday, May 31, 2015
Time: 1 pm to 4 pm
What a great way to end a fantastic school year. Bring your family
and friends! It will be a blast! More details to follow…stay tuned!
Sponsored by Grand Avenue School Council
Thank You to All That Attended Our First Power Hour—Math Focus
It was an awesome hour of Mathematics! Special thanks to all of the parents that attended. The members of School
Council combined with Grand Avenue Staff to utilize funds from the Ministry’s Parent Reaching Out Grant (PRO Grant)
that we were successful in attaining through an application process. Funds were spent on providing refreshments for
the evening along with the purchase of over $800 worth of Math manipulatives. These manipulatives can be signed
out by parents from our School Council Parent Lending Library. More information will follow related to the sign out
process and the tools you can use at home with your son/daughter to further develop mathematical skills.
Special thanks to Marloes Barendregt and Jen MacDonnell for purchasing the refreshments for the evening. Thanks to
our staff members that presented during the evening—Mrs. Koppejan, Mrs. Watt, and Mr. Allington (Instructional
Coach). Thanks to intermediate students Emma C. and Matt A. for providing the child care for the hour.
Bell Time Change for September 2015
Effective September 8, 2015 the morning school bell time will be 8:30 am and dismissal will be 2:50
pm. This represents a 20 minute shift earlier at the beginning of the school day and a 30 minute shift
earlier at the dismissal at the end of the day. The two Nutrition/Fitness Breaks will be 40 minutes in
length each instead of 45 minutes. Preliminary transportation arrangements will be communicated
with families in May, and families are invited to visit the NSTS website in late August, www.nsts.ca, for
final transportation arrangements effective the first day of school.
The primary reason for altering the school day was in response to a request made by Niagara Student
Transportation Services (NSTS). NSTS is responsible for planning and administering all transportation
services on behalf of the District School Board of Niagara. The mandate of NSTS is to provide safe,
effective, and efficient transportation and to ensure transportation expenditures are in line with
Ministry of Education funding levels. One of the strategies used by NSTS to achieve efficiencies is to
stagger school bell times to plan each bus route to serve two or more schools. Grand Avenue School is
one school impacted by bell time changes.