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DRAGON NEWS
Ecole Gron Morgan School Newsletter, May 2015
Administration Team Message
Spring has finally arrived! Our students are
excited to use our playground equipment and
soccer fields once again. If your children are
starting to ride their bikes or walk to school, we
urge you to please review road safety rules with
them at home. We always want our students to
be active and encourage these methods of
getting to school, however we ask your support in
making them safe. Please ensure they wear the
proper safety gear and dismount and walk when
they arrive on school grounds.
EQAO testing for Grades 3 and 6 occurs during
the two week window of May 25th to June 5th. If
you have students in these grades, more
information will come home soon. Please let us
know well in advance if your child will be absent
for any of the testing dates noted in the letter you
receive.
Dates to Remember:
May 5th – immunizations – Sk, gr. 7, Gr. Females
May 6th – Auditions for Spring Showcase
May 8th – Spirit Day – Come dressed as your
favourite character from a book
May 12th – School Track and Field meet gr. 4-8
May 13th – Creative Movement Jamboree – 7-9
May 14th - Hammarskjold Band concert cancelled
May 15th – Jump Rope for Heart event
May 18th – Victoria Day (no school)
May 19th – Parent/School council meeting
May 25th – June 5th – EQAO testing
May 20th – Welcome to Kindergarten 6-7pm
June 16th and 17th – Board Track and Field meet
Yours in Education
Mrs. Fontaine and Mr. Oades
As Spring Arrives in full force!
With warmer weather, students seem to start to arrive earlier and earlier at school. Our playground is not
supervised until 8:15 each morning, so please ensure students arrive at that time so that they can be properly
supervised on the school grounds to ensure safety! The playground has been rototilled and the play
structures are now open.
Jump Rope For Heart Event
Every year the Heart and Stroke Foundation gives people the
opportunity to get involved and give generously for a good cause.
Children of all ages are encouraged to collect as many pledges as
possible in exchange for staying active and healthy. Not only is
jumping rope an excellent way to exercise, it is fun! Kids can win
many exciting prizes!
Skipping clubs have already started, so please sign up. It is not too late!!! You can make a difference!
The Jump Rope for Heart event is scheduled to take place in the morning of Friday, May 15th ,
2015.
Safety Drills
Lakehead Public Schools mandates yearly safety practices for all our schools.
Throughout the months of May and June, expect 3 additional Fire Drills. If you
happen to be at the school during a Fire Drill, you are expected to participate
with all staff and students. All students and staff outside the building will proceed
to the fences located on the playground. In a real emergency situation, Corpus
Christi School is our alternate safe location. For a practice, students remain on
Ecole Gron Morgan School property.
Track and Field
All grade 4 to 8 students and staff will be bussed over to the Legion
Track on Tuesday, May 12th for our School-Wide Track Meet. The top
placing competitors in these events will have the chance to represent
our school at the Lakehead Public Schools Track Meet on June 16th and
17th. The group will leave the school at 8:30 am and return at 2:30 in
time for regular dismissal routines. Please pack a "Ready-to-eat"
lunch, extra snacks, plenty of drinks and layers of clothes to
accommodate the weather and an active day outdoors."
Creative Movement Jamboree
Mrs. Lyons, Miss Bell, Mlle Ptok, Mlle Ratana-Reuangsri, Ms. Noble and Mrs. Sgambelluri have been working
hard with the group of students signed up to participate at the Creative Movement Jamboree on May 13th
from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Fort William Gardens. This event is always a fantastic celebration of dance,
movement and the arts, so please plan a family outing to attend, even if your child is not participating this year.
In lieu of admission, you can bring a non-perishable food item for Shelter House or a donation can be made to
the Lakehead Learning Foundation which supports programs and initiatives for Lakehead Public Schools
students.
Please stop by and enjoy the TRUE COLOURS of
Ecole Gron Morgan. Student Council Leaders
recently hosted a Silent Day recognizing the right to
have a voice and to share our unique gifts and talents with the world. Students were provided with the
hand on which they represented the gifts that they have to offer. We are very proud to have so many
wonderful students with amazing gifts at Gron Morgan and how we use these gifts as we share our
True Colours!!
School Council Update
The members of your School Council have been hard at work organizing some exciting initiatives. This week
please watch for your Tim’s Meats order form to come home. This meat sale has been a successful fundraiser
for our school for many years and Tim has been very supportive in giving us great deals on fantastic meat.
Please note that this year the order pick up will occur on a Friday evening instead of our usual Saturday. We
hope this can accommodate more of your schedules and an opportunity to fill up your freezer for the weekend!
Coming up on June 10 is our Spring Fling! Talent show auditions have been occurring this week in preparation
for a great show. In the next few weeks we will be sending home more information on this exciting evening and
how you can contribute to your child’s class Silent Auction basket.
We hope you are enjoying the extra seating in the front entrance of the school. In the coming months, we will
also be adding a Parent Lending Library near this seating. This will include books that parents / guardians can
sign out to read at their leisure.
Lastly, we always welcome interested parents or guardians to come out to one of our School Council meetings.
It is a great way to meet more of our school community and have some input into our school’s success. Our
next meeting is on Tuesday, May 19 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the staff room. We hope to see some new faces
there!
Bike Safety and Road Safety!
The warmer weather has finally arrived, and students are beginning to ride their bikes or
walk to school. Please remember to review safe riding practices, as well as how to walk
safely to/from school. Ride with traffic, use correct hand signals, stop at crossings and be
aware of the traffic at all times. When walking use the crossing guard walkway and stay on
the sidewalk when possible.
Remember: wearing a helmet is mandatory for student riders.
Diversity and Equity Corner:
May 7th Lag B'Omer in Canada-Jewish holiday
Lag B’Omer is generally a day of celebration and joy for many Jewish people in Canada because mourning practices that occur during
the Omer period are lifted on this date. Many Jewish communities in Canada celebrate Lag B’Omer by hosting various social events.
They usually include a bonfire and are held outdoors, particularly if the weather is sunny.
May 10th Mother's Day-observance
Many Canadians celebrate Mother’s Day by showing their appreciation for mothers or mother figures. The Mother’s Day date in Canada
is on the second Sunday of May each year. Many people in Canada express their gratitude towards mothers and mother figures on
Mother’s Day. Mother figures may include step-mothers, mothers-in-law, guardians (eg. foster parents), and family friends. It is the time
for people to thank mothers and mother figures who took the time to care for them and help them through life’s challenges.
May 14th Ascension Day in Canada-Christian
Ascension Day is observed in Canada on the 40th day of Easter. It commemorates Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven, according to the New
Testament of the Bible. Some Christians in Canada attend Ascension Day church services where they can receive communion, also known as the Eucharist,
engage in prayer and sing hymns. Various churches, including the Roman Catholic Church and the United Church of Canada, observe this event. Children who
attend Sunday school may learn about the meaning of Ascension Day around this time of the year
May 16th Isra and Mi'raj in Canada-Muslim
Many Muslims in Canada observe Isra and Mi'raj (Al Isra' wal Miraj, Lailat al Mi’raj, or Laylat al Miraj). This event commemorates the
Prophet Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascent into heaven. It is observed on the 27th day of Rajab, the
seventh month in the Islamic calendar. Many Muslims in Canada make special prayers in the evening or attend prayer services and
sermons at Islamic centers or mosques. Others observe Isra and Mi’raj quietly at home. Some Muslims celebrate the event over two
days. Other activities associated with Isra and Mi’raj include fasting during the day, as well as reciting the Qu’ran (Koran) and using the
tasbih (commonly made of various stones or wooden beads and used for prayer) in the night.
May 18th Victoria Day in Canada! National holiday
Victoria Day, also known as May Two-Four, May Long and May Long Weekend, is a Canadian holiday on the Monday preceding May
25 in honor of Queen Victoria’s birthday. For many people, the long Victoria Day weekend marks the end of the winter and the unofficial
start of the spring or summer season. After this weekend, gardeners can be reasonably sure that there will be no more frost until the
autumn so they can sow or plant out delicate crops and plants. For the same reason, people with recreational homes in colder parts of
the country often go to them to open them up for the summer. In addition, many amusement parks and outdoor attractions open for
their summer season this weekend.
May 18th National Patriots' Day in Canada-in Quebec
National Patriots’ Day (Journée nationale des patriotes) is a statutory holiday in Québec to honor the rebellion against the British
in 1837. It falls on the Monday before May 25, coinciding with Victoria Day, each year. Many people in Québec attend various
celebrations and events, and take part in historic activities that are organized throughout the province on National Patriots’ Day.
Celebrations include marches, music concerts, public speeches, and award ceremonies. Many societies, organizations, and
community groups organize different events and activities that occur on or around National Patriots’ Day. Special commemorative
dinners may also be organized during this holiday.
May 24th Pentecost in Canada-Christian
Pentecost is a Christian observance commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus Christ’s disciples, according to the Bible.
Many Christians in Canada celebrate Pentecost, which is also known as Pentecost Sunday, Whitsunday, or Whit Sunday. Many
churches in Canada have special Pentecost services. Bible passages regarding the Holy Spirit’s descent on Jesus’ disciples are read
out during the services. Some churches may organize special events, such as Pentecost services at seniors’ residences. Poems and
songs dedicated to the Holy Spirit are read out or sung in some churches.
May 24th Shavuot in Canada-Jewish holiday
Many Jewish Canadians observe Shavuot, which is the second of three major Jewish festivals that focus on historical and agricultural
importance. The other two are Passover and Sukkot. Shavuot follows Passover by 50 days. Shavuot occurs on the sixth day of the
month of Sivan in the Jewish calendar. Many Jewish communities in Canada take part in various traditions to mark Shavuot. Dairy
products are traditionally eaten on this day. Some dairy meals may include cheesecake, savory goat cheese strudel, or cheese blintzes
(thin pancakes containing cheese). Some people use this time to revisit the Ten Commandments and reflect on the meaning behind
each of the commandments. Shavuot also celebrates the bikurim, which is the first fruits that were brought as offerings to the ancient
Temple in Jerusalem, so some people make meals out of fruit, including fruit salad.
May 25th Whit Monday in Canada-Christian
Many Christians in Canada observe Whit Monday, also known as Pentecost Monday, on the day after Pentecost, which is also known
as Whitsunday or Whit Sunday. This period commemorates the Holy Spirit's descent on Jesus Christ's disciples, as told in the Christian
Bible. Many Christians in Canada observe Whit Monday and Whit Sunday (or Pentecost) period by remembering the Holy Spirit's
descent on Jesus' disciples and the events that followed, which are told in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.Church events that
observe Whit Monday may include evening services and bible group meetings. Sunday schools may also have special lessons that
teach children about the origins and the meaning of Whit Monday and Pentecost. Many churches acknowledge Whit Monday as part of
Whitsun Week, or Whitsuntide, which includes Whit Sunday, or Pentecost.
May 31st Trinity Sunday in Canada-Christian
Many Christians in Canada celebrate Trinity Sunday, which is the first Sunday after Pentecost. It is one of the few feasts that are
celebrated as a doctrine instead of an event. It is also symbolic of the unity of the Trinity. Many Christian churches in Canada have
special church services on Trinity Sunday. These services focus on the concept of the trinity, which refers to the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit being one God. Many Sunday schools have lessons that teach children about the trinity and activities may include songs, poems,
group discussions, and coloring tasks. Some churches may have social gatherings after the Trinity Sunday church service.
Community News:
YOUTH WEEK 2015
Youth Week is an annual event that recognizes
the
positive contributions youth make in their
community, and celebrates the valuable work
youth and youth agencies/organizations do all
year
round. Thunder Bay has exceptional youth that
help
make this city a great place to live!
CONTACT: For details on Youth Week activities, call 625-2418 or email [email protected].
May is Speech and Hearing Month
HEARING LOSS
Hearing loss is an invisible and greatly misunderstood disability even though it affects one in ten
Canadians at some point in their life.
Most Common Myths:
1. that if you are deaf, you cannot speak
2. if you wear a hearing aid or have a cochlear implant, you can hear perfectly
3. if you are deaf, you are not very bright
4. if you speak, you cannot be deaf.
Children with hearing loss face these types of assumptions daily; the greatest handicap for them is
ignorance and misunderstanding on the part of the general public.
Our Principal Objectives:
1. Provide hope and support to parents.
2. Inform that children who are deaf or hard of hearing can learn to listen and speak
Library News for Grades 5 - 8
Studies have shown that students who
maintain their reading skills over the
summer, can prevent learning loss
and improve literacy. More access to
books results in more reading.
The students that read more, read better,
write better, spell better, have a larger
vocabulary and have better control of
complex grammatical construction.
The following lists 10 reasons why
reading is important.
1. Mental Stimulation
2. Stress Reduction
3. Knowledge
4. Vocabulary Expansion
5. Memory Improvement
6. Stronger Analytical Thinking Skills
7. Improve Focus and Concentration
8. Better Writing Skills
9. Tranquility
10. Entertainment