November-December
Ryerson is dedicated to providing a safe and respectful learning
environment which promotes personal excellence in education.
2014
Thoughts from Mrs. Braun…..
When we create schools that we value for our children and for ourselves, we will
have created schools of value to others as well.
A Minute with Mrs. Braun
Roland S. Barth
RYERSON ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
Fuelled with the excitement of change, an increasing student population, etechnology, new classmates, and new learning targets, we are going to need to
issue an alert that Ryerson’s 2014-2015 school year is taking learning off the
charts!
We are thrilled that our school plan priorities go beyond the basics and include outcomes related to digital citizenship and participation in social action
activities. As well, we have focused on the ongoing improvement of student
reading and writing achievement. Challenging growth and collaborating on student success is part of the richness of what we do. Please take the time to
view more details of the school plan on our website.
We continue to focus our efforts to nurturerespectful and caring relationships. This year we again will be enhancing this climate through a wide range
of school initiatives and community service activities. Our expectation is that
all children will conduct themselves to meet behavioral expectations. Please
take time to review the school division’s Creating a Safe, Caring & Inclusive
School Community as well as our Ryerson Student Handbook which are available on-line.
Communication is a key to school functioning. This year we are making a more
focused effort to be paperless. Therefore much of our correspondence home
will be by email and through apps designed to enhance correspondence. Please
take the time to read school correspondence and again view our web for any
additional information you require.
It is truly a pleasure working with such a diverse school community. Each and
every child and their family bring a richness that enhances the entire school
culture. We encourage all family members, including parents, grandparents,
brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles, to become active participants in our
school community. Working together we can make a difference for all children.
10 Ryerson Avenue Wpg. MB R3T 3P9 Phone: 269-1400 Fax: 261-6908
Vice Principal (Ms. Austen)
Last year our We Day Social Action Committee worked very hard by raising over $2,000 dollars towards the
Brick by Brick program. They won the Spirit of WE award because of it and were given another $1000 dollars to
donate towards an organization of their choice.
They added this to their earnings and have $3,000 dollars saved already to support their global neighbours in
Kenya to build a school. This year we hope to team with other schools in our division to achieve our quota which
is $10,000.
$18,000 students in Manitoba participated in The WE act program last year. Of those students only 150 were
invited to the EVENING of CHAMPIONS on October 28th. Five of the 150 students invited were from Ryerson
School. Kara Loudon, Taylor Clabertt, Ini Odimayomi, Prachi Gupta, and Ethan Allard were invited to this special
event. We were also so thrilled that one of them won the Governor Generals Canadian Caring Award. this special
distinction is only given to 10 youth in Manitoba. Ethan Allard from Grade 6B accepted the award at this special
evening.
Our theme this year is Put your Best Foot Forward - Be the Change. Students from the We Day social action
committee are looking forward to creating local and global changes as they focus on the The Rights of The Child.
Through service learning projects and social action practices these students will team with children from Ryerson
School and with those around the world to make a difference in the lives of children everywhere.
In November and December we will explore the RIGHTS OF THE CHILD and will practice ways to support these
rights through a variety of service learning projects. Students will start this service by helping those who do not
have enough to feed their families. The We Scare Hunger Initiative will run until November 21st.
November 20th is National Child Day and to celebrate students will participate in a week long Rights of the Child
Week called We are the Change. More details to be sent home soon.
Please support our school wide cause by sending non perishable food items to school with your child.
Thanks
Guidance (Ms. Austen & Mrs. Rappaport)
Hope you all had an enjoyable summer and welcome to the school year 2014/2015. As the counsellors
for Ryerson, our role is to support the social/ emotional development of the students so they can work
up to their potential and feel confident, happy and successful.
Support can mean either meeting with students individually or in small groups , or working with entire
classrooms on topics and skills related to their social/ emotional well-being.
The grade 4 classes will be receiving several lessons about coping with anxiety. Skills taught will include
relaxation techniques and how to use positive calming thoughts to alter negative or anxious feelings.
The focus is on how to be positive with yourself and others.
Students in grades 1-3 will be receiving lessons on how to resolve conflicts with a program called Kelso’s Choice. With the use of a puppet named “KELSO”, the program teaches students to distinguish between problems which they should ask for an adult’s assistance with, and those which they can try to
first resolve on their own. They are then given strategies on how to resolve conflicts with classmates,
such as how to communicate in an assertive manner using “ I messages”.
Wishing you and your child/ children a happy and successful year!
10 Ryerson Avenue Wpg. MB R3T 3P9 Phone: 269-1400 Fax: 261-6908
Phys. Ed. (Mr. Scantlebury/Ms. Opperman)
Grade 6 Volleyball
Practices are in full swing for our Grade 6 Girls and Boys Volleyball teams as they prepare for the Pembina Trails
Mini-Volleyball Tournaments on:
Girls— Monday, November 24tth @ 4:00 pm
Boys—Wednesday, TBA @ 4:00 pm
Note- The boys have a conflict with CANU on the night of the Boy’s tournament so will be playing exhibition
games against other schools instead.
The tournaments will be held at Bairdmore, Chancellor and Henry G. Izatt. Permission slips will soon be distributed indicating the locations where Ryerson students will be playing once it has been established by the tournament
convener. The students have been steadily improving their skills and should be ready to perform as a team. A special thank you goes out to Ms. Sopka, Ms. Mukanik, and Ms. Aubert for helping to coach.
Grade 1-6 Games
Grade 1-6 students are invited to participate at 12:00 PM in games sessions conducted by Grade 6 student leaders. During the months of November and December the Grade 1-6 classes will be playing Benchball. This game
teaches the students the concepts of offence/defence as well as developing their throwing and catching skills.
Grade 1-6 Free Gym
Students will also have opportunities to attend an 8:00 AM drop in gym program to have fun participating in a variety of safe, non-structured activities. Students can shoot baskets, play table tennis, floor hockey, badminton
etc. during this time. Come out and be a part of the action!
Grade 4-6 Indoor Track:
Students will have the opportunity to begin training for the upcoming indoor track season. Ryerson will be entering relay teams in two track meets held in March at the Max Bell Centre (University of Manitoba). Students will
be participating in running relays as well as shot put and long jump. All Grade 4-6 students are welcome to participate in this club, however, only students consistently attending practices will be eligible to take part in the meets.
Cross –Country Skiing
Ryerson will have the divisional cross country skis in the near future (exact dates have yet to be finalized). Students in Grades 4-6 will have the opportunity to experience this great lifetime activity.
Message from Ms. Sopka
We are very excited and pleased to announce that our
RYERSON POLLOCK No.1 2014 will be showcased at
the Winnipeg Art Gallery From November 17-24. Our
RYERSON POLLOCK will be leaving us on November 4th,
and returning at the end of the month.
A few of the classes will be visiting the WAG for full
day workshops, art making classes and to have their picture taken with our very own RYERSON POLLOCK.
Ms. Sopka would like to encourage families to take the
time to visit the WAG during this time. It is an amazing
example of how the students, staff, and community
members are woven together.
10 Ryerson Avenue Wpg. MB R3T 3P9 Phone: 269-1400 Fax: 261-6908
Music Notes! (Mrs. Poulin)
Ryerson Music Notes
What a fun and eventful fall we had here at Ryerson School! I am so proud to teach such great music makers.
Through attending the Youth4Music conference with three Ryerson students and Ms. Sopka, I have gained even
more pride in the music education support that we have here in Manitoba! We are so fortunate to live in a province that supports quality music education in our schools. After an event that featured students discussing the
importance of Music education, I am inspired to continue to build our music program at Ryerson School. I am so
proud of Ryerson students and the hard work that you all do in and out of the Music room as creative musicians!
Go Ryerson!
Time for recorders
It’s that time of year again! Grade 5 and 6 students are playing their recorders and are asked to have their recorder at school, ready to bring with them to Music. If grade 5 or 6 students require a new recorder, they are to
purchase them through Mrs. Poulin for $8.00.
Recorders have been ordered for Grade 4 students! Letters for grade 4 families will be going home very soon,
with information regarding purchasing, as well as practice expectations.
Winter Concert!
We are just beginning preparations for the K-3 Winter Concert! Grade 3 students have auditioned for acting
parts and are on their way to learning their lines! Students and staff and excited once again for the exciting concert season! This year, the grade 1-3 classes will present the musical, A Penguin Christmas. The concert will also
include performances by Kindergarten and the Grade 2/3 Choir.
Once again, Ryerson will be holding its bi-annual poster contest in celebration of the upcoming Winter Concert! Be
sure to listen to the morning announcements for more information!
Calling volunteers! Parent volunteers are needed for help with costumes this school year. If you are interested in
volunteering your sewing skills to the Ryerson Music program, either for the Winter Concert and/or the Spring
Concert, please contact Mrs. Poulin at [email protected]. We would love your help!
Music Clubs
Ryerson is a very busy school! Please be sure to check the calendar to ensure your attendance at Guitar Club,
Choir and Orff Club!
Reminder to Guitar Club members: please purchase a tuner if you haven’t done so already!
Upcoming Event Dates:
Monday, November 25th ~ Grade 4-6 Choir goes to Choralfest!
Saturday, December 6th ~ Grade 4-6 Choir Sings at the Legislative Building
Wednesday, December 17th ~ Grade 1-3 Winter Concert Rehearsal at FRC
Wednesday, December 17th, 7:00 pm ~ Ryerson K-3 Winter Concert
Thursday, December 18th, 7:00 pm ~ Ryerson K-3 Winter Concert
Tuesday, January 20, 2015 ~ “Musical Discoveries Concert”, Grade 2 to the WSO
Tuesday, March 10, 2015 ~ “Adventures in Music Concert”, 4P, 4L and 4/5LV to the WSO
Be sure to visit the Ryerson Music Website!
ryersonrocks.weebly.com
I’m excited to be sharing another musical season here in our Ryerson community!
- Mrs. Poulin
10 Ryerson Avenue Wpg. MB R3T 3P9 Phone: 269-1400 Fax: 261-6908
Library ( Mrs. Bryson)
Students and staff, be on the lookout for new books hitting our shelves! Thanks to your generous support this years’ Scholastic book fair was such a success that we not only surpassed last
years total but we were able to purchase over $1300 worth of new books for our library. We
have selected many new titles and Ms. Kotschorek has been working furiously to get them ready
for the students.
Most students and staff may have noticed by now that our library is currently ‘under construction.’ We are in the beginning stages of creating a new Junior Library section which, will house
many new and popular chapter book series. Creating a new section has a ripple effect on the rest
of our collection in the library however; therefore most books are essentially moving or shifting
to new homes on the shelves. We want to thank our students for their patience during this transition phase.
Lastly, as we come off the heels of thanksgiving and all the thankfulness surrounding it, we here at the library
would like to extend our sincere appreciation for all those who volunteer in our library. Your support is integral in
helping our library run. Our teams of student librarians not only help on a daily basis but they were eager to lend
a helping hand at the recent book fair, and their support was a large contributor to our success. We must also
recognize the efforts of Mrs. West. Her dedication to our library over the years has been, and continues to be,
invaluable to us.
Wishing you a wonderful, book filled, winter season! Mrs. Bryson
Teacher Librarian
Pizza Day Reminder!!!
Our upcoming Pizza day is on Wednesday November 19th, 2014.
No order forms required!! Students will be able to make purchases at the Pizza
booth!
10 Ryerson Avenue Wpg. MB R3T 3P9 Phone: 269-1400 Fax: 261-6908
Ryerson Association of Parents and Teachers (RAPT)
Similar to last year, RAPT (Ryerson Association of Parents and Teachers) will be organizing parents/guardians to provide a treat or snack for staff to enjoy at their
monthly staff meeting to show our appreciation for all the hard work that they put in
educating our children!! The snack or treat needs to be nut free. Examples could include cheese and crackers, baked goods, cut up fruit or veggies, cookies, nut free finger foods, etc. The staff meeting is usually held the first Wednesday of each
month. Sometimes the date changes, so we will send home a reminder each month with
the correct date. The grade levels assigned to the following monthly staff meetings
will be as follows:
Dec 3, 2014 Grade 5
Jan 7, 2015 Grade 4
Feb 11, 2015 Grade 3
Mar 4, 2015 Grade 2
April 8, 2015 Grade 1
May 6, 2015 Kindergarten
If you have any question or concerns, please contact Mrs. Amanda Graham at [email protected].
Thank-you for helping us to show the staff of Ryerson Elementary just how much we appreciate them!!
Also, Show and Save book order dead line has been extended until November 14th, 2014.
RAPT
Community News………….
American Sign Language
This is an American Sign Language (ASL) course that is designed for any individuals who want to improve their
ASL skills and in particular parents, relatives or friends that have contact with Deaf or hard of hearing children.
This is not for credit and is also ideal for any individual who wants to learn ASL for basic communication and have
fun while learning. This year, there are 3 beginner level sessions offered (fall, winter and spring). Each session
is the same and is 4 classes (Thursdays). Space is limited so register early.
Fall Session
October 30th, November 6th, 13th, 20th.
Winter Session
February 19th, 26th,
March 5th and 12th.
Spring Session
May 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th.
All classes are 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Location: Pembina Trails School Division Administration Office 181 Henlow Bay – Room C
Instructor: TBA
Course Fee: No Charge
To register: Please call Jessica Warnett at 488-1767 ext: 1262 or e-mail at [email protected]
10 Ryerson Avenue Wpg. MB R3T 3P9 Phone: 269-1400 Fax: 261-6908
RYERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
YEAR AT A GLANCE
November
4-6
Hearing Screening – Kindergarten and Grade 1 students
5
No PM Walking School Bus
10
School Remembrance Day Service – 10:30 AM
11
Remembrance Day – No School
18
Grades 4 & 6 Immunization Clinic AM
24
Grade 6 Girls Volleyball Tournament
26
Grade 6 Boys Volleyball Tournament
28
Divisional Common Day – No School
December
3
No PM Walking School Bus
11
Reports Cards Sent Home
17 &18
Early Years Concert – held at For Richmond Collegiate
19
Last Day of Classes
22 - 2
Winter Break
January
5
Classes Resume
7
No PM Walking School Bus
16
Ryerson PD- No School
23
Grades 4 & 6 Immunization Clinic PM
February
2
Metro Common Day – No School
11
No PM Walking School Bus
16
Louis Riel – No School
19
Kindergarten Information Night 7:00 PM
25
Volunteer Appreciation Celebration
10 Ryerson Avenue Wpg. MB R3T 3P9 Phone: 269-1400 Fax: 261-6908
March
4
No PM Walking School Bus
10
Grade 6 Boys Basketball
11
Grade 6 Girls Basketball
13
Metro Common Day – No School
26
Report Cards Sent Home
27
Last Day of School Before Spring Break
30 - 3
Spring Break
April
6
Classes Resume
8
No PM Walking School Bus
22 & 23
Tri Conferences – Evenings – 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Students and parents are expected to attend at their scheduled appointment time
24
Metro Common Day – No School
May
6
No PM Walking School Bus
13
Spring Concert – Middle Years
18
Victoria Day – No School
26
Divisional Track Meet - U of M
27-29
Grade 6 Camp
June
3
No PM Walking School Bus
4
Grades 4 & 6 Immunization Clinic AM
12
Divisional Common Day - No School
19
Grade 6 Celebration PM 1:00-3:00 PM
24
Report Cards Sent Home
Ryerson Canada Celebrations
10 Ryerson Avenue Wpg. MB R3T 3P9 Phone: 269-1400 Fax: 261-6908