1. education
2. school

St. Ursula Catholic School
426 Lacroix Street
Chatham, ON
N7M 2W3
(519)352-3620
1-866-336-6139
V O L U M E
1 ,
www.st-clair.net
I S S U E
J A N U A R Y
5
2 0 1 5
Principal’s Message
Director: Dan Parr
Superintendent: D. Crawford
Chair of the Board: C. Bryden
Board Trustee: B. Rumble
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Inclement
Weather
2
Library News
2
Director’s
Insert
3
Kinderstart
4
5
Literacy and
Numeracy Tips
Parish Update
6
UCC Open
House
7
Christmas in
Muskoka Tree
Winners
8
Dear Parents
Guardians and
Students,
Welcome to 2015!
Another year, another
set of goals and new
resolutions. Work on
keeping your new year
resolutions. You can
achieve them!
we balance work,
and
find
time
ourselves. I hope
new year is filled
great blessings for
and your families.
kids
for
your
with
you
January, like every other
month, will be a busy
month.
Academically,
we are finishing the first
term. Students should
continue being diligent
with
homework
and
assignments and parents
are reminded to play an
active role by staying in
touch with
child(ren)’s
teacher(s).
your
Communication is
a very proactive
channel of keeping
on top of things.
Have
a
month!
terrific
Mrs. Kelly
VanBoxtel
Let’s hope this year
SCHOOLCOUNCIL UPDATE
NO SCHOOL ON
January 30— PA Day
SURPRISE SANTA VISIT
Santa did a great job visiƟng our classrooms. He was
impressed with all the good boys and girls at our
school that he brought every student a book. Thanks
to School Council for paying half for this generous giŌ
to promote the love of reading.
Next School Council mee ng is February 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the
school library.
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2
INCLEMENT WEATHER REMINDER and
BUS CANCELATIONS
We are a
Our school is in ZONES 7 and 8
Bucket
Listen to the radio staƟons CKSY or CFCO or
check the Board’s transportaƟon website:
Filling
School!
We Fill
Buckets …
NO Dipping.
www.schoolbusinfo.com
There is now an area for you to receive an email when
busing status changes occur. Please go into the website
and register to have an Email Alert sent directly to your email account.
Please remember, when schools are closed, due to inclement weather,
do not send your child(ren) to school.
LIBRARY NEWS!
St. Ursula School is proud to have an award winning author, Philip Roy to come to our
school on Tuesday, Jan. 27th. He has wriƩen many books in the Submarine Outlaw series
and the Mouse tales series. His newest book, Me & Mr. Bell has been nominated for the
Silver Birch 2015 reading program. We are looking forward to
meeƟng Philip Roy and watching his presentaƟon. A note, will be
sent home, if you are interested in buying an autograph book, most
of his books are priced at $11.00. There will be trivia quesƟons
three Ɵmes a week on the morning announcements about Philip
Roy and his books with prizes to the student who can correctly answer the trivia quesƟon. All answers can be found at
www.philiproy.ca. Good Luck to all!
St. Ursula School will be taking part in the Forest of Reading by the
Ontario Library AssociaƟon. This program helps celebrate Canadian books, publishers,
authors and illustrators and a love of reading. We will be celebraƟng the Blue Spruce
Books with the JK- 3/4. Silver Birch Express and Silver Birch for the grades 3-6 and the
Red Maple for grades 7-8. There are 10 nominated books to read and enjoy in each category, both FicƟon and Non ficƟon books are represented. In April a special vote across
Ontario for all students who have read 5 books to choose their favourite author and
book. St. Ursula School will be parƟcipaƟng in this vote. Book choices will be announced
during scheduled library Ɵmes. Let's get reading!
ST.
URSULA
CATHOLIC
PAGE
3
Helping Your Child to Succeed at School
10 Tips to help your child with reading (Grade 4 to 6)
Source: Ministry of Education Website
1. Keep reading with your child. Kids are never too old to be read to–or let your kids read to you.
Read a variety of material – magazines, newspapers, books, poems and comic books. Try cutting
out or printing interesting or funny articles to share with them.
2. Public libraries today are worlds to explore so try and go regularly. Your library has great
resources – books, computer games, DVDs, CDs, magazines, newspapers and Internet access.
There are also terrific in-house programs such as reading circles for little ones and homework clubs
for older children. If you have access to a public library, talk to the librarian about what is available.
3. Read some of the same books as your child. There are many books that are loved by people
of all ages. Ask your librarian or child's teacher for suggestions. You can share your thoughts and
ideas, and have great conversations about the characters, stories or topics.
4. Ask your children what they're reading. Ask what it's about and what is most enjoyable about
the book. Ask your child to describe it to you.
5. Tap into interests and hobbies. Kids are more likely to read about what they find really interesting, like sports or crafts. Don't worry if it's a comic book, magazine or an illustrated novel, just
remember all reading is good and tastes will change as they get older. When you go to the library,
let them choose their own books.
6. Find books that relate to TV shows. Let's face it, TV and video games are part of life now and
our kids benefit when we help them learn how to think about these messages too. We also know that
some kids find TV and video games fascinating. You can use this to your advantage–introduce them
to books or magazines that relate to their favourite shows, movies or games.
7. Encourage your older kids to read to younger kids. The older child will practice reading out
loud and the younger child will enjoy being read to. Best of all, they get to enjoy spending time together.
8. Play games together. Trivia games and board games such as Junior Trivial Pursuit® or Junior
Scrabble® can be a fun way to learn about words and reading. Children have such a good time playing they don't realize they are learning.
9. Computers can be reading zones too! Though we all feel that kids may spend too much time
on the computer, there are some great games that help kids with reading and allow them to create
their own stories and books. Look for "parent approved" on the box in stores and in the library.
Give praise. The best motivation comes from your positive feedback. Whenever your child finishes
a reading or writing assignment, ask about what was read and praise your child's effort.
A special note: Educators agree that literacy skills develop and improve as a result of a wide range
of activities. For example, a child's literacy skills are enhanced when parents who do not speak one
of Canada's official languages read to their children in their native language. Children will benefit
from this reading experience.
ST.
URSULA
CATHOLIC
PAGE
4
for all children 18 months to 4 years...
kinderSTARt
Let your light shine. (Matthew 5:16)
It is a special one day event for parents to register their children for Kindergarten. It’s also a great opportunity for parents and children to learn more
about school together!
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Tuesday, February 3rd
any me between 9:00-5:30 pm
The program is offered in partnership with the St. Clair Catholic District
School Board and our Best Start community partners. Through kinderSTARt
children and parents have an early opportunity to visit the school, register
for Kindergarten and meet staff in prepara on for Full Day Kindergarten in
the fall of 2015.
Parents are asked to bring their child that will be star ng JK in the fall of
2015, and any siblings between 18 months and 3 years to par cipate in this
registra on event.
Our community partners are there to offer lots of helpful informa on about
ge ng ready for school, such as ages and stages growth development, good
nutri on, healthy living ps and immuniza on. It’s a fun and informa ve
event for the whole family!
Please bring the following documenta on to this event: child’s birth cer ficate, proof of Catholicity, Immuniza on Record and Health Card (op onal)
PAGE
5
Read to Understand:
Students who are in control of their own reading comprehension become purposeful, active readers.
Here are a few ideas to help your child.
Before reading
Ask, What do you think this book might be about? If the book has pictures, look at the pictures without
reading and talk about them.
During reading:
Read together. Stop every few pages and ask your child to summarize what they’ve read. Ask your
child, "Does this make sense?" If it doesn't, have them reread and talk about the part that didn't make sense.
Discuss the meanings of interesting and new words that are in the story.
After reading:
Hold a conversation and discuss what your child has read. For example, say "I wonder why that
character acted that way?" or "How do you think he felt? Why?" and "So, what lesson can we
learn here?". Help your child go back to the book to support his or her answers.
A fun way to support comprehension of characters is to use the Akinator online. http://
en.akinator.com/ Simply think of a character and answer a series of questions about them, after
which the Akinator will magically reveal the character’s name and picture. Your children will be amazed
how often it is right!
How to help your child with problem solving:
One of the main reasons for studying mathematics is to develop the ability to solve problems. Problem
solving is the process of applying what we already know to new and unfamiliar situations. By learning
mathematics through problem solving, children can develop critical and creative thinking skills.
How Can Parents Help?
• Be enthusiastic. Let your child see how excited you are about solving a problem.
• Provide time and talk about problem solving. Be patient with your child. Let them work at
their own pace. Talk, talk, talk! Talk about options, strategies and ideas for problem solving.
• Ask Questions. A well timed question can open up your child’s thinking about the problem at hand
and often help them remember what he/she learned in class.
• Reinforce risk taking. Children need a great deal of security to risk being wrong. When they
begin to realize that they can learn from their mistakes, they will try harder to complete the
problem.
• Reward perseverance. Instant success is not always possible in learning mathematics. Encourage
children to keep trying by asking them questions that will lead them in the right direction.
• Use children’s experiences. As often as possible, base problems on children’s everyday experiences at school and at home.
VOLUME
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ISSUE
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St. Joseph and St. Ursula Parish
January 2015 Youth Calendar
7 – St. Joseph School Mass – 12 noon
7 – Grade 5/6/7/8 Program – 7:00- 8:30 pm at the Spirit and Life Centre
(St. Joseph site)
8 – St. Ursula School mass 9:30 – at St. Ursula Church
8 – Sacrament of First Communion le er given to parents at schools
9 – G P Vanier School mass at 1:30 – at G P Vanier school
13 – RCIA/Children at St. Joseph School – 10:30 – 12 noon
14 – RCIA/Children meet with 2 youth at parish
14 - Youth Commission Mee ng 7:00 pm - prepare gi s for Grade 9
students
20 – RCIA/Children – St. Joseph school – 10:30 – 12 noon
21 – distribute Youth Commission gi s at Pines
21 - RCIA/Children meet with 2 youth at parish
21 – Grade 5/6/7/8 Program at 7:00 pm at the Spirit and Life Centre
22 – First Communion Parent
Mee ng at the Spirit and Life
Centre at 7:00 pm
23 – UCC Exams begin – Please pray
for our students
30 – Parish Pasta Dinner at the Spirit
and Life Centre with Youth
Fundraising Raffle
6
PAGE
7
Caption describing
picture or graphic.
“To catch the reader's attention, place an
interesting sentence or quote from the story
here.”
Caption
describing
picture or
graphic.
PAGE
8
Christmas in Muskoka 2014 - Tree Winners
Chatham Breakfast Grille (Union Gas BBQ) - S. Bernard
OECTA Elementary & Secondary St. Clair Unit – A. Casier
St. Joseph Catholic School Chatham – K. Vermeulen
St. Agnes Catholic School Chatham – H. Shaw
St. Elizabeth Catholic School Wallaceburg – C. OrƟbus
Good Shepherd Catholic School Thamesville – A. Wright
Holy Family Catholic School Wallaceburg – K. Myers
St. Ursula Catholic School (Grille Lite BBQ & Vantel Construc on Table) – B. Goodwin
Monsignor Uyen Catholic School Chatham – M. Gooch
St. Anne Catholic School Blenheim – G. Trahan
AltaGas – M. Blommers
Our Lady of Fa ma Catholic School – S. Fenn
Tim Hortons Chatham Loca ons – F. VandenEnden
Pet Value – C. Newham
Chatham Kent Police Associa on – M. Allen
McDonald’s – F. ZanƟngh
St. Clair Catholic District School Board Trustees – J. Kelly
Glasshouse Nursery – K. Moccia
Waddick Fuels – D. Gaumond
Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario - (Teppermans Furniture) – T. Hlady
TekSavvy – L. O’Hara
Ursuline College Staff – R. King
Georges P. Vanier Catholic School Chatham – K. Ryall
Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent – M. Habakurama
Catholic Educa on Centre Staff Wallaceburg – M. Hasler
St. Vincent Catholic School Chatham – B. Phillips
Victory Lincoln/Ford – P. Willan
Gagner Chiroprac c (Canadian Tire) – R. Ost
Christ the King Catholic School Wallaceburg – N. Dodok
The Paper Bride – J. Rivard
UCC Gradua ng Class ‘Compassion’ – N. Jansen
St. Joseph Catholic School Tilbury – K. Tewkesbury
Muskoka Woods Rosseau Lake – P. Myers
Li le Caesars Pizza – E. MacDonald-Beawal
St. Michael Catholic School Ridgetown – A. DeBruyn
Preferred Building Products – A. CarƟer