1. education
2. school

École Bannatyne News
École Bannatyne School
363 Thompson Drive
Winnipeg, MB R3J 3E5
Phone (204) 888-1101
Fax (204) 832-9199
Email: bannatyne.sjsd.net
Dates to
Remember
May 2015
Principal: Mme Roné Boyko
Dear Bannatyne Families,
May 18
Victoria Day
No School!
Spring has arrived! It is so refreshing to see the fresh green leaves and feel the excitement of
renewal in the air! Also wonderful to feel the excitement of learning as we head into the final
months of this school year.
May 19
Early dismissal 3:25 pm
I Love to Read
Thank-you so much to the I Love To Read Committee of teachers, Mme Andrea, Mme Scham,
Mme Hummelt and Mme McLachlan and all staff who organized this year’s school-wide activities.
Thank-you also to all our dedicated staff who supported the Literacy Evening on April 30. The
spirit and commitment of our staff and community is truly remarkable and our students’ love for
literacy is testament to this. Finally, thank-you also to the many, many volunteers who took time
from their busy schedules to come in to read to classes. We appreciate your support in
promoting the importance of literacy.
June 2
Last Early dismissal
3:25 pm
Welcome to
Kindergarten 6:00 pm
June 5
Volunteer Tea
2:15 pm in the gym
June 11
Family Picnic
4:00-8:00 pm
June 24
Grade 5 Farewell
2:30 pm
June 29
Last Day of Classes
Reports sent home
June 30
Admin/Inservice Day
No School
Literacy Evening
Another amazing event! Thank-you Angela Janzen Roth, Laurel Rose, Pina Auriti and all the
volunteers who worked with our I Love to Read Committee to organize an incredible evening of
Literacy Learning! Thank-you to all the families who participated in the amazing storytelling and
stations. It was an incredible turn-out and a pleasure watching students share their joy of learning with their families!
Student Voice
The I Love to Read, Earth Day and Family Literacy Evening was made even more spectacular
because of our Student Voice team. Thank-you to all students who shared ideas and helped plan
for all the excellent Earth Day activities and whose Global Citizenship spirit collected over
$270.00 from the sale of the bookmarks that will support the St. Amant Centre library.
Allergy Awareness
Many students at our school have life-threatening allergies. For the safety of these students, please remember to never send
food to school that “may contain nuts or nut products.” For
further clarification of the Nut Aware policy, please follow the link posted to the front page of our school website. A link has
also been posted that includes an extensive list of safer options. Thank-you for your diligence in helping us keep all our students safe.
Lost and Found
The lost and found items have been placed on a tablenear the office. Any items left in these bins by mid-June, will be gathered and donated to Salvation Army.
Volunteer Tea
Plans are well underway for the Volunteer Tea, Kune 5 at 2:15 pm. We look forward to taking the time to celebrate the hard
work and dedication of our volunteers!
Continued on Page 2
ÉCOLE BANNATYNE
MAY 2015
Welcome to Kindergarten
We are excited about spending time with our new Kindergarten students and their families on June 2. All new students
and their families have been invited to come to school to learn more about what they will be doing in their Kindergarten classroom in the Fall.
School Survey
Please take some time to complete the School Survey, as your feedback is valuable in our planning efforts. A link was
posted on our website in April. A paper copy is also available, so please call the school if you would like one sent
home. The deadline for completing the survey is Tuesday, May 19.
Thank-you!
Mme Boyko
School Year 2015-2016
Bannatyne School will re-open Thursday, August 20, 2015 with secretarial staff in attendance.
School year starts
Tuesday September 8 - (Inservice Day - No Classes)
Opening Conferences
Wednesday and Thursday, September 9 and 10
Regular classes (with bussing) will begin on Friday, Sept. 11
Winter Break - December 21, 2015 - Jan 4, 2016 Spring Break - March 28, 2016 - April 1, 2016
Last Day of Classes - June 29, 2016
September 8, 2015
October 23, 2015
November 13, 2015
November 27, 2015
February 5, 2016
Inservice & Administration Days:
February 26, 2016
March 18, 2016
April 22, 2016
June 17, 2016
June 30, 2016
Grade 5 Farewell Ceremony
Wednesday, June 24, 2015 - 2:30 pm in the gym.
All grade 5 parents and family are invited to share the occasion.
Grade 5 Visit to Golden Gate
Monday, June 22, 2015 - Grade 5 students will visit École Golden Gate in the afternoon.
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ÉCOLE BANNATYNE
MAY 2015
Physical Education News
Jump Rope
We had so much fun with jump rope this year here at Bannatyne! We all worked very hard and learned some really
cool tricks! We wrapped up both our jump rope clubs and our fundraising on April 23 with a big jump off for the
entire school. We celebrated our hard work with some games and a visit from Sam from the Heart and Stroke
Foundation. Our final fundraising tally is $7,000! Well-done Bannatyne community! Thank you to everyone for
all the hard work!
Speed Stacks
Our divisional speed stacking event was held on April 22 at Sansome School. Everyone worked very hard to get there
and did some great stacking at the event. A special congratulations goes out to Max J. who won 4th place in the
cycle and to Meredith R. who was awarded the hardest working stacker.
Marathon Club
Marathon club will begin next week. This club will be for grades three, four and five. This will be a great opportunity
to get active and have fun. It is also a great time for students and parents to prepare for any fun runs or marathons
they plan to attend as a family!
Gymnastics
All the students in gymnastics club have been working very hard on their flexability, balance and muscular strength to
master their skills and some routines. We will be holding a gymnastics celebration night on May 27 at 4:15 pm. This
will provide the students an opportunity to showcase all their hard work and the parents an opportunity to enjoy the
show!
Track and field
Our grade 4/5 divisional track and field meet will be held on May 28 at École Sturgeon Heights. Please remember to
ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather, have appropriate level sunscreen and a bag lunch. This
will be a great day!
Guiness World Record Attempt
Some classes from Bannatyne will be taking part in a Guinness World Record (GWR) attempt. On June 3, in honor of
the 10th anniversary of the low cost bike helmet initiative Healthy Schools is holding a morning of activities, including
an attempt to break the GWR for “Largest Gathering of People Wearing Helmets.”
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ÉCOLE BANNATYNE
MAY 2015
Speed Stack Team
Jump Team
Max with his Medal!
Peacemaker Page
Dear Parents,
This month the focus is on thinking positive thoughts. Thinking positive thoughts helps us feel good about ourselves and
about others. When we think negative thoughts about ourselves and about others, we feel angry, jealous, discontented, and aggressive. Encourage your child to think positive thoughts about him/herself and about others. Tell your child
how smart and talented he/she is. When your child becomes discouraged about problems with friends, sports, or school
continue to praise him/her and encourage your child not to give up.
Fun Family Tip:
Have your children draw self-portraits. Underneath each portrait, help the artist write five positive statements about
him/herself. Hang the portraits in your children’s rooms to remind them of their positive qualities.
Thanks, and have a great month!
Mme Rachelle
Guidance Counselor
4
ÉCOLE BANNATYNE
MAY 2015
News from Parent Council
Hello Bannatyne Families,
April was an action packed month filled with literacy and all it has to offer. Students participated in an elaborate École
Bannatyne Literacy Night where every child went home with 2 FREE BOOKS!!! Parent Council would like to thank The
Winnipeg Foundation for their generous grant and especially the Literacy Committee; Pina Auriti, Angela Janzen-Roth,
Laurel Rose, Mme Andrea and Mme Scham. It took a lot of planning, time and creativity to make this night such a success! A huge thank you as well to teachers and staff members who participated so enthusiastically on their own time!
Wow! What an amazing collaboration!
The Show and Save fundraiser has officially closed with a profit of over $3000.00! Thank you to Sharon Larouche for
your time in coordinating this fundraiser.
The final special lunch of the school year will be held Friday, May 29. Booster Juice is catering! Thank you again to
Pina Auriti and Margaret Cunha for coordinating special lunch this year!
As always, Bannatyne Parent Council thanks you for your continued support!
Musical Notes
Congratulations to our École Bannatyne Intermediate Choir! This choir consists of all grade 4 and 5 students at our
school. They have been awarded NOT ONLY one but TWO TROPHIES from the Winnipeg Music Festival for the 2015
season. We were presented with both trophies last week on Thursday by the president of the Winnipeg Music Festival,
Joanne Mercier. We were awarded the Anne Tate Memorial Trophy for "most outstanding performance in the own
choice category" and the Lola McQuarrie Memorial Trophy for the "most outstanding performance in the folk song
category". Mrs. Mercier explained to the choristers that they were chosen out of hundreds of choirs for these trophies
and that their hard work was evident in their performance. We are so proud of our young musicians: their artistry,
their emotive communication and their ability to strive for excellence and success.
Music Monday was an absolute blast! Thanks to a grant from our AMAZING Parent Council students were able to participate in musical activities for the entire afternoon during the National Holiday of "Music Monday". Kindergarten to
grade 5 students took part in 3 different 20 minute clinics: Dance with Madison, Theatre games and improv with
Alissa and even had the chance to sing and play along with Winnipeg's own JP Hoe! When students were not hopping
from clinic to clinic, they were enjoying the school-wide Talent Show. It was an amazing opportunity to showcase the
talent and confidence that we have in our school and to build community within the grade levels. Congratulations to
all of our students who participated. It was wonderful to see you shine!
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ÉCOLE BANNATYNE
MAY 2015
Parenting Today 2014-15
Workshops will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. at Educational Support Services – Jameswood School, 1
Braintree Crescent (off Olive & Ness). Free pizza supper will be offered from 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. and session will take place from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. To register please call Arlie Williams-Taylor at 885-9555 or
email [email protected]
Tuesday May 12, 2015
Anxiety
Coaching For ConfidencePresented by: Dr. Maria Phelps, School Psychologist, Educational Support Services, St.
James-Assiniboia School Division.
Shyness and anxiety are normal human emotions. Some children, however, are much more shy or fearful than the
average child. For these children, anxiety may interfere with their enjoyment of school, activities with other children,
new experiences (swimming lessons, birthday parties, etc.), and their development of independence and confidence.
In this session, parents will learn about anxiety in children aged four to seven and gain useful tools to help your children overcome this problem.
Once registered for any session, if you cannot attend, please be sure to cancel by
contacting Arlie Williams-Taylor at 204-885-9555 or email [email protected]
FREE CHILDCARE IS PROVIDED FOR SESSIONS. When registering please indicate for how many children and their
ages. Once registered, if you cannot attend, please be sure to cancel by contacting Arlie Williams-Taylor at
204-885-9555 or email [email protected]
SANSOME SCHOOL
50TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY TEA
Celebrating 50 years of academic excellence within a challenging, safe and supportive environment.
Please come join us in celebrating our great school, students and staff.
May 13th, 2015 from 3:00pm - 5:30pm. 181 Sansome Avenue sansome.sjsd.net
RESTITUTION IVC Restitution For Parents
Free registration for parents in St. James
Presenter: Rebecca Gray
Wed, Aug 19, 2015
Caught in the cycle of ever-increasing punishments to motivate your children? Tired of bribing your children to
behave? Want your children to be self-motivated? Learn why children behave, how to set them up for success, and
learn concrete tools for tough situations. Learn to encourage children to take responsibility for their actions & be self
-disciplined. (No Prerequisite) (Complimentary book included)
Restitution Parent Workshop
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sturgeon Heights Collegiate
2665 Ness Avenue
For information on courses, please contact:
Ruth Hargrave [email protected] orPhone: 204-782-0103
SCHOOL VANDALISM often involves graffiti, broken windows, damage to roofs and playground equipment.
To report suspicious activity on school grounds between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am or to report an act of school
vandalism in Winnipeg call: (204) 231-4556 Our security firm will attend after receipt of your call.
NESS 50TH ANNIVERSARY
NESS KNIGHTS
June 4 - 4 pm
For more information see the Ness Blog
NessMiddleSchool.blogspot.ca
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @NessKnights
6
ÉCOLE BANNATYNE
Camp July & August 2015
Ages 6 - 14
Headingly, Mb
MAY 2015
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE DAY CAMP
WHERE MEMORIES ARE MADE
AND ADVENTURES AWAIT!
MCA Accredited
CAMPMANITOU.MB.CA
Monday - Friday
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
$180 + gst (includes daily lunches & snacks)
Camp Manitou is a summer camp located 5 minutes outside of Winnipeg. With its forests, large grass playing field, and
the Assiniboine River on three sides, this 28-acre oasis provides lots of space in which to enjoy nature. We provide a
wide range of activities, challenging educational programming, and the perfect environment to step out of the everyday, and connect with nature.
Camp Manitou creates a fun and safe environment for campers to take positive risks. Whether they realize it or not, we
push every camper to grow in character skills like independence and confidence as well as life skills such as resourcefulness, teamwork and responsibility while they are at camp.
Campers gain their first steps to independence as they experience all the benefits of wilderness while still being able to
go home at night.
We provide a broad range of activities so each participant gains exposure to many different types of experiences:
We provide a broad range of activities so each participant gains exposure to many different types of experiences:
• Archery • Climbing Wall • Biking • Field Games • Swimming • Zipline • Camping Skills • Orienteering And much more!
The activities are tailored to the age appropriate skills and attention levels. Each sport is always preceded by an instructional period followed by
a game.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, CONTACT: 204 -837-4508
[email protected] | CAMPMANITOU.MB.CA
Dynabody Total Fitness Boot Camp
St. James School Division Continuing Education
To Register: Phone 832-9637
Online at: http://www.localcourses.com/sjsd
Email: [email protected] Fax: 888-0945
Websites: www.Dynabody.ca Corporate:
www.Dynabody.net
FREE SYNCHRO CLASSES
6:30 to 8:00 pm
LIKE MUSIC? LIKE WATER? COME TRY A SPORT THAT COMBINES
10 Tuesdays
BOTH
Bannatyne School
or
PAN AM POOL
10 Thursdays
TUESDAY, MAY 26 6:30-7:30
Strathmillan School
THURSDAY, MAY 28 6:30-7:30
Starting April 14th & 16th 2015
Ages 5 - 14.....no pre-registration required
Cost: $79 each
SUMMER CAMPS AVAILABLE
Winnipeg Synchro
- largest synchro club in Manitoba
- programs from beginner recreation to high performance
- outstanding,nationally certified coaches with years of experience
visit our web site:
www.winnipegsynchro.com
For a complete list of programs, dates and locations please visit our
web site: www.winnipegsynchro.com
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ÉCOLE BANNATYNE
MAY 2015
mai 2015
DIMANCHE
LUNDI
MARDI
MERCREDI
JEUDI
VENDREDI
11
12
13
14
15
18
19
20
21
22
25
26
27
28
29
Victoria Day
No School!
Early
Dismissal
3:25 pm
Bus
Ridership
SAMEDI
Looking Ahead to June
Friday, June 5 - Volunteer Tea 2:15 pm
Thursday, June 11 - Family Picnic 4:00 - 8:00 pm
Wednesday, June 24 - Grade 5 Farewell 2:30 pm
8
May 2015
Vol. 26, No. 9
St. James-Assiniboia School Division
make the difference!
Try using a
chore chart
this summer
Review the school year with
your child & set new goals
I
t’s nearing the end of a busy school
year. Your child has learned a lot.
She’s read new books and she’s
mastered new skills. Now is the
perfect time to talk about all of the
lessons she’s learned.
Find a time when you can have
a relaxing chat about school. You
might even plan something special,
such as going out for a treat or
making a favorite meal together.
During your talk:
• Take a look back. What was your
child’s favorite project this year?
In what subject did she improve
the most? Which book that the
class read was her favorite? Which
of her goals did she accomplish?
As she talks about these positive
things, help her see the ways she
has grown. “You really worked
hard to master division this year.
You can do hard things when
you put your mind to it!”
• Take a look forward. What is
your child looking forward to
this summer? What is she excited
about for next year? Is there a
subject or an area she’d like to
improve in next year? Are there
books she would like to read?
• Discuss how learning doesn’t
stop at the end of the school year.
One of the great things about the
summer is the opportunity to
learn things that aren’t directly
related to school. Help your child
think about something she’d like
to learn this summer. Would she
like to learn a new sport? Would
she like to teach herself how to
paint? Would she like to learn a
new language? Together, make a
plan to help her achieve her goal.
Summer is a
great time to help
children become
more responsible.
Completing chores
builds responsibility and helps
them learn new skills. And
believe it or not, studies show
that children actually feel
happier when they make a
meaningful contribution to
their family.
Here’s how to get started:
1. Select age-appropriate
chores. An eight-year-old
can’t climb a ladder to clean
tall windows, but he can
clean the bathroom sink.
2. Show your child how to do the
chore. Then watch him do it.
Finally, let him do it alone.
3. Create a chart. Some chores
may need to be done every
day. Others may be only
once a week. The chart will
help your child know exactly
what you expect him to do
and when to do it.
4. Make things fun. Every now
and then, add a silly or fun
job to the chart, such as,
“Go out for ice cream!”
Source: E. Kennedy-Moore, Ph.D., “Chores and
Children,” Psychology Today, niswc.com/chores.
333333333
Copyright © 2015, The Parent Institute®
www.parent-institute.com
Practical ideas for parents to help their children
®
Copyright © 2015, The Parent Institute®
www.parent-institute.com
Community service strengthens
relationships & builds character
Busy family life can
disconnect parents
and children from
each other—and
from the community.
Volunteering as a family is a great
way to change that. It also teaches
children about responsibility,
compassion, generosity and more!
When making summer plans,
try to squeeze in a few volunteer
activities. Your family might:
• Clean a favorite spot. Inspect
places your family spends time,
such as your street, a park or the
beach. You may be surprised by
how much trash and debris is
there. Supervise as your family
fills garbage and recycling bags.
• Provide shelter. Many groups
build or improve housing for
others. Find one that welcomes
kids’ help. Your child might
sweep, carry items or hand out
nails while you hammer.
• Provide food. Community food
banks are usually in need of
groceries and helpers. Homeless
shelters and meal-delivery
programs often need supplies.
Your child may be able to collect
food and supplies or even make
sandwiches.
• Care for animals. Call an animal
shelter to learn about its needs.
If you and your child can’t work
directly with pets, consider other
ideas, such as raising awareness
about animal adoption.
• Make visits. Find a charity that
serves elderly or homebound
citizens. They may need company,
meals or help with errands. A
visit from a child may be more
uplifting than anything else.
Source: “Community Service: A Family’s Guide to Getting
Involved,” KidsHealth, niswc.com/community_service_family.
“Never doubt that a
small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can
change the world; indeed,
it’s the only thing that
ever has.”
—Margaret Mead
Challenge your child to turn off
the television & turn on the fun!
Many kids spend hours
staring at a TV screen,
a computer screen, a
tablet or their cell phones.
During the summer, those
hours typically increase.
That’s why it’s critical for parents
to set limits on screen time. Experts
say the easiest way to do that is by
replacing screen time with other fun
activities. Here are some ideas:
• Get a hula hoop. Even indoors, a
hula hoop offers an easy way to
get exercise. Besides spinning the
hoop at his waist, your child can
also use it as a jump rope.
• Explore playgrounds. They offer a
number of ways for your child to
let off steam—and build muscles.
• Draw a hopscotch game on a
sidewalk or driveway. Take turns
playing.
• Learn to juggle. Check out a book
on juggling from the library and
see if you and your child can teach
each other how to do it!
2 • Elementary • Parents make the difference! • May 2015
Do you help your
child deal with
disappointment?
All kids face disappointments. Are you helping
your child learn to deal
with them? Answer yes
or no to each question
below to find out:
___1. Have you helped your child
understand what can and can’t be
changed? “You can’t change the fact
that it is raining, but you can change
your plans.”
___2. Do you help your child make a
positive choice when the unexpected
happens?
___3. Do you help your child learn
from mistakes? “Next time, you’ll
study a little harder and earn a better
grade.”
___4. Do you have the rule: You can
feel disappointed, but you can’t sulk?
Your child can control her actions,
even when she feels let down.
___5. Do you help your child figure
out solutions on her own—instead
of trying to fix problems for her?
How well are you doing?
If you answered mostly yes, you’re
helping your child learn how to cope
when things don’t go her way. For
no answers, try those ideas.
®
make the difference!
Practical Ideas for Parents to Help Their
1523-1275
Children. ISSN: 1046-0446
For subscription information call or write:
The Parent Institute®, 1-800-756-5525,
P.O. Box 7474, Fairfax Station, VA 22039-7474.
Fax: 1-800-216-3667.
Or visit our website: www.parent-institute.com.
Published monthly September through May by
The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc., an
independent, private agency. Equal opportunity
employer. Copyright © 2015 NIS, Inc.
Publisher: Phillip Wherry.
Editor: Rebecca Hasty Miyares.
Illustrator: Joe Mignella.
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Copyright © 2015, The Parent Institute®
Don’t let end-of-year projects
become a family emergency!
As the end of the school
year draws near, teachers
often assign large projects.
These can be a way for
students to do something
creative and have fun while learning.
But projects can sometimes drive
parents crazy!
Kids may try to put off work on
that huge project until the very last
minute. Then everyone in the house
goes into panic mode to make sure
the poster gets made, the costumes
are ready and the report is written.
This year, don’t let your child’s
end-of-year project become a family
emergency. Here are steps to take:
1. Make a plan. As early as possible,
sit down with your child to develop
a plan for completing the project.
Have him write the due date on
the calendar. Ask questions about
what steps he’ll need to take to
get ready. “You need to make a
poster. Let’s check to see if we
have the supplies you’ll need.”
2. Make a schedule. Now help your
child figure out when he’s going
to complete each step. Having
several smaller deadlines is much
easier than waiting and trying to
meet one big one. Have him write
these dates on the calendar.
3. Celebrate successes. Each time
your child reaches a goal, help
him figure out a reward. This
should be small (a favorite dessert,
not a trip to Disney World) and
something he can mostly do for
himself.
4. Check in. You’ll need to see how
he is progressing to help him stay
on track.
Source: D. Heacox, Ed.D., Up from Underachievement:
How Teachers, Students, and Parents Can Work Together to
Promote Student Success, Free Spirit Publishing.
What should you do if your
child starts using swear words?
At one time or another,
nearly every child will
use a swear word. Often,
kids just try out a word
they’ve heard to see if
they can get a reaction from their
parents. It usually works.
Still, most parents don’t want to
hear this type of language coming
from their children. And teachers
certainly don’t want to hear it in
their classrooms!
To encourage your child to use
respectful language:
• Stress your family’s values. You
might say, “I know other people
may use words like that. But in
our family, that kind of talking
is not acceptable.” Your child
should feel proud to avoid using
the inappropriate words she hears
around her.
• Talk about how those words
make others feel. Words can hurt
people’s feelings.
• Remind her that people judge
others by their language. If she
uses swear words, she will likely
develop a bad reputation.
• Praise her when she catches
or corrects herself. Positive
reinforcement is the most
effective way to get more of the
behavior you want and less of the
behavior you don’t.
Source: “My Child Won’t Stop Swearing,” Parent News,
niswc.com/swearing.
Q: My son struggled this year in
fourth grade. He will pass—but
just barely. I don’t have money
to send him to summer school
or an expensive camp. But I
know he needs help or next
year will be worse. What can I
do over the summer to help my
child catch up so he can keep up
next year?
Questions & Answers
A: It sounds like your child has
had a rough year. But there are
ways to make sure he doesn’t
repeat it in fifth grade.
Here are four ideas to help
you get your son back on track:
1. Meet with your child’s teacher
before the end of the year.
Together, lay out a summer
learning plan. If he’s struggling
in math, find out exactly what
seems to give him trouble—
fractions? Multiplication and
division?
2. Take care of some basics.
Have your son’s vision and
hearing tested. It may be
that he can’t see to read the
board, or that he can’t hear
the teacher. So rule out these
problems early.
3. Set some learning goals. How
many books will he read?
(Sign him up for the library
reading program.) Let him
select the books—don’t worry
if they aren’t “classics.”
4. Set aside time each day to
work on school skills. Perhaps
the teacher will give you work
sheets or an old math book so
he can practice.
5. Have some fun together.
Learning doesn’t have to be
drudgery! So visit the zoo or
a museum. Look for a free
concert. All these are ways
to keep learning alive!
May 2015 • Elementary • Parents make the difference! • 3
Copyright © 2015, The Parent Institute®
www.parent-institute.com
It Matters: Summer Learning
Seven ways to
prevent summer
reading loss
Your child has worked
on strengthening her
reading skills all
year long. You don’t
want her to lose them
over the summer! Yet research
shows that summer reading loss is
a real problem.
Thankfully, there are countless
ways you can encourage your child
to maintain—and even improve—
her reading skills during vacation.
You can:
1. Read together daily. In addition
to reading books, ask for your
child’s help with following
recipes, looking up information
online and making lists.
2. Keep reading materials handy.
Leave comics, magazines, books,
newspapers and other materials
around the house where your
child is likely to pick them up.
3. Choose irresistible materials.
Look for books and articles
about your child’s interests, such
as sports, art, fashion or even a
favorite movie.
4. Talk with experts. Ask your
child’s teacher or a librarian for
summer reading suggestions.
5. Visit the library regularly. Give
your child frequent opportunities
to find materials that appeal to
her.
6. Take books with you. Bring them
on trips, into waiting rooms and
anywhere else your child might
complain, “I’m bored!”
7. Be creative. Listen to audio
books. Play word games. Visit
a museum and read about
displays. Start a book club.
Maintain a consistent schedule
over the summer months
S
ummer is a time to relax—but
not a time to relax important
routines. Routines help your child
cooperate, develop responsibility
and become self-disciplined. They
also make it easier to adjust when
school starts again.
Maintain routines for:
• Sleep. During the summer, your
child’s bedtime and rising time
may be later than usual. Once
you choose a reasonable sleep
schedule, however, stick with it.
• Reading. Summer offers extra
time for reading. Visit the library
weekly and encourage reading
every day, including in fun spots,
such as the pool or the park.
• Meals. Make it a priority to have
at least one family meal a day.
This is a chance to catch up and
enjoy each other’s company.
• Screen time. Extra free time
should not mean more time
for TV and video games. Use
the guideline recommended by
experts—no more than 10 hours
of screen time total per week.
Disguise your child’s summer
learning with fun activities
Many parents admit
that “educational
activities” aren’t at the
top of their summer
to-do list—even though
they know summer learning (or lack
of it) can affect school-year success.
One solution is to do things that
don’t feel like learning. You can:
• Conduct science experiments.
Find the answers to questions
like, “What can we add to water
to make an egg float?” “What’s
the best proportion of lemon
juice to water for lemonade?” or
“How long does it take for an ice
4 • Elementary • Parents make the difference! • May 2015
cube to melt on a plate?” Your
child can also go online and find
more fun experiments to try.
A good place to start is www.
sciencekids.co.nz/experiments.
html.
• Combine reading and math.
Many board games use word
and number skills. Simple tasks,
such as following instructions,
reading cards, strategizing
and counting points are great
practice. Consider taking some
games outside. Research suggests
outdoor greenery can boost
attention, mood and creativity!
St. James-Assiniboia School Division
Parent & Child
®
Activity Calendar
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
make the difference!
Wednesday
Thursday
May 2015
Friday
Saturday
1
Think of a
meaningful
quotation you love.
Post it where your
child will see it.
2
Celebrate National
Bike Month by
having your child
review the “rules of the
road.”
3
Some time today,
Ask your child
exchange notes
category questions.
instead of talking. (This What cries? Babies, sad
also works when things people. What swims?
get noisy!)
Fish, people. What flies?
Airplanes, birds.
4
5
It’s Cinco de Mayo.
Show your child a
With your child,
new shape today.
learn about why this
If he already knows
holiday is celebrated in the basics, introduce a
Mexico.
hexagon (six sides) or
octagon (eight sides.)
6
7
Ask your child
questions that
require more than a yes
or no answer: “What
was your favorite part
of the story?”
8
Turn off the TV
this evening! Play
games instead.
9
10
Go for a
reading picnic
together. Take some
books, a snack and a
blanket to sit on.
11
Make it a point
to use five new
words at the dinner
table tonight.
12
Talk about a
familiar place
and decide which
direction it is from
your home—north,
south, east or west.
13
Have your
child give you
examples of a complete
sentence, an incomplete sentence and a
run-on sentence.
14
Does your
child need
new books? Try a
neighborhood book
swap.
15
Read three
poems with
your child today.
16
17
Set aside time
today to work
on a hobby with your
child.
18
Give family
members
marshmallows and
toothpicks. See who
can build the tallest
tower.
19
Have your child
At dinner, have
Ask your child
Freeze fruit
hold her nose
each family
to complete this
juices in ice
while she eats. Does it member say something sentence: “If I had one cube trays to make
affect the taste of the
nice about every person wish, it would be ... .”
popsicles. Enjoy them
food?
at the table.
with your child.
20
21
22
23
24
31
25
26
27
28
29
30
Play a game of
tic-tac-toe with
your child.
Ask the school
about dates for
year-end tests. Make
sure your child gets
Practice origami enough sleep the nights
with your child. before.
Set an example
for your child.
Let her see you
reading. Then say,
“Reading is so much
fun!”
Create a
family joke
book. Write one or
two jokes per page.
Staple the pages
together.
Look for a
TV program
on science or history.
Watch it with your
child.
Make hand puppets
by drawing faces
on the bottom flap of a
small paper bag.
Garden with
your child
today. Pull weeds,
spread mulch, plant
flowers outside. Or pot
plants indoors.
Start a list of
places you’d
like to visit. Have your
child do research to
obtain information
about these places.
Encourage your
Remind your
child to write a
child that you
letter today to a distant enjoy his company and
relative or friend.
let him know you love
him.
© 2015 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. May be reproduced only as licensed by Parents make the difference!® Elementary Edition newsletter. 1-800-756-5525