St.

Patrick School

October, 2012
Principals Message It is hard to believe that weve been back at school for a whole month. We are very excited to be back and see everyone once again getting into a routine. Thank you to all parents who attended the SCC Barbeque and St. Patrick Parent Night on Wednesday, September 26th. It was great to have so many families out to enjoy supper, participate in the SCC Executive Elections and meet classroom teachers. A big thank you to the SCC for cooking and feeding over 200 people! St. Patrick School is pleased to highlight the goals set for the 2011-2012 school year. Goal 1 - Literacy Goal: To meet or exceed Student Reading Achievement Outcomes in all grades: Final Reading Benchmark Results: Grade 1 76 % of students at Grade Level Grade 2 90 % of students at Grade Level Grade 3 100 % of students at Grade Level Grade 4 80 % of students at Grade Level Grade 5 90 % of students at Grade Level We are very pleased with these results. St. Patrick School will once again focus on increased reading outcomes for all students this upcoming year. Goal - Smooth Transitions Goal: To create conditions for smooth transitions for children as they move into the next grade. Based on data collected, we saw strong growth for students in all grades in their academic, social, emotional and spiritual development last year. Data was collected from school-based indicators that identified how student transitioned within their learning environment (i.e. between classroom changes, recess transitions, mass, to and from the gymnasium, bus loading at the end of day, etc). Students will continue to work on Smooth Transitions to help establish routines and create a calm and respectful learning environment. Communication

1) Newsletters: Newsletters are

written to inform parents of school news and upcoming events. It is very important that parents read them so that they are aware of the monthly activities that may involve their children within St. Patrick School. 2) Continuous Improvement Plan: Every year the staff and School Community Council set and approve goals that assist our students with learning and achievement outcomes. Newsletters will indicate strategies that are being implemented to assist in helping our students learn and obtain specific goal areas. 3) Home School Communication: Your childs teacher will communicate regularly with you through class emails, phone calls, home reading programs, etc. We believe the home school communication is necessary to help your child learn. Please contact your childs teacher as soon as

you have a question or a concern.

children at school be here promptly at 3:15pm. Entrance to the School: As a safety precaution, all side and backdoors to the school will remain locked during the day. The front doors will remain unlocked for parents and any students who arrive late. Please reinforce with your child that he/she must come to the front door and report in to Mrs. Mase at the front desk once classes are in session.

Child Drop Off in the Morning In order to ensure the safety of all students, it is important that parents ensure a safe drop-off for their child. In the morning buses will be unloading children in front of the school. Sending children across the street to the school between buses is extremely dangerous and must not happen. Please walk your child to the designated crosswalk area and cross the street with them. A reminder also to please not park even momentarily in the bus zone to drop off your children. This area is designated for buses only. As well, child drop off in the staff parking lot is prohibited as staff are entering at this time and it creates a dangerous situation for everyone. Important Points for Parents Arrival in the morning: For their own safety, students should not arrive before 8:15 am. Proper Dress for School: The students should dress warmly and stay outside as they will be expected to stay outside until the bell goes. Play After School: Also, students who do not take the bus are expected to go straight home after school. Only those students whose parents are waiting for them and will be looking after them, will be allowed to stay and play after school. Parent Pick up Time: For safety reasons, we also request that all parents/guardians who pick up their

Peanut Free St. Patrick School has students who have severe nut allergies. Please do not send any products for lunch or snack that contain peanuts or other nuts. We strive to be a Nut Free School. Thank you. Library News October Please visit our newly minted St. Patrick Library blog at: http://stpatricklibrary.wordpress.com/ We will post information about new books, student book reviews, and any upcoming events in the library. Mark Twain said a person "who does not read good books is no better off than a person who can't read at all." At St. Pat's library, we are very thankful to have many, many good books for your children to enjoy. This month, we will be learning about notable traits common to all good books and strategies to find books worth reading. We will also begin a discussion on the central role literature plays in making us more compassionate and loving human beings.

Your child will be coming home this month with an iRead Passport to the Public library. This is a new reason for kids to visit the public library and by signing out books collect points at our own school library for prizes and free books! Stay tuned! We are always looking for parent involvement in the library. There are a variety of opportunities at the library to become involved in your child's education. Please contact us at stephen.anderson@htcsd.ca Stephen Anderson

your communication to them through your childs agenda. Christ the Redeemer Church News RECONCILIATION PREPARATION 2012 The first meeting for children in grade 2 and up will be on Wednesday, October 3rd @ 7 pm in the Parish Hall. Both the child and the parent and should attend this information session. If you wish to have your child receive this sacrament, please pick up a registration form from a table in the Welcome Area. To help us prepare for the evening, would you please confirm your attendance by calling the office at 773-9524. You may call our Pastoral Assistant, Stan Lautsch for more information. Information is also available on our website: www.crtsc.ca

School Fees Parents are reminded to please get student fees in the school. Payment for school fees can be done by cash, cheque, or post-dated cheques. If families need to make arrangements for payments by installments, just call the office at 778-4645 Contacting the School for Absentees We ask that you follow the protocol listed below when your child is absent from school:

St. Patrick Student Activity Update Flag Football Many of the St. Patrick Grade 5 students are involved in Flag Football where they get to compete in fun games against the neighboring schools of Central, Ashley Park and Omen School on Saturdays at Ashley Park School. Those involved are having a lot of fun and would like to thank Mr. Cronan, Madame Kouri and Mrs. Ziegler for coaching them this season. St. Patrick School K Kids Club The St. Pats K Kids Club consists of many grade 5 students who enjoy doing things for others in our Swift Current Community. The Kiwanis is our sponsor and regularly connects with our

1.

Parents need to phone the school when their child will be absent or late. (If you do not phone the school, we will attempt to call you to confirm that your child is absent or late for school.) 2. Send a note in your childs agenda at an earlier date to let the teacher know that your child will be absent. Teachers track attendance and greatly appreciate

school to see what exciting activities the K Kids are involved in. A select group of K Kids participated in the In Motion Walk held on Monday, September 24th at the Market Square downtown. Seven other schools walked in support of the In Motion movement for children to be active 60-90 minutes each day! You may have noticed the K Kids assisting with cleaning up at Christ the Redeemer church after the final sitting at the Fall Supper this past Sunday, September 30th. They were wearing their St. Patrick Green and doing their part in their efforts to help out. Well done K Kids! School Doors and Office The east side doors of the school are locked during the school day. This has been put in place for the safety of our students and staff. Parents are asked to come to the front door (South) of the school and check in with Mrs. Mase our school administrative assistant. Parents wishing to pick their children for lunch or at the end of the school day need to come to the office to pick them up as well.

cars and buses have become the main means of transportation. However, we also know that active transportation increases physical activity, enhances the environment, promotes social interaction, reduces traffic congestion, and develops community cohesion! At the schools, there is going to be a chance for all students who walk or bike to school on October 10th to win a gift card from Pinnacle Source for Sports! So on October 10th, replace the car keys for a pair of running shoes and walk to school or work! This event is sponsored by Pinnacle Source for Sports, In Motion and The City of Swift Current. For more information, contact Rec and Parks at 7782787

Early Dismissal Early Dismissal for students is Tuesday, October 16, 2012. Bus pick-up will be 2:15pm.

In Motion On September 24th, an In Motion School Relay took place in downtown Swift Current with 8 schools participating with approximately 85 students. Thank you to everyone who came to participate and support this event. It was a fantastic way to kick off the In Motion school year! Another great way to be physically active and In Motion, is to participate in the International Walk to School Day on October 10. This year we are challenging all community members in Swift Current to walk or bike to school or work that day! As we all know, less people walk to school and work than in the past;

Immunization Clinics Its flu season and immunization is the best way to protect you and your family! The Cypress Health Regions immunization clinics are scheduled for October 8 to November 7. Please visit www.cypresshealth.ca for a complete listing of dates, times, and locations in your area. Brad Boutilier Corporate Relations Coordinator, Communications Viewing our Newsletter Online

Please feel free to go to the Holy Trinity Website (http://www.htcsd.ca) and click on Schools and St. Patrick Elementary to view the Newsletter online.

Yours In Education, Troy Froehlich Principal

St. Patrick School

OCTOBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sunday 30

Monday 1

Tuesday 2

7 Fire Prevention Week

8 9 No School Thanksgiving

Wednesday 3 Reconciliatio n Preparation 7:00pm CTR Church 10 Mass at St. Pats at 10:30am in the gym

Thursday 4

Friday 5 6 Thanksgiving Assembly: 2:15pm 12

Saturday

11

13 Gr. 5 Football -Ashley Park

14 Library Week

15 SCC meeting 7:00pm St. Patrick Library 22

16 Early Dismissal 2:15 Bus pick up 23

17

18

19

20 Gr. 5 Football -Ashley Park 27

21 Education Week 28

24

25 26 Gospel Picture Assembly Retake Day 9:25 am

29

30

31