Family Literacy Day - January 27, 2011

Did you know … studies have shown that children who read books for just 20 minutes a day perform better in school?

January 27 is Family Literacy Day. To help mark the occasion, School Council offers these Tips for Choosing Books for Young Children:

 Try out many different kinds of books to see what appeals to your children—fiction, fact, rhyming, narrative, fantasy, mystery, chapter books, short books, “lift-the flap” books, and more!

 Choose books that are related to your child’s interests—sports, animals, adventure, princesses, pirates, outer space, dance, music and more .

 Have children choose their own books as soon as they start showing a preference for one over another. Show an interest in the topics they enjoy.

 BUT, also look for books that you will like reading aloud. Your own enjoyment will become contagious. Reading is fun!

 Again, again, again! Young children may want to read the same book many times, even if you think they have outgrown it. Gently suggest new choices, but don’t refuse them their favourite book at story time.

 If your child does not like a book you are reading together, put it away and choose another. Reading should always be a fun time to share.

Our “Blizzard of Books” Fair (January 27-28) is an excellent place to pick up popular, affordable, age-appropriate books that have been approved by reading specialists. We’re in the school library on Thursday night (5:30 – 7:30 p.m.) or Friday morning (9:00 – 11:00 a.m.). Come see for yourself!

Premier's Awards

Excellence in your school deserves something exceptional…

You know the difference an outstanding teacher or support staff member can make your children’s lives — it happens at CHPS every day! School Council believes that the extraordinary work of our special educators and support staff deserves recognition. And here’s our chance!

The Premier’s Award for Teaching Excellence offers awards in the following categories:

Ø      Teacher of the Year

Ø      New Teacher of the Year

Ø      Excellent Support Staff

Ø      Excellence in Leadership

Ø      Team of the Year

Ø      Lifetime Achievement

We encourage you to submit a nomination — it’s easy as A-B-C-D!

(A)   Talk to your nominee (to be sure he or she is willing to be nominated)

(B)   Find two people to write 1-3 page letters to support your nomination (be sure to include two different perspectives: a parents, a student, a teacher, a colleague, etc.)

(C)  Write your own nomination letter – 3 double-spaced pages in regular font

(D)  Complete the nomination form and mail it in before the deadline!

Nomination deadline is January 31, 2011.

Nomination packages are available in the school office. If you are interested in submitting a nomination and need some help coordinating the package (or would like free editing services for your letters!), please contact Angie Arnold at angieblue_3@yahoo.ca or 613-941-4710.

Book Fair - Call for Help!

Ever dreamed of working in a book store? Well, this is your chance! Sort of!
CHPS is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair on January 27 - 28 to celebrate Family Literacy Day! The dates are set, the flyers are being shipped, the books are ordered...all we need now are a few volunteers to help pull this off!

Parents, if you'd like to help sell books on Thursday, January 27 (5:30 - 7:30 p.m.) and/or Friday, January 28 (9:00 - 11:00 a.m.), please email Angie Arnold at angiblue_3@yahoo.ca or call her at 613-941-4710.

This is always a fun event for families, so come hang out in the library with us!
It's for a great cause - your kids!

Top five reasons not to miss CHPS's Scholastic Book Fair!

1. You can choose from quality books in every price range, interest, and reading level...in the comfort of our school library.
2. You'll find more affordable editions of many of the most popular books sold in retail stores.
3. You'll help CHPS earn books for classrooms and libraries - last year, the fair raised more than $500 worth of books for our library.
4. You'll meet up with your neighbours and the families of your child's school friends - it's a great place to connect!
5. And best of all, having fun book shopping with your child is a great way to help raise a reader!

Come to our "Blizzard of Books" Fair (January 27 - 28) in the school library on Thursday January 27 (5:30 - 7:30 p.m.) or Friday, January 28 (9:00 - 11:00 a.m.).

See you there!

Did you know???

Did you know... studies have shown that children who read books for just 20 minutes a day perform better in school?

January 27 is Family Literacy Day. To help mark the occasion, School Council offers these tips for Choosing Books for Young Children:

• Try out many different kinds of books to see what appeals to your children - fiction, fact, rhyming, narrative, fantasy, mystery, chapter books, short books, "lift-the-flap" books, and more!
• Choose books that are related to your child's interests - sports, animals, adventure, princesses, pirates, outer space, dance, music and more.
• Have children choose their own books as soon as they start showing a preference for one over another.  Show an interest in the topics they enjoy.
• BUT, also look for books that you will like reading aloud. Your own enjoyment will become contagious. Reading is fun!
• Again, again, again! Young children may want to read the same book many times, even if you think they have outgrown it. Gently suggest new choices, but don't refuse them their favourite book at story time.
• If your child does not like a book you are reading together, put it away and choose another. Reading should always be a fun time to share.

Our "Blizzard of Books" Fair (January 27 - 28) is an excellent place to pick up popular, affordable, age-appropriate books that have been approved by reading specialists. We're in the school library on Thursday night (5:30 - 7:30 p.m.) or Friday morning (9:00 - 11:00 a.m.). Come see for yourself!

From School Council

School Council is happy to report that the Library Gift program raised $435 for new books for the library - about 40% of which will be French books to support students in the French Immersion and Core French programs. On behalf of the teachers and child care providers in whose names you so generously donated, "Thank you!" Lynda the Librarian's response sums it up: "Yippee! A 'shopping I will go!" Those special new books should be in circulation soon!
School Council also tanks everyone who supported the Holiday Bake Sale and Raffle.  In total, we raised $300 - funds that will go towards library refurbishment and the maintenance and repair of our musical instruments. These fundraising activities support the programs that all of our children enjoy, so we're very grateful for the parent community's generosity...in baking and buying!

Important Dates

Each year, there is a Kindergarten registration period, a student transfer period ofr the elementary and secondary panels, and a French Immersion Program registration period.

The following timelines will apply for the 2011-2012 school year:

Kindergarten Registration Period
Monday, January 31 to Friday, February 4, 2011

Student Transfer Application Period
Monday, February 14 to Friday, February 25, 2011

Middle French Immersion Registration Period
Tuesday, February 22 to Monday, February 28, 2011

This information can also be found on the Board's website:  www.ocdsb.ca

Week of January 10, 2011

Please check out Ms. Cox's new Senior Kindergarten blog:
www.mscoxkindernews.blogspot.com

Also, a reminder that there is no school this Friday, January 14 due to a teacher activity day.

Happy New Year!

Welcome back - we hope you had an enjoyable and restful holiday!
We are right back in the swing of things here at Carleton Heights. 

Our Chief Custodian, Domenico Pontone has moved to Knoxdale/Greenbank schools. 
We wish him all the best!
A warm welcome to our new Chief Custodian, Karen McFadyen.

Please check out our new bulletin board in the main hallway displaying
all of our COUGAR PAWS (Principal Appreciates Wonderful Students). 
These are given to students to recognize a character trait that they have displayed.
The character traits we are trying to promote are Acceptance, Appreciation,
Cooperation, Empathy, Fairness, Integrity, Optimism, Perseverance,
Respect and Responsibility.  Once a month our entire student body meets
together at an assembly, where that month's character trait is introduced, and
the students who have been awarded a Cougar Paw are recognized in front of
their peers.  Several student's names are drawn randomly to receive
a prize.

Don't forget Fajita Friday this Friday, Jan. 7!