Thursday, November 6, 2008


(To view a PDF version of this newsletter please click here.)



Dear Parents,



I wanted to begin by thanking Sandra Carignan for her incredible job with the recent English Book Fair. This book fair would not happen without Sandra’s organizational skills and hard work. All of the staff at Laura Secord thank you. The book fair provides all of the various teachers and support staff with new books for their teaching areas and, of course, the library benefits immensely.
This past week we have had some updates on the seismic project at Secord. Parents and staff met with several representatives from VSB Planning and Facilities this past week to talk about the Ministry’s new initiative centred around "Neighbourhoods of Learning". The four schools currently engaged in the seismic upgrades were asked to provide the Ministry with a list of priority programs, the spaces that they require, and the rationale for the programs. We have provided Planning and Facilities with a list of the many programs currently in existence at Secord that support our students not only during the instructional school day but also before and after school. If you wish to have a look at this list, please contact me and I will gladly share it. The Planning and Facilities department will be presenting our priority list to the Ministry and a decision will be made as to how our schools can maintain spaces that required to maintain these programs.



Sincerely,
Marion Broadbent and Christine Rock
Principal Vice- Principal




Library Hours Before and After School



Our librarian Lauren Smith has asked me to include the hours that the library will be open before school for parents and students to come and take out books. Tuesday to Friday the library will be open from 8:15 to 8:43. Mrs Smith will also be in the library after school on most days unless she has a scheduled meeting. The library will also be open to students on designated rainy days when the rain is very heavy. Mrs. Smith welcomes parents and students to visit the library at these specific times during the week.



Tips on Managing Your Child's Media Consumption


Because of the popularity of video games, completely eliminating them from your child's life might be difficult. But there are a number of suggestions for decreasing the negative impact that they might have on your child. Here are a few tips:





  • Know the rating of the video games your child plays.


  • Do not install video game equipment in your child's bedroom.


  • Set limits on how often and how long your child is allowed to play video games.


  • Monitor all of your child's media consumption -- video games, television, movies and Internet.


  • Supervise your child's Internet use -- there are now many "video games" available for playing online.


  • Take the time to discuss with your children the games they are playing or other media they are watching. Ask your children how they feel about what they observe in these video games, television programs or movies. This is an opportunity to share your feelings and grow closer with your child.


  • Share with other parents information about certain games or ideas for helping each other in parenting.


Some of the Grade 7 students recently were polled on how many hours of computer and television time that they engaged in during the weekend, specifically Saturday and Sunday. Please take a look at the results below.
The total number of students polled is 24
The columns represent the total number of hours spent in front of the computer and the television from left to right
less than 1 hour, 1-5 hours, 6-10 hours, 11-20 hours and over 20 hours.
The scale is from 0 to 14 in increments of 2; for example, 13 students watched TV for 1 to5 hours and were on the computer for 1 to 5 hours on Sat. and Sun., 4 students were on the computer for 11-20 hours and watching television for between 11-20 hours.







Cirque du Français



Date: Saturday, November 8th



Time: 12-3pm



Location: Lord Selkirk School (1750 East 22nd Ave)



The circus will feature a circus performance by performer Sand Northrup, information about French resources in the city, face painting, arts and crafts, French food and French books from Sophia Books andUsbourne
Admission for CPF members is $2 Admission for non-members is $5 for the circus show only, $6 for the entire circus experienceChildren under 5 years and parents FREEThis event is being organized by the PAC Chair at Lord Selkirk School



Upcoming Dates To Remember




Nov. 7 Remembrance Day Assembly at 11:00 am
Nov. 10 Pro-D day, students do not come to school
Nov. 11 Remembrance Day, school is closed
Nov. 18 Immunizaton Clinic for Kindergartens and Grade 6s
PAC Meeting at 6:30 pm in Room 105A
Nov. 12 -14 Principal will be at an
Educational conference.
Our VP, Ms Rock, will be
in charge.